Chapter 4 Confidence Inconsequence
(Disclaimer: I do not Own Pokémon. Pokémon Belongs to Game Freak and Nintendo).
(A/N #1: So Sorry for the long absence of posting chapters for this story. But having the seen recent (New) episodes of "Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series" Has inspired me to get back to making this Story. And do not worry, I will not only be uploading new chapters every time new episodes come out. That would not be fair of me. This has been a chapter I have been meaning to do for a while now. It is just that I have been terribly busy with my life. But I am back and that is what counts).
(A/N #2: Additionally in case you are wondering I will only be doing One on One battle(s) in this story unless I extend the battle over one or More chapters with that said lets us begin chapter 4 of "The Ashes of Confidence").
(A Couple of Days have passed since Ash's 2nd in a Row loss to Paul and Ash was desperate for a win to say the least. He was determined to win his battle and was heading for the location of his next battle. This battle would be in Fennel Valley, a place that is significant to Ash since it was where he had one of his most important battle victories in his career as a Pokémon trainer. And it would be where Ash would redeem himself as a Pokémon Trainer. Cause he did not know if he could take any more losses like this. Finally, Ash and his Partner Pokémon, Pikachu had arrived at their destination in the Fennel Valley. A Large Pyramid-Like Building, the Battle Pyramid. Standing in front of the Battle Pyramid was the man Ash was going to battle, the Pyramid King and the Strongest of the Frontier Brains, Brandon. Upon arriving, Ash walked up to Brandon with a Confident smile as he greeted him).
Ash Ketchum: Hey Brandon, good to see you. Thanks for accepting my challenge.
Brandon: No Problem, Ash, I have been eager to Battle with you again.
Ash Ketchum: Have you been getting stronger Brandon? (Brandon laughs at this).
Brandon: Of Course, I have Ash. Have you?
Ash Ketchum: You bet.
Brandon: Prove it to me Ash Ketchum. Show me why you are the Battle Frontier Champion, the Champion of the Orange Islands, and the Alola Region.
Ash Ketchum: I Will! (Then Ash Says to himself). This will be the battle I win to restore my confidence and end my losing streak for good, I must win! No matter what!
(Minutes Later, Ash and Brandon are inside the Battle Pyramid on the Battlefield as the Battle Referee begins the battle procedure).
Samuel: This Battle Between Ash and Brandon, is about to begin. This will be a one-on-one battle with no substitutions and no time limit. The Battle will be over when one sides Pokémon are unable to Continue. And now if you please, bring out your Pokémon!
Brandon: You may pick your Pokémon first Ash.
Ash Ketchum: Okay. (Ash then thinks to himself). If Brandon is going to use the Pokémon, that I predicted then I will surely have the type-Advantage to win, I may have gotten lucky last time thanks to Pikachu but this time I am going to fight head on to ensure a victory. (Ash Ketchum reaches into his Pocket and pulls a Pokéball out). And this Pokémon is the key to my Victory. (Then Ash throws the Pokéball out revealing his choice of a Pokémon). NOW I CHOOSE YOU! (From the bright light, Ash's Pokémon of Choice appears. Brandon seems shocked by the Pokémon Ash choose before smiling upon recognizing it).
Brandon: That is quite an impressive Pokémon you got Ash, a Melmetal. But being around the world visiting ruins I have learned about Melmetal, yet I have never battled one before. But this will be interesting to say the least. (Then Brandon takes a Pokéball out as Ash asks him with an overly confident smile that Brandon at once notices but says nothing about it).
Ash Ketchum: So, What Pokémon are you going to use? (Brandon does not like how Overconfident Ash looks right now but does not focus on it saying).
Brandon: This One Ash. (Brandon throws the Pokéball shouting). REGIROCK, I NEED YOUR ASSISTANCE! (Emerging from the Pokéball is Brandon's Choice of Pokémon, Regirock, which is exactly the Pokémon Ash predicted he would use. As he Confidently smirks to himself being right about his prediction in Brandon's Choice of Pokémon as he mutters to himself).
Ash Ketchum: Yes! He chose the Pokémon I expected from him. (Pikachu notices Ash's expression and gets worried not liking his recent change in attitude becoming worried for him. Then Samuel continues the Battle procedures).
Samuel: It has been Determined that Ash will Have the First Move. Ready? BATTLE BEGIN! (Ash and Brandon Clash in a VS. Scene. Before Giving the first Command to Melmetal, Ash thinks to himself).
Ash Ketchum: This is it; I must win this battle to end my losing streak! (Ash then tells Melmetal which Attack to use). Melmetal Use Flash Cannon! (Melmetal fires its Flash Cannon attack at Regirock. Brandon shouts to Regirock).
Brandon: Regirock! Use STONE EDGE! (Regirock fires its Stone Edge Attack at the incoming Flash Cannon attack. Upon impact the Stone Edge somehow quickly overpowers the Flash Cannon and hits Melmetal, doing Critical Hit Damage, and knocking it down to lie on its back, not defeated. This Makes Ash feel Frustrated as he shouts to Melmetal).
Ash Ketchum: Melmetal what are you doing!? GET UP NOW! (This gets Brandon's attention as he remembers Ash being better than this as does Pikachu. After a Moment, Melmetal Gets back on its feet). Good! Now Get back at Regirock using Double Iron Bash! (Melmetal uses Double Iron Bash while Brandon, now crossing his arms not liking Ash's current mindset, says calmly).
Brandon: Use Iron Defense! (Using Iron Defense, Regirock easily blocks the Double Iron Bash attack, causing it bounce off like a Tennis Ball on a Wall, dealing very little damage. All to Ash's Frustration and Pikachu's worries).
Ash Ketchum: Melmetal I know you are stronger than that! Use Double Iron Bash again! (Brandon shakes his head in disappointment for how Arrogant and Reckless Ash is being right now. And decides to not even bother giving Regirock a Battle Command. When Melmetal uses Double Iron Bash against Regirock, the same thing happens again. Regirock suffers an insignificant amount fo damage and Ash gets more frustrated than before. Then Brandon shouts giving his next command to Regirock).
Brandon: Use Lock-On! (Regirock uses Lock-On, ensuring its next attack would hit no matter what. But Ash either does not notice or care as he Shouts at Melmetal).
Ash Ketchum: Melmetal Do Real Damage This Time with Flash Cannon! (By this Point, Melmetal is exhausted and is breathing heavily. Before Ash could issue another command at Melmetal, Brandon commands his next attack to Regirock).
Brandon: Regirock! Use Zap Cannon! (Regirock fires its Zap Cannon Attack at Melmetal, not even getting a chance to dodge it due to tiredness. Upon hitting the Zap Cannon Paralyzes Melmetal. Giving it even less chance to attack or move. Ash's Frustration is boiling over now).
Ash Ketchum: Melmetal get rid of that Paralysis and Use Double Iron Bash NOW! (But Melmetal cannot move due to the Paralysis much less attack. Ash then Yells at Melmetal). MELMETAL, I TOLD YOU! USE... (Before Ash could finish Brandon interrupts him saying).
Brandon: THAT IS ENOUGH ASH!
Ash Ketchum: WHAT DID YOU SAY BRANDON?!
Brandon: Melmetal is tired and paralyzed, and you are telling it to keep fighting despite that?!
Ash Ketchum: Melmetal is going to win no matter what since it is a mythical Pokémon.
Brandon: Mythical Pokémon can lose too Ash.
Ash Ketchum: Not mine! I am going to beat you and be the strongest trainer in the world! While I have had a bad string of two losses already and I WILL NOT LOSE AGAIN! (Brandon scoffs at this before firing back at him saying).
Brandon: All Right What is Wrong Ash? And here I thought you wanted to beat me again, the Pyramid King and strongest of the Frontier Brains. (Ash grits his teeth in frustration and rage as he responds saying).
Ash Ketchum: Listen the truth is that my Melmetal is a Mythical Pokémon and that I have beat you by sheer luck last time that my victory over you will have meaning! The Challenge you always presented to trainers like me beforehand to find their strength was (Ash begins yelling and screaming at Brandon in Rage that seems to terrify Pikachu) SOMETHING I FAILED TO DO TWICE BEFORE FINALLY SUCEEDING! BUT I AM A DIFFERENT TRAINER FROM BACK THEN! NOW MY WILL GIVES ME STRENGTH! AND NOW YOU WILL SEE IT FIRSTHAND! (Brandon is not in the slightest bothered by Ash's Speech as he replies to him saying).
Brandon: Nooo! All wrapped up in the Past over A Couple of losses?! But then why do you think Challenging me with a Mythical against my Legendary would work in the First Place? (Ash is now gritting his teeth even more now as Brandon yells at him questioning). TELL ME WHY DO YOU BATTTLE! (Ash Roars in Anger as he shouts at Melmetal who is still Paralyzed by Regirock's Zap Cannon).
Ash Ketchum: Melmetal Use DOUBLE IRON BASH NOW! (Melmetal begins using Double Iron Bash but stops suddenly due to the Paralysis making Ash growl in anger. As Brandon shakes his head in Disappointment of Ash's behavior now).
Brandon: I will end this now! Use Hyper Beam! (Regirock fires its Hyper Beam at Melmetal hitting it dead on, defeating Melmetal who has spirals in its eye. Then Samuel says doing his Referee job).
Samuel: Melmetal is Unable to Battle! Regirock Wins! (Ash Cannot believe he lost again, for a third time in a row as he shouts running to Melmetal's side).
Ash Ketchum: MELMETAL! (Upon reaching Melmetal's side Ash finally notices Melmetal injuries from the Battle and realizes the mistakes he made during the battle and begins to regret what he did as he says somberly). Melmetal, I am so sorry for treating you so badly, it is all my fault we lost. (Then Ash hears Brandon's voice dripping with disappointment).
Brandon: Yes, it is Ash! (Brandon walks over to Ash with his arms crossed and looking truly angry with him).
Ash Ketchum: Brandon. I- (Before Ash could even say anything Brandon cuts him off).
Brandon: Save it Ash! There are no excuses for what you did today. You blatantly ignored your Pokémon's needs in favor of your selfish and greedy desires to win. That is what cost you! In addition to pushing Melmetal too hard when it was already tired and paralyzed. To think I was excited to battle you again, from one champion to another. But I am disappointed with how you have changed since our last battle. You were confident, chance a little too eager, determined, and Enthusiastic all good qualities of a Pokémon trainer. But today you were arrogant, overconfident, Brash, and dismissive. You were essentially no different than Paul! I dare say by comparison that Paul is a better trainer than you are. Maybe Paul should have beaten you in the Sinnoh League and become Champion of the Alola League instead of you. Because I now see you as a Disgrace to all Pokémon trainers. You do not deserve to be a Champion at all! Or a Pokémon Trainer at all. I no longer have any respect for you as a Pokémon Trainer, Champion, or even as a Person, I am terribly disappointed in you Ash Ketchum, I have nothing more to say to you Ash Ketchum. (With that said, Brandon turns and walks away from Ash with Regirock at his side. Ash looks down in sadness as he processes everything Brandon just said to him. Looking and feeling terribly disappointed in himself. Then Brandon says getting his attention as he stops walking away). Young Man, this battle of yours. Was that your true battle of your true self? You have done an excellent job raising and training your Pokémon. But you have allowed your emotions to betray you on the battlefield. (Ash looks up a bit at hearing this before Brandon continues saying). We Will battle again one day when you have learned to control them. (Ash looks down in sadness over letting his desires to win cloud his judgements, and his Pokémon's conditions. Then Brandon walks off with Regirock at his side. Ash begins to cry over Melmetal's condition and how he let another one of his Pokémon down. And if Ash at that Moment knew anything it was this. That his Days as a Pokémon Trainer were officially over).
(A/N #3: Starting Next Chapter, we will return to the Present depicted in Chapter 1 of the story and continue from there).
TO BE CONTINUED...