"There it is Pikachu, Vale Kingdom." Ash said, as the ship they were on neared the city. "Maybe here we'll be able to learn more about this, where it came from, and why we have it." Ash said, holding the Dark Stone.
"Pi." Pikachu said, sparks lightly coming from his cheeks as he neared the dark stone.
Ash pocket the stone as he could hear Elliot and Rosa approached him.
"So that's our destination." Elliot said. "So why are we here?"
"Brycen recommended I check out the place and its history." Ash said.
"You know, you never said why he told you to though." Rosa realized.
"Just, you know learn more about the great heroes of Unova Legend, maybe use what I learn in my role as Riolu Kid." Ash lied hoping it made sense.
"The two princes were considered heroes by many, though I hardly doubt what their heroics were considered will be able to translate into action movies." Elliot remarked.
"Either way, we're already almost there, and soon enough we will be docking." Rosa said, as Lillipup looked excitedly out to the kingdom.
Less than one hour after docking
"So you think you're tough, let's see what you've got." A female Ace Trainer said.
"Oh, there's no thinking about it. Snivy I choose you!"
"Blitzel come out!"
"Snivy use Vine Whip!"
"Blitzle use Quick Attack!"
Blitzle rushed forward, striking Snivy as they tried tripping up the electric type.
"Snivy use Energy Ball!"
"Blitzle use Spark!"
Snivy sent out a ball of energy, slamming it into the electric types head as it rushed forward once more striking Snivy.
'Such fun, such fun!' A creature with long orange ears said, floating above the battle and out of sight.
"Snivy use Tackle!"
"Blitzle use Double Kick!"
Blitzle leapt at Snivy, knocking two of their hooves into the grass type sending them rolling back into a bush.
'Victory, victory, I will help!' The Pokemon said, a glowing energy going from them to Snivy, rejuvenating the grass type enough to get back up, Snivy rushing forward with their tail coated in water from the sprinklers coating it as he struck Blitzle, knocking the electric type back.
"Snivy use Energy Ball!"
Using the time Blitzle needed to get up, Snivy struck the electric type with a green orb of natural energy knocking them out.
"Impressive, but your luck won't last forever. Come on out Audino!" The Ace Trainer said.
"Snivy come on back. Darumaka I choose you!"
"Audino use Double Slap!"
"Darumaka use Headbutt!"
Darumaka ran forward, getting slapped back and forth by Audino's palms.
"Darumaka use Uproar!"
"Audino use Secret Power!"
Audino sent out a series or needle like energy shots while Darumaka sent out a cry before being knocked around.
"Darumaka's lack of experience is really making this fight hard for her." Rosa said.
"Her?" Elliot asked. "How do you know they're a her?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Rosa asked.
"No, it really isn't." Elliot remarked.
"Darumaka use Fire Fang!"
"Audino use Pound!"
Darumaka leapt, biting down on Audino's hand before getting struck by their other hand, sending Darumaka onto a nearby small roof.
'Ooh, more victory help, help, help.' The orange eared Pokemon said, giving a bit of energy to Darumaka.
"Daru!" Darumaka yelled, rolling into a ball of flames as she launched right off the roof, slamming down on top of Audino.
"Audino use Secret Power!"
"Darumaka use Rollout!"
Darumaka continued the rolling force, pinning Audino even further down, knocking out the normal type.
"Well I have to admit, you are definitely good at pulling out a stop near the end, but you can't keep that up. Munna let's go!"
"Darumaka take five. Riolu I choose you!" Ash called out.
"Riolu isn't a great choice for a battle against Munna." Elliot remarked.
"Riolu use Headbutt!"
"Munna use Confusion!"
Riolu leapt forward, getting caught in midair before being tossed back.
"Riolu use Ice Punch!"
Riolu raced forward, his fist freezing before striking Munna.
"Munna use Zen Headbutt!"
Munna retaliated almost immediately, striking Riolu and sending him crashing back into a tree.
"Riolu!" Ash called out.
"Ri." Riolu grunted trying to get out.
'Help, help, let me help bring you to VICTORY!' The strange Pokemon said, giving Riolu a power boost.
"Olu!" Riolu exclaimed, launching forward with an energy around his head, slamming into Munna, pushing them back.
"Riolu use Dig!"
Riolu dove underground, as Munna was recovering from the previous attack.
"Munna get ready with a Psywave!"
Munna looked around for Riolu only for the fighting type to launch back up from right below, slamming into the psychic type knocking it out.
"Munna return! Now we're getting serious come on out Lampent!"
"Braviary I choose you! Use Hone Claws!"
"Lampent use Fire Spin!"
"Hey Elliot, what are the chances of this happening?" Rosa asked.
"Ash having a battle, pretty high." Elliot commented.
"No, I mean whats happened, Snivy, Darumaka, and Riolu all were close to losing and then came back with renewed energy and a new move." Rosa commented.
"Riolu and Snivy have been training a lot lately, and Darumaka is new, perhaps they were all on the cusp of them." Elliot said.
"Sure, maybe for Darumaka and that fire attack, but Snivy with water, and I'm pretty sure Riolu used Zen Headbutt. Don't those seem strange?" Rosa asked.
"Well, let's watch Braviary's fight and see if we notice anything weird with them." Elliot said.
"You mean outside of their coloring?" Rosa commented.
"Yes, outside of their coloring." Elliot responded.
"Braviary use Wing Attack!"
"Lampent use Flame Burst!"
Braviary pushed right through the flames, striking into Lampent and knocking them about.
"Lampent use Inferno!"
"Braviary use Aerial Ace!"
Braviary spun around mid air as Lampent sent out a ring of fire, encompassing it as Braviary looked for an opening before shooting straight through with the Lampent in his beak.
"Lampent return! Come on out Pansage!"
"Pikachu, you're up." Ash said, returning Braviary.
"Pansage use Seed Bomb!"
"Pikachu use Quick Attack!"
Pikachu sped around, dodging the monkey's attack with ease.
"Pikachu use Iron Tail!"
"Pansage use Fury Swipes!"
Pikachu leapt at Pansage, swinging his tail around and striking the grass type, knocking them back a few feet.
"Pansage use Bite!"
"Pikachu use Thunderbolt!"
Pikachu sent a bolt of electricity at Pansage zapping the monkey in midair, dropping it to the ground in defeat.
"Alright!" Ash cheered. "A full win!"
A bit later at lunch
"Alright, it looks like there are tours of the castle happening tomorrow, we can check out the city the rest of today, and then do the tour tomorrow." Elliot said, having checked everything out.
"Sounds like fun, I'd love to do some shopping around here." Rosa said. "And no, you already had your insane battle for the day, you don't need more." Rosa commented at Ash who was deep in thought.
"Ash?" Elliot asked.
"Huh, yeah sounds good." Ash said.
"What's on your mind?" Rosa asked.
"That battle, something about it doesn't add up." Ash admitted. "I mean I'm good, but even I'm not that good to turn the tide three times that successfully." Ash said, looking at where Snivy, Darumaka, and Riolu were eating.
"I was thinking the same thing earlier." Rosa admitted.
"It is a bit hard to believe you turned it around, but those are your Pokemon, what other explanations do you have?" Elliot asked.
"Vic! Vic! Tini!" A strange Pokemon cried out, flying over excitedly to the three of Ash's Pokemon, all clearly having interacted with it before.
"Elliot, Rosa, do either of you know what Pokemon that is?" Ash asked.
"It, no I have to be wrong." Elliot said.
"What is it? Do you know what Pokemon it is?" Rosa asked.
"Well if I'm right, that is Victini, the Victory Pokemon a mythical Pokemon." Elliot remarked.
"But that doesn't explain how Snivy and the other's know it." Rosa said.
"Wait, Victory Pokemon, maybe that explains that battle." Ash thought out loud.
"What do you mean?" Elliot asked.
"Well it is the victory Pokemon, maybe it was on our side and that's why we got those boosts." Ash said. "Am I right Victini, did you help us?"
"Tini!" Victini cheered, floating around Ash and Pikachu.
"Okay, okay, I'm thankful for the help, but in the future you should let a battle play out as it is." Ash said. "Did you want to hang out with us though?"
"Tini! Vic! Victini!" Victini cheered, flying around Lillipup, then Porygon, and finally a less than amused Braviary.
"Well I guess we're taking in another stray." Rosa sighed.
"Elliot, which one of us is she referring to as the other stray?" Ash whispered.
Ash's Current Team and their Moves
Pikachu: Quick Attack - Thunderbolt - Iron Tail - Volt Tackle
Riolu- Force Palm - Ice Punch - Zen Headbutt - Dig
Snivy: Tackle - Vine Whip - Energy Ball - Aqua Tail
Braviary: Wing Attack - Scary Face - Hone Claws - Aerial Ace
Darumaka: Fire Fang - Flame Wheel - Headbutt - Rollout