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Episode 17

Of Towers and Crowns

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The Pokemon Tower was quite a bit taller than he had expected. "Be on your best behavior, or you'll be back in your ball before Gore can finish a meal!" Ash lectured, giving the vixen a sharp look. Vulpix hissed and returned to struggling with her bell. "I mean it! You whined when I wouldn't let you in earlier, one misstep, one dainty little paw out of line and we're out," the trainer growled narrowing his eyes. The vixen gave him a glare so fierce her golden eyes lit up. She crooned quietly when she realized he wouldn't back down. Ash knelt and lifted her onto his shoulder.

The Channelers may have been gone, but the volunteers had returned to the tower as soon as they could. By the grace of the gods, the Pokemon Tower hadn't been touched by the Rockets. Mr. Fuji told him that many had been injured when Talc and Proton's Rhyperior fought, but there weren't any deaths. In fact, with the exception of the Channelers joining the Rockets the townspeople hadn't suffered any major losses. Ash suspected Proton's goal had been to free the Rockets the veteran trainer had captured. His brow twitched when an image of Wave and Pins lying face down in their own blood returned to him.

Ash had slept without dreams since that night, but the images continued to haunt him. Especially when he was around areas thick with ghostly energy. The old woman behind the front desk, that rather reminded him of Mrs. Jones, who would often sneak him candy, stared at him with slightly wide eyes. "Just really eager to get up there!" Ash offered with a weak grin. Vulpix peered at him as though he was the most ridiculous being she had ever laid eyes upon. She might not be wrong about that.

"I see, just be sure to be respectful around the headstones," the woman said with a hesitant nod. The woman gave Vulpix an unreadable look before turning back to her work. Ash blinked. Why don't we need a leash? A red-haired man gave him a smile as Ash strode past him. The expression was swiftly replaced with a frown when he saw Vulpix. The boy shrugged and made his way to the next floor.

Several floors later, they encountered a young woman who paled and scurried away when she saw the vixen. Vulpix shifted in his arms to stare after the mousy woman. Ash glanced at the floors other occupants. Only the volunteers were eyeing his Pokemon as though she was a murderous beast. She certainly thinks she is. The boy swallowed hard and moved to the next flight in a near jog. Vulpix can't have done anything and I haven't seen a Rocket with a Vulpix, so what's bothering everyone?

Ash gave a relieved sigh when he saw the final flight. He tried to ignore the volunteer's eyes burning into the back of his head as he climbed. Vulpix was more reserved than Ash had ever seen her. The fire-type regarded every headstone with a solemn air and lowered ears. At first, her reaction surprised him, but he decided it shouldn't have. The Vulpix and Cubone lines were known to guard cemeteries, and the vixen even cremated their dead. There were stories of Ninetales in ancient times went so far as to stand guard over their trainer's graves until they died. No one could be sure of how long Ninetales lived, but he had never heard of one dying of old age.

The trainer glanced at the vixen in his arms. I'll have to make sure she knows to move on after I bite it. Ash exhaled as he stepped onto the seventh floor of the Pokemon Tower. The seventh floor was special, though he forgot to ask Ms. Laura how. The headstones of this floor were far larger than the small stones below. About twice as large, and they seemed to have been positioned around even larger stones. The boy took a hesitant step forward.

"Michael Johnson, Tom Smith," he muttered to himself as he past two of the larger headstones. The names were familiar, but he couldn't place them. Another familiar name, Donna Carrell, brought another surge of irritation through him. Ash scowled. I know them! But I just can't- The boy flinched when a tiny paw slapped his cheek. He blinked and looked down. He was nearly crushing the unusually warm Vulpix to his chest. "Sorry." She sniffed and wiggled out of his hold.

The vixen raced toward the back of the floor, making him squawk. "Hey- stop that! If you hit one of those graves we'll be in trouble!" he cried as he strode after his Pokemon. Ash scowled when a long, orange, and red ear twitched, but he received no response from its owner. "I know you hear me, you running rug!" Vulpix yipped and skidded to a stop in front the last row of graves.

"Seriously, what's got into you!" Ash demanded, crossing his arms over his chest. She was actually behaving for a minute there too! Vulpix pointed ahead at the headstone before her with a paw. Ash gave her an annoyed look that was promptly ignored. On the stone was a carving of a Ninetales. Even in stone, the trainer could tell the vixen's eyes looked alight with playful mischief. To its left was another far larger Ninetales. This vixen's slanted eyes held wisdom and seemingly endless patience.

Behind the Ninetales' graves, were two headstones with names he easily recognized. Agatha and Karen Adams. He felt his irritation fade. No wonder she was so taken with them. The power of a Pokemon didn't always fade with their deaths. A Pokemon's power persevering after their death was known as imprinting. For a Ninetales, who are so close to both ghosts and psychics, and no less… They would be nearly irresistible to a two-tailed Vulpix.

At their core, Pokemon were so more than flesh and bone. They were capable of feats of strength the likes of which even with modern technology, humans could never compete with. In ancient times Pokemon were considered to be embodiments of nature, and were worshiped. Some Pokemon were even strong enough to imprint on living beings. The Great One and the Sky God, or Lord of the Sky, were believed to have been the pinnacle of nature's power. Maps had to be redrawn when they did battle. According to the stories anyway. Ash stiffened. Could it be that the energy here is an imprint from the Fog? And what the hell did the Fog mean by "what he could want with you"?

Who's he? The Fog and Hellfang... Their power is like something out of a fairy tale. Dark-types often ambushed their prey with an attack meant to end the struggle swiftly. Similarly, ghosts tended to disorient their victims, before crushing them with all of their might. If the clash had been between Hellfang and a Kingdra, or a Steelix and a Dragonite, or gods have mercy a Gyarados like that, Lavender probably wouldn't survive. Ash shuddered, feeling as though the Fog's terrible chill had overwhelmed him.

There was a legend of Johto his mother had often told him that sprang to mind. According to the legend, a titanic Tentacruel was born in the Dragon's Den of Blackthorn. What angered the Titan of the Deep to the point he had gone on a rampage was unclear. Many believed the jellyfish to have been born with a sadistic, and violent nature. Others argued his rage had been born as a result of the Blackthorn clan's laziness. No one could deny that the battle that resulted was worthy of legend.

It was said the Tentacruel alone defeated four Gyarados and the Gym leader's prized Kingdra. His superiority now undeniable the Pokemon of the Dragon Den rallied around their new monarch and destroyed Blackthorn city. But even that could not sate the vengeful Pokemon. They destroyed every town they passed until they neared Mahogany town. Champion Lyra and her team confronted the horde before they could reach the town.

According to his mother, four members of Lyra's team held their own against the entire horde while Aoife and the Titan dueled. The Titan of the Abyss was the paragon of his species, possibly the mightiest creature to have ever ruled the seas. Champion Lyra and Aoife were stronger still. The horde's will to fight faltered with their monarch's defeat. For ten days in intense rain, they dragged the dying titan to the sea, never to be seen again. The result of the clash was the Lake of Rage. Ash was beginning to think a good deal of the story was true. The other legend of the lake being created was of a Gyarados rampaging, which made little sense. Gyarados rampaged often and were found in nearly every region, yet the lake of Rage was the only one rumored to have been created by one of the serpents.

How many other legends are true? Did Champion Dreyfus's Charizard really kill a forty foot Dragonite? Did Angela of Sinnoh really stalemate the Reaper? There were even tales of the greatest Unova Champion sealing away the Tao dragons. Are there other Pokemon like The Fog and Hellfang in this era? Could there be something even stronger? The idea sent a chill down his spine. Surely such a thing couldn't be possible?

A light nip on his ankle made him flinch. Vulpix glared at him. "Yeah, you're right," Ash muttered falling to his knees before the Champions' graves. He muttered a brief prayer, then drew a small candle from his pocket. "Aim at the little black part for me?" Vulpix blew a tiny orb of purple flame onto the candle lighting it. "Thanks."

The vixen yipped quietly, then her body stiffened with her ears raised and her tails extended. "Eh, Vulpix?" Ash called, eyeing the fire Pokemon with a raised brow. She hacked sparks making him jump and nearly fall onto Agatha's headstone. "Sorry!" the trainer cried backpedaling so quickly he nearly tripped on another grave. Damn it all! We're gonna be cursed! "What the hell is your problem?" Ash demanded after steadying himself.

The vixen whimpered and spat a stream of ghostly fire. He held his hands above his head. "I was just joking earlier! You're not a rug, you're the best Pokemon a trainer could ask for!" She hissed and the flames moved to her two tails. Vulpix panted heavily as the Will-O-Wisp engulfed her tails. The heat intensified, to the point he felt he was being cooked, then the fire began to shrink. Steadily the vixen's breathing evened and the fire disappeared.

Vulpix blinked while Ash gaped. She tilted her head to the left as she swung her new tail experimentally. The now three-tailed vixen yipped happily, wagging her tails in a manner that she would be humiliated to learn of later. Ash gave a dark grin. This is excellent blackmail material! The fact that she was hopping in place was the icing on the cake.

"Ah, Tiny there's truly nothing better than seeing the next generation come into their own!" a deep, smooth voice declared in a jovial tone. A firm, disagreeing squeak made the man give a booming laugh.

"Master Bruno?" Ash cried nearly stepping on Vulpix in his haste to turn. She yelped and leaped over Karen's Ninetales's headstone. "What are you doing here?" he asked breathlessly. The boy groaned when the Master raised the flowers in his hands. Gods, did I really ask that? Vulpix growled at Tiny from behind the headstone, making the Primeape snort.

There were two popping sounds similar to a nut cracking as Bruno released his team. An incredibly muscular, gray-skinned Pokemon four arms as thick as the Nidoking's appeared on one side. The beast stood as tall as its trainer and had a golden belt around its waist. Ash's mouth went dry. This Machamp was at least a foot and a half taller than the average for its species, and far broader than average as well.

The second Pokemon was mostly brown with long, cream colored legs that vaguely resembled springs. It was a fair amount taller than Ash, which for a Hitmonlee was impressive. Compared to the giant Machamp it was a bit disappointing. Are they all he's letting out? He had hoped to see the master's Heracross and Poliwrath.

"Did you hear me?" Bruno's voice called.

"Er-Yes?"

"I said thank you," the master said with a knowing smile. "If you all hadn't stepped up all of the town's Pokemon, their jewels, and money would belong to Team Rocket." Ash was certain his face was capable of cooking with the heat it gave off. He nearly gaped when Tiny, the Hitmonlee, and Machamp passed him. He did when the Primeape clapped him on the shoulder and the Machamp smiled down at him.

"And I especially want to thank you for saving Hellfang," Bruno said, clapping his shoulder with a massive calloused hand. Ash flinched. He didn't even hear the giant master's approach. "I don't think I could bare burying him so soon after her," he muttered, his eyes shining even in the poor light. The master strode to his daughter's grave and knelt. Ash's eyes widened in horror when the giant's shoulders slumped. Tiny wrapped her arms around Karen's headstone with a yowl. Hitmonlee and Machamp were remarkably composed, but their shaking fists and the tenseness of their legs made their distress evident. "It was nice to see you again, young man, and I do regret not being able to thank you properly... but please give us a few moments," Bruno requested his head lowered as though he were in penance.

"Yes, sir," Ash responded with a slow nod. "I was just thinking to get lunch anyway." Vulpix eyed the giants before her warily, then darted between the Machamp's incredibly thick legs. She leaped to his chest and yipped urgently as she glanced at the titans behind her with worry. Ash nodded and strode from the massive room.

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Ash winced as Bulbasaur rammed a boulder headfirst. Mastering Chlorophyll was a touch more difficult than he had anticipated. Turning it off was easy. Controlling the energy and storing it was on another level entirely. "Keep going girl! You're doing great!" he encouraged with a wide grin. The saurian shook her head lightly before giving a warble. "She's not getting anywhere," the trainer whispered to King. The crustacean gave a gargle of agreement, then began inching toward his pot. "Don't even think about it!" he snapped. King glared at him, then turned his back to him. Two days a week won't kill him. Gods, he's almost as bad as Gore.

Mr. Fuji told him that a Pokemon needed rest as much as they needed training and battle. Without proper rest their growth would slow dramatically. It was a pitfall many ambitious trainers young and old fell in. Mostly young trainers his grandfather had added from the video phone with a grin. Something Gary and Ritchie the only trainers his age sponsored by the old man, apparently already knew. He just couldn't help but add that part.

Vulpix was having a far easier time with her training. Though the vixen's power still wasn't nearly enough to compete with Hellfire's Ember, something which frustrated her to no end. She could use her Ominous Wind three times a day before needing rest, and could create barriers the size of her head. Sabrina told him that a Vulpix earning her third tail was a rite of passage. It meant she was now capable of going on hunts with the pack after adult Pokemon. Her fifth tail meant she could lead hunts with weak or young game. Every tail she earned brought new abilities, greater power, and improved on the existing skills she possessed.

Hellfire yelped drawing his attention. The Houndour's eyes watered as he pawed at the angry red mark on his nose. Vulpix rolled away from his angry swipe and aimed a Scratch at his face. The dog jerked away from the swipe and battled the vixen, sending her through the air. "No aiming for the eyes!" Ash cried when Hellfire raced after the tumbling vixen. He sighed when he saw the vengeful gleam in the Houndour's eyes.

The vixen sprung to her feet and blasted a ball of fire at one of his front legs tripping him. The Houndour yelped as he skidded across the ground. "Don't give up! Remember your Flame Burst!" Hellfire barked and pushed himself up. A gust of black smashed into the dog, stunning him and nearly knocking him over.

Vulpix yipped and leaped at the Houndour with both claws glowing. Dual Scratch was one of the many perks of her third tail. If they worked at it, Dual Quick Scratch could be a thing before she earned her fourth tail. Hellfire yelped and flailed as the vixen clung to his face. "No eye scratching!"

Finally, Hellfire managed to buck the vixen into the air. He snarled before blasting a ball of fire at the airborne Vulpix. Ash grimaced when the flame burst exploded, sending the vixen soaring even higher. His eyes widened in alarm as he realized she was going to fall onto a boulder. Green streams wrapped around Vulpix's middle halting her descent.

Willow lowered the dazed vixen to the ground gently. Hellfire narrowed his eyes at her and took a step forward. "Battle over! Winner Hellfire!" Ash announced, waving an arm toward the dog Pokemon. Hellfire panted enthusiastically and began to run in circles with Gore. Vulpix whined and stumbled making Willow steady her again. "You put up a good fight," the trainer said with a smirk. He continued when the Vixen maintained her glare. "He's ten times your size and you're both fire-types, you did good lasting that long," Ash rolled his eyes when she continued to pout.

"Alright, break and water you three! Gore c'mere. King you can get in the water, but if I see it swirl you won't get any fish for the next two towns we visit!" Ash barked before striding to the middle of the training field. The Piloswine sauntered after him with a snort. "Now that you can make vibrations stronger than when you fall over-" the swine squealed and stomped his front hooves petulantly. "We have to try and direct those incredibly strong vibrations better," Ash finished with a sly smirk.

Gore glared at him, then brought his hoof down. The boy yelped as the vibrations threw him to the ground. He groaned and pushed himself to his knees. Ash scowled when he heard amused yips. Traitorous rug. "Score is even... truce," he said, offering a hand. Gore narrowed his eyes at him suspiciously before butting the hand.

"Good try and aim over at that rock," Ash ordered pointing straight ahead. The rock wasn't particularly large, but moving it would be a decent test. The boar shook his head, then stomped his front hooves. The rock shook and popped a few inches off the ground. Ash squawked as he swayed before digging in his heels. "Still can't fully control them, eh?" Gore huffed and dug into the earth with his tusks. "Look pouting isn't helping! We need to direct the Bulldoze to use it right!" Ash snapped, giving the boar a sharp look.

The Piloswine stared at him, then bellowed. "If it's controlled, then the full power of the tech can be used on our victim- opponent only and we don't have to worry about hitting anyone we don't want to," the trainer explained with a sigh. At times, he found having such an instinctual partner taxing. If only Bulbasaur had been born a few years earlier. He winced. Gore was his partner and had risked his life countless times over the past four months for his sake.

A burst of snow hit his face, making him squawk. "Brat!" he snarled wiping off his face. Gore stared back at him, utterly unrepentant. Ash sighed. "You remember the feeling you got when Talc and Rhyperior were going at it?" The swine grunted. "Focus on that feeling, then aim and let it go!" Gore squealed enthusiastically and raised his hoof. "In the other direction!" Ash cried his eyes wide. His Piloswine blinked before turning and stomping his hoof. This time, the rock was thrown a few feet into the air.

"Great!" Ash congratulated with a grin. "We'll keep practicing it until it's perfect!" After all, we have the time. It was the time of year the Pokemon of Rock Tunnel were most active. Winter was coming, meaning the young ground-types would be incredibly vulnerable. The young ground-types would become sluggish in the cold, which meant they were easy prey for the swift Nido line. Learning that the tales of entire generations of calves being killed by Nidos and Arbok was not hyperbole had been frightening. Ash had been so frightened he had taken to carrying his tiny Swinub with him everywhere. He even hid Gore under his hat when they slept.

The adults were even more territorial this time of year, and the Nidos were ravenous. Ash didn't want to try and catch a Rhyhorn only to run into a grumpy grandma. The trainer wanted to go south, to Vermillion or Fuchsia, but he stood no chance. Daisy told him, Master Surge hated holding back and pushed the Indigo Conference's rules as far as he could. Ash imagined the day Kanto finalized the steps for its own Silver Conference would be the happiest of the man's life. Janine's aunt Aya, was just as unforgiving and was far subtler than her rival. Ash wasn't particularly eager to see Gore become an Arbok's ham dinner.

No, they would stay at Lavender and train for six more weeks. If King evolved soon they would stand a fighting chance against Misty and Brock. And maybe, in a few months, with a ton of luck and sweat, and maybe a few Pokemon having their legs broken before the fight we can beat those two too.

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"Three on three is good for you?" his opponent, a trainer two years or so older than Ash named Julia, asked. She was a Rookie trainer as well. Like most, she had opted to raise her Pokemon for a couple years before setting out on her journey. The brunette wore glasses and a green tracksuit. In Ash's opinion, she looked more like a jogger than a traveling trainer.

"Of course!" the trainer replied, releasing his Pokemon as his opponent did the same. Ash's eyes narrowed. Lady Luck really must hate me. Vulpix gave their foe a condescending look and puffed herself up. Their foe was a bipedal, blue frog Pokemon with white hands and a whirl-like design on its belly. It was a few inches taller than King, and was nearly as broad as it was tall. It was a water-type known as Poliwhirl.

"It's a Poliwhirl. It'll be quicker than you, without Quick Attack, and can use a weak Hypnosis attack with its swirl," Ash whispered when Julia knelt next to Poliwhirl. Vulpix gave him a sharp look. "It'll have better Water Guns than, King, but Water Pulse could go either way," he added as the girl rose. Vulpix turned to Poliwhirl with a calculating gleam in her golden eyes. "Ladies first."

"Water Gun!" Julia ordered immediately. Poliwhirl croaked and inhaled deeply before shooting a stream of water at the vixen. Vulpix leaped away the moment the attack fired. She was consumed by a white glow as she raced between the rocks of the training ground. Poliwhirl fired Water Gun after Water Gun, only for the rocks of the field to take the hits for the vixen. Ash grinned and his opponent cursed. "Cut her off with Bubble!" The frog gave an irritated gurgle, then aimed his spray of bubbles several yards in front of Vulpix.

"Jump off the rocks!" Ash commanded earning a yip. The vixen leaped onto a rock to her right, then hopped off the stone and into the open field again. Using the rocks as a shield was a brilliant move, girl. It won't be working anymore though. Orbs of purple fire formed on each of Vulpix's tails before shooting at the water-type.

Poliwhirl fired a wide spray of bubbles that smothered the flames with ease. Vulpix yelped as the bubbles swept her off her feet. "Water Pulse!" Julia ordered with a grin. A tiny, swirling orb developed over the frog's palm, making Ash's eyes widen in horror.

"Ominous Wind!" he commanded in a near panicked tone when his Pokemon stumbled. She barked launching black wind at Poliwhirl. The frog launched the small orb at the wind only for the wind to burst through it. Poliwhirl gargled as he was thrown onto his back. Vulpix forced herself to stand panting lightly. She must've used too much energy on that. "Quick Scratch!" She barked and bolted at the dog with a white hue surrounding her.

"Water Gun!" the girl cried. Poliwhirl pushed itself onto its knees, and shot a concentrated stream at the vixen, that she sidestepped with ease. The frog Pokemon fired again, only for Vulpix to leap over the Water gun and onto it. Poliwhirl croaked and shielded itself with its arms as the vixen swiped at it. The red streaks that had formed on its blue body released a steady drip that resembled red tears. The frog gargled and hit Vulpix off with a glowing palm, making her yelp and sending her tumbling.

Poliwhirl croaked and charged the fire Pokemon with both hands glowing. Doubleslap? "Stop use Bubble!" Julia cried when Vulpix rolled to her feet. The furious frog ignored her and swiped at the vixen. She darted away from the blow only to have a tail grabbed. Poliwhirl's black eyes lit up as it slapped her with its free hand.

Vulpix yelped and flailed before spewing a flare of flame into the frog's belly. Poliwhirl shrieked and flailed releasing the vixen and stumbling back. Vulpix hit the ground with an indignant squawk. The fire-type glared at the rising frog, then she blasted a gust black wind that sent it tumbling. She inhaled deeply, then spewed a stream of purple flame at the frog. Poliwhirl was consumed by a scarlet light before the flame could engulf it.

"Nice work!" Ash said with a smirk. Vulpix gave Julia a malicious look that made the boy worry she was going to attack. Then the vindictive gleam left her golden eyes and she puffed herself up. Ash glanced to his right when he didn't hear any thrilled squeals. Oh, that's right. Having his partner in his ball when he battled left him feeling exposed. It was necessary, though he hated to admit it, the team could get a bit too enthusiastic during battle. Most people were uncomfortable when a sixteen-hundred-pound boar began squealing. "Rest well," he murmured after the vixen had been returned.

"Are you ready?" Julia demanded as she primed another Pokeball.

"Of course!" Ash replied as he released Hellfire. The Houndour whimpered when he saw his opponent. It was a spherical Pokemon that was white on the top half of its body and red on the bottom. The Pokemon was a few inches shorter than Gore, but still would have towered over the rest of his Pokemon. Its face was split into a wide grin when it heard Hellfire's cry. It looks like a Pokeball! So this must be an Electrode. It had to have been an Electrode or a Voltorb. The creator of modern Pokeballs had modeled them after his beloved Electrode. This'll be the real test for our training. "It's really fast, so open up with S-"

"Spark!" Julia ordered, pointing at the Houndour. Electrode gave a cry similar to a generator coming to life as it was consumed by electricity. It rocked back, then it was rolling at Hellfire at such speed that it made Ash flinch. The dog leaped away from the attack with a startled bark, only for the Electrode to circle back around and smash into his side. Hellfire yelped as Electrode drilled him into a boulder.

"Flame Burst and close your eyes!" Ash snapped. Hellfire flailed before his command sank in, then he spat a flare into the earth. The burst exploded, throwing dust and sparks of flame. Electrode shrieked as a spark hit it and backpedaled rapidly. The Houndour dropped to the ground with a whimper. "Snarl!" Hellfire glared at the electric-type and barked aggressively. The action created a wide yet very thin wave of black energy that slammed into Electrode, sending it rolling back into a tree. His Pokemon required no instruction. The dog blasted a full power Flame Burst at the stunned beast.

"Charge Beam!" Julia countered her face growing pale. The burst crashed into the electric Pokemon and exploded drawing a pained shriek from Electrode. Hellfire swayed and panted heavily as he glared at the smoke covering his opponent.

"Get it!" Ash ordered. The Houndour gave a weak whine before shooting another Flame Burst. A yellow beam carved through the fire making Hellfire roll away with a yelp. The trainer gaped. Was that its Charge Beam?

"Swift!" Electrode boomed and fired several golden stars at the dog. Hellfire leaped behind the boulder he had been pinned against. Ash sighed in relief. No matter how more experienced Electrode was it couldn't hurt him there. "Aim for behind it!" Julia commanded with a smirk. Electrode gave a triumphant whir as it shot another Charge Beam.

Ash recoiled when his Pokemon gave an agonized howl. Then the howl ended. The trainer gave a relieved sigh as his Pokemon was returned to his ball. The last time he'd heard a scream like that, Gore had been hit by Saur's Petal Dance. Ash's eyes narrowed. The water from Poliwhirl eh? She used Poliwhirl to set up for Electrode, giving her a round for sure if we fell for into her trap. Guess that's just another way to use the field. He tugged the bill of his hat and released King.

Julia raised a brow at his selection. King waved his dominant claw, now nearly twice the size of his left claw, at the girl and her Pokemon while Ash shrugged. Gore had been hurt when they had challenged an older trainer and her experienced Sandslash. He suppressed a grimace. That was a rather large miscalculation on his part. Since Willow was taking a nap in their room, King was the only option. Probably should have lead with him. "Don't use Bubble or Water Gun unless it's a sure knockout with this one," Ash said when the girl turned to them. "Oh, and don't hold it too long. Won't go well." The dry look the crab gave him was nearly chastising.

Electrode began releasing sparks as it rolled at King. The Krabby's eyes widened in alarm before shooting a burst of snow at the electric-type. Electrode flinched and swayed, too stunned by the abrupt temperature change to continue its charge. "Rapid Gun!" King chirped and fired three quick Water Guns. Their opponent responded by shooting five golden stars through the streams. King narrowed his eyes as he was consumed by the white sheen of Harden.

The Krabby gave a grunt when the stars of Swift crashed into him. Ash grinned. Electric-type moves were incredibly dangerous for water-types, because most of them simply didn't need to evolve to deal with them. The fact that electric-types were generally incredibly quick and specialized in long range attacks added to their immense advantage. The Voltorb line was among the most physical of the electric-types. They had a chance. Julia realized it too, judging by her frown. "Sonic Boom, then One!" The electric-type spat a white blade of energy that King swiped away with a hiss.

Electrode whirred and charged the crab Pokemon with its Spark. "Powder Snow in front!" Ash barked tugging on his hat. King fired a shot of powdery snow several yards in front of him.

"Stop!" Julia cried her eyes wide in horror. Electrode's electricity faded nearly immediately, but it was too late. It skidded and swerved on the patch of snow until it barreled into a rock. King cocked his arms back, a triumphant gleam shining in his black eyes, as the largest swirling orb he had ever created formed over his claw. "Roll away!" she cried, but the stunned Electrode could only groan. King's Water Pulse smashed into its back drawing a shriek of agony, and crushing it against the stone.

"Rapid Gun!" Ash commanded with a smirk. Electrode shrieked and whined as its hide was torn off by the pressurized streams of water. A scarlet light surrounding it signified the end of the round. Ash glanced at his Pokemon. King was standing so stiffly he would have thought he was using Harden. The faraway look in his eyes alarmed the boy. He took a step forward.

Then water gushed from his dominant claw, making Ash gape. The water wrapped around the large crab in a form similar to an egg. Ash took a step back as cold water seeped into his shoes. King raised his right claw, and the water on the ground moved to it like a winding snake. King brought his claw down with a crack so fierce Ash nearly flinched. The orb fell, revealing the new beast. The trainer could only stare.

Ash's Pokemon now stood over four feet tall and his shell was three feet wide. The Kingler's nubs now stood two inches off his red shell in a crown fit for a young monarch. King's dominant claw was at least two feet across while his left claw looked to have been a bit under a foot wide. The Kingler rumbled and raised his claw in a salute. Ash grinned and raised his right fist over his head. King's eyes crinkled and he gurgled happily. "Up for the final go?" the raven-haired boy asked giving the girl a grin.

The Growlithe beside her whined and crouched behind her legs. "I-I'm good," Julia said, eyeing the young Kingler warily. "Here's your winnings," she added as she offered him a fifty-dollar bill.

"Thanks-" he blinked when the girl and her Growlithe all but fled from the field. "Welp, okay, then," Ash muttered tugging on his hat. King gave an amused gurgle.

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Yeah, Vulpix's tails are kind of Rpg-like.

A.N.

Fight scenes are surprisingly hard. How do you know when to end the fight? How do you make each fight end in a unique way? How long is too long? What's a good ratio with character stuff? For some people, a chapter of no action between several action ones just isn't enough a break. It's a delicate dance.

Well, I've rambled enough. Thank you for reading!