Chapter 28: Preliminaries (3)
Ding, ding, ding-ding, ding!
"Your Pokémon are all healed up! We look forward to serving you again," Nurse Joy stated with a bow.
"Thank you, Nurse Joy," Blue thanked.
As Blue turned to leave, someone bumped into her.
"Aww! I'm sorry!"
"Oof! Oh, it's OK."
The bumper was an auburn-haired teenager wearing a dark blue uniform with a black miniskirt.
"Agh! My match!" the girl exclaimed in a panic and left in a hurry.
Blue was left all alone, pondering something about the girl she met.
'Hmm? That uniform… That's an Ace Trainer from the Unova Region.'
Blue recalled seeing that uniform as her mother was once a Unovan Ace Trainer. Concluding her thoughts, she left to find Misty.
"Can you help submit the one I gave you?" Misty asked, conversing with a woman shown on the PC.
"The one to remodel the Gym? Yeah, I can do that," the woman confirmed.
The woman was one of Misty's older siblings, Daisy Waterflower.
Blue came up from behind the redhead.
"Misty, I'm done. We can go watch Red now."
"Oh, alright. Let's go."
Hearing this, Daisy's eyes sparkled.
"Red? Isn't that the boy you keep talking about~?"
"Wha?!" Misty blushed furiously.
"I don't have time for this! I'm going!"
"Yeah, yeah. Good luck on your matches~"
And the screen went blank.
Misty sighed in relief, only for a chestnut-haired girl to squeal in excitement.
"Ehhhh~. You and Red?"
Blue's Ability Delusional activated.
"Sooo? What do you like about him?"
"His looks? Nah, he's average compared to Green."
"His personality? Nah, too reckless and stubborn."
Misty could only sweat drop at her comments.
'It just turned into a roasting session…'
The, a light bulb turned on in Blue's mind.
"Oh! His eyes! That's probably the only good thing about him," Blue guessed with confidence.
And she was right on the money.
"N-no! You got it all wrong! I don't like him like that!" Misty countered with a blush.
Blue then sagged her shoulders.
"Huh? Really? That's boring."
"Yes! He's just someone I acknowledge. Besides, he's just a kid," Misty stated with a huff.
There was a relatively large age gap between Ash and Misty. The former being 11 while the latter was 16.
The year Ash started his journey was the first year of Misty's Gym Leader career.
"My ideal person would be someone older, taller than me, a great battler, and matured," the redhead listed.
"Wow… I never thought there was someone even more delusional than me…" Blue blurted out.
"Why, this cheeky girl…"
Blue then shrugged her shoulders and adjusted her hat.
"Well, not like you have a chance anyways," Blue said without a hint of malice.
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"That guy's searching for his childhood sweetie," the younger girl stated with a smile.
"Oh…" Misty replied with a sad look.
"Anyways, let's go see Re- Ash's match."
And the two girls left towards Ash's battlefield.
"[Ice Shard]!"
"[Rapid Spin]!"
Ash had sent out Lapras against Akira's last Pokémon, Sandslash. The latter had deflected [Ice Shard] by spinning his body via [Rapid Spin], shielding itself from Lapras' attacks.
Meanwhile, Blue and Misty had arrived to watch Ash's match.
It was now 1 against 2, with Ash in the lead. He had switched Pikachu for Lapras in favour of type advantage.
"We have the advantage, Lapras! [Hydro Pump]!" Ash called out.
A torrent of water from the Transport Pokémon came blasting towards Sandslash. A clean hit.
However, the spiky pangolin rushed towards Lapras through [Hydro Pump], seemingly without damage.
"What?!" Ash cried out in shock.
"It shrugged off the attack?!" Misty called out in disbelief.
Akira smirked towards Ash.
"My Sandslash is special. Water-type moves don't work against him!"
Sandslash then leapt into the air. And aimed its sharp claws towards the battlefield.
Crack!
Akira cracked his whip and called out his final attack.
"[Fissure]!"
Boom!
The battlefield split into two, with Lapras falling into the crevice.
It was a one-hit KO.
{ Lapras is unable to battle. Sandslash wins. }
{ Red of Pallet Town, please send out your next Pokémon. }
Ash then recalled his Pokémon, thanking her for her hard work.
'I didn't see that coming…' Ash thought.
"Surprised?"
Ash looked up to Akira. The teen wore a determined look.
"It's not an Ability or anything like that," he explained.
"It's the fruits of our training."
Akira recalled to his past. Of how Sandshrew was so afraid of water.
"He couldn't forgive himself. For not overcoming his fear of water."
"So, we trained. Challenged himself by entering water by his own will."
"Now, his hide is stronger than any Sandslash in the world."
"Now, he has conquered both his fear AND his weakness!"
Crack!
"That's our dream! With my partner here, we will become the ultimate Trainer and Pokémon!" he declared in determination.
"The ones who triumph over type weaknesses!"
Ash widened his eyes at his declaration.
Right in front of him, was someone who had pushed through the limits of possibility.
The limits of common sense. His opponents' passion had challenged them to overcome their weaknesses.
Water Ground. Akira had obliterated that fact through sheer will and training. A testament to how strong Sandslash was.
Ash now realized what he was going to go against.
The toughest Trainers around the world. Like him, they were here to become the best in the world.
"Strengthening a Pokémon to its limits instead of building a diverse team… That's an incredible idea," Misty commented, pondering at Akira's explanation.
Meanwhile, Blue had spotted someone spectating Ash from behind.
'?! Green!'
The orange haired boy continued to watch his rival's performance.
Crack!
"We're both down to one! Let's finish this!" Akira called out, cracking his whip again.
Ash's eyes were shadowed by his cap's visor.
"Let's go, Pikachu. One way for another, this is it," he spoke to Pikachu softly. His expression unreadable.
But Pikachu knew his beloved partner. He knew what he was feeling.
"Pikapi!" his partner squeaked, pumping his fists with a determined nod.
A resolved Ash grinned.
"Sorry but we're kinda stubborn!" he called out to his opponent.
"You're not the only one here with a dream!"
The raven-haired boy then held his locket close. His memories of Serena gave him motivation.
Pikachu had dashed to the battlefield, already in his battle stance.
"We don't give up until it's over!"
The red eyes flickered for a moment.
"Let's find out who's stronger!"
"Pika Pika!"
"It can do that?!" Calem screamed as he watched Sandslash tank a [Hydro Pump] without so much as a scratch.
"You're too loud, Cal!" Shauna hissed.
"How much do you have to train to overcome type weakness?" Trevor questioned, amazed at Akira's explanation.
"And this is just the Prelims… Can that Red guy even wi—" Tierno commented before a chill surrounded the hall, causing everyone to hold their tongues.
The students who wondered how Ash could even win now were silenced.
The teachers who had already given up on the boy were rendered quiet.
"He will win," Serena stated confidently, a cold tone directed towards the non-believers.
This would be the first time she had acted like an Ice Queen. But for others, this just reaffirmed the idea.
"Do you think Red will lose?" the honey-blonde coldly asked, staring at Tierno with the most blood-chilling expression the large boy had ever seen.
A simple stare, devoid of emotion. Her blue eyes piercing and severe.
But then…
{ We don't give up until it's over! }
And the girl turned to the screen.
Witnessing Ash making his declaration…
While holding her silver locket. The one she gave him for remembrance of her.
Suddenly, the chill in the air was dissipated in an instant. Cold turned to warm.
Serena was now smiling brightly again. Her bright blue eyes adoring the boy she loves.
Seeing this, everyone let out of sigh of relief. If looks could kill, Serena would have become a mass murderer.
Secretly, everyone thanked Ash for saving them.
"Hah! Well said!" Akira called out excitedly.
"Don't think I'll go easy on you just because Pikachu's an Electric type!"
"Wouldn't have it any other way!" Ash replied in kind.
Meanwhile, in the stands, Blue and Misty continued spectating.
"Well… it's good to be fired up," Blue commented with a sweat drop.
The older girl, on the other hand, had different ideas.
"What on Earth is he thinking?!"
"Ground types are immune to Electric! It's impossible to win without a plan!"
Ash made the first move.
"[Swift]!"
Ray of stars flew towards Sandslash quickly.
"[Rapid Spin]!"
And the spiky pangolin countered the stars by destroying them with his spinning spikes on his body.
Seeing this, Ash only got even more excited. The tip of his tongue licked his lips.
'No good, huh?'
On the other side, Akira began processing the battle in his head.
'While I may hold the type advantage now, Pikachu's still faster if even Beedrill couldn't react to him…'
With that, Akira commanded his Sandslash's next move.
"[Dig]!"
And the spiky Pokémon complied, burrowing itself into the battlefield.
Ash continued thinking.
'I don't know where it's coming from. If that's the case…'
"Pikachu! [Quick Attack]! Confuse him with your speed!" Ash called out to his partner.
"Pika!"
A yellow blur danced around the battlefield; its speed unmatched against Sandslash.
Gary, Blue and Misty watched intently at the match. The two girls fidgeting at the tense situation they were witnessing.
Gary, on the other hand, merely observed silently.
The raven-haired boy was waiting. Waiting for Sandslash to show himself.
And then…
Crack!
Sandslash appeared…
From the crevice created by [Fissure] behind the electric mouse.
Blue and Misty gasped in shock.
But Ash had been waiting for this moment.
"[Iron Tail]!"
Pikachu suddenly jerked his body backwards, a metallic tail now formed.
And he swiped at Sandslash with blinding speed.
But it did not work. For what Pikachu had attacked was merely a mirage.
"?! [Double Team]?! No…" Ash said aloud in confusion before realizing.
"It's [Substitute]!"
[Substitute] was a move that created a decoy by using a fourth of the user's stamina.
Without time to process, the real Sandslash made its appearance behind Pikachu.
"[Rapid Spin]!"
The pangolin then tumbled towards the electric mouse. The force sent Pikachu flying into the air.
"No!" Blue cried out.
But Sandslash's sharp claws cracked. As well as some of the spikes on his back.
"Tch, you guarded with [Iron Tail], huh?" Akira grunted.
"But! The moment Pikachu lands will be his last!"
Pikachu continued flying in the air, [Iron Tail] still active.
The attention was now on Ash. Everyone watching already accepted the obvious result.
Ash was going to lose. That was the conclusion everyone was thinking.
But not him. He will never give up.
His hand now stretched out in front of him, a command pose.
"OK, Pikachu," he said without even facing his partner.
And he shot a glance at the electric mouse. His red eye seemingly glowed underneath his visor's shadow.
The boy wore a confident smile towards his partner. And with one sentence, the boy reversed the hopeless situation.
Ash Ketchum was revolting against certain defeat.
"We're turning this around."
And Pikachu smirked, trusting his Trainer's words unconditionally.
Hearing the intimidating declaration by Ash, Akira sensed something was wrong. His instincts cried out in fear of the boy.
"Tch! Sandslash, [Dig]!"
And Sandslash was once again within the earth.
"Whatever you two are planning, Pikachu's still an Electric type!" Akira called out.
"Even if he lands perfectly, he's still no match against my partner! Especially since he's underground."
Pikachu had finished decelerating upwards. And now came down with high acceleration.
Ash now turned towards Akira. His determined crimson orbs stared at the teen with a roguish smile plastered on his face.
"Doesn't matter."
"Did you forget?"
"We don't give up until it's over."
And he called out to Pikachu.
"[Swift]!"
Knowing what his Trainer was planning, Pikachu shot out ray of stars into the crack made by [Fissure].
Instead of exploding upon contact, the stars stuck onto the rocky walls of the small ravine.
Akira widened his eyes in confusion, wondering what his opponent was thinking.
'Into the fissure? What is he—'
"Plus…"
Bzzt! Bzzt!
Electricity was in the air.
"[Thunderbolt]!"
And a surge of lightning shot downwards. Towards the stars.
The lightning charged the stars into overload.
One by one, they exploded. Causing a chain reaction.
Boom! Crash!
"Wha…!" Akira gasped in horror.
The audience watched in astonishment.
The battlefield itself exploded. Small debris burst around the two battlers.
Gary widened his eyes in surprise.
Sandslash was now exposed, his body riddled in wounds. Caused by the explosions made from [Swift] and [Thunderbolt].
"No matter who we're fighting…"
Pikachu dashed towards the pangolin in a blink of an eye, using the flying debris as footing. Its speed had increased due to the addition of the acceleration of its fall.
"No matter how much the odds are against us…"
"Sandslash, look out!"
"We'll always find a way to win in the end!"
Pikachu rotated his [Iron Tail] to the air.
"That's what our very best means!"
And the metallic tail came swinging down from gravity.
"Overcoming type disadvantages…"
Crimson red eyes whirred on intensely.
"Is just the first step!"
And a crash sealed the match.
Boom!
A cloud of dust blew up on the destroyed battlefield.
{ Sa—Sandslash is unable to battle! }
{ Victory goes to Red of Pallet Town! }
"Alright!" Ash roared in victory.
"Pikaaa!"
Pikachu then jumped on him, happy like his Trainer.
In the stands, an excited Blue cried out in joy.
"You did it, Red! You made it through the first round!"
The excited girl raised her arms expressing her delight.
While Misty let out a sigh of relief.
Unbeknownst to everyone, Gary had left. A pleased smile present on his face as he walked away.
Akira watched as Ash twirl Pikachu his arms. And gave a breath of acceptance.
"Looks like we lost."
He then returned Sandslash back into his Ball.
"You did your best, partner."
The two Trainers then walked towards each other at the side of the battlefield. Since most of it had been destroyed into oblivion.
"…Red, was it? Keep winning, you hear? You have what it takes."
"If I'm gonna lose, I wanna at least lose to the winner of the Grand League."
Ash returned his words with a confident grin.
"Heh, sure thing. Just watch, I'm blasting my way through the tournament."
And the two shook hands. The audience clapped and cheered at both Trainers.
Then, Ash noticed a camera filming his match.
'I wonder if she's watching…'
An idea popped into his head.
'There's so much I wanna say to you…'
'Are you happy? Are you fine? Have you been making friends?'
'…I want to see you.'
'I miss you so much…'
However, the boy never did say those to the camera. For he knew, he would…
'Always search for you. I promised.'
'So! If she's watching, then I'll make sure she knows I'm talking to her.'
Ash then pondered for a second.
Which name should he call her? That was the question he arrived at.
'Yellow? Nah, if she's watching with anyone else, no way am I gonna let anyone call her that.'
'Serena? Probably not. There's probably a lot of Serenas out there.'
The boy was an idiot.
'…Oh! Got it. It's no good if she gave me permission and I never used it.'
And so, Ash decided his words to her. Not knowing she was watching.
Furthermore, although he thought that if she was, it would be with her mother and friends. He could not be further from the truth.
The girl was watching the broadcast with an entire school. And the boy was about to give her the biggest surprise in front of them.
"Umm… so," he stuttered initially, not used to being filmed.
He faced the camera. Faced towards Serena.
His red eyes, gentle and loving.
And with his signature toothy grin, he gave a thumbs up.
"I won, Rena! From your beloved Pokémon Master! "
{ We're turning this around. }
The hall went silent. The intimidating smile from the raven-haired boy rendered everyone speechless.
The 11-year-old boy had silenced the adults that doubted him.
A flaming red eye. That was all it took.
{ No matter who we're fighting… }
The teachers watched in astonishment as Ash devised his on-the-fly plan to use [Swift] as explosives to draw out Sandslash.
{ Is just the first step! }
The students watched in amazement as Pikachu delivered the final blow, in awe that such a little Pokémon defeating a frighteningly strong enemy. And it was one with an overwhelming type advantage.
{ Victory goes to Red of Pallet Town! }
And the hall cheered loudly. Everyone went crazy about Ash's victory.
The young Trainer, only 11 years of age, managed to win in the most difficult tournament on the planet. Albeit it was only the Preliminaries. But it was an amazing achievement for someone his age.
With that one match, students were given an opportunity to witness and learn about high level battles instead of one taught in the books.
With that one match, teachers were in shambles watching Ash's match. They had never seen someone that insane enough to destroy an entire battlefield. It was as if the boy was an unintentional walking disaster.
Meanwhile, a group of friends just stared in wonder of Ash. He had won despite the odds stacked against him. His words still resonating in their hearts.
{ We don't give up until it's over. }
It was what Serena always say in encouragement for herself or to others. Grace knew this already but was still shocked to hear Ash say those words.
It was then she knew that those words Serena would always use came from Ash. Realizing just how much of an impact the boy had on her daughter.
He was her saviour, the one who gave her courage. The one who made her who she was. And Grace could not be thankful enough for the raven-haired child.
The group and Grace then turned to see Serena's reaction and were flabbergasted.
Serena had a surprised face upon hearing those words. Her overwhelming happiness manifested as tears of joy. Although she was crying, she was more than ecstatic at his words.
…
Then she did a complete 180 upon hearing even a group of girls at the front chatting about Ash. Words like 'handsome' and 'cool' coloured their vocabulary.
Not that Serena disagreed with them; in fact, she was the biggest fangirl in the entire hall. But other girls being interested in her love did not sit right with her, despite sharing their sentiments.
Her jealousy spiked once again and made her way to Sycamore to confront the girls in front.
But she was still adorable. The manju buns puffed out again that Grace could only snicker gleefully at the honey-blonde's retreating figure.
"Oh my… Look's like someone's jealous."
And then, it finally came.
{ Umm… so }
Serena froze in front of the crowd and turned to the screen. The raven-haired boy stared directly at her.
With those passionate red eyes that melted her whenever she saw them.
{ I won, Rena! From your beloved Pokémon Master! }
Upon hearing this, everyone's jaw dropped. They knew 'Rena' was a prohibited nickname for the Ice Queen as she would never allow anyone to call her that.
An unspoken rule amongst the students and teachers.
And Ash Ketchum said it without hesitation.
The honey-blonde continued to stare at him. Affection colouring her bright blue eyes.
She was so used to 'Yellow' that she had forgotten that she gave him permission to call her 'Rena'. Her heart fluttered when she realized why.
He did not want others to call her that. As if to say that it was only reserved for him and him only.
Not only that, but her attention also drifted to his wording.
"Your beloved Pokémon Master…"
She could not contain herself after hearing that. It was as if he was hers and vice versa. Her 11-year-old romance-loving heart pumped even faster.
There was no question that the honey-blonde was having the greatest time of her life right then. After all, her love just basically confessed to her in front of a live audience.
Serena then turned to the group of girls who were interested in Ash. Their jaws hanged open, and they faced the honey blonde.
Serena, with an intense pink blush up to her ears, shot everyone in the hall the smuggest grin she could conjure, and twirled her way back to her seat.
Chapter 28: Preliminaries (3)
'Dummy…'