Greetings everyone. Mgunnels3 here, and welcome back to Ash's Unova Journey, my version. It's been a long time coming for this battle club, now the finale for the battle club. Let's get this chapter going.
Chapter 49: Battle club final's Ash vs. Iris
"Human Speech"
"Pokemon Speech"
It was the day of the last battle of the battle club, and the entire crowd was packing the stands like crazy. Ash was now prepared for his match against Iris, using only one of his non-Unova Pokemon against Iris as Fraxure and Scraggy watched on the sidelines for this battle.
"Now, for the battle club's final battle, no introduction is necessary for these two trainers. Will the two contestants come out and head to the trainer's box," The announcer said as both Iris and Ash walked out to the battlefield. Misty and Brock were watching from the stands, as did many of Ash's rivals from Unova, both rooting for Ash and Iris.
Ash was still nervous from yesterday's battle. He had initially planned on bringing his other Pokemon. But he promised to use his new Pokemon, with Gabite being the exception.
"Ash looks nervous compared to his other battles. I can see that the two siblings aren't participating in this battle, so Gabite must be part of his team. He might think I'll use Flygon, but boy, is he in for a different start today?" Iris thought as the announcer asked the two to let out their first Pokemon. "Dragonite, come on out," Iris sent out her first Pokemon. Ash felt she would change up her team but stood firm and pulled out his first Pokeball.
"Alright, Samurott, come on out," Ash sent out his water starter, who was ready to fight.
"Dragonite vs. Samurott, let the battle begin," the announcer said as both parties were raring to go.
"Dragonite, use Thunderbolt," Iris commanded him, who launched a Thunderbolt towards Samurott.
"Dodge it with Aqua jet and then use Mega Horn," Ash commanded Samurott, who used Aqua jet to dodge and head straight towards Dragonite.
"Dragon Claw now," Iris commanded her Pokemon, whose claws glowed and slammed into the Mega Horn attack.
"Now, Ice beam Samurott," Ash commanded Samurott. Iris was caught off guard as the Ice beam connected at Dragonite. "End this with Reversal," Ash commanded Samurott, whose Scahlechop glowed and slammed right into Dragonite, knocking him out.
"Dragonite is unable to battle Samurott wins," The announcer announced. Iris wasn't expecting Ash to catch her or Dragonite off guard like that as she returned her Dragonite to his ball and turned to Ash.
"I guess you took your advice from yesterday, huh? Ash? But this is just the beginning Excadrill come on out," Iris sent out her leading partner other than Haxorus. Ash knew he could win against Excadrill, but it would be challenging.
"Use Hydro Pump Samurott," Ash commanded Samurott, who launched a Hydro Pump at Excadrill.
"Counter it with X-scissors and then use Drill run," Iris commanded her Excadrill, who cut through the Hydro pump and then drilled right to where Samurott was.
"Aqua Jet now," Ash commanded his Pokemon, who charged right in as the two moves matched blow for blow.
"Now use Focus Blast Excadrill," Iris commanded her Pokemon, who launched a massive blast at Samurott, who was hit hard and knocked to the ground. Ash and everyone else was surprised by this.
"Samurott is unable to battle Excadrill win," The announcer said. "There you have it, ladies and gentlemen, the number of battles we've seen Samurott win so far has been taken down now. So what is Ash's next Pokemon?"
Ash returned Samurott, smiled at this, and pulled out his next Pokeball. "Alright, Krokorok, come on out," Ash sends out his next Pokemon, who roared upon his appearance as the two ground-types stared each other down like rivals.
"Krokorok uses Dig now," Ash commanded his Pokemon, who dug underground. Iris and Excadrill smirked at this as Excadrill closed his eyes to sense where Krororok was and sensed it.
"Now use X-scissors, Excadrill," Iris commanded her Pokemon, who used the move where Krokorok was. The X-scissor hit Krokorok.
"How?" Ash was surprised as Krokorok got up, not letting this get to him.
"Excadrill is capable of sensing things from underground, given that they are known for working in mines even when they were in their first stage of evolution," Iris said to Ash as Excadrill snickered at this.
"Ugh, I wished I had looked into Excadrill further. Think Ash Excadrill has the type advantage with that X-scissor attack, and Dark-type moves don't do much damage to a steel-type like Excadrill," Ash thought.
"Ash, snap out of it?" Ash was snapped out of thought as it was Krokorok who said that. "Don't let this get to you. We've worked together as much as they have. We can do this?" Krokorok said to Ash, surprised by this but nodding at this. "Look at my move-pull again, Ash. That is all I can say," Krokorok said to Ash, who did and saw what he meant and nodded.
"Alright, use Payback," Ash commanded Krokorok, who charged in with a dark aura around him and slammed right into Excadrill. "Now use Brick Break," Ash commanded his Krokorok, whose claw glowed and smashed right into Excadrill. Excadrill was knocked out.
"Excadrill, no?" Iris said.
"Excadrill is unable to battle Krokorok wins," the announcer said. The crowd was shocked by this as this battle was going by quickly as Iris returned Excadrill to his ball.
"A fighting type move of all moves he could know. He had to know that," Iris thought.
"I told you before, Iris, that I wouldn't go easy on you. But this is just beginning," Ash said to Iris, who nodded and was taken aback by this.
"Don't get too ahead of yourself, Ash. You may have the lead, but that might be your downfall," Brock said to Misty in the stands watching this.
"I think Ash knows that he might have trouble in this fight. That was more than luck that Krokorok knew that move?" Misty said to Brock.
"So, even though Ash says he has changed as of late, he's still relying on chance to win," Brock said to Misty, who sighed at this and had to admit that he was right about that.
"I must admit, Ash. You impressed me today. You're not the kid I thought you would be when I met you. That is rare for most trainers that I've fought. This is the last Pokemon. Can you handle her? Haxorus come on out," Iris said to Ash and then sent out Haxorus.
"I figured that Haxorus would be last," Ash said as he knew that Krokorok would have trouble against her, but he was firm to battle anyway. "Okay, use Brick break," Ash commanded Krokorok, who charged in with the same move from before.
"Retaliate Haxorus," Iris commanded Haxorus, who charged into Krokorok's attack doing more damage and sending Krokorok on his back and knocked out.
"Krokorok is unable to battle Haxorus wins. The match is tied with one Pokemon left on both sides," The announcer announced as Ash returned Krokorok to his ball and pulled out his last Pokemon.
"Gabite, come on out," Ash sent out his final Pokemon, his Dragon/ground type. The two dragon-type cousins were staring each other down in a battle for a dragon Pokemon. Family is moved to the side, and the best is determined by strength.
"Alright, cousin, let's see why you are the teacher of our niece and nephew there," Haxorus said to Gabite, pointing to Fraxure and Scraggy.
"Oh, I'll do more than that, Haxorus, and win this fight," Gabite said to Haxorus. From how they're talking to the crowd who doesn't have a translator, that'll be a rough battle, but that is farther from the truth.
"Okay, let's get this started. Gabite uses Dragon claw," Ash commanded Gabite, who charged in with his claws glowed. Iris didn't command her Haxorus Ash knew what was coming.
"Now use Dragon pulse," Ash commanded his Gabite, sending a Dragon pulse right after the Dragon claw connected to Haxorus. "Use Dragon claw and Night slash Haxorus," Iris commanded her Haxorus, whose claws glowed as it slashed at Gabite.
"Use Outrage, Gabite," Ash commanded Gabite as the two dragon-types clashed claws for claws as they landed a blow to the other before sending them back to their trainers; however, Gabite wasn't affected by the side effects of the outrage.
"How?" Iris and Haxorus said at the time as Gabite grinned at this.
"A lot of training, that is Gabite mastered during that six months before I came here to Unova and learned that if he can barely land a hit, he could get out of that confusion side effect," Ash said to Iris.
"Ugh, that is going to be a problem, as Counter doesn't work on continuation moves like Outrage," Iris thought as she noticed that Gabite was starting to glow. Ash and everyone were surprised, as did the twins Scraggy and Fraxure. Gabite was now a Garchomp.
"Alright, you evolved, Garchomp," Ash said to Garchomp, who smiled at Ash and turned to Haxorus.
"Now use Draco Meteor, Garchomp," Ash commanded Garchomp, who launched a massive ball of energy in the air as it rained down balls of Meteors at Haxorus.
"Giga Impact gets out of there," Iris said as Haxorus was barely getting out of the Meteors, only to be hit by one of them. Misty and Brock smiled, thinking this would be enough to win, but Ash wasn't smiling. Ash knew that that would take more than that to beat Haxorus but knew that the end was near. Haxorus got up, roaring at this. She was now mad and wouldn't let that move put her down as she growled at Garchomp, who was also growling at her staring each other down.
"This is it, ladies and gentlemen. The way the two Pokemon look, this might be the last move of the tournament," the announcer said to the crowd at the edge of their seats.
"Use Dragon Rush Garchomp," Ash commanded his Pokemon, knowing that this might be the last attack of the battle who charged in.
"Giga Impact Haxorus," Iris commanded her Pokemon, realizing this was the last move of the match. The two Dragon-types clashed head-on as the moves caused an explosion and shockwaves in the stadium.
The explosion didn't settle until it started to clear, and both Pokemon were standing, struggling to stay up. "Come on, Garchomp; you can do it?" Ash said to his Pokemon.
"Haxorus, don't give up. You can do it. I know you can," Iris said to Haxorus. The two Pokemon got up and looked at each other, smiling before both fell to the side, unable to continue the battle. Ash and Iris were surprised by this.
"Haxorus and Garchomp both are unable to battle. This match ends in a draw, ladies and gentlemen," the announcer said, as this was a first. After seeing that battle, Ash and Iris ran to their Pokemon as Fraxure and Scraggy ran to Garchomp.
"You did good, Garchomp. You earned a good rest, boy," Ash said to Garchomp, who nodded at this after seeing that both Fraxure and Scraggy were in awe.
"Humph, take notes, you two, 'cause I am passing the torch to you two here in Unova," Garchomp said to the two younglings, who nodded and wagged their tails as Iris pulled up Haxorus, who was hearing all of this.
"I'll be the judge of that cousin when they come to visit the gym back home, but I will admit you earned my praise and am looking forward to their results," Haxorus said to Garchomp, holding a claw to him, who happily accepted. Ash translated this to Iris, who nodded in agreement at this.
"I agree he's a good teacher, and using Draco Meteor like that shows that he's going train them to their best," Iris said as the crowd cheered for them. Iris and Ash bowed and did Haxorus and Garchomp. Both Iris and Ash were given the trophies. As the battle club ended, everyone was going on with their lives.
Iris lets out her Dragonite. "To Opolucid City Dragonite," Iris said to her Pokemon, who nodded at this as she hopped onto his back.
"I see you aren't taking the train home, Iris?" Cillian asked who was with Ash, Misty, and Brock.
"It's too packed, and I don't want the same thing that happened last time, it being delayed," Iris said to Cillian as Ash walked over to Iris. "Ash, the next time we meet might be at the gym, and you will either be facing Drayden or me depending on what day of the week it is, but I hope to face you again," Iris said to Ash as Dragonite and Ash nodded at this.
"Maybe there is a way to fight both of you? I did the same against Cillian and his siblings, but we'll see when we meet there," Ash said to Iris, who nodded.
"I'll talk to Grandpa about this. But until then, see you all later," Iris said as Dragonite took off.
"You know that her gym is the last gym in the region, Ash?" Cillian said to Ash, who was shocked by this. "Yeah, the gym is being remolded, and Mayor Drayden needed to be there to ensure it is taken care of. That is why Iris was here in the first place. I just wished she hadn't used Dragonite beforehand to get here," Cillian said to Ash, who sighed at this.
"Well, Ash, I will be here in Nimbasa City for a while before heading back to Striation City," Cillian said to Ash, who nodded as Cillian left further into the city. Ash saw that Cameron and the others were about to leave.
"So, I guess the next time we meet might be at the league, huh? Guys?" Ash said to Cameron and the others.
"Well, I'm going to head to Driftville City for the next gym; not sure about the others," Cameron said to Ash as the others were thinking about what to do next.
"I've been away from here for a while. I'll stay here for a few days before heading off, so we might see each other after your gym battle, Ash?" Stephan said to Ash.
"I'm going to stay for the Pokemon theater and then head to Driftville, so I probably won't see you until later," Georgia said as Ash and the others sighed. However, Virgil didn't say anything; he looked like he would ask Ash something. Everyone said their goodbyes and left except Ash, his friends, and Virgil.
"Ash, I didn't want to talk to you about this in front of everyone as I didn't want them involved, but," Virgil said to Ash, Misty, and Brock.
"But what, Virgil?" Ash asked Virgil, who sighed at this.
"There is another reason I am here in Nimbasa City other than participating in this tournament. I was asked to investigate the nearby forest outside of the town," Virgil said to Ash, who was now curious about what was happening and why he was asked to investigate this particular forest.
With the battle club now over, things are about to return to normal. Virgil asks Ash and the others for help with what is going on as the journey continues.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in Unova.
"The battle club is now over, and our new subject is now fully converted to our side," Jessie said as she saws Zoroark was now entirely under Team Rocket's control. No, not just her, but all of the Pokemon they caught over the months here in Unova are entirely brainwashed and tied to her dark ball.
"Time for her to test her loyalty to us? I'd say where we caught her," James said to Jessie revealing a particular forest full of Pokemon, including a familiar blackish/reddish colored young fox amongst them.
"Perfect, and her daughter is one of the Pokemon there? I'm sure our newest Pokemon will happily show her how she's been?"
"So we are attacking that forest, I see? I knew that I should've caught that brat of a fox alongside her mother?" Buizel said, watching this.
"You will be making sure that she will be successful in this mission, Buizel? As for that traitor, Emolga? She'll get the next few days off before converting her back to our side again. We have plans for her, including with your mate Buizel?" Jessie said to Buizel, who was taken aback by this.
"If it's about my family and son, I should be there, not Emogla," Buizel said, only to hold his head in pain as Giovanni was on the other line.
"No, Buizel you won't be Buizel. Your love towards your family and not being around him for a while might compromise things. Yes, it sounds like the same for Zoroark. But her brainwashing and ties to her Dark ball will ensure that she won't break free that easily. Stand down, Buizel. That's an order," Giovanni said to Buizel.
"Y-yes, sir, I won't fail you. Our goal of taking over Unova starts now, this time even stronger," Buizel said as the group laughed in unison.
Stay tuned.
Done and done; this tournament arc took a long time to finish. But it was worth it. That said, we are now in the story's third act, and boy, will it be the longest one from this point to the reunion in Udella town. I will say that. The Zoroark/take-over Unova arc begins now. Reunions at Losthorn Forest are following, as we will have a few surprises coming up, both capture-wise and a new traveling companion. I'm taking the rest of this week and the whole of next week to focus on Johto, and we'll start on the next chapter in two weeks. See you all then.