"What is that sound and smell?" Rosa asked as the group neared Tubeline Bridge.
The quartet were still on their way to Icirrus City and on the last major hurdle getting there, but it seemed to be a commotion ahead of them.
"It sounds like engines revving." N admitted.
"I wonder whats going on, must be quite a show in order to get this big of a crowd, I hope they aren't blocking the entire bridge though." Ash said, as they made their way through.
"Look, it doesn't matter what we've tried Charles, we can't get past those guys and they're blocking the bridge." A biker with red and yellow spiky hair said.
"And Drayden and Brycen won't do anything because challenging trainers to a battle, and since they aren't here every day, they aren't considered enough of a threat." Charles said.
"Charles, whats going on?" Ash asked.
"Ash, aren't you a sight for sore eyes, figured you'd be on your next adventure by now." Charles said.
"Working our way through Unova one last time." Ash said. "These friends of yours?"
"Some old riding buddies of mine, Chopper and Tyra." Charles said.
"Ash, no way it's Awesome Ash." The girl with green hair said.
"Sorry, have we met?" Ash asked a bit confused.
"It's Chopper and Tyra, from back in Kanto. Remember we escorted you back to Sunnytown to deliver medicine to a sick Pokemon after you beat us." Chopper said. "Awesome Ash, Mighty Mist, and that Brick guy."
"You teamed up with a biker gang to deliver medicine to a sick Pokemon? What was it also Christmas?" Rosa asked with a laugh.
"No but it was early December." Ash admitted, remembering the events now. "So whats going on?"
"It's another biker gang, The Black Empoleons." Charles admitted. "They're refusing passage to anyone who can't beat them in a battle."
"That feels like it shouldn't be allowed." N pointed out.
"Technically no, but it's nothing illegal." Chopper said.
"You know Ash could probably take him on, he did just win the Vertress Conference." Elliot pointed out.
"Seeing Awesome Ash in action after all these years, no way you could lose!" Tyra said eagerly.
"Well we were going to Icirrus anyways, might as well help out." Ash said.
Near the center of Tubeline Bridge
"Are you guys the Biker Gang called The Black Empoleons?" Ash asked noticing a group of bikers.
"Who's asking?" A rather large man said.
"My names Ash and my friends and I, and a lot of people want to pass and you're getting in our way." Ash pointed out.
"Oh, but we're just doing our due diligence, and we're not stopping anyone, people can drive underneath, or they can even pay us to get by." A woman said with a snarky tone. "So how about you cough up some dough or turn around."
"Neither, if I beat your leader in a battle then you all back down." Ash said.
"Fine, but it's going to be that Pikachu going up against me." Another man said getting off of his bike, a large reddish crocodile clambering out of the sidecar.
"Careful Ash, that's a Krookodile, a ground and dark type." Elliot said.
"No worries, we've got this. Right Pikachu!" Ash exclaimed.
"Pika!" Pikachu cheered.
"Pikachu use Iron Tail!"
"Krookodile use Swagger!"
Krookodile let out a menacing cackle, enraging Pikachu as the small electric dove at him, slamming into the grating of the bridge.
"Pikachu focus and use Quick Attack!"
"Krookodile use Crunch!"
Pikachu managed to break through his rage fueled confusion momentarily to speed out of the way of Krookodile's closing jaws.
"Now use Iron Tail!"
"Krookodile use Dragon Claw!"
Pikachu flipped into the air, spinning and striking Krookodile's jaw, sending the ground type tumbling backwards.
"Krookodile use Crunch!"
"Pikachu dodge it with Quick Attack!"
Pikachu was struck by the momentary confusion once more, pausing him as Krookodile leapt and lunged at him, trapping the electric type in his jaws.
"Pikachu use Iron Tail!" Ash called out.
"Krookodile use Sand Tomb!"
Krookodile let out a fierce roar, sand swirling around them and Pikachu before trapping Pikachu in place with its harsh winds.
"Even Ash and Pikachu can't overcome a type disadvantage as big as this one." Elliot said in worry.
"Pikachu break free with Thunderbolt!" Ash called out. "Give it your all!"
"Give it up kid, your all won't do any good against Krookodile, it's a ground type!" The biker leader chuckled.
"Who said I was aiming for Krookodile?" Ash asked, as Pikachu's bolt of electricity dispersed the sand tomb, striking a few of the lights above the bridge, distracting Krookodile.
"Now Pikachu, use Iron Tail!"
In the momentary distraction window, Pikachu slammed his tail into the side of Krookodile sending the ground type tumbling away.
"I forgot, never doubt the power of those two." Elliot sighed, seeing Krookodile not getting back up.
"Two strongest idiots to come out of Kanto." Rosa chuckled.
"You beat me." The Biker Leader said in shock.
"Now, you're going to let me, my friends, and everyone else pass, or the next Pokemon won't be as easy." Ash said.
"Doesn't he have Larvesta, Golett, Duosion, and Deino with him?" N asked.
"Yeah, don't let them know that much." Elliot whispered back.
"Black Empoleon's assemble!" The lead biker said. "This kid just bested me in battle, and in return all these people will be crossing and as always, we honor the strongest!"
"What is going on?" Ash asked in shock.
"We are henceforth known as The Black Pikachu's!" The leader declared before leading the biker gang off.
"Wait what?" Ash asked in shock.
"I think you are the boss of a gang now Ash." Rosa said with a laugh.
"Not really what I was hoping to accomplish." Ash admitted. "But let's not waste anymore time, Icirus City is calling my name!"