Greetings, Mgunnels3 here, and welcome back to A Promise Kept Ash's Johto Journey. We are now officially in the finals of this Tournament, and before anyone asks, yes, Harrison will be in another tournament and the league. That said, let's get this final going, shall we?
Chapter 49: Ash vs. Harrison
"Human Speech"
"Pokemon Speech"
Quilava's Flame Wheel connected with Houndoom's Flamethrower as Quilava and Houndoom were at a standstill regarding power between the two Pokemon.
"Quilava, use Aerial Ace, "Ash commanded her, who jumped and dove right at Houndoom Harrison didn't do anything; Ash realized what was coming. Quilava hits Houndoom.
"Counter Houndoom," Harrison commanded his Pokemon, who was about to strike Quilava.
"Protect now, Quilava," Ash commanded her, who shielded herself just in time.
"Crunch now, Houndoom," Harrison commanded his Pokemon, who chomped on Quilava's paw, making her wince in pain, and was tossed to the ground.
"Quilava, you okay?" Ash asked her, who stood up and nodded. She wasn't going to take that lying down. "Flame Wheel and Double Kick now, Quilava," Ash commanded her, who rolled with both moves at Houndoom.
"Faint Attack and Counter," Harrison commanded his Pokemon. As the two Pokemon charged at each other, the two moves clashed, sending them to the wall behind their trainers and knocking them out.
"Houndoom and Quilava are unable to battle the winner of the next battle will win the tournament," the ref announced. Ash and Harrison both returned their Pokemon to their Pokeballs.
"Charizard, come on out," Ash sent out his last Pokemon, who was ready to fight.
"Blaziken, come on out," Harrison sends out his last Pokemon. Both mons were staring each other down as if they had already been rivals before meeting each other.
"Well, ladies and gentlemen, this is the final battle of the fire-type Tournament, and fitting, given that these two are starters of their respective regions, this is going to be a wild ride," the announcer said.
Ash was surprised that he was staring down another starter in a second Tournament, this time in the same region, and could tell this time this battle won't end in his loss. The real battle starts now.
"Charizard Flamethrower now," Ash commanded his starter, which fired its attack right at Blaziken.
"Blaziken Flamethrower," Harrison commanded his Pokemon, who fired his Flamethrower at Charizards as the two starters were evenly matched, causing an explosion. "Now Thunder Punch Blaziken," Harrison commanded his Pokemon, who ran fast towards Charizard, fists charged up with electricity, and slammed it right into Charizard's Jaw hard.
"Woah, that's fast," Ash said as Harrison smirked at this.
"You're only seeing a small taste of what this starter has in store for you, my friend," Harrison said as Charizard recovered quickly.
"Charizard use Dragon Breath," Ash commanded his Pokemon, who fired its attack right at Blaziken.
"Jump and use Blaze Kick," Harrison commanded his Pokemon, who jumped so high as he is known for doing and was ready to slam his foot right into Charizard, who blocked it.
"Fire Dragons Breath now, Charizard," Ash commanded his Pokemon firing its attack close range at Blaziken, sending him to the ground, shaken but not stirred. "Charizard, take flight," Ash commanded his Pokemon, who took off to the sky.
"Big mistake, Ash," Harrison said to Ash, who grunted. "Sky Uppercut and Thunder Punch Blaziken," Harrison commanded his Pokemon, who jumped at Charizard quickly and slammed his fists right into Charizard.
"There it is, ladies and gentlemen, the move that Blaziken is known for amongst the fighting types, a move that can even hit flying-type Pokemon," the announcer said.
"Wait, a fighting type?" Ash questioned and was surprised by this as Harrison smirked.
"Should've done your research, Ash? Yes, Blaziken isn't just a normal fire type but a fighting one. Blaziken's moves can be used in variation for all different opponents," Harrison said as Ash grunted but remained calm. "Now Blaze Kick," Harrison commanded his Pokemon, who slammed his leg right into Charizard's stomach, sending him to the ground.
"Charizard," Ash said as Charizard managed to regain flight and got up before Charizard could hit the ground. Blaziken landed on the ground.
"Heh, not bad I can see why you beat another Charizard earlier but don't think this battle is over," Charizard said, and Blaziken smirked and nodded.
"Like-wise, Charizard, at least you are giving me more of a battle than he did," Blaziken said to Charizard, who hated hearing another Charizard being talked to like that. But let this go, as this was a worthy fight.
"Man, I knew that this battle would be hard but wasn't expecting Charizard to have this much trouble," Ash thought, thinking of a way around that combo.
"Don't overthink this, Ash. He's too fast for me to use a move or any crazy tactics," Charizard said to Ash, who was taken aback upon hearing this.
"Charizard's right. I can't bluff my usual strategies against a Pokemon this strong we have to get the upper hand, though, or we will lose," Ash thought.
"Well, Ash, you've impressed me today, and I must admit you've pulled a lot of stunts in this Tournament. But I've seen all your matches. And now Harrison said that all your tricks are here in the Tournament and came up with this move set just for you," Harrison said. "Thunder Punch Blaziken," Harrison commanded his Pokemon, who charged at Charizard and reached Charizard.
"Block it with Mega Punch and then Seismic toss," Ash commanded Charizard, who made such a move and started the Seismic toss but tossed him right into the ground instead of his usual motion. Blaziken landed hard on the ground and got back up, panting heavily and on his knee. Charizard panted heavily as well. These two were evenly matched, showed signs of fatigue, and were past their limit.
"Flamethrower now," Ash and Harrison commanded their Pokemon, who fired their attacks, causing an explosion.
"Mega Punch now, Charizard," Ash commanded him.
"Sky Uppercut," Harrison commanded his Pokemon. Both hit each other to the point that both landed on each other, were knocked out, and couldn't battle any further. Ash and Harrison were surprised by this.
"Charizard and Blaziken both are unable to battle. This Tournament ends in a draw," the ref announced. Everyone was surprised by this. "This is a first, ladies and gentlemen. The finals ended in a tie for the first time since we started this Tournament. But I will say this was probably the best outcome for both sides," the announcer said. Ash and Harrison ran to their Pokemon and picked them up as both Pokemon's pride was hurt, but at least they went out in a way that wouldn't embarrass themselves.
"You did great, Charizard. No harm in a draw, and we will be fighting him again," Ash said to Charizard while praising him, who smiled and nodded.
"Thanks, Ash wished that I had won this battle for us, but it shows that I need to get even stronger now with you," Charizard said to Ash, who nodded. Harrison and Blaziken walked over to Ash and Charizard.
"Well, Ash, you did great out there, and I can see why Drew considers you a rival. And so do I," Harrison said to Ash, who nodded.
"Consider yourself mine as well, Charizard," Blaziken said to Charizard.
"Like-wise, Blaziken, just don't think I won't get stronger the next time we fight," Charizard said to Blaziken, who nodded.
"We will see them again in the league, that's for sure," Ash said to Charizard before offering a handshake to Harrison, who accepted it.
The crowd cheered as Ash and Harrison got a trophy and Fire Stone. Harison didn't need it at the moment. On the other hand, Ash knew it would be needed to help Growlithe evolve when she was ready.
The Tournament was coming to a close. Both Ash and Harrison got their Pokemon healed. "Well, I guess we should be heading our way," Harrison said to Ash, his friends, and Drew.
"I will be heading my way to Cianwood City before heading to the Whirl Islands; I'm sad I won't be taking part in the tournament at Cianwood but will be at the Whirl Islands," Harrison said, which made Ash curious about this. "Aside from that, another Tournament is coming up soon that I won't be taking part in, but you might be interested in a flying type one," Harrison said.
"You mean the Poke ringers? I'm familiar with that but wasn't aware that it's coming up, but we will probably meet again," Ash said. Harrison was surprised upon hearing this and nodded.
"Until then, we will meet again. I guess you are heading to the Whirl Islands, given that you have the Hoenn Regions water starter, Drew?" Harrison asked Drew, who shrugged.
"Maybe, but the grand festival for the Johto region is coming up, so I'll think about that, but I might either take part in it or sit this one out depending on when it happens," Drew said before turning to Ash. "Next time I see both of you, I want a rematch with a full team. Both of you that is," Drew said.
Ash and Harrison nodded as Drew and Harrison took their leave. Misty and Brock were interested in the Poke ringers, and the group took their leave in the direction of the said Tournament.
The Fire-type Tournament ended in a draw. Ash sets his sights on another tournament on his way to Olivine City. What is in store for our heroes as the Journey continues?
Stay Tuned.
Done and done. Man, this chapter was fun and tough to write. We have three more tournaments before the league. One is next, and the other was mentioned in Cianwood City, which I mentioned before. It's time to tell you what I am planning for the P1 Grandprix (Or however you pronounce it) and the return of a particular Pokemon for that Tournament. The problem I am running into is when to launch it. It will be in Cianwood, but that is where I will ask you all. Either before the Cianwood City gym battle or after the battle? Either way, it will lead to the halfway mark of the story. If it happens after the gym battle, the Tournament will be at the halfway mark. If it happens before the gym battle, the halfway mark will be after it ends. The Poke ringers are next to a five to six-chapter Tournament, a concise one as there will only be 32 or 64 trainers in it. See you next time.