Greetings, everyone Mgunnels3 here, and welcome back to A Promise Kept Ash's Johto Journey. Before we begin, I got a question about Murkrow in the reviews about when she will evolve. I will have her evolve when Ash is in Hoenn, and we'll see her as one when the Battle Frontier story comes out. Let's get this chapter started, shall we?
Chapter 53: Pride
"Human Speech"
"Pokemon Speech"
The next day came as the top 16 battles started, as Ash and Daniel were getting ready for their match. Ash is apprehensive about how Daniel's Pidgeotto would act in this battle, given that he has a history with Skaromry and has a vendetta against Pidgeot. Even though he said that he wouldn't use him to get revenge, Ash isn't sure.
"Hey, Ash, I noticed that my Pidgeotto is very abrasive as of late. Is something wrong you can tell me," Daniel asked Ash, who was finishing setting up the balloon and sighed. Ash explained everything he knew about Pidgeotto's history to his Pidgeot that he does know. "I see. Thank you, Ash. I wished I knew that beforehand, but I hope this won't affect our rivalry and friendship, and if he does something wrong, I didn't order it," Daniel said to Ash, who smiled and nodded.
"It's fine that Pidgeot doesn't know why he is acting like this. But it's been like this for a long time; aside from that, he seems more interested in staying with you than causing more harm. From what I heard, you saved his life?" Ash said to Daniel, who nodded and was about to say something as they heard the announcer speak.
"Will our first two combatants get going and get this round started," the announcer said as Ash and Daniel nodded, got into their balloons, and took to the skies. Pidgeot and Murkrow watched this on TV in the room that Murkrow was staying in. She was more worried about Skarmory than winning the match.
"Now the first match of the top 16 begins. Our two combatants have made themselves known well in this Tournament and have two strong Pokemon, so let out their Pokemon," the announcer said.
"Skarmory comes on out," Ash sent out his Pokemon.
"Pidgeotto, come on out," Daniel sent out his Pokemon as the two flying types were let out and ready to participate. The audience was surprised that Ash was using another Pokemon in this match as the balloon with the ring took flight.
"Before the match begins, I must remind you that contestants can use a second Pokemon. If their Pokemon is too tired or injured during the competition, and we have gotten word about Murkrow is the former in this case, but it wasn't Ash's doing," the announcer explained.
"You ready, Skarmory?" Ash asked her, who smirked and nodded.
"Always ready to battle in this Ash," Skarmory said before turning to Pidgeotto, who was surprised to see her against him.
"Humph, don't think you know me, Pidgeotto, that this will be an easy match speed advantage or not," Skarmory told Pidgeotto, who sighed, hoping that he would face Murkrow but would take on his boss's niece.
"Now, with that explanation out of the way, let's get this battle to begin," the announcer said.
"Pidgeotto use Steel wing after the ring," Daniel commanded his Pokemon, who dove right at the ring, wings glowing a steel-like sheen hitting it and grabbing it.
"Skarmory use Swift, and then use agility," Ash commanded her, who fired a flurry of stars at Pidgeotto and then used her speed to get the ring and took off towards the goal.
"Use Hidden Power Pidgeotto," Daniel commanded his Pokemon, who used the attack and launched it at Skarmory.
"Double team now," Ash commanded her, who created clones as the Hidden Power hit all of them.
"Now Aerial Ace Pidgeotto," Daniel commanded his Pokemon, who dived right into Skarmory as she knocked the ring out of her beak. Pidgeotto took the ring and flew towards the goal.
"Skamory, use Drill Peck," Ash commanded her, whose beak spun and went to Pidgeotto. Pidgeotto was near the goal as Skarmory was gaining upon him quickly. Ash noticed she was gaining a lot of speed, similar to Aerial Ace, and Ash knew she was holding that back.
"Aerial Ace Skarmory now," Ash commanded her, who used it to gain speed, slammed right into Pidgeotto, and grabbed the ring again.
"Wow, ladies and gentlemen, these two were showing that winning wasn't the only thing that was on the line but their pride as well," the announcer said as Murkrow was watching this and wanted to learn that move for when she could take part in the Tournament again.
Surprisingly Murkrow wasn't the only Pidgeot as well, as this was a move that could help her with her leadership when she gets back to Kanto and on this Journey. As the two saw that Skarmory was almost about to win this match for the team.
"Hidden Power Pidgeotto," Daniel commanded him, who fired the attack again right at Skarmory as it closed in on her.
"Aerial Ace now, Skarmory," Ash commanded her, who used it to get to the goal quickly and landed the ring right on target.
"No way," Pidgeotto said.
"Goal, the winner is Skarmory, and moving on to the next round is Ash," the announcer said as Skarmory flew beside Ash smirking at Pidgeotto, who sighed and admitted that Ash won fair and square as he looked at Skarmory.
"You did say if Murkrow or I beat you that you would stop this whole issue with my group; as someone who was asked to let my uncle be your guardian, you have to follow that whole; we are mon of our words," Skarmory said to Pidgeotto who sighed and nodded she was right he does, and he did promise that.
"I did, and as I said, I won't bother the group again. I was planning on leaving things be after our battle anyway, so please stop getting on my case about it anyway," Pidgeotto said to Skamory, who was getting annoyed.
"Look, I know that you messed up back then, but like me, you got a long way to go if you wanted to be back to our flock, either one, that is, you are older than Pidgeot and myself. It would be best if you didn't act like this," Skarmory said, to which Pidgeotto sighed and nodded. Ash and Daniel landed their balloons and gave each other a handshake.
"Nicely done, Daniel. I was worried that Pidgeotto would turn on you today, but glad that wasn't the case," Ash said to Daniel, who nodded and looked at Pidgeotto, who smiled at him.
"And I thought I needed to move on here, but as I said no, I have no intentions of abandoning my trainer or being disobedient, he puts his faith in me, and I need to get stronger through him. Don't worry, Daniel, you have no issues with me even after this loss," Pidgeotto said as Ash translated this to Daniel, who sighed.
"It's a fair reason to be with a trainer to get stronger but not to use it for vendetta, but you show that you have matured so far. Maybe the next time we meet, we can speak without issues," Skarmory said to him, who sighed and nodded, as did Ash, as the two head to the Pokemon center.
Their Pokemon got healed as Murkrow and Pidgeot congratulated Ash for this win. Murkrow was now ready to participate in this Tournament again, but it was okay for Skarmory to take part if she wanted to.
"I might, Murkrow, but this is your thing as well. I didn't expect to use that move today," Skarmory said, humphing only to hear a familiar voice called out to her.
"You haven't changed as spoiled as every dear," A male Skarmory said as Ash's Skarmory's eyes widened seeing him. "You did great out there. While I am not taking part in this, I am here to see how well my trainer will do in this, and seeing you, I'm sure to see how well you were trained under a trainer of your own," the maleSkarmory said before leaving.
"Dad, you are watching me today's match," Ash's Skarmory said, which surprised everyone who heard that.
"That was your dad?" Ash asked Skarmory, who sighed and nodded.
"As I said before, he is here with his gym leader trainer, and I figured you would face his trainer soon," Skarmory said as Ash nodded. Murkrow was about to ask Skarmory about teaching her that move Skarmory was surprised and looked at Pidgeot. "Only if you are fine with it. We have a day off tomorrow and all?" Pidgeot said to Skarmory, who smirked and nodded.
"It will take more than a day, but I can teach you as much as possible. Don't call me your teacher, please, Murkrow. I'm not taking that from Pidgeot," Skarmory said to Murkrow, who nodded.
The day off of the Tournament arrived as Skarmory was teaching Murkrow, a quick learner but struggling to keep the training speed to land the Aerial ace, as Pidgeot was watching and learning this herself, knowing she could learn it independently.
"Not bad, Murkrow. You are doing well, but it will take time for you to master it, and a day isn't enough," Skarmory said to Murkrow, who nodded as she continued to try her best as Pidgeot walked over to Skarmory.
"If you don't mind me asking, Skamory, how did you master it?" Pidgeot asked Skarmory, who smiled upon her asking.
"My dad knows it as well as his team members, so I inherited it along with Drill peck from my mom. However, I didn't master it until yesterday, and it's not an easy move to master," Skamory explained, to which Pidgeot nodded.
"So, how long did it take you since we met?" Murkrow asked as she was curious, given that she wanted to master it as soon as possible.
"Almost a year. Then again, I wasn't planning to be caught by a trainer at the time. You should know," Skarmory explained. "However, I will admit that this was the first time I used it in an actual battle. I take it that you are learning this yourself, Pidgeot. It's only fair given that we are members of the same flock soon," Skarmory asked Pidgeot, who nodded.
"I do plan on learning it one day to get stronger, and maybe we can learn from each other if there are moves that can learn together," Pidgeot said to Skarmory, who nodded.
"It's only fair you are willing to help me understand how a leader would be one day, and I am helping the team get stronger. You may be my rival, but I do see you as my friend and fellow flock member," Skamory said to Pidgeot, who smiled and nodded.
Skamory was talking with Pidgeot as she also noticed how Murkrow was using her moves. On the other hand, Murkrow was training to master it, wanted to get stronger, and managed to get a slight blow on the target she had been trying to hit. Skamory and Pidgeot were surprised by this as Murkrow wasn't expecting her to manage to land a blow that quickly Murkrow puffed her chest as Skarmory laughed.
"Well, that shut me up, but I will say that your opponents won't be standing still, Murkrow. I'd suggest you don't use it in tomorrow's match until you master it," Skarmory said. Murkrow sighed and nodded.
The Poke Ringers continued as Ash made it to the top 4, as did Brock.
"Now, ladies and Gentlemen, the top four matches are the following," the announcer said as it was revealed. Ash was up against Winona in the next round.
"That's her, Ash, my dad's trainer, and she's good," Skarmory said. Ash nodded. Ash knew he was up against another trainer and had no clue how she battles in this Tournament. "Ash, I want to participate in this battle," Skamory said to Ash, who nodded.
"Is it because of your father, Skarmory?" Ash questioned her, who humphed.
"You know me well, Ash. But it will be about winning for you, not just proving something to him," Skarmory explained as Ash chuckled and nodded.
The Poke Ringers are now in the top 4, and Ash is up against Winona, a known flying type expert. Will Ash win? Do the Poke Ringers continues?
Stay Tuned.
Done and done. This chapter was fun to write, but the timing could have been better, not to mention making these different from being copied and past battles. It's Ash vs. Winona next. See you next time.