Disclaimer: The rights to Pokemon belong to Satoshi Tajiri, not me. Please enjoy my soon-to-be great AbilityShipping fic!
It has been a month since Ash Ketchum, the pride of Pallet Town, returned to Kanto after competing in the Sinnoh League. The young Trainer, along with his long-time Pokémon partner, Pikachu, stared at the clear blue sky with new plans for their future. They remembered how Ash managed to defeat many strong trainers. He remembered how he defeated Nando, a Pokemon Bard who was both a Trainer and a Coordinator, and his team in the quarter-finals of the Victory Tournament. He then faced his greatest rival and polar opposite personality wise with purple hair, Paul of Veilstone City, at the semifinals. He then made it to the finals after defeating Paul. The last stand was between Ash's Infernape, evolved from the Chimchar Paul himself released, and Paul's powerful starter Pokemon, Torterra.
The final stand was probably one of his greatest moments to face in his young career as a Pokémon Trainer. A tough battle involving all of his Sinnoh Pokémon against Paul's selective team of powerhouses he held onto. Though Paul did not surprise him with any new Pokémon, his brutal strength was still able to overwhelm most of his Pokémon.
I was so close…
"Both Pikachu and Electivire are unable to battle!" the referee declared, holding both flags up in the air.
"And now, after that last battle between Ash's Pikachu and Paul's Electivire, both Ash and Paul are reduced to one Pokemon each!" the announcer proclaimed. The audience was loud and boisterous, having been roused by such a fantastic battle.
The first match-up was between Ash's Floatzel and Paul's Gliscor. Floatzel made it out, but almost barely alive. The Sea Weasel Pokémon was finished off by Paul's second Pokémon, Ursaring. The Hibernator Pokémon showed no mercy to the Water-type, even after the referee called it. Ash sent out his Staraptor, having evolved against Nando earlier. Staraptor weakened Ursaring with a quick use of Intimidate, but resulted in a draw. For the match for their third Pokémon, Ash sent out a Gallade while Paul countered with his cunning Weavile. A difficult battle with several clashes of blades and claws, Gallade managed to triumph over the Sharp Claw Pokémon.
With Paul as the first to lose all three of his Pokémon, both Trainers took their ten minute break to devise new strategies. The break ended prematurely when Paul demanded the match to start five minutes earlier. Ash strangely agreed. By their request, they started the next round of their momentous battle. Ash started off with his Grotle while Paul went with Magmortar. Having both the type advantage and overwhelming strength, Magmortar exhausted Grotle's defenses, but not without suffering from its own exhaustion due to Grotle's amazing endurance. Ash's worn out Gallade was brutally scorched and defeated by Magmortar without losing any energy at all. After seeing both Grotle and Gallade fall to Magmortar, Pikachu wanted to step up next. He dodged all of Magmortar's powerful Fire Blasts and consumed the Fire-type in a powerful Electric combination.
With both Ash and Paul now down to two Pokémon, the latter sent out Electivire, having evolved prior to this battle. Paul stole a spare Electrizer from his last opponent, merely stating that the ends justify the means. But despite the evolutionary power boost, Pikachu proved to have just as much strength as the Thunderbolt Pokémon, granted to him by his strong and ever-growing friendship with Ash. And now the last destined battle…
"Trainers, choose your final Pokemon!"
"Infernape, I choose you!"
"In In-Infer!"
"Torterra, stand by for battle!"
"Terra!"
Infernape and Torterra both materialized from their Poké Balls. Infernape saw who it was battling against, fuming in silent rage that was evident by the brightly burning flame on top of its head.
"Well, if it isn't my weak and former pawn, Chimchar," Paul scoffed. "So you wouldn't evolve under MY control, but instead you showed your true power to THAT weak excuse of a Trainer?" Ash and Infernape both seethed at Paul's remark.
Infernape gave out a focused glare on Paul and hooted wildly, proclaiming that it will defeat him under Ash's ownership. Paul merely smirked and turned away, believing that Infernape was no longer his business. Infernape wanted to defeat Paul for a long time after its mistreatment under Paul's ownership since its capture.
"Hey Ash! Ready to become the laughingstock of Kanto AND Sinnoh?" Paul sneered.
"Bring it on, Paul!" Ash yelled out. "It's time I showed you the TRUE meaning of friendship and trust!"
"Hmph, whatever," Paul said indifferently. "You're still as pathetic since I've known you."
"Ready, and BEGIN!" the referee shouted as he swung down both flags.
"Infernape, use Flamethrower!"
"In-Infer!" Infernape screeched, releasing a powerful stream of fire from its mouth.
"Torterra, Leaf Storm!"
"Tor-terra!" Torterra roared. The tree on Torterra's back glowed light-greenish. It fired millions of leaves toward the Flamethrower. The two attacks collided and it ended as a stalemate.
"Now use Hyper Beam!"
"Tor," Torterra growled. The Continent Pokémon immediately gathered energy into its mouth and it formed into a giant ball the size of Torterra's head. "Terraaaaa!" Torterra fired a colossal beam of energy at Infernape.
"Infernape, dodge it quick!"
Infernape jumped and somersaulted out before the Hyper Beam hit.
"Now's our chance! Infernape, Close Combat! Let's go!"
Infernape dived down to Torterra, screeching and hooting fiercely. It then began Close Combat with a barrage of kicks on Torterra's head. Infernape landed on the ground and threw a series of powerful punches at Torterra, slightly lifting it off the ground. Paul fumed at the attack on his Torterra.
Sitting on a bench neighboring the battlefield was Dawn, a young Pokemon Coordinator and Ash's third female traveling buddy from Twinleaf Town, along with Brock, the self-proclaimed ladies' man and Pokemon Breeder of Pewter City.
"I don't get it," Dawn said while stroking Pikachu's head. Dawn took care of Pikachu after his tie with Paul's Electivire. "Why did Ash have Infernape use Close Combat on Torterra? Doesn't he know how dangerous that move is?"
"Torterra's worn out from firing that Hyper Beam," Brock answered back while watching Infernape pound the living snot out of Torterra and nearly tipping the Continent Pokemon onto its back. "Torterra can't defend itself from the onslaught of Infernape's Close Combat. The damage it's accumulating is great and it probably can't take another attack once Infernape is done. Once Infernape is done though, its defenses will be down and Torterra can knock it AND Ash out of the tournament if given the chance." Dawn gasped about what Brock said. She doesn't want Ash to lose like she did in the semifinals of the Sinnoh Grand Festival against her friendly rival, Zoey.
Infernape stopped its Close Combat and showed signs of fatigue. Paul saw this as an opportunity to end this rivalry once and for all.
"Torterra, use Giga Drain now!"
"Tor! Terra!" Torterra bellowed. The three mountain-like structures on Torterra's back started to glow green. Then, three green energy tendrils shot up and got a hold of Infernape. Infernape screeched in pain as its strength was being sapped while half of the damage restored Torterra, albeit a little bit. Ash got angry, immediately calling out an attack for Infernape.
"We're not going to lose to YOU! Infernape, use Flare Blitz!"
"Wrrraaagghhh!" Infernape shouted to the sky. A fire aura covered Infernape's entire body. Infernape broke free from the Giga Drain and charged towards Torterra in top speed. Infernape rammed into Torterra and the flaming aura burned Torterra badly. Both Pokemon were about to collapse from exhaustion.
"Grrrrr, time to end this once and for all!" Paul yelled furiously. "Torterra, Frenzy Plant, FULL POWER!"
"Oh, so you wanna play that way, huh?" Ash shouted. "Fine! Infernape, use Blast Burn WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH!"
"Tor-TERRA!" Torterra bellowed loudly, glowing green from the power of its ability, Overgrow. It then stomped the ground, causing thorny tree roots to erupt and attack.
"Infer-NAGH!" Infernape screeched loudly, glowing blood red from Blaze and released a powerful fiery explosion from its body. The two elemental versions of Hyper Beam collided and a lot of smoke was the result. Everyone in the stadium braced themselves from the shockwave. When the smoke cleared, both Pokemon were on the ground and flat on their stomachs.
"Infernape, stand up!" Ash called out to Infernape. "I know you can do it! Please don't give up now, after everything we've been through!" With the encourage from its trainer, Infernape got up on all fours before fully standing on its own two feet and ready to resume battle.
"Torterra, get up now!" Paul snapped at the earthbound Torterra. "You better not blow this if you know what's good for you! Here me!?" Torterra struggled to get its heavy body off the ground under Paul's orders. "GET UP NOW!!!" Paul barked. The harsh command pushed Torterra to its limit. Ash observed this and growled.
How could Paul do this in front of millions of people? Ash thought to himself. Man, he's berating his own starter and not caring what else happens as long as he gets Torterra ready to battle again.
Torterra could no longer handle the stress and pressure its master was giving it. Torterra collapses, confusing Infernape as it was still ready to fight.
"In-In?"
"Torterra is unable to battle!" the referee called it and waved the flag on Ash's side in the air. "The victor goes to Infernape. The winner of this semifinal match is Ash Ketchum of Pallet Town!" The crowded cheered wildly.
"WHAT?!?" Paul was left to say. "Hmph! Torterra, return…" Paul recalled his defeated Torterra back into its Poké Ball. "You son of a…" Paul glared upon Torterra's Poké Ball with burning murderous intent. He placed his hands into his pockets, turned away, scoffed, and walked off. Paul quietly but angrily stormed off the battlefield, not wanting to shake hands with Ash.
What a sore loser, Ash thought.
"Unbelievable!" the announcer exclaimed. "What a match! Ash managed to defeat a powerful trainer like Paul of Veilstone City! This just shows that Ash's team prevailed due to the immense teamwork they displayed today." Ash looked up to the sky as Infernape, Dawn, Brock, and Pikachu went up to congratulate him. Ash felt so confident and satisfied that he defeated and humiliated Paul. Ash was prepared for the finals as he registered his current party via computer.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN MY POKÉMON ARE IN NO SHAPE TO BATTLE?!" Ash screamed outrageously at Nurse Joy. Brock and Dawn had to restrain him from going berserk.
"I'm sorry, Ash," Nurse Joy apologized. "Your recent fight with Paul has taken a lot of energy out of them. I just found out that they were more worn out and injured than they seemed to be. Paul's Pokémon were also completely worn out as well so he stayed here for the night. I'm afraid neither of you two can battle anyone today." Nurse Joy looked at Ash with sadness in her eyes. Suddenly, Brock popped right in front of the nurse in hopes to cheer her up. He grabbed Joy's hands and held them mid-torso up.
"Nurse Joy! I am really thankful that you did your best for Ash's Pokemon and now will you do me the honor of going out on a romantic date near the— ACK!" Before Brock could finish his advancement toward Nurse Joy, Brock's Croagunk, the Toxic Mouth Pokémon that does things in its own pace, had Poison Jabbed his rear-end. The poisonous purple color faded from Croagunk's fingertips.
"HHHooOOWW'sss aABBOOuutT ThE NExT CccooOmmMPeTiTiooOOooNnn?!?" Brock croaked out before collapsing from the Poison Jab. "Croaoaoaoaoa…" Croagunk dragged his master away. "Croa… Croa… Croa…"
Ash ignored what took place with Brock, Joy, and Croagunk. He was in deep thought. Paul managed to get away with one thing: wearing out all his Pokemon so that not even he could enjoy the sweetest taste victory could offer him. Pikachu managed to recover, but Ash can't battle with just Pikachu.
Oh, man. What am I gonna do? I already registered my Sinnoh team and it's too late to change. And the Pokemon League Committee can't reschedule now because of this. They already planned things out as it is. And of course I can't force my Pokemon to fight because that would only make me look a lot like Paul. I was so close to accomplishing my dream of becoming Pokemon Master…Just one battle…
And with that, Ash had no choice but to forfeit the final round. He was happy to be the 1st runner-up in a Pokemon League competition, but becoming a Champion would have been better for him and his pride as a Trainer. He placed his concern about the well-being of his Pokemon above everything else, making him completely different from Paul. His Sinnoh team recovered after the awards ceremony. They were sad that they were completely helpless, but Ash forgave them: another difference between him and Paul. Next time, he will have his own chance facing a region's Elite Four and its Champion…
"Well, time to get up," Ash said, getting off the tree near Pallet Town he relaxed on. Pikachu jumped up to Ash's left soldier, awake from his rest as well. Ash knew that Dawn went home to Twinleaf Town to rest and Brock went to Pewter City to check up his younger brother, Forrest, at the gym.
"I'm always looking forward to a new challenge, buddy," Ash told Pikachu.
"Pika?" Pikachu asked.
"No one has told me of any new regions with Pokemon League Regional Championships or anything like that so I believe it is time I became a… Frontier Brain!"
There was a long pause. Pikachu was astounded that Ash wants to settle at one place now. However, he knew there was nothing left for Ash to take on as of now.
"Okay, buddy. Let's go call Scott! Race ya!"
"Pika!"
And so Ash and Pikachu ran to Ash's house for the videophone. Ash dialed the number from memory, but because this was his memory, he had dialed several wrong numbers right until…
"Hello, Scott?"
Well, that's merely the intro. You'll see some AbilityShipping later in due time.
Ciao!