Chapter 18:Tournament
I don't own Pokemon. Sorry if this sucks.
WTLM
Ash stood on one side of a grassy expanse, the battlefield for the final match of the tournament that he had entered. He faced his opponent, a young woman and the winner of Johto's Silver Conference the year before, Abigail Astor, a red-haired woman in a deep green knee-length dress.
It had been exactly a year and a half since he joined Cynthia, and after the two of them had gotten over their respective colds, Ash had wanted to put his pokemon's abilities to the test, as well as his own. It was a small, but well known tournament, accepting only previous Pokemon League Conference winners. Cynthia knew that some powerful trainers would be there, so she signed him up.
Ash and his pokemon fought through their opponents in the last two rounds, now only one trainer stood before their victory. He and Pikachu carefully observed the grassy field, mapping every rock and blade of grass, already working out ways to use the terrain to their advantage. Venusaur, no pun intended, would have a field day here.
In a private spectator's box, Cynthia looked at her apprentice, mentally commending him for taking her lessons to heart. It was one of the first things she taught him: to control the outcome of a battle; one must control the enemy. To control the enemy; one must control the battlefield.
Silly as it may seem, she hoped that the words of encouragement she gave fifteen minutes before when she helped Ash prepare for his opponent helped.
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"Tell me about her pokemon." Cynthia ordered.
"Mix of types, well trained in fighting off pokemon of advantageous types. She nearly always leads with her blaziken, then either her octillery or nidoqueen. Her last pokemon is unknown." Ash recited the facts he learned from studying Abigail's previous matches.
Cynthia nodded. "Strategy?"
"Each of her pokemon fight with separate strategies, but not difficult to predict. Her blaziken is a straight up melee fighter, preferring to keep it's opponents on the back step at all times, the best counter would be a faster, more agile pokemon to dodge and attack or a strong defender that can counter at the right time. So Typhlosion would be best."
Ash continued. "Nidoqueen is the same but has a few ranged attacks if she needs breathing room, she's slow and has a very bad and exploitable defence, so Heracross would be the best bet." Ash said, going over his battle plan in his head.
"And finally her octillery's attacks are all ranged, so I'll try to take it down with Venusaur's new abilities." He finished.
"Is he ready?" Cynthia asked. It was a unique strategy and Cynthia had never seen anything quite like it, but if Venusaur was unable to use it in an actual battle then it was useless.
"Yeah, we've been practising for months and we've got it down to seconds instead of minutes!" Ash grinned. "They won't know what hit 'em!"
Cynthia allowed herself a soft, hidden smile at Ash's justified confidence. "This won't be easy, you know, she won last year's Silver Conference with just these three pokemon."
Ash's upturned mouth dropped into a serious line. "I've brought a pretty diverse team to be ready for any situation, but I'm leaning more towards speed and defence. I'll have an advantage over her slower, power-based pokemon and Typhlosion will be able to match her blaziken's speed."
Cynthia nodded again. "Good." He was learning.
An official popped her head into the room to remind Ash that the match was starting in ten minutes.
Cynthia turned to leave. "Hey, any last minute advice?" Ash called to her.
With a swish of her coat, Cynthia walked towards the door and looked behind her right shoulder with a gentle smile of amusement. "Win."
Ash returned her smile. "Got it."
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Cynthia's attention was then grabbed by the commentator who made a few opening statements about both trainer's before the match began. "On the green side, we have Abigail Astor, last year's winner of the Silver Conference. Ms. Astor has defeated her last two opponents without losing any pokemon, taking down Joshua Levi's team of steel-types and Simone Du Puis' team.
On the red side, we have the Lilley of the Valley Conference winner of two years ago, Ash Ketchum. Mr. Ketchum had also beaten his opponents without losing any pokemon, winning against Mason Tsuchi and Uzume Sora. But there can be only one winner today, so who will it be?"
Back down on the field, the referee held up two flags. "This is a three-on-three battle between Ash Ketchum of Pallet Town and Abigail Astor of Mossdeep City. Green trainer, ready?"
"Ready, ref!" Abigail cheerfully answered. She seemed the perpetually happy type, as if nothing phased her. That gave Ash another reason to be careful, someone so carefree in such a critical battle probably had good reason to be.
"Red trainer, ready?"
"Ready." Ash replied. He felt his heartbeat rise, that old familiar rush of excitement pumping through his veins. This was going to be fun!
"Trainers, reveal your pokemon!" The referee shouted.
"Just so you know, I'm not going to go easy on you! I've heard that you're pretty good, so let's put on a show!" Abigail plucked a pokeball from her stylish belt. "I'll start with Blaziken!"
A yellow and red avian pokemon took to the field, instantly raising it's arms to attack. "Blaziken!" It shouted.
"Sure, why not! It's been a while since we've been in a real battle." Ash grabbed a pokeball from his own belt and enlarged it. "Go, Typhlosion!" A large blue and cream pokemon with fire blazing on his back appeared, which would have towered over the blaziken, had he not dropped down to all fours.
(You honour me with this test of power and skill, Blaziken. I hope that I prove a worthy foe.)
(Yes, yes, let's get down to it already!) The blaziken replied, energetically hopping from foot to foot.
(Such disrespect!) Typhlosion muttered, appalled at the fighting-type's lack of decorum. (I shall urinate on your mangled corpse!)
"Typhlosion, use Rollout!" Typhlosion curled up into a ball and swiftly charged towards Blaziken with speed belying his great size.
"Blaziken, move and hit it with Slash as it passes!" Blaziken followed it's trainer's orders, moving to the side and readying it's talons, but not fast enough as it's right leg was clipped by the rolling Typhlosion and it was sent flying off balance.
"Typhlosion, use Rollout again while it's down!" Ash ordered. It may have seemed cruel to attack a downed opponent, but Cynthia taught him to press the advantage, every second they're on their back is another chance for you to win and every second you hesitate is another chance for you to lose.
Abigail's mind ran through her options. "Blaziken, use Earthquake!" Blaziken flipped into a standing position and stomped the ground with it's strong leg. The seismic vibration sent Typhlosion off of his intended course and into the wall surrounding the field. "Now use High Jump Kick!" Blaziken leapt into the air towards Typhlosion to bring it's full weight down on top of him.
"Lava Plume, now!" The six holes on Typhlosion's back blasted out streams of intensely hot lava, knocking Blaziken back to the ground and giving Typhlosion enough time to get back to his feet.
"Sky Uppercut!" "Double Kick!" Both trainers called out at the same time. Typhlosion charged and twisted his body, showing great control of his large body, while Blaziken ran forward with an outstretched arm. Unfortunately, Blaziken managed to dodge both feet and land it's own attack to Typhlosion's stomach, launching him into the air.
"Use Eruption while you're in the air!" Ash shouted. Typhlosion curled into a ball again, angling his back to the ground, the six spots on his back glowing an ominous dark red.
Ever been hit by the full force of a volcano, right on top of your head?
It sucks.
Blaziken would tell you if it could. Against such power, there wasn't much Blaziken could do, even when it's trainer screamed for it to move. When the attack cleared, Blaziken was in the centre of a thoroughly melted patch of land. Yet somehow it stood again, lumbering to it's feet. "Alright, Blaziken! Use Night Slash!" It's trainer called in delight.
"Deflect it with Shadow Claw then Flamethrower!"
Both pokemon followed their orders to a tee, but Blaziken was a split second faster, managing to hit Typhlosion's left hind leg before it's chest was hit by Shadow Claw, it stumbled as it jumped away from the gout of fire from Typhlosion's mouth.
"Now use Thunder Punch, Typhlosion!" Typhlosion's forearms lit up with electricity and launched himself towards Blaziken.
"Hit it with your own Fire Punch!" Blaziken's own fiery fists matched Typhlosion's.
Both attacks clashed, neither having the advantage in both pokemon's weakened states. "Blaziken, pull back and use Brave Bird!" Blaziken leapt into the air and dove towards Typhlosion.
"Counter with Wild Charge!" The large, electricity coated Typhlosion made swift and brutal work of Blaziken's attack, sending it to the far side of the field.
Seeing that Blaziken was on it's last legs, Abigail shouted, "Blaziken, Flare Blitz, as much power as you can!" Blaziken was surrounded by blue flames and charged once more.
"Finish it off with Lightning Wheel!" Ash called out, seeing this a perfect opportunity to use Typhlosion's new combination move. Using the electrical power of Wild Charge, combined with the pure speed of Rollout, Typhlosion was able to become an incredibly fast, incredibly damaging circular blur of lightning to damage opponents.
"What!?" Abigail exclaimed, having never seen the move before, which wasn't surprising, it was an Ash Ketchum original.
As soon as the two pokemon collided, an almighty explosion occurred, sending up a huge dust cloud across the field.
In her private box, Cynthia observed her apprentice. He never told her about that one. Ash was getting to be quite sneaky, she thought to herself, clever boy.
The dust dissipated, revealing a knocked out Blaziken and a barely conscious Typhlosion panting harshly on the field. That was the downside of Lightning Wheel, while it was fast and strong, it was difficult to maintain Wild Charge at that speed, so when it struck, there was a lot more recoil than normal.
"Wow! I guess that's why you dropped off the circuit for a while?" Abigail recalled Blaziken.
"One of the reasons." Ash shrugged. "I have a good mentor."
"Not one of those weirdos that live on top of a mountain and headbutt boulders for fun?"
"Not exactly..." Ash replied, almost feeling Cynthia's distaste at Abigail's last comment.
"Blaziken is unable to battle! Green trainer, reveal your next pokemon!" The referee called out.
"Let's go, Nidoqueen!"
The light blue poison/ground type was called to the field and eyed Typhlosion. (It seems that disrespectful bird put you through your paces, friend.)
(I apologise that I cannot put up a fight worthy of your calibre, but I shall still endeavour to defeat you!) Typhlosion told Nidoqueen.
(Oh, I like you! Come, I will grant you the honour of losing to me!) She haughtily responded, sticking her chest out and preening.
"Nidoqueen!" Abigail shouted. "Use Earth Power!" The ground beneath Typhlosion began to erupt with lava, sending him through the air.
"Typhlosion, use Rollout to get close, then use Shadow Claw!" Ash ordered. Typhlosion once again curled into a ball and hit the ground spinning.
"Nidoqueen, Sludge Bomb the field!" Nidoqueen spat a thick lump of poison that splattered across the battlefield. Typhlosion rolled into the puddle of toxin and slid right into Nidoqueen's iron grip. "Good job, now use Body Slam!" Nidoqueen lifted Typhlosion over her head and brought his back over her knee over and over.
Typhlosion used Flamethrower on instinct to break Nidoqueen's grasp but failed, letting out a roar of pain as he fainted under the assault. (Hmph! Next!)
"Typhlosion is unable to battle! Red trainer, reveal your next pokemon!"
"Typhlosion, return." Ash grimaced. An amateur mistake, he knew Cynthia would take a bite out of him for that. "Come on out, Heracross!"
The blue beetle pokemon appeared on the field. He looked around the field briefly before his eyes settled on Nidoqueen. (Yeah! A fight! I like fights. I like honey too, and victory! But mostly honey! Honey, victory, fighting! In that order!)
(...What an odd pokemon...)
"Nidoqueen!" Abigail ordered. "Thunderbolt!" Nidoqueen's horn charged with electricity before arcing off towards Heracross.
"Heracross, dodge!" The Thunderbolt hit the grass next to Heracross sending up a cloud of dust. "Now Brick Break!" Ash commanded.
"Use Break Brick too, Nidoqueen!" Both Brick Breaks collided as both Pokemon rushed at each other, coming to a stalemate as they struggled against the other's strength.
Ash took advantage of the stalemate. "Use Focus Punch!" Heracross' glowing fist impacted into Nidoqueen's abdomen, sending her crashing into the ground.
Nidoqueen rose from the ground and growled. "Nidoqueen, teach him a lesson! Use Earth Power!" Again, the ground was tore asunder by blasts of lava, sending it into the air.
"Heracross, move in and use Close Combat!" Heracross moved swiftly, using his wings to cross the battlefield in a flash.
"Nidoqueen, Superpower!" Abigail told her pokemon. Nidoqueen's might fist pulled back, slamming into Heracross' face before he landed his attack. "Now Earth Power again!"
"Heracross!" Ash shouted as scorching lava rained on the bug-type. Heracross burst from the deadly downpour, hopping from foot to foot as he tried to blow on the tip of his horn. "Alright, Heracross! Now use Seismic Toss!" Heracross darted towards Nidoqueen again, grabbed her by the tail and tossed her into the air with no little effort. "Hit her with Night Slash when she lands!"
As Nidoqueen's flailing form sailed towards the ground, Abigail called out, "Nidoqueen, curl up and use Body Slam!" Nidoqueen did as ordered and slammed into Heracross, though she didn't miss Heracross' horn that glowed with dark energy.
Once more, Nidoqueen's impressive endurance allowed her to wobble to her feet. Heracross also stood, looking dizzy but otherwise not too injured.
Ash seemed to have underestimated Abigail's nidoqueen. He knew Cynthia would punish him for that, oh well, it was time to finish her off now. "Heracross, Black Horn!"
Abigail raised an eyebrow. Another original move?
Heracross' horn glowed purple and black, charging with the focused power of a Night Slash and Shadow Claw, backed up by the sheer strength of Mega Horn. The energy surrounding the horn imploded, being absorbed by the horn, leaving it shining with a fierce, black and dark green light. "Go!"
Abigail shouted out on instinct. "Use Ice Beam, Nidoqueen!" But the move dissipated before it even came into contact with the charging Heracross' horn. The horn collided with Nidoqueen, sending her into the air with a cry, the power behind the attack impacting and creating a loud boom when it struck.
When Nidoqueen hit the ground near Abigail's feet, she didn't get back up.
Abigail and the audience's collective mouths dropped in unison for the second time in the match, while Cynthia raised a hidden eyebrow. Just what had Ashton been hiding from his mistress? That last move had hit with the power of a Giga Impact and Heracross looked as if it barely affected him.
It was...impressive. Ash had gotten so strong under her. Just what else could he learn to do...under her, Cynthia thought to her self, not noticing that her breathing had become a little heavier and she was chewing slightly on her lower lip.
"From watching you beat him up all the time, I almost forgot how good he is." Spoke a voice from behind Cynthia.
"Bertha! When did you come in?" Cynthia asked, looking over her shoulder and masking her surprise quite well. She had developed a very good poker-face over the years, a necessity for the Champion, both when battling and dealing with the vicious beasts know as the mainstream media.
"Me? About the time you started rubbing your thighs together." Bertha replied with a knowing smile.
Unfortunately, Cynthia's poker-face extended to facial expressions, so she was unable to hide the sudden rush of blood to her face. "I have no idea what you're talking about." Cynthia responded in an icy monotone, which was spoiled by her red cheeks.
Bertha raised one hand in apology, the other resting on her cane. "Of course, of course, I'm sure my senile mind is just playing tricks on me. I am but an old woman! My eyes are blind, my hair is grey, my skin shrivelled and withered! Guide me to a chair so I can rest my weary bones!"
"I'm certain that you're trying to imply that there's some form of questionable relationship between my apprentice and I, but I assure you that's not the case." Cynthia recited without blinking.
"There are no cameras here, you know. You're so deep in denial, I can't tell if you're in love or in mourning!" Bertha exclaimed with an annoyed wave of her hand.
"Neither." Cynthia hissed. "Now shut it, you short hag, the battles still going." Couldn't she just be quiet for five minutes? Whenever they were alone, all Bertha wanted to talk about was herself and Ash.
"What ever happened to respecting your elders?" Bertha huffed.
"You're seventy year old alcoholic with a gambling problem and an addiction to terrible daytime television and always try to pass yourself off as a dotty old lady." Cynthia said, not even bothering to look at Bertha anymore.
Bertha sniffed. "I'm sixty-eight."
"Really? That's the only part you take offence to?" Cynthia turned to Bertha with a deadpan look.
"I've never been a fan of self-delusion, I am a therapist, after all." Bertha pursed her lips. "You seem a little upset." She asked, her well-trained eyes spotting the tell-tale signs in Cynthia's schooled expression.
Cynthia sighed. "He's been hiding things from me. I had no idea he could do anything like that, combining and creating new moves like it's nothing. Why didn't he tell me?" She asked, a heavy feeling settling in the base of her throat. Didn't Ash trust her?
"He respects you too much." Bertha said simply.
Cynthia's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. What was Bertha talking about? "Respects me?"
"Yes. He wants to show you what he can do on his own, not just what you've taught him. He knows that you've fought for every ounce of strength you have and wants you to know that he can be strong on his own too. He's trying to impress you. It's rather cute!"
Cynthia turned the side of her face covered by her hair to Bertha. "Just stop talking." She said.
Bertha had clearly hit the whiskey before coming, she had no idea that she was talking about. After all, what could a therapist and expert in human emotions possibly know about the delicate heart of a young woman in lov-
Damn it, Bertha and her little mind games were putting words in her mouth again.
WTLM
"Nidoqueen is unable to battle! Green trainer, reveal your next pokemon!"
Back on the field, Abigail recalled Nidoqueen. "You really aren't one to be underestimated, are you?" Abigail asked, her seemingly permanent smile fading into an annoyed frown. "You meanie!" She reached for her final pokeball. "Now it's time for you to meet my best friend and strongest pokemon! Go Octillery!"
On the battlefield appeared a red and yellow pokemon with four tentacles. (...ah...ah ha...hahahaHAHAHAHA! Let's FIGHT! Hahaha!) Octillery (somehow) laughed manically.
(But I'm tired of pineapple fritters for breakfast, Timothy...) Heracross slurred.
Ah, crap, Ash thought, the impact of Black Horn must have nearly knocked Heracross senseless. "Heracross, are you okay to fight?" Ash asked in concern. This would be a short battle unless Heracross snapped out of his confusion.
Heracross turned to face his trainer and waved. (Hi Ash, merry Mizzlelump's Eve and a scrumtrelesent Kwerna's Day!)
Yeah, Heracross was out of his honey-loving mind. "Referee, I forfeit Heracross." Ash called out, recalling Heracross.
"Heracross is unable to battle! Red trainer, reveal your next pokemon!"
Ash grabbed his last pokeball and held it near his mouth. "Alright Venusaur, just like we practised." He whispered.
"Go, Venusaur!" A huge blue quadruped with a large flower on his back appeared, one of Ash's first pokemon and oldest of them all. While he wasn't the strongest, he was in the top five, he was the wisest and de facto leader and mediator of Ash's pokemon, along with Pikachu.
(Well, I reckon this ol' timer's got to give an ol' fashion beat-down. I'm not as fast as I used to be, but I don't gotta move beat to you!)
(Hahahahahahaha! Beat down? Can you even move, old dude! Hahahaha!
(Like I said, ma'am, I don't need to move to beat you.)
"Venusaur, use Ingrain!" Vine appeared from the flower on Venusaur's back and took root in the ground, immobilising Venusaur.
"Octillery, fry him with Flamethrower!" The gout of fire engulfed Venusaur, but when it dissipated, he looked no worse for wear. Instead, he let out a deep, rumbling noise that could have been a laugh.
(Miss Garchomp was kind enough to help me defend against that sort of attack. My turn, Miss Octillery?)
"Venusaur, Seed Bomb!" On command, a barrage of large seeds were launched from the flower, scattering all over the grassy field.
"You missed?" Abigail asked in confusion. "Why would yo...? Oh, hell! Aurora Beam, NOW!"
"Too late!" Ash smirked. "Go, Forest Creation!"
Using the roots from Ingrain to channel energy to the seed strewn around from Seed Bomb, Venusaur many trees sprang up around the field, dense foliage almost blocking the field entirely.
"Holy crap..." Seemed to be the general consensus of the crowd and Ash's opponent.
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Cynthia stared down unblinking at Ash's face. His smile, his eyes, that was a look she herself had worn many times, the look of the victorious. She was almost panting now, unknown to herself, but not to Bertha, who noticed that Cynthia actually was rubbing her thighs together now.
Cynthia turned from the window and made for the door, looking down to hide her flustered face. "I, ah, I need to use the girl's room! I might be a while." She said, rushing past Bertha.
"You're not going to watch the end of the match?" Bertha questioned, watching Cynthia's discomfort.
"Why?" Cynthia asked back with blood-stained cheeks and half-lidded eyes. "He's already won."
WTLM
"Octillery, try to burn it down!" Abigail shouted to her pokemon who was hidden somewhere in the forest.
"Sorry, that won't work! Venusaur, Branch Marionette!"
Without warning, Venusaur used his amazing control to manipulate every tree around Octillery, cause every branch to lash out at her. Countless trees and even more branches whipped her without mercy.
"No, no, no! Octillery, use Gunk Shot, use something, anything!" Abigail cried in desperation.
Ash smiled, a calm, relaxed smile. Cynthia was right, he had already won. "I think you've forgotten that Venusaur is half poison-type too. Time to finish Venusaur, Pollution!"
Slowly, every so slowly, deep purple sludge started to leak from the trees and rain down on Octillery in a poison rain, falling faster and faster until Octillery was completely covered.
"Venusaur, that's enough!" And like magic, the trees sank back into the earth along with the poisonous sap, leaving the grassy field clear, except for the holes and scorch marks from the earlier fighting.
"Octillery is unable to battle! I declare Ash Ketchum of Pallet Town the winner!"
A storm of cheers erupted from the stands, bathing Ash in adulation. Abigail Astor crossed the field and shook Ash's hand. "Wow, you really are good! How did you do all that?" She asked, no trace of a grudge in her voice.
"Sorry, it's a secret!" He replied with a smile.
"Eh, fair enough! Maybe I'll see you around?"
"Maybe." Ash grinned.
WTLM
Hours later, in Ash's bedroom in the Champion's Tower, there was a knock at the door. "Ash, can I come in?"
"Yeah, sure Cynthia."
Cynthia entered the room in a pair of purple pyjamas, ready for bed. "Hey."
"Hey."
"So you were pretty good out there today. A little cocky, but nothing a few rounds of me knocking your block off won't fix!" She said with a laugh, although Ash shuddered, knowing she was completely serious.
"Thanks, so what did you think?" He asked, which Cynthia correctly guessed that he was referring to his newly created moves.
Cynthia crossed her arms under her chest, wearing the expression of a seasoned analyst despite that she was wearing nightwear decorated with the faces of umbreon. "Not bad, Lightning Wheel has much too much recoil, it was reckless of you to use it without lessening the recoil, you could have lost the match before it started, but you can work on it.
Black Horn is better, it's basically the bane of all psychic-types and Heracross will learn to deal with the confusion in time.
I'm fascinated by Venusaur's new moves, you only showed me Forest Creation, the other two were brand new to me. To be able to manipulate so many trees at once and then change it to a completely different attack... Call me impressed, Ashton." She finished. Truly, Ash had impressed her. She would like to take the credit for helping him achieve something like that, but it was all on him this time. He was quite the prodigy when it came to creating new move.
Ash gave a nervous laugh. "Yeah, well, I guess I wanted to show off a little for you."
"I have something for you." Cynthia said out of the blue. "Close your eyes." She ordered.
"Uh, okay? What is it?" Ash asked, closing his eyes.
"A surprise. Now keep them closed!" She said, her voice sounding much closer now, almost next to Ash's-
His entire body froze when he felt two soft lips press against his cheek, lingering for a split second before they pulled away.
When he finally recovered enough wits to process what happened, he turned to Cynthia. "Wh-what was that?" He squeaked out.
Cynthia smiled. "Consider it a belated kiss for good luck. A victory kiss!"
"O-oh... And if I win another tournament, do I get another?" He asked, nervousness biting away at him.
"Who knows... Maybe if you can land a punch on tomorrow, we just might see." Cynthia replied, almost floating away to the bedroom door, or was that just Ash's imagination? "Sweet dreams...Ashy..."
They most certainly were.