Chapter 12
Once Ash was in the heat of a battle, there was almost no way to get him out of it. And while fighting his rival, it was impossible not to give it his all.
"Nidoqueen, use Stone Edge!" Gary didn't miss a beat.
But Ash didn't either. "Use Razor Leaf!"
The sharp leaves slashed apart the stone spikes that headed towards Bayleef, breaking them into harmless pebbles.
"You're better than you used to be," said Gary, "But not good enough to beat me! Nidoqueen, use Toxic!"
"Bayleef, dodge and use Solar Beam!" Ash could not let that Toxic hit. If it did, Bayleef would be at a severe disadvantage.
"Toxic again!" Gary yelled.
"Bayleef, shoot it now!"
Bayleef shot a large blast of energy at Nidoqueen, knocking the Drill Pokémon to the ground. However, the Toxic hit the grass type before she could dodge out of the way.
"Quick, use Razor Leaf!" Ash hoped the Solar Beam had weakened Nidoqueen enough to give Bayleef the upper hand. Now that his Pokémon was poisoned, he would have to end this fast.
"Use Mud Shot!" The glob of mud dampened the leaves, knocking them out of the air.
"An impressive show of skill from both trainers! Both Bayleef and Nidoqueen are equally matched! Which trainer will gain the upper hand in this battle?"
Ash noticed Bayleef flinch as the poison started to damage her. Nidoqueen was weakened from the Solar Beam, but was still able to fight. "Bayleef, use Vine Whip!"
Bayleef extended her long vines, latching on to Nidoqueen's arms and legs.
"Not so fast! Use Sludge Wave!" said Gary.
A large wave of poisonous liquid poured out of Nidoqueen's mouth as the poison and ground type struggled against the vines. Unfortunately for Bayleef, the poison burned her vines, forcing her to let Nidoqueen go.
Ash gritted his teeth. "Use Solar Beam!" He needed another large attack to end this match.
"Use Stone Edge!" Large pointed stones shot out of the ground, headed straight for Bayleef. The grass type was too busy charging the Solar Beam to dodge the attack, but Ash had planned for that.
"Switch to Energy Ball!" Just as Bayleef was about to be skewered, she used the energy absorbed for Solar Beam and turned it into a ball of grass-type energy. The extra power let it tear though the Stone Edge, striking Nidoqueen in the chest.
"Use Dig!" Gary didn't miss a beat as Nidoqueen dove into the ground.
Ash looked from side to side. "Be careful, Bayleef!" There was no way to tell where the Drill Pokémon would come out.
Suddenly, Nidoqueen burst out of the ground right under Bayleef, knocking the grass type into the air.
"Now use Sludge Bomb!" There was nothing Ash or Bayleef could do as Nidoqueen shot the grass-type out of the air with the attack. The crash, combined with the poison, was too much for Bayleef as she fell to the ground.
"And Ash Ketchum has lost his first Pokémon!" said the announcer, "But this battle has just begun! Which Pokémon will Ash bring out next?"
Ash considered his options. He didn't want to use any of his powerful Pokémon yet, and Nidoqueen was pretty weak. One super-effective hit should be enough to take it out. "Go Totodile!"
"Use Earth Power!" Nidoqueen's attack was fast and furious, as Totodile was only able to dodge part of the attack. Fortunately, it only left a few scratches on the water type.
"Rapid fire Water Gun!" Angered by the attack, Totodile shot several blasts of water at Nidoqueen before it could react.
"Protect!" Nidoqueen barely got the reflective shield up in time.
"Now use Giga Impact!" Gary yelled. "Finish this off!"
"Totodile dodge!" But it was too late. Against the massive Nidoqueen, the little water type stood no chance. But Nidoqueen was all out of energy, and when the dust cleared, both Pokémon were left on the ground.
"Both Totodile and Nidoqueen are unable to battle! Gary has five Pokémon left while Ash only has four, but this battle could still go either way! Both trainers, send out your next Pokémon!"
"Alright buddy, you're up!" Ash nodded to Pikachu.
"You got it!" Pikachu ran onto the field, cheeks sparking.
"Go Golem!" Gary tossed a Pokeball, and the massive ground type shook the field with its weight.
But the type disadvantage didn't bother Ash. Pikachu had dealt with ground-types before. "Use Quick Attack!"
"Use Rock Throw!" Golem began hurling rocks at the electric mouse, but Pikachu easily dodged them all.
"Use Iron Tail!" Pikachu used the speed from Quick Attack to launch himself towards Golem, tail hardened with the steel-type move. The extra momentum let him hit the rock and ground type hard. Too hard.
"A valiant attack from Pikachu! But this might be the end!"
The attack had worked, but Pikachu's tail was lodged in Golem's body, leaving the electric type dangling helplessly in mid-air.
After a few moments, Golem recovered from the super-effective move. Gary smirked. "Use Double Edge!"
Ash could only watch as Golem bashed itself into a nearby rock. Normally, the attack was used to slam into an opposing Pokémon, causing lots of damage, but also hurting the user. However, since Pikachu was attached to Golem, he took the full brunt of the attack with no drawback to the ground type.
"Pikachu, use Thunderbolt on yourself!" The weakened electric type was barely able to charge up the move. The attack didn't hurt Golem, but the blast was enough to free his tail from Golem's body.
"Use Rock Tomb!" Golem hurled large rocks at Pikachu, who was too weak to dodge them.
Ash knew this was the end for his partner, so he issued one final order. "Use Electro Web between the stones!"
Using the last of his strength, Pikachu flung a web of electricity between two of the battlefield's large pillars of stone. Several of the rocks hit the web, bouncing and hitting Golem, but after the first few, the Electro Web broke, sending the rest hurling into Pikachu.
"And Pikachu is out! We'll take a five-minute intermission here, giving Ash time to regroup after losing three of his Pokémon."
"Sorry, buddy," said Ash, "I didn't think that attack would end so badly."
Pikachu shrugged. "I've been through worse."
"Don't get too discouraged, Ash. Gary might be in the lead, but Golem is pretty weak. And don't forget, you still have some of your strongest Pokémon left," said Brock.
"I know," Ash sighed. "But Gary is a lot stronger than last time I fought him."
"So are you!" Latias telepathed. "You have us!"
"And don't hesitate to use those powers either," Latios reminded him. "Gary's in for a nasty shock if he tries to use Double Team."
Ash smiled at the invisible eons. "Thanks, guys." He gave them both a quick rub on the head since trying to hug them would look weird to everyone else. "Let's go beat Gary!"
A buzzer rang across the stadium as Ash stepped back up to the trainer's box.
"Time for the second half of our match! As of this moment, Gary has five Pokémon remaining while Ash has only three. Which Pokémon will they choose?"
"Go Arcanine!"
Ash wanted to save Charziard for the battle with Blastoise, and he didn't want to use Latias just yet. That left him only one option. "Skye, I choose you!"
"Arcanine, Take Down!" The fire-type charged at Skye, but Ash wasn't too worried.
"Skye, use Psychic!" Skye's amulet glowed, evolving her into an Espeon. Her eyes glowed as the Psychic stopped Arcanine in its tracks.
"How did-" Gary shook his head. "Never mind, use Fire Spin to get out!"
Arcanine shot a blast of fire around itself and at Espeon, forcing her to dodge and let go of the fire type.
"Now use Extreme Speed!" Arcanine darted towards Espeon before Ash could react, sending the eeveelution crashing into a rock.
"Skye, use Water Gun!" Another flash of the amulet changed Skye into her Vaporeon form, letting her fire a blast of water at the unsuspecting Arcanine.
"And Ash's mysterious Eevee does it again! How will Gary defeat this Pokémon?"
"Hang in there, use Extreme Speed again!" Arcanine shook the water off its fur before charging at Skye.
But Ash was ready this time. "Use Water Pulse!"
Skye launched a ball of water straight at Arcanine, exploding directly on the fire type's face.
"Arcanine is unable to battle! What will Gary do against a Pokémon that can change types?"
"Go Golem!" Gary tossed another Pokeball. "Use Tackle!"
"Use Water Pulse!" Skye began charging the attack as Golem rushed at her.
"Use Explosion!" Just before Skye could launch her attack, Golem blew up right in her face, sending both Pokemon crashing to the ground.
"Gary's weakened Golem takes out Ash's Eevee with a giant explosion! Now, Gary has three Pokémon left, while Ash has only 2! But this battle could still go either way!"
"Go Charizard!"
"Go Blastoise!"
"Use Fire Blast!"
"Rapid Spin!" Charziard shot blast of fire at the water type, but Blastoise simply tucked into its shell and spun around, negating the attack.
"Blastoise, use Hydro Pump!" The blast of water hit Charizard before Ash could call another command.
"Charizard, fly up!"
"Stop it with Hydro Pump!" Blastoise sent bursts of water from its cannons, forcing Charizard to keep dodging, unable to land a counter attack.
"Use Flamethrower!" Charizard tried to hit Blastoise with several bursts of flames, but they were too far away to be accurate. To make things even harder, the fire type had to keep dodging Hydro Pumps, further weakening his aim.
This wasn't good. One hit from those Hydro Pumps, and it was over. He had to do something to stop Blastoise. But all Charizard's flames could do was heat the battlefield, melting whatever rocks it hit. Wait, that was it!
"Charizard, use Flamethrower to burn the battlefield!" The fire type didn't question his trainer's orders and began shooting flames at various rocks around the field.
"Charizard is striking the field with Flamethrower! What sort of strategy could Ash have up his sleeve?"
Gary didn't respond to the Flamethrower since it wasn't hitting Blastoise, but Ash knew it was only a matter of time before he figured it out. Beads of sweat were already rolling down his neck from the heat. The field was melting.
"Blastoise, use Water Gun to cool it down quick!" The water against the superheated rocks caused a thick blanket of mist to spread over the entire field. Neither trainer could see what was going on.
"Charizard, you know what to do." Ash took advantage of his telepathy so that Gary would have no way of knowing his strategy.
"Blastoise, use Rapid Spin to clear the steam!"
Ash let the steam just enough so that Charizard could see before giving his order. "Use Seismic Toss!"
Charizard swooped down, dodging a hasty Hydro Pump, and grabbed Blastoise.
"Blastoise, use bite!
"Keep going, Charizard, toss Blastoise!"
Charizard roared in pain, but didn't let it stop the attack. After a sharp upward climb, the fire type swooped down, sending Blastoise crashing to the ground and dust flying through the air. But the effort was too much. When the battlefield had cleared, both Pokémon were on the ground, neither able to move.
"After some outstanding battling from both trainers, both Charizard and Blastoise are knocked out! However, Gary is still up a Pokémon! Will Ash's last Pokémon be able to defeat two of Gary's?"
Gary gave an amused smile. "Looks like the odds aren't in your favor, Ash,"
"I don't need them," said Ash, "But you might."
"Will both trainers send out their final Pokémon?"
"Ready, Latias?"
"Ready!"
Gary tossed one of his Pokeballs. "Go Magmar!"
But Ash didn't need a Pokeball. He simply thrust his hand forward. "Latias, I choose you!"
Latias squealed a challenge as she uncloaked, flying onto the battlefield.
Ash would remember the expression on Gary's face for the rest of his life.
~~~
Latias' heart raced, both from the excitement of being in a battle and from the nervousness of thousands of people watching her. All her life, she had had to hide from humans, and she had to remind herself that it was okay now. She had Ash.
Whispers echoed throughout the stadium. Latias had a feeling they were talking about her.
"What's this? Ash has just sent out an unidentified Pokémon!"
Gary pulled out his Pokedex and pointed it at Latias. "NO DATA AVAILABLE." It beeped.
Latias stifled a giggle. Ash's Pokedex hadn't worked on her either.
"What is that Pokémon?" asked Gary.
Ash smiled. "Gary, meet my new Pokémon: Latias!"
Latias waved.
Gary chuckled and shook his head. "Well, whatever a Latias is, I'm still not going to let you win this battle! Magmar, use Flamethrower!"
Latias' first instinct was to simply fly out of the way, but she waited for Ash's command.
"Use Dragon Pulse!"
Latias charged up her well-practiced attack and launched it straight at the Flamethrower. The two attacks met, sending a cloud of dust over the field.
"Now use Mist Ball and hide it behind a rock!"
Latias smirked as she realized what Ash's plan was. Before the dust could settle, she formed the attack in her claws and used Psychic to keep it behind one of the large boulders where neither Gary nor Magmar could see it.
"Magmar, use Fire Spin to clear the dust!" Magmar spun in a circle, creating a wall of flames around itself. Latias flew back a few feet to avoid the intense heat.
"Hey Latias, can you keep holding the Mist Ball if I have you use another attack?"
"I think so." Holding her attack took a lot less energy than she thought it would. It was much easier to hold it still than to try to move it.
"Use Dragon Pulse!"
"Magmar, use Overheat!"
This time, Magmar's attack had a lot more power. Latias wondered if her attack could hold against it. How badly would it hurt to get hit?
She didn't have to find out.
"Latias, do it now!"
Latias barely suppressed a grin as she moved her Mist Ball behind Magmar and hit the unsuspecting fire type in the back. The sudden shock forced Magmar to draw his attention away from the attack, and she couldn't help but feel a little sorry for the fire-type as the Dragon Pulse slammed into its face.
"Ash's mystery Pokémon easily defeats Gary's Magmar! Gary still has one Pokémon left, but does he have what it takes to defeat Ash? Get ready for the final battle of this match!"
Gary didn't look as confident now. He wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead before calling out his final Pokémon. "Go Scizor!"
Latias hadn't seen a Scizor before, but she could tell it was a bug-type, and she really didn't like fighting bug types. She shivered at the memory of the Ariados those two thieves had used.
"It's okay, Latias, you'll be fine." Ash's comforting telepathy snapped her out of her thoughts.
"Thanks, Ash." He was right; she didn't have to worry. Back in Altomare, she could only ram the thieves with a headbutt, but now she could use much stronger attacks.
"Scizor, use Bullet Punch!" Before Latias could react, a pair of hard, cold fists battered her side. She cried out in pain and whirled around, but Scizor was already back on his side of the field.
"Hang in there, Latias! Use-"
"Bullet Punch again!" Latias winced as she was battered by a second barrage of punches.
"Quick, fly up!" Ash didn't have to tell her twice. With a burst of speed, she launched herself into the air, out of Scizor's reach. Pain racked her body where the bug-type's steel fists had hit her.
"Your Latias may be strong, but you can't beat Scizor if you can't catch it!" said Gary with a smirk.
"That's what you think!" said Ash, "Latias, use Mist Ball!"
"Dodge and use Bug Bite!" Scizor jumped up, reached out to hit Latias, and was smacked from behind with Latias' Mist Ball. But it didn't stop the attack. A sharp pain crushed her wing. Spinning out of control, she hit the ground with a hard thud. A few feet away from her, she heard Scizor meet the same fate.
The voice on the speakers said something, but she couldn't make out what. Everything around her was spinning. The ground shifted in and out of focus.
"Latias-" was the last thing she heard before the world went black.
~~~
Thank you for reading!
If you've enjoyed this story so far, consider leaving a review and joining my Discord server! You can stay updated on my stories, chat with me and other fanfiction writers, or just hang out! (discord.gg/eX4k3bV2au) (link on my profile page if it doesn't work)
P.S. If you are reading this version of my story on any platform other than webnovel.com, you are at risk of a malware attack, or this story has been stolen, or both. If you wish to read this story in its original, safe, form, please go to https://m.webnovel.com/book/true-eons_33457776008937305. Thank you.