1,792Hey guys, I'm back with the next chapter of this story! I've finally finished updating all of my other stories, so now I can focus my attention on making a new chapter for this one. We'll be picking up where the previous chapter left off, with Ash's group traveling to Cianwood City for his next gym battle! This was decided by a poll on my P atreon (if you'd like to vote in similar polls and help influence my stories, please consider supporting!) I'll have another poll posted after this chapter is released to help pick where we go next!
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Well, that's all I wanted to say, so let's get to the fic!
"Speech"
"Thoughts"
Pokemon Attack
Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon or any of its characters.
(Several Miles off the Coast of Cianwood City)
"Ugggghhhhhh..." Ash groaned, his eyes slowly cracking open as sunlight began to filter in through the small window of his cabin. Feeling a weight on his chest, Ash smiled when he saw Pikachu sleeping soundly on top of him. Hearing soft some snoring, Ash glanced over at the bed next to his and saw that Cilan was still fast asleep. Because his group was so large, they occupied a few different rooms on the ship taking them to Cianwood City. Most of the girls had paired off and bunked together. After gently moving Pikachu onto a pillow, Ash got out of bed and decided to get some fresh air. Putting on his hat and a jacket, Ash stepped out onto the deck. Walking toward the front of the ship, Ash was surprised to see Nessa was up and leaning against the railing. "You're up early."
"Well, with all the training we've been doing recently, I'm used to waking up early." Nessa said with a smile as she watched Ash lean against the railing next to her. Brushing some hair out of her face, Nessa turned her attention back toward the vast ocean in front of them, noticing a group of Luvdisc swimming near their ship. "Besides, I've always loved seeing the ocean in the morning, so beautiful."
"It really is." Ash said, gazing more at Nessa than the water. Unconsciously, Ash began to move closer to Nessa, practically touching shoulders with her. "You've improved a lot in the short time we've been traveling together, Nessa."
"Thanks...but I have a great teacher." Nessa said with a smile as she gently nudged Ash with her elbow. "I literally don't think I could be learning from anyone better."
"Ah, I'm not that special..." Ash said with a chuckle, rubbing the back of his neck as his face flushed slightly in embarrassment. "I've just learned a lot over the years from incredibly talented people. Heck, I'm still learning new things all the time. If you want to become a great Pokemon trainer, you need to strive for improvement constantly."
"I guess you're right." Nessa said as she sat down on the deck, dangling her legs over the side of the ship. "I've still got plenty of growing to do before I'm ready to open my own gym in Halbury."
"I know you'll be a great gym leader, Nessa." Ash said, grunting softly as he sat down next to Nessa. "And when Galar finally starts its own Pokemon league, I'll make sure to challenge your gym."
"At least let me get a few wins under my belt before you crush my spirits." Nessa said with a laugh as she glanced over at Ash, taking a moment to drink in how handsome he looked in the early morning sunlight. "I don't think I could handle someone who's about to become a Pokemon Master."
"Oh, I'm sure you'd give me a hell of a battle." Ash said, reaching over and placing a hand on Nessa's shoulder as he gave it a gentle squeeze. "From everything I've seen from you so far, you're a great trainer, Nessa."
"That means a lot coming from you." Nessa said as she brushed some hair out of her eyes, feeling her face heat up slightly. Without even realizing it, Nessa had reached out and placed a hand on Ash's thigh. "You know, Ash...I've had such a great time training and traveling with you and your group over the past few months. I'm glad I decided to travel with you all."
"And we're glad to have you join us, Nessa." Ash said with a beaming smile, causing Nessa to sharply inhale through her nose as she felt her cheeks flush red. "It's been awesome having you around. Plus...I have to admit, it's been fun training someone else...I've never really done anything like this before."
"Hey, Ash..." Nessa said in an uncharacteristically nervous tone as she fidgeted slightly. "After we land...before your gym battle, could we hang out...just the two of us?"
"Oh...sure thing. That sounds nice." Ash said with a smile, reaching down and placing a hand on top of Nessa's. "Although...there is one thing I want to do in town with everyone. But after that, you and I can go do something together."
"Sounds good to me." Nessa said before she cocked her head slightly and quirked an eyebrow. "What do you want to do with all of us?"
"I don't want to ruin the surprise." Ash said with a smirk, causing Nessa to giggle and roll her eyes. "You'll just have to wait and see."
"Are you two done with your intimate moment?" A mildly perturbed voice spoke up from behind the pair. Turning around, they were surprised to see the rest of their group standing there, with Burgundy being the one who had spoken up. Letting out an annoyed huff, Burgundy rested her hands on her hips. "We've been looking all over for you two. The captain said we should be docking in five minutes, so get your things ready."
"Heh, sorry for disappearing like that." Ash said, grunting softly as he got back onto his feet and took a moment to stretch. With Pikachu hopping up onto his shoulder, Ash began to walk back toward his cabin. "Thanks for letting us know, I'll go get ready. Cianwood City, here we come!"
"I'll go get my things as well." Nessa said as she got up and began walking back toward her cabin. However, right outside the door to her room, she was stopped when someone grabbed her hand. Turning around, Nessa was surprised to see that it was Daw who had stopped her. "Dawn? What's up?"
"Well, I was just curious." Dawn replied, releasing Nessa's hand and locking eyes with her. "We didn't hear much before we found you and Ash, but the atmosphere between you two...I've got to ask...do you like Ash? You know, like, like him?"
"Huh? No way...what are you even..." Nessa was about to vehemently refuse and argue, but the knowing look in Dawn's eyes stopped her before she could even begin. Releasing a light sigh, Nessa nervously rubbed her arm. "I...I think I do. I was hoping to spend some time alone with Ash today...time not spent training...to try and confirm my feelings. Ash is an amazing guy and he's so fun to be around. My whole day seems to brighten up when I'm with him."
"Heh, you sound just like me when I first realized I was in love with Ash." Dawn said with a smile, clasping her hands behind her back. "Well, I'm sure everyone else will be happy to let you spend some time alone with Ash, so enjoy it and figure your feelings out."
"Thanks, Dawn. You guys are the best." Nessa said as she leaned forward and gave the bluenette a brief hug. After a few moments, Nessa released Dawn and opened the door to her cabin. "I'll meet you all in a few minutes when we've docked."
(Ten Minutes Later: Cianwood City)
"Man, this place is beautiful!" May exclaimed as she ran down the dock, gazing out at the expansive beach that was spread out before them. "I can't wait to catch some Sun!"
"I might join you." Cynthia said, pulling a pair of sunglasses out of her bag and putting them on. "I could use a nice tan."
"Ugh, I want to spend as little time as possible out in the Sun." Roxie groaned as she used her guitar case to shield herself from the intense heat beating down on them. "I'm just gonna sit in the shade and try to work on some new songs."
"I'm gonna explore! This place looks awesome!" Iris cheered, sprinting down the dock, nearly knocking over May and Roxie. "I bet I'll be able to see some Gyrados in the water!"
"I wanna explore the area a bit as well." Flannery added as she adjusted her pack and followed after Iris. "I read in the Cilan's pamphlet that Johto's Safari Zone is nearby. I definitely want to check that out!"
"You all have too much energy." Anabel grumbled, fanning herself aggressively as she stepped onto the dock. Sweat was already pouring off her brow as she huffed in exhaustion. "This heat is unbearable. I'm already sticky and covered in sweat." Quickly moving down the dock, Anabel stepped into the shade provided by Roxie's guitar case. "I'll be joining you, Roxie."
"Bah, it's not that bad." Hilda said with a smirk as she playfully smacked Anabel on the back, adjusting her cap. Chuckling when Anabel shot her annoyed glare, Hilda continued on down the dock. "I'm gonna get some training in. Maybe I'll get lucky and find some trainers who will have a battle with me."
"That sounds like a good idea, I need to get some training in as well." Dawn chimed, catching up with Hilda and smiling. "If you don't mind Hilda, I'd love to practice some of my contest moves with you."
"Burgundy and I will do some shopping." Cilan said as he walked down the dock hand-in-hand with his girlfriend. "We're getting pretty low on essentials."
"Cianwood City has a pretty famous pharmacy as well." Burgundy continued, reading through Cilan's pamphlet on famous locations in Johto. "We could stock up on medical supplies too."
"Alright, my gym battle isn't until tonight and I know you're all excited to run off to do your own things..." Ash said as he clapped his hands to get everyone's attention, making his way to the front of the group. "But, before you all scatter, I was hoping we could do one thing as a group."
"Oh?" Cynthia muttered, quirking an eyebrow as she took off her sunglasses. "What did you have in mind, Ash?"
"Yeah, you mentioned that earlier." Nessa said in a confused tone as she finally joined the rest of the group on the dock. "So, spill it already. Where are we going?"
"..." Ash said nothing in response, merely smiling as he turned around and began to walk down the dock toward the city. The rest of the group looked at each other before shrugging their shoulders and following after Ash.
"This is the place?" May asked, stopping outside a small building that was partially tucked away in the center of Cianwood City. Raising her head, May read the sign above the door. "A photo studio?"
"Yeah, I thought that it would be nice." Ash said in a slightly embarrassed tone as he scratched his cheek, his face heating up a bit. "Since we're getting near the end of this journey, I figured it would be a good memento. A nice picture of our entire group."
"That's a wonderful idea, Ash." Dawn said with a bright smile, stepping forward and gripping the raven-haired trainer's hands. "I can't believe none of us thought to do something like this."
"It's such a sweet gesture." Iris added as she rushed forward and hugged Ash's arm. "For a little kid, this was a shockingly mature thing to do."
"Wow, it just dawned on me that we really are near the end of this journey." Cilan said, walking into the photo studio with the rest of the group. "We've been traveling together for so long...it's gonna feel weird for it to be over."
"I feel the same way." Burgundy spoke up as she reached out and gave Cilan's hand a quick squeeze. "You may annoy the ever-living hell out of me sometimes, Ash...but...traveling with you has been fun."
"I'll take any compliment I can get from you, Burgundy." Ash said with a grin, approaching the receptionist at the front desk. "Hi, I have an appointment. Name is under Ash Ketchum."
"Ah, that's right, Mr. Ketchum. We've got everything set up for you." The receptionist said with a warm smile as she clicked away at her computer. After a few moments, she grabbed a clipboard and stood up from her seat. "If you'll follow me, I'll take you to the studio." After a brief walk, the receptionist led the group to a set of double doors near the back of the studio. "Ever since he learned about your reservation, Mr. Cameron has been so excited to take your photo."
"Is that you, Juliana!?" An excited voice called out from behind the doors. "Are they finally here!?"
"Yes, Mr. Cameron. They've arrived." Juliana said as she stepped aside and opened the door, allowing Ash's group to walk into the studio. However, before the raven-haired trainer could walk past, Juliana grabbed his arm. "Mr. Cameron can be a bit...flamboyant. So, please just be patient with him."
"There you all are! Such a beautiful group!" Cameron cheered excitedly, quickly walking toward Ash's group. He was impeccably dressed and well groomed, giving him a rather sophisticated aura. "Now...where's the man of the hour?!" Scanning the group, Cameron's eyes lit up when he spotted Ash. "There he is!" Grabbing Ash's hand, Cameron pulled him toward a small stage in the center of the studio, a camera pointing directly at him. "Oh, you have no idea how excited I am to have you here in my studio!"
"I'm the one who's excited." Ash said as he stepped onto the stage, with Pikachu sitting on his shoulder. "I'm glad you were able to squeeze us in on such short notice."
"Don't mention it! When I heard who was making the reservation, I just had to make room for you." Cameron said, positioning Ash in the center of the stage and taking a few moments to look him up and down. "I'm actually a huge fan of yours! I've been following your journey across the leagues!" Stepping back, Cameron rested his hands on his hips. "So, what were you thinking? I want to take the perfect picture for you!"
"Well..." Ash said as he rubbed the back of his head before he gestured toward the rest of his group, who were still standing off to the side. "I was hoping we could take a group photo. To help commemorate the long journey we've been on."
"Ah, I see. How beautiful! I love it!" Cameron cheered, clapping his hands together before he rushed over to the rest of the group and ushered them onto the stage. Once everyone was placed on the stage, with Ash in the center, Cameron moved behind the camera. However, after staring for a few moments, he stepped out and stroked his chin. "Something...something is missing." It was then that Cameron noticed Pikachu sitting on Ash's head. "That's it! Everyone, please bring out a Pokemon you'd like to join you in the photo!"
"Are you sure?" Ash asked as he glanced around the rather cramped stage they were on. "It's kind of packed already."
"Darling, we'll make it work." Cameron said, smiling brightly as he approached the stage. "You said that you want this photo to commemorate your journey. What better way to do that, than to include some of the Pokemon that were at your side throughout this journey." Ash's eyes widened slightly when he heard this, now completely agreeing with Cameron. "Now, I'm sure you probably thought that you'd like to include all of your precious Pokemon. But, now that WOULD be too many. I apologize, but I must ask you each limit yourself to just one Pokemon for the photo."
After taking a few moments, each of the members of Ash's group selected the Pokemon they wanted to join them in the picture. Dawn chose Piplup. May picked Blaziken. Iris tossed out Haxorus. Hilda selected Serperior. Cynthia chose her trusty Garchomp. Flannery brought out Torkoal. Anabel sent out Alakazam. Roxie chose her Weezing. Cilan selected Simisage. And Burgundy picked Dewott.
With the large group and their Pokemon, Cameron began to position everyone accordingly. They obviously all couldn't fit on the stage, so Cameron swapped out his camera's lens for a wider one, allowing him to place people around the stage as well. However, as Cameron took his time getting everyone in place, Ash noticed that Nessa was still standing off to the side, not joining them.
"What's up, Nessa?" Ash asked as he gazed at her and quirked an eyebrow. "Get in here."
"No, it's fine." Nessa replied, shaking her head and brushing some hair out of her face. "This is something special for your group. You guys have been traveling together for so long...I'd feel out of place."
"Don't be ridiculous. You're just as much a part of this group as any of us." Ash said with a bright smile as he waved Nessa over. "It'd be out of place for you not to be in the picture!"
"..." Nessa said nothing, feeling her entire body heat up as her heart skipped a beat. Taking a deep breath and nodding, Nessa released her Drednaw and joined the rest of the group. A few moments later, Cameron had everyone in position and moved behind the camera. After a brief countdown, Cameron took the first photo, a bright flash flooding the studio. Once the picture was taken, Cameron scurried over to move some people and Pokemon around. As the group shuffled into their new positions, Nessa glanced over at Ash, her heart beating a bit faster. "Just being around him now makes me so happy."
Thirty minutes, and dozens of pictures, later, Ash and his group were finally finished. With a satisfied smile, Cameron grabbed his camera and looked through the photos. After Cameron discussed something with Juliana, he walked back over to Ash's group.
"Well, great work everyone! You all did an excellent job! And the photos look fantastic!" Cameron cheered with a bright smile as he clapped his hands together. "I just need to go through them and do some minor touch-ups. So, I should have them back to you within the next few days. Now, I can do physical, digital, or a mix of both."
"I'd like both." Ash said, rifling in his pocket for a moment before pulling out his wallet. "Now, how much do I owe you, Cameron?"
"Oh, honey, put your wallet away! This one is on the house! The business alone I'll get from having a Pokemon Master grace my studio more than makes up for it!" Cameron exclaimed as he rushed over and gently pushed Ash's wallet away. "Although, if you ever need photos taken in the future, be sure to give me a ring!"
"Thanks a lot, Cameron." Ash said with a smile, reaching out and shaking the photographer's hand. "And of course, I'll definitely be back."
"Well, it's been a pleasure, sweetie. Your entire group is so photogenic!" Cameron complimented as he began to walk out of the studio. "I have another appointment on the other side of town, so I must be off. Juliana will see you out! Oh! And Ash honey, I'll be rooting for you in the Silver Conference! Kick some ass!"
After finishing a few things with Juliana, Ash and his group booked rooms at the local Pokemon Center. The group agreed to give Ash and Nessa some time alone together, while the rest of them went off to do their own thing and explore the city. They'd all regroup at the Cianwood City gym later in the day for Ash's gym battle. So, after a quick shower, Ash met Nessa in front of the Pokemon Center.
"Ready to get going?" Ash asked, adjusting his cap as he exited the Pokemon Center and approached Nessa. "Did you have someplace in mind you want to visit?"
"There is one place, but I mainly wanted to just spend some time with you..." Nessa replied as her face flushed slightly, nervously twirling a few strands of the blue highlights in her hair around her finger. "First, how about we get something to eat?"
"Sounds like a plan to me!" Ash cheered with a bright smile, patting his stomach. "I'm starving."
It didn't take them long to find a rather nice restaurant that was a bit tucked away, which had been recommended to them by Cilan and Burgundy. Their meal was delicious and they enjoyed plenty of laughs and small talk. Nessa told Ash all about the Galar region, teaching him much about a region he had only recently learned about. While Ash told various stories from his numerous journies over the years, all of them seemed to enrapture Nessa. Ash even opened up about how he had been betrayed by some of his closest friends, something that still obviously bothered him.
They enjoyed the rest of their meal in a much more light-hearted tone. After leaving the restaurant, they spent several hours exploring Cianwood City, visiting several different destinations, including the Poke Seer. They even spent time playing and lounging on the beach, much to Nessa's delight. Once they left the beach and dried off, Ash and Nessa got ice cream and continued learning more about each. During thier conversation, Ash learned that Nessa was actually a model, which didn't surprise him given how beautiful she was.
After their meal and exploration, Nessa had one specific spot she wanted to visit with Ash. They enjoyed more conversation as they walked to their destination. Nessa didn't seem to notice how close she was to Ash, practically rubbing shoulders with him. Her heart fluttered as she laughed at one of his stories. They briefly walked through a rather crowded shopping area, and Ash grabbed Nessa's hand to ensure they didn't get separated. At first, Nessa was flustered, unable to look at Ash. Instead, she looked at their interlocked hands and allowed him to guide her through the crowd. She couldn't believe how strong and warm his hand felt, his touch putting her entire body at ease. Once they made it through the shopping area, Ash never let go of Nessa's hand, holding it until they reached their destination.
"We're here..." Nessa said as they reached the end of a partially hidden trail. Pushing aside some brush, Nessa and Ash stepped out onto a small, secluded beach. Walking down onto the sand, Nessa and Ash took their shoes off and sat down, letting the gentle waves crash against their feet. "This place was barely mentioned in Cilan's pamphlet...but, it's so beautiful in person. There are stories that Suicune would sometimes appear on this beach."
"Suicune...that's amazing." Ash said, his eyes narrowing slightly as he clenched his fists in the sand. "Such a beautiful and graceful Pokemon...trapped by that bastard...and probably being abused."
"Trapped? Abused? What are you talking about?" Nessa asked as she tilted her head slightly and quirked an eyebrow. "Have you seen Suicune in person before?"
"Yeah, a few times actually." Ash said, releasing a light sigh as he stared out at the picturesque water in front of them. "But right now...that asshole Tobias has Suicune...and Arceus knows what he's doing to it. That's why I have to beat Tobias and free those Pokemon he's captured."
"Damn, I'd heard some rumors about Tobias, but I didn't know he was mistreating his Pokemon." Nessa said as she reached over and placed a comforting hand on Nessa's knee. "I know you'll beat him, Ash. You're so close to achieving your dream and becoming a Pokemon Master."
"Thanks, Nessa. Having you and everyone else cheering me on is giving me the drive to finish this." Ash said with a small smile, reaching up and placing his hand on top of Nessa's. "And I know you'll be a great gym leader in Galar, Nessa. You've improved so much in the time I've been training you."
"Coming from a trainer as talented as you, that means a lot." Nessa said as she unconsciously gave Ash's hand a gentle squeeze. "Meeting you and your friends...and traveling with you all...has been one of the best experiences of my life. I...I can't imagine what I'll do once this journey is over. Going back to Galar by myself...it's gonna be so lonely."
"I know it's always hard when it's time to say goodbye." Ash said, scooting a bit closer to Nessa and wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "But, we'll always be friends, Nessa. I'll cherish the time we spent together. And I'll definitely come visit you in Galar."
"..." Nessa said nothing for several moments as she locked eyes with Ash. She could feel her heart thundering in her chest, her entire body starting to heat up. The time she had spent alone with Ash only further solidified how she felt about him. "I don't want to just be friends..." Without warning, Nessa suddenly lunged forward and captured Ash's lips in a passionate, somewhat awkward kiss. The raven-haired trainer was so caught off guard by the liplock that he didn't return the kiss. After a few more moments, Nessa broke their liplock. Gripping Ash's shirt with both hands, Nessa looked deep into his eyes. "I...I love you, Ash. I wasn't sure about it until today...but I can't imagine spending the rest of my life without you."
"Nessa...I...I don't know what to say..." Ash breathed out with a small smile, reaching up and gently holding Nessa's hands. "But, I'm so happy you feel this way. The time we've spent together has been awesome and I really care about you. I was actually getting kind of sad thinking about you leaving our group eventually." Chuckling lightly, Ash gave Nessa's hands a light squeeze. "I don't want to imagine what it'd be like when you're gone. I love you too, Nessa."
"Oh, Ash!" Nessa exclaimed excitedly as she lunged forward and embraced the raven-haired trainer in a loving hug. "I'm so happy right now!"
"The feeling is mutual." Ash said with a grin, returning Nessa's embrace and holding her close. After a few moments, Nessa pulled back and locked eyes with Ash, smiling at him. Reaching up, Ash cupped Nessa's cheeks and kissed her tenderly. Once their liplock was broken, Ash rested her forehead against Nessa's. "Well, my gym battle is soon. Should we meet up with everyone and tell them the good news?"
"Sounds good to me." Nessa said with a loving smile as she leaned in and gave Ash a brief kiss. Standing up and dusting herself off, Nessa offered her hand and helped Ash onto his feet. "I bet everyone is going to be so surprised."
(10 Minutes Later: Outside the Cianwood City Gym)
"Well, you two took your sweet time getting here." May grumbled, crossing her arms as she impatiently tapped her foot. "We've been waiting for-" May stopped mid-sentence when she noticed that Ash and Nessa were holding hands, faint blushes on their faces. "Oh my! What do we have here? Do my eyes deceive me?"
"Don't tease them too much, May." Dawn said with a smile as she approached Nessa and Ash, clasping her hands behind her back. "Well, looks like your 'alone' time with Ash went well. I think it's safe to assume that you figured your feelings out."
"I did..." Nessa said, releasing Ash's hand and approaching the rest of the group. Taking a deep breath, Nessa bowed her head slightly. "Everyone...I love Ash and...I hope you'll accept me as one of his lovers."
"Oh Arceus, stop with the formality." Iris groaned as she cringed slightly, a frown spreading across her face. "It's making me really uncomfortable."
"For real..." Hilda muttered, rubbing the back of her head. "We're all pretty used to women gravitating toward Ash. It's not like we're going to suddenly say no to a new one."
"Come on, lift your head up." Cynthia said with a small smile as she walked over and wrapped an arm around Nessa's shoulders. "Of course we accept you, Nessa."
"It was kind of obvious you had a thing for Ash." Flannery said with a chuckle, clasping her hands behind her head. "I figured it was just a matter of time before you confessed."
"You didn't hide it very well." Roxie said as she took a moment to adjust her guitar case. "I can't remember how many times I caught you staring at Ash. Not subtle at all girl."
"Okay, let's not tease Nessa too much." Anabel said, gesturing toward the thoroughly embarrassed girl. "If her face was any redder, I'd think she was about to explode."
"I'm sure we're all happy for Ash and Nessa..." Cilan said with a smile as he clapped his hands together, getting everyone's attention. "But, we are here for a gym battle. We can gossip and tease them both later."
"Let's just get this over with." Burgundy grumbled, opening the doors to the gym. "Cilan and I have been out shopping all day and I'm exhausted. So, I just want this battle to be done with so I can go back to the Pokemon Center and relax."
"You know you don't have to watch my battle, Burgundy." Ash said as he walked into the gym's lobby, pausing to glance back at the purple-haired woman. "If you're tired, you're more than welcome to head back to the Pokemon Center. I promise you won't hurt my feelings."
"Cilan wants to be here and I want to be with him. So, you're not getting rid of me that easily." Burgundy said, resting her hands on her hips as she locked eyes with Ash. "And don't be mistaken, I enjoy being here and watching your battles."
"Well, I won't disappoint then." Ash said with a grin as he spun around and approached the gym's front desk. After a brief chat with the assistant gym leader, Ash and his group were being led toward the back of the gym. Eventually, soft grunts and clanking metal could be heard from behind a pair of double doors. When the assistant opened the door, Ash stepped into a large personal gym, filled with various types of exercise and weight-lifting equipment. Across the room, the gym's leader, Chuck, could be seen working out with his Machamp. The burly man was lying on a benchpress, lifting a bar loaded down with several huge plates. "Shouldn't you be taking it easy, old man!"
"HAHA! You better watch your mouth, you cocky little shit." Chuck grunted, struggling slightly to lift the bar as Machamp spotted and encouraged him. With a growl rumbling in his throat, Chuck's muscles and veins bulged as he managed to fully lift the bar. After racking his weights, Chuck let out a content sigh as he sat upright. Taking a towel that Machamp offered him, Chuck wiped away his sweat and stood up. With a beaming smile, Chuck energetically shook Ash's hand. "Damn, it's good to see you, Ash! I've been keeping tabs on you ever since you rechallenged the Hoenn League!"
"Good to see you too, Chuck." Ash said as he winced slightly, feeling Chuck's powerful grip crushing his hand. Pulling the raven-haired trainer in close, Chuck roughly patted him back, causing Ash to sputter in surprise. Letting out a bellowing belly laugh, Chuck returned Machamp to its Pokeball. Quickly recovering, Ash rubbed his soar back. "Well Chuck, you know why I'm here."
"That's what I like about you, Ash! No beating around the bush!" Chuck exclaimed, walking across the room and pushing a large set of double doors that revealed the gym's battlefield. Walking out onto the battlefield and stepping into his trainer box, Chuck punched his fist into his palm. "Let's get to it then! My blood is really pumping!"
"Sounds good to me!" Ash said with a smirk as he handed Pikachu to Hilda and jogged over to his side of the battlefield. Reaching onto his belt, Ash grabbed and enlarged a Pokeball. "I'm ready whenever you are, Chuck!"
"This will be a three-vs-three battle between the challenger, Ash Ketchum, and the Cianwood City gym leader, Chuck!" The assistant gym leader said, raising his officiating flags. "Are both trainers ready to begin?" Ash and Chuck both nodded their heads, with the bulky man even flexing his muscles as well. "Then, please send out your first Pokemon?"
"I've watched your recent battles, Ash. But, I'm eager to experience firsthand how much you've improved! Come on out, Poliwrath!" Chuckle bellowed out as he cocked his arm back and tossed out his Pokeball. In a flash of white light, the Tadpole Pokemon thudded onto the battlefield in front of Chuck. "Show me what you've got, Ash!"
"Oh, I plan to go all out, Chuck! Unfezant, I choose you!" Ash cheered, throwing his own Pokeball into the air. With a boastful caw, the Proud Pokemon burst out into the air above the battlefield. Quickly circling the battlefield, Unfezant landed in front of Ash. "We've got this, Unfezant!"
"Oho! Now this is flying-type I've never seen before! This should be exciting!." Chuck exclaimed with a smirk as he stroked his chin, taking a moment to scan Unfezant with his Pokedex. After briefly looking through the information, Chuck nodded and put his Pokedex away. "Hmmm, seems like a beginner Pokemon from Unova. I've never been there, so I'm interested to see what Pokemon from that region can do. Well, Poliwrath, let's kick things off with Rock Tomb!"
The Tadpole Pokemon roared before it smashed its large fists into the battlefield, tearing out huge chunks of stone. Cocking its arm back, Poliwrath flung the stones into the air above the battlefield, causing them to rain down onto Unfezant. However, the Proud Pokemon didn't appear to be worried about the impending attack.
"Dodge it, Unfezant! Then, fly in and use Brave Bird!" Unfezant spread its wings wide and dove down, racing forward at a blistering speed. Showcasing its impressive reflexes and swiftness, Unfezant dodged and flew through the raining stones. Weaving through Poliwrath's Rock Tomb attack, the Proud Pokemon blitzed forward. In the blink of an eye, Unfezant closed the distance, its body coated in radiating energy as it slammed into Poliwrath. The Tadpole Pokemon raised its arms at the last moment, grunting in pain as it was sent skidding backward. "Now, follow it up with Air Cutter!"
Cawing in acknowledgment, Unfezant performed a wide turn and swung around to face the Tadpole Pokemon. Flapping its wings, Unfezant unleashed a barrage of small air blades that sliced through Poliwrath. Keeping its arms raised defensively, Poliwrath tried to stand its ground. However, Poliwrath was gradually pushed back, its arms suddenly separating as it took the full brunt of Unfezant's attack. Roaring in pain, Poliwrath was sent flying backward as it landed on its back and came to a skidding stop in front of Chuck.
"Can you keep going, Poliwrath?" With a soft grunt, Poliwrath stood back up and slammed its fist into the ground in anger, clearly still raring to fight. "HAHA! That's what I like to see! I like your grit! How about Icy Wind this time!" Inhaling deeply, the Tadpole Pokemon soon exhaled a torrent of freezing cold air. Speckles of snow and ice could be seen in the attack as it raced toward Unfezant. However, when the Proud Pokemon dove down low and dodged the attack, Chuck was ready. "Quick, use Ice Punch!"
Cocking its glowing fist back, the Tadpole Pokemon charged toward Unfezant. Leaping into the air, Poliwrath prepared to attack Unfezant. But, Unfezant was ready for a follow-up attack. Right before Poliwrath could launch its fist toward Unfezant, it suddenly performed a quick barrel roll and swung around. Spinning around, Poliwrath charged toward Unfezant and attempted to continue its attack. However, the Proud Pokemon had ascended into the air out of Poliwrath's reach.
"Dive in Unfezant and use Aerial Ace." Performing a rapid roll, Unfezant dove toward Poliwrath, powerful energy flowing off its wings. Before the Tadpole Pokemon could even think to react, the Proud Pokemon slammed into Poliwrath. "Now, finish this with-!"
"Poliwrath, use Hydro Pump!" Ash's eyes widened when he saw that Poliwrath had actually managed to grab ahold of Unfezant, snatching the Proud Pokemon right out of the air with its large hands. Unfezant's cawed and yelped as it thrashed around, desperately trying to break free and hit Poliwrath, but it couldn't seem to escape. Grunting in exertion, Poliwrath inhaled deeply before unleashing a massive torrent of rushing water. Hydro Pump hit Unfezant with its full force, sending the Proud Pokemon flying backward. With a dull thud, Unfezant slammed into the ground in front of Ash, dazed by the powerful hit. "Great work, Poliwrath! Now, try Ice Punch again!"
Quickly charging in, the Tadpole Pokemon dashed forward and punched Unfezant with its powerful fist, which was coated in freezing ice energy. Unfezant cawed in pain as devastating ice-type energy flowed over its body. Trashing around, Unfezant desperately tried to get away from the attack, but Poliwrath was keeping it in place. Ash racked his brain to come up with a way to free Unfezant, but most of its movements were impeded. However, he quickly noticed that Unfezant's wings were still able to move freely.
"Hurry Unfezant, use Hurricane!" Rolling around to face Poliwrath, the Proud Pokemon rapidly flapped its wings and unleashed a literal storm of roaring wind. Poliwrath roared in pain as it was sent soaring backward by the devastating attack. Finally free, the Proud Pokemon took to the air once again as Poliwrath struggled to get back onto its feet. "Unfezant, finish this with Sky Attack!"
Now free to soar above the battlefield, the Proud Pokemon quickly flew up to the gym's ceiling before diving back toward Poliwrath. As Unfezant rapidly closed the distance, its entire body began to glow brightly with energy. Just as the Tadpole Pokemon seemed to finally recover, Unfezant landed its attack. With one final, pained yell, Poliwrath collapsed to the ground with a resounding thud. Panting heavily, Unfezant flew back over and landed in front of Ash.
"Please stop the battle!" The official announced as he waved his flags, rushing over to Poliwrath's side. After a few moments of examination, the official stood back up. "Poliwrath is unable to continue, the winner is Unfezant! Chuck, please send out your next Pokemon."
"You did your best, Poliwrath." Chuck said, grabbing a Pokeball off his belt and returning his unconscious Pokemon. Shrinking the Pokeball, Chuck clipped it onto his belt. Grabbing his second Pokeball, Chuck cocked his arm back and tossed it out onto the field."Alright, Machamp, let's do this!" With a crash that seemed to shake the entire gym, the Superpower Pokemon landed in front of Chuck. "I hope you're ready to battle, Machamp!"
"Are you still good to go, Unfezant?" Ash asked as he watched the Proud Pokemon shake its head for a few moments and nod, raring to keep fighting. "That's what I like to see! Let's keep going, Unfezant! Then, let's kick things off with Aerial Ace!"
"Counter with Stone Edge!" As Unfezant raced toward Machamp, the Superpower Pokemon slammed its four powerful arms into the ground and tore out chunks of stone. When Unfezant was halfway across the battlefield, Machamp unleashed its attack, hurling a massive and continuous barrage of stones. The rocks were thrown across the battlefield like bullets. However, Chuck was shocked to see that Unfezant was rolling and dodging all of the rocks, quickly drawing closer to Machamp. "Quick Machamp, use Thunder Punch!"
Moments before Unfezant's attack could land, the Superpower Pokemon cocked its arms back, all of its fists crackling with powerful electricity. An explosion rocked the gym as Unfezant and Machamp's attacks collided. When the dust and debris finally began to clear, Ash and Chuck were both surprised to see that Machamp and Unfezant were still conscious, ready to continue the battle. While Machamp looked mildly injured, Unfezant appeared to be on its last legs. The Proud Pokemon's body was covered in various injuries as it panted heavily, visibly exhausted.
"Unfezant is about to be down for the count, so let's finish this, Machamp! Use Hyper Beam!" A ball of crackling energy began to slowly expand in front of Machamp, rapidly increasing in power. "Do it! End this, Machamp!"
"I know you're tired Unfezant, so let's go out with a bang! Use Hurricane!" Pushing through the intense pain it was feeling, Unfezant began to rapidly flap its wings. Roaring wings swept through the battlefield, the entire gym seemed to shake as the power behind Unfezant's attack caused various objects to fly through the air. However, Machamp simply tanked the brunt of the attack, still gathering the energy needed for Hyper Beam. Once Unfezant's attack ended, Machamp fired a massive beam of powerful energy. "Quick Unfezant, dodge and use Brave Bird!"
Showcasing its impressive speed and reflexes, Unfezant partially dodged Machamp's Hyper Beam, one of its wings getting clipped by the attack. Ash decided to push the Proud Pokemon to its limits and charge in with Brave Bird. With its body coated in roaring blue energy, Unfezant dove toward Machamp with no hesitation, knowing this attack was likely its last. In the blink of an eye, Unfezant rocketed across the battlefield at a blazingly fast speed. Needing to recharge after using Hyper Beam, Machamp was unable to move properly and avoid the incoming attack. Unleashing a defiant caw, Unfezant used every ounce of strength it had remaining and further increased its speed.
When Unfezant hit Machamp, a massive explosion rocked the gym as smoke and debris rained down on the battlefield. The force behind the explosion sent out a large shockwave that nearly knocked Ash and Chuck off their feet. Ash raised his arms to shield his face from flying dust and debris. When the dust finally began to settle, no one was surprised to see that both Unfezant and Machamp were unconscious.
"Both Pokemon are unable to battle! Chuck, Ash, please send out your next Pokemon!" The official announced as he gestured at both Ash and Chuck with his flags. "The current standing is the gym's leader, Chuck, is down two Pokemon, while the challenger Ash is only down one."
"You kicked some serious ass out there, Machamp. But, that Ash really knows what he's doing." Chuck said with a grunt as he returned Machamp to its Pokeball. Resting his hands on his hips, Chuck took a deep breath, pausing for a moment to collect himself. "I hate to end the fun, but this is where I stop you, Ash! Get a load of this bad boy! Come on out, Annihilape!" Tossing out his final Pokeball, with a flash of white light and terrifying roar, the Rage Monkey Pokemon crashed onto the battelfield. "We've got this, Annihilape!"
"What's that Pokemon?" Ash asked as he returned Unfezant and took out his Pokedex. After scanning the new Pokemon, he quirked an eyebrow as he read its Pokedex entry. "It's the evolved form of Primeape...ghost and fighting type...and it's native to the Paldea region? Huh, I've never heard of Paldea before, I'll need to look into that later." Grabbing his next Pokeball, Ash tossed it out onto the battlefield. "Sylveon, I choose you!" With a flash of bright white light, the Intertwining Pokemon burst into the before gracefully landing in front of Ash. "Alright, let's win this, Sylveon!"
"Annihilape, use Brick Break!" With its arm radiating energy, Annihilape shot toward Sylveon.
"Sylveon, dodge and use Dazzling Gleam!" Narrowly avoiding Annihilape's attack, Sylveon slid underneath the Rage Monkey Pokemon. With its ribbons flailing and eyes glowing, Sylveon unleashed a huge burst of bright pink energy that blasted toward Annihilape. Taking the hit, Annihilape grunted in pain as it was assaulted by the super-effective attack. "Now, follow that up with Moonblast!"
Sylveon raised its head as a large orb of swirling pink energy rapidly began to form and increase in size. Within seconds, the orb had grown to the size of a small car and swirling at an incredible speed. Unleashing the attack, Annihilape simply raised its arms defensively, planning to take the attack head-on. When Moonblast hit, a small pink explosion briefly engulfed Annihilape. However, when the attack ended Annihilape was still standing and was quite injured. But, the Rage Pokemon was living up to its name as it appeared to be utterly furious.
"Annihilape, charge in there, and use Poison Jab!" Immediately, Annihilape let out a ferocious roar and lept toward Sylveon, both of its fists glowing bright purple. Showcasing shocking speed, Annihilape rapidly closed the distance and slammed its fist into Sylveon. Yelping in pain, Sylveon was briefly dazed as it was sent skidding backward several feet. "Now, follow it up with Shadow Punch!"
"Sylveon, hurry up and use Alluring Voice!" Snapping its eyes open, the Intertwining Pokemon came to a stop right in front of Ash. Quickly recovering, Sylveon fearlessly faced Annihilape head-on, with the Rage Monkey Pokemon being only a few steps away, ready to strike again. However, before Annihilape could land Shadow Punch, Sylveon's eyes began to glow with an eerie, pink energy as it opened its mouth. Just as Annihilape's fist rocketed forward, Sylveon unleashed a barrage of sound waves laced with fairy energy. Annihilape was stopped in its tracks as it fell to its knees, grunting in pain. The constant assault kept Annihilape from escaping or retaliating. "Now, let's finish this with Play Rough!"
Sylveon's body became engulfed in a pink aura as it charged toward Annihilape. The Intertwining Pokemon lept toward the Rage Monkey Pokemon as it unleashed a flurry of powerful strikes. As Sylveon continued its attack, the Rage Monkey Pokemon could only wince and grunt as it was constantly attacked. It didn't take long before Annihilape gave one last, pained gasp before it fell over unconscious.
"Stop the battle!" The official announced as he waved his flags, jogging over and kneeling down at Annihilape's side. It didn't long for the official to conclude his examination and he stood back up. "Annihilape is unable to battle, the winner is Sylveon! Since all of Chuck's Pokemon have been defeated, the winner is the challenger, Ash Ketchum!"
"Ah man, you did your best, Annihilape." Chuck said, releasing a light sigh as he returned his fallen Pokemon. However, a massive grin quickly formed on Chuck's face as he walked over to Ash's side of the battlefield. Reaching out, Chuck grabbed Ash's hand and energetically shook it as he roughly slapped the raven-haired trainer's back. "As expected, that was a damn good battle, Ash. You really wiped the floor with me. But I expected nothing less from you! HAHA!"
"Thanks, Chuck, but you did great as well. That Annihilape was so cool! I've never seen a Pokemon like that before." Ash said as he returned Sylveon and clipped the Pokeball back onto his belt. "I'll definitely come back and battle you again."
"You fucking better! I'll hold you to that! HAHA! Finish your journey strong, Ash. I'll be rooting for you in the Silver Conference. I can't wait to see you be crowned as a Pokemon Master." Chuck said with a massive smirk, patting Ash's shoulder before walking him back toward the rest of his group. "Before you all head out, make sure to relax and enjoy the beach! Feel free to ask me for anything, you're my guests while you're in town! HAHA!"
(Five Minutes: Outside the Azalea Town Gym)
"You did an amazing job, Ash! I never get tired of watching you battle!" Nessa exclaimed with a bright smile, walking over and wrapping an arm around her raven-haired lover as she pulled him in close. "I didn't know Unfezant could be so strong! And your Sylveon looked so cool and elegant! Plus, that guy's Annihilape was crazy!"
"Thanks, Unfezant trains real hard and I figured she deserved to join in another battle. Plus, I could tell Sylveon was just itching for another battle." Ash said with a smirk as he wrapped his arm around Hilda as well, holding onto her tight. "My Pokemon worked extra hard today, I'll have to make sure Professor Juniper treats them when they get back to her lab."
"I say we take Chuck up on his suggestion." Cynthia spoke up, getting the rest of the group's attention as she brushed some hair out of her face. "Spending a few hours relaxing on the beach sounds amazing. We could throw a nice little party."
"That sounds good to me." Ash said with a grin which caused the rest of the group to cheer in agreement. "A beach bash sounds fun before we head out to our next stop."
"Great, we'll head back to the Pokemon Center and get things ready for a party." Cilan said as he walked to the center of the group and pulled out the map of Johto. "But, before that, we should decide where our next stop is."
And done! I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and Ash's battle against Chuck! We're getting closer and closer to the end of Ash's Johto journey and the inevitable end of this story, with only a few stops left before the Silver Conference. I'll be working on my Fairy Tail story next, so you'll have to wait a bit before this story is updated again. Per usual, If you'd like to help pick where Ash and his group head next, I'll be posting a poll on my P atreon (this will be the last time we do this for this story.). So, please consider supporting if you'd like to help influence this story. Remember to follow/favorite if you enjoyed, PLEASE REVIEW (I NEED YOUR FEEDBACK), PLEASE CONSIDER SUPPORTING MY P ATREON (AGAIN, I'LL HAVE A NEW POLL POSTED), check out my profile and other stories if you haven't already, and PM me any ideas you may have for my stories. So until next time, I'm outta here!