Going forward and beyond {Path of the Aura Ranger: Book I}

VIII Pikachu's P.O.V

"I think that this will lead to a regression on Paul's part, but it will also help him find closure," Lucario projected his voice to the humans.

Riley nodded his head solemnly, trusting his pokemon's words 100%. Dawn was jumping on her spot nervously, looking at us and at Paul with exceeding trepidation. Ash was smiling at him 'I am going to enjoy this fight' smile. The rest of us remained silently, following our trainers inside to watch the battle. Of course, Brandon did not go easy at all and chose Regirock as his first pokemon, with Paul going with Hariyama first. Ash leaned forwards with an expecting smile, from his vicious and eager expression I could see a clear influence from Lance. Ash is starting to behave more and more like a dragon lately.

Regirock moved first firing a Stone Edge, however, Hariyama blocks it easily. "Rock-type moves aren't very effective against Fighting types," Paul points out with a growl. "Is this a test? You Master Trainers love tests," Paul commented, glancing towards a smiling Ash.

Brandon smiled and replied: "You will have to find out."

"Arm Thrust!" Paul commanded and Hariyama charges forward with multiple hits, but Regirock shocked us all and hugged Hariyama to stop him in his tracks. Regirock then releases a Shock Wave, because of its close range it caused a surprising amount of damage. "Hariyama!" I could see Paul's growth from his scream filled with worry. "Force Palm!" But Regirock dodges it and throws a Focus Punch, which knocked Hariyama out cold. Paul recalls Hariyama with a frown. I almost forgot how strong Brandon's Regirock is... almost being the keyword.

"You are next Electabuzz!" Paul called out smiling.

"Why would he choose Electrabuzz?" Dawn inquired confused, worry laced in her tone.

The choice confused everyone... everyone but Ash went ahead and commented: "He'll use Brick Break, which is super-effective against Regirock." Of course, Ash ended up predicting Paul's strategy. However, Regirock showed no signs of letting up and fires Stone Edge, Electabuzz used Protect as a defense. However, the attack is so powerful that it breaks through the barrier and knocks Electabuzz down. I could see how great it frustrated Paul. Brandon showed no compassion and followed up with a Hyper Beam. Just like that Electabuzz was out. Paul recalls Electabuzz before Brandon recalls Regirock as well. "Good choice, that way Brandon does not have to deal with Hyper Beam's secondary immobilization effect." Brandon replaces Regirock with Registeel, and Paul sends Magmar back out. "That's also a smart move, fire is one of the few ways to deal with Steel-types. Arceus knows their defensive powerlessness is frustrating as Distortion World."

"Magmar, Flamethrower!" Paul commanded his pokemon managing to land the hit. However, to my amazement, Registeel takes the attack without much falter. If Charizard had been there, Registeel would have been down... Arceus did I really think that? I thought stunned. Did I just compare Charizard to a Magmar? I am so happy he is not here and I did not say it out loud.

"Iron Head," Brandon commanded calmly, totally collected and the complete opposite of how Paul was acting.

"Magmar block it and use Will-O-Wisp!!" Paul ordered, but Magmar fails to block the attack and ends up flinching, unable to use any moves. Paul rapidly recalls Magmar and calls out his Nidoking.

Dawn frowned and asked confused: "Why did Paul choose a Poison-type pokemon? Steel-types pokemon are immune to poison attacks."

"Nidoking is also a Ground-type pokemon," Zoey replied. "Those moves are super-effective on Steel-types."

Registeel fired a Flash Cannon, bringing us back to the battle before us. I winced when it hit Nidoking squarely in the face, but Nidoking thankfully, recovered quickly and successfully counterattacks with Earth Power and Double Kick. Those were the first attacks that caused enough harm to make one of Brandon's pokemon stumble backward. I should know, Ash's favorite Ground-type move is Eath Power, making sure to teach it to every pokemon that can learn it. However, they were not good enough to defeat Registeel. But that did not stop either of them, Paul commanded Nidoking to launch a Thunderbolt (One that could use a bit of work, I'm just saying!) but Registeel used Iron Head to absorb the Thunderbolt (the same way Ash uses Iron Tail to the ground against electric attacks) and hits Nidoking, knocking him out.