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

XIII Ash's P.O.V

"Snorlax, stop him! Use Iron Head!" I countered, even with Snorlax speed it did not stop the summon of a rainstrom. Snorlax landed the hit, having dashed through the rain, but Gastrodom took the hit without effort. "Snorlax get back!" I shouted as soon as realize that my pokemon was in the right distance to receive a Muddy Water. "Focus Blast!" However, the Muddy Water caused Snorlax to fall and miss. Not to mention, it dealt a heavy blow on him. But i was not giving up! "Heavy Slam!"

"Acid Armor!" Cynthia bossted her Gastrodon's defense, so that the blow barely fazes him before he used another rain-boosted Muddy Water again.

Caught in the middle of the vicious attack, Snorlax's situation was looking dire. I clenched my fist and grimanced. But then I took a deep breath and calmed myself down.

"This is not the time to give up Snorlax!" I shouted to my pokemon, who roared back in determination. I decided to put all of his faith in one attack, a newly learned move- but I knew it will work. I had faith and so did Snorlax. "Steel Roller!"

The move... connected! It dealt a one-hit knockout and defeated Gastrodon just as the rain faded away.

"It was a wonderful start, Ash," Cynthia congratulated me with a smile as she returned Gastrodom. "It seems that you are on the lead... for now."

"Not really," I corrected her, just in time for Snorlax to faint. "Those Muddy Water of yours should be illegal," I protested half-heartedly, as I returned Snorlax. "We are equally matched... for now."

Cynthia returned my challengingly smirk and took out her second Poke Ball, I did the same.

"Milotic!/Pikachu!"

Pikachu jumped from my shoulder to the battlefield, cheeks crackling with electrical power, as Milotic appeared in a white flash on the other side. Cynthia's Milotic's beauty was on par to Wallace's.

"Pikachu, Iron Tail!" This time I went for the initiative.

"On it partner!" Pikachu shouted back, as he used a Quick Attack to rapidly get closer to Milotic.

"Hydro Pump!" Milotic effortlessly avoided it and striked back.

It sent Pikachu flying back various yards and land harshly on the ground. "Pikachu, are you ok?!" I asked him worriedly.

"I c-can still go on!" My starter assured me, even as he struggled to get back on his feet his eyes were shinning with determination.

"Good! Then use Wild Charge!" I commanded, the move connected dealing which dealth a super effective damage on Milotic. However, Milotic was not giving up either. She used Disarming Voice, a Fairy-type move that caused Pikachu to stumble. "Pikachu!" It left my partner disoriented and opened to any attack. Milotic took advantage of that and wrapped her body around him. Just as she was about to bash her head against my partner, using Iron Head, I shouted for him to snap out of it. "Come on Pikachu! Use Thunder!"

Just as Milotic bashed her Iron Head, my starter released the most powerful Electric-type move on her. With the Iron Head working as the perfect conduit, she had no hope of surviving the attack... on the other side, neither did Pikachu. The Hydro Pump, Disarming Voice, and Iron Head were too much for his little body. No matter how powerful he is, his body was not made to take such heavy damage. That's why we work so much on his speed and make sure his reflexes are on top notch to dodge any attack. Pikachu fainted alongside Milotic.

I used my aura to get to my partner's side in one long jump and take him in my arms, as Cynthia returned her Milotic to her Poke Ball. I jumped back and gently laid Pikachu next to me.

We were now both out of two pokemon.

This is nothing like the previous battles I've faced. Not even Tobias, Paul, or the other Elite Four members compared to the raw power of Cynthia. The tension was in the air. But instead of making me nervous like before, I felt excited. This is it! This is why I got into battling! This is so much fun!