Narrator: Last time, Ash and Drayden started off their battle. Druddigon and Snorlax weren't able to best eachother, resulting in a draw. After Snorlax, Ash decided to gice Dragonite his debut battle against non other than Drayden's Hydreigon. Just as things seemed to look up, Drayden caught Ash by surprise using a close range Outrage attack. Both pokemon had some sustainable damage as Dragonite flew in with Thunder Punch while Hydreigon used Head Smash.
Smoke was everywhere on the battlefield, Ash looked worriedly around in order to find Dragonite, hoping it was still standing. Drayden looked calm and composed, not worried a bit since he and Hydreigon had been through countless battles.
As the smoke started to vanish, it revealed Hydreigon shakely hovering while Dragonite was on the ground, out for the count with spirals in his eyes. "Dragonite is unable to battle, Hydreigon is the winner!" The referee announced.
Ash took a deep sigh as he recalled Dragonite. He smiled at the pokeball. "You did great buddy, we'll make sure your hard work will not go to waste." He said before putting it away.
"Poor Dragonite, things looked like they were going so well---." Serena said in a sad manner. Both Iris and Cilan nodded at Serena's statement, feeling proud about what Dragonite accomplished in it's first ever battle.
Back on the battlefield, Ash was thinking about his options. I've still got Garchomp, Infernape, Pikachu and Lucario left. But who do I sent in to face Hydreigon and possibly two other pokemon. I don't even know which pokemon he'll use! The only thing I know is that they're dragon types!
"Challenger Ash, bring out your next pokemon." The referee called out. Ash snapped out of his thoughts. "Right---" he said as he grabbed a pokeball from his belt. "Garchomp, I choose you!" Ash exclaimed as he tossed the pokeball into the air. It opened up and the massive land shark appeared infront of Ash. "Garrrr---!" The Mach Pokemon roared loudly as it widened it's winglike arms, releasing a powerful wave of aura.
Drayden looked a bit surprised but grinned shortly after. "A Garchomp? This might get interesting---" He said as he narrowed his eyes. "Hydreigon, Outrage!" Drayden exclaimed.
"Hy--Drei--Gon!" Hydreigon exclaimed as his eyes turned red again and moved towards Garchomp with incredible speed.
"Dodge to the left and follow up with Crunch!" Ash instructed, already knowing what to do next. Just as Hydreigon was about to strike with it's middle head, Garchomp dodged to the right with split second timing. "Garrr---!" Garchomp exclaimed as his teeth turned silver and bit in Hydreigon's neck who cried out in pain.
"Keep up the pressure, Dragon Claw!" Ash continued as Garchomp kept biting Hydreigon's neck who couldn't make a single move. His claw on it's winglike arm started to to chance into a draconic green before he roared loudly and slammed it on Hydreigon's back while letting go of his neck at the same time.
*BOOM*
Some dust whipped up but it was clear to see that Hydreigon was slammed into the ground. As the last bit of the dust dissapeared, it revealed Hydreigon lying on the ground with swirls in his eyes. "Hydreigon is unable to battle, Garchomp is the winner!" The referee exclaimed, pointing the green flag in his hand towards Drayden's side.
"Alright! Now it's two all!" Serena celebrated. "Ash made some quick work of Hydreigon there." Iris noted as Cilan tried to come up with a line with food in it. "Yeah! Things are spicing up now!" Cilan exclaimed. Both Serena and Iris sweatdropped for a moment before looking back at the battlefield.
"Good job Garchomp!" Ash praised his Dragon type who grinned at Ash while Drayden recalled Hydreigon. Garchomp turned around to face Drayden. He let out a deafening roar while looking fiercely, indicating that he was still raring to go.
Drayden grinned at the ferocious Dragon type. He only battled a Garchomp once when Cynthia was visiting town. They had an excibition battle which Cynthia won. "Time to get serious now." He muttered as he took the pokeball firmly in his hand. "Go Haxorus!" He exclaimed throwing the pokeball into the air.
The pokeball clipped open and a white flash appeared, materialising into Drayden's ace pokemon, Haxorus. "Haxooo----!" Haxorus roared loudly as it made a wide stance infront of Drayden. The ground trembled before it stopped and looked Garchomp dead in the eye. "Garrrr---! Garchomp replied angrily. Both pokemon looked at eachother fiercely.
"Why are they looking like that?" Serena asked, shivering as Haxorus's roar took her by surprise. Iris stared seriously at the two dragon types. "It's about pride." She said. Serena looked at her quizzingly as she asked. "Pride?"
"Yes, what we see infront of us are the strongest dragon type pokemon from Sinnoh and the strongest dragon type from Unova. Drayden's Haxorus battled one Garchomp before--- Cynthia's." Iris explained as she squinted her eyes. Both Serena and Cilan looked on with a serious expression on their faces.
"Alright Garchomp! The's show them what we can do!" Ash exclaimed, waisting no time. "Dragon Rush!"
"Garrr---!" Garchomp exclaimed as he jumped up and surrounded itself in a blue/white dragon like aura before he launched itself to Haxorus.
"Take it down with Breaking Swipe!" Drayden countered. "Xooooo---!" Haxorus exclaimed as the tusks on his jaw started to glow a fiercely red colour. Garchomp rushed in with great speed while Haxorus braced himself.
*BOOM*
Both pokemon collided with eachother, whipping up a massive cloud of smoke due to their raw power.
"Use the smoke! Use Crunch, quick!" Ash yelled. "Garrr---!" Garchomp exclaimed as he took the smoke as cover to get in close.
"Xooorrussss----!" Haxorys roared in pain as Garchomp put his teeth into Haxorus's neck.
"Shake it off with Dragon Tail!" Drayden called. Haxorus roared fiercely as it's tail got ingulved with draconic green scales. Within a swipe, he struck Garchomp in his side. Garchomp got flinged back as it roared in pain. They both took their battle stance again as they glared at eachother. Both Drayden and Ash stayed silent for a moment, waiting for eachother to make the next move. Sweat droplets could be seen on their faces.
"Let's try it from a distance now Garchomp! Use Draco Meteor!" Ash exclaimed, hoping to get an opening this way.
"Garrr--!" Garchomp exclaimed as he looked up to the sky and started storing up power. An orange aura started to inguld it's stomach before moving up to it's mouth, creating a massive orb infront of it. "Garchomp--!" Garchomp exclaimed as he blasted the massive orange meteor high into the sky. The massive meteor exploded and split in what looked like thousand smaller meteors which were raining down over the battlefield.
"Use Dragon Pulse to take them out!" Drayden commanded in a serious manner.
"Haxorusss---!" Haxorus exclaimed as he charged a multicoloured orb in his mouth and fired the dragon shaped attack towards the incoming meteors.
*BOOM* *BOOM* *BOOM*
The Dragon Pulse hit multiple falling meteors, exploding on impact. Ash was shocked to see what happened infront of his eyes. But he knew he didn't have time to look at it for longer, he needed to keep up the pressure if he wanted to win this badge. "Garchomp! Now it's distracted, It's time to use our new move! Use Earthquake!" Ash exclaimed passionately.
"Garrr--!" Garchomp exclaimed as it leaped up and slammed into the ground with all his might. The ground shook heavily which could be felt throughout the whole gym. Serena, Iris and Cilan had to hold on to their seat while the referee and Ash had trouble to keep there footing. Drayden looked unfazed though.
*BOOM*
"HAXOORRUSSS---!" Haxorus roared in pain as it got hit hard by the ground type move. He had numerous injury marks across his body but wasn't close to giving up. He roared once more to let Ash and Garchomp know that it was ready for more.
"Let's take the offense now, use Dragon Rush!" Drayden exclaimed. "Meet it head on Garchomp! You too!" Ash countered.
Both Haxorus and Garchomp got ingulfed in a white/blue dragon shaped aura as they launched at eachother with great speed.
*BOOM*
Both slammed into eachother, ending up evenly. As soon as they hit eachother, a shockwave of energy blasted from the collision, whipping up some dust from the ground.
Haxorus and Garchomp both moved back a bit, placing themselves back infront of their trainers. They didn't lose eyesight of eachother as they were breathing heavily with numerous injury marks on their bodies.
"Can you still go on Garchomp?" Ash asked, concerned about Garchomp's wellbeing. "Garr---!" Garchomp replied as he widened his arms, expressing the power he still had in him.
"Good! Now, Dragon Rush! Let's go!" Ash commanded in a serious and determined manner. "Garrr---!" Garchomp roared as he ingulfed itself in another white/blue dragon shaped energy before launching itself towards Haxorus.
Drayden grinned, seeing his chance to deliver a big hit. "Stop it with Iron tail!" He instructed, setting his plan in motion. "Haxoooo---!" Haxorus roared as his tail turned into iron before swinging it with all his might into Garchomp.
*BOOM*
As they clashed once again, a massive explosion followed. Both Ash and Drayden had to shield their eyes in order to protect them from the incoming dust and debris.
Within a few moments, the smoke dissipated and Drayden grinned while Ash's eyes popped. "What!" He exclaimed in a shocked manner.
Garchomp was frozen in it's place as if time stopped. Haxorus managed to absorb and stop the Dragon Rush attack Garchomp used.
"Now, Outrage." Drayden said in a satisfied manner as he narrowed his eyes. "HAXOOOO----!" Haxorus roared loudly as it's eyes became red and he started delivering it's barrage of jabs, kicks and punches.
"Garrrr----!!!" Garchomp roared in pain as Ash flinched at the sight. He felt like his body was numb and wasn't able to give Garchomp any instructions as if he blacked out from shock. Garchomp had fought so fiercely and determined and only because of his poor judgement, Ash let Garchomp run in that same trap Dragonite and Snorlax were in earlier.
"Poor Garchomp, this might be over---." Cilan said in a sad manner, looking on how defenseless Garchomp was as he received the super effective attack. "There has never been a pokemon who stood back up after receiving an outrage from Drayden's Haxorus." Iris said, making Cilan gulp.
Serena was still silent at this point, she closed her eyes while looking down as she shook visibly until she stood up, placing her hands in the wall infront of her as she slightly leaned over it. Iris and Cilan looked at her in confusion. "Ash! You're not gonna win by just standing there! Garchomp is receiving numerous hit's and you know it's hurting right now! Snap out of it and fight back!" She yelled on top of her lungs in an angry manner.
"Ash's eyes popped for a moment as he turned back to reality. He looked at Serena and gave her a soft smile. "Thanks." He muttered under his breath, knowing nobody heard him. He looked at Garchomp who finally got free of the assault it got from Haxorus who slammed it's head on the ground in order to get rid of the confusion. He observed the situation closely and started think of a strategy. Both Garchomp and Haxorus were breathing heavily.
"I've got to do something-- come on Ash! Think!" He muttered under his breath. His mind was racing as he tried to come up with an idea until something popped in his head. He grinned as a plan started to form in his head. "Garchomp, it's risky but I need you to get close!" Ash said to his loyal dragon type.
Garchomp looked at Ash for a brief second and nodded, understanding Ash had a plan and what he had to do in order to make it work. Without a warning, Garchomp roared fiercely before it ran straight at Haxorus.
"Reckless!" Drayden said under his breath before he gave Haxorus his next command. "Outrage, let's finish this!" "Haxooo---!" Haxorus exclaimed as his eyes turned red again and started making his way towards Garchomp, rampaging.
"What is Ash doing!?" Iris said as she, Cilan and Serena looked on with a shocked expression.
Perfect! Ash thought. "Keep going Garchomp!" He said. "Garrr---!" Garchomp exclaimed, increasing his speed. "Not yet..." Ash muttered as Garchomp inched closer and closer. "NOW!" He yelled on top of his lungs and at the same exact time, Garchomp moved to the right, making Haxorus miss his first strike. Garchomp's claw started glowing bright green as he slashed towards Haxorus, making it roar in pain.
"Fire Draco Meteor straight at it!" Ash exclaimed passionately. "Gahhhrrr---!!" Garchomp exclaimed as the orange energy charged up in it's body and moved to it's mouth where it formed into an orange orb. "Chomp!" Garchomp roared as it launched the huge meteor straight at Haxorus from close range.
"Dragon Pulse, quick!" Drayden call out. "Xooorussss---!" Haxorus roares as he charged the multicoloured, dragon shaped attack and released it at the last second.
*BOOM* *BOOM*
Two explosions were only heard as both attacks clashed and neither wanting to budge. "Give it all you've got Garchomp!" Ash encouraged. "Gaarrrrr---!" Garchomp cried out, bringing out even more of it's strength.
*BOOOOM*
The whole battlefield was coveres in smoke as everything went silent. The lights on the roof of the battlefield started to flicker as a result of the power that was displayed bare seconds ago. Ash and Drayden looked around, hoping to see any sign of their pokemon. Both had a couple sweat droplets on their forehead as they gritted their teeth.
Serena, Iris and Cilan also looked on. Worried and eager to see how Garchomp and Haxorus were doing after such a clash.
After a couple minutes what felt like hours, the smoke finally started to dissapear. Both Ash and Drayden looked at the battlefield. Their eyes popped at the same time. Both Garchomp and Haxorus were on their feet. They grinned while shaking on tbeir legs. They were covered from head to toe in injury marks.
"Garchomp..." Ash said, almost wispering in disbelief as he saw one of his strongest pokemon standing on it's feet on pure willpower. Drayden stayed silent. He knew that both pokemon weren't able to pull off another move and could collapse at any moment now.
It was as time stood still as Garchomp and Haxorus stared at eachother, neither wanting to give in but knowing that they couldn't go on for much longer. Everyone looked on now in anticipation. Everything was silent and the focus was on Drayden's Ace pokemon, Haxorus and Ash's Garchomp.
Suddenly both Garchomp and Haxorus shut their eyes as they groaned in pain before slowly falling forward, face first as they hit the ground.
It was silent until the referee stepped up and raised both flags in the air. "Both Garchomp and Haxorus are unable to battle." He said loudly.
Ash closed his eyes for a moment before looking at Garchomp with a smile. He grabbed his pokeball and aimed at Garchomp as a red beam came forth and hit Garchomp, sucking it back inside. Ash looked at the pokeball with a proud smile on his face. "Thanks Garchomp. You did amazing against a formidable opponent. Now leave the rest to us." He said before putting the pokeball away and returning his gaze back at Drayden who returned Haxorus and smiled? Ash was slightly confused as Drayden wasn't known to show a lot of emotion.
"It sure has been a while since my Haxorus got defeated. You've proven yourself to be a strong trainer Ash." Drayden chuckled. "Thanks! But it won't end here, we'll win this battle no matter what!" Ash exclaimed determinetly as he clenched his fist infront of his chest. "Pika!" "Rraahh-!" Pikachu and Lucario exclaimed as they mimicked their trainers actions.
Drayden laughed. "Show me what you got then! Salamence, show them our true power!" He exclaimed as he released his dragon and flying type. His last pokemon.
"We've got plenty!" Ash said as he took out a pokeball and threw it. "Infernape, I choose you!"
*POP*
"Infernape!" Infernape exclaimed as he appeared right infront of Ash.
"WHAT! Why choose Infernape when he's at a type disadvantage? Why not Pikachu?" Cilan yelled in surprise. "Still the same as back in Unova... Such a kid..." Iris said, shrugging her shoulders.
"No!" Serena said firmly as she looked down, visibly upset with what they said.
Iris and Cilan turned their heads to her as she continued. "Ash may have been a kid back then but the Ash I know isn't! From when we were young until our journey through Kalos and even now, he's been positive and amazing. The odds were always against him whether he did it himself or not, he always came on top! My Ash will show you how good he is and he will never give up no matter what!" She said with determination as she clenched her fist infront of her chest at the last part.
"Uhhh okay---." Iris and Cilan said, sweatdropping as they were slightly scared of Serena's sudden outburst. Serena turned back to the battlefield. "You can do it Ash! I believe in you!" She yelled on top of her lungs. Ash smiled at her while Serena realized what she was doing and started blushing madly. Ash smiled and put a thumbs up while Infernape did the same.
"Okay Infernape! With Serena and our friends behind us, there's no way we can lose! Start off with Thunder Punch!" Ash yelled after he looked at his pokemon and to the side where Iris, Cilan andSerena with her pokemon were sitting.
"Infernape!" Infernape yelled loudly as his arm became ingulfed with electricity as it ran straight at Salamence.
"Don't let it come near you! Use Air Slash!" Drayden commanded as Salamence pushed itself from the ground. As it was in the air, Salamence raised it's front foot to create a sphere of wind before he slashed it, launching multiple white, curved slashes towards Infernape.
"Jump over it!" Ash commanded quickly. "Fernape!" It exclaimed as it dodged in the nick of time. Infernape jumped up high and launched his fist forward.
*BOOM*
"RAAARRRGHH--!" Salamence roared in pain as it got hit by the super effective move while Infernape gracefully landed back infront of Ash.
"Good job buddy!" Ash praised while Pikachu and Lucario did the same. Infernape slightly turned his head to Ash and gave a happy grin while giving him a thumbs up before looking back at Salamence.
"It seems we've got to use more power." Drayden observed before he revealed a small shiny stone on the knot of his tie. "Salamence, Mega Evolve and let's show our inner dragon!" Drayden exclaimed powerfully as he pressed his fingers on the stone.
"Kraaaghhh---!" Salamence exclaimed as lights from the stone on it's tail and the stone on Drayden's tie started to shine brightly as the transformation started happening. After the transformation completed, the helix symbole appeared infront of Salamence as his wings changed into a moon like shape and his appearance looked fiercer and stronger.
"AH!" Ash exclaimed, flinching by the fact that Drayden still had a mega evolution behind his back. On the sidelines, everyone was surprised aswell. "I've been here for some time, training with Draydem but I've never seen his Salamence mega evolve?" She exclaimed with popped eyes.
"Now Salamence. Draco Meteor!" Drayden said in a stern yet calm voice.
"Kraaagghhh---!" Salamence exclaimed as an orange glow appeared in his body and went up to it's mouth, forming into an orb before he launched it into the sky. The orb exploded and hundreds of small meteors dropped down on the battlefield.
"Infernape, you need to dodge it!" Ash said, sweating. "Fernape!" Infernape yelled in a serious manner as it started charging towards Salamence who hovered majesticly in the air, showing off it's grace and power while still being intimidating. The first couple of meteors were falling right in Infernape's path and simply sidestepped but when he did so...
*BOOM* *BOOM*
"Infernape!" Ash exclaimed worriedly. Just as he dodged the first few, the moment he sidestepped, two meteors hit him flat in the face, sending him backwards before another couple of meteors hit him.
"Fer---nape---." Infernape exclaimed weakly as it stood up, covered in injury marks. Ash sighed in relief.
"Keep up the pace Salamence, Dragon Claw!" Drayden suddenly said.
Ash's eyes popped as Salamence flew at incredible speed towards Infernape with his claws glowing green.
*SLASH*
Infernape didn't have a chance to dodge the attack due to it's weak state and Salamence's speed so it got hit straight to the gut and launched into the wall behind Ash, creating a gigantic crater in it.
"This can't be happening..." Ash muttered softly with widened eyes. Suddenly everything went black for Ash.
"No Ash, Infernape!" Serena exclaimed as she saw Infernape in the wall, under the rubble and not moving. Iris and Cilan sweated as they looked on. "I guess it's over..." Iris muttered. "He knew fighting types are weak against flying.." Cilan added.
Ash however was standing into nothingness. Every thing was black except for his raging blue body. Ash looked around for a moment. "Is this a dream?" He said to himself.
"Infernape!"
Ash turned around and saw Infernape standing, covered in injury marks while holding his ribs in pain. He also appeared in a raging blue aura. Ash looked at Infernape and approached him. "I--- I-- I'm sorry!" Ash said, dropping to his knees. "I thought we'd be able to take them down regardless of type advantages and stuff. I never thought about mega evolution and that makes you suffer like this. I'm sorry Infernape!" Ash exclaimed as a small tear rolled over his cheek while he looked to the black ground.
"Fernape!" Infernape said. "Huh---" Ash said, looking up. He saw Infernape's stretched hand infront of him, signalling to grab it and stand up. Ash softly chuckled as he grabbed the hand and pulled himself up. "Thanks Infernape. I know that you like though battles and you don't want me to feel sorry. I understand now." Ash said as he looked his fire type into his eyes. "Now what do you say. Shall we finish this battle?" Ash asked. Infernape grinned as he nodded before everything infront of Ash changed back to normal again.
"You did well Ash. But it's not enough to win a badge here. You should give up and come back when you trained more." Drayden said calmly while his Mega Salamence stood infront of him.
"What--" Ash said as he looked to the ground. "--Give up?" He said before looking straight into Drayden's eyes. "We'll never give up until it's over!" Ash yelled on top of his lungs while raising his fist.
"IN--- FER--- NAAAPPEEEEE!!"
Suddenly a fire fortex appeared and the rubble blasted away in every direction. The fire went straight up, burning an opening in the ceiling and went up high into the air. "Huh?" Drayden said as he looked into the direction infernape was standing with red glowing eyes, completely covered in fire.
"It's Blaze!?" Cilan exclaimed shocked. Both Serena and Iris looked at Cilan as Iris asked. "What is Blaze?"
"It's Infernape's ability. When he's at the point he almost can't continue anymore, Blaze activates. It boosts fire type moves to it's maximum." Serena explained. She knew all this as She and Ash watched back some old footage from Ash's time in Sinnoh. Ash used it to come up with tactics.
"So Blaze activated? This might become interesting." Drayden said, narrowinf his eyes.
"No---" Ash said, earning a confused look from Drayden. "---It's even more." He said before raising his fist into the air. "Infernape! Stronger TOGETHER!" He exclaimed.
(Ash Greninja theme)
Suddenly the flames around Infernape became thicker, making it unable to see what was inside it. "No way..." Serena muttered.
The flames blasted away as Infernape became visible again in a completely unknown form. Most of his fur was now black instead of white. He was grown 10 inches taller and had golden shoulder and knee plates while having a golden pad on his arm, covering his hand. Around his torso was also a golden ring, just like on top of his head. "INFERNAPEE!!" Infernape screeched as blue and red flames emerged from the top of his head. His eyes were still glowing red as the energy of Blaze coursed through his body, releasing waves of fire around him.
(Couldn't get the watermark of it. It would destroy the art.)
"What's that!" Iris exclaimed in fear. Cilan also didn't know what he was seeing. Nobody knew except for Serena who had a clue. "Bond phenomenon..." She muttered. "Ash and Greninja were the only ones who could achieve this power but it seems Greninja isn't the only one anymore---." She added, not looking away from the battlefield.
Drayden looked at Infernape with a shocked expression. He didn't know what he was facing but he needed to in order to defend his honour. "Salamence use Draco Meteor!"
"Kraaaghhh!" Salamence exclaimed as he launched a big orange orb into the air, exploding into what looked like a million meteorites.
Ash and Infernape looked at eachother and nodded. "Let's do this!" He exclaimed as Infernape blasted of his spot, leaving a trail of fire behind him. Ash looked at the falling meteors through Infernape's eyes. First they jumped up, dodged to the right before ducking as a meteor flew straight for infernape's face. Ash and Infernape moved in sync, dodging meteor after meteor. The fire on Infernape's head increased by the second as more and more power coursed through his body.
"Flamethrower now!" Ash exclaimed.
"Infernape--!!" Infernape roared in a demonic voice as he opened his mouth and released a powerful stream of flames which scorched everything on it's path.
"Intercept with Incinerate! Quick!" Drayden panicked slightly.
"Kraaaghh!!" Mega Salamence roared as he opened it's mouth and spit a massive ball of fire towards Infernape.
*BOOOOM*
The Incinerate from Mega Salamence and Infernape hit eachother but due to Infernape's newly increased power, the Flamethrower pierced right through the ball of fire, hitting Mega Salamence as it's power increased.
*BOOOOOMMM*
A huge explosion occured and smoke was everywhere. "Kraaghh!!" Salamence exclaimed as it flew up, above the smoke cloud, covered in injury marks.
We need to finish this! I can't keep going for much longer! Ash thought before giving his next command. "Use Thunder Punch combined with Flare Blitz and spin!"
"Fernape!!!" Infernape yelled as his arm ingulfed itself with electricity while Infernape itself became surrounded by raging blue flames. He leaped up with his fist first while spinning around, creating an electric fire tornado.
"Salamence Hyper Beam, full power!" Drayden countered, hoping it could stop them. "Kraaaaghhh!!" Salamence roared on top of his lungs as he fired an orange beam, twice the size of Infernape straight at Infernape. "Goo!!!" Ash yelled as Infernape reached closer and closer, giving him an extra boost.
*BOOOOMMMM*
"AGHH!" Ash exclaimed, holding his stomach with his arms but not losing focus of Infernape who pierced right through the Hyper Beam.
"This can't be...." Drayden muttered, completely shocked by what he saw.
"INFERNAPEEE----!" Infernape exclaimed as he gained more speed and was inches away from Salamence.
*BOOOOOMM!*
Smoke appeared everywhere and covered everything on the battlefield. Ash and Drayden looked on, sweating while everyone else looked on in anticipation to see who won this battle and who was done for.
The smoke slowly vanished, revealing Infernape with red glowing eyes while some red electricity went through his body thanks to the recoil damage from Flare Blitz.
As the dust finally vanished completely, Salamence was also visible, reverted back in his normal form with spirals in his eyes.
"Salamence is unable to battle and Infernape is the winner which means the victor of this gym battle is Ash Ketchum from Vaniville Town!" The referee exclaimed.
As soon as Ash and Infernape heard the call, the tension left their bodies and Infernape reverted back to normal as they both dropped to their knees. "Agh!" Ash exclaimed, sweating as he almost passed out but managed to control himself. He looked at Infernape. "I guess we nailed it, huh buddy?" Ash said to Infernape who grinned at him. "Fer--- Nape---." Infernape spoke weakly. Drayden sighed with a smile on his face as he returned Salamence.
"Pika!!" Pikachu exclaimed as jumped onto Ash, hugging him for dear life. "Rrahh!!!" Lucario exclaimed, impressed but excited about Infernape's new found power as he helped the fire type up from the ground and made it's way over to Ash with Infernape's arm around his shoulder.
"Ash!" Serena yelled suddenly, gaining Ash's attention as she jumped over the wall of the stands and ran across the battlefield towards her boyfriend. Ash tried to stand up on his feet to catch her but as soon as he tried, Serena jumped on top of him, making him fall flat on his back while Serena hugged him as tight as she could. "That was so cool! I'm so proud of you!" She exclaimed as she burried her head into his chest.
Ash chuckled slightly as Serena loosened her grip, giving him the ability to breath. "Thanks Serena--- but I hardly know what happened." Ash said in a weak manner.
"I know what it was!" Serena exclaimed with a loving smile. "It was Ash-Infernape! Just like with Greninja!" She exclaimed before kissing him on his cheek. Ash thought for a moment. "Ash-Infernape---" He muttered. "The Bond Phenomenon..."
*CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAP*
Ash and Serena, along with Infernape, Pikachu and Lucario who were in a big group hug, on top of Ash and Infernape looked to where the sound came from. Drayden walked slowly towards them while clapping for Ash and Infernape. Iris and Cilan joined them in the meantime while Drayden started to speak up.
"That was mostly impressive Ash. Especially that form of Infernape. I've never seen that before." He exclaimed in an impressed manner.
"So far I know this is the first time ever it happened. Only my Greninja used to be able to evolve with the Bond Phenomenon." Ash said, slowly standing up with Serena helping him.
Drayden grinned. "Looks like it." He said before reaching into the his pocket of his shirt. "You came, you conquered and you defeated the mighty dragons of Unova. Here Ash, the Dragon Pearl. A token that proves you were victorious here in the Opelucid Gym." Drayden said as he showed a draconic blue pearl with a dragon logo on it.
"Ah!" Ash said as he took the badge from Drayden. "I've won the Dragon Pearl!" Ash yelled in excitement as he held it infront of him while having his other arm wrapped around Serena who smiled happily. "Pika---!" "Rraahhh!!" "Fernapee!!" Pikachu, Lucario and Infernape added proudly.
"What a kid..." Iris said, shrugging her shoulders while Cilan laughed about it.
Narrator: And so, after an exciting battle which showed there is a lot more potential to the power of Ash and Infernape together, Ash finally won his long desired Dragon Pearl Badge! What will be the next step for our heroes? Find out as the journey continues!
"Oh and guys? Don't tell anyone! I want to keep it a secret for now." Ash said.
_______________________________________
Chapter 74! Hope you guys like it! Originally I said I didn't want to evolve custom evolutions which aren't canon but I had to put this in the story!
Also more importantly, episode 105 of Pokemon Journey dropped today and showed something we all wanted! The return of Serena! What do you guys think? And what do you think of her new looks?
Sorry for the spoilers! But I had to tell you! Also look at her new Delphox! I can't wait for the next episode!😍
Wordcount 5350 - yes, I overdid it...