46 Ash’s Skirmish (45)

"[Quick Attack] Pikachu!" I hear Ash shout. Looking down at the stadium, I see Pikachu engulf itself in a white hue as it speeds forward.

Roark not wanting to back down also calls out a move.

"[Double-Edge] Onix!" Roark shouts. The battle went on for a little bit as Pikachu and Onix exchanged some moves. It ended up following canon as Pikachu finishes off Onix with an [Iron Tail] after somehow stunning the Pokemon with a [Thunder Bolt].

Both Dawn and I looking down at the stadium got a wtf look when this happened. I mean isnt Onix a ground type anyways?

"Brock did I see what I think I saw?" I said confused.

"I think I might be under a Genj- illusion." Dawn says right after. Brock laughing it off, just tells us that it didn't do much.

"The attack didn't actually deal damage but temporarily locked it in place. Though I have seen Pikachu deal damage to ground Pokemon before with electric type moves." He responds making Dawn get a surprised look while I started to think.

'Surely I can do the same.' I joked to myself. With Roark now down to two Pokemon, he retrieves Onix and sends out his next battler.

"Go Geodude!" Roark shouts, announcing his next Pokemon. Ash seeing the familiar rock Pokemon, decides to switch out Pikachu.

"But why did he switch there, wouldn't it be best to deal the most damage you can with Pikachu to give your more powered Pokemon an advantage?" Dawn says confused. Silently agreeing with her words, I just wait it out until I hear Brock speak again.

"Pikachu is extremely exhausted right now and couldn't even fight back even if he wanted to. So instead of letting him deal no damage, Ash it letting him rest so he can contribute more later on the battle." Brock explains making the both of us get an understanding look.

I guess it is pretty hard to decide if a Pokemon isn't able to keep on going or if he has more energy. Remembering back to Jubilife, Ash told me that knowing his Pokemon's limits was important and I guess I just witnessed an example here.

'I could ask my Pokemon if they can keep on going through telepathy but they could lie to me.' I think to myself knowing a Pokemon like Turtwig even when he can't even move anymore will insist on staying on the field.

So it ain't completely accurate to ask through telepathy.

"I choose you, Budew!" Ash calls out with a smile. Seeing the small Pokemon, the three of us started to cheer wanting to encourage the little guy. Budew was a shy Pokemon but when instructed, could become a menace.

The fight between Budew and Geodude was pretty even as Budew was inexperienced with battling, so Geodude got a lot of good hits in but was damaged as well.

The trade of moves lasted for a little bit before Geodude barely won because he backed the poor guy into a corner.

"Poor Budew, he was getting nervous and missing his attacks." Dawn says in that voice every guy doesn't want to hear.

Ash sent out Pikachu to clean up the battle and ended up with Pikachu one tapping the rock with still a decent amount of energy to spare.

"Ash should win this." I comment as I see the obvious advantage he has. The other two nod at my words but Brock gets a slightly worried look.

"It's not that simple. A gym leader like Roark won't just go down without a fight. He's someone meant to test out trainers so he won't just get thrown around like a rag doll." Brock tells us in a reprimanding voice.

Looking back at the stadium, I see Roark sending out his last Pokemon.

"I'll have to count on you Cranidos." Roark shouts as he throws a Pokebal up in the air.

*Crack!*

A loud nosie could be heard as the Cranidos lands on its two feet.

*Whistle*

"Damn, what do they feed their Pokemon. Leg enhancers?" Dawn off handedly comments, making me chuckle.

The battle between Cranidos and Pikachu didn't last too long as after Pikachu used his [Iron Tail] to climb a [Rock Tomb]. He gets a hit on the dinosaur, but not before getting finished off and making Pikachu impact a boulder.

With the two of them now on their last Pokemon, the tension starts to rise as Ash picks out a Pokeball from his jacket.

"You got this Totodile!"

A big jawed Pokemon starts to materialise on the battle field, which in turn has to look up to the taller Cranidos. Totodile not backing down, puffs his chest a bit and waits for his trainer's instructions.

"[Water Gun] Totodile!" Ash shouts.

The battle went on for a bit before it started to hit the peak of the fight. With Totodile with a clear chance at an attack, he bites Cranidos' tail making the Pokemon flinch.

"Smack it to the ground and then use [Headbutt]!" Roark desperately calls out. Cranidos getting a hold of itself, smacks the jaw Pokemon to the floor and starts to ember itself with normal energy on its head before attacking.

"Counter with [Aqua Tail]!" Ash shouts right back. Totodile quickly reacts and imbues its tail with water while slamming Cranidos' head which sends it crashing at a boulder.

*Crush!*

The referee walking up to the downed Pokemon, announces Ash as the winner as we all cheered happily for him.

"Nice one Ash!" I shout. Ash hearing me, looks at the stands and gives me a smirk.

"It's your turn after this." I barely heard him mouth at me. Recognising what he's saying, I smirk as well making him laugh.

…

After a few hours of Roark healing his Pokemon. I spent most of my time just chatting with the gang as I had already made my preparations. No point in changing them now as I've already warmed up my team for the battle.

With my battle now coming up, I started to make my way towards the battlefield.

Before I could leave the to head into the hallway though, a voice reaches my ears.

"Aichi… you're going to travel without me after this right?" I hear a familiar voice say. Looking behind me, I see Dawn with a complex look who was still wearing the necklace I gave her back when I was 10.

"Yes, I want to explore the region freely but I will meet you guys more than once on your journey." I respond. Dawn still with the same complex gaze, starts to fiddle with her fingers a bit before reluctantly looking back at me.

"I know you don't want any distractions this year but I need to get this off my chest and want you to know this.." I hear her say. Thinking to myself, I start to get a confused look before realising something.

'Is this what I think this is?' I think to myself. Gazing back up at the girl I've called my childhood friend since I was a kid and used to know as a fictional character. I get a little nervous.

"Aichi, I-"