A wolf like pokemon came out. It had white mane and orange fur with emerald eyes. It gave out a long piercing howl that caused everyone to shut their ears.
Gladion's midnight Lycanroc came out of its pokeball, who was watching the battle from a little far. It seemed to have heard the howl.
"You feel that too?" asked Gladion.
"Lycan," Lycanroc nodded as it looked intently at its apprentice.
"Let's see how strong they have become," said Gladion with a serious expression yet smiling as well.
"LYCANROC! " The alola gang exclaimed happily.
"A Lycanroc huh?" Gary thought before looking again. "Wait, what form of Lycanroc is that?" he asked surprised.
"That's a dusk form Lycanroc, because it evolved during sunset, making it the only one of its kind," explained Lillie.
"Amazing. Pokemon evolution is always mysterious," thought Gary.
"That Lycanroc is so cool," said Max with gleaming eyes.
"It's even cooler when it battles," said Mallow.
Paul was extra careful because he was facing a new kind of Lycanroc, not to mention at a disadvantage.
"Look out folks. It's the Alola Champion's Ace pokemon Lycanroc." announcer said.
"Battle begin."
"Magmortar lets start things with smokescreen." The entire field was covered with black smoke.
"Clear it with Sand Attack," Ash countered immediately.
"Use fire blast," Paul commanded as the volcano pokemon blasted the fire type move.
Ash gave a nod as Lycanroc dodged it and then summoned large boulders from above towards Magmortar. The rock slide attack connected dealing damage.
"Lycanroc's got some new moves," Sophocles commented.
"Now, use Accelebite."
"Wha-?" Paul wasn't finished as Lycanroc slammed into its opponent while using bite doubling the damage.
"A combination of Accelerock and Bite," Lillie analysed thoughtfully.
"Stand your ground and use multiple focus blasts." Paul said commanding the super effective move.
"Counter," commanded Ash.
Lycanroc countered all the focus blasts with its glowing long horn.
" Stone Edge."
The wolf pokemon howled and slammed its paws on the ground, causing pillars of blue coloured stone bolting towards Magmortar.
"Counter with flame thrower," Paul said as Magmortar fired the attack, but was overpowered quickly as the Rock type move slammed into it dealing a massive damage.
"That's one hell of a stone edge," said Brock, impressed.
Paul knew it wasn't far when his Magmortar will be down as well, so he made some change of plans.
"Magmortar, return." Everyone was surprised but knew it was a good decision.
"Honchkrow stand by for battle," Paul send out the dark/flying type as the big boss pokemon gave a piercing cry.
Ash was surprised.
'He wouldn't use another pokemon who is at a disadvantage against Lycanroc unless...'
"Use rain dance."
'Knew it.'
Honchkrow gave another cry as dark clouds started to gather and soon enough it was raining. Rock types are weak to water so he created a disadvantage for it as well.
But Paul was surprised when he saw that Lycanroc was....enjoying the rain? The wolf pokemon gave a happy cry and started to clean itself with the water.
"Don't mind him. He likes the rain," Ash said chuckling.
"A rock type enjoying rain dance?! Never in my life I thought I would witness this," said the rock type gym leader Grant. The professors laughed.
"That's highly unusual," said Clemont.
"If it's Ash, I'm not surprised at all," said Brock.
Calem was watching the battle silently and attentively. 'Just how good is this guy? '
"Doesn't matter, use Steel Wing," said Paul as Honchkrow hit Lycanroc with the move. Lycanroc grunted in pain as the move did double damage with the rain dance still in effect.
Ash thought of something quick.
Paul smirked, "Use Steel Wing again."
Ash gave a look to Lycanroc telling it to stay still. When Honchkrow was about to hit, Ash said, "Jump." With a blink, Lycanroc leaped on its hind legs and got on top of the bird pokemon, startling it. Ash wasted no time after that.
"Use Thunder Fang."
Paul's eyes widened in horror as he saw Lycanroc's fangs crackling with electricity biting on Honchkrow's neck. The pokemon let out a shriek of pain as Lycanroc jumped back to the ground. With the rain dance still in effect, the move did more damage as the bird was electrocuted and paralysed.
"It looks like Paul's plan backfired on him," the announcer said as the purple haired trainer gritted his teeth.
Suddenly huge pillars of stone appeared out of nowhere and his pokemon was on the way of it.
"Quick, fly up and dodge it," Paul said. It was painful, but Honchkrow was able to do it.
The without command Stone Edge missed it by an inch.
Paul sighed in relief. He decided to use another tactic.
"Alright keep your distance while using shadow ball."
The bird kept throwing the spheres, but Lycanroc just dodged every single one of them. Ash knew Paul was trying to weaken it before attacking.
Ash had to come up with something to close the distance between them. Then it clicked in his mind.
"Lycanroc, use your Rock Slide attack to reach upto Honchkrow," Ash said surprising everyone who heard the command.
Lycanroc summoned the boulders one by one and arranged them in a staircase. It started climbing them using Accelerock and was next to the bird in the air in a matter of seconds.
"Play rough," Ash said simply, as Lycanroc used the super effective fairy type move against the dark type and slammed it harshly to the ground. The rain stopped and the dust cleared to reveal the knocked out bird pokemon.
The whole stadium was silent for a moment at the stunning moveset and strategy by the wolf and its trainer.
"Honchkrow is unable to battle. Lycanroc is the winner," the referee said as the crowd started cheering louder than ever.
"Champion Ash used a very unique strategy to take down Honchkrow. This is incredible," the announcer praised.
"Using Rock Slide as medium of flight, who would've thought?" said Sawyer, dumbfounded.
"Classic Ash," said Goh, shaking his head and smiling.
"Always thinking outside the box," added Brock with a smile.
Gladion and Lycanroc was impressed as well. Only they seemed to notice the number of moves Lycanroc used in this match. 'Amazing,' Gladion thought.
"Ash is no joke," said Juniper.
"Indeed," agreed Rowan.
"I am starting to feel like I have to train harder to defend my title," said Diantha.
"Us too," Siebold and Malva said. Who wouldn't be alarmed after witnessing so much power from a trainer in one battle?
'I have to take out that Lycanroc,' Paul thought as he sent out his Aggron.
Ash thought about returning Lycanroc but it wanted to battle more so he let it.
Paul wasted no time. "Use Metal Sound."
Aggron produced loud screeching sound as the wolf flinched from it.
"Now, use Heavy Slam."
The Iron Armor pokemon used the powerful attack where the Rock type was standing.
The spot was destroyed within a second as dust blew around. Paul knew better by know so he kept an eye on the field for any surprise attacks.
"Behind you! Use metal claw," Paul commanded quickly after noticing Lycanroc coming out from the ground with a Counter. Both pokemon collided and were pushed back.
Ash was impressed that Paul figured out his strategy.
"Use earthquake."
"Get close with Accelerock."
Lycanroc started avoiding the ground type move with its speed and managed to hit Aggron with a Counter, but was pushed back by a Focus Punch as well.
"It's time to stop fooling around," said Paul as he brought out a keystone. "Show them your power, Mega Evolve!"
Ash was amused by the now Mega Evolved Aggron that was standing before them. It let out a loud and intimidating roar showing its power.
"Lycanroc, lets show them our power too," Ash said as Lycanroc nodded with a smile. Its eyes changed to a bright red colour from green as it was surrounded with a red aura, not before letting out a piercing howl causing everyone to cover their ears.
'Tch. What's that?' Paul thought, sweating tensely.
"I was wondering why Ash wasn't using that yet," said Mallow.
"What is that?" asked Gary, interested.
"Just think of it as a power boost," replied the chef.
"Counterbite," commanded Ash.
Before anyone could anticipate, Lycanroc slammed against Aggron using Counter and Bite at the same time with a blinding speed.
'What power,' thought Paul. "Aggron, use Hyper beam."
"Counter."
The Wolf pokemon cut through the Hyper Beam with its Counter, leaving everyone shocked.
"Use Stone Edge Max Power !"
Lycanroc cried unleashed the devastating attack once again upon the helpless Aggron. The attack connected causing a huge explosion.
Aggron was still appeared to be standing, but badly injured as well as Lycanroc. Both pokemon were on their last straw.
"Aggron give it everything you got into this one Body Slam," commanded Paul.
Lycanroc looked at Ash. Ash knew what it was thinking, but he didn't want it to do it. The wolf gave a reassuring nod telling that it will be fine.
'If that's how you want to end it,alright,' Ash thought as Aggron was coming closer.
"Use Bloody Impact."
Lycanroc's eyes glowed even redder and its body released a huge, red shockwave as their was a massive explosion in the battlefield.
After the dust settled down, Lycanroc was on the ground and Aggron broke of its mega evolved state as it collapsed too.
"Both pokemon are unable to battle," said the referee much to the shock of the crowd.
"What an amazing nerve-racking outcome. Before Aggron could use body slam, Lycanroc used some sort of last resort move to counter back," the announcer said.
"It didn't look like a last resort to me," said Kiawe with a doubt.
"Whatever it was, it was powerful to defeat Aggron like that," said Brock.
"I wonder how many more tricks Ash has up his sleeve," said Max wondering about his idol.
"Leave this to us. Take some rest Aggron," Paul said while returning it.
Ash returned Lycanroc and looked at the pokeball.
"You didn't really have to go that far but thank you. I will make sure your efforts doesn't go to waste."
"Pikachu," the mouse praised it as well.
Bloody Impact was a move similar to self-destruct. Instead its a dark type move making it more stronger. It was tough mastering it after knowing about it, but Ash managed to do it.
He looked up to see Paul sending back his Magmortar again.
Ash thought about using his Floatzel but a pokeball started shaking in his belt. He looked down and was surprised.
'Seems like he wants to warm up a bit,' Ash thought before throwing the shaking pokeball.
A blue bipedal dog like pokemon stood proudly. It had spikes coming out from its chest and paws and a strong figure. Lucario opened his eyes and let out a battle cry sending a large wave of aura around the stadium. People felt chills going up their spine.
"And Ash's next pokemon is Lucario. Yes folks the same pokemon who dominated in the World Championship Tournament, " informed the announcer as the crowd went wild.
"Wow look its Lucario!" exclaimed Korrina to her Lucario. He just nodded. He remembered meeting it back when it was just a Riolu. Korrina didn't seem to notice but her Lucario was stunned at the amount of aura both Ash and his Lucario were releasing. On another side, Cameron's Lucario was having the same thoughts.
"Who would've thought Ash will get himself a Lucario huh?" asked Cameron as his Lucario nodded.
"Wow so that's the Lucario I've heard so much about," exclaimed Max.
"Yeah and it looks so strong," said May.
"Ash and Lucario share a very special bond," said Goh as everyone looked at him. "They always seemed to understand each other. As time passed, they got closer and their trust grew even more."
He remembered how Lucario bravely fought against Leon's Pseudo Legendary Dragapult within a tight spot but still managed to pull out a win. There were even times Ash told him he could hear Lucario's inner voice, but he just laughed it off.
"I suppose you wanted to stretch out a bit?" asked Ash through aura.
"You know me better," said Lucario with a smirk.
"Battle Begin."
Paul wanted to exploit his advantage this time. "Use Flame thrower give it your all." Magmortar shoot a powerful jet of flames towards Lucario.
"Dodge, extreme speed, bone rush," Ash said through aura.
Lucario disappeared from his spot then appeared right in front of Magmortar stunning everyone.The aura pokemon then summoned a long bone before giving Magmortar a beating it would never forget.
Lucario went back to his spot like nothing happened, leaving a very injured Magmortar.
It stood again, struggling against the aftereffects of the super effective ground type move.
"C'mon, try to use overheat one last time," Paul said as it released the strong fire type move with every bit of energy it had remaining.
"Aura Barrier," Just as it was about to hit, Ash gave his command as Lucario created a protective barrier around him with his aura and dispersed the attack. Everyone was impressed by the new move.
Ash then noticed how tired Magmortor was so he thought about ending this without making it any worse.
"Use Aura Sphere with only 20% power," said Ash in aura as Lucario nodded without a question as it knew the reason as well.
The Aura Sphere hit Magmortar at bullet speed square in the chest causing it to knock out.
"Magmortar is unable to battle, Lucario wins," declared the referee.
Paul returned his pokemon with a sigh. Ash gave a fist bump to his Lucario before returning him as well. Now it was Ash who sent out a pokemon first.
"I choose you my friend."
The pokemon materialised into what looked like sea weasel with a floatation sac around its neck. Floatzel gave a battle cry before it stood confidently, ready for anything.
Paul sent out his fifth pokemon which was a huge turtle like figure with a tree on its back. The continent pokemon gave a loud roar, ready for a battle as well.
*Timeskip*
"Use frenzy plant!"
"Cut those plants with liquidation!"
It had been 15 minutes since the battle started and neither pokemon were giving up. Floatzel had a touch of coordinating as well, which resulted the leaf storms coming from Torterra to transform into a beautiful attack due to Floatzel's moveset and Ash's quick thinking which received a applause from the crowd. May, Dawn and Serena were the most impressed ones.
Floatzel had a bunch of ice type moves like Ice punch, Ice beam and Frost Jet, which can ruin any grass type pokemon's day. Same was for Torterra. To make things worse it was a part ground type making it 4× weak against Ice. However, before getting knocked out, it managed to use toxic on Floatzel which ultimately caused him to faint, adding up the exhaustion from the tough battle as well.
It was clear as crystal Ash was winning this, but they are bound to the rules. Paul already accepted defeat but wanted to give Ash a good challenge.
"Paul, send out your last pokemon," referee said as Paul's last pokemon came to the field which Ash was all too familiar with.
Electrivire looked excited for a battle. It looked at Ash, then back at Paul before smirking.
"I think both of you know by now which pokemon I am going to use," Ash said smirking as well before throwing a pokeball.
***
Dawn looked at the field and felt the nostalgia of being back at the Sinnoh League all those years ago.
The flame pokemon stood proudly. The flame on its head was burning with determination. Everyone could feel the intense power of the heat even from a distance.
"INFERNAAPEEE," the pokemon gave a cry and smirked while looking at its opponent.
Paul and Electrivire grinned. After all, they wanted a rematch against their former teammate.
"Battle Begin."
"THUNDER/FLAMETHROWER!!" both trainers yelled as both pokemon clashed with thier respective moves. It was a stalemate until it ended in an explosion.
"Electrivire, use thunder punch."
"Thunder punch as well," Ash smirked.
Both pokemon against each other with the same move. Both kept fighting while trying to find an opening. Paul thought a plan.
"Stop your attack," Paul commanded thinking if he let Infernape attack it then Electrivire will only get stronger due to its ability, Motor Drive. But Ash knew what he was thinking.
"Switch to Fire Punch" Ash commanded as Infernape gave a barrage of fire punches leaving a burn on Electrivire. Paul gritted as his plan yet again, backfired.
"Use dig," Infernape went under the ground.
"Use thunder," Paul countered as Electrivire stuck his tail under the ground and used the electric type attack.
Moments later, the ground around Electrivire broke as not one, but many copies of infernape were surrounding it.
"Infernape used double team underground?! Impressive," said Flint surprised. Even his Infernape can't do that.
"Fire-Mach Combat," said Ash surprising Paul. All the copies of Infernape, using Mach Punch on one hand and Fire Punch on the other started beating up Electrivire with close combat. Everyone looked with awe and surprise at how Infernape was in fact using four moves at a time.
"That thing, without a doubt, outclasses yours," said Aaron with a mocking tone towards a shocked Flint, comparing his Infernape with Ash's.
"USE PROTECT," Paul yelled as Electrivire managed to lessen the damage a bit, but panted heavily as the Flame pokemon's torture finally stopped.
Both trainers looked at each other. Both had the same look and one thought in mind. 'Finishing this battle.'
"Flare Blitz."
"Giga Impact."
Both pokemon charged at each other with their respective powerful attacks. They clashed, looked at each other's eyes before resulting in a huge explosion. The smoke started to clear as everyone gasped.
"Electrivire is unable to battle. Infernape wins. That means the match goes to Ash," the referee concluded as the crowd exploded into cheers.
Both trainers returned their pokemon as they went to the middle of the field.
The two rivals looked at each other for a moment.
"I never stood a chance, did I?" Paul said finally as he attempted for a handshake.
Ash smiled. "Don't look down on yourself Paul. It's been a while I had so much fun in a battle," he said shaking his hand.
Paul nodded before saying, "Maybe next time I will be able to give you more of a challenge, so that you can go all-out on me," with that Paul turned around as he walked back to his tunnel.
Ash was shocked for a bit. 'Looks like he knew I was holding back,' he thought as he walked back to his side. Pikachu jumped on his shoulder.
"Pika chu pi," he said as Ash chuckled.
"I guess. Let's go to the pokemon center."
Ash walked back inside leaving a screaming crowd behind.
"There you have it folks. An outstanding battle between two extraordinary trainers. I hope this battle was worth your time. So it's a good bye for now, but we will see each other again during another breathtaking match," the announcer concluded.
The crowd started leaving, murmuring excitedly among themselves.
"Let's go and meet our friend," Brock said to the gang as they nodded excitedly. They left the stadium and proceeded towards the Pokemon Center.