League Preparations Complete II

Both behemoths in their own right stare down each other, pretty much reminiscent of their respective trainers.

"Alright, let's start this off Blastoise. Water pulse."

The condensed sphere of water shot towards. The attack connected with Rhydon and the rock/ground type shrugged it off despite the damage it caused.

"Rock slide."

Rhydon stomped its foot as boulders were lifted from the ground, making their way towards Blastoise.

"Rapid spin."

Blastoise tucked himself into his shell and spun wildly. The force generated from his spin deflected most of the rocks that came at him, sending them harmlessly to the ground.

"Follow up with aqua jet."

A vortex of water swallowed up Blastoise and he shot at Rhydon's form. Giovanni stood there, observing the incoming form of Blastoise.

"Thunderbolt."

Ash's eyes widened at the command. "Withdraw now!"

Yellow electricity surged from Rhydon's horn coalescing into a powerful bolt that raced across the field.

Thanks to weeks of practice, Blastoise was able to instantly cancel out the aqua jet and withdrew himself into his shell, spinning to cancel out the thunderbolt. He wasn't completely unscathed by the attack.

As Rhydon cut off power to the attack, Blastoise pulled himself out of his shell.

"Aqua jet once again."

"Thunderbolt."

As Blastoise became enveloped in water once again, Rhydon's drill sparked and thunderbolt escaped it, racing at the water type, but this time, Ash wasn't fazed.

"Aqua spin."

Hearing his trainer's command, Blastoise spun inside the vortex of water, swerving past thunderbolt before ramming into Rhydon's form.

Giovanni's eyes showed concern for his pokemon even though he didn't voice it. He knew Rhydon would be able to take that much damage, so all he had to focus on was his next attack.

"Horn attack."

Recovering from the aqua spin combo, Rhydon lowered his head and began his charge at the water type.

"Rapid spin."

The familiar spin took form as Blastoise made way for Rhydon's charging form.

"Hammer arm."

Rhydon switched tactics as both he and Blastoise neared each other. He swung his glowing arm hard and fast, sending Blastoise into the ground.

"Thunderbolt now."

Hoping that Blastoise would react, Ash called out an attack. "Ice beam."

Through to his nature, Blastoise heard his trainer's voice. Ice beam formed faster than Rhydon could summon thunderbolt and the attack slammed into Rhydon's hide, lifting the rock/ground type off of its feet and sending it into the air.

"Hydro pump."

Giovanni watched as the vortex of water neared Rhydon before calling out an attack.

"Metal burst."

Ash's eyes widened at the command as hydro pump hit Rhydon. Rhydon growled as he became enveloped in energy as it shot a metallic orb of silver that slammed into Blastoise and exploded in a display of energy.

Ash was worried. This was an unexpected turn of events and he needed to find a way to turn things around.

"Are you okay Blastoise?"

The water type stood up and gave a grunt. He was fine.

"Good. Let's do this. Aqua jet into aura sphere."

Once again, the familiar vortex of water enveloped Blastoise and he found himself racing at Rhydon.

"Stone edge."

Rhydon punched its hand into the ground causing blades of sharpened stones that made their way at Blastoise's form.

Blastoise easily navigated around the rings of stone that threatened to block his path but one was too large he had to unleash a premature aura sphere.

The aura sphere blew apart the stones and kicked up dust.

Rhydon watched in anticipation only to grunt as an aura sphere slammed into its hide, disorienting it.

"Be careful Rhydon."

Rhydon jumped into the air preparing to use earthquake but was alarmed when a condensed sphere of water slammed into it and sent it tumbling down.

Blastoise had landed a lot of super-effective moves on Rhydon but it didn't look like the behemoth was going down anytime soon. There were signs of fatigue on it but it didn't plan on giving up.

"I know what you're thinking Ash. Why isn't Rhydon going down? Well, let's just say you'll have to try a lot harder than that."

Silver on the other hand seemed to be mesmerized by the battle. It was clear to him that Ash was a very good trainer and from the looks of it, his father was actually taking him quite seriously, given the team he was using.

"Low earthquake and mud shot."

Rhydon's tail swished from side to side before he slammed it into the ground. The result was a low powered earthquake that sent a tremor throughout the ground. The earthquake served to disorient Blastoise and needless to say it was effective.

Blastoise struggled to maintain balance as Rhydon shot liquefied mud at him.

"Withdraw."

"Thunderbolt. Aim for the hole."

As Blastoise pulled himself into his shell, Rhydon charged up a thunderbolt that was aimed at one of the openings in Blastoise's shell.

Luckily for Ash, he had a trick up his sleeve that would help in this scenario. "Protect."

The emerald shield manifested itself in front of Blastoise blocking the otherwise fatal thunderbolt.

"Aqua jet at maximum speed."

"Sunny day."

Knowing the danger of Aqua jet, Giovanni decided to play it safe by using sunny day to drastically minimize the damage of the attack. He intended to capitalize on it when Blastoise came close.

As soon as the miniature sun made its way into the air, Ash switched his plans.

"Now!"

From within the aqua jet, Blastoise reared back his hand as it shone an intense blue. He had enough time to focus on the attack because of the reduction in power of aqua jet.

The attack slammed into Rhydon, causing the dual rock and ground type to bellow in pain as it was slammed into the ground.

"Rhydon!"

Giovanni knew how dangerous the attack was and he was concerned for his pokemon.

"Finish it up with scald."

Capitalizing on the fact that Rhydon was down, Blastoise shot the hot jet of water at it, taking it out of the match.

"Rhydon is unable to battle, Blastoise is the winner. Gym Leader, send out your next pokemon."

"Well done Ash. You've proven to be quite the powerful trainer."

"Thank you."

"But this battle is far from over." As he said this, Giovanni released his Nidoqueen. The Drill Pokemon came out with a loud bellow.

"Gym Leader has the first move. Nidoqueen vs. Blastoise begin."

"Double edge."

Energy enveloped Nidoqueen she and began her charge.

"Aura sphere."

Nidoqueen charged into the sphere and shrugged off the attack as she continued her assault on Blastoise. For a moment, Ash was led to think that Nidoqueen might be as strong as Rhydon. However, that was not the case."

"Thunderbolt."

"Protect."

The bolt of electricity escaped Nidoqueen's horn and slammed into the emerald barrier that Blastoise had formed to protect himself.

As protect faded, Nidoqueen slammed into Blastoise and sent the water type flying.

"Toxic."

That was a no from Ash. "Blast it water gun and use water pulse."

Water gun slammed into toxic and washed it away as Blastoise shot the condensed sphere once again. Nidoqueen narrowly avoided the water pulse only to be hit in the face by ice beam.

"Shrug it off. Sludge wave."

From her mouth, Nidoqueen unleashed a wave of powerful poison that made way for Blastoise's form.

"Hydro pump."

Once again, water washed away poison and made for Nidoqueen.

"Thunderbolt."

The bolt of electricity raced down the hydro pump before electrocuting Blastoise. In a hurry, the water type cut off the attack but the damage had been done.

"Double edge once more."

Once again, energy enveloped Nidoqueen and she ran at Blastoise.

"Ice beam on the floor and aqua spin."

The beam of ice struck the ground, freezing it in an instant, causing Nidoqueen to skid as she made her way at Blastoise. The water type, now enveloped in water, spun rapidly before slamming into Nidoqueen knocking her off balance and into the ground.

"Water pulse."

The sphere of water formed in an instant and Blastoise shot it at Nidoqueen.

Giovanni's eyes widened and he gave a command.

"Thunder bolt."

The attack tore through the water pulse, dissolving it an instant, before racing back at Blastoise.

"Dodge it."

Blastoise moved out of the way of the attack as he landed squarely on the ground.

"You might want to check where you're landing."

Ash raised an eyebrow at Giovanni's statement. What could that mean? He looked closely at the ground and noticed the purple sludge on the ground. It hadn't completely faded away because it had been diluted with water, weakening it in the process, but he had no doubt that it was the toxic attack from previously.

Ash knew he had to act fast. At that moment, sunny day faded.

"Aqua spin and prepare hydro pump on my command."

"Hyper beam."

The powerful beam of energy coalesced in front of Nidoqueen and she shot it at Blastoise's incoming form. Blastoise swerved out of the way of the attack before cancelling and launching the powerful water attack at Nidoqueen.

Hydro pump slammed into Nidoqueen and drove the ground and poison type into the field and into a crater. In that instance, Blastoise fell to his knees, a purple glow momentarily covering his body. He was poisoned.

The toxic attack, thanks to being diluted, was not as potent as it should have been, but that was entirely dependent on the potency of the pokemon using the attack.

"Nidoqueen is unable to battle, Blastoise is the winner. Gym Leader, send out your next pokemon."

Giovanni wordlessly returned Nidoqueen as he released his next pokemon.

To Ash, the pokemon that came out was a lot more terrifying than his Rhydon and that was saying something.

The male counterpart to Nidoqueen came out with a loud roar as it stomped the ground as hard as it could, venom tricking down from its spines and barbs. As it roared, Ash saw something that sent chills down his spine.

"Is that…"

Ash just heard Giovanni chuckle lightly. His fear was confirmed.

"Challenger has the first move. Blastoise vs. Nidoking begin."

"Aura sphere."

The fighting sphere was launched at Nidoking who just split the sphere in two using his tail. It seemed Nidoking was a lot more powerful than his counterpart.

"Ice beam."

"Dodge and thunderbolt."

The beam of ice formed in Blastoise's mouth before streaking towards Nidoking. With speed that was very surprising giving his size, Nidoking moved past the ice beam before unleashing an even faster point blank thunderbolt.

The attack raced across the field before electrocuting Blastoise instantly. Ash couldn't bear to see his water type cry out in pain so he recalled him before he could pass out.

"Blastoise is unable to battle, Nidoking is the winner. Challenger, send out your next pokemon."

This was an unexpected turn of events for Ash. The electric gem on Nidoking was far too unpredictable. It didn't even matter that Blastoise was poisoned from the previous battle because the electric gem boosted thunderbolt ensured that the water type was out for the count.

"I think it's time I bring this battle to a close," Ash said as he flipped his cap backwards. He was serious.

Giovanni raised an eyebrow. "I assume you want to finish this? I assure you that I won't make it any easy for you."

"You can try, but I'll make do on my word. My secret weapon has been preparing for this after all." With that he tossed his pokeball, releasing the ice type eevelution from her confines.

Glaceon came out with a loud yip, snow forming around her as she stared at the Nidoking. She barked.

"He's nothing like Janine's. He is stronger."

She barked again.

"Of course I know you can handle it."

"Gym Leader has the first move. Glaceon vs. Nidoking begin."

"Flamethrower."

Taking a deep breath, Nidoking exhaled a stream of flames that were intent on taking out Glaceon.

"Dodge and work up."

She danced around the flames before thrashing lightly at the ground, a red aura forming around her slightly as she felt her power grow stronger.

"Iron tail."

A metallic sheen covered Nidoking's tail and it charged at Glaceon.

"Dodge and work up again."

Moving out of the way of the attack, Glaceon thrashed lightly at the ground again, her power growing stronger.

"Fire punch," Giovanni barked, feeling irritated.

"Iron attack."

Glaceon enveloped herself in a streak of white energy, tail glowing in a metallic sheen, and ran at Nidoking's incoming attack.

The poison and ground type behemoth tried to slam his flaming fist into Glaceon but the ice type was a little too fast for his incoming fist. Throwing herself into the air, she slammed her tail into the base of Nidoking's neck.

It didn't look like the attack did much damage but it was just what Ash needed.

"Ice beam."

The now boosted beam of ice slammed into Nidoking's face and the ground type bellowed in pain.

"Fight back. Mega punch."

Nidoking's fist glowed a bright white as it threw a punch at Glaceon. The attack hit Glaceon but it didn't do enough damage for the ice type to be completely caught off-guard by the attack.

"Shadow ball."

The purple miasma of ghostly energy escaped Glaceon's mouth and headed for Nidoking.

"Iron tail. Deflect and flamethrower."

Nidoking's tail attained a metallic sheen as it split the shadow ball in two, before shooting a stream of flames.

The flamethrower slammed into Glaceon who was still in the air and launched the ice type back.

Ash smirked. His thoughts had been confirmed.

"Hail."

With a loud cry, the intensity of Glaceon's ice abilities increased and snow started to form, slowly turning into hail.

In the midst of it all, Glaceon's snow cloak ability kicked in and Nidoking had a hard time spotting the tiny ice type amidst the hail.

"Ice shard."

"Burn them away, flamethrower."

As the pieces of ice formed at an alarming rate, Glaceon sent them at Nidoking who was trying to burn them away with flamethrower.

Ash however had other plans, because the ice shards were merely a distraction for the main course that was to come.

"Iron attack combo, back to back."

White streaks and a metallic tail caused Glaceon to be a blur as she darted back and forth, hitting Nidoking multiple times as it struggled to hit her with mega punch.

"Focus and use earthquake."

Nidoking's tail swished with intensity as it slammed into the ground causing an earthquake. Glaceon well aware of what happened with Janine's Nidoking couldn't afford to be caught off-guard.

She jumped into the air to avoid the attack and shot a shadow ball at him.

"Needle barrage."

The fur on Glaceon's body stood on all ends and they fired at Nidoking. The behemoth raised its hands to block the attack but that was all part of Ash's plan.

"Blizzard."

Glaceon ran at Nidoking and unleashed a full powered blizzard attack that slammed into Nidoking. The blizzard powered by the hail and the energy boost from work up was too much for Nidoking to handle by himself.

He collapsed to the ground as Glaceon touched down on the ground, panting from the power she just used.

Giovanni knew better that his pokemon was not out for the count, at least not without a fight.

Nidoking forced himself to stand in an instant before launching a point blank flamethrower at Glaceon.

"Glaceon!"

"Fire punch."

Glaceon, already reeling from the flamethrower attack was susceptible to the fire punch that came after as hail ended. The attack slammed into Glaceon over and over and over, and she was knocked out.

Standing over his victim, Nidoking bellowed before succumbing to his wounds and falling to the ground.

Ash blinked. So did Silver. Giovanni merely sighed.

"Both Glaceon and Nidoking are unable to battle. This match is a draw. Since the Gym Leader has lost all six pokemon, the victory goes to the challenger, Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town."

Ash recalled Glaceon, a smile etched onto his face. He had won the badge from Giovanni. He was going to the Indigo Conference.

He saw Giovanni and Silver walking towards him and he in turn did the same.

"As expected from the son of Red," the ground type Gym Leader began with a smile. "You have bested me and have earned the Earth badge." He gave him the badge.

"Silver," Giovanni began again, "what was your impression on the battle?"

"It was amazing and it was spectacular. This is what you will be up against next year so I hope you've learned from this match."

He gave a nod as his father turned his attention back to Ash.

"With how much I enjoyed the fight, I expect more from you in the Conference. I trust you won't disappoint?"

"I aim to win it all," Ash said with a smile gracing his features.

-Break-

What looked to be a laboratory was ablaze, pieces of equipment destroyed and scattered about. Bodies littered the ground, all wearing a white lab coat and all of them dead.

Amidst the chaos that ensued, a figure stood, standing tall above the wreckage and its eyes burned a bright blue.