Pokemon Moonlight Silver (COMPLETE!!!)

[EmeraldSky]

@Scytherwolf; @Soups;

Episode 110: Better Eight Than Never

"Representing the Gold side, the Dragonborn Clair!" Kaburagi announced as he made a grand gesture on the gold colored floating platform that served as Clair's half of the huge lake that would serve as the battlefield.

As soon as Clair had arrived, Kaburagi gestured to Ash standing on the silver platform on the other end of the lake. "And representing the Silver side, Ash Ketchum of Pallet Town!"

He then hurried over to the tree that served as the referee's post. "Now then...this will be a three-on-three match--whoever can knock out all three of the opponent's Pokemon first, wins. Any questions?"

"Not at all." Clair replied.

"No questions here." Ash replied.

Kaburagi then waved a red flag with a flourish. "Then let the match begin!"

"Keela, let's go!" Clair called, heaving the Poke Ball holding her Kingdra skyward.

"Luce, I choose you!" Ash did likewise.

Misty was surprised by Ash's choice. "Why Luce? I was expecting Tintri or River..."

"He may be saving Tintri for when it matters most." Brock explained. "That, and should he choose to induce Luce, it also gains the Dragon type."

"That makes sense!" Misty smiled as Luce fired a Charge Beam, only for Keela to power out of the way of the shining yellow beam with Agility.

On the field, Clair grimaced the Ampharos veered out of the way of Keela's charge. "Keela, use a Swift attack!"

Ash, meanwhile, only smiled as the shining yellow stars bounced off of Luce. "Okay, try to Body Slam Keela!"

He winced as Luce charged at the huge Kingdra, only for the Kingdra to dodge with Agility, then fire another volley of Swift.

"Okay, so my initial plan isn't working..." Clair mused before calling to her Kingdra "Keela, try Hydro Pump!"

"Look out!" Ash called, only to watch as Luce got splattered by the huge wave of water.

He gasped in horror when he saw Keela charging a familiar orange beam. "Uh oh..."

A splash got his attention, followed by the Hyper Beam skimming the water. "Luce? What did you do?" he asked as his Ampharos paddled to his side.

[Easy...I dove underwater to dodge the Hyper Beam.] Luce smiled.

"Good thinking, Luce...I dunno if I would've ever thought of that." Ash smiled as he petted his Ampharos.

He then turned business-like again. "Dive underwater and use a Body Slam!"

"Forgetting something?" Clair's voice snapped Ash to attention. "While I don't deny that Body Slam is a powerful attack on land, it won't do much underwater, because it weighs much less." Sure enough, Keela hardly looked fazed as Luce's attack bounced off her scaly stomach.

She smiled as Luce surfaced. "Keela, use Hydro Pump!"

In the stands, Misty swallowed hard as yet another wave of water went flying at the vulnerable Ampharos. "Luce's a sitting Psyduck!"

"Maybe not..." Brock grinned as Ash held the hand with his Mega Ring in the air, just as Luce jumped out of the water.

Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul... Ash sang, his Heart Song engulfing Luce in a burst of red light and thunderbolts, which shielded her from Keela's attack!

Clair gasped--she had not counted on Ash to use Mega Evolution! "Keela, use Swift!"

[What do I do now?] Luce gasped, aware of the shining stars headed for her as she emerged from her Mega Evolution.

"Just take the attack--your added Dragon type should give you some defense." Ash assured Luce. Luce nodded, and braced herself as the Swift attack bounced off of her.

"Keela, try Hydro Pump again!" Clair called, but this too didn't faze the Mega Ampharos. I see...the Mega Evolution added defense to his Ampharos, which puts her on an equal level with Keela!

Brock noted Keela heaving with exhaustion. "Ash’s plan must be to just wear Keela out, as Luce, even when she is not Mega Evolved, has a lot of endurance."

"That, and now that Luce has the Dragon type too, she's got similar defenses to Keela." Misty agreed.

Both spectators watched as Luce dove underwater to avoid another Hyper Beam. "Okay, Luce, use Thunderpunch!" Ash called.

He grinned as Luce's electrified fist connected point blank with Keela, finally taking her down. "Don't think you can just go into cruise control yet, Ash...I still have two Pokemon left!" Clair cautioned.

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Ash watched as Clair summoned her Gyarados, Draco. "Luce, let's see you use Hyper Beam this time!"

"Draco, use Hydro Pump!" Clair commanded.

Neither combatant expected the orange beam and the wave of water to collide at the center of the lake, canceling out both attacks. [WAUUUGH!] Luce screamed as she was engulfed in a wave of greenish blue fire, sending her writhing to the Silver platform in pain.

Now's my chance to knock out the Mega Ampharos, since Draco's Dragonbreath paralyzed it! Clair smiled. "Draco, Hyper Beam!"

"Luce!" Ash cried in horror as Luce was engulfed in the orange beam, lighting up the lake in an orange sheen.

[I'm...sorry...] Luce wheezed. [Mega Evolution...wasn't enough...]

"You did well, okay?" Ash assured the Ampharos before recalling it. "Tintri, your turn!"

[Right!] Tintri bounded off Ash's shoulder and onto the Silver platform with an Agility boost, allowing him to veer out of the way of the Gyarados' razor sharp teeth.

"Tintri, use--!" Ash started, but gawked in horror as Draco sprayed another volley of Dragonbreath! Oh, no...not again...

"I told you not to go into cruise control." Clair reminded Ash when the blue-green flames cleared, revealing Tintri heaving in exhaustion. "Otherwise, it will cost you." Draco charging another Hydro Pump emphasized her point.

"Tintri, try to use Draco's attack to get close!" Ash called.

He watched as Tintri powered past the oncoming wave, his Agility allowing him to run on top of Draco's second Hydro Pump to reach the snake-dragon's face. It worked! he grinned as Tintri fired a massive Thunderbolt, knocking Draco out...

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"Minerva, I choose you!" Clair called, summoning a familiar Dragonair on the field. "Use a Hyper Beam from below!"

[What the--?] was all Tintri could say as Minerva dove beneath the water, then fired a Hyper Beam from below the surface, knocking out the Pikachu before Ash could react.

Tintri came floating back to Ash some seconds later. [S-sorry, Ash...I wasn't...expecting...that...]

"Me neither, bud." Ash sighed. "But you did do well, so go get some rest."

"Each side is down to one Pokemon apiece!" Kaburagi announced. "Make your final selection, Silver."

Ash nodded, then unleashed a loud whistle, prompting Blaze to soar into the arena. [I think it's fitting I get to bookend your Johto challenge...] Blaze purred. [Just as I got you your first badge, I'll be happy to get you your last one, too!]

"Minerva, use Twister!" Clair commanded.

Ash watched as a massive twister formed on the water. "Blaze, I have an idea..use Flamethrower to evaporate the lake before the Twister hits."

[Got it!] Blaze smiled before heaving a wave of fire at the water, causing the lake to dry up and the Twister to fizzle out. [Let's see how you fare on the land!] he taunted.

Clair was unfazed. "Minerva, use Iron Tail."

[Missed me!] Blaze taunted as he leaped away from Minerva's shining silver tail. landing behind the confused Dragonair.

"Grab Minerva from behind and use Seismic Toss!" Ash called.

[Round and round and round she goes, where she stops, no one knows!] Blaze taunted as he spun Minera around the lakebed.

He did not, however, expect Minerva to engulf him in purple fire! [GAH!!!] he yelped as the fire knocked him to the ground, dazed.

"Don't give up, Blaze!" Ash called as he watched his Charizard attempt to get up. "I believe in you!"

He smiled as Blaze eased himself up, and took off, soaring towards the Dragonair sitting in a puddle on the lakebed. Just as Minerva tried to impale the oncoming Charizard with an Iron Tail, Blaze looped behind her and grabbed her again!

[Round and round we go once more!] Blazed taunted as he again spun Minerva.

Ash noticed Minerva charging more purple fire. "Blaze, try to contain Minerva's attack in a Fire Spin!"

The world seemed to go silent as Minerva's Dragon Rage was engulfed in Blaze's red flames, creating a massive explosion that sent Minerva flying. "Is it over?" Misty asked as she watched the flames die down. "What happens if both Minerva and Blaze fainted because of that?"

Brock was about to answer when he saw Blaze fly from the flames with a triumphant roar. "He did it!"

"Gold is unable to battle...this match goes to Silver without question." Kaburagi smiled as Clair and Ash shook hands in the middle of the lakebed.

"Well done, Ash--you used some very clever strategies that I honestly thought wouldn't work." Clair began as Misty used a Revive on Tintri, allowing him to rejoin his master. "That faith and the ability to think fast will surely serve you well on your travels."

She offered Ash a black and red badge shaped like a dragon head. "I believe you have more than earned this.

"Thank you..." Ash smiled before holding the badge high. "I got a Rising Badge!"

---------

Liza, Ethan, and Lyra cheered and applauded when they saw Ash holding the Rising Badge "Congrats, Ash--we were cheering for you!" Ethan smiled as he embraced his friend.

"From here, you should all head to Mt. Silver, where you can prepare for the Johto League and all its events." Clair suggested.

"I will, Clair--thanks again." Ash smiled.

"I promise to give my all in the Grand Pokethlon for you, Clair." Misty agreed.

"And me in the Grand Lore Stage." Brock added.

Ash looked over at Blaze, who was nuzzling Charla. "Blaze...you be good for Liza and the tribe, okay?"

[You know I will, Ash--Pyroc and the warriors are great teachers.] Blaze smiled with a toothy grin. [Although I'm only a whistle away if you need me.]

He looked over at Brock. [I still wanna see you write a song about my exploits, Maestro--including a verse about what happened here.]

"I'll get to work writing 'The Ballad of Blaze the Dragon Flame' right away." Brock smiled. "And I'll be sure to play it when it's ready."

Everyone laughed at this. "Okay, everyone--it's time for us to go." Liza smiled as she collected herself.

Ash motioned to Liza as Ethan and Lyra climbed aboard Charla. "Take good care of Blaze--as much as I want him back, I also know the tribe is where he should be for now."

"Okay...but you can visit him and he can visit you as often as he likes." Liza assured Ash.

"After we get Blaze home, Lyra and I will meet you at Mt. Silver." Ethan explained.

Ash hugged Blaze one last time. "Have a safe flight back...and tell Chief Pyroc and the tribe we said hi!"

[You know I will--you have a safe trip yourself.] Blaze replied before following Charla and her passengers into the setting sun...

To Be Continued...