"Rooaaarrr!"
Salamence spread its blood-red wings, their violent tremors echoing through the battlefield.
Its massive body circled high above, every beat of its wings whipping up fierce gusts of wind.
The battlefield was already a storm of flying dust and swirling debris.
After all, Salamence itself was a Pseudo-Legendary Pokémon—its very presence demanded awe.
And when it Mega Evolves, its base stats even rival Dialga and Palkia themselves.
Of course, Dialga's control over time and Palkia's dominion over space were powers that even Mega Salamence could never truly compare to.
"Bisharp, use Metal Sound!"
"Shyaahh!"
Alain struck first!
Bisharp's four gleaming blades scraped harshly against each other, unleashing a shrill metallic screech that reverberated across the battlefield, rushing straight toward Salamence.
"Don't bother dodging—attack head-on! Use Flamethrower!"
"Rooaaarrr!"
Ash's voice rang firm. In the next moment, Salamence released an intense Flamethrower, the fiery torrent erupting from its maw and blasting through the sound waves, shattering Bisharp's Metal Sound completely.
"Quick! Use Agility, hide yourself among the rocks on the field!"
"Shyaahh!"
Bisharp darted with lightning speed, weaving in and out of the battlefield's jagged rocks, trying to confuse Salamence's focus and disrupt Ash's rhythm.
Ash narrowed his eyes, a smile tugging at his lips.
"This takes me back… back to my Silver Conference match against Gary. Salamence—torch the entire battlefield with Fire Blast!"
Memories of that fierce Johto League battle flashed vividly. Back then, the tactic had turned the tide. Now, Ash repeated it without hesitation.
"W-what!?"
Alain's eyes widened. He hadn't expected this kind of battle strategy!
A blazing Fire Blast roared across the battlefield!
The scorching heat seared the very ground—rock formations began to melt into molten lava under Salamence's inferno.
Two Fire Blasts swept down, and in an instant, the battlefield had completely transformed!
The jagged terrain vanished, leaving only a scorched, flattened wasteland.
Rocks dissolved into bubbling magma—there was nowhere left for Bisharp to run.
"Shyaahh!"
Lava splashed onto Bisharp's legs, the blistering heat forcing a cry of pain.
"This is it! One more Fire Blast!"
Ash didn't hesitate for even a second. This was the grand finals—mercy had no place here!
The announcer's voice cracked in disbelief:
"Unbelievable! Ash's Salamence has turned the battlefield itself into molten lava with its searing flames! Bisharp has nowhere left to hide! Is this…the end?"
And just as those words rang out, Salamence's Fire Blast engulfed Bisharp in its blazing symbol of doom.
When the flames finally died down, Bisharp lay collapsed, completely unable to battle.
"Bisharp is unable to battle! Salamence claims the victory!"
That was Ash's fifth win.
Alain was down to his very last Pokémon. There was no retreat left.
"H-how… how can this be? Alain is so strong, yet his opponent… is even stronger…"
In the VIP viewing room, Mairin stared at the battlefield, her voice heavy with worry. Her eyes locked onto Alain, feeling the weight of the pressure he now bore.
After all, Ash still had five Pokémon nearly untouched.
From the stands, Lysandre's expression tightened. His gaze fixed on Alain.
"Even Alain can be pushed to this point… It seems that boy Ash has far more than just high-leveled Pokémon. Even the ones on his current team… they cannot be underestimated."
Elsewhere, Ash's mother, along with Misty, May, Anabel, Dawn, Serena, Brock, Clemont, Bonnie, Sawyer, and the others, watched with tense anticipation.
They knew Ash was close to victory, but the sheer dominance of Alain's Charizard earlier had been overwhelming—almost unstoppable. Worry still lingered in their hearts.
But then—
"Ash will win. Alain has never beaten him."
"Ash, you can do it!"
"Ash, in my heart, you're the strongest!"
"Ash, ever since we began our journey together, you've been the trainer I admire the most. Now, here in Lumiose City—my hometown—I want to see you crowned at the peak of Kalos!"
"Ash-senpai, you're my goal! You're the one who must stand at the summit. Go!"
Delia, Misty, May, Anabel, Dawn, Serena, Brock, Clemont, Bonnie, Sawyer, and all of Ash's friends cheered silently from their hearts, sending every ounce of support toward him.
On the field, Alain exhaled, gripping a Poké Ball tightly. He looked across at Ash, a rare smile tugging at his lips.
"Ash… I didn't think you'd really make it this far. So, it's true—my Charizard's final opponent is your Greninja. Hah… it seems I'm still far from being the strongest."
In his hand, the Poké Ball trembled slightly.
Greninja's Poké Ball.
"This one… it's been waiting a long time."
Alain's voice was quiet, but it carried a question as he glanced at Ash.
"I have to ask. You've always wanted this battle—your Greninja against my Charizard. Why? What makes you so sure this fight was meant to be?"
Ash's eyes softened, a knowing smile forming on his face.
"Maybe… it's destiny."
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T/N:
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