Pokemon: Radical Redux

Ash walked up to his spot on the other side of the field. As usual, he gave Pikachu and Vee to the gang as they went to sit in the bleachers, since he wasn't planning on using them.

As he took his spot, he noticed a few things. First off, in the bleachers, a lot of the members of the Dragon Clan were sitting to watch, including the elders and the Great Elder.

But also, Iris and Drayden were sitting together too. And again, this was the first time Ash had seen Drayden here, so that must mean Drayden was about to take Iris away to train her. Iris probably begged Drayden so they could at least watch this.

Ash stretched his arm over his head and turned his attention back to Clair, "Well, are you ready then? Six-on-six, 'special rules,' right?"

"Yep. But don't say I didn't warn you," Clair said, stretching her arm across her chest with a confident smile.

Now, the "special rules" part was different, because yes, it was talking about the Gimmick Challenge. But since this was the 8th Gym, that meant Clair could use a full team of six and a Gimmick, in this case, Mega Evolution. Ash could do the same. Last time this didn't come up because of, well... the Mewtwo incident. But you know, live and learn, I guess.

Drayden stepped forward and walked to the center, "Very well. I suppose I shall be the referee of this match. This is an official Gym battle between the Gym Leader, Clair, and the challenger. Each trainer may use six Pokémon. Only the challenger is allowed to switch. If both trainers are ready, then you may begin!"

Clair and Ash pulled out their Poké Balls and threw them out. Clair's first Pokémon was a Dragonair holding an Eviolite, and Ash sent out something new, his giant Crystal Steelix.

Immediately, everyone was watching. This was, after all, a literal Crystal Steelix, something they hadn't seen before.

While everyone else was still processing this thing, Clair, to her credit, didn't flinch. She gave a little whistle, "Nice entrance," she said with a smirk. "But looking pretty won't do anything, you know."

Ash grinned. "We'll see. I've been waiting for this."

Drayden, standing to the side, raised an arm, "Battle, begin!"

Ash didn't hesitate, "Steelix, [Crystal Throw]!"

A shimmer ran across Steelix's entire body as its crystal plates glowed, firing shards from its armor that shot toward Dragonair.

Clair waved her arm quickly, "Quick, dodge with [Agility]!"

Dragonair whipped around, dodging the crystals one after another as they crashed into the lava around the field. Then Clair snapped her fingers, "Now, [Dragon Dance]!"

Dragonair began to glow purple, raising its stats.

Ash narrowed his eyes, "Don't let up! [Crystal Slam]!"

Steelix surged forward, its body glowing as the crystal parts sharpened. It smashed down on Dragonair, slamming the dragon into the ground, then came back around, hitting it again and sending it flying back.

Clair raised her arm, pointing at Steelix, "Okay then, let's see how you like this, [Aqua Tail]!"

Dragonair recovered as it began to glow, then became cloaked in water as it twisted midair and slammed into Steelix's face, knocking its head back with a splash of impact.

Clair pumped her fist, "Oh yeah! How do you like that? Bet you didn't think about this, did you?" she said, a smug little smile on her face and her hands on her hips.

In the stands, the members of the Dragon Clan were watching, as always. They were amazed whenever they saw Clair battle. Iris was already celebrating like the match was over.

But Ash just smiled, "Nice try. But you seem to think we play by normal rules, don't you?" he said, snapping his fingers.

Steelix opened his eyes, then immediately slammed his tail into the ground, shooting up a spike made of crystal, firing [Crystal Edge] directly under the flying dragon. It knocked the air out of Dragonair and surprised everyone. If a regular Steelix had taken a hit like that, it would've at least been heavily damaged, if not knocked out. And yet, Ash's Steelix looked completely unfazed.

Ash smiled, "Different Pokémon, different rules," he said, snapping his fingers again. "[Crystal Tail]!"

Steelix raised his tail as it sparkled, then swung it like a baseball bat into Dragonair, slamming it into one of the crystal spikes he had created. The impact shattered the spike, exploding it into glittering dust.

Everyone watched as Dragonair was sent crashing to the ground. As it struggled to get up, Steelix finished the job with a [Heavy Slam], bringing his tail down hard onto the dragon. When he lifted it, Dragonair lay there with spirals in its eyes.

"Told ya. You really didn't think little old me was just here to look pretty, your words, not mine," Ash teased.

Clair looked down at Dragonair and took a breath. Then she put on a smile, "Well, I'm pretty sure I called your Steelix pretty, so don't get ahead of yourself," she said, returning Dragonair to its Poké Ball.

She looked at Steelix for a moment, analyzing it carefully, until realization hit, "So that's how it is. Alright, I get it now. Let's see how you like this."

She pulled out her next Poké Ball. From it came a Charizard.

Ash raised an eyebrow as the Charizard flew out and locked eyes with Steelix. He had to admit, leave it to a Gym Leader to figure out the secret. Not that he'd say it out loud.

Ash smiled, "Wow. A Fire/Flying against Steelix, huh? Well, I can't say I'm too surprised. Just didn't think little old me would get you to use it this soon."

But Clair could already tell he was playing dumb. She smirked, "Oh, drop it. You figured it out, didn't you? Guess that rules out playing dumb."

"I mean... I was hoping you'd fall for the whole 'glittery rock tank' angle a little longer." Ash rolled his neck. "But yeah. Not ideal. Doesn't mean I'm laying down to take it."

In the stands, Iris was already leaning forward in excitement, "This is where she turns it around. Ash may have a monster Steelix, but Charizard's got the type advantage, and the air game."

Ash let out a breath, "Alright, big guy, let's make this count. [Crystal Throw]!"

A shimmering aura of reflective crystal formed around Steelix's body as he launched shards of crystal into the air, aiming to shoot Charizard out of the sky.

Clair narrowed her eyes, "Nice try. Charizard, evasive maneuvers, then [Flamethrower], let's go!"

Charizard began flying circles through the air, dodging the incoming crystal shards one after another. With a roar, it opened its jaws wide and unleashed a massive stream of flame.

Ash's eyes narrowed just slightly, "Brace and twist!"

Steelix coiled his serpentine body, twisting just as the Flamethrower engulfed him. The flames exploded across his crystal shell, sending embers and sparks flying. He was hurt, his body now glowing red-hot, but he was still up, barely.

"Steelix, now! [Crystal Lance]!"

From the cracks in his armor, sharp crystalline spears launched outward in a sudden burst, like a hail of shrapnel. Charizard pulled up just in time. Only a few glancing hits struck, but it was enough to throw off its momentum.

"Not bad," Clair said, flipping her hair off her shoulder. "But you know you're on borrowed time, right?"

Ash grinned, "Kinda like how you're pretending you're not impressed."

She smirked, but said nothing.

Ash pointed, "Steelix, let's show them our hard work, [Crystal Surge]!"

Steelix raised his tail and slammed it into the ground. The battlefield exploded as spikes of crystal shot upward in a random scatter pattern, several of them launching like jagged geysers. Charizard dodged the first few, but the last one clipped its wing, knocking it slightly off balance.

Ash swiped his arm, "Now follow-up! [Rock Wrecker]!"

Steelix burst from the ground, his body wreathed in glowing crystal energy, and hurled a massive boulder-like shard into the sky like a missile.

Clair's eyes widened, "Counter with [Flare Blitz]!"

Charizard's body ignited with flame as it surged forward, colliding head-on with the incoming projectile. The explosion was massive, heat and light flashed across the field, shaking the air as debris and crystal shards rained down. Charizard broke through the blast and slammed into Steelix, sending the massive Pokémon crashing into the ground.

Smoke lingered as Steelix lay there, spirals in his eyes. Ash winced, "Yeah… I felt that one from here."

Clair gave a little shrug and flicked her fingers playfully, "Maybe if you asked nicely, I'd go easier on you."

Ash raised an eyebrow, voice dry, "Oh yeah? Would that actually help, or are you just saying that?"

Clair shrugged, "Who knows? I've been in a good mood. Maybe. Maybe not."

"Right. Sure," Ash said slowly as he returned Steelix to his Poké Ball. Grabbing the next one, he smiled, "Well then, I'll kick it up a bit too. Snorlax, your turn."

From the Poké Ball came the one and only hungry one, Lord Snorlax, as he stomped onto the field, scratching his stomach. Before this, Ash had fed him a lot, so he was more than happy to put this lizard into the ground.

Meanwhile, Charizard had taken recoil damage, but immediately ate the Sitrus Berry it had tucked in its mouth.

"Is it just me," Misty said from the stands, "or does Snorlax look even bigger than usual?"

Yellow blinked. "Now that you mention it… yeah. He does look bigger. Did he have another growth spurt?"

"I guess all the nutritious meals Ash feeds him help with his growth," Brock said, cringing slightly. "But I don't even want to think about how much Ash spends on groceries for his Pokémon."

Ash grinned, rolling his neck as Snorlax gave a wide yawn and lazily smacked his belly, "Hey, Snorlax. Time to get serious, okay? No napping 'til I put you back in the ball, got it?"

Snorlax opened one eye, gave a grunt of approval, and planted his feet, ready.

Clair gave an amused huff, "So, it's that kind of battle now."

Ash smirked, "Well, I have a saying: in a one-on-one, always bet on Snorlax~"

Clair pointed forward, "Let's test that, then! Charizard, [Focus Blast], now!"

Charizard hovered in the air, charging a glowing sphere of energy between its claws. The air trembled as it launched the blast with a deep boom toward Snorlax.

Ash didn't flinch, "Snorlax, break through, [Giga Impact]!"

Snorlax raised both arms and opened his eyes wide as he charged forward. The red sphere of energy rushed toward him, but he just swiped it aside with one powerful arm, redirecting it into the lava below, where it exploded in a flash of heat.

Clair's eyes narrowed, "He tanked it?! That was Focus Blast!"

"In case you forgot…" Ash raised a finger with a grin, "Snorlax eats moves like that. Now, jump!"

Snorlax was still in the middle of [Giga Impact] when he jumped, grabbed Charizard midair, and pulled him down, using the dragon as a cushion in a brutal piledriver that knocked the air out of Charizard's lungs.

Clair winced, "Charizard, get some air! Now, [Sky Drop]!"

Charizard managed to recover and launched upward with a powerful beat of its wings, claws out, grabbing Snorlax by the shoulders.

Ash blinked… then gave Clair a flat look, "Really?"

As much as Charizard tried, pulling with all its strength, and with Snorlax still recharging from Giga Impact, meaning plenty of time to lift… it just couldn't. Snorlax wouldn't budge.

Ash tilted his head and held back a laugh, "Okay, I gotta hand it to you, that was brave... or stupid. My turn."

Charizard was straining, wings beating furiously, but it looked like it was trying to lift a mountain. Then, Snorlax finally recovered.

Clair gritted her teeth, "Charizard, just drop him! Pull up and bail out if you have to!"

Charizard let go, trying to escape, wings straining to avoid being dragged down, but Snorlax was ready.

Ash smiled, "Nope. Snorlax, grab it and finish this, [Body Slam]!"

As Charizard tried to flee, Snorlax reached out, grabbed it by the tail, and slammed it down like a rug. Then, with a grunt, Snorlax jumped up and came crashing down directly on top of Charizard.

The ground shook as he landed like a wrecking ball, sending a shockwave through the entire battlefield. Dust and crystal shards flared up. The earth cracked under the pressure.

Even members of the Dragon Clan in the bleachers flinched and covered their mouths.

When the dust cleared, Snorlax stood and revealed a new, very clear Charizard-shaped crater, Charizard KO'd at the center.

Clair took a sharp breath, "Yikes. Okay… that's on me."

She returned Charizard to its Poké Ball and narrowed her eyes at Ash and Snorlax.

"Alright then. If that's how you want to play... I was gonna save this for later, but screw it."

She pulled out another Poké Ball and hurled it into the air. From it came her Dragonite, roaring and soaring into the battlefield.

"Ah…" Ash muttered, as even Snorlax looked over at him and pointed up.

"Snor? [Do I really have to fight that? I'm feeling kinda sleepy, you know…]" Snorlax said sheepishly.

"You be quiet, you. You slept for like five months and did nothing." Ash pointed at his big boy accusingly.

Snorlax sighed helplessly.

Clair smiled at the banter, then pointed forward, "Dragonite, keep your distance, start with [Hurricane]!"

Dragonite roared, flapping its wings as fierce wind gathered, spiraling into a vortex that launched straight toward Snorlax.

Ash snapped his fingers, "Snorlax, brace yourself, [Protect]!"

Snorlax grunted, raising both arms as a shimmering green shield formed just in time. The Hurricane slammed into it, whipping dust and debris in every direction, but Snorlax held firm.

"Good job, buddy. Now… let's try to ground it. [Rock Slide]!" Ash followed up without missing a beat.

Snorlax slammed his foot into the ground with a heavy rumble, causing jagged boulders to erupt upward, launching straight toward Dragonite.

"Use [Dragon Rush] and cut through them!" Clair countered.

Dragonite's body glowed a deep, violent blue as it spiraled forward like a comet, smashing through the rocks midair. Its speed only increased as it darted toward Snorlax.

Ash saw it coming and muttered, "Not fast enough…" He raised his hand. "Snorlax, meet it halfway, [Mega Punch]!"

Snorlax's fist shimmered with white energy as he reared back and swung, just as Dragonite came in. The two clashed in the center of the field with a deafening shockwave, causing the lava around the stadium to ripple violently like a storm at sea.

Dragonite was knocked back, tumbling through the air before it regained its balance mid-flight. Snorlax, meanwhile, spiraled back and slammed into the ground, wiping his mouth with his paw.

Clair smirked. "Nice hit."

Ash grinned back. "Nice charge."

But they weren't here to compliment each other.

"Now, Dragonite, [Ice Punch]!" Clair called.

Dragonite lunged again, one fist glowing with chilling frost.

Ash shouted, "Snorlax, [Counter]!"

The Ice Punch struck square in Snorlax's chest. Thanks to his Thick Fat ability, he didn't even flinch. Then, Snorlax's eyes snapped open, and he grabbed Dragonite by the head and headbutted it, sending the dragon reeling in pain.

Dragonite rubbed its head and glared at Snorlax.

Ash smirked. "[Ice Punch]."

Clair immediately responded, "You too, [Focus Punch]!"

The two raised their fists, and began trading blows. Snorlax punched Dragonite in the jaw. Dragonite retaliated with a strike across Snorlax's face. Snorlax hit it in the stomach. Dragonite cracked him over the head. Dragonite tried to fly away, but Snorlax grabbed its tail and yanked it back for another punch. Back and forth they went in a dizzying slugfest, giant fists flying like a heavyweight boxing match in midair.

Snorlax was breathing heavier now. It was hard to tell if he was almost out... or just genuinely about to fall asleep. But let it be known: if this had stayed a pure 1-on-1, Snorlax would've beaten that thing.

Ash raised Snorlax's Poké Ball and returned him, "That's enough. You can sleep, you did more than enough."

As Snorlax disappeared into the ball, the crowd watched in stunned silence. People were on the edge of their seats, still processing the back-and-forth brawl. Dragonite was breathing heavily, wings sagging just a little.

Ash pulled out his next Poké Ball, "Well then… maybe let's kick it up a notch. Here's something new. Togekiss, you're up!"

From the Poké Ball came a cute, elegant white Pokémon who flapped her wings like a jet, Togekiss. Her first battle, and she was ready for violence. A Scope Lens gleamed around her neck, perfect for extra annoying gremlin activities.

Of course, Misty, Brock, and Yellow knew Ash had a Togepi. Well... kinda. They had definitely forgotten about her. None of them knew Ash had gone and evolved her.

Pikachu, however, was already cheering like crazy from the stands.

Clair crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow, "Togekiss, huh? Not what I expected. But I guess it makes sense, Fairy-types are annoying around here."

Ash smiled, "Who said anything about that? She just wants to run those pockets."

Clair blinked, "Wha—?"

Togekiss gave a cute chirp, did a barrel roll midair, and then leveled out with an intense glare, even startling Dragonite.

Ash snapped his fingers, "[Air Slash]!"

Togekiss flapped her wings sharply, forming multiple glowing blades of compressed air that shot forward in a tight, spiraling pattern.

Clair shook her head and pointed quickly, "Dodge and counter with [Thunder Punch]!"

Dragonite veered up and around the slashes, but one grazed its wing, staggering it just enough for Togekiss to close the distance, coming face to face.

Ash snapped his fingers, "Now, [Moonblast], point-blank!"

Togekiss's body glowed with radiant pink energy as she charged a luminous orb and fired it straight into Dragonite's chest, launching it backward through the air like a kicked boulder.

Ash didn't let up, "Togekiss, spiral up, then [Dazzling Gleam]!"

With an elegant twist, Togekiss soared above the field and released a radiant blast of rainbow-colored light, which exploded over Dragonite like a cascade of sparkling missiles.

Clair bit her lip and growled, "Dragonite! Focus up, [Roost]!"

Dragonite, battered and glowing faintly from the super-effective Fairy-type onslaught, landed on a boulder and began to glow, healing itself slightly.

Ash grinned, "Alright, Togekiss, let's get annoying. [Zen Headbutt]!"

Togekiss rocketed down, forehead glowing, and slammed into Dragonite's chest, knocking the wind out of it and sending it sliding back. Thanks to her Super Luck ability, boosted by the Scope Lens, it crit. And thanks to her other ability, Serene Grace, it flinched.

Ash snapped again, "Air Slash!"

Togekiss flapped her wings, sending another volley of air blades at the stunned Dragonite. They hit, and triggered another flinch.

And again.

And again.

And again.

Yep. Ash was stun-locking Dragonite.

Was it fair? Absolutely not.

Did Ash care? Absolutely not.

He was here to win. And if that meant being annoying, so be it.

Needless to say, now that Dragonite was stuck in a loop, and most of its strong attacks couldn't do much to a Fairy-type like Togekiss, it eventually toppled like a stack of cards, spirals in its eyes.

Now, you could say that Snorlax did most of the work. And you know what? I'd agree. But still, Togekiss, for the memes.

Clair stared at her fallen Dragonite, her eye twitching just slightly. But she took a deep breath, composed herself, and smiled tightly, "Right. Nice one. I guess I should've seen that coming. Fairy-types and all. Fine then... let me show you how we deal with fairies around here."

Ash smiled and waved a hand toward himself, "Bring it on. I've come this far, and I refuse to lose."