32. Ash's Reborn Story

Chapter 34 Battling Kiki

After getting into Kiki's Room, he sees Victoria and Kiki there.

Kiki: I understand you've beaten Victoria, then...

Ash: I also beat Cal on top of Pyrous Mountain.

Victoria: Wait, what?

Kiki: Impressive, especially on such limited time. That leaves only one matter to resolve. As I said, you... (Suddenly gasps in pain as she places her hand on her heart, bending down.)

Victoria: (Rushes towards her with Ash) ...Sensei?

Kiki: (Takes a few deep breaths of air) Apologies; I lost myself for a moment there. I am quite all right.

Ash and Victoria are worried for Kiki, as she seems to be struggling to stay still.

Kiki: What was I saying? Ah, right- Graduation. I will be the one to give the final exam.

Ash: Are you sure, sensei? With your health right now?

Victoria: Surely that's not necessary-

Kiki: (Glares at Ash and Victoria) Ash, Victoria. Please, trust me. Willpower is a muscle. Mine must remain strong as well. It is only through fighting with all of our might that we can truly defeat the chaos within. Please allow me to do so.

Ash and Victoria frown, they can't stop Kiki from doing this.

Kiki: The graduation exam takes the form of a six-on-six Singles Pokémon battle. As is tradition, and the responsibility of the Academy's head, I will administer it. This is a valuable opportunity for you to observe, Victoria.

Victoria: (Frowns) Yes, sensei.

Kiki: (Turns to Ash) You may speak to me in the courtyard when you are ready, Ash. (Leaves)

Victoria: Since when does lying to everyone count as willpower? (Turns to Ash) Ash, can you keep a secret? (Ash nods) She's dying. Apparently, there's no cure. Ever since I came back here, she's been training me to take her place. And I'm the only one who knows. Even now she's pushing herself way harder than she should be. She won't listen, tell anyone, or ease up... What, does she think she's just going to go quietly in the night and no one will notice? Does she really think I can just pick up where she left off perfectly?

Victoria is outbursting with tears in her eyes, and Ash gives her a hug, trying to calm her down.

Victoria: It's not... fair. But then nothing is, I guess.

Ash is hesitating a little, in Shade's visions, Kiki is going to get killed by Solaris' Garchomp...just like he was before getting revived by Arceus. He shakes his head and Victoria breaks the hug, rushing towards the courtyard. Ash also walks outside to see the telecom, and he calls Ame.

Ame: Ash? Oh, you're coming in from Apophyll Academy? It's true that that used to be a Gym, but not anymore. Kiki was forced to retire due to some ongoing health concerns. Are you sure the stress of battling won't be too much on her?

Ash: She just refuses to listen no matter what Victoria and I tell her. So I would want to end the battle as quickly as possible.

Ame: Well, I suppose I can give you her old notes, just in case. Thanks to her school's focus on meditation, the mental energy around there are out of this world! When she uses Meditate, her Pokémon will be much, much stronger than normal, so don't give her that chance! By the way, for beating the Fighting-type, although many people go for Flying-types, that could be a risky play. With all the sand and ash down there, it's easy for it to get kicked up and vision to be lost. But Kiki's mentally focused Pokémon will often still land attacks! Rather than Flying-types, try using the mental energy against her! Psychic types can really do a number down there! Good luck, whatever happens.