Strength ~An Amourshipping Story

Chapter 32: Tournament, Part VI

Note:

Yay, this chapter is really long and interesting! Hope you like it. I'm going home tomorrow, I'm in a hotel with not so great wifi, so that's why this update is especially late. Enjoy!

Last time, Serena found a love rival in Miette, who she and Ash battled against and won. Additionally, Serena ponders the meaning of Aura's words.

SYCAMORE: Congratulations to the finalists of this tournament- Ash, Serena, Aura, and Cole. Now, we will start this last match!

Every cheers, as the battlers send out their Pokémon. Ash, of course, uses Pikachu while Serena uses Sylveon, Aura uses Zorua, and Cole uses a Glaceon.

Serena's flashback to before the finals.

AURA: Serena, I request you use your Sylveon. Of course, this decision is completely up to you.

SERENA: Huh? Why?

AURA: My reasons are complicated, and if the event I'm looking for does occur, then I will explain it to you.

Serena thinks about Aura's odd words. I cannot wait to see what tricks you will have up your sleeves. 

SERENA: *Thinks* It probably has something to do with that sentence, and how she acted around us. *Answers* Alright, I'll use Sylveon.

AURA: *Surprised* You will?

And now back to the present.

SYCAMORE: Battle... Begin!

SERENA: *Yells* Sylveon, Disarming Voice!

AURA, COLE: Dodge!

Zorua and Glaceon gracefully dodge the Fairy-type move.

AURA: Zorua, jump!

COLE: Ice Beam on the field!

ASH, SERENA: *Both think* We should follow Zorua, they probably planned this out *Command* Jump!

All battling Pokémon leap as Glaceon ices over the field.

AURA: Zorua!

ZORUA: Right! Shadow Claw!

A dark shadow surrounds Zorua's paws in the shape of long talons. The talking Pokémon digs its claws into the cold ground, stabilizing itself.

ASH: Pikachu, same concept! Iron Tail!

SERENA: *Thinks frantically* Oh no, I don't have anything to avoid this! What do I do? *After a while, snaps and says* Sylveon, I need you to start using Quick Attack while you're still in the air!

SYLVEON: Sylv! (I understand!)

The Eevee-evolution begins to run, and when it lands on the ice, it keeps its momentum and continues to run. Slowly, she gets used to gliding.

ASH: Good one!

AURA: *Nods and thinks* They're good. We need to press harder.

Aura gives a look at Cole and Zorua. Both of them nod in understanding.

AURA: Zorua, dig underground with Shadow Claw!

COLE: Use Hail!

A snow storm brews over, and the large drifts cloud over the sun. The hail beats relentlessly on Pikachu and Sylveon, but Zorua, underground, takes no damage.

AURA: Now, Zorua!

Zorua suddenly breaks the ground below Pikachu, and the mouse Pokémon disappears.

ASH: Wha- Pikachu!

SERENA: *Thinks* Sylveon is still running on the ice, so it can't stop. What now?! *Looks at Ash next to her* Ash and I promised we wouldn't lose. I intend to keep that promise. But...

ASH: *Clenches teeth* Pikachu, Thunderbolt!

But when Ash says this, no electricity emerges out of the ground. Then, Zorua pops out.

ASH: Huh? What's happening down there?!

COLE: Glaceon, stop the hail, now!

The clouds part, and the sun comes into sight once again. The ice on the ground melts. Sylveon, picking up on Serena's intentions, immediately jumps down the tunnel made by Zorua. It instantly pops back up.

SYLVEON: Sylv, Sylveon Sylveon!

SERENA: Arceus! Pikachu is trapped under rubble. It's still up, but it can't free itself!

ASH: No way... Just how powerful is that Zorua?

SERENA: *Thinks* Now, our odds of winning this... *Shakes head* No, I won't think like that. Everyone who's cheering us on needs me to pull through. And most of all...

Ash.

SERENA: *Thinks* If we don't win this, even if this is a school tournament... This battle is testing Ash and I as a team who are working together to win. I know we can win. I know I can do this!

Suddenly, Sylveon perks up.

SERENA: *Thinks* Is she... picking up on my feelings?

A golden light surrounds Sylveon in a sphere. It shines very bright, and everyone watching gasps. Then, to surprise everyone even more, another light appears. Around Serena.

ASH, SERENA: What's happening?!

Then, gold sparks flow freely in the air around Serena and Sylveon.

This.

Everything becomes clear to the young Trainer.

This is...

The moves Serena should make.

Exactly what Aura...

The truth of this strength.

Was looking for!!!

SERENA: *Commands* Sylveon! Quick Attack, then Disarming Voice!

Sylveon dashes behind the two opposing Pokémon with lightning speed and let's out a powerful Disarming Voice which hits both of them. Glaceon faints on hit, and even though Fairy-type moves are super-effective on Dark-types, Zorua manages to stand.

ZORUA: Th- this power... Even I can barely stand...

AURA: *Nods with eyes closed* We've found it. *Eyes snap open* But that doesn't mean we can't test this power!

AURA, ZORUA: Signature Move: Night Daze!

An intense aura surrounds Zorua once again.

SERENA: *Thinks* Even though it's going to deal a lot less damage to Sylveon, I know this move especially has a lot of force. *Yells* Form a Shadow Ball into a shield!

Sylveon releases a Shadow Ball straight up and quickly somehow shapes the move into a screen in front of herself. The Night Daze breaks through the Shadow Ball shield but does not reach Sylveon.

AURA: *Stunned* Th- this is even more than I expected. We've lost already.

SERENA: Quick Attack!

AURA: A simple Quick Attack from them is still enough to take us out.

In a flash, Sylveon appears in front of Zorua, and the Pokémon has no time to react as it is thrown back. It faints before it hits the ground.

ASH: What... was that, Serena?

SERENA: *Looks at Aura* We'll have to explain.

With this unexpected turn of events, Ash and Serena win the tournament.