Chasing After A Legend

Rematch Resolution

"Human talking"

'Human thinking'

"Human talking in flashback"

"Pokémon talking (present time or flashback)"

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"Thunderbolt!"

"Pi-ka-CHUU!"

Golden electricity crackled as Pikachu unleashed a burst of voltage at the airborne Salamence. But the Mega Evolved Pokémon twisted midair, narrowly dodging the attack.

Ash gritted his teeth as he followed Salamence on his own dragon. "Dragonite, press forward with Dragon Claw!"

"KYOUU!" Dragonite surged forward, claws igniting with draconic energy as it targeted Salamence. As Dragonite slashed out, Salamence countered with its own Dragon Claw. Their claws collided, sending shockwaves of energy through the air. Ash and Pikachu clung tightly to Dragonite as both dragons were knocked back before lunging at each other again in a flurry of attacks, neither retreating.

"Keep it up, Dragonite!" Ash cheered his Pokémon on even as he was forced to keep a steady grip. Ever since Salamence Mega Evolved, the Pallet trainer was locked in a fierce stalemate with it. He managed to take the battle to the air rather than reduce the risk to Pallet Town, but Ash knew in the back of his mind that Salamence could fire another attack down below and endanger more people, which is why he had his Pokémon keep constant pressure on the enemy dragon.

Still... they couldn't keep this up forever. They needed to land a critical attack soon, or else.

It was then that Ash noticed Salamence's eyes flash. He heard it let out a deep, guttural growl. Its stance shifted as Dragonite approached again. Ash knew something was off. "Wait-- look out!"

But before he could give another order, Salamence suddenly feinted left before veering right, slamming into Dragonite with full force.

"Roouu!" Dragonite cried in pain as Salamence's blow sent it tipping sideways, making it spiral uncontrollably through the sky. Ash and Pikachu were jolted, gripping hard as Dragonite laboriously struggled to its feet and fought to regain control.

"Salamen... on me... pare your Flamethro..."

"Pika?" Pikachu's ears perked up. Even with all the chaos, he knew that he heard some kind of strange voice near Salamence. "Pikapi!"

"Pikachu?! Wha--?" Ash looked up, spotting Salamance, now free from combat, turning and preparing to leave. His heart pounded fiercely. "No way—we're not lettin' you escape! Pikachu, Thunderbolt!"

"Pika!" Pikachu leaped on top of Dragonite's head, cheeks sparking. "Piii-Kaaa--"

CRACK!

Salamence screeched in pain as a blinding bolt of lightning slammed into it from above, making it fall toward the ground.

"Nice one, buddy!" Ash praised. "Now--"

"Pika...?"

Ash and Pikachu blinked at each other in confusion. Pikachu's cheeks were still crackling, charged for a Thunderbolt—one he had not yet released.

"Wait... was that the storm? But why--?"

"Aouu!" Dragonite's urgent cry shifted Ash and Pikachu's attention to the ground below. Dragonite pointed with its snout at something directly beneath the spot where Salamence was falling.