A Brand New Journey

Chapter 21 : "Thanks."

3rd Person POV

Pikachu!

Struggling to get out of Serperior's grasp, Pikachu called out its name faintly. The sound was barely audible, Pikachu could barely breathe. Its face was starting to turn the same purple as last time, which angered Ash that he would fall for the same trick twice. Ash gritted his teeth, trying to think of a plan or strategy. Trip merely smirked looking at Ash's expression, it made him feel a sense of triumph. "I'm not going to fall for the same trick twice!" He called out. Ash looked up. "Prepare to lose."

This only made Ash angrier than he already was, and his eyes flicked the familiar blood red for a second, before turning back to the normal auburn brown. Red, who was loitering behind at the stands observing Ash from a distance closely, narrowed his eyes as he noticed the change in Ash's eye colour.

"Serperior, Dragon Tail." Serperior's tail glowed the same blueish green as before, and Pikachu who was still unable to escape, was hit right on its head painfully. At this moment, Ash came up with a plan. "Pikachu!" Ash called out, worried. "If you can hear me, use Electro Ball."

No reaction. No movement. Nothing.

And just when everyone thought that was the end of the battle, a small little spark formed beside Pikachu's tail. Trip widened his eyes in shock while Ash's lit up with happiness.

"Alright! Follow my lead! I have an idea! Electro Ball!" The yellow spark increased, forming into a more visible ball of electricity. "Grr...I don't know how it hasn't fainted yet, but either way I'm not going to let you win! You won't have the chance to attack. Serperior, use Energy Ball!"

The two different coloured orbs collided right in front of their faces, as neither of them could see each other. "Pikachu, use Quick Attack! Increase your speed!" Pikachu gave a quick grin to Ash, implying that he understood Ash's plan. Pikachu used Quick Attack while struggling, although not helping to get it out, but as Ash had planned, increased Pikachu's movements drastically. Then, as Serperior was feeling confused and lost of Pikachu's pointless actions, Ash called out : "Now! Iron Tail!" With Pikachu's already fast movements, it used an Iron Tail on the side of Serperior where its tail could reach. Serperior didn't even have the time to react before it felt a sharp pain in its body, quickly releasing Pikachu before it could hurt it more. Pikachu breathed heavy gasps for air as it was finally released.

"Damn it! How-" Trip exclaimed. He was mad. Very mad. "Tch...whatever! Frenzy Plant!" Bug and thick vines with pointy thorns emerged from the ground. "Use Quick Attack and dodge it!" Ash quickly shouted out before any of the vines could hit Pikachu. Pikachu did as Ash asked, avoiding the vines while also charging towards Serperior. "Dragon Tail when it gets close!" Trip commanded almost just before Pikachu hit Serperior. But Ash was familiar with his rival's strategy and was prepared. "Switch to ThunderBolt!" Ash quickly reflected. Pikachu stopped in its tracks, sending a strong and powerful blast of electricity to Serperior's way. Serperior fell to the ground, hurt.

"And the winne-Wait! What's this? It seems that Trip's Serperior is trying to get up!" Indeed, Serperior was tryibgv to get up, but could not seem to find its last ounce of strength to push back. Trip saw this, and remembering what Ash used to do, he unconsciously did the same. "Don't give up Serperior! You can do it! I believe in you!"

Serperior was surprised by its trainer's sudden outburst, and got up, even more determined to fight back even though it was quite hurt. It glared at Pikachu, ready to continue the fight.

Ash gave off his signature smirk, taking up his hands to turn his cap backwards. "Now the battle's really starting. Pikachu, Electro Ball!"

Serperior moved to the side in blinding speed, dodging the attack. "Frenzy Plant!" Trip called out. "Pikachu, climb on the vines and get closer to it!" Ash quickly called out. Pikachu jumped from one vine to another. Serperior continued to glare at Pikachu, making sure to be aware of its position. It continued the attack, as Pikachu started finding it more difficult to evade.

"Quick Attack!" Pikachu sped up, leaving Serperior looking at the vines aimlessly, unable to locate Pikachu. "Keep calm Serperior. Prepare a Dragon Tail, and when it attacks counter it with that." Serperior, bringing its glowing tail in front of itself. "Pikachu, Electro Ball!" Serperior, who was already prepared, readied its attack and sliced the Electro Ball in half. As it was sliced, the Electro Ball exploded on both sides of Serperior, but did not damage it.

"Go!"

Out of the blue, Pikachu appeared before Serperior, striking it with an Iron Tail. Serperior fell to the ground, hurt, and as the smoke cleared, the swirly eyes were on its face.

"And the winner of the match is Ash and Pikachu!" The referee called out as the spectators cheered for the amazing and intense battle. Red sighed, taking a quick glimpse at Ash before walking away. 'Luckily he didn't transform...or things would've gotten messy.' He thought as he left the stadium.

"Thanks for the great battle." Ash walked up to Trip as he recalled back his fainted Serperior, not before muttering a quick thanks. Pika! Pikachu cried out from Ash's shoulder, giving Trip a thumbs up, signaling that he was ok. And for once, Trip gave the both of them a rare but genuine smile. Ash raised a hand at him. "Yeah." He shook it.

"Thanks."

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"Infernape, Flare Blitz! Krookodile, Stone Edge!"

A bright blue flame surrounded Infernape, whereas light blue stones emerged from the ground, heading straight towards Infernape. Infernape dodged all of them and tackled Krookodile head on. Krookodile fell back, overwhelmed by the strong fire attack. "Great job you two! Now, return and take a rest."

"Hey...Can I talk to you for a second?" Ash turned around and saw Trip standing there, eyes on the ground. "Sure." Ash agreed, confused. 'What does Trip want to talk to me about?' They walked into the Pokemon Center, sitting at a vacant table. There was an awkward moment of silence as they were seated. Ash took a look at Trip after a while. Trip looked as if he had something he wanted to tell, but just couldn't get the words out of his mouth. He decided to break the silence, seeing that Trip was uncomfortable and wasn't going to talk first anytime soon. "So umm...What's the matter?" Ash continued to stare at Trip. "If you're not going to-"

"Look. I'm...sorry." Ash cocked his head to one side. "Hmm? Sorry for what? Why are you apologising...?"

"For...being so mean to you in the past, back at Unova. I know I was wrong now...So...sorry." As soon as he finished, ge immediately got up and ran away. "Umm...okay...?" He sweatdropped, but still smiled anyway.

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"Have fun while you can Ash...because it won't last very long...

I'll make sure of it."