Part 11! Ash’s second battle at the Orange League before he faces Drake! So let’s see what’s going to happen?

… I hate fanfiction.net rules, but anyways… would have updated earlier if not for freezing…

DISCLAIMER: Don’t own pokemon

Part 11: Trials and tribulations

“Vaporeon, use Ice Beam!”

“Flareon, counter with Fire Blast!”

The two attacks collided and then smoke obscured the area. When it cleared, Vaporeon stood triumphantly over a fallen Flareon.

“Oh no!”

“And this match goes to Satoshi!”
The fans cheered as Ash posed with Vaporeon.

Derek recalled his Flareon and stomped off angrily.

“He’s good.” Drake said. “Quite good.”

His Dragonite nodded. But there is something strange about him.

“What?”

I’m not sure…

“You did great as usual, guys.” Ash said, healing up his pokemon.

Sunny preened.

< Well, I guess we face Drake tomorrow. >

< Can you beat him? > Pichu asked.

< Pichu, that’s a silly question. > Tempestwolfe said. < Of course he can! >

< Thank you for your positive attitude, Tempestwolfe. >

< No problema! >

The next day…

“Now this is a heated match! Satoshi has already finished off four of Drake’s pokemon! And he still has four of his left!”

“Interesting.” Drake said. “Okay, Gengar, you’re up!”

“Poli, Return!” Ash said. < I know you hate fighting ghost types. >

“Houndoom, you’re up!”
“Gengar, use Night Shade!”

However, the ghost-type attack just passed right through Houndoom.

“Houndoom, Crunch.” Ash said. Houndoom nodded and chomped on the Gengar, which flinched and used Destiny Bond.

Ash thought. * Smart… so how can Houndoom not take down Gengar in one hit… got it. *

“Use Sunny day!”

The sunlight got very strong and bright.

“Gengar, try using Confuse Ray!”

“Houndoom, you’re faster! Use Flamethrower!”

Drake’s Gengar was toast.

“It’s the pokemon we’ve all been waiting for. DRAGONITE!”

“Dragonite, you’re up!” Drake said.

“Houndoom, Fire Blast!”

Houndoom nodded, breathed in, and spat out the big ‘X’ of fire. However, it only knocked off about 1/4 of Dragonite’s HP.

“Hyper Beam!”

Houndoom yelped as it was hit with the normal attack.

“Better withdraw just in case.” Ash said to himself. “Houndoom, Return!. Dragonite still has to recharge, might as well try, since Sunny day makes Thunder totally inaccurate… Poli!”

Poliwrath immediately used Ice Beam.

Dragonite dodged most of it, but some hit its wings.

Dragonite began recharging again.

“Use Ice Beam again.” Ash said.

Poliwrath nodded as he once again froze Dragonite. This time, the dragon teetered and toppled to the floor.

“Is it all over?” The announcer asked.

Apparently not, since Dragonite got back up and used Thunderbolt on the poor Poliwrath...

“Poli, come back!” Ash said. * I can’t use Houndoom… I still have Sunny and Tempestwolfe, but I can’t use Tempestwolfe, so… *

“Sunny, go! Use Thunderbolt!”

Sunny nodded and zapped Dragonite, who finally fell over, fainted.

“Amazing! Dragonite is down! That means Satoshi is now the Orange League Champion!”

Ash released his pokemon and hugged them. < We did it! >

< Yes, we did! >

< Yay! >

< I rule, don’t I? >

< Oh, be quiet, you. >

< But it’s true! >

Ash sent mental hugs to his pokemon, who smiled back.

Meanwhile…

“Checkmate.”

‘Darn.”

“Come on, you can’t win them all.”

“Perhaps. But there’s no harm in trying.”

One of the figures picked up the fallen chessboard and studied it intensely. “I wonder…”

The second left in a swirl of dark fabric.

Ash was happily enjoying lunch with his pokemon when something crash-landed on top of him.

“Eh?”

A pair of light blue eyes stared into his own. “Miss me?”

“Aniki!” Ash said, happily hugging the other person. “I missed you and aneki so much!”

“I know, but we had to hide.”

Ash nodded. “Well, now you’re back with me again! Where’s aneki?”

“Stabilizing the balance, but she promised to come find us soon.”

“Yay!”

Lance grinned and ruffled Ash’s hair. “So, how have you been?”

“Well, I ditched Misty n’ Brock, for various reasons.”

“That’s great!”

“And I beat Drake for your honor.”

Lance smiled and gave Ash a hug. “Well, I’m glad.”

‘Me too, I’m so happy I get to see you again!”

Pichu looked intrigued. Who are you?

Lance blinked, before seeing the little pokemon. “Oh. I’m his-.”

“Friend.” Ash interrupted, casting a wary glance around.

Lance raised an eyebrow, but nodded.

Pichu grinned and chirruped, then ran off after Sunny as she went to get some poke treats from a vendor giving them out.

“Is that?” Lance lowered her voice.

“Yes.”

“How did it happen?”

“Misty.’ Ash spat. “Always. Again. Like the Loop card, repeating over and over and over…”

“With no escape.” Lance agreed. “But we make the best of our situation.”

“I know.” Ash closed his eyes for a brief second. “And the danger lurks, never giving us peace.”

“But you don’t need peace for love.”

‘Thank goodness for that, or I’d have fallen into the darkness.”

Lance gave him a quick hug. “Don’t worry, thunder’s guardian. We’ll do our best to protect you.”

“As you do every time, until I can control myself.” Ash said softly. “And fulfill my duty.”

“Yes… for that is the path we walk.”

Sunny looked up as she came up. < So the Ice Guardian has returned to you? > She winked playfully, causing a faint blush to rise on Ash’s checks.

< Sunny! >

< What? >

< Please! I have enough trouble already without worrying about -. >

< Whatever you say. > The amused jolteon sent. < Whatever you say, lil’ brother. > * It’s not like I’ll believe it. *

Ash sighed a little bit.

“Come on, we should leave.”

Ash looked up. “Is it that time already?”

“Yes.’
“Shadow Island, here I come.” Ash said, as Lance took his hand and the blue glow of teleport enveloped them in a vanishing wave.

End Chapter! Finally! *Sighs* I had writer’s block on this one for so long…

1/9/03 to 9/27/03

Wow, this one was blocked really…

Please review…