//------------------------------//
// Ash vs Scootaloo! The Next Generation 
// Story: My Little Pokémon 
// by Amarvax 
//------------------------------//

Equestria. Canterlot. Canterlot Sadium Waiting Room. Late Afternoon.

The Canterlot Junior Cup has ended. But there was one extra battle that was due. The extra battle between Ash and Scootaloo. Scootaloo's victory in the competition scored her the chance to battle Ash at last, something that she had been looking forward to. And at her current best, the little pegasus was feeling more than ready.

She sat in the waiting room, thinking deeply about how she was going to approach Ash. Compared to the rest of the trainers she had battled through this competition and the ones she had also seen battle others, Ash far surpassed them in every way. Scootaloo held Rapidash's Poke Ball, looking at it during her moment of deep thought. And at the same time, Ash and Pikachu had shown up in the waiting room to greet Scootaloo.

"It's almost time for us to head out there," Ash commented. "Feeling great?"

"Mm. A bit nervous too. This'll be a serious battle against you as well." Scootaloo replied. "I can't believe I made it this far though..."

"Those are all of your skills showing themselves from these past 3 years." Ash stood next to her. "It's always so sweet when it pays off, doesn't it?"

"Pika."

"It is. But I have you to thank for that." She looked up at the Alola Champion. "Meeting you on that day when everything was still so new to us was one of the best days ever, ya know. You were so cool on that day! And when you started teaching us all about Pokemon Battling was even cooler. Even if I go to the Pokemon School, you're the best teacher I could ask for, Ash."

"Not just me. But your Pokemon helped you get there too, didn't they? And everything you've learned from watching so many battles too. Kinda reminds me of my earlier days as a Pokemon Trainer."

"It does? I do!" Scootaloo gasped as being compared to Ash was something that she loved to hear.

"Yeah. Guess I don't say this that much. Or even at all. But I see myself in you, Scootaloo. That's how it goes, right?"

"Really?! That's great!" She got all giddy just from hearing that, flapping her wings. "It means a lot for you to say that to me, Ash!"

"Glad to hear it. Let's both do our best, okay?" Ash put his fist out which resulted in Scootaloo answering by bumping her hoof to his fist.

"Okay!"



The two of them arrived at the arena as the true final match of this junior cup would begin. All of the competitors, minus Night Sprout, were ready to see how the best of them had managed to make it to the top.

ASh and Scootaloo didn't have much else to say about this. They knew why they were here. The Summer Sun was sowing its orange glow that would usually appear when the day was close to ending. Thus, it confirmed that after this battle, the day would end along with this entire event.

"You have 10 minutes on the clock respectively." The referee started. "You are only allowed one Pokemon. The battle will be over once both Pokemon on either side are unable to continue. Now, for the final time, please, bring out your Pokemon."

"Pikachu! I choose you!"

"Go! Rapidash!"

"Pikachu!" Pikachu and Rapidash, their strongest Pokemon, would be the ones to battle. A great choice for the final battle as well. Pikachu and Rapidash smiled at each other as at the end of the day, these were two best friends going at it. Technically four.

"This is it, Rapidash. Our big chance to prove ourselves to Ash!" Scootaloo shouted. "Let's make sure we last a long time in this one! The full 10 minutes!"

"Rapidash!"

"Full 10 Minutes, huh?" Ash chuckled as King Sombra revealed himself in his shadow form once more, deciding to get a word in.

"We are going to absolutely crush you, child." He commented with Scootaloo sticking her tongue out at him.

"Now! Battle...!" The unicorn referee raised his hoof before swinging it down, uttering the words everyone wanted to hear. "Start!"

"Let's go, Pikachu! Quick Attack!" Ash thrust his fist forward, giving the first command of the battle.

"Pika!" Pikachu advanced, taking off like a rocket before running at lightning speeds, receiving a sparkling white aura that also formed into a trail and afterimages. "Pika-Pika-Pika-Pika!"

"Go! Rapidash! Flame Charge!"

"Dash!" Rapidash would also approach Pikachu, galloping with a burst of fire becoming his aura, leaving a scarlet trail of heat. The first clash had begun with Pikachu jumping up, butting heads with Rapidash. A fierce collision resulting in a small shockwave had formed with both of them backing away. Rapidash's speed had increased right afterwards.

"Use High Horsepower!"

"Rapidash!" Standing on his hind legs, Rapidash enveloped himself in an orange aura that came from the ground itself before then galloping back at the Mouse Pokemon with greater speed than before.

"Get under him with Quick Attack!"

"Pikachu!" Pikachu, who had just slid on the ground, went back in with Quick Attack once more. Even with a speed increase, Quick Attack would always even things out. 

When they approached each other once more, Pikachu went underneath, running past Rapidash through his legs. Rapidash tried stomping his hooves that were imbued with Ground-Type Infinity Energy on Pikachu, only for the Electric-Type to already be behind him.

"Electroweb!" 

"Pikachu-Pika!" Once behind him, Pikachu created an orange-yellow orb of electricity on its tail, flinging the orb, which then transforms into a circular yellow electrical net that was big enough for Rapidash's size.

"Rapidash?!" Rapidash turned around to only see a high-speed net fall on him. Once it dropped onto the Fire-Type, not only did it trap him, but it also electrocuted Rapidash, dialling back the speed that he had gained seconds ago.

"Now! Thunderbolt!

"Pika...Chuuu!" Pikachu would follow up immediately with Thunderbolt while Rapidash was currently stuck.

"Break free with Solar Beam!"

"Rapi...Dash!" Rapidash neighed, drawing on the power of the Sun. Even if it was nearly setting, there was still a ton of sunshine to use as out of Rapidash's mouth, a giant verdant beam was shot out, breaking through the web and meeting with Pikachu's Thunderbolt.

A truly fierce clash had ensued as Thunderbolt and Solar Beam cancelled each other out. Scootaloo grit her teeth, seeing that even with the Sun, Pikachu's Thunderbolt was powerful enough to hold back such a devastatingly strong attack.

"Okay then! Smart Strike!"

"Dash!" Emerging seconds later out of the smoke was Rapidash, extending his horn as he had then hardened it to create a metal coating.

"Counter with Iron Tail!"

"Chu...Pika!" Pikachu would also use some metal. With Iron Tail, he hardened his tail before then swinging it in a downwards motion, initiating another clash with Rapidash, this time with metal. The sound of these two Steel-Type attacks crashing into each other made a clanging noise. They backed up from each other but they weren't done. Pikachu went back in with another Iron Tail with Rapidash meeting within yet again. It was like two swords were going at it.

Sparks flew all over the place from their impacts as Scootaloo was doing exceedingly well to keep up with Ash at this pace. And Ash absolutely loved it.

"Nice stuff, Scootaloo! Go, Pikachu!"

"Hit him right where you can, Rapidash!"

Both Pokemon Trainers cheered for their Pokemon, encouraging them to try new things. Pikachu and Rapidash went in further another strike which would be their last metal clash. And it resulted in both of them hitting each other. Pikachu managed to hit Rapidash in the face while Rapidash struck Pikachu in the stomach. The two of them resisted Steel-Type attacks, thus they were both knocked back without too much damage being dealt to them.

The two of them smiled at each other before then being interrupted by something. Since they ended up hitting each other in using, Pikachu and Rapidash, with great timing, ended up getting their respective abilities off.

Static and Flame Body.

"P-Pika!" Pikachu cried out as an eruption of flames happened around his body. Meanwhile, Rapidash ended up twitching and staggering from a crackle of lightning.

"Pikachu! Are you doing okay?!"

"Can you go on, Rapidash?!"

"Pika-Pika!"

"Rapidash!"

"Great!" The little pegasus grinned as this was getting her blood pumping. Battling against someone who was at a greater level could be both terrifying and exciting. And right now, Scootaloo was feeling the second one as this was also something a pegasus couldn't help but resist. "Go, Go! High Horsepower!"

"Dash!" A super-effect was due as Rapidash came galloping forward.

"Flame Body's way scarier than Static...but that's not gonna scare and stop us! Thunderbolt!"

"Pika...Chuuu!" Pikachu then jumped into the air, deciding to keep his distance this time as a flare of lightning burst out of his body before then transforming into a bolt of 100,000 volts. Rapidash came into contact with this attack, trying to break past it. However, Pikachu's Thunderbolt won this encounter as it had blown the Fire Horse Pokemon back.

"R-Rapidash!"

"Now! Quick Attack!"

"Pika! Pika-Pika!" Pikachu then descended before then running one second later at lightning speeds, not letting up his attack.

"Okay! Here's our chance for a comeback! High Horsepower again!"

"Rapidash!" Rapidash would go for a second HIgh Horsepower, sticking to a super-effective approach. He ran towards his opponent once more, but this time, something else was waiting for Pikachu.

"Jump!"

"Now, Rapidash!"

"Pika!" Pikachu planned to jump over Rapidash this time with Quick Attack, only to be countered by Rapidash also performing a jump. But Rapidash's jump was far greater than Pikachu's as the Fire Horse Pokemon had used the same trick that Pikachu had done on him earlier, but instead, he went above him.

"Dash!" Rapidash was now above Pikachu as the jumping strength of the Fire Horse Pokemon and his hooves far surpassed Pikachu's jump. Once he was in the air, he stomped on Pikachu's back in the air, finally delivering a super-effective blow.

"Pika!" Pikachu cried out as he was sent rocketing back to the ground. He tumbled when approaching the arena ground before rolling and jumping back up as a form of recovery. Pikachu received another burn from Flame Body as he kept taking gradual damage.

"Good stuff!" Ash held his hat.

"You're not going to let her outdo you, are you?" Sombra narrowed his eyes at Pikachu.

"No way. But this is just what I wanted to see. She sure has come a long way. Let's go, Pikachu!"

"Pika!" Pikachu let out a powerful cry, exerting electricity from his body to show that he still had some more even after that super-effective blow.

"Rapidash! Solar Beam!"

"Counter Shield, go!"

"Pikachu!" Pikachu would use Counter Shield to retaliate, getting on his back before then using Thunderbolt. Right when Rapidash had unleashed Solar Beam too. The frantic burst of electricity that flew everywhere had blocked Solar Beam, preventing Pikachu from taking a hit. Not only did it stop Solar Beam, but some of it had shocked Rapidash in the process.

"R-Rapidash!"

"Pikachu! Hit the rubble of rocks with Iron Tail!"

"Chu...Pika!" Pikachu got off his back before then focusing on all of the rubble of rocks that had been made from this fierce battle. The Electric-Type took advantage of the abundance of them, hardening his tail before then rapidly swinging it at the rocks, using them as weapons. Pikachu didn't have an attack that was super-effective, but these rocks would change that.

"Dodge them with Flame Charge!"

"Rapi! Rapidash!" Rapidash would both approach Pikachu and avoid the rocks he was throwing at high speeds. Rapidash galloped with a beautiful crimson blaze around his, zigzagging past the rocks. However, the paralysis showed itself midway. Once he dodged some of the rocks, he slowed down a bit, feeling the electricity crackle within his body. "R-Rapidash!"

After being slowed down by paralysis, some of the rocks ended up hitting the Fire=Type successfully in the face and neck, pushing him back.

"Awesome! Now, Electroweb!"

"Pikachu!" Pikachu got his super-effective hits in with the rocks. Now it was time to slow Rapidash down yet again with Electroweb. An electric orb came flying, turning into another net.

"We'll just burn our way through it then! Go, Rapidash!"

"Rapidash!" Rapidash did not stop using Flame Charge even after being hit by all of those rocks. He shook his head before pressing on. He narrowed his eyes at the Electroweb before then using his brute strength to crash into it. Rapidash met with the web but this time, by putting more of his strength into his hooves, he had a small struggle with the web, only to then burn through it, leaving a massive hole as he pressed on.

"P-Pika!" Pikachu ended up receiving a heavy blow from Rapidash's Flame Charge once it reached. The Mouse Pokemon received a far blowback that made him spin through the air.

"Yes! Solar Beam!"

"Dash!" Rapidash capitalized on Pikachu being thrown through the air while he had some time, unleashing Solar Beam.

"I don't think so! Makeshift Volt Tackle!"

"Pika!" Pikachu would use another one of his strategies. He merged Quick Attack and Thunderbolt to rebirth Volt Tackle, which he used to utilize a few years back. By covering himself with the aura of Quick Attack and Thunderbolt, Pikachu created a substitute Volt Tackle as he then used the power he had gathered, boosting through the air and heading for Solar Beam. Makeshift Volt Tackle met with Solar Beam, cancelling it out moments later.

"It's almost hard to believe! Look at how well she's doing against him!" Rarity was elated and stunned by this as the clash between Makeshift Volt Tackle and Solar Beam ended in a draw.

"Uh-huh." Rainbow Dash nodded in agreement. "Even though Ash is in the lead, she's still in there. I'm so proud, ya know..." Rainbow Dash then teared up as this battle and Scootaloo's performance was touching her heart greatly.

Twilight looked at the eyes of Ash and Scootaloo, seeing how much fun they were having. This was the epitome of friends just having a good time, even in a Pokemon Battle. Especially in a Pokemon Battle. Celestia saw it too, but this time, it was in the eyes of everyone else. Seeing this massive expanse of excitement, joy and thrills made the two alicorns fortify their goal to protect and keep all of these smiles in the future.

The Canterlot Junior Cup was just a fun tournament and a way to see how well the next generation of Pokemon Trainers shapes up to be. But it also turned out to be something else that allowed the two Princesses to further pursue their goals.

"I'm doing this good...but I can do better." Scootaloo breathed in and out as Pikachu felt another burn damage. Seeing how heated this was getting, she figured now was a good time to use it. Her Z-Move.

But the moment she took her Z-Ring out of her mane, Ash had revealed something similar. His Z-Ring. He dug into his pocket, revealing both his Z-Ring and The Pikashunium Z.

"Huh? Wait, what?!" Scootaloo gasped. That Z-Ring was something she did not want to see today. "You have your Z-Ring with you?!"

"Yep. Sombra kept insisting that I bring it everywhere I take it." Ash chuckled. "No matter what, he wouldn't let me leave the house with yelling in my ear about it.

"Pika-Pika." Pikachu also laughed.

"Hmph. To think that you left it behind for so many days..." Sombra spoke within Ash, shaking his head with great disappointment. "A King should always have his greatest weapon by his side."

"Yeah, yeah, I got it," Ash replied before putting his Z-Ring on. "So. Are you ready, Scootaloo? Let's finish this with a bang."

"R-Right!" Scootaloo put her Z-Ring on as everyone leaned in, knowing what was coming next. A Z-Move clash. 

Z-Moves have already been used in this competition three times. But, it was only ever used against a Pokemon that could not use a Z-Move in retaliation. Now, it would be from two trainers as they would have the honour to see two Z-Moves clash, something that was rare to see even in the Pokemon World. The two of them put their Z-Crystals inside their respective Z-Rings as for the fourth time in a row, Alola's Power had returned to Equestria as golden flares flashed out of the rings. 

"Uh...W-What happens when two Z-Moves collide?" Starlight gulped, fearing the destructive capability of this clash.

"We're about to find out," Twilight replied.

"Let's go, Pikachu!" Ash then threw his hat into the air as that was Pikachu's cue. 

"Pika!" Pikachu jumped into the air, taking Ash's hat for this moment. Afterwards, Pikachu then descended before fist-bumping Ash along with a hand slap gesture with his remaining airtime. Once he descended, Ash poured all of the Z-Power into Pikachu. "Pi! Pika!"

"One more time, Rapidash!" Scootaloo then struck the necessary poses for Inferno Overdrive.

"Rapidash!"

"Here it comes.." Ash started the chant. "Much bigger than a Thunderbolt...Ten Million Volt Thunderbolt!

"Pika-Pika!" Pikachu was in sync with Ash's poses.

"Nah, this is much bigger!" Ash grinned as Pikachu's body was violently crackling with electricity. "This is Pikachu's zenith and full power right here!"

"Pikachu-Pika!"

"This'll burn as bright as my spirit and Rapidash's spirit too!" Scootaloo exclaimed as flames burst out of Rapidash's body. The area darkened once these two Z-Moves were nearing their full activation. Their Pokemon were overflowing with Z-Power as some ponies had put on protective gear, fearing the worst when these two mighty moves make contact.

"Rapidash! INFERNO OVERDRIVE!"

"Ra...RAPIDASH!" Rapidash neighed as in front of his face, a smouldering ball of fire had burst into existence as Rapidash's singular cry had unleashed the arena-sized attack.

"PIKACHU! 10,000,000 VOLT THUNDERBOLT!"

"Pika! Pikachu!" As for Pikachu, he once again jumped up but this time, he was encompassed in a crackling orb of electricity before that orb had then brightened, becoming a full-on aura. "Ka! Ka! Ka! PIKACHU!" Afterwards, Pikachu released all of that built-up electricity in the form of six different colours that matched the rainbow.

These 6 Thunderbolts came charging at the massive ball of fire at a great velocity. 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt and Inferno Overdrive clashed, immediately setting the area ablaze with ravening sparks. The rubble had all been blown away from the impact as the referee had also put on protective gear.

It was as intense as everyone expected it to be as the resulting clash created two different wind pressures that blew in each direction. Some of the crowd ended up being blown away by this pressure while some held on for dear life. Scootaloo closed her eyes from the pressure, keeping one of them open to see how it would turn out. She just barely managed to see Ash as he was grinning, holding onto his hat.

"Yeah. You've gotten strong, Scootaloo." Ash said with a proud look on his face. "All of you. Man, you guys are awesome. But...you've still got ways to go!" He then raised his head as his eyes flared with an azure blue Aura sparkling for a split second, showing that he had the advantage by a mile. "Go, Pikachu!"

"PIKA!" Pikachu exerted some more power into the attack as the Inferno Overdrive had been penetrated. The flames fizzled out as the orb cracked. Pikachu's attack reigned supreme as the six thunderbolts crashed into the Fire Horse Pokemon. The ferocious clash had ended with a white light emerging right afterwards.

Ash took his hat off his head, knowing what would come next. Everyone else who hung on or had been blown away took a peek at the fading light and smoke. After such a fierce attack, only one of them would withstand it. Pikachu descended as his attack succeeded in the end.

"Rapidash..." Rapidash had fainted, however.

"Rapidash is unable to battle! Pikachu wins! Thus, the victor is Ash!" And that was all she wrote. Officially, it was over. Now that the extra battle ended, the Canterlot Junior Cup came to a proper close as the crowd let out their final cheers and applause.

"Guess that's that." Scootaloo smiled as she expected this result, trotting over to her partner. "We tried, Rapidash. But Ash is still so strong."

"Rapidash." Rapidash nuzzled Scootaloo, making her laugh. After her win-streak through this competition, it had come to an end. Ash and Pikachu walked over to pay their respects to such skilled trainers. 

"Ash. Pikachu..." Scootaloo's eyes lit up as Ash held his hand out along with Pikachu.

"Here's to getting stronger. Together. I'm psyched to see how far you'll go, Scootaloo. We're gonna keep on improving together in all sorts of ways, aren't we?"

"Pika-Pikachu."

"We are." Scootaloo felt like tearing up, only for Rapidash's flames to evaporate the tears. Rapidash stood up as he and Scootaloo made contact with Ash and Pikachu's arms. "Thanks, Ash. For everything. Next time, let's battle when I'm at my best. Whenever that is."

"I'll be waiting for your best. For now, let's all head home and eat like champions. Okay?" Ash grinned, referring to how Scootaloo was a mini-champion for winning this tournament. Her heart skipped a beat as that was also something that she loved to hear. The little pegasus nodded in agreement as the curtains closed on the Canterlot Junior Cup.

Truly, an exciting event. Despite being smaller scale than the first Canterlot Tournament and the Canterlot Tag Battle Competition, the Canterlot Junior Cup did not disappoint. It gave the younger generation to show just how far they've come. The future of Pokemon was in good hands and hooves from both worlds. 

But now, it was time to go home. Tobias left the scene without a whisper, mysteriously vanishing just like he did in Alola as Celestia pranced off to help fix the arena, which had taken a lot of battle damage. Twilight and her friends left their seats as the Sun had finally reached the horizon. All that was left was for the silver Moon to come. But before that moon could rise, they were already heading home.

But, this wasn't even the tip of what could happen next. The Equestria League was the one that everyone was looking forward to. The mother of all competitions when it comes to Pokemon Battles. The Regional League. It was so close yet so far at the same time.

As the journey continues.


Chapter 822 End.