My Little Pokémon

by Amarvax

Skills of a Champion

Hoenn. Mossdeep City. Battle Carnival. The Pokemon Festival. Afternoon.

During an encounter with the mysterious Witch who appeared at the Battle Carnival, Ash had finally gathered the truth about this mysterious character. Her true identity had been revealed to be the alter-ego of Ghetsis' long-gone mother.

Many truths had come to light, but right now Ash was focused on battling as always. And as a bonus, the Witch had used her magic to copy Ash's years of battling skills, spreading it across the carnival. Right now, Ash's two opponents, Cloudchaser and Flitter, possessed his skills, exciting the King of the Sea.

"Time to throw down, you two! Win or lose, let's have fun." Ash said to them while having both Victini and Hoopa out, choosing them for this battle.

"Okay then. Let's see." Cloudchaser looked into her bag before holding out a Quick Ball. Flitter would do the same, taking out a Luxury Ball. "This'll do! Go!" Both threw their Poke Balls into the air, summoning their Pokemon. For them, they had Talonflame and Oricorio, Pom-pom style.

"Alright, let's have a game plan, you two," Ash spoke to Victini and Hoopa. "Cloudchaser and Flitter can-"

"Let Hoopa handle this!" Hoopa interrupted, stepping forward as he suddenly held his ring out.

"Huh? Wait, Hoopa!"

"Here goes!" Hoopa hen pulled something out of his ring. In this case, it would be a tornado that came crashing into this area Talonflame and Oricorio gasped before being carried by the tornado. It proved to be effective as Hoopa could truly bring out whatever he wanted with little limitations.

"I-Is that even fair?!" Cloudchaser stuttered once Talonflame and Oricorio were blown back by the tornado.

"See? Hoopa's still strong after all these years!" The Mischief Pokemon giggled while Victini and Meloetta simply facepalmed.

"Hoopa...that's cool and all, but we gotta work together, ya know," said Ash. He wasn't upset or disappointed with Hoopa at all. After all, Hoopa was considered a wild Pokemon without a trainer. He acted of his own volition.

"Hoopa does?" Hoopa pulled back his ring before he could potentially summon another destructive force. Probably another Pokemon if he felt like it

"Yeah. Together. That's how we become stronger and I know you love being strong even to this day."

"Hoopa loves being strong! But Hoopa's never battled like how Ashkan does."

"Just think back to when we were battling your shadow-self. Think of how I was with Rayquaza, Latios and Latias. Even when you saw me have all those battles. That'll help, right?"

"Hmm..." Digging into his memory, Hoopa recalled how Ash effortlessly commanded Rayquaza, Latios and Latias without any issue, making it seem effortless too. He even thought back to recently, when Ash battled the employee from before and back at Kalos. "Oh right. Hoopa will try."

"Great. This'll be your first time so don't worry about it buddy."

"Okay! Hoopa will try! Hoopa's ring will bring out whatever Ashkan wants!"

"Hang on!" Cloudchaser bellowed, raising her hoof. "Whatever you want? You don't mean that ring can bring out anything, right?"

"Oh, right? Can we use Hoopa's ring in battle?" This was something that even Ash wondered. Hoopa's ring could do anything and he could easily say whatever he wanted and Hoopa would make it happen.

"Let Hoopa do it! Please, Ashkan!" Hoopa wanted to. Without the ring, Hoopa wasn't much at all.

"Alright. I'll do my best with that ring. Let's go, Hoopa! Victini! Shadow Ball and Bolt Strike, go!"

"Tini!" Victini had the brightest smile on his face, overjoyed that he got to battle with Ash. And to show that excitement, he ended up using Zekrom's signature move, Bolt Strike. Meanwhile, Hoopa ascended, putting his hands together to summon up a blob of shadows.

"You'll use the ring?!" Cloudchaser pulled back. She already had a bad feeling about that ring. But thanks to the skills of Ash that have been given to her and Flitter, a part of her was too excited not to see how this would go. "Okay then! Talonflame, Aerial Ace!"

"Oricorio, use Aerial Ace also!"

"Talon!" It would be a dual Aerial Ace. Talonflame moved at confounding speeds while Oricorio joined it. Oricorio did a stylish flip, landing on Talonflame's back. And the second it did so, Ash's skills were potentially starting to reveal themselves.

"Spin! Aerial Ace Whirlwind!" Cloudchaser and Flitter both raised their hooves, shouting the same command in unison. Not only was this their usual way of working together but they had already used a tactic Ash would. High risk, high reward.

Once Oricorio was on Talonflame's back, both Pokemon started spinning with Oricorio performing a sideways pirouette and Talonflame doing a traditional barrel role. A whirlwind of white energy had emerged from their bodies due to their spinning.

This Aerial Ace combo looked like it could be troublesome as Cloudchase and Flitter were already great at working together. Combined with Ash's years of experience, it would make for a deadly combo. And it certainly did. The Aerial Ace Whirlwind had blasted through Shadow Ball, obliterating it as if it was nothing. As for Victini, he clashed with the Aerial Ace Whirlwind.

It was a powerful clash as sparks went about. But ultimately, this unification of attacks had managed to beat out Victini's Bolt Strike, crashing into Victini.

"Tini!" Victini cried out, heading towards Hoopa. Shocked, Hoopa used his ring in this instance. He held out one his rings, quickly using it as a defensive tactic. And it could be considered that as a cushion had emerged. Victini's body hit the cushion which was surprisingly strong enough to catch such an impact.

"Is that even fair...?" Flitter questioned as the impact of the attack had been cushioned. The fact that Hoopa could do this freely raised some questions.

"Doesn't matter!" Cloudchaser was past it already. She accepted it for what it was. "Let's go in again! Talonflame, Flamethrower!"

"Right! Oricorio, Revelation Dance!"

"Talon!" Talonflame and Oricorio would keep up the attack. It started with Talonflame breathing out a stream of fire which was then followed up by Oricorio's stylish moves. Oricorio did a nice cheerleading dance before then kicking the flames. The electricity from its body had emerged, surrounding the scarlet flames as another combination attack had been formed.

An Electric Flamethrower was born, heading toward both Victini and Hoopa.

"Hoopa, Protect!"

"Hoopa can do that!" Hoopa got in front of Victini, holding out another one of his rings. This time, he used his ring as a protective barrier and for once, nothing came out f it. It was simply just the energy from the ring as the combination attack had been blocked.

"Nice save, Hoopa." Ash gave a thumbs up with Hoopa putting on a proud face. So far, he's only played defensively but playing offensively against two trainers that possess Ash's skills made Ash think.

"Hmm...they're always good at working together." Ash took some time to observe his opponents. "And with my skills, they're turning their teamwork into a stronger version of it. But..."

"Don't let these weaklings stun you because that Witch gave them your experience," Sombra spoke to Ash from within. "It'd be terribly embarrassing."

"Let's go again!" The two of them said as Talonflame and Oricorio would do the same combination of Flamethrower and Revelation Dance yet again.

"Here they come! Time to use those Psychic levitations of yours! Move to the side!"

"Tini!" Victini and Hoopa would fly to the side instead of confronting this combination attack. It was a successful dodge as the attack only struck the wall instead.

"Talonflame! Brave Bird!"

"Go, Tailwind!"

"Oricorio!" Oricorio would flap its arms fast enough to alter the winds themselves as another combination attack was incoming. This time, once Oricorio altered the direction of the wind, Talonflame accelerated at double the speed. With an orange aura coating its body, the whirlwinds from Tailwind had added to that aura, causing Talonflame to come crashing it at stupendous speeds. And he was going straight for Victini.

"Here's an idea! Pull Victini away, Hoopa!"

"Gotcha!" Hoopa would do just that. He used his ring once more, placing his entire hand through it. By warping space, he managed to summon another ring behind Victini, grabbing the Victory Pokemon.

"Tini?!" Victini gasped after being pulled away. His body passed through the ring, entering another side of this area. Another swift dodge by Ash's team. But barely as Talonflame almost flew through the ring, only to receive a safe that Hoopa had summoned.

"Talon?!" Talonflame crashed into the safe, obliterating it. The impact was even strong enough to stop the Fire-Flying-Type in its tracks but not enough to harm it. The recoil damage would do just that.

"Hoopa?" Ash looked up at Hoopa once he saw the emergence of the safe. Hoopa giggled as Ash had no control over Hoopa's antics. Whatever he summons was just the best of his abilities. And the carnival encouraged that the trainers should go wild after all. "Oh well...But I think I got something from this."

"What did you get?" Sombra asked.

"They're all about how I merge my attacks together. That's the part of my experience Cloudchaser and Flitterended up getting. So...I know how I can beat them." Ash already figured it out. By looking t the way these two battled with his skills, he could see that there was a way past this. Even though it felt like he was battling against two variations of himself, Ash already knew how to get around this. The only way that could replicate this.

"Let's go! Hyperspace Fury! On three sides!" Ash bellowed as Hoopa created a large ring, the largest he made so far in this battle, summoning not just one but three of them.

"What's he planning?" Flitter wondered as these large holes appeared, exuding a massive threat.

"No idea. Let's stop it before the worst happens! Talonflame, Brave Bird!"

"Oricorio, Revelation Dance!"

"Flame!" Talonflame and Oricorio would focus on the three rings, spreading out with a stylish dance that was followed by a trail of electricity and a soaring charge.

"Here we go! Victini! Psychic on both sides!"

"Tini...!" Victini closed his eyes before then focusing on the two rings. By holding his hand out, Victini sent a Psychic wave through the two rings on the side while being in front of the third one in the middle. Once Talonflame and Oricorio came close, they were met with two large Psychic waves that had held them in place.

"Talon?!"

"Ori!" Oricorio and Talonflame had been restrained by a powerful mental constraint. They were unable to move and perform their combination attack thanks to this restraint.

"Now's your chance, Hoopa! Strike!"

"Okay!" Hoopa wasn't just there to set up rings for Victini to use. Hyperspace Hole was an attack after all. Out of it came Hoopa's hands, which had then transformed into fists. Hoopa started flailing his fists around, smacking Oricorio and Talonflame rapidly as they were unable to move.

"Is that what that does?!" Seeing what Hyperspace Hole was for the first time, Cloudchaser and Flitter gasped as their Pokemon were rapidly pummeled.

"Hoo...pa!" Hoopa delivered the final blow, pulling his arm back as he struck them both in the face. Talonflame and Oricorio were finally released from the Psychic hold, falling back. The two Flying-Types crashed into the floor right next to the pegasi.

That combination of Psychic and Hyperspace Hole proved to be effective as both Talonflame and Oricorio had fainted from that attack. Cloudchaser and Flitter were the first ones to lose some Pokemon in this battle.

"Yes! Way to go, you two!" Ash pumped his fist after he successfully defeated them both. Pikachu, Meloetta and the Witch, who was standing in the corner, applauded this first victory.

"Darn it...Maybe we shouldn't have swapped our aces." Cloudchaser sighed as it was revealed that Oricorio was her Pokemon while Talonflame belonged to Flitter. "Return."

"We're down to just three Pokemon. We've got this. I can feel it." Flitter replied.

"Yeah, I get it now. They've got my skills, for sure. But only I know how to counter my years of skills like that." Ash grinned as he was the perfect counter to his own skills. Years of experience could be matched perfectly by the one who had all the experience in the first place. "But I'd be lying if I said I wasn't enjoying it! Come on you guys! Let's keep going!"

---

Elsewhere, Hilbert and Hilda had come across some opponents by taking the same door. Thus, they would battle these opponents together in a double battle. They were the employees of this carnival as to be expected.

And for the most part, Hilbert and Hilda were dominating. Hydreigon and Haxorus were currently out, facing off against a Bronzong and a Ramprados. Victory was within their sights.

But that was until the verdant that possessed Ash's skills had arrived. Minutes ago, they entered the bodies of these two employees, granting them Ash's years of experience. Their loss wasn't imminent. There was a chance for them to make a comeback.

"Let's finish this! Hydreigon! Dragon Rush!" Hilbert commanded.

"Haxorus! Giga Impact!"

"Hydrei!" The two Dragons would charge in headfirst to put an end to this battle. And that was when the spirit of Ash woke up within them. Not only did they receive Ash's skills temporarily, but the Witch had even made it to the point where they received his spirit.

"No...It's not over yet!" One of the employees turned his top hat, just like Ash, even though there wasn't an opposite side. Ash's spirit was knocking within him. "Bronzong! Let it enter you! Flip over!"

"Huh?!" His teammate was confused by this choice of words. But with the spirit of Ash, he caught on quickly to this plan, deciding to help make sure it was efficient. "Right! Rampardos! Head Smash on Bronzong!"

"What are they doing?" Hilbert scratched his head as Bronzong lifted its body, revealing the hollow circular part that was rarely seen. But now it was as Rampardos got behind the Bronze Bell Pokemon.

Once Hydreigon and Haxorus got close, at the right moment, Ramprados smashed its head onto Bronzong's body. By doing so, when Hydreigon's head was about to enter Bronzong's hollow part, an unbridled soundwave emerged. A soundwave so strong that not only did it rupture the ears of Hyreigon and even Haxorus who was behind him, it resulted in a shockwave.

"D-Drei!" Hydreigon cried out as he had been blown back by the soundwave. He crashed right into Haxorus, causing Giga Impact to hit him instead. The result was an explosion that knocked the two Dragons in opposite directions.

Successfully, the two employees managed to save themselves, prolonging their chances to win this battle. Hydreigon and Haxorus rolled on the ground as Hilbert and Hilda were shocked to see them make this reversal.

"No way! I thought we had it!" Hilbert growled.

"They still have more in them. But where did this extra strength come from?" Hilda was the only one to recognize the fact that they didn't have this strength earlier. This entire battle was one-sided from the start.

They were both completely unaware of the magic that had entered them. This battle of theirs would last longer before they could have the chance to leave to the next area and challenge another trainer.

---

"Go, Eve! Dazzling Gleam! Serperior, Leaf Storm!" Meanwhile, Twilight was still facing off against Cadence and Shining Armor, who also received Ash's skills.

Rays of Rainbows were clashing with Aegislash and Sylveon. Twilight was already having some trouble with them on this endless water slide, but that trouble was only going to increase as Aegislash was swinging so fast that he managed to deflect the rainbow rays, leaving Sylveon to deal with Leaf Storm, using the energy of Moonblast to create a sphere so large that it ended up blocking the storm from getting closer.

"No good, Twilight!" Cadence exclaimed as Sylveon then released the large Moonblast sphere with Aeigslash getting rid of the last rays. The sphere came raging over towards Twilight's side of the slide. It was large enough to consume them all if something wasn't done.

"Oh no! Serperior! Iron Tail!

"Serperior!" Serperior lunged at the sphere, hardening his tail. He had the right strength to stop it as he managed to hold back the sphere. With some extra strength, he managed to cut it in half, preventing the attack from fully landing.

"Now's our chance, Aegislash! Ready, Cadence?"

"Ready. Moonblast, one more time!"

"Aegislash, stab into it!"

A combination of moves would occur even here. This time from Cadence and Shining Armor. Once the previous Moonblast had been cut in half, Sylveon made another one. But this Moonblast was average sides, prompting Aegislash to stab his entire bladed body into the fairy sphere.

Twilight pulled back after witnessing this as Aegislash created a new means to attack. Now he was holding not just sharp body but also a sphere of Aura on the tip of his blade. Plus, his ultimate defence was his shield.

"Have you two been practising something like this?!" Twilight Sparkle gasped.

"We did. It was two days ago. But we never perfected it." said Cadence. "And yet, something within us made us give it a go."

"And worked out well it looks like." Shining Armor followed as this was the result of Ash's spirit. Ash's spirit not only allowed him to come up with bizarre and unpredictable attacks, but it also allowed him to adapt.

Ash was all about adaptability. That's how he creates unpredictable moments. His observation of his opponents and his environments are what helped him persevere. He had Bertha and many others to thank for that.

"Go for it, Aegiaslsh! Sacred Sword!"

"Aegis!" Aegislash would home in, using the power of Moonblast and Sacred Sword in one attack.

"Okay then...Eve, go after Sylveon with Quick Attack! Serperior, Iron Tail!"

"Esp!" Espeon would go for her fellow Eeveelution, moving at lightning speeds as she ignored the Royal Sword Pokemon, phasing right through him thanks to Quick Attack's immunity. Aegislash would have to deal with Serperior who was slithering towards him.

"Use Quick Attack as well, Sylveon!"

"Syl!" Sylveon would meet with her fellow Eeveelution up close as well. Soon, a fierce clash between the four Pokemon would ensue. Clanging sounds from Serperior and Aegislash went off. The energy of Moonblast acted as an extra offence and layer of defence as Serperior was already being pushed back by Aegislash. His tail felt the shockwaves of Moonblast go off, giving Aegislash an advantage.

Espeon and Sylveon butted heads, going back and forth at lightning speeds with Quick Attack. They started bashing their heads against each other with Sylveon even dodging some attacks with Quick Attack. And all of this was on a water slide where they could maintain some balance.

And while all these battles were ongoing, the Witch, who was responsible for these instant power boosts, spoke while watching Ash's battle. She was essentially speaking to everyone despite being in one position.

"The power I bestowed upon them makes them strong yes. But in reality, it's only temporary. I never even gave the Pokemon Pikachu's experience. In truth, this kind of strength that someone like Ash had built up for years can only be matched by one thing. The bond between Trainer and Pokemon. The magic may not be within the Pokemon, but it's their bond that makes them strong. Just like Aura. Even my magic cannot replace that. I hope out there, you can agree with that...my son."

She referred to Ghetsis, thinking about him. While he was only an alter-ego made by his mother, she still counted as his mother. And as a mother, she cared for her son and feared that the Ghetsis of today had lost this kind of synergy with his Pokemon. A part of her knew that this was true.

Watching Ash and many others battle with these Strange and Wonderful Creatures couldn't bring her peace. The mother within was longing for that peace. And it could only be fulfilled by the son. The son who was already far gone at this point.

"You've all improved." Twilight smiled. "Shining Armor. Aegislash. All that training with Cobalion helped you both. And Cadence...I don't know where this strength came from but I love it. But I refuse to lose. After what I saw at the Cosmic Wall and everything that's happened involving our world and what could happen, I can't afford to ever slow down. So for the sake of my family and friends, I vow to improve and win!"

"Espeon!" Just like what Witch said, this resolve showed itself with Twilight and Espeon. The greater Twilight's resolve was, the more it would affect Espeon. The link between trainers and Pokemon was unparalleled as Espeon and Twilight used their Psychic abilities in this battle.

By closing her eyes, Espeon managed to evade Sylveon's incoming Quick Attack by moving just like the water itself. She swayed to the side, faster than Sylveon could perceive. "Syl?!"

"Esp!" Espeon then went in for a strike, hitting Sylveon from the side as she sent the Intertwining Pokemon flying.

"S-Sylveon!" Sylveon was now the one to roll on the water after crashing down, resulting in a turbulent ride.

"Ser!" Serperior was unable to win the clash as Aegislash slashed him back, proving to have the stronger offence.

"You've done well, for now, Serperior! I'll call you back later!" Seeing that Hilda's Serperior couldn't win this exchange with Aegisalsh of all Pokemon, Twilight chose to return Hilda's Serperior.

"Return, Sylveon!" Cadence did the same. Sylveon took a hard blow then, forcing Cadence to give her partner some rest.

Finally, this water slide had an end despite seeing so long. Bumper cars could be seen up ahead. Multiple bumper cars were at the end of this water slide as the light of day had finally shown itself. And waiting for them was the outside at last. This was their stop as Twilight and Cadence spread their wings, taking flight.

Espeon and Shining Armor leapt off the slide, heading for solid ground. Aegislash would soon follow by levitating there, keeping the Moonblast on his blade.

Eventually, the trainers landed on the bumper cars while the Pokemon would go for solid ground. The crowd that was watching this battle were still in their cars, cheering at this wonderful display. Much like every bumper car here, these ones were also active, ready to go at any moment.

Cadence already held out her next Poke Ball for the second Pokemon to arrive. Without a doubt, a rental Pokemon from the carnival as Sylveon was her only partner. As for Twilight, she would use another one of her friend's Pokemon. First, it was Ash's Dragonite, who was taking a break, then it was Hilda's Serperior and the third one would be revealed soon.

But, much like what the employees here said, they could swap opponents. Or even extensively, someone else could join. And the latter was about to happen. Entering this room was none other than Rainbow Dash who flew in, wiping some sweat off her forehead.

"Made it!" She exclaimed once entering the arena, hearing the crowd. She already finished her recent battle, ending up her next. The multi-coloured-maned mare would soon recognize familiar faces. "Oh, hey Twilight. And...Cadence and Shining Armor?!"

"Nice time to show up, Rainbow Dash. I could use some help." Now that Rainbow Dash was here, Twilight requested her assistance. She was already facing off against two opponents by herself. Having that extra muscle was beneficial.

"Right, right. I was just about to jump into the next battle anyway. Finish mine pretty quickly with j one hit, ya know." She boasted before flying to Twilight's side. "But what's your family doing here?"

"Eh. They got involved yesterday. And it even feels like they've had great growth since yesterday." said Twilight. "Be careful. I think their growth's gotten too big."

"Can't be that bad." But Rainbow Dash, who finished her battle relatively early, was unaware of what kind of skills this pair of Husband and Wife could unleash.

The battles within the Battle Carnival were amping up but would have to come to an end. But with the skills of Ash being embedded with some of them, taking down their opponents wouldn't be as swift as they would think.

---

Unova. Arcane Sea. Afternoon.

And meanwhile, over at Unova, Galaxy Master had returned to the Arcane Sea. When returning there, he continued his goal of giving Rift Energy back to the Rift. And this place was loaded with it. The biggest heap of energy so far.

But while gathering this magic with a comically large bucket, he soon dropped it, sensing someone nearby. Galaxy Master knew that aside from his Pikachu and Lapras, there was someone else here, lurking within the shadows while also staying away from the seas due to their unpredictability.

"I know you're there." Galaxy Master commented as the shadowy figure, who was waiting for Galaxy Master to return, finally showed himself. He couldn't from Galaxy Master as the comic book character spoke out his name.

"Darkrai."

As the journey continues.

Chapter 869 End.

Comments

[ArcticAce01]

"I know you're there." Galaxy Master commented as the shadowy figure, who was waiting for Galaxy Master to return, finally showed himself. He couldn't from Galaxy Master as the comic book character spoke out his name.

"Darkrai."

Hopefully Darkrai will be ok

[Amarvax]

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