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Ash stood at the edge of the Gym’s battlefield with Pikachu perched on his shoulder and RotomDex floating next to him. He pulled his gloves taut with a confident smile as his opponent stepped out into the light; Iris, decked out in her full Champion regalia.
The pink frills of her white dress billowed gracefully over the ground as she walked, the sash around her shoulders following suit. Her hair, done up in loops and a magnificent ponytail, was topped by a gold tiara with emeralds set in the points, which glinted in the light. She wore a similar look to Ash as she stopped on the opposite side of the field, Drayden sitting in the stands with his arms crossed at the center.
A Drone Rotom flew into the Gym with a whirring sound, positioning himself at the center of the battlefield. Once he was settled, he spoke, “This Ultra Class battle of the Pokemon World Championships between Competitor Ash and Competitor Iris will now begin.”
“This will be a Single Battle. Each competitor will use three Pokemon. When all three Pokemon on either side are unable to continue, the battle will be over. Both competitors may freely substitute their Pokemon. Additionally, each competitor is allowed one usage of either Mega Evolution, Dynamax or a Z-Move.”
“On my mark, both competitors will send out their first Pokemon at the same time. Are you ready?”
Both Champions readied their first Poke Ball and replied, “Yes!”
Drone Rotom continued, “Send out your Pokemon, in 3! 2! 1! Go!” As he said “go” he quickly ascended out of the way of the battle that was about to begin.
Ash threw his ball, shouting, “Farfetch'd, I choose you!”
At the same time, Iris threw her ball and shouted, “Gabite, go!”
The Pokemon appeared on the field at the same time, briefly enveloped in blue light before becoming fully visible. Gabite stood with his claws ready, slashing at the air once, twice, then letting out a roar, “Gabaaaaarrrrr!” before readying himself again.
Galarian Farfetch'd, across from him, simply hefted his leek and stuck out his wing, flexing it in a “come hither” motion. “Kamon,” he said, and he set his steely gaze on the Cave Pokemon.
“I'm making the first move,” Iris said, cutting right to the chase, “Gabite, use Scale Shot!”
Gabite swung his left arm back, then threw it forward. Glittering scales scattered from the fin on his arm and flew towards Farfetch'd.
“Farfetch'd, use Steel Wing to block it and get in close!” Ash said in retaliation.
Farfetch'd put a wing in front of his body as it glazed over with a metal-like sheen, then rushed forward towards his opponent. The scales plinked off of the iron-bound feathers as he closed the distance and, soon, was right in front of Gabite.
“Leaf Blade!” Ash called out. Farfetch'd’s leek shimmered with an emerald green glow as he grabbed it with both wings to swing it into Gabite’s side.
“Counter it with Shadow Claw!” Iris commanded.
Gabite swung against the leek, claws cloaked in dark energy, but Farfetch'd was faster. Leaf Blade collided with the Dragon type and sent him flying. He quickly regained his balance and skidded to a halt.
“Earth Power!” Iris called, to which Gabite reared up with both claws and stabbed them into the field. The ground underneath Farfetch'd began to broil.
“Dodge it!” Ash cried, but he was too late. The shifting ground made it difficult for Farfetch'd to move especially with his heavy leek, and it burst in a plume of hot magma, throwing the Wild Duck Pokemon into the air with a pained cry. He landed on his feet back at his original position, panting slightly.
Ash assessed the situation. Gabite was clearly well-trained; Iris wasn't a Champion for no reason. He wouldn't get anywhere trying to work around Gabite's ranged moves with Farfetch'd only able to attack up close. He withdrew his ball and said, “Farfetch'd, return.”
A beam of red light shot out of the ball and enveloped Farfetch'd, and he returned to the ball. “Take a break for now. I'll need your help later,” Ash told his Pokemon. He tucked Farfetch'd away and pulled out his next choice.
“Drizzile, I choose you!”
The Water Lizard Pokemon materialized on the field in a wide stance, prepared for battle. She formed two balloons, one in each hand, and popped them both to pump herself up.
“Drizzile, use Air Slash!” Ash commanded. Drizzile spun in a full circle as her tail glowed, then whipped it forward. A sharp wind was cast from the force and careened towards Gabite.
“Block it with Scale Shot!” Iris called out. Once more Gabite threw out its scales, which collided with Air Slash in a plume of white smoke.
“Liquidation!” Ash cried from the other side, and a moment later Drizzile burst through the cloud dashing towards her opponent, her right hand cloaked with a writhing torrent. She quickly closed the distance and nailed the Cave Pokemon with a fierce uppercut, snapping his head back.
“Gab-!” he choked out. It seemed to take more damage than normal.
Drizzile then winced in pain herself, shaking the hand she'd struck Gabite with. She jumped back towards her trainer, rubbing her knuckles.
“Drizzile, what's wrong?” Ash said, concern leaking into his demeanor.
Drizzile showed him her hand, “Drizz, Drizzile.” It was scratched up and raw where she'd touched Gabite.
Iris beamed, “That's Gabite's ability at work.”
“Huh?” Ash questioned. He knew Gabite could have Sand Veil; that was his own Gabite's ability. Was there something else?
“My Gabite's Ability is Rough Skin,” Iris continued, giving a proud little huff.
“Ash,” Rotom chirped, “Rough Skin is Gible, Gabite, and Garchomp’s Hidden Ability. Any Pokemon that touches him to attack takes a bit of damage in return. I don't recommend using Liquidation again.”
Oh I get it now, Ash thought to himself. Farfetch'd didn't take damage when he attacked Gabite because he didn't actually touch him, only the leek did. If he had tried Steel Wing instead, he would have taken damage just as Drizzile just had.
“And I'm betting you didn't know about this either,” Iris said cheekily before telling Gabite, “Get behind Drizzile and use Slash!”
“Behind? How-,” Just as he'd said it, Gabite shot forward with unnatural speed, and was behind Drizzile before she or Ash could react. His claws dug into Drizzle's back and she cried out in pain, then was thrown across the battlefield from the force. It must've been a critical hit.
Crap, Ash grimaced. He'd forgotten about Scale Shot’s secondary effect, now that he could get a better look at Gabite. His scales were thinner than when they'd started, and he looked lighter on his feet; Scale Shot lowered the user's Defense in exchange for raising its Speed.
Drizzile was still flying through the air when Iris called, “Earth Power!” Gabite stabbed his claws into the ground again.
“Dodge it!” Ash cried. Drizzile righted herself and used her momentum to throw herself up with a back handspring, getting herself high in the air and avoiding the bubbling earth below her. They had to finish it in one shot.
“Air Slash!” Another blade of air sliced through the space between Drizzile and Gabite.
“That won't work, Ash! Scale Shot!” Gabite blocked the attack just as he had done before. His scales appeared even thinner now, and Ash took the opportunity.
“Now use Ice Shard!”
The Unova Champion balked as soon as he said it, and a dagger of ice crystallized in Drizzle's hand. She threw it and it flew across the battlefield, quick as a flash.
Gabite's eyes widened, but there was nothing he could do. The icicle struck him square in the chest, and the force bowled him over. The super-effective move, combined with his lowered Defense, rendered him instantly unconscious.
“Gabite is unable to battle. Drizzile is the winner,” Drone Rotom announced.
Ash pumped his fist, “Yes! Great job, Drizzile!”
Drizzile blushed and rubbed the back of her head, but with a pleased expression on her face. “Drizzile~” she said, returning to their side of the field to prepare for the next match.
Iris recalled the fainted Gabite, then cupped the ball in both hands as she said, “You battled well, Gabite. Take a long rest.” She carefully tucked him away and withdrew her second Pokemon. “Go, Haxorus!”
The Axe Jaw Pokemon crashed onto the field, kicking up a small cloud of dust. He swished his tail, then let out a roar. A grin spread across Ash’s face. “Is that…?” he queried.
Iris giggled, “It sure is. Little Axew is all grown up.”
“Wow,” Ash wondered. He felt a weird sense of pride, like he had helped raise Haxorus. “Congratulations buddy. Can't wait for you to show me what you can do!” He raised a fist excitedly. Haxorus allowed himself a moment to fold his arms and pridefully hold his head high, cheeky smile on his face, before focusing back on the battle at hand.
“Drizzile, can you keep going?” Ash asked his Pokemon who turned to look at him.
She raised a hand and gave him a thumbs up with a determined smile. “Drizz,” she said confidently.
“We'll make the first move this time,” Ash said, launching right back in, “Use Water Gun!”
A balloon formed in Drizzle's hand. She pointed it at Haxorus and squeezed, popping the balloon and jetting the water inside at her opponent. It hit its mark, splashing Haxorus in his face; but the Dragon type Pokemon shook his head and glared down at Drizzile, smirking menacingly. It barely did anything at all. Drizzile took a step backward, unnerved.
“It’s alright, Drizzile!” Ash told his Pokemon to reassure her, “Run around it and keep using Water Gun!”
A bead of sweat forming on her brow, Drizzile did as she was told and began sprinting to her right in a circle around Haxorus, forming balloons in both hands and popping them repeatedly to batter Haxorus with attacks.
A few made it through, and seemed to start affecting him, when Iris commanded, “Cut down the attack! Psycho Cut!”
A pinkish energy leaked from Haxorus’ tusks as he swung his head to the right, then quickly to the left, throwing a blade of this energy directly at Drizzile. It easily sliced through the Water Gun barrage, and Drizzile herself barely managed to avoid getting hit herself. “Drizzile!” she cried out in fear.
Ash grimaced. “Drizzile, disappear! Get in position!”
She nodded, “Zzile!” and instantly vanished from sight.
Haxorus and Iris both blinked in brief astonishment, before Iris alerted her Pokemon, “Stay on guard! She could attack at any minute!”
“Haxor!” he responded, and began scouring the battlefield for any trace of Drizzile’s presence. Both trainers watched intently, joining Haxorus in his search.
Ash knew Drizzile. She would give him a sign that she was ready, he just had to find it before Iris and Haxorus did.
A moment passed in agonizing silence. Another.
Then, Ash spotted the dirt shift, ever so slightly, a short distance behind Haxorus and to his right. A small dune formed, as thought had been pushed by a foot.
“Now Drizzile! Use Ice Shard!”
Drizzile reappeared with her teeth gritted, crystal already forming in her hand.
“Tch!” Iris started, then yelled, “Haxorus, behind you! Use Iron Head!”
The Axe Jaw Pokemon quickly turned around, his face glimmering like reflective steel, as Drizzile hurled the shard at her opponent. It connected, but so did Iron Head. Haxorus headbutted her into the ground, laying her flat on her stomach.
“Get up Drizzile!” Ash cried out as his Pokemon struggled to climb to her feet, but Iris immediately followed up, “Use Dragon Claw!”
Emerald-green claws formed on Haxorus' arms and he swung at Drizzile, still vulnerable on the ground and completely unable to dodge. He caught her in the throat and threw her across the room, slamming into the wall outside of the battlefield with a choked, “Drizz-...” She slid down, then fell over face first, unconscious.
Drone Rotom flew over to Drizzile and, in its clinically detached voice, stated, “Drizzile is unable to battle. Haxorus is the winner.”
“Drizzile!” Ash shouted, and he ran to his Pokemon's side along with Pikachu, while Iris praised Haxorus. He turned her over onto her back and held her head up, asking, “Drizzle, are you alright?”
The Water Lizard stirred, and her eyes opened blearily to meet his own. He smiled, relieved. “You were great, Drizzile. I'm proud of you.”
Drizzile smiled weakly as her face flushed red at the praise, “Drizz… zile…” and she lost consciousness once more.
Ash retrieved her ball and returned her to it, “Take a long rest. You earned it.” As her weight left his arms, he stood up and faced Haxorus standing imposingly on the field. He snorted in response, a rush of hot breath leaving his nostrils. Ash could see the competitive fire in his eyes, and it made him even more excited.
He returned to his position at the end of the battlefield and called out Farfetch'd once again. The Wild Duck glared at Haxorus with steely resolve.
Iris called the first move, “Haxorus, use Dragon Claw!” Haxorus rushed towards Farfetch'd, the same green claws that had knocked out Drizzle adorning his arms.
“Farfetch'd, Retaliate!” Ash countered. Farfetch'd's eyes widened, alight with something akin to cold fury. He grabbed his leek with both wings, and, as Haxorus closed in to attack, violently thrust the butt of the leek directly into his stomach.
Haxorus' eyes bulged, and he reeled from the impact, coughing with pain. Ash knew he had to have taken huge damage with just that one attack; Retaliate, of course, was twice as strong if the user had just lost an ally.
Iris had a bead of sweat rolling down her cheek as she said, smiling in spite of herself, “Well played, Ketchum.”
“I try,” he said nonchalantly with a little shrug.
Farfetch'd huffed, “Mon,” and readied himself to loose another attack.
“Try this one on for size,” the Unova Champion said, then threw her hand out and ordered, “Haxorus, use Outrage!”
Haxorus’ eyes glowed red, and he began to rampage towards Farfetch'd.
“Use your leek to block it!” Ash called. He knew Farfetch'd would be too slow to dodge effectively, so he had to hold out hope that he could protect himself with the leek.
Farfetch'd positioned the leek in front of him in a defensive posture, ready to receive the attack. “Kamon Kamon!” he taunted.
They met. Haxorus kicked, punched, and scratched wildly at his opponent, but Farfetch'd held his ground. For several agonizing seconds Haxorus continued to beat down on Farfetch'd trying to land a hit; a few did get past, and Farfetch'd grimaced with each one but stayed standing.
Finally, the attacks stopped and his eyes returned to normal–or at least they would have, were they not rolling wildly in his skull. Outrage’s downside: the user becomes confused from the exertion.
Haxorus had known this move since he was an Axew. Iris had almost certainly come up with a strategy for getting around the confusion and would be employing it any second, so he had to work fast. “Farfetch'd, use Steel Wing to trip Haxorus!”
At the same time, Iris told Haxorus, “Move away! Then get rid of your confusion!”
Haxorus seemed to understand the second command; he slammed his head into the ground, presumably to stave away the confusion; but he didn't move, leaving him wide open.
Metal feathers shone on his wing once more, and Farfetch'd swiped at Haxorus’ legs with the attack. The Dragon type lost his balance and fell heavily onto his back.
Iris muttered a swear, calling out, “Dragon Claw!” Still on his back, Haxorus began swinging his claws wildly.
“Get above Haxorus, then use Knock Off!” Ash shouted. Farfetch'd swung the leek overhead and slammed it into the ground, using the force to throw himself up into the air and avoiding Haxorus' flailing.
“Psycho Cut!!” Iris cried.
Psychic energy gathered on the edges of Haxorus' tusks again, but too late. Farfetch'd brought the leek down on his head with another overhead swing, and used the momentum to flip forward and land on his feet. Haxorus did not get up.
“Haxorus is unable to battle,” Drone Rotom declared, “The winner is Farfetch'd.”
“Great work Farfetch'd,” Ash told his Pokemon, who simply raised his chin proudly.
“Kamon,” he declared.
Iris kneeled next to Haxorus and stroked his neck until he came to a few moments later. “You were amazing, Haxorus,” she said softly, then wrapped him in a hug. Haxorus quietly closed his eyes and leaned into her embrace.
“Hey, Haxorus,” Ash said a moment later, taking a knee on his other side. The Dragon type opened his eyes and looked at him.
“Drizzile is a tough opponent,” Ash continued, “And so is Farfetch'd. You're strong, and you'll keep getting stronger with Iris.” Behind Ash, Farfetch'd stood holding his leek and wearing his typical scowl, but his eyes held respect for the Axe Jaw Pokemon.
Ash held his fist out sideways for a bump. “I can't wait to see how strong you are the next time we battle,” he said, a smile plastered on his face.
Haxorus matched him, confidence, pride and satisfaction on his face, and reciprocated Ash's fist bump before being returned to his ball.
“He's grown up so much since I saw him last,” Ash commented as both Champions stood up, “You're a great trainer, Iris.”
“Of course,” she remarked somewhat cheekily, “You don't become Champion by being an okay trainer.”
The Alola Champion held his hands up in mock defeat. “Yeah yeah, fair enough… shall we continue milady?” he teased.
“We shall,” she replied. They both returned to their own sides of the field and, when they were ready, Iris called out her final Pokemon.
“My oldest partner… Excadrill, I choose you!”
The Subterrene Pokemon appeared in a dazzle of light and crashed onto the field. His metal claws gleamed in the light as he rubbed his inner claws together to create a sharp noise, then shouted, “Cadrill!”
“Excadrill, huh?” Ash said with new resolve. It became obvious who his final Pokemon should be, even though he had already decided before the battle had even started. “Let's keep up the pace, Farfetch'd!”
“Negi!” Farfetch'd shouted, hefting the leek in both wings and holding it ready to attack.
“Excadrill, use Drill Run!” Iris commanded, taking the initiative.
Excadrill jumped backwards, then using his powerful legs to rocket forward towards Farfetch'd, closing his claws around his head and spinning rapidly.
“Block it using Steel Wing!” Ash called out to his Pokemon, knowing he wouldn't be able to dodge it in time.
His feathers glowed with a silver sheen as Farfetch'd positioned it to shield his body, and used his other wing to brace the leek against the ground as Excadrill made impact.
Sparks flew as the sharp noise of steel grinding against steel filled the air. The force pushed Farfetch'd back a few inches, but he held strong thanks to his leek. The Wild Duck winced with pain; it was only a block after all, the move still connected. As the mole’s gyrations began to slow at the move’s end, Farfetch'd tossed him away with a powerful thrust of his wing.
Still flying through the air, Excadrill released himself from drilling posture as his Trainer called out, “Focus Blast!”
A bright ball of cyan energy formed between his claws, and as he prepared to throw it Ash commanded, “Stay put, and use Knock Off on my mark!” Farfetch'd set his jaw and held his leek like a PokeBase player ready to swing for the fences.
Excadrill fired the orb and it flew through the air. Ash waited half a beat, another, then shouted, “Now!”
Farfetch'd whipped the leek around and cleanly struck the opposing move, with such force that it warped its shape around the sturdy vegetable. The projectile rocketed back towards its user, who was just landing back on the ground and had no time to react. It collided with a plume of smoke as he cried out in pain.
“Tch! Just like you…,” Iris muttered, then said, “Use Dig!”
The Subterrene Pokemon disappeared beneath the earth before the smoke had cleared, leaving Farfetch'd alone on the field.
“Keep your guard up Farfetch'd,” Ash warned, “He could appear at any ti-”
He didn't even get to finish his sentence before the ground erupted from underneath his Pokemon. Farfetch'd was thrown into the air by a whirling matrix of steel and flesh, crying out in agony as he was. The impact was so harsh that he almost lost grip on his leek.
“Finish it up with Smart Strike!”
Excadrill pressed his claws together to form a fine point, then leapt up to follow Farfetch'd.
Ash grunted in frustration. He would call one of his moves to get Farfetch'd to block or dodge, but it was pointless; Smart Strike always hit its mark if the target didn’t use a move like Dig or Protect.
Excadrill thrust his claws directly into Farfetch'd's chest, throwing him down to the field below. The landing was hard enough to knock the leek from his wing and, unsurprisingly, also knock Farfetch'd out cold.
Drone Rotom tutted over to double-check his status, then dutifully announced, “Farfetch'd is unable to battle. The winner is Excadrill.”
Excadrill dusted the dirt off his claws, then clicked them together with a smirk on his face. Ash recalled Farfetch’d to his ball, then said to him, “Take a rest Farfetch’d. You were great.”
He put away the ball, then glanced across the field at his opponent and her Pokemon. They were perfectly in sync, having lived, trained and fought together for most of their lives. They both had a look in their eye that told him exactly what they wanted. He smiled as he said, “I think we’re long overdue for a rematch, don’t you agree?”
Trainer and Pokemon both squared their posture and Iris returned the smile, saying, “We thought you’d never ask.”
Ash looked down to his left at his partner and best friend. “You ready Pikachu?” he asked, knowing perfectly well what the answer was.
Pikachu looked back, fierce determination in his eyes. He balled his fists in front of his chest and shouted, “Pika, Pikachu!”
“Alright then,” Ash said, “Pikachu, I choose you!” He pointed out at the field as he said it, and Pikachu darted into place, electricity crackling from his bright red cheeks as he did.
Drayden got a surprised look on his face, and Rotom let out a few sputtering noises before crying, “Ash! Pikachu is an Electric type! His moves won’t be able to do anything to Excadrill!”
“I know that,” Ash assured them without breaking eye contact with Iris. “I knew that when we faced off at the Club Battle finals, four years ago.”
“Think you can bring home a win this time, Ash?” Iris lightly taunted.
“I know I will,” he replied, not wavering in the slightest. “Pikachu, use Extreme Speed!”
The yellow rodent briefly planted his feet, then cannoned into Excadrill’s chest faster than he or Iris could react. Excadrill winced and skidded backwards a few feet from the impact but wasn’t terribly affected; Ash knew this would be the case, he was part Steel type after all.
Pikachu flipped over and pushed off of Excadrill and prepared for a follow-up, which Iris obliged, “Excadrill, use Focus Blast!” The Subterrene Pokemon molded the attack in his claws, preparing to fire.
“Pikachu, dodge it with Extreme Speed!”
Pikachu dashed once more, running in a circle around Excadrill. He moved so quickly that he left afterimages, forming a ring of false Pikachus around the Ground type, mimicking Double Team.
Excadrill launched the Focus Blast, but it passed harmlessly through the Pikachu doubles. It kept going and collided with the far wall. Iris gritted her teeth in frustration.
“Now, keep up the Extreme Speed, and use Iron Tail!” Ash shouted.
Pikachu’s tail shimmered over with a metallic coat, then all at once he closed in, still running circles around his opponent and repeatedly whacking him with Iron Tail. Excadrill took a beating all over, his body twisting and flinching away with every hit.
“Get him away! Use Smart Strike!” Iris called out.
Excadrill got a gleam in his eye, and he jabbed his claws directly into Pikachu’s side taking advantage of Smart Strike’s inability to miss. He threw Pikachu away from him, sending the Electric Mouse flying across the battlefield.
Iris shouted, “Don't let up! Drill Run!”
The Ground and Steel type careened after Pikachu, striking him square in the chest with the super effective move. He cried out in agony as he took huge damage and was thrown further from his opponent.
“Keep the pressure on Pikachu, and use Dig!” Iris commanded. Excadrill didn't even have to leave drilling posture, he just kept spinning and allowed gravity to drag him to the earth below.
Pikachu recovered from the previous attack, staggering onto his feet. His Trainer called out, “Close your eyes and try to feel moving. Jump straight up when he gets close!”
“Pika!” the Electric type confirmed, and closed his eyes. His ears twitched as he waited and listened for Excadrill to make his move.
A moment passed. Finally Pikachu's eyes snapped open and he hurled himself into the air with a shout, “Pi-KA!”
At the same time Ash said, “Use Electroweb!” A wily ball of electricity formed on Pikachu's tail, and he launched it at the ground; the orb burst into a spiderweb arcing with electricity on every strand.
“Electroweb?!” Rotom practically shrieked, “But that's-”
Excadrill burst from the ground at nearly the exact moment, colliding with the web. He kept flying up towards Pikachu, but the web connected to the ground and held fast; the tendrils of electrified silk latched onto Excadrill, slowing his momentum and stopping him from spinning. Before long he was knotted in a tangled net of electrified webs.
Ash grinned. “Exactly what I wanted,” he finished Rotom’s statement. He knew Electroweb wouldn't deal any damage, but it would restrict his opponent's movement and that was all he needed.
“Shit,” Iris said under her breath, “Get out of the webs!”
Excadrill tried to leave his drilling posture, but could only free his legs such that he could stand up. The mess of sparking ropes wrapped around his arms and head, made even worse by catching on the spikes meant to help his species bore through the ground, rendered him unable to separate them and thus unable to see.
“Pikachu, jump and use Iron Tail, use Extreme Speed in the air!” Ash ordered his Pokemon.
Pikachu, who had landed while Excadrill struggled with the webs, leapt back into the air, his tail shining in the overhead lights, and flipped over in the air. He kept spinning, and began to do so faster and faster until he was a whirring ball with a bright iron ring. Through the gyrations the battlers could make out, “Chuuaaaaa…”
He sailed down onto Excadrill, finishing the cry, “Pi-KA!” The impact slammed his front into the ground, broke the earth beneath them and threw rubble into the air. Excadrill cried out in pain. The hit was so ferocious that it broke the webs binding his arms to his face, freeing them in the process.
“Use Smart Strike to grab his tail!” Iris called out. In a flash, the Ground type’s claws whipped into the air and clasped tightly onto Pikachu's tail.
The Unova Champion practically snarled, “Do it! Slam him!”
Excadrill obliged, bringing the Electric Mouse Pokemon up and back down for a hard impact with the ground. Without waiting for another command, he swung Pikachu back up and around to do it again and again. Pikachu grunted with every wound inflicted.
Ash gritted his teeth, then shouted, “Pikachu, bob up and down with Extreme Speed!”
The mouse did as he was told, and started to vibrate in Excadrill's claws. The force of the vibrations forced Excadrill to let go, but Iris followed up immediately, “Focus Blast!”
At point blank range, and barely recovered from the prior beating, Pikachu couldn't avoid the move. The explosion threw him back towards Ash as he cried out. He tumbled to the ground, battered. Excadrill, while greatly weakened, still looked like he had quite a bit of fight left in him.
“Come on, Pikachu, hang in there! I have an idea!” Ash pleaded as he reached into his right pocket. He felt around for a brief moment while Pikachu struggled to his feet, then drew out his prize: a gray diamond-shaped crystal, which he quickly snapped into the black bracelet on his left wrist.
“What is he…? Be ready for anything, Excadrill,” Iris said, to which her Pokemon shouted a confirmation.
The crystal suddenly began to glow with a brilliant light as both Pikachu and Ash crossed their arms in front of them, and the Trainer said, “Alright Pikachu… let's finish this with one more attack.”
The pair swung their arms around and down to their sides, before pounding their fists together twice and thrusting them forward. Energy swirled around Ash’s body and flowed into Pikachu, coalescing into a Z-shape as the maneuver was completed.
“This is our full Z-Power! Pikachu, use Corkscrew Crash!”
Pikachu jumped lightly into the air and, with a quick sideways flip, began spinning rapidly. The shape of his tail blurred around him to form a conical drill, and he charged forward towards his target.
“Dodge it! Use Dig!” Iris called out. Excadrill burrowed into the ground, just missing getting clipped by the Z-Move. She smiled, a little relieved, then noticed Ash still smirking confidently.
The Z-Move suddenly turned into an upward loop, arcing high above the ground before twisting to bore straight down into the earth at top speed. Excadrill resurfaced and the two Pokemon collided, the sharp noise of grinding steel filling the room.
This continued for two beats, then they broke past each other, Pikachu landing near Iris, Excadrill by Ash. Both battlers were breathing hard, covered in scratches and bruises.
It was silent in the Gym aside from the Pokemon’s breath. The Trainers kept their eyes locked on the opposing Pokemon, watching. Waiting for them to falter. Drone Rotom flew in closer.
“Pi… Pi… Pi…”
“Drill… drill… drill…”
Pikachu staggered, but stayed up. Another agonizingly long few seconds passed.
Excadrill cringed. He fell to his knees and collapsed.
“Excadrill is unable to battle,” Drone Rotom declared, “Pikachu is the winner, which means this battle goes to Competitor Ash.”
A grin broke out on his face as the Alola Champion thrust a fist in the air triumphantly and shouted, “Alright! You did it, Pikachu!” He ran and scooped up his Pokemon, swinging him around and laughing delightedly.
“The rankings of the Pokemon World Championships will be updated shortly, according to the results of this battle,” Drone Rotom stated, before flying up and out of the gym. Ash barely heard. He would check his new placement later.
Iris sat down next to Excadrill as he woke up, “You were great. We almost had them… they're strong opponents.”
“Drill,” the mole nodded solemnly.
“Hey, you gave us a run for our money,” Ash retorted, joining them as he transferred Pikachu to his usual perch on his shoulder. “You probably would've beaten us if I hadn't used the Z-Move.” He held out his hand to help her up.
She accepted and said, as she and her Pokemon stood up, “Well, good to know all we need to beat you is get ourselves a Z-Move or a Mega Evolution of our own.”
“Whoa,” Ash said, feigning offense, “Don't get too far ahead of yourself. We're going to keep getting stronger, too. It's not going to be that easy.”
“And I wouldn't want it to be,” Iris assured her friend, smiling, “I want you to give your all every time we battle.”
“When do I ever disappoint?” He responded, returning her smile. The two Champions clasped hands and shared a look bursting with fierce passion.
“If we don't meet again before then… see you at the Masters Tournament. Champion Iris.”
She squeezed his hand. “You can count on it, Champion Ash.”