Miranda, "Togekiss whirlwind!"
Misty gasped as she shielded her face, "She is strong."
Melody, "I mean she is the future ruler. Sir Krissh and Aegislash are no joke either."
Chloe, "He does not look phased one bit."
Ruby, "Sir Krissh has been working for the royal family for years now."
Ash, "No wonder he knows so much."
Lucario, -You are back Meema. Who did you call?-
Ash smirked, "I received the green for one of our rarer Pokemon partners."
Ruby's eyes lit up, "Which one?"
Ash smirked, "Wait for my chance to battle."
Lucario though was excited and watched the heated battle between the Princess and the Knight with high interest. The Princess and her Togekiss had obviously been training and battling for a while now, their team work was really good. Unfortunately, both Krissh and Aegislash had the advantage of experience and when he moved to attack Togekiss was forced to defend herself. Princess Miranda frowned and called out for a fairy type attack only for the attack to be cut into half be Aegislash. Then Togekiss sent a wind cutter which Aegislash dodged very effortlessly which made Ash give an impressed whistle. The battle lasted for seven minutes with both sides refueing to give in that easily and using their speed to dodge the attacks. Then Aegislash used Aerial Ace to close distance between them and Togekiss before using Zen headbutt to knock her out.
Miranda, "No, Togekiss, wake up."
Referee, "Togekiss is unable to battle. Aegislash wins the match."
Miranda sighed, "Return Togekiss. Thank you for the battle."
Krissh, "Well, you lasted longer than last week, Princess."
Miranda huffed, "I will kick your hind, one day old man. Just you watch."
Misty, "That was so cool."
Chloe, "Yes, you were awesome."
Miranda, "Thank you girls, that makes losing sting less."
Ash, "Battle me Sir Krissh!"
Krissh smirked, "With pleasure, Aegislash take a break to heal."
Aegislash nodded, "Lasssss."
Ruby, "I will go next."
Misty's eyes twinkled, "I want to battle Miranda first too. My poliwrath has been excited."
Miranda looked at the water type fighter, "Alright, let's battle."
The girls grinned as Misty and Miranda took their stances while Chloe and Melody went to wait in the observation area. Ash on the other hand was giddy as the battle started and Sir Krissh called Gallade while Ash called Annihilape. Annihilape took his stance on the battle field making the other Knights and trainers pause to watch the battle between the two start. Ash's Annihilape was quiet the celebrity among battlers, as he was the first Annihilape from Kanto to actually exist. Many wanted to know how Primeape evolved but Ash simply said only his Annihilape knew the secret as Ash was not really sure what factor alowed the evolution. Well, he knew but he was not going to tell them about the Aura training Lucario did with Primeape. Most people did not have both Lucario and the Mankey line on their teams so it was a mute point though if a trainer approached him with both, he would happily spill it.
Ash, "Close combat, just like we practiced."
Krissh, "Oh ho! You are not scared to get up close and personal. Well then, let me return the favour, close combat Gallade"
Ash, "Obviously not! We are not scared to step up and battle when needed. Use rage fist too, annihilape."
Krissh's grin became almost maniac, "Bulk up buddy, we are not losing today."
Miranda, "Force palm, Hariyama."
Misty, "Poliwrath dodge and counter with take down."
Chloe, "Both Misty and Ash are enjoying themselves, huh?"
Melody, "Yup and I can't wait for my turn."
One of the Knights approached them, "Yo Ruby! Been a while."
Ruby, "Tenka, been a while indded."
Tenka, "I did not know you were close to Kanto's darling trainer."
Ruby snorted, "Do not let Ash hear you say that."
Tenka snorted, "Sure but seriously though, pretty girls and a cute guy. You sure don't do anything by halves."
Ruby smirked, "Be green with envy."
Tenka, "Alright! Alright! Jokes aside, are you here to check on that?"
Ruby, "Partially here for that yes, do not worry about it."
Tenka, "I am not, just was not expecting you to still be interested in it."
Chloe, "Okay, what are you talking about?"
Tenka, "Something this Kingdom is proud of."
Ruby, "Can't tell you sorry. I need to get it done under the radar."
Melody, "Alright, we will not ask. Just be safe, okay?"
Ruby, "I am always safe."
Chloe, "Ooh! Haven't seen that move before."
Annihilape had used ice punch in one move and thunder punch right after that using both his fist. Ash had a blank face and sighed while shaking his head asking if Annihilape was alright. Annihilape shook his fist and gave a thumbs up to continue battling the Gallade who attacked him after shaking the effects. Ash was now kind of regretting talking about missing playing the game Genshin Impact just before leaving for Hoenn. Lucario had asked for details and Ash had explained the premise of the story and the battle mechanics that were used. The combination of hydro with cryo and electro made sense while cryo and electro was terrifying. Ash had just spoken of it once recalling the game with wistful fondness, singing the beta version of the opening which had words. He was not expecting his Pokemon to try and replicate those damn mechanics in real life and wonders if he should have told them no.
Krissh, "Are you okay Gallade?"
Gallade nodded, "Gall."
Krissh, "Alright, let's do it. You are not catching us off guard again."
Ash, "I would not expect anything less."
Annihilape, "Niii lape."
Ash, 'I will have to talk to my Pokemon later though. That almost took me off my game.'
Lucario though was rumbling inside feeling satisfied on seeing the results of their plan to try out the reaction mechanics. Was it a pain? Yes, yes it was a pain to get the right reaction result. Was it worth it? Also yes, Gallade looks wary now. That fighting type was not taking Annihilape seriously till this point and attack happened. From the look in Annihilape's eyes, even he realized that and was looking smug for startling the older fighter into becoming wary of him. This battle just became more interesting with Gallade dropping any pretense of holding himself back. Krissh stared at his Pokemon then at Annihilape and felt his grin spread across his face as he laughed. He had not seen his Gallade look this serious and excited about a battle ever since the rebellion happened and ended.
Krissh, "What was that though? I swear that was a combo punch or soomething."
Ash had an exasperated smile, "Apparently, my Pokemon have been experimenting outside my knowledge. I will figure it out later, I trust you know how to use it and your limits."
Annihilape who knew the last part was directed towards him nodded, "AppppE!"
Ash, "Alright then, let's keep on battling."
Melody turned to Ruby, "Did you know about that?"
Ruby, "No and from the looks of it, Ash is just as surprised."
Chloe, "Yeah but he also looks resigned... Do Pokemon learn by themselves?"
Ruby, "Hmm.... Ash has always encouraged his Pokemon to be independent so I hace no doubt, they took full advantage of that freedom."
Melody, "Ah! That makes sense, to be honest."
Ash, "Annihilape, shadow claw."
Krissh, "Sword dance. Let's finish this."
Despite the desire to finish the battle in one last move the battle continued for a few more seconds with both Pokemon dodging each other. Then both Pokemon saw an opening and attacked the other hitting each other to the floor making dust cloud float around everywhere. The referee waited for the dust to clear out and observed the two pokemon as they stubbornly got up and stared at each other with stubborness to match each other. Then Annihilape fainted while Gallade held on just long enough to be called the winner of the match before fainting as well. Ash called Annihilape back while grabbing another pokeball thanking Annihilape for the battle. Krissh was taking out another pokeball as well while thanking Gallade for the win and to rest. The man stared at the dark haired ten with questions in his head but decided to wait till the battle ended and called for Medicham while Ash called for Wigglytuff. The battle in the Shadow Gym continued till onle one Pokemon was left standing as the Victor.
Ash, "You win."
Krissh, "Thank you, though you were very close to defeating my Pokemon."
Ash, "Yeah, very close. Next time tough I will get a victory."
Krissh, "I look forward to it then. Ruby?"
Ruby smirked, "My turn."
Krissh, "Will I get to meet your infamous Dragon?"
Ash, "If I have anything to say about it, yes Tyrantrum will make an appearance."
Krissh barked out a laugh, "I look forward to it."
Ruby, "You are so obssessed with battles. I swear even I pale in front of you."
Krissh, "Why thank you my dear Champion. Now, shall we?"
Ruby, "Yes, let's battle."
Miranda huffed, "Let us battle too."
Chloe, "Oh sure! We got a little too caught up in Sir Krissh and Ash's battle."
Miranda, "Well, you can't deny they are good."
Tenka, "What about you, dear Lady? Interested in a battle?"
Melody smirked, "Bring it on."
The battle continued with Ash and Misty going to the side to heal their Pokemon while their friends took the arena. Those potions were honestly speaking a God send. After healing however, Ash decided to let Lucario have his fun and in Misty's words unleashed the hellion on poor unsuspecting Knights. For all that Lucario did not have Knight training yet, he kept up very easily with the rest of the Pokemon the Knights had and won a couple of times. Ash did request Lucario allow Phantump a chance to battle as well after seeing the little ghost watch the battles with interest. One of the best things about having ghost Pokemon was they could travel in your shadows allowing them to observe everything. Phantump was his own style of menance if the vines and will o wisp, he spammed lately were anything to go by. The teen is seriously wondering if he created a new type of monster honestly.
Ash mumbled seeing a Piloswine shriek from the Burning reaction, "I really should have a serious talk with them. This is kind of borderline illegal I think."
One of the Knights, "What the fuck was that combination? My Piloswine is an Ice and Ground type. Why is he burning?"
Ash, "Misty a little help?"
Misty, "Huh? What in the name of all sane and living? Cloyster water gun!"
Cloyster turned mid battle and shot a jet of water and the frantic Knight checked on his Piloswie pulling out the still warm leaves and vine. Ash on the other hand was asking Phantump if he has been trying out new combos by himself. While it was fine to learn new moves, it was risky without a point keeper. Phantump just slumped in Ash's arms proving his point, Phantump was too exhausted to even float. Ash sighed and told Phantump to rest and to not use the Burning reaction again, at least not without proper stamina training. Phantump pouted but had to agree as he was feeling very much drained after using a heavy handed vine whip and will o wisp. In order to make it work he had put a lot of his power into making the vines think and focused on making the will o wisp hot to burn the whip. Yes, maybe he should focus on stamina training first, he was going to sleep for now.
A blue haired Knight asked, "That was crazy. I have not seen a vine whip catch fire that easily brfore. What did you teach them?"
Ash sighed, "I did not teach them anything. They have been experimenting combos without my knowledge."
Ruby snorted, "My, looks like we have to step up."