Attempt Two: Brock Away Ash
"Hello." Humans
"Pika-chu." Pokémon addressing humans
"Hello." Pokémon addressing Pokémon
Soon, the midday point had been reached, and the rest of the homeroom class had arrived in the Pewter City Gym to see the impromptu gym challenge. Many were shocked by the damage that was caused by the attack, but some quickly gave praise to Ash and his Friends at their valiant defense. Ash and Brock soon followed them all after getting their Pokémon healed. Mrs. Croaker then made a beeline to speak with both Ash and Brock.
"Gym Leader Brock. I can't thank you enough for keeping my students safe today. And giving young Ketchum another early chance at a gym badge." She said, brimming with pride and admiration.
Brock smiled a bit. "It's my pleasure, Mrs. Croaker. After all, I owe Ash a debt of gratitude." He replied, bowing a bit in respect.
Mrs. Croaker then turned to Ash. "Now please don't turn this into a slug fest Ash. We can't miss the bus home." She sternly said to the young boy.
"Don't worry, Mrs. AC. We got this." Ash replied with a smile.
"Please don't call me that." Mrs. Croaker groaned.
"Whatever you say, Mrs. AC." Ash chuckled as he headed off to the battlefield.
"Oh, I already feel this nickname's going to spread like a wildfire…" She grumbled, before heading up to the stands.
The others began to follow behind their teacher one by one. However, three of them lingered for a moment. Those three were Gary, Lillie, and Isaac.
"You got this, Ash." Gary told him, a grin on his face.
"Yes. You can do it this time." Lillie added with a gentle smile.
"Win this thing, Ketchum." Isaac told him.
Ash smiled at the faith his friends had and held his hand up to his side, giving them a thumbs up. So, he arrived back at the same gym field as his first match. It looked remarkably similar. The lines were in the same spots; there was a bunch of sand, gravel, and rocks, and there were craters in the ground from climatic clashes. The only differences were where rocks were, and where craters were. Across from him, Brock stepped up to his own chalk box, and threw off his shirt, revealing his bare, powerful chest.
"Why does he always do that!?" A student called from the stands in confusion.
"Probably to show he's getting serious." Isaac replied simply.
"So, when are you gonna start waving your sword around, Isaac?" Gary asked, raising an eyebrow at his samurai friend.
"Nah. I got something else in mind today." He told them before reaching down into his backpack.
"Does it involve keeping all your clothes on?" Lillie asked hopefully.
"Perhaps." Isaac replied as he pulled out some pieces of something and began assembling it.
"Why do boys always have to take off their clothes? We wear them for a reason." Lillie groaned exasperatedly.
With his assembling complete, Isaac wrapped a headband with the kanji for "victory" on it. His Pokémon then came out of their Pokéballs, all wearing identical headbands to their trainers. Yokozuna and Zaraki then began pushing a pair of large drums into the area as they each grabbed two cloth and leather banded clubs. Nodding to Yokozuna and Zaraki, Isaac began waving a large banner flag with Ash's hat painted on it surrounded by feathers and thunderbolt symbols, Ruffian sitting atop the pole of the flag flapping his wings.
"Go! Go! Ash! Fight! GO! GO! ASH! FIGHT!!" The Sinnohian samurai cheered as Yokozuna and Zaraki began beating the drums in time to Isaac's cheers while Blaze began dancing with a pair of foldable war fans.
"You Sinnohians don't know when to be civil, do you?" Gary grumbled.
"At least he kept shirt on…" Lillie sighed in relief.
"I'm starting to think you like it when guys do that." Gary chuckled.
Lillie simply blushed and slapped Gary upside the back of his head. As she did, Snowy and Gary's Squirtle hopped out of their laps to join in on the display. As they did, Ruffian leapt off from atop the pole of the flag to hand each of them their own headbands to put on.
"... Okay, I'll bite. Got any more of those, Isaac?" Gary sighed as, in response, Ruffian flapped over with a headband in his talons for Gary before going back into the backpack and pulling out one for Lillie.
As the cheer squad quickly followed Isaac's lead and began their chants, it brought a smile to Ash's face. He was still a bit nervous, but the cheering helped. Pikachu hopped up on his shoulder with a determined look. Then, Ash reached down onto his belt and took one of the Pokéballs off. Expanding it, he then threw it out.
"Go! Pidgeotto!!" Ash yelled as he threw the ball.
In a flash of light, the large bird appeared. "Pidgeotto!!!" He cried bravely.
This caused Brock to raise his eyebrows. "Another Flying Type versus my Rock Types? That's a bold strategy." He said, confusion seeping through his words.
"I don't need type advantage to win." Ash firmly replied, tensing up.
Brock smiled and threw his own Pokéball. "Let's do this, Geodude!" He yelled.
"Geodude!!!" The rock monster roared as it pumped itself up after appearing on the field.
The ref swiftly took his place on his platform overlooking the field. He looked towards the Gym Leader, and then the challenger. Clearing his throat, he began to speak.
"This match is between the Gym Leader and the challenger, Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town! This match will be a two versus two, until one contestant has no more available Pokémon! Only the challenger may perform substitutions! Are the contestants ready!?" The Ref roared.
"Yes!" Ash and Brock said in unison, nodding in agreement with each other.
The Referee then raised his green flag high into the air. "Begin!" He ordered loudly, swinging the green flag down so it was a blur.
"Let's start this off strong! Pidgeotto, use Steel Wing!" Ash called out, throwing his hand forward.
"Get rolling with Rollout, Geodude!" Brock ordered sternly.
"Pidgeo-ttoooooo!" Pidgeotto called out as his wings glowed white before turning into a color resembling polished steel before going into a divebomb.
"Geo-dudedudedude!!" Geodude roared as he tucked in his arms and began to roll at shocking speed.
The two raced at each other before colliding in midair; sparks coming off the spot where the grinding Rollout clashed with the sinew-severing Steel Wing. However, Pidgeotto's attack was the one that proved stronger as Geodude was sent flying back by the force of the attack, crashing through a rock. This caught the entire Homeroom class off guard.
"Holy moly! I didn't think Ash got that strong!" Benjamin shouted in shock.
Isaac smirked. "I knew that our training and getting those new moves would pay off! GO! GO! ASH! FIGHT!!!" He commented before cheering again, continuing to wave the banner as Zaraki and Yokozuna beat their drums.
"Did anyone see the speed and precision of that hit?" One of the girls asked, amazed at what she just saw.
"I know, right? His Pidgeotto's so fast!" Another girl commented in amazement.
"Even its plumage is so lustrous." A third chipped in excitedly.
"Ash must take good care of his Pokémon for that to be the case." A fourth commented with a smile.
"Have you seen his Pikachu? They must be eating well." A fifth said.
"Oh, would you all just stop it…" Lillie grumbled. "Isaac? Do you have another banner?"
"Sure, Lillie. Just reach in and grab the pieces so you can assemble it." Isaac told her, turning so that she could reach into his backpack on his back.
As this happened in the stands, Brock stood far more resolute. "You've improved quite well, Ash. That will make this even more fun!" Brock said with a smile. "Geodude! Tackle attack!"
"Dodge and use Twister!" Ash called out, throwing his hand out.
"TWISTER!?" Gary, Isaac, and Lillie yelled in complete surprise.
"You three didn't know Ash's Pidgeotto got that move?" Benjamin asked in surprise.
"NO!!" The three shouted at him.
"Isaac, where are those pieces in this thing!!" Lillie frantically yelled as she reached into it.
"Check near the patio furniture!" Isaac called out just as frantically.
"You're joking!" Lillie snapped.
"No!" Isaac replied simply.
"You got any snacks in there?" Gary asked curiously.
"Smart popcorn or chips?" Isaac asked as Lillie reached into the backpack and began digging around for the pieces of the other banner.
"Popcorn please." Gary said.
"White cheddar or Parmesan?" Isaac asked as Lillie kept digging.
Back in the match, Pidgeotto flapped his wings as hard as he could, creating a large tornado. Then, with one almighty gust, he sent the Twister right towards Geodude, the Dragon Type tornado attack tearing its way across the battlefield.
"Endure it with Defense Curl!" Brock ordered.
Geodude, who was mid-Tackle, skidded to a halt and began to curl up. However, the Twister attack then passed over him. To Brock's surprise, the force of the winds picked Geodude off the ground and up into the tornado.
"Geo! Geogeogeogeogeo!!" Geodude called out as he began getting buffeted while being spun.
"Geodude! Hang in there!" Brock yelled, concerned.
"Now fly in there and hit him with Steel Wing!!" Ash yelled, pumping his fist.
With a nod, Pidgeotto flew up over the tornado before diving into the eye. His wings glowed fiercely before turning to polished steel as he rocked down towards the helpless Rock Type. Geodude barely got to look at his opponent in a daze before the Steel Wing attack slammed into him.
"GEOOOOO!!!!" Geodude cried out in pain as a massive crash slammed into the floor of the battlefield, dispelling the tornado.
"Geodude!" Brock yelled through the ensuing dust cloud.
Soon the dust began to settle, and Geodude came into view. Laying in a deep crater, Geodude was motionless. Its eyes turned into swirls as its mouth lay agape. The Referee looked over the situation and raised his flag in the hand towards Ash.
"Geodude is unable to battle! This round goes to Ash Ketchum!" The Referee declared.
"Good job, Pidgeotto! Nice work!" Ash called out proudly.
"Pidgeo-tto!" The Pokémon replied happily before doing a victory lap around the arena.
Brock returned Geodude to its Pokéball before smiling over at Ash. "That was quite impressive, Ash. It's been a while since someone has defeated one of my Pokémon in three moves like that." He said proudly.
Ash smiled. "What can I say? We worked hard for this rematch." He replied as Pidgeotto settled back in front of him.
Brock smirked before grabbing his second Pokéball off his belt. "Of course, you know what's coming. And he doesn't go down so easily." He answered more ominously.
Ash's expression then turned serious. "Get ready, Pidgeotto!" He ordered as Pidgeotto turned to Brock with a gleam in his eyes.
"Go! Onix!" Brock yelled, throwing the Pokéball.
Appearing before them was the colossal Rock Snake, the same one that had given them so much grief. Yet something quickly became apparent to Ash. He saw Brock also use an Onix against Team Rocket. And looking at this one, it was smaller and less bulky by comparison. It seemed a bit less imposing now.
"So, you have multiple Onix?" Ash asked.
"That's right. All Gym Leaders have multiple teams that we swap between depending on the skill level and experience of our challengers." Brock explained.
Pidgeotto flew up to eye level of the behemoth before him. "I will avenge the defeat of my comrades, you contemptible snake. You will feel the wrath of the steel wind!" He growled at his opponent.
Onix chuckled, coming out like gravel grinding against pavement. "Then let's fight, Pidgeotto. Give it your all." He rumbled in response.
"Begin!!" The Referee yelled, swinging his green flag again.
"Pidgeotto! Fly up high and use Quick Attack!" Ash yelled.
"Pidgeo-ttoooo!!" Pidgeotto cried out, flying up as high as he could before dropping into a divebomb with a streak of light behind him.
"Make them run the gauntlet with Rock Tomb Onix!" Brock yelled. "Throw them into the air!"
"OOOOOOOOON!!" Onix roared in reply as rocks began levitating around him.
"Use that Quick attack to dodge around them before going into a high-speed Steel Wing, Pidgeotto!!" Ash called out.
"Pidgeo-tto-tto-tto-ttooooo!!!' Pidgeotto called out as he used his high-speed Quick attack to duck and weave between the rocks; his wings beginning to glow before shining with a metallic silver sheen like steel.
"Brace for impact with Harden!" Brock ordered.
"OOOOOOON!!!" Onix roared as his body shone like a polished stone.
Pidgeotto soared towards Onix at high speed as the stone leviathan stood his ground. Soon, Pidgeotto collided hard with Onix; the impact felt throughout the stadium as a small shockwave rang out. Everyone braced themselves as the gust of air pressure shot in every direction from the point of impact. They all then looked in awe as Pidgeotto slowly began pushing Onix back.
"How is that possible?" One of the students asked in shock.
Isaac smirked. "Simple science. The speed of that Quick attack plus the added force of gravity from Pidgeotto's divebomb built up momentum. And all that momentum went into the point of impact where that Steel Wing hit Onix." He explained.
To everyone's shock, they saw Brock smile at this. "Hook the wing into your horn Onix and throw them with Tackle!" Brock ordered.
"Pidgeotto! Look out!" Ash yelled in shock.
Before Pidgeotto could react, it happened. Onix tilted its head forward, causing the wing to slide into the horn. Then, slamming its tail into the ground for balance, Onix surged forward. Its sheer mass and strength were too much for Pidgeotto, who was sent flying. However, the Flying Type was able to recover and started to fly back.
"You'll have to do more than that to beat us in a shoving match, Ash." Brock said with a smile.
Ash grit his teeth, before his face softened as he got an idea. "Pidgeotto! Start flying around Onix as fast as you can!" He ordered.
"Pidgeo-ttoooooo!!" Pidgeotto cried out as he began flying in a circle around Onix, flapping with all his might to build up more speed.
"Swat him out of the sky, Onix! Tackle attack!" Brock ordered.
"OOOOOOOON!!!" Onix roared out, rearing back for a Tackle.
"Use Quick Attack to build up enough speed to dodge!!" Ash called out.
Slamming its tail on the ground, Onix shot forward like a cannon shell in a mighty Tackle. However, Pidgeotto glowed with a streak of white light as he sped up even more. The added speed boost from the Quick attack allowed him to dodge Onix's Tackle just in time, making him instead hit the ground of the stadium and shake the building from the force of impact. Seeing this created an opening, Ash smiled.
"Now put all of that force and speed into a Steel Wing divebomb attack!!" Ash yelled out.
"Onix! Harden!" Brock ordered, realizing he cannot stop what Ash has cooked up.
"OOOOOON!!!" Onix roared as he braced himself, his rocky hide shining like polished stone.
"Pidgeooooo-ttooooooo!!!" Pidgeotto cried out as he flew up at full speed before turning into a divebomb, his wings turning into polished steel.
Pidgeotto came screaming through the air like a falling meteor as he flew down towards Onix. However, like a defiant mortal standing alone against the wrath of heaven, Onix braced and prepared to endure. With a massive shockwave, Pidgeotto's Steel Wing hit Onix hard, kicking up a gust of air pressure as the ground shook beneath the stone leviathan and the two trainers. Yet to Ash and Pidgeotto's shock, Onix withstood the attack.
"No way…" Ash muttered.
"He's… he's still standing…" Lillie said in horror.
"But how!? Pidgeotto's been hitting him with haymaker after haymaker of attacks!" Benjamin called out in shock.
"You guys haven't been paying attention. Onix has gotten off two Hardens. His defense, his greatest strength, is even more potent now." Gary explained grimly.
"Meanwhile, look at Pidgeotto…" Isaac commented grimly.
As they all looked down onto the battlefield, they saw the poor Bird Pokémon panting heavily as he flew. Even his wingbeats were irregular, as if the panting were making it hard for him to perform such a normal thing for him. The crowd became shockingly quiet, as Isaac spelled out what was happening.
"All of those Quick Attacks to put extra speed and power behind his Steel Wings have been consistently pushing him past his top speed repeatedly. His stamina's reaching its limits." Isaac explained, already seeing where this is going.
"This can't be happening…" Lillie muttered in concern.
However, on the battlefield, Brock smiled. And like a steel trap, he pounced. "Onix! Use Rock Tomb!!" He ordered, throwing his hand forward.
"OOOOON!!!!" Onix roared, levitating rocks around himself.
"Dodge, Pidgeotto! Quick!" Ash called out worriedly.
"Pidge… o… tto… Pidgeo-ttooooo!" Pidgeotto panted out before trying to dodge as quickly as he could.
Yet try as Pidgeotto might; he simply could not fly fast enough. His wingbeats were sluggish, his turning slow, and he panted dreadfully. The cloud of rocks soon slammed into him, knocking the wind from his lungs and sending him plummeting to the field below. Falling in a heap, Pidgeotto did not even attempt to get up. His swirling eyes displayed the proof that he was knocked unconscious before he even hit the ground. The crowd's collective hearts sank into the pits of their stomachs at the sight.
"Pidgeotto, no!" Ash called out in concern, heading down into the arena to check on him.
"Pidgeotto is unable to battle! This round goes to Onix!" The Referee declared, raising his red flag to point to Brock.
Ash gently picked Pidgeotto up before giving him a smile. "You did your best. You take it easy now. Me and Pikachu will finish this." He told his bird Pokémon before pulling out his Pokéball and returning him into it.
Soon Ash walked back to his chalk box and turned to look at Pikachu. With a nod, Pikachu leapt off his shoulder and ran onto the battlefield. Soon staring up at the titan that defeated him before.
"Miss me, rock face?" Pikachu asked, a grim smirk on his chubby face.
Onix chuckled in response, panting a bit. "I did. Let's see if you can put up more of a fight this time without having to rely on luck." He rumbled in response.
"Oh, there's no need for luck today." Pikachu replied, his grin growing wider.
The Referee then looked at the two combatants, before raising their green flag for the final time. "Begin!" He yelled, waving his green flag frantically.
"Start things off strong, Pikachu! Use Double Team!" Ash called out, throwing out his hand.
"Don't fall for it again, Onix. Use Harden!" Brock ordered.
Soon, Pikachu split into clones as Onix shone again like polished stone to harden his defenses even further.
"Go for Quick Attack and into an Iron Tail!!" Ash called out.
"Pika-Pika-Pika!!" Pikachu called out, rushing at Onix at high speed as a streak of white light followed behind him. "Chuuuu… PIKA!!" He then called as his tail shone a dark, metallic color like iron before he leapt up and slammed it into the back of Onix's head.
"OOOOOON!!!" Onix roared in pain as he leaned back.
"Now go into another Iron Tail! Give it all you've got!!" Ash called out.
"Dodge it Onix, and trap them in a Bind attack!" Brock roared.
Pikachu spun with his tail still shining as he tried to slam it down onto Onix. However, Onix simply moved aside to dodge as he began to move to wrap around Pikachu.
"Slam your Iron Tail into the ground to jump out of the way, Pikachu!" Ash yelled.
"What!?" Brock exclaimed in shock.
"Chuuuu… PIKA!" Pikachu roared as he slammed his tail into the ground, pushing himself up above Onix to dodge the bind.
"Now Iron Tail, right in his face!" Ash called out, throwing his hand forward.
"PIKA!!" Pikachu roared as he slammed his Iron Tail attack right between Onix's eyes, hitting him hard.
Onix roared as the force sent him tumbling back. However, the living mountain slowly got back up and shook itself off. A fire burning in its eyes even as it panted in exertion. Pikachu panted lightly, before cursing under his breath. As both trainers knew neither of them could keep this battle going for much longer. Someone was going to run out of gas in the tank.
"Alright, Pikachu! Head in for another Quick Attack!" Ash ordered.
"Stop them dead in their tracks with Rock Tomb, Onix!" Brock yelled, throwing his hand forward.
"Pika-Pika-Pika-Chu-Pi!!" Pikachu called out as he rushed forward with lightning speed.
"OOOOOOOON!!!" Onix roared out as he began levitating rocks around him before sending them flying down towards Pikachu.
Pikachu did his best to dodge the rocks raining down on him, trying to build up speed. However, eventually, he made a mistake. He tripped on a small stone on the battlefield, causing him to lose his footing and slide against the stone ground. Looking up, he was shocked to see a hailstorm of rocks coming down on him.
"Pikachu! Look out, buddy!" Ash cried out.
"PIKA!!" Pikachu cried out as he was buried under stone.
Ash grit his teeth but refused to give up. "Pikachu! If you can hear me, use a maximum power Thunder Shock!! Blow the rocks away!!" He called out to his partner.
Soon sparks began to form from inside the clump of rock as, with a great cry, Pikachu let forth a monstrous bolt of electricity. The rocks around him shattered under the force, sending shards everywhere. Soon a great cloud of dust was kicked up, causing Ash, Brock, and Onix to cough. The crowd was left unsure of what entirely happened as the dust cloud finally began to clear. Standing there was Pikachu, panting heavily from the exertion but still clearly willing to go the distance.
"Pikachu doesn't have much left in him…" Lillie said worriedly, hugging Snowy close.
"Ash's got to end this soon. Pikachu might be willing, but his body's saying otherwise." Gary said in agreement.
"He'll win. Ash always has something up his sleeve. If he and Pikachu haven't lost hope yet, then we just need to have faith in them." Isaac added before looking at the other. "Well? Don't just stand there! Cheer! Cheer like you've never cheered before!"
Soon Isaac led a chorus of cheers from Gary, Lillie, and their Pokémon. Yet to even their shock, the rest of the class was starting to get in on it. Even Mrs. Croaker chipped in, as the whole Homeroom Class 1A cheered on Ash. Both Ash and Pikachu looked visibly better at hearing that.
'Think, Ash! Think! They believe in you! I've got to… wait a minute. If I can lure Brock into another Rock Tomb, because of the speed loss from the last one, then we can use that to get to his head again!' Ash thought, before tightening his hands into fists. If this did not work, then they were done for.
"Pikachu! One more Quick Attack!" Ash ordered.
"Pika!" Pikachu replied before speeding off, though far less swiftly than before.
"That again, huh? Finish this up with Rock Tomb, Onix!" Brock called out with a smirk.
Onix roared as he levitated the rocks and sent them flying at Pikachu. Yet, to everyone's surprise, Ash beamed brightly at hearing that. "Alright, Pikachu! Jump up those rocks with Quick Attack! As fast as you can!" He yelled, his voice booming through the Gym.
"What!? That again!?" Brock called out in disbelief.
"Pika-pika-pika-pika-chuu-pi!!" Pikachu called out as he leaped into the air, jumping onto one of the rocks.
As Onix hurled the stones at Pikachu, the Electric Mouse leapt onto the first one and between the falling stones. Everyone held their breath as Pikachu leapt faster between the stones, before leaping high into the air. Much higher than even Pidgeotto had flown in this match.
"Now! Dive down into an Iron Tail!" Ash yelled.
"Harden, Onix! Brace for impact!" Brock ordered, knowing he couldn't stop such a dive. Yet, even as Onix used the move to increase its defenses, Pikachu began his descent.
"Chuuuuuuuuuuu… PIKAAAA!!!!!" Pikachu roared as he dived down and spun in midair to build momentum, then slammed the mightiest Iron Tail yet down onto Onix.
As soon as the Iron Tail made contact, the force smashed Onix down onto the ground. The resulting impact kicked up a massive dust cloud and shockwave that nearly blew the two trainers off their feet. Even the audience was nearly bowled over by the air pressure from the impact as the entire stadium shook. As the dust slowly cleared, Pikachu was revealed to be down on all fours, panting heavily and barely able to stand from exertion.
"What happened!? Did they win!?" Lillie called out as the dust continued to clear.
"I… don't know. The dust is too thick." Gary said in disbelief.
"That has to be it. Pikachu's gotta be completely spent from that last Iron Tail." Isaac commented worriedly.
"It was on an Onix that had Hardened multiple times. That's not a guarantee." Gary corrected.
Yet the dust then cleared. Through the haze, they saw the colossal Rock Type lay unconscious, half buried in the stone and gravel floor. Part of the stone beneath the sand pulverized from the impact. However, everyone soon looked over. Yet to them, Pikachu looked as if he was also lying on the floor. But before the rumor of a tie could permeate the class, the Referee spoke up.
"Onix is unable to battle! The winner is Pikachu, and the Challenger Ash Ketchum!!" The Referee declared, raising his green flag to point to Ash.
"What!?" The crowd yelled in shock and confusion, before scrambling to rush down to get a closer look. To their disbelief, they saw that Pikachu was only just barely on his feet, panting heavily and sweating profusely.
Ash smiled as wide as he ever had and rushed over to scoop Pikachu up into his arms. "We did it, buddy! We did it! We won our first Gym Badge!" Ash yelled, lifting Pikachu into the air triumphantly.
"Pika…!" Pikachu cheered exhaustedly.
Brock let out a deep breath before returning Onix to his Pokéball. "I have to say, Ash. That last Iron Tail was something else. Looking at what that did to the field. The Gym's gonna be out of action for at least a week." He explained.
"Sorry about that. We couldn't really afford to hold back…" Ash sheepishly replied.
"Don't apologize. Gym fields are meant to get pounded. Besides, that's what insurance is for." Brock said, waving off his concern. Then he reached into one of his pants pockets and revealed in his hand a small badge in the shape of a finely cut boulder.
"The Boulder Badge. It's yours now, Ash." Brock told him with a smile.
"Thanks, Brock…" Ash replied as he accepted the badge.
"Alright, everyone! Perform the traditional Sinnohian Victory Hug!!" Isaac called out.
"The what now?" Ash asked in shock.
"Arcanine pile hug!!" Isaac called out as all of Ash's friends rushed in.
Before Ash could even react, Isaac, Gary, Lillie, and their Pokémon leaped onto him and soon were underneath all of them.
"Guys! You're embarrassing me!" Ash yelped as he squirmed under the pile of people and Pokémon
"Nonsense! This is a victory tradition dating back to Hisui!!" Isaac called out.
"Normally I'd protest this mushy stuff, but I could sleep for a week…" Pikachu groaned, before falling blissfully asleep under the pile. Ash, seeing the jig was up, relented to the giant pile of friendship. And some people even swore he had a small smile that he hid from everyone else.