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Chapter 18

Ash and Serena were sitting in the cafeteria with their new friends waiting for the fixtures of the next round. So far it had been more or less comfortable victories for all of them but this was where the real competition was going to begin. The best sixteen trainers in the world were going to battle each other. Bonnie had lost the previous round and was out of the contention but the rest of them were through to the next knockout round. The group was discussing their battles of the previous round when the fixtures of the next round were announced.

"Two weeks into the Masters' Victory Tournament, ladies and gentlemen, and we finally have our best sixteen trainers of the world battling for eternal glory. This is the last round before we proceed to full six-on-six battles. So far, we have had some gruelling battles, some landslide victories and of course some unbelievable upsets. The top eight seeds are still in the tournament as expected and have cruised through quite easily. Without further ado, we present on your screens the fixtures of the Round of 16. The winners will proceed to the Quarterfinals. On behalf of the Pokemon League and the Masters' Victory Tournament, Reporter Alexa wishes all the trainers their very best."

The fixtures appeared on the screen and that brought a predatory smile on Ash's face. He was battling Alain. He had never won a battle against Alain. Though that was in the past, Ash wanted to change the stats. The only ones pitted against each other in the group were Clemont and Diantha.

"The last one of your so-called friends. I guess you are ready for him, Ash," said Bonnie.

"Of course, I am ready. I would have been disappointed had I not been able to battle Alain. He is one of the few against whom I haven't won yet. I am going to improve my record." Ash replied.

Alain was in two minds. He was about to face Ash who had never defeated him. On the other hand, he had seen him decimate his other friends. Mairin was worried about him because Ash had been particularly ruthless against his 'old friends'. Alain was aware of that but he would not back down without a fight. He was going to take Ash down and continue his perfect record against him. It was time for him to choose his five best Pokemon.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the first match of the Round of 16. It has been a wonderful tournament so far and it can only get better from now. So, let's call our trainers for the first match. We have the former winner of Kalos and Hoenn League, Alain, on one side. And his opponent today is none other than Champion Ash Ketchum. Don't leave your seat people." The commentator announced.

The computer screen had chosen Ash to reveal his first Pokemon and he was ready to win it.

"Trainers reveal your first Pokemon," the referee announced.

"Come on out my dear friend." Ash sent his fastest Dragon-Type.

Alain had the perfect counter for Ash's dragon-type. "Weavile come on out."

Ash smirked as he said, "You can go first, Alain."

"Weavile start with Ice Beam."

"Dodge it, Noivern." Noivern dodged it in a flash.

"Weavile use Double Team and then Ice Beam again."

"Use Boomburst" Ash called his first attack. The Boomburst was able to deflect the Ice Beam along with all the fake copies of Weavile.

"Use Dark Pulse."

"Counter with Boomburst again."

"Weavile use Blizzard to freeze the whole ground."

"Noivern use Flamethrower and move forward towards Weavile."

"Weavile, more power." The Blizzard was a super-effective attack but the Flamethrower was way too powerful as Noivern approached Weavile. Alain realised this fact and called the next move.

"Weavile get out of the way and use Night Slash."

"Noivern use Acrobatics to dodge and then Iron Tail."

"Weavile dodge it," Alain screamed. Weavile was quick but not as fast as Noivern. The Iron Tail hit its mark as Weavile screeched in pain but was not down yet.

"Finish it with Flamethrower," Ash called the next attack. Alain knew dodging was fruitless as Weavile was in pain and Noivern was extremely fast.

"Weavile, use Ice Beam to counter." The two attacks collided but as expected the Flamethrower overpowered the Ice Beam. "Weavile out of the way," Alain shouted as the Flamethrower was got nearer to his Pokemon.

Weavile was able to dodge the first time but Noivern followed it and the attack made contact. The super-effective attack was enough to end the battle as Weavile fainted.

"Weavile is unable to battle, this round goes to Noivern."

Alain called back his Pokemon as he sent out his next. "Metagross it's your turn."

"You did well Noivern. Now take some rest." Ash thanked Noivern as he called his next Pokemon too. "Let's make it interesting. Metagross you are on."

"Let the battle begin," announced the referee.

"Metagross Psychic," Alain called the move.

"You too Metagross, Psychic." Both attacks cancelled each other.

"Metagross Hammer Arm."

"Hammer Arm." The Hammer Arm impacted with each other not causing much damage to either of the two.

"Use Zen Headbutt."

"Use Zen Headbutt too," Ash called the same move for the third time. His plan of frustrating Alain was working. The impact of the Zen Headbutt caused a little pain to both the Metagross, more to Alain's than Ash's.

"I feel you don't have anything to think but copy my moves," Alain said with a bit of frustration in his voice.

"We will see about that," Ash smirked.

"Alright Metagross, it's time to show the power of our bond. Mega evolve."

"We are not holding back either. Metagross, my friend Mega evolve." Ash said calmly.

"A battle between two Mega Metagross people. There hasn't been anything to separate both Pokemon yet. Who's gonna win this round or is it going to be a draw?" The commentator announced enthusiastically.

"Use Agility," Ash called the first move.

"Alright, Metagross, use Pursuit," Alain called the attack.

Ash smirked but didn't call any attack unless Alain's Metagross was too close to his Metagross. "Dodge and Bullet Punch." Ash's Metagross was faster than Alain's and with the added advantage of Agility, the Pursuit missed its target. However, the Bullet Punch didn't, though it did not cause much damage.

"Metagross, use Ice Punch," Alain commanded.

"Bullet Punch again." This time also the Ice Punch couldn't find its target whereas the Bullet Punch did.

"Use Pursuit again."

"Dodge it and Bullet Punch." It was the same result again. Ash was becoming a bit bored by this time.

Alain was getting restless. "Metagross use Psychic."

"Metagross you too." The two attacks cancelled out each other again.

"Metagross, use Hammer Arm."

"Bullet Punch." Again, the Bullet Punch hit its target.

Now, slowly the multiple Bullet Punches were taking a toll on Alain's Metagross. By now he realised that Ash was just wasting time and thus, went for the broke.

"Metagross use Hyper Beam." He commanded.

Ash was waiting for it. Just as the Hyper Beam was about to hit its target, he called for the next move. "Double Team."

"Metagross spin and try to hit them all."

"Metagross use Shadow Ball, rapid and full power."

"Metagross dodge it," Alain said surprised at the Shadow Ball but it was of no use as multiple Shadow Balls hit their target.

"Alain's Metagross is unable to battle. The winner is Ash's Metagross." The referee announced.

"You were awesome Metagross. Now take some good rest." Ash thanked and returned his Pokemon. Alain did the same and sent the next Pokemon. He was becoming desperate now.

"Unfezant, it's your turn now."

Ash sent his Flying-type. "Talonflame, it's your turn, my friend."

"I see you are up for a rematch."

"Don't worry Alain, it won't be a tie like the last time."

"Alright Unfezant, use Sky Attack."

"Talonflame, Flame Charge." The two attacks collided

"Use Sky Attack again."

"Flame Charge." Ash was just defending with the Flame Charge, increasing the speed of Talonflame. Alain realised this strategy and changed his tactics.

"Unfezant, use Air Slash."

"Acrobatics, dodge it." With the increased speed, Talonflame successfully dodged the attack.

"Use Steel Wing," Alain called the attack.

"Show them a real Steel Wing, Talonflame."

Both the attacks hit each other causing pain to both Pokemon but Unfezant took a lot more damage as Talonflame is resistant to Steel Wing and its attack had a lot more power than its opponent.

"Unfezant, use Air Slash again and get close."

"Talonflame use Steel Wing to shield yourself."

"Now Quick Attack." The Quick Attack hit Talonflame but did not cause much damage.

Ash smiled and said, "I am almost impressed by that attack. Getting in close and then using Quick Attack to catch us off guard was a good plot but not good enough. It's our turn to get offensive. Talonflame, Flame Charge."

"Unfezant, dodge it with Quick Attack." Unfezant barely managed to avoid the attack even with Quick Attack Due to Talonflame's increased speed.

"Flame Charge again."

"Dodge it with Quick Attack." But this time the attack hit head-on as Unfezant winced in pain.

"Will you be able to continue Unfezant?" Alain got an affirmative response but noticed that he could not carry on for long and decided to go for the broke. "Alright use Brave Bird."

"You too Talonflame use Brave Bird."

The two flying types collided with each other and took damage from their opponent's attack as well as the recoil from the Brave Bird. Unfezant fell on the ground trying to get up whereas Talonflame was circling in the air and looked like it still had more than half of its energy.

"Get up Unfezant," Alain shouted. Unfezant tried hard and was finally able to stand with a lot of difficulties. Ash then called the next attack.

"Let's end this TalonFlame. Use Fire Blast."

"Dodge it." Unfezant did its best to dodge the incoming attack but was too weak to do so as the Fire Blast hit its mark.

"Unfezant is unable to battle. This round goes to Talonflame." The referee declared.

Alain returned his Pokemon and was pondering over what Pokemon to use next. He wanted to save Charizard for the end and finally decided to keep it that way as he sent out his next Pokemon.

"Bisharp it's your turn to battle."

Ash thanked Talonflame as he recalled it and then sent out his old friend.

"It's time to show your power buddy." His fire-type Pokemon came out with a thunderous roar.

Alain was at a serious type-disadvantage. For him, this was going to be all or nothing.

"Let's end this quick Bisharp."

"On that, we can agree. Let's end this quick, Typhlosion." Ash replied.

"Stay focused Bisharp. Use Swords Dance."

"Alright use Work Up" Both the Pokemon used their status move

"Now use Thunder Wave."

"Use Flame Wheel to negate it."

"Let's attack Bisharp, use Guillotine."

"Counter it with Thunder Punch." The two attacks hit each other. Even with the Swords Dance, Typhlosion was able to take the damage, it was minimal for it. Bisharp did take some damage but carried on with same vigour.

"Use Dark Pulse."

"Typhlosion, Flamethrower" Both the opposing attacks cancelled out each other.

"Guillotine again."

"Thunder Punch." It was not working for Alain.

"Now Dark Pulse again."

"Use Flame Wheel to counter it and get it close." Typhlosion broke through the Dark Pulse and went closer to its target.

"Dodge Bisharp and use Iron Head."

"Thunder Punch again." The two Pokemon collided with each other. Bisharp was giving it all to get better of the Thunder Punch when Ash called the next attack.

"Brick Break now." Typhlosion used its other hand for the super-effective attack.

"Bisharp let go now, dodge it," Alain shouted in desperation. However, there wasn't much time to dodge as the Brick Break hit its mark. Bisharp fell on the ground but after a few seconds stood up with difficulty.

Ash was not going to give Alain even a moment to think. "Typhlosion throw it in the air."

Before Alain could say anything, Typhlosion held Bisharp and threw it up high in the air. "Now end it with Eruption."

"Bisharp, use Dark Pulse." Bisharp gathered all the energy it had to use Dark Pulse from midair into the incoming Eruption but it was too weak as Eruption overpowered the Dark-type move and Bisharp was in flames.

"Bisharp is unable to battle. Typhlosion is the winner." The referee declared.

Both the trainers thanked their Pokemon and recalled them back. Ash looked at Alain and said, "We both know between whom this final battle is going to be. So here is my final partner." He threw his Pokeball to reveal his final Pokemon. "It is time to battle my friend." The blue Ninja Pokemon came out and stood with its eyes closed in a meditative stance.

"Yes, we both know. Charizard let's win this." Alain said as he sent out his Charizard.

"You are getting way too optimistic."

"Well, we are going for full power from the beginning." Alain touched his keystone. "Respond to my heart keystone, beyond evolution, Mega evolve." Alain's Charizard mega-evolved into Mega Charizard X.

"So are we. Greninja, together let's go" Greninja was revolved by a stream of water and transformed into the famous synchro-evolved Ash-Greninja. In the last seven years, Ash never used their synchro-evolution in public as it would have given away his true identity. But now he was no more the mysterious Red. Ash Ketchum was back and so was Ash-Greninja.

"Alright, Greninja use Double Team."

"Charizard use Flamethrower and get rid of that." The Flamethrower shattered all the clones.

"Now," said Ash calmly. Mega Charizard X looked behind it as a Water Shuriken hit its body and it flinched.

"Greninja use Aerial Ace."

"Charizard counter with Dragon Claw." The two Pokemon clashed with the Aerial Ace and Dragon Claw a few times. Ash found an opening through their bond and directed Ash-Greninja to go slightly to the right and was able to land a hit on Mega Charizard X as the Fire-Dragon type winced in pain.

Alain called the next move before Ash could. "Charizard use Flamethrower."

"Greninja, Night Slash." Greninja cut through the Flamethrower and moved towards Mega Charizard X with great speed. Both Alain and his Pokemon were caught off-guard as the Night Slash hit Mega Charizard X on its face.

Alain was getting frustrated. He was unable to land a single attack on the Pokemon whom he had defeated in the past. "Charizard use Blast Burn."

"Counter it with Hydro Cannon." The Hydro Cannon blocked the Blast Burn stopping Mega Charizard X and caused steam cloud in the arena.

Both the trainers were unable to see their Pokemon for a short while and Ash took advantage of this. "Greninja use Night Slash."

"Charizard blow the smoke away with your wings." Mega Charizard X flapped its wings to successfully blow the smoke but the Ash-Greninja landed the hit.

"Charizard use Dragon Pulse."

"Hydro Cannon." The attacks cancelled out each other.

"Now use Dragon Claw again." Mega Charizard X moved towards Ash-Greninja

"Use Aerial Ace." The two attacks were almost in a stalemate when Alain called the next attack. Greninja had not taken any damage at all while Mega Charizard X was feeling its opponent's power

"Now Thunder Punch." Mega Charizard X prepared to launch the super-effective electric-type move

Ash smiled. Alain was trying to use his strategy against him as he called out the move, "Double Team."

"Use Flamethrower" The Flamethrower was burning the copies of Ash-Greninja as Ash called the next move.

"Now Hydro Cannon again." The water-type attack hit Mega Charizard X on its back from multiple locations at a point-blank range causing it to get slammed on the ground.

"Greninja, let's end this. Mega Water Shuriken." The Water Shuriken increased in size and turned into a fiery orange colour as Greninja threw it towards Mega Charizard X.

Before it could dodge or Alain could give any command, the giant Water Shuriken hit Mega Charizard X as it fainted and reverted to Charizard.

"Charizard is unable to battle, Greninja wins. Alain has lost all his Pokemon. The winner is Ash Ketchum."

"Ladies and Gentlemen, we have our first Quarter-finalist and it is none other than the Champion, Ash Ketchum. He was ruthless in the battle and after a very long time, we were finally able to witness the famous synchro-evolution form of Ash-Greninja. After a blazing start to the, I am pretty sure you are all up for more heated battles to come. Up next, we have the battle between the former Kalos Champion and current Elite-Four Diantha and the Lumiose City Gym Leader and world-famous Inventor Clemont. So, stay tuned and enjoy the battles." The commentator announced.

Alain was in shock not because he had lost to Ash but because his most powerful Pokemon was defeated without being able to land a single attack on its opponent. He recalled Charizard thanking it and went off the arena.

Ash went to Greninja and thanked him for the wonderful battle before returning him to his Pokeball. He acknowledged the crowd by waving his hand and went in to meet Serena and his new friends.

Ash vs Alain. This was one battle that I had been waiting to write and absolutely loved writing it. I hope you liked it. I did a five-on-five battle (though I wanted to write 6-on-6 against Alain) because, in my story, there are trainers stronger than him. I have used five of the six canonical Pokemon that he used against Ash in the Kalos League. To be honest, I hated seeing Ash lose the Kalos league so much that I wanted to write the battles such that Alain would lose each Pokemon with one move but it would not have been fair to my story as in the subsequent rounds, the battles are going to get tougher for our couple.

Three of Ash's Pokemon who had battled against Alain in the finals in the canon got their rematch. I have already used Hawlucha against Tobias and I'm keeping Goodra and Pikachu for later. So, I decided to write a battle between two Mega Metagross to show the contrast in the power level of the two trainers. For my other choice, I love Typhlosion the most among the final evolved forms of the Johto starters (though in the base form Chikorita is my favourite).

Last but not the least, the flavour of the chapter is of course Ash-Greninja. Greninja is my favourite Pokemon and I just could not let it take even a a little damage from its opponent (physical attacks can't be avoided but damage due to it can). It was a one-sided battle against Alain's Mega Charizard X, which some people might not appreciate given that Alain's other Pokemon fared better (relatively). But for my favourite Pokemon, I think you can cut me some slack. And finally, I figured that Ash and Greninja had learned a controlled Mega Water Shuriken. In the anime, it was the last attack before Ash lost, so, here it is the finishing move Ash-Greninja. It was a slightly longer chapter, so, do tell me if you liked the match!

Thank you once again for your reviews and messages.

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