Pokemon: Radical Redux

Clair pulled out her next Poké Ball and held it in her hand, "Well, you got me this far, and you even beat my Dragonite, but now let me show you why the Blackthorn Gym is the strongest!"

She threw the Poké Ball high into the air, "Let's go, Aerodactyl!"

From the Poké Ball came the large, stone-skinned Aerodactyl. As it stretched its wings, Ash raised an eyebrow.

"Heh, you should feel honored. This is Aerodactyl's first battle, and it's the very first one that wasn't revived," Clair said, grinning.

Ash didn't flinch, although he could see over on the bleachers, the people from the clan were absolutely shocked. His friends weren't, since they knew he also had one that had hatched.

Though it was probably true, Ash gave Lance those Aerodactyls more than a year ago, and Ash got his egg less than a year ago, so Clair's Aerodactyl was probably a few months older at the least. But he wasn't going to say that. They still didn't know Ash was the one who got the original Aerodactyl… yet.

Ash just smiled. "Alright then, I'll take it as a compliment. Togekiss, [Aura Sphere]!"

Togekiss banked to the side and formed a glowing orb of blue energy in front of her, then fired it with a chirp.

Clair responded instantly. "Aerodactyl, [Tailwind], then [Stone Edge]!"

Aerodactyl flapped its arms, creating a strong gust of wind, then launched the [Stone Edge], the rocks that appeared around it got caught in the wind and flew faster, shooting straight toward the [Aura Sphere].

The two attacks collided midair. The orb took out a few of the stones, but several stone shards broke through and continued toward Togekiss, hitting her wing directly. She took the super effective damage, leaving her looking weak, but still airborne.

Clair pointed upward with a confident grin. "Don't let up, Aerodactyl! Go in with [Iron Head]!"

Aerodactyl's head gleamed with a metallic sheen as it tucked its wings and dove straight at Togekiss.

Ash's hand snapped forward. "[Flamethrower], aim for the eyes!"

Togekiss opened her mouth and took a deep breath before shooting a blast of fire toward Aerodactyl. Since it was flying forward, the attack wasn't meant for damage, it was to blind Aerodactyl. And it worked.

The fire caught it off guard, making it recoil and lose its aim. It slammed into nothing, and Togekiss was suddenly behind it, gaining an opportunity.

"[Ancient Power], now," Ash commanded.

Togekiss gave a small cry into the air, making glowing, silver stones rise around her. She shot them toward Aerodactyl.

Clair's eyes flashed. "Dodge it, and let's finish this with [Thunder Fang]!"

Aerodactyl tucked its wings into its body and dived down, dodging the rocks, then flipped around and shot up with sparks in its jaws, opening them, about to bite down on Togekiss's head.

Ash exhaled and countered. "Okay, [Moonblast], now."

Just before Aerodactyl closed its jaws, Togekiss opened her mouth and shot a pink blast point-blank, causing a small explosion in the air. Aerodactyl took damage, then still finished the attack, slamming its jaws shut and electrocuting Togekiss.

When the clash ended, Aerodactyl flew back but managed to recover, while Togekiss started falling out of the sky, spirals in her eyes.

Ash returned Togekiss before she hit the ground. "You did amazing. Thanks, we'll take it from here."

Ash put the Poké Ball back, then grabbed another one, "Well, that was fun, but I think maybe I should give you a taste of that."

"Oh really? And how are you gonna do that?" Clair said, putting her hands on her waist.

Ash smiled. "You're not the only one who got a gift from Lance. Aerodactyl, your turn!"

He threw out the Poké Ball, and from it came Ash's Aerodactyl, stretching his wings. Around his neck hung a strange-looking necklace with a purple stone on it.

"Eh?!" Clair blinked. The way Ash said that… Did he mean Lance gave him an Aerodactyl too? No, that couldn't be. Clair remembered, Lance only gave out one other Aerodactyl Egg, and that egg went to the person who gave him the ...Wait.

Clair looked at Ash, her eyes wide, realizing what this meant. And when she glanced at the stands, most of the elders looked too stupid, to put it together. But she could see the Grand Elder's eyebrow raise. He knew, as expected

"Okay, so you have an Aerodactyl. So what? Mine's stronger. I've had it longer, haven't I?" Clair said, trying to play it cool, though a few spectators looked confused by her choice of words.

Ash smirked. "Who said I was done?"

He pulled back his sleeve, revealing a Keystone on his wrist, "Usually the Gym Leader does this first. Well, my turn. Aerodactyl, Mega Evolve!"

Aerodactyl began to glow with a brilliant light. His body grew larger, more jagged stones covering him, they say this is Aerodactyl's true form, Mega-Aerodactyl.

Clair narrowed her eyes as her own Aerodactyl flapped its wings aggressively in midair, "So… Aerodactyl's Mega Evolution. That's… really cool, not gonna lie. I'm gonna need to find one of those…"

Ash rolled his neck with a grin. "It's more than just cool. Finish this."

Clair flicked her fingers forward. "Alright, let's see what you've got! Aerodactyl, [Stone Edge], now!"

Her Aerodactyl shrieked and summoned stones around itself in a ring, then hurled them like missiles straight at Ash's Aerodactyl.

Ash didn't flinch. "Aerodactyl, break through with [Iron Tail]!"

His Aerodactyl's tail glowed white as he twisted midair, swatting the stones one after another, shattering them into dust, before diving low to avoid the rest. The last one grazed his wing but barely slowed him down.

Clair's eyes widened, just slightly, "Reflexes like that…!"

But Ash didn't give her a second to breathe, "[Dragon Claw], now!"

Ash's Aerodactyl surged forward with a snarl, claws glowing green as he slashed across Clair's Aerodactyl's chest in a clean, X-shaped strike, sending the other flying back.

Clair gritted her teeth as her Aerodactyl tumbled through the air, only managing to catch itself with a hard flap of its wings before crashing into the rocks lining the battlefield's edge.

Ash's eyes narrowed. "We're not done. [Hyper Beam]!"

His Aerodactyl spread its wings wide and roared, unleashing a blinding white beam from its jaw, rushing toward Clair's Aerodactyl.

Clair quickly pointed her arm out, "[Protect], now!"

Her Aerodactyl whipped its wings forward, summoning a shimmering green barrier just in time. The [Hyper Beam] slammed into it, exploding in a blaze of light.

The shield held, for a second.

Then it cracked and shattered.

Even through the fading barrier, her Aerodactyl took a blast of the remaining force, reeling from the impact.

Clair's Aerodactyl was still in the sky, but barely. Its breathing was ragged, and its body showed clear signs that it was hurt

Clair's lip curled. "Okay… you wanna go all-out? Fine then. [Crunch]!"

Her Aerodactyl shrieked and dove like a missile, jaws wide, aiming to bite down on Ash's Aerodactyl's wings. With Ash's Aerodactyl still recharging, the attack landed, but he barely flinched.

Ash snapped his fingers. "Our turn, [Thunder Fang]!"

Ash's Aerodactyl twisted his head, reached over, and bit down hard on Clair's Aerodactyl's neck, sending a jolt of electricity through its body.

There was a burst of sparks and a pained cry as Clair's Aerodactyl jolted midair, paralyzed momentarily from the counterattack.

Ash followed up. "Now, [Stone Edge], close range!"

Ash's Aerodactyl spread his wings, summoning a ring of jagged stones around him. Then, with a spin of his wings, he hurled them point-blank into the stunned Aerodactyl.

Clair's Aerodactyl crashed into the ground, and before it could recover, more stones rained down on it. One after another, they smashed into its chest, wings, and sides. Dust kicked up around the impact zone.

When the air finally cleared, Clair's Aerodactyl was lying still in the dirt, spirals in its eyes.

Clair stood in silence for a moment, Poké Ball still in hand. Then she sighed softly and returned her Aerodactyl with a whisper "You did great. Take some rest."

She held the Poké Ball for a second longer, then slid it back onto her belt and pulled out the next one.

"Not bad. Looks like it's time for me to step it up a little. Let's do this."

She threw out her second-to-last Pokémon, her Gyarados. It splashed down onto the field with a mighty crash, and like Ash's Aerodactyl, it wore a necklace with a glowing stone.

Clair raised her bracelet, revealing a Keystone embedded in it.

"You did it first, so now it's my turn. Gyarados, Mega Evolve!"

She pressed the stone, and Gyarados was engulfed in a brilliant light. Its body grew larger, sleeker, more terrifying. When the glow faded, Mega Gyarados let out a thunderous roar that shook the battlefield.

Ash's Aerodactyl hovered in place, unfazed.

Ash cracked his knuckles. "Alright… that's more like it. Let's make this count."

Clair raised her arm sharply. "Gyarados, [Waterfall]!"

Gyarados launched forward, water surging beneath it as it rocketed toward Aerodactyl, surrounded by spiraling blue energy.

Ash swiped his arm. "Intercept it, [Dragon Claw]!"

Aerodactyl dove down head-on, claws glowing as he clashed with the charging Gyarados. The two collided midair with a bone-shaking crash, water exploding outward in a violent spray as Aerodactyl's claws tore across Gyarados's body.

The shockwave from the clash sent waves rippling through the lava pits surrounding the battlefield, and several members of the Dragon Clan shielded their faces from the blast of heat and mist.

Ash quickly followed up. "Now back up, and [Rock Slide]!"

Aerodactyl twisted and flapped back, summoning a cluster of jagged boulders above Gyarados before dropping them down from above.

Clair pointed. "Dive and counter with [Aqua Tail]!"

Gyarados dipped low, avoiding most of the falling rocks. Then with a spin, its tail glowed with surging water and swept upward in a powerful arc, smashing through several rocks and sending one flying back at Aerodactyl like it was playing baseball.

Aerodactyl tanked the hit with a grunt, flinching slightly, but stayed airborne.

Ash narrowed his eyes. "Alright, let's try this then. [Iron Head], from above!"

Aerodactyl's entire body gleamed with metallic energy as he tucked in his wings and dove like a missile straight toward Gyarados.

Clair's gaze was steady. "Meet it with [Outrage]!"

Gyarados' body exploded with red-orange energy as it roared, eyes glowing in rage. It whipped around and met Aerodactyl's strike head-on. The impact shook the air, Aerodactyl took the brunt of the damage since Gyarados was simply stronger in raw power.

As Aerodactyl tried to fly up again, Gyarados was still caught in the rampage of [Outrage], landing another hit and slamming him down into the ground with a bone-crunching thud.

That hit took a lot out of him, but it also meant Aerodactyl had dropped below half HP. When he opened his eyes, his pupils dilated, and the mutation activated, his power spiking sharply as energy flared around his body.

Clair's eyes narrowed, watching Ash's Aerodactyl stagger back into the air, bruised, but far from done.

"What was that…?" she muttered, noticing the sudden shift in presence.

Ash smiled. "Maybe you should find out." He pointed forward. "Aerodactyl, [Dragon Rush]!"

With a shriek, Aerodactyl shot forward, a spiraling vortex of violet-blue energy surrounding him as he rocketed toward Gyarados like a comet.

Clair's hand snapped up. "Gyarados, [Outrage] again!"

Aerodactyl's spiraling energy slammed forward, but Gyarados met it with another brutal [Outrage], smashing its massive glowing body and maw into Aerodactyl's side. They collided midair, energy bursting around them as the attacks canceled each other out.

Both were knocked back, wounded, panting, but still standing.

Clair pointed forward again. "Gyarados, get ready—"

But Gyarados didn't move. It blinked, then swayed slightly in the air.

Clair's eyes widened. "What…?"

Ash spotted the telltale swirl in Gyarados' eyes and grinned. "Now's our chance. Aerodactyl, hit it hard with [Stone Edge]!"

With a sharp cry, Aerodactyl's wings flared wide, summoning a ring of jagged stones around him. With a mighty thrust, he hurled them down at the confused Gyarados.

Clair snapped out of her shock. "Gyarados! Quick, snap out of it and use [Ice Fang]!"

Gyarados tried to obey, its jaws charging with icy mist, but its movements were too sluggish. Several stones slammed into its side before it managed to snap forward and clamp onto Aerodactyl mid-dive.

The icy fangs locked around Aerodactyl's wing, and frost began spreading across it.

"Break free with [Thunder Fang]!" Ash shouted.

Aerodactyl's jaws surged with electricity as he bit down into Gyarados' side. Sparks exploded across Gyarados' scales, another shock of paralysis rippling through its body.

The two were locked in midair, snarling and biting, neither willing to let go, each trying to overpower the other.

Clair clenched her fist. "Now, [Hyper Beam]!"

Ash's eyes narrowed. "Aerodactyl, [Giga Impact]!"

Gyarados reared back its massive head, mouth glowing as it fired the golden beam at point-blank range, just as Aerodactyl's body surged forward, wrapped in orange energy. The two moves collided midair, 

BOOM!!!

A devastating explosion erupted in the center of the battlefield, a shockwave rippling across the entire Gym. Flames, water vapor, and energy lit up the sky, knocking debris loose and sending a pulse of force across the lava pits.

Everyone watching shielded their faces or braced themselves. The entire Gym trembled.

And then- Silence.

The smoke cloud lingered in the air, thick and heavy.

No one breathed.

Everyone was waiting to see what had happened.

Then… two shapes began to fall from the smoke.

Aerodactyl hit the ground first with a heavy thud, sliding across the stone floor before stopping, unconscious.

A half-second later, Gyarados crashed down beside it, also fainting. It was a double knockout, and both Pokémon reverted back to their base forms.

Ash and Clair blinked, then exchanged small smiles as they each returned their Pokémon, whispering their thanks before clipping the Poké Balls back onto their belts.

Clair took a breath, grabbing her last Poké Ball.

"So… looks like it's down to this, huh?"

"Speak for yourself," Ash replied with a smirk. "I've still got two more Pokémon."

"Oh, well then…" Clair narrowed her eyes. "I guess I'll just have to take them both down."

"We'll see," Ash shot back as they both threw out their next Pokémon.

On Clair's side appeared her Kingdra, not her main one, but the one she used for eight badge battles

On Ash's side, he released Dragonite. She flew out with a powerful flap, stretched her arms, glanced around the battlefield… then locked eyes with Kingdra and narrowed her gaze.

Clair raised an eyebrow. "Huh, you have a Dragonite too. Nice." She smirked. "Let's see how strong your Dragonite is."

Ash responded coolly, "With pleasure, [Dragon Dance]!"

Dragonite closed her eyes and began to spin gracefully, glowing with a faint purple aura as her speed and power started to rise.

Clair didn't waste the opening. "Kingdra, [Flash Cannon]!"

A silver sphere of energy charged in Kingdra's mouth, then fired like a beam. Dragonite opened her eyes mid-spin and braced as the cannon smashed into her chest, knocking her back several feet, but she grit her teeth and shook it off.

Ash clenched a fist. "Our turn, [Thunder Punch]!"

With a crackle of lightning, Dragonite's fist surged with electric energy. She lunged forward, faster than Kingdra expected.

But Clair was ready. "Counter with [Hydro Pump]!"

Kingdra launched a high-pressure stream of water just as Dragonite's glowing fist came down. The water slammed into Dragonite's face, but she powered through, roaring as her electrified punch connected, slapping Kingdra across the jaw and knocking her back several feet.

Once they separated, Clair pointed sharply. "[Dragon Pulse]!"

"[Dragon Claw]!" Ash countered.

Kingdra fired the beam just as Dragonite's claws ignited with a green glow. She dove into the pulse, slicing through the energy. It exploded around her, but she kept pushing forward, then slashed across Kingdra's side with a loud crack.

Kingdra yelped and reeled back, clearly bruised. Dragonite flapped backward too, catching her breath and circling higher.

Ash gave her a nod. "All or nothing, [Draco Meteor]!"

The sky above glowed as fiery orange meteors began to form and swirl. Dragonite roared and flung them down in a blazing cascade toward Kingdra.

Clair raised her voice. "Dodge and then [Ice Beam]!"

Kingdra weaved between the incoming meteors with fluid, graceful movement. A few grazed her fins, but she kept going, then fired a piercing beam of chilling energy that slammed into Dragonite's side mid-flight, ice crackling across her scales.

Dragonite growled in pain, ice beginning to spread across her wing. But she gritted her teeth and powered through it, opened her eyes, and launched the remaining meteors down at Kingdra. They slammed into the seahorse dragon one after another, shaking the entire Gym floor, but the effort caused Dragonite's special attack to sharply drop.

Ash squinted through the haze. "Dragonite, don't let them get up, [Extreme Speed]!"

The moment the smoke parted, Dragonite was already moving, dashing toward Kingdra in a blur.

Clair's eyes narrowed. She pointed forward. "Counter it, [Yawn]!"

As Dragonite blurred into view, Kingdra opened its mouth and let out a slow, drifting bubble. The [Yawn] made contact just as Dragonite slammed her shoulder into Kingdra, sending it tumbling across the stone floor. A soft shimmer passed through Dragonite's eyes, her momentum began to slow.

Ash's expression shifted. "Oh, you've got to be kidding me…"

Clair smirked. "What, you think I'm just about brute strength? I wouldn't be the best if I couldn't pull something like this off."

Dragonite stood panting, wings drooping from the exhaustion. Her pupils flickered, drowsiness was setting in.

Ash sighed, already knowing what was coming. "No, I just didn't think it would be this. Fine. Let's go, [Thunder Punch]!"

Dragonite grunted and surged forward, sparks crackling from her fist. She threw the punch straight for Kingdra's side.

Clair didn't hesitate. "Now, [Hydro Pump], full blast!"

The jet of water slammed into Dragonite's chest mid-strike. She gritted her teeth, forced her way through the rushing water, and slammed the punch square into Kingdra's face. Lightning exploded outward from the impact, blasting both Pokémon back.

Dragonite pushed herself up. She could have kept going, but suddenly, she teetered, wobbled, then fell over… sound asleep. The [Yawn] had finally taken effect.

Ash sighed and returned her to the Poké Ball. "Yeah… no point keeping her in if she's just gonna nap."

He looked at Clair, determined. "Alright then. But I still have one more Pokémon, you know."

"Oh yeah?" Clair crossed her arms with a grin. "Well then show me what you've got. We're this far, aren't we? Let's see if your words were just that."

Ash held his Poké Ball, but his eyes weren't on Clair. He glanced up, first at Brock, then caught sight of something else behind the crowd. A certain Redhead, Silver.

Ash raised an eyebrow, then grinned. "Well… looks like I can't disappoint everyone. Fine then, Tyranitar, show them what you're made of!"

The Poké Ball burst open, and Ash's newly evolved Tyranitar stomped out, roaring as he cracked his neck and stared down Kingdra.

Clair raised an eyebrow. "Huh. You've got a Tyranitar too. Fun."

She pointed forward. "Alright then, Kingdra, [Flash Cannon]!"

Kingdra gathered a ball of silvery energy in its mouth and fired it like a beam toward Tyranitar's chest. The attack landed squarely, forcing Tyranitar to dig his heels into the ground with a grunt. Dust and steam kicked up from the impact.

Ash pointed back. "Our turn, [Crunch]!"

Tyranitar roared and lunged through the smoke, fangs glowing pitch-black. He clamped down hard on Kingdra's side, then tossed it high into the air before releasing it. Kingdra tumbled, then righted itself midair, bruised and tired, but still fighting.

Clair winced but didn't lose her composure. "[Dragon Pulse]!"

Kingdra began charging the glowing attack, but Ash was already ahead.

"Stop it with [Stone Edge], now!"

Tyranitar stomped the ground with both feet, and jagged stones erupted upward, slamming into Kingdra before it could finish its move, blasting it even higher into the air.

As Clair watched Kingdra get launched into the air, Ash didn't waste a second.

"Now, grab it and use [Earthquake]!"

Tyranitar grinned, charging forward. He used a jutting piece of stone as a ramp, sprinted up its side, and leapt, catching Kingdra midair by the face with one massive hand. With a roar, he brought Kingdra crashing down, slamming it into the rock below with all his strength. The moment of impact triggered a devastating [Earthquake] right on Kingdra's head, shattering the stone beneath them and sending cracks splintering across the battlefield.

Kingdra was thrown through the broken rock and skidded to the far side of the field. It landed hard, breathing heavily. Bruised, exhausted, but still barely standing.

Clair's eyes burned with resolve. "Fine then! Let's end this! Kingdra, full power, [Hydro Pump]!"

Kingdra's mouth began swirling with fierce energy. Water churned in a tightening spiral around its body, and then—BOOM—a massive beam of water blasted toward Tyranitar.

Ash didn't flinch. He just smiled. "Alright then let's get stronger together, [Giga Impact]!"

Tyranitar's whole body erupted in orange energy. The [Hydro Pump] hit him like a tidal wave, forcing him back a step, then another. His feet dug into the stone, but he kept pushing forward.

One step. Another. Then, he roared and charged straight through the attack, water crashing around him like a raging storm, but he refused to slow down.

Clair's eyes widened. "What?! It's still—!"

"It's too late now. Finish this!" Ash shouted, swiping his arm and pointing forward.

Tyranitar burst through the torrent like a comet, his shoulder slamming into Kingdra's side with bone-rattling force. Kingdra was knocked flying, but Tyranitar wasn't done. He caught Kingdra by the tail mid-air, spun, and slammed it back down into the battlefield with a devastating crash. Then he raised his foot and stomped, driving it down with crushing force.

The stone underneath Kingdra cracked like glass, and a cloud of dust erupted from the impact zone.

Everyone held their breath.

When the dust finally settled, Tyranitar stood tall, one arm raised as he let out a deafening roar of victory.

Kingdra lay unmoving in the crater, spirals in its eyes.

The scoreboard lit up. Clair was out of Pokémon.

Ash won.