Ash's Story (Part 6: Unova)

Chapter 48

In front of Twist Mountain, we find the final Elite Four member, Marshal, who is training with his Fighting Type Pokemon. He says, "You look familiar... Ah, yes. I met you at here a few months ago. The strength you are radiating is far greater now than before! Greetings, challenger. My name is Marshal. I am the No. 1 pupil of my mentor, Alder. In order to master the art of fighting, I've kept training. You're also walking a similar path with your Pokémon. It is my intention to test you - and take you to the limits of your strength. Kiai!"

Marshal's first Pokemon is a Throh, so I decide to go with Unfezant. Unfezant lands an Air Slash attack, but Throh uses Rock Tomb to deal a lot of damage and even lowering Unfezant's speed. But in the end, Unfezant manages to defeat Throh with Brave Bird the moment Throh is using Circle Throw.

The next Pokemon is Sawk, which defeats Unfezant with Retaliate and Brick Break. I decide to fight fist with fist as I send out my own Sawk. Both of them are having a Karate Fight, but my Sawk lands a Low Sweep that damages Marshal's Sawk's feet, which gives me the opportunity to land the final blow with Close Combat. However, Marshal's Sawk also lands the Rock Slide, knocking my Sawk out as well.

Mienshao is his third Pokemon, so I send out Gardevoir to battle. But the sudden U-turn makes Conkeldurr out of the field and then defeats Gardevoir with Retaliate and Stone Edge. My fourth Pokemon is Gothitelle, and I have it use Psychic to stop the Stone Edge and sends it back to Conkeldurr, then finishes him with a Future Sight.

The fourth Pokemon for Marshal is Lucario, which I'm worried because Lucario really is a tough Pokemon. I switch out to my own Lucario, using Bone Rush to deal some damage, but Marshal's Lucario also uses Aura Sphere, and the match is a draw since I have Lucario uses Final Gambit.

Marshal says, "Everything comes down to this next move! I'll use the last bit of my strength!" He sends back Mienshao while I end back Gothitelle.

Mienshao uses Bounce to make Gothitelle hard to attack, but Gothitelle uses Thunderbolt to knock him down. Gothitelle catches Mienshao with Psychic when Mienshao uses a U-Turn, and then she holds him as he is hit by Future Sight, defeating him.

"There is no single strongest Pokémon or sole best combination... That's why it is difficult to keep winning. However, I think a heart that desires strength and strives to grow stronger is a precious ideal. That is why I respect you-because you have these things."

Marshal decides to give me the Fighting Medal, and he says, "You are a strong challenger. Walk the path you believe in with the Pokémon you believe in."

Iris says, "Since you have four wins, that means you're going to face me in the Champion match."

"Yeah, I can't wait to get my fifth league done." I say as we bid Marshal farewell.

We decide to take a rest at Pinwheel Forest's Bug Manor, it is then we met Gorm, who tries to scare us. I say, "Gorm? Is that you?"

"It is nice to see you again, Ash, I mean, Lord N. I learned of my old ally's recklessness, and I had come here to admonish him... But the matter has already been resolved, and this place made me think... What did we believe in that made us try to steal the Dragon Skull? A man who has committed a mistake and doesn't correct it is committing another mistake. Do you understand what this means? Avoiding all mistakes is impossible, but not fixing mistakes you've made - that is truly foolish."

"What does he mean by that?" Reisa asks.

"I should explain. You see... Gorm tried to steal the Nacrene Museum's Dragon Skull. But it is thanks to Burgh and Hilbert working together to stop him." I say.

"That being said, this doesn't really concern you, does it? Well then, Trainers, may you and your Pokémon be well." Then he leaves, and Cilan says, "Still... he is different compared to Dawn..."