Pokemon - Odyssey

As daylight streamed through the windows, the various Pokemon trainers seemed to be enjoying themselves with various conversations. Matthew leaned back and placed his hands behind his head, enjoying the sounds of conversation.

"So, Mr. Matthew?" Celestia asked. "If you don't mind, why is it that you don't like using your last name?"

Matthew sighed and stood up, walking over to the window.

"It's my dad's name. He left my mom when I was two. I haven't seen him since. He was a strong trainer in his own right, but he....He's not worth caring about anymore." Matthew said.

"I see." Celestia said, deciding not to push the subject further. Ash and Serena set their empty plates down and sighed.

"That was good." Ash said.

"Really good." Serena added. At this, Matthew excused himself and walked outside to a balcony. Ash followed him, and both leaned on the railing.

"You okay, Matthew?" Ash asked.

"Yeah. Just thinking about dad." Matthew replied. "He just...vanished that day. Mom doesn't talk about him, and frankly, neither do I."

Ash smiled slightly.

"Wanna battle?"

Matthew chuckled slightly.

"That's the only thing you can think about right now? A battle?"

"Yeah, why?" Ash asked.

Matthew laughed again.

"Sure. I'll battle you. Not sure if there's a place we can, though."

"We could ask Celestia." Ash said.

"Sure." Matthew said as they walked in. Celestia looked up from her tea with an inquisitive look.

"Do you have a sparring grounds or something like that around here?" Matthew asked.

"Yes. Why do you ask?" Celestia replied.

"Well, Ash challenged me to a Pokemon battle, and I accepted." Matthew said. "We'll need a place like that to do the actual battle."

Celestia sipped her tea.

"I see no problem." Celestia said. "I'll take you there."

"Thanks." Ash said.

"We'll all come." Twilight said. "I'm eager to learn what these "battles" are like."

As they all stood up and followed Celestia out of the room, a fly drone buzzed and followed them, streaming a video feed to Team Nova's leader.

==============================

As they arrived at the field, ten minutes later, Ash and Matthew took opposing sides on the field. The few guards who were sparring there stopped their drills to watch.

"I'll referee." Brock said. "This battle between Ash and Matthew will be one on one, with no substitutions. The battle will end when either side is unable to continue."

Ash and Matthew grabbed a Poke Ball each.

"BEGIN!" Brock yelled.

"Blastoise!" Matthew cried.

"Hawlucha!" Ash yelled.

As Hawlucha, the Wrestling Pokemon, and Blastoise, the Shellfish Pokemon, formed and eyed the other, the Guards began to whisper.

"Start strong! Iron Defense!" Matthew yelled. Blastoise growled as his skin became polished and shiny.

"Flying Press!" Ash ordered. Hawlucha jumped and spun, trailing a red afterimage. As he dived, ready to slam into his opponent, Matthew grinned.

"Skull Bash!" he cried. Blastoise tucked his skull into his shell. Then, as Hawlucha neared him, Blastoise shot forwards like a rocket, slamming into the opposing Pokemon and sending Hawlucha flying into the wall. Ash stood in astonishment as Hawlucha stood up shakily.

"High Jump Kick!" Ash yelled. Hawlucha grinned and his leg began to glow a crimson red. Readying the move, he jumped into the air again, and ready to attack.

"Hydro Pump!" Matthew ordered. Blastoise primed and fired two huge vortexes of water at his opponent. Hawlucha was hit by the Water-type move and sent flying again. Though he recovered on his trainer's order, Hawlucha slumped over and began to breathe raggedly.

"That's Hawlucha's weakness, Ash." Matthew said. "As a Fighting-type, its moves rely on getting in close to deal massive damage. By keeping you at a distance, Blastoise has the advantage."

Ash growled slightly, and grinned.

"Hawlucha, Soar up high!"

Hawlucha then spread its wings and took to the skies, soaring above Blastoise, who eyed his opponent warily.

"Now, Dive!" Ash yelled. Hawlucha did so, diving down and getting closer and closer to his opponent. Blastoise growled in anticipation.

"Now, use High Jump Kick!" Ash called. Hawlucha slammed his leg into Blastoise's face, sending the Shellfish Pokemon back several feet.

"Blastoise looks unfazed." Twilight said, noting Blastoise didn't seem to have taken much damage from Hawlucha's attack.

"That's because of Iron Defense." Mason said. "By raising his defense early in, Blastoise took less damage than normal from that attack. Fighting types excel in physical, up close battling. By using Iron Defense and keeping him at a distance, Ash is in real trouble here."

Ash growled as Hawlucha growled angrily at Blastoise, who huffed in determination.

"C'mon, Hawlucha! Let's get moving!" Ash said. Hawlucha then called out as four ethereal swords formed around him. Then, they vanished at Hawlucha glowed a bright red.

"Swords Dance, huh?" Matthew said. "Blastoise, keep your guard up!"

"Now, High Jump Kick!" Ash yelled. Hawlucha slammed into Blastoise again, sending the massive Shellfish Pokemon back a few feet.
"There was damage on that one." Matthew said. "Use Hydro Pump!"

Blastoise sent a massive torrent of water towards Hawlucha, who, on its trainer's order, dodged it. Hawlucha was about to use Swords Dance when the wind suddenly picked up speed.

"What's going on?" Serena yelled. Then, the figure of a military-grade helicopter came out from behind the castle. It was painted a dull black, and emblazoned on the door was a purple N, with three streaks behind it. Then, the door opened revealing a man in a dark suit. He wore a fedora, and on his suit pocket was the same logo on the helicopter. The man chuckled slightly.

"An impressive battle, I must say!" he said in a smooth, deep voice. "But where are my manners? I am Corvo, leader of Team Nova."

"Team Nova?" Twilight whispered to Matthew. "Who are they?"

"Can't say. I've never heard of them." Matthew whispered back.

"Allow me to show you a token of my appreciation for this world!" he yelled, tossing out an Ultra Ball. It opened, revealing a massive Tyranitar, which slammed into the ground, and summoned a Sandstorm, due to its ability, Sand Stream. It bellowed gutturally, sending a shockwave through the raging winds. Celestia summoned a pulse of magic and dispelled the Sandstorm. Corvo laughed again.

"Your abilities are impressive. Allow me once more to show you mine. Respond to my heart, Key Stone! Beyond evolution, MEGA EVOLVE!"

He tapped his wristwatch, and tendrils of white energy reached out from the stone. Tyranitar roared in response, and tendrils formed from a bracer on its right wrist. The tendrils collided, and Tyranitar began to change, growing bigger and even more intimidating. Then, it roared, now Mega Evolved. A second sandstorm began to rage, more powerful than the last one.

"What was that?" Twilight yelled, staring at the Mega Tyranitar in fear.

"That was a Mega Evolution!" Matthew yelled. "Long story, but Tyranitar's even more powerful now!"

"How powerful was it before!?" Rarity yelled.

"Tyranitar, when it gets angry, can flatten mountains, bury rivers, tear up forests and generally desolate everything around it. They're some of the most powerful and dangerous Pokemon out there!" Brock yelled.

"Enough talk! Mega Tyranitar, use Stone Edge!" Corvo bellowed. Tyranitar slammed the ground with his fist. Several sharp and blue pillars of rock began to fly towards the ponies, who were frozen in fear.

"Absol, use Megahorn!"

Then, the final pillar was smashed with a powerful charge. Matthew's vision saw an Absol, the Disaster Pokemon, using the powerful Bug-type move, Megahorn. Only this Absol, instead of a deep purplish black, its body was bright red.

"A shiny?" Matthew yelled. Then, footsteps came from behind him. A trainer of about thirty, wearing a dark grey jacket, with blue pants, along with a small braid in his black hair, walked forward. As he passed into Matthew's vision, he gasped.

"...Dad?" Matthew said, shocked beyond words.

Matthew's father said nothing as he stood before Corvo's Tyranitar. Drawing out a Key Stone, he repeated Corvo's words. As Absol Mega Evolved, it grew a pair of wings, and its horn grew sharper and more pronounced. As Mega Absol stood before Corvo, Matthew's father smiled.

"Use Night Slash!"

Corvo growled.

"Chip Away!"

As both Pokemon rushed towards each other, Matthew's father growled.