Chapter ten (AKPKMN)

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**Review Responses:**

**Yaw613:** Thanks. I try uploading everyday.

**keyblademeister88:** Yeah, I wanted Pikachu to have a big win like in canon to demonstrate his power.

**Lezaroth:** He won't battle Red on Mount Silver, sorry. I always viewed level 100 as a simplified max level, but logically Pokemon as living beings could easily surpass that level. I mean that would be like quantifying humans in levels to measure physical attributes and experience. Yes, in Hoenn Ash will coach May and Max some. Altomare will be ignored, the fossils are redundant at this point and the fossils are for defense if I remember correctly. I am glad that I have your interest and that you like the story.

Ash was ready for the Silver Conference to finally begin. Ash, Gary, and Ash's new acquaintance Harrison were all registered for the conference... Sadly Ash and Gary still weren't getting along, but Gary was being much nicer.

Ash was extremely pleased with his performance in the pre-screening rounds. None of his Pokemon had fainted and Ash consistently outperformed his opponents and he demonstrated much greater skill as a trainer. His Pokemon were one-hitting other Pokemon; especially his older and much stronger Pokemon. Ash easily earned his place in the Top 48.

The Top 48 were requested to get in line for the opening ceremony; that included Ash, so he complied, eager for the real competition to begin.

Unfortunately, Ash was in line near Gary.

"So, Ash, I heard that you trained on Mount Silver..." Gary began. "How'd that go?"

"I caught several more powerful Pokemon and leveled up my Pokemon to extreme levels of power." Ash withdrew his Pokedex and showed Gary his numbers for Pokemon caught. "I also caught one of each Pokemon out of sheer boredom. If I defeat the Kanto Elite Four and Champion then I would be a Pokemon Master... at least for Kanto."

"Did you meet Red?" Gary asked, and several trainers looked interested in Ash's answer.

"Nah, the Pokemon were too strong around that area and I had to think about my Pokemon's health and well-being. I'll get to him eventually though and then I'll battle him."

"So you can lose?" Gary asked in amusement.

"If I lose then I'll just train harder and then battle him again."

Fortunately, the competitors began entering the stadium. Harry stopped with the other competitors and waited for Pokemon League President, Charles Goodshow, to make the opening speech.

"Skillful and excited participants, now that the Ho-Oh's sacred flame is watching over all of you, battle with honesty, integrity, and honor so that you will never regret a single moment of your time here." Mr. Goodshow said, thankfully keeping the speech short and sweet.

Ash's first opponent in the semi-finals was Macy, who had her Fire-types easily swept aside by Gyarados and Gyarados went on to defeat her Electabuzz and Starmie.

Ash's next opponent was Vincent Jackson from New Bark Town. Pikachu defeated his Azumarill, Poliwhirl, and Golduck. Typhlosion defeated Vincent's Meganium with a single Blast Burn and Ash's Meganium easily defeated Vincent's Quagsire and Magneton.

Ash was still pleased to be in the Top 16 and was pleased that Gary had made it too. Gary and Ash would finally be facing each other in the second battle in the Top 16, and Ash intended to deal Gary yet another humiliating defeat. Gary even had the nerve to insult him once more and imply that he would easily win. Ash decided to permanently destroy Gary's delusions of grandeur. And with his mother and Gary's grandfather as witnesses.

Ash would finally get his wish...

"This battle will be a full on six-on-six battle, with both trainers allowed unlimited substitutions and the battle will have no time limit. Furthermore, when one or both trainers lose three Pokemon, there will be a short intermission." The referee said and Harry nodded in understanding.

"Go Nidoqueen!" Gary said.

"Go Gyarados!" Ash said, but Gary opted to stick with Nidoqueen.

Ash started them off by having Gyarados use Attract, which greatly reduced Nidoqueen's threat level and allowed Gyarados to one-hit Nidoqueen with Water Pulse.

"Nidoqueen is unable to battle! Gary send out your next Pokemon!"

"Go Electabuzz!" Gary said. "Use Thunderbolt!"

"Protect!" Ash ordered, smirking. "Now, use Roar!"

Electabuzz quickly fled, returning itself and then sending out Magmar in its place. A single Water Pulse and Magmar was defeated. Predictably, Gary sent his Electabuzz back out, but Ash stuck with Gyarados after Gyarados revealed his desire to sweep the team.

Gary ordered Electabuzz to use Thunder, but Gyarados used Protect and then used Hurricane, lifting Electabuzz up into the air and giving Ash a chance to order a Hyper Beam... the Hyper Beam hit Electabuzz and blasted it into a wall; nearly landing in the stands.

"Electabuzz is unable to battle! Since Gary has lost three Pokemon there will be a short break." The referee said.

After a short break the battle restarted and Gary sent out his Alakazam and Ash stuck with his Gyarados... Gary ordered Alakazam to throw Gyarados, but Ash had Gyarados use Dark Pulse and forced Alakazam to dodge. Ash had Gyarados light the battlefield on fire to pin Alakazam down and then use Dark Pulse, leaving Alakazam unable to battle.

Gary's next attempt involved using his Golem and having it use Explosion... it involved having Golem get close and then defeat itself... Ash let Gary enact his plan. When the dust cleared Golem had fainted and Gyarados was still able to battle and was barely even injured. Gary was infuriated, but Ash just smirked at him and made it much worse for poor Gary.

"Golem is unable to battle! Gary send out your final Pokemon!" The referee said.

Gary was tempted to forfeit, but he refused to give up to Ash Ketchum in his last battle.

"Go Blastoise!" Gary said. "Use Hydro Pump!"

Ash had Gyarados use Thunderbolt, channeling that electricity through Blastoise' attack and inflicting minor damage to Blastoise.

The problem was that it was just minor damage.

"Heat up the battlefield," Ash ordered calmly and Gyarados used Flamethrower on the earth near Blastoise.

Gary, of course, had it cooled down by Blastoise' water attacks and fell for the trap. The problem was that Blastoise was standing in part of the damaged battlefield, a crater, and the water had run down and pooled around it.

Ash ordered Gyarados to use Thunderbolt... on the water and Blastoise was heavily damaged. One more Thunderbolt and Ash had his second win over his poor excuse for a rival.

"Blastoise is unable to battle! The winner is Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town!" The referee said.

Ash walked away, pleased to have advanced to the Top 8, and he wasn't even concerned about his battle with Harrison from Littleroot Town.

The next day, Ash was ready to defeat Harrison.

"This battle will be a full on six-on-six battle, with both trainers allowed unlimited substitutions and the battle will have no time limit. Furthermore, when one or both trainers lose three Pokemon, there will be a short intermission." The referee said and Ash and Harrison both nodded in understanding. "Trainers send out your first Pokemon!" The referee said. Harrison sent out Kecleon and Ash sent out his Charizard.

"Use Psybeam!" Harrison ordered, starting the battle off. Ash had Charizard charge through it and use Slash... Harrison was shocked at the speed and brutality and shocked even further when his Kecleon was quickly left unable to battle. Ash was just pleased that he didn't have to deal with that annoying invisibility.

"Kecleon is unable to battle. Harrison, send out your next Pokemon." The referee said.

"Go Hypno!" Harrison said. Harrisoned order Hypnosis and Ash ordered Flare Blitz and then had it followed up with Shadow Claw.

"Hypno is unable to battle. Harrison, send out your next Pokemon."

Having no choice, Harrison sent out his Blaziken and then promptly Mega-Evolved it to be safe. With Ash being a former champion and Johto Elite Four stand-in Harrison wasn't taking any chances.

"Use Quick Attack!" Harrison ordered, believing that close combat would be best.

Ash calmly ordered a close range Hyper Beam that blasted Mega Blaziken across the battle field and heavily injured it. Charizard quickly took flight and then used Aerial Ace, defeating the weakened Blaziken and shocking Harrison to his core.

"Mega Blaziken is unable to battle! Since Harrison has lost three Pokemon, we will take a short break."

Lance and the Elite Four recognized that Ash was beyond the average Champion-level.

Most people watching already believed that Ash would win and become champion, some were withholding their judgement, but they were all part of a very small minority.

Ash's Mother, Gary Oak and Professor Oak, and sixteen Gym Leaders were all very impressed and in awe of his skills as a trainer and his powerful Pokemon. Gary Oak decided to become a Professor, knowing that Pallet Town's reputation was in good hands with Ash Ketchum battling. As for Professor Oak... he was reminded of his grandson Blue; Gary's cousin and Samuel's grandson through his eldest son, and of Red and Green. Ash was exceptionally skilled had similar skills to the Fighter, the Trainer, and the Evolver. Samuel knew that it would be Ash who became the strongest of the Pallet Town Pokedex holders... he already was, after all; at least for his age group, and he merely needed to maintain his strength.

Harrison's Sneasel was easily defeated by Charizard and his Miltank and Houndoom were less than nothing against it, and Harrison's Steelix was one-shot with Blast Burn.

"The winner is Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town!" the referee said, to cheers.

After dominating his next opponent Ash was in the Top 2 and he was eager to battle Jon Dickson for the Champion Title, but he had to wait.

"So, Professor," Ash began. "How has the Pokemon Symposium responded to my thesis and my reports?"

"Your knowledge and research on Evolution and Mega Evolution has advanced the latter by decades. You are being promoted to a Professor due to having the equivalent knowledge and having proved yourself far more knowledgeable than Professor Sycamore in Mega Evolution. That and your maturity has convinced the Symposium to promote you. Your carry limit is non-existent now, but you are advised not to go over twenty Pokemon." Oak said. Ash was handed a certificate proving his new rank and his Pokedex would be updated to reflect his status later.

"Thanks Professor," Ash said. "I doubt that I'll need more than that except for when I start hatching eggs and raising Pokemon from them, but I may just do two at a time." Professor Oak nodded, but Gary just joined them.

"Hey, gramps," Gary said. "Can you give me permission to train on Mount Silver?"

"No, Gary, I cannot. Access is restricted to champions and former champions. You should know this." Oak replied in annoyance. Contrary to popular belief he couldn't just give people permission to bypass tradition and law on a whim.

Gary sighed in annoyance. "Fine." Gary noticed the certificate. "You were made a Professor, Ashy-boy?" Gary seemed quite jealous of Ash for that.

"Yes, I was Gare-bear," Ash replied in annoyance. "My thesis and research has gotten me recognized as the authority on Mega Evolution. I advanced the knowledge of the subject by decades. It took me several years, but I'm finally a Professor."

Gary gave Ash a half-hearted congratulations and left the table.

Gary had never announced his ambitions as a researcher, and he would still pursue his dream, but he felt overshadowed once more by the boy that he bullied and belittled... He regretted that now. They actually had a lot in common and Gary had cost himself a great friend.

It was finally the day of the Johto League Silver Conference final, and after today either Ash or Jon would be known as one of the best trainers in Kanto. Ash had prepared obsessively for his battle with Jon and was going to leave this conference the big winner. Ash was very confident in his strategy and believed that if circumstances remained in his favor then he could win with four or more Pokemon remaining.

Ash looked confident, but Jon looked nervous. Ash was a former champion with many extremely powerful Pokemon and Jon studying his opponent had only made him more nervous. Ash, however, intended to rely primarily upon his Meganium and Typhlosion, but would battle Jon's Ampharos with another Pokemon.

"This will be a full six-on-six battle with unlimited substitutions allowed and shall have no time limit. The winner will leave here the winner of the Indigo League, win one million Poke dollars and other prizes, and gain the right to challenge the Johto Elite Four and the reigning Champion, Lance." President Goodshow said.

Goodshow nodded to the referee to start the match.

"Trainers send out your first Pokemon!" The referee said.

Jon sent out his Rapidash and Ash sent out his Blastoise. "Begin!"

Jon decided to test the strength of Ketchum's Blastoise with a Flare Blitz, but Rapidash was one-hit by a Hydro Cannon, which surprised Ash. He thought the attack would be less effective due to the Flare Blitz's heat.

"Rapidash is unable to battle. Jon send out your next Pokemon."

Jon sent out his Ampharos and Ash opted to stick with Blastoise; much to Jon's and the viewers surprise.

Jon had Ampharos use Thunder, but Blastoise used Protect and then an over-powered Dark Pulse... that left Ampharos unable to battle, due to the power and level disparity.

"Ampharos is unable to battle. Jon send out your next Pokemon."

"Go Sunflora!" Jon said.

Ash returned his Blastoise and sent out his Typhlosion, but Jon opted for a strategy involving Giga Drain at first. If not then he could always return Sunflora.

"Blast Burn!" Ash ordered and Typhlosion bathed the entire battlefield in fire, easily defeating Sunflora before the strategy could even be used.

"Ampharos is unable to battle. Since Jon has lost three Pokemon there will be a short break." The referee said.

After a short break the battle was back on and Jon chose Feraligatr and Ash his Meganium, but Jon stuck with Feraligatr and his Ice Beam. That TM was definitely worth the money that he spent!

Jon ordered an Ice Beam, but Ash ordered a Solar Beam... Solar Beam, from a level 101 Pokemon, easily cut through the Ice Beam and struck Feraligatr and sent it flying off the battlefield...

"Feraligatr is unable to battle! Jon send out your next Pokemon."

"Go Skarmory!" Jon said.

Ash returned Meganium and sent Typhlosion back out.

Jon started the battle off with an order to use Spikes, but Ash was only slightly concerned. Typhlosion fired off a quick Flamethrower, clipping the wing of Skarmory and making flying far more difficult. It also allowed Ash's Typhlosion to deal far more damage with his next Flamethrower... but still Skarmory held onto consciousness.

"Blast Burn!" Ash ordered sadly, displeased that his opponent wouldn't forfeit this battle.

"Skarmory is unable to battle! Jon send out your final Pokemon."

With no other option, Jon sent out his Rhyhorn and Ash swapped Typhlosion for Meganium.

According to Ash's research, Jon's Rhyhorn was nearing its Evolution into a Rhydon. Ash wanted the poor guy to get something out of this, so he had Meganium use Poison Powder and then Vine Whip to apply the right pressure to Rhyhorn. Meganium was pulling its punches and it took five minutes, but it worked.

Rhyhorn was soon surrounded by a white light and it began to shift and evolve into a Rhydon.

"Congratulations," Ash said, loudly enough for Jon to hear him.

"Thanks!" Jon said, before ordering Rhydon to use Stone Edge.

"Frenzy Plant," Ash countered calmly.

The Frenzy Plant overwhelmed and even partly undid the Stone Edge and stuck Rhydon, defeating the newly evolved Pokemon.

"Rhydon is unable to battle. The winner of the battle and Silver conference is Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town!" The referee said, and the crowd broke out into deafening cheers.

"Ash has done it again!" The announcer said in awe. "For those who don't know, this is Ash's second championship win in a row and second over all! Not only that, but Ash has surpassed his own achievement and none of his Pokemon have fainted during the entire Silver Conference! This is to be expected; in my opinion, of course. He was offered a place in the Johto Elite Four before even participating in the Silver Conference and was a stand-in for the Johto Elite Four, being placed as the fourth and most powerful of the Elite Four, and was even rumored to have trained on Mount Silver for six months before the Silver Conference!"

"Here comes the Johto Champion, Lance, and President Charles Goodshow to present Ash with his trophy and other winnings!" The announcer said as Lance and President Goodshow walked towards Ash.

"Congratulations once more, Ash!" Pres. Goodshow said jovially.

"Yes, congratulations, Ash. You are beginning to tap into your full potential as a trainer and your casual dominance here proves it." Lance said. "I shudder to imagine you at your prime!"

"You won't have to imagine, Lance. I want Kanto and Johto, eventually." Ash replied, to Lance's amusement.

"I, too, am in awe of your skills... and at the mere age of twelve!" Goodshow said. "Congratulations on your winning of the Silver Conference, Ash! I present you with your trophy; proof of your victory, and one million Poke dollars will be transferred into your account. Your winning the Silver Conference grants you the right to challenge Johto's Elite Four and Lance at any time you desire, and you will bear the title Champion of the Silver Conference until next year."

"I wish you luck and many more victories, Ash. I hope that someday you do set your sights on both of these championships..." Lance said, before he and President Goodshow excused themselves. Ash was left wondering why Lance wanted him to defeat him... maybe Lance wanted him to succeed him.

While thinking about that, the reporters managed to get to him.

"Congratulations, Ash," one reporter said. "What's next for you?"

"The Hoenn League and hopefully another championship win," Ash replied.

"You were recently promoted to being a Professor and recognized as an expert in Mega Evolution... I think what a lot of people are curious about is Mega Evolution, so what is it?" A reporter asked. "You seemed unsurprised by Bill or Harrison having it and you were able to counter each of them without accessing it for yourself. This confirms knowledge of it, possibly greater knowledge than others to me."

"Mega Evolved Pokemon are actually their own species of Pokemon for one thing. Each Pokemon must hold a specific object, a Mega Stone, which is unique to their species, and the trainer must have a Key Stone. Mega Evolution is very dangerous and requires a strong bond between both trainer and Pokemon, if the bond isn't strong enough then the Pokemon could go berserk and possibly even go on a killing spree. Mega Evolution should be first attempted in a controlled environment and with people on hand to defeat or contain the possibly rampant Pokemon."

"As for my awareness of it, I intensely study myths and legends from around the world. Defeating Mega Evolution? Few if any things are truly invincible and strategy can easily overcome Mega Evolution with the right circumstances. Bill was arrogant and rejoiced in his victory before he had it... he was never going to win that battle; his Pokemon weren't high enough level to defeat my others and having my Gengar use Explosion and Destiny Bond was redundant and largely because I was bored of him. Harrison's Pokemon were largely beaten by overwhelming power."

"All are gifted trainers, however. But to win championships one needs to go well beyond their last known skill levels and their Pokemon's last known levels. Of them all, Bill has Elite Four or Champion potential. Harrison needs to retire his Kecleon and Miltank or level them up extremely high to compensate for them just not being an impressive species of Pokemon, but he won't do that and likely won't ever excel like other trainers."

"What Pokemon are capable of Mega Evolution?"

Ash then listed all known Pokemon that could Mega Evolve, over 45 of them.

Thankfully, the interview ended there and Ash was able to go check on his opponent at the Pokemon Center.

"Is your Rhydon okay?" Ash asked.

"Yeah, he'll be cleared for battle in a day, but he should be out in an hour," Jon replied.

"I'm glad, I thought that Frenzy Plant might have been too much. Speaking of," Ash said, before handing a confused Jon a Protector. "This object is called the Protector it can be used to evolve Rhydon into its final form Rhyperior. In that form it grows greatly in power and at level 69 learns the move Rock Wrecker; a move on par with Hyper Beam, Eruption, Blast Burn, Frenzy Plant, and Hydro Cannon."

"Rhydon can evolve even further?" Jon asked in awe.

"Yes, but you might want to get Rhydon accustom to his current form before evolving him again. Or you could evolve him as soon as its safe and have him get used to a new form just once. It's up to you is the point."

"Wow! Thanks!" Jon said gratefully. "Are you gonna challenge the Elite Four and Lance now?"

"Not for years, no. I intend to retire from traveling at age 18 or 21 and then settle down and make all of my challenges. Is it Kanto for you next?"

"Yup," Jon replied. "Hopefully I'll do as well or even better than I did here."

"Well, good luck. I need to get back to Pallet Town and train my Hoenn region Pokemon." Ash said, and after Jon and he said goodbye Ash departed for Pallet Town.

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After briefly and quickly training up his Hoenn Pokemon and planning out his Legendaries training, Ash departed for the Hoenn region. His Pokedex was updated to reflect his new Professor status and his new privilages.

Ash was confident that he would continue his standard of excellence in Hoenn.