Shout out to RingoAndou for making the artwork above!

Part 1 of Ash and Max's Battle! Enjoy!

Clemont groaned as he rolled over in his bed. With his eyes closed, he noticed something moving around, before hearing a loud explosion. For the love of God, what is going on?

He let out another groan, before slowly opening his eyes. He moved his hand from underneath his sheets to cover his pupils from the light of the TV. He was temporarily blinded, but once his vision began to come back, as his eyes adjusted to the bright lights, he could see Max, on the edge of his own bed. The young trainer was leaning forward, his elbows on his knees and his vision firmly secured to the TV.

Clemont groaned once again, before turning his gaze to the TV. He slowly began to recognize the images, on the screen, as the battle between Aaron and Iris from the first round of the tournament. He groaned as his eyes shifted, once again, to the clock, which rested on the table, next to his bed.

"Max, what are you doing up at this hour?" Clemont managed to ask, although his words were a bit jumbled. "It's four in the morning."

"Huh? Oh, hey, Clemont." Max mumbled, acknowledging Clemont's presence while continuing to keep his focus onto the screen. "I'm just doing some last minute studying."

"Yeah, sure." Clemont began. "That's what you said three hours ago."

"Well, I have to garner whatever info that I can possibly get about this guy," responded Max in a slightly panicked voice. "Rex saw something I overlooked and that got me thinking about what else I could have missed."

"Max, you have watched those videos, at least 4 times each," Clemont said as he swung his legs off the side of the bed, taking a seated position. "You didn't miss a thing. Brock, Misty and I were watching every one of those tapes, right alongside you. Now tell me, what we came up with."

Max let out a sad sigh. "Aaron is mostly straightforward with his attacks. He uses speed to take away any disadvantages he might have. He uses quicker, weaker attacks, to set up for more powerful ones. Any Pokemon, he chooses, will most likely be at an elite level power with a wide range of moves. He hasn't shown any signs that he teaches defensive moves, especially since he is always on the attack. He uses moves, like Dig, which allow him to dodge attacks while going on the offensive at the same time. Counters, for this kind of battling strategy, are Pokémon who can combine moves, to protect themselves from repeated advances, Pokémon with speed to counter Aaron's own speed, who can also respond to any attacks that may be called, and finally, the move, Detect, to counteract the wide-ranging move pool."

"Very good," Clemont said with a sad smile on his face.

He knew the pressure Max felt and wanted to help his friend out as much as possible, but even he had to admit the difficulty in planning against Aaron. Iris had said it herself, along with Gary; Aaron doesn't just attack your Pokémon, but you as well. He makes his opponents panic and no trainer could truly have a game plan for that.

"You know your team for tomorrow?"

"Yeah I do," Max said as a small smile slowly crept onto his face. "I decided that if I'm going to have any chance to beat Aaron, then I'm going to have to use my comfort picks. I know which three that I'll be using tomorrow."

"That's good Max. It's always a smart choice to depend on those you trust, the most, for a tough battle," Clemont said with a smile. "Now then, get some rest. You've got a big day tomorrow."

Max gave a tired chuckle as he reached for the remote and turned off the TV. "Yeah. You're right, Clemont. I know I'm ready for tomorrow. Now all I got to do, is go out there and show him what I'm made of." Max went to lie down and was asleep, from the moment his head hit the pillow.

---

Ash stood grandly, in his box, as he eyed his opponent: Max Maple. His face showed no sign of emotions, as he hid what he was feeling, as well as to those around him, minus his Pokémon.

"Pikapi, pi cha Pikachu, pi," Pikachu chirped in amusement.

Ash let out a soft chuckle. "Whatever, Pikachu. I don't know what you're talking about."

"It couldn't be any clearer, Master," Lucario pointed out while smirking, as he sensed the aura that was projecting from his trainer. "Any more excitement, and you'd put Feraligatr to shame."

Ash could only smile at the remarks made by his two devoted friends, and they were right. He was bursting with joy towards whom he was facing. If he didn't have to keep up the appearance of a calm and collected trainer, he would be dancing like his fierce water Pokémon was known to do. Ash savored this moment. It felt like a lifetime ago when he had made that promise to Max, back in Kanto. Max received his starter Pokémon a few weeks before the incident; unfortunately, Ash had never gotten a chance to give the young boy the battle he wanted. But now, Ash would be able to keep that promise, despite Max not knowing about it until later. Still, it set him ablaze with excitement.

---

The same buzz could be felt in the booth, where Ash's friends sat, as they wait for the battle to start.

"Argh! The suspense is killing me!" May groaned as she leaned back in her chair and stared at the ceiling. "I'm feeling nervous here, and I'm not even the one down there. I can't imagine how Max is feeling right now."

"He looks pretty happy to me," Bonnie said with a satisfied smile

May shifted her gaze from the ceiling to her brother, who was standing in his trainer's box below. Sure enough, a smile could be seen sprawling out on the teen's face. May let out a giggle. "Remind you of anyone, guys?"

Brock let out his own laugh, as he too recognized the look on Max's face. "He certainly looks like Ash, out there. No fear, but rather a smile on his face, as he's up against his next difficult match."

"Are we sure he isn't as reckless as Ash was?" Misty retorted.

Upon hearing this, the group let out a laugh, as they remembered the many times that Ash had rushed into things, without stopping to think about them.

While the others were laughing, Lance quietly made his way to a corner, of the suite, where an ominous figure stood there, unnoticed.

"You have something for me, Sabrina?"

"Not much Lance," Sabrina began. "But I tell can you this: you and your G-men have better be prepared."

At this remark, Lance could feel his face go pale and sweat beginning to amass, on his forehead. "Why is that?"

"They both hold dark secrets, buried deep within their hearts and minds. So deep that my probing couldn't find out exactly what they were hiding," Sabrina said softly enough to not disturb the joyous chatter that was taking place in front of the suite. "I could pull a few things from them though: deep hatred for each other. They both wish to see the other one defeated, but only at their own hand. There was. . . . something else too."

Lance recognized the hesitation in Sabrina's voice. Rarely anything causes the powerful Gym Leader to waver in what she was saying.

"And that is?" Lance asked, pushing her to add more detail to her, otherwise, ambiguous comment.

"They share. . . . a memory, and... it's not a pretty one," Sabrina hesitated before continuing. "A devastating explosion and that is all I can find, nothing before or after, but if that explosion has any indication, then something bad is about to happen. Lance, be on your guard."

With those final words, the Gym Leader walked out of the room, leaving Lance, as he grapples with the thought of what the new information meant. He began to make his way over to his seat. He examined the dark figure below in a new light. What is really going on here?

While Lance was staring at Aaron, Trevor just entered the suite and took his sit. He had won his match, since it was before Max's battle against Aaron, and would be facing Harrison in the next round. As he sat down, he turned and noticed Lance looking with Aaron, with a curious look on the Kanto Champion's face.

I wonder if Lance is starting to get suspicious about Aaron. Well, even if he does figure out about Aaron, I hope he knows that he isn't the real threat here. It's Sakai, who he should be more worried about than Ash." Trevor thought as he shifted his attention from Lance to the battle below, as it's about to start.

---

Max was ready. He felt the fears, from last night, slowly melting away as the sights and sounds of the stadium, around him, calming him down into the groove, which he was used to. He had been here before and knew that once the battle started, he'd be ready. Again, he saw Aaron's eyes make their way up to Serena and could see her enthusiasm as she waved to Aaron.

"Hey!" Max shouted toward his opponent. "Take your eyes off your girlfriend and get ready to battle!"

"Relax, young one," Ash said as he finished looking at Serena. "The battle will soon begin, and besides, it's always nice to look at those, who support you, before a battle. It really helps you calm down. I see you have someone, like that, too."

Max felt his cheeks turn red. How does this guy know? Hell, even May doesn't know that! He panicked as he tried to find an answer. "I-I don't know what you're talking about."

"It's obvious, Max. Besides, you and Bonnie make a cute couple."

---

When Ash made that remark to Max, Trevor chuckled to himself. Ash, you hypocrite, you're using Giovanni's own teasing, about you and Serena, against Max.

Gary noticed Trevor chuckled and was puzzled.

"What's so funny?" whispered Gary as he turned and looked at Trevor.

"Oh, I'll tell you later, Gary, after this battle," Trevor whispered back, as he didn't want to explain why he was chuckling to Gary, right now, especially with everyone gathered in the booth.

"Oh look! Max is doing what Aaron just suggested to him!" Trevor shouted, while doing another chuckle, like everyone, in the booth, saw it too.

---

Max took a quick glance up to Bonnie and could notice a light pink, forming across her cheeks. This made his blush turn into an even deeper red. He shook his head as he turned back to the battle.

"Enough of this! Your mental game isn't going to work against me, Aaron," Max shouted. "Let's get this battle started!" Max threw his Pokéball into the air, to reveal his first choice.

The bipedal Pokémon took a battle stance in front of Max. The lower half of the Pokémon was white, but starting at the center of its torso, turned green until it came to its neck. Its head was primarily white, with a green helmet like-feature, which covered half its face. Along with its green arms, there were blade-like appendages that ran from the end of its elbows to its forearms.

The Gallade that stood firmly, in front of Max, was another Pokémon that he had helped out, during his journey with Ash. While Max had helped it as a Ralts, it had evolved into a Kirlia when Max saw it again.

Together, with Mightyena and Max's starter, Sceptile, Max was hopeful in his chances to beat Aaron. My three strongest Pokémon with them, I know that I could have a chance at taking Aaron down!

Ash showed no sign of surprise. He expected Max to go with one of his three most powerful Pokémon. The only question was if he would be facing all three. He made his attack plan based on just that thought. Ash grabbed his choice and casually threw the device in the air to reveal the first Pokémon that he received during his Kalos journey. Standing before him, was his Greninja. The Pokémon stood on two legs with its arms crossed in front of its body. The Pokémon possess webbed hands and feet. The primarily dark blue of the ninja Pokémon was contrasted with a tan stomach and white spots on its elbows and kneecaps. It wrapped its tongue around its neck, to create the appearance of a scarf.

The two combatants stood still, as they both are examining their opponent for the round. Ash was the first one to make a move.

"Greninja, use Water Shuriken!"

The water and dark type created two throwing stars and hurled them toward its opponent.

"Gallade, dodge and use Psycho Cut!"

With that command, the blade Pokémon gracefully dodged the two incoming attacks, before swinging its arms and releasing two light blue slashes.

Ash began to smirk as he saw where the Pokémon had moved to.

"Greninja, Double Team, and then, follow it up with another Water Shuriken!"

Suddenly, dozens of copies appeared, causing the attack to miss its mark. From what appeared to be like two different copies, came the two throwing stars. Gallade managed to dodge the first one, but the second one found its mark.

"Gallade, are you ok?" Max asked. Gallade growled as it picked itself back up from the ground. "I must admit, Aaron, I have to give you credit. It seems that you've taken Rachel's strategy and perfected it in a short amount of time. But it won't work! Gallade, use Psycho Cut on all of them!"

The Pokémon obeyed its trainer and let loose a flurry of attacks; cutting through each copy until they all had disappeared. When there were no more copies, Max let out a small gasp. Although no copy remained, it seemed that Greninja hadn't either; in fact, he was nowhere to be seen. Where could it have gone?

As Max finished his thoughts, he heard Aaron call out his next command and saw Gallade being sent back by a powerful Dark Pulse.

"Gallade, Focus Blast!" he shouted with a slight panic tone in his voice.

Before Gallade could even launch its attack, more copies appeared of the Ninja Pokémon. The sphere, which Gallade had already been forming, slowly begins to diminish in size, as he sought out where his opponent had vanished to this time.

"Greninja, Shadow Sneak into Dark Pulse!"

Max had heard the command, this time, and saw the results clearly. Coming from what seemed out of nowhere, from Gallade's left side, was Greninja, ready to attack. The Kalos starter sent the attack, hitting Gallade, in the ribs, and sending him skidding across the battlefield.

Max stood there, confused, as he watched the situation unfold before him. How did he do that? He had to come from Gallade's shadow, but I didn't see a. . . .

Max realized the game that Aaron had been playing before the match had even begun. Their match was in a late afternoon time slot. The position of the sun would cast shadows, on the battling surface, but only until the lights came on.

Ash saw Max's expression turn from shock to understanding, and then, to laughter. It seems that he finally picked up on my little trick.

Max laughed as he saw the ploy that Aaron pulled on him. "You're a tricky one, Aaron. I will give you that. You made that little remark, so you could wait out the shadows until they had covered a larger portion of the battlefield. Very clever."

Ash just shrugged his shoulders, "It was also amusing to poke a little fun at you before our match had started."

Ash had been surprised that Max didn't pick up on the trick earlier, but he also hadn't used this type of strategy before, and deep down, he wasn't all that comfortable with it.

"Gallade! Get out of the shadows, now!" Max shouted.

Gallade ran toward the edge of the darkness. Max began to grin, as he heard Ash slip into his trap.

"Greninja, Shadow Sneak right in front of him, and send it back!"

"Now Gallade, use Focus Blast right in front of you!" Max countered.

Gallade created a sphere and sent it toward the figure, who appeared just before its eyes. The attack struck the Pokemon straight in the chest. Max looked on with pride that his plan had worked, but his happiness didn't last that long.

"Hydro Pump, go!"

Suddenly, the figure of the ninja Pokémon and the Focus Blast vanished, as a powerful stream of water replaced it. The water attack hit Gallade and sent him into the wall of the stadium, knocking it out.

Max looked on in shock. He returned Gallade to its Pokéball and continued to look on in disbelief. What happened?