Chapter Text
Ash is in Cerise Park as he usually is, training with his team, until Chloe comes in, Interrupting them.
Chloe: Hey Ash! Sorry to interupt, but this came for you. Looks like it comes from Unova.
Chloe hands Ash the letter and he reads it, excitement shining on his face when he finishes.
Ash: Oh it's from Iris!
Chloe: Who?
Ash: Iris! My friend from Unova! She's trying to be a Dragon Master!
Chloe: Oh, it's a she...
Ash: Something wrong?
Chloe: No! Nope! Keep going!
Ash: Anyway, she's in the World Coronation Series and wants to battle me! We gotta go!
Chloe: Yeah, of course. Just wondering, how many girls have you met on your journey?
Ash: Uh, including you nine?
Chloe: NINE?!
Ash: Well, ten if I nclude Bonnie. You sure nothing's wrong?
Chloe: No, just wondring, Who is Bonnie?
Ash: Oh she's a friend from Kalos! I'll tell you about her later! Right now we have a flight to catch!
Hours later, the teens arrive in Opelucid City. Ash leads Chloe to the Opelucid Gym, where they spots an Axew walking around.
Ash: Hey it's Axew! Wonder if it's Iris'.
Chloe So that's one of Iris' Pokemon.
???: Actually, Axew here is mine.
A mean walks out of the Gym, Ash recognizes him: Drayden.
Ash: Hey Drayden!
Chloe: Who?
Ash: Oh yeah! Chloe, meet Drayden!
Drayden: It's good to see you again Ash, nice to meet you Chloe. I am the Opelucid City Gym Leader.
Ash's Rotom Phone alerts him that Iris is ready for their battle, and they all rush into the Gym. At first, the battlefield is dark and empty, but a familiar Emolga appears and turns on the lights, revealing Iris.
Iris: Welcome back Ash!
Ash: Hey Iris! Man that little show was so cool!
Pikachu: Pika!
Iris: After all this time you're still a little kid.
Ash: You're a kid too!
Iris: I'm no kid! I'm the champion!
Ash: So am I! Wait, you're the champion?!
Chloe: How do you guys have such flawless banter?!
The other three look at Chloe in confusion about what she said in her jealous impulse.
Ash: What?
Chloe: Nothing! Nothing!
Drayden: Ahem, you see Ash, after you and Iris parted ways, she continued to travel and battled Dragon-type Trainers, and she eventually became Champion.
Iris: But I don't think I'm a dragon master just yet! So I entered the World Coronation Series to become even stronger!
The battle starts, Ash sends out Cinderace, while Iris sends out Dragonite. Cinderace is left uneased by the fierce stare from its opponent. Iris starts the battle off with a Dragon Rush, which hits Cinderace before it can counterattack , sending it flying onto Ash. Cinderace stands back up and attacks with Pyro Ball, which Dragonite counters with Thunder Punch. The attacks clash and both Pokemon get pushed back, before Ash's Dragonite uses Hurricane. Iris orders another Dragon Rush. Ash tries to counter it with Blaze Kick, but is instantly overpowered. Cinderace is able to stand back up, but Ash sees that it's getting overwhelmed, and recalls it. Ash sends out his Dracovish, who instantly chomps down on his head out of affection. Ash manages to redirect Dracovish's attention to the ongoing battle, and it lets go of him, running into the battlefield as Iris tells Dragonite to use Dragon Rush. Ash has Dracovish use Fishious Rend, which successfully stops Dragonite in its tracks. Iris calls for a Thunder Punch, but with his head stuck inside Dracovish's mouth, Dragonite is unable to hear the command. Dragonite is then immediately struck by a powerful Ice Fang from Dracovish, freezing him solid and then spit out. Unable to battle.
Iris recalls Dragonite and calls out her trump card, Haxorus.
Ash: Wait, is that-
Iris: Yep! Axew's all grown up!
Haxorus starts off with Dragon Pulse, which outspeeds Dracovish's Water Gun and hits it head-on, followed by a Psycho Cut, which causes Dracovish to faint. Ash recalls his Pokémon, and sends Cinderace back out. He's is still exhausted from the previous battle, while Haxorus is unscathed. Ash has Cinderace attack with Blaze Kick. Haxorus counterattacks with Outrage, blocking Blaze Kick and dealing heavy damage on Cinderace. Haxorus becomes confused due to Outrage. Ash plans to take advantge of this, but Haxorus hits his head on the floor, getting rid it.
Ash: What the?!
Iris: Surprise! Me and Haxorus cam up with this strategy so that no one could use Outrage against us!
Ash tries to get Cinderace pumped up for the battle, and it lets out a cry of determination. Iris raises her hand and tells it to relax, communicating with it on a spiritual level.
Iris: Cinderace, I know you love Ash, Haxorus loves me just the same. And as we learned new mvoes together, we mad ebattling more fun, so have fun during this battle, that way Ash'll have fun too!
Ash: What were you two talking about?
Iris: It's a secret!
The match continues as Cinderace blocks Haxorus's Breaking Swipe with Dragon Claw. Iris commands Haxorus to use Psycho Cut, but in a surprising twist, Ash has Cinderace use Pyro Ball on itself, activating Blaze and tanking Psycho Cut. Haxorus uses Dragon Pulse, but Blaze is powerful, plus CInderace dodging with his agility. Drayden sees Cinderace hopping higher and higher, realzing what Ash is planning.
Chloe: What;s going on, Drayden?
Drayden: Ash, he's teaching Cinderace a new move!
Ash: Cinderace! Use Bounce!
Iris tries to counterattack with Outrage, but Haxorus is quickly overwhelmed by the attack, plus the boosted power thanks to Blaze, and is defeated, giving Ash the victory. Ash's rank rises to 99 thanks to that, officially putting him in the Ultra Class. He and Iris shake hands.
Ash: We should battle again sometime!
Iris: Definitely! Once I make it into the Ultra Class!