Chapter 3: Battles and Secrets
Early the next day Ash, Misty and all the other trainers competing in the Sinnoh Championships were gathered in the reception area of League Castle. The groups for the opening rounds were being determined. The hundreds of trainers that had qualified were to be separated into different brackets where from there the top 32 trainers would advance to the Championship rounds. With the trainers being grouped randomly, and with the chance of being put in the same group as Paul very real, Ash was a bit tense.
"Hey, you okay?" Misty asked, sensing Ash's tenseness. "You look a little nervous."
"I'm more anxious than nervous," Ash replied. "Once I know who's in my group it should pass."
"You mean once you know what group Paul is in, right?" Misty asked. Just the slightest mention of his name was enough to get Ash's anger building. But before he could say or do anything the brackets were finalized. Ash and Misty immediately looked for the bracket Ash was in.
"There you are!" Misty said, pointing to Ash's picture. "Bracket B."
"Alright," Ash said. "Now let's look for Paul." After a bit of searching they found Paul was in Bracket M, meaning the only way he and Ash would meet would be if they both made the finals.
"Doesn't look like I'll be seeing him anytime before the finals," Ash said.
"Lucky you." Ash and Misty turned to face the voice, which belonged to Paul.
"What are you talking about?" Misty asked, clearly annoyed by his presence.
"Isn't it obvious? Without having to face me before the finals your loser of a boyfriend actually has a chance to go far in this tournament," Paul said. Misty was about to verbally unload on Paul when she felt Ash's hand on her shoulder. She looked over at him, wondering why he stopped her. But Ash simply smiled before addressing Paul.
"You know, I think it's more like you're unlucky than me being lucky," he said.
"And just what kind of logic is that?" Paul asked, still sounding as arrogant as ever.
"Don't you know? The longer I go in a tournament the stronger I become," Ash replied, sounding as calm as ever. "By the time we do face each other I doubt if you will be able to defeat me." Paul let out a 'humph' before replying to Ash's comment.
"You really think you can beat me?" he asked.
"Not think... I know I can beat you," Ash replied. Paul let out another 'humph' before turning to walk away. Before he did Paul had one last thing to say.
"Let me let you in on something," he said. "You're not in my league."
"You're right... I'm in a much higher one than you," Ash replied. By now Paul was growing tired of what he believed was a 'pointless conversation' and finally walked off. Once he was gone Ash let out a breath he didn't know he was holding.
"Man, I'm glad that's over," he said.
"What was all that about, anyway?" Misty asked.
"I think he was trying to unnerve me," Ash replied. "I tried to turn it back on him but it doesn't look like it worked."
"Well if that's his way of playing mind games then he's going to have to try harder than that," Misty said. "For as long as I've known you I haven't seen much that can unnerve you."
"Pikachupi Chu, Pikapi (Misty's right, Ash)," Pikachu added. Ash couldn't help but smile at the support he was getting from his girlfriend and loyal Pokémon.
"Thanks, you two. That means a lot to me," he said.
"It's all true," Misty said. The two trainers shared a quick hug.
"Well, I think I should start getting ready for my first match," Ash said.
"Need any help?" Misty asked.
"From you, any help is more than welcome," Ash replied. Misty smiled as she took his hand. Ash returned her smile and gave her hand a gentle squeeze before they headed towards the waiting area.
The opening rounds started later in the day. The battles were to be 3-on-3. Ash's battle was one of the first that day. Despite his preparation earlier his opponent didn't appear to need that much skill or strategy to defeat. Thanks to a powerful combination of Luxray, Charizard and Torterra Ash soon found himself with an overwhelming 3-to-1 advantage, and even though he didn't need to each of his Pokémon took part in the battle. He had Torterra out while his opponent, a young man from Jubilife City, was down to his final Pokémon, an Ampharos. However, Ash's opponent still believed he had a chance.
"We're still in this, Ampharos! Give him your strongest Thunder!" he said. Ampharos cried out and fired off a devastating Thunder. Ash could only smile for he already knew the outcome.
"Just sit right there, Torterra," he said. Torterra smiled as well for he too knew what would happen. The Thunder attack struck, lighting up the Continent Pokémon.
"Direct hit!" the trainer cheered. But his cheer quickly died down when Torterra shook off the Thunder without taking a bit of damage.
"What the?! How did that not hurt Torterra?!" he yelled.
"Oh, it looks like young Colin just learned why you should never use an Electric attack on a Ground Pokémon like Torterra!" the announcer said over the loudspeaker. "This appears to be Ketchum's battle to win or lose!"
"And we're going to win!" Ash said. "Use Earthquake, Torterra!" Ash's massive Pokémon rose up on his hind legs for a bit before bringing his front legs crashing down to the ground, sending massive shockwaves through the ground. Being an Electric Pokémon Ampharos took severe damage from the Earthquake, but Ash wasn't finished quite yet.
"Now, finish him off with Razor Leaf!" he said. Torterra shook the tree on his back and sent a volley of leaves flying in Ampharos's direction. The leaves made contact, further damaging the Light Pokémon. The combination of Earthquake and Razor Leaf proved to be too much for Ampharos to handle, for once the attack was done he fell to the ground.
"Ampharos is unable to battle! Torterra wins! The victory goes to Ash from Pallet Town!" the referee announced.
"Alright!" Ash cheered. He ran out on the battlefield to congratulate his Pokémon.
"You were awesome out there, Torterra!" he said. Torterra smiled and voiced his gratitude for his trainer's praise. Ash's eyes then went to the stands where he immediately spotted Pikachu, Elektra and Misty among the crowd. Though there were thousands of fans cheering those three were the only ones he heard. He smiled and flashed his victory pose before going to shake hands with his defeated opponent.
Paul's battle took place later that day, and Ash made sure he was there to see it. Just like his earlier Paul's opponent didn't stand a chance. Paul had his Electabuzz out against his opponent's Pelipper, but seeing as how Electabuzz already battle against the opponent's Onix and Quagsire earlier in the battle everyone knew he would be tired. However, Paul left him out there.
"I don't get what he's doing," Misty said. "Using Torterra earlier in the battle would have saved his Electabuzz for this."
"Paul doesn't care enough about his Pokémon to plan strategies ahead of time," Ash replied. With the battle about to restart Ash and Misty, along with Pikachu and Elektra, looked on to see how Paul would pull this off.
"Alright, Pelipper! Use Giga Impact!" Paul's opponent said. His Pelipper flew towards Electabuzz, his body engulfed in a sphere of purple and orange energy.
"Looks like he wants to turn the momentum with one move," Misty said.
"It won't work though," Ash said. "No doubt Paul's going to have Electabuzz use Protect to block the move and then counter with Thunder." But Ash and Misty soon discovered that Paul's strategy was anything but what they expected.
"Thunderpunch, now!" Paul ordered. Without hesitating Electabuzz delivered his electricity-powered punch, clashing with the charging Pelipper's Giga Impact. Of course the result was just what everyone expected. Thunderpunch was no match for Giga Impact, and Electabuzz was slammed to the ground.
"And Electabuzz goes down!" the announcer yelled. "After battling two tough opponents already I'm sure Paul is thinking about switching out for a fresh Pokémon!"
"Don't bet on it," Ash said in response. He knew Paul too well to believe that he was about to let Electabuzz have a break.
"Get up, Electabuzz!" Paul said. "That attack didn't defeat you! Now get up right now!" Somehow, despite being slammed by Giga Impact moments earlier, Electabuzz got back to his feet. However, everyone could tell he was worn out.
"Now use Thunder!" he commanded. Electabuzz mustered up all the strength he had left and put it all into a massive Thunder, blasting the defenseless Pelipper. Once the attack was done it was clear who had won.
"Pelipper is unable to battle! Electabuzz wins! The victory goes to Paul!" the referee announced. The crowd erupted in a cheer for Paul. However, Ash and Misty were not among them.
"And once again he shows no regard for his Pokémon's well being," Misty said. "It makes me sick to think that he qualified for the Sinnoh Championships."
"Well, he won't be winning it," Ash replied. "There's no way I'm letting him beat me."
"No doubt about that," Misty said. With Paul's battle finished the two of them remained in the stands to watch the rest of the day's battles.
The rest of the day went by without a hitch. Ash and Misty witnessed some amazing battles, and the first round wasn't even half-way over with.
"Looks like there's still some tough trainers out there," Misty said.
"I know," Ash said. "I wonder which one I'll be battling next?"
"I don't think it matters," Misty replied, taking hold of his arm. "Whoever it is you're going to take them down." Ash looked at his girlfriend and smiled. Moments later they arrived at the Pokémon Center.
"So, now that the battles are done for the day what do you want to do?" Misty asked.
"I was thinking about seeing the sights," Ash replied. "We haven't had any time to really see anything besides the stadium since we got here."
"That's a great idea, Ash," Misty said. "I'll just go get freshened up and I'll be back soon."
"Take your time," Ash replied. "I've got to make a call to home."
"Okay," Misty said. The two shared a quick kiss before Misty headed back to their room and Ash made his way to the videophone. He sat down at one of them and dialed his home. Seconds later his mother Delia answered.
"Ash, sweetie!" she said.
"Hi, Mom," he replied.
"Pi Ka (Hi there)," Pikachu said.
"I saw your battle on TV earlier," she said. "You made me so proud."
"Thanks, Mom," Ash said.
"So, is there anything you needed or did you just call to say 'hi'?" Delia asked.
"Actually, there is something I need your help with," Ash replied.
While Ash was on the phone Misty was busy putting the finishing touches on her new look. She decided on a yellow t-shirt and a pair of tight-fitting blue jeans along with her red sneakers. Her hair was still down, now reaching her shoulders, and she still wore the necklace Ash got her for her birthday all those years ago.
"So, what do you think?" Misty asked, wanting to get Elektra's opinion on her outfit.
"Pi Ka Chu Ka Pika Pi Chu Pi. Pikapi Chu Chu Pika Chu Pichupi (I don't think it matters what you wear. Ash will think you'll look beautiful)," Elektra replied.
"Yeah, but still..." Misty turned around and saw that Elektra's attention was elsewhere.
"Were you even looking?" Misty asked. That's when she took notice of the red ribbon tied around Elektra's ear.
"Trying to impress a certain yellow mouse?" she asked.
"Pi Chu Pi Ka Chu Pi Ka (I just want to look my best)," Elektra replied.
"Well if you believe that Ash'll think I'll look good no matter what I'm sure Pikachu will think the same about you," Misty said.
"Chu, Pi Ka Chu Pi Pi Ka Cha (True, but I still want to look good)," Elektra replied.
"And you do, trust me," Misty said. "So, shall we head back?"
"Chu (Yeah)," Elektra replied. She hopped up on Misty's shoulder. With Elektra ready Misty walked out of the room on her way back to the Pokémon Center's main lobby.
"So, can you help me with this?" Ash asked.
"I'll do all I can," Delia replied. "I just hope you can keep Misty from finding out."
"That won't be a problem," Ash replied.
"I hope so," she replied. "Well, I have to get going. Professor Oak and Tracey are expecting me to stop by the lab."
"Okay. Tell them I said hello," Ash said.
"Pi Ka! (Me too!)" Pikachu said.
"I will," Delia replied. "Good luck in the rest of the tournament." With that the screen went black. Ash stood up and stretched.
"I hope I really can pull this off," he said.
"Pi Chu, Pi Pika Chu (You will, and I'll help)," Pikachu said. Ash reached over and scratched him between his ears.
"I know I could count on you, buddy," he said. Right then they saw Misty and Elektra heading their way. By the time Misty and Elektra made it to them they both noticed the expressions on Ash and Pikachu's faces.
"So, what do you think?" Misty asked.
"I... Wow..." That was all Ash managed to say, but it was all Misty needed to hear.
"I'm glad you like it," she said. She gave him a kiss on the cheek, which managed to snap him back into reality. Down on the ground Elektra was doing the same with Pikachu, getting the same results.
"Now that you're back with us where do you want to go first?" Misty asked, remembering that they were going to go sight-seeing.
"Well, I saw this little restaurant on our way to the Pokémon Center that I'd like to try out," he replied.
"I think I know the one you're talking about," Misty said. "Is it the one near the fountain?" Ash nodded. Misty threw her arms around him in a hug, which Ash was all too happy to return.
"Well, shall we go?" he asked, offering his arm to Misty.
"Yes," Misty said, linking her arm with his. Pikachu and Elektra walked in front of them, paw in paw. The two couples left the Pokémon Center, eager to spend some quality time together.
With the Sinnoh Championships finally underway things are starting to get real interesting for Ash and Misty. But what was Ash and his mother talking about? And what secret is Ash hiding from Misty? Find out in the next chapter of Sinnoh League: Trials of the Heart!
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