The second round battles continued until it was finally Brock's turn again.
Brock stood on the battlefield across from his opponent, Karen. They each had a Pokéball in hand and were ready to fight.
"Trainer's release your Pokémon!" the judge shouted.
"Go Geodude!" Brock shouted, releasing his Rock Pokémon.
"Girafarig, time to shine," Karen yelled.
The judge raised two flags into the air, "This will be a one-on-one battle. The victor will be declared when either of the trainer's Pokémon are announced unable to battle. Ready, begin!"
"Girafarig use Psybeam!" Karen was quick to order.
Girafarig quickly launched a beam of multicolored energy at Geodude.
"Dodge with Rollout," Brock countered.
Geodude curled up into a ball and sped away, rolling around the field at high speed before smalling into Girafarig.
"Ah," Karen yelped, "Girafarig use Confusion!"
Girafarig's eyes started glowing blue and a similar glow enveloped Geodude. The Rock type was then lifted into the air and thrown bodily into the stadium wall.
"Dude, geodude," he said dizzily.
"Quick Geodude, use Smack Down," Brock ordered.
Geodude shook his head before scooping up a nearby rock and lobbing it at Girafarig. It impacted against the Giraffe Pokémon's side with a painful thwack!
"Riiig," it cried out.
"Now use Roll Out," Brock ordered.
Again Geodude was spinning across the field straight at Girafarig.
"Girafarig use Double Kick," Karen ordered.
Girafarig quickly turned and kicked back with both of it's rear legs, impacting once, then twice against Geodude.
"Duuude," Geodude shouted painfully as he was flung once again across the field.
"Now finish it with Energy Ball," Karen ordered.
A green ball of grass energy formed in front of Girafarig's horns and it launched the attack. The Energy Ball sped across the field and impacted against Geodude with an explosion. As the smoke blew away, Geodude was revealed to have been knocked out.
"Geodude is unable to battle, Girafarig wins; Karen is the victor!" the Judge announced.
Brock sighed and returned Geodude to his Pokéball.
He walked out across the field and shook Karen's hand, "that was a great battle, good luck with the rest of the Tournament."
"Why thank you," she said, "I hope we have the chance to battle again someday."
"Count on it," Brock said, his smile returning.
Now that he'd been eliminated, he wasn't allowed in the locker room so he made his way up to the stands to watch the rest of the battles.
Ash winced, "Poor Brock," he muttered.
"I hope he will be ok," Misty said.
"I wouldn't worry about him," Ash said, "He's a Gym Leader remember? They have to be able to take loss well."
Misty nodded in agreement, "Yeah…whoa how did Brock get through shaking her hand without collapsing?"
Ash looked up at the screen and his jaw dropped to see Brock actually having a normal conversation with a beautiful woman. Finally, "I guess small miracles happen occasionally. Oh look, the third round matchups are up."
"Oh hey, I'm battling Steven!" Misty said.
"And I've got Karen, time to avenge Brock," Ash said with a grin.
As the rest of the Round 2 battles finished, Ash and Misty chatted quietly. Finally, Ash's name was called to go out to the battlefield.
He stepped out into the midday sun, a Pokéball already in hand and ready to battle.
"For the second battle in the third round, we have Ash vs. Karen. Both of these trainers have proven both strong and resourceful, who will come out on top?"
"Trainer's, release your Pokémon!" the judge ordered.
Ash launched his Pokéball into the air shouting, "Haunter, to the battlefront!"
At the same time, Karen threw her own Pokéball, "Stantler, time to shine!"
Haunter started cackling madly as stared down Stantler.
The judge raised two flags into the air, "This will be a one-on-one battle. The victor will be declared when either of the trainer's Pokémon are announced unable to battle. Ready, begin!"
Ash started off by shouting, "Haunter, Dark Pulse!"
Haunter, still cackling, brought his hands together and form a ball of black and purple rings. He quickly fired a beam of purple rings at Stantler. Stantler tried to leap out of the way, but was to slow and was struck by the Dark Pulse.
"Stantler!" Karen shouted in worry, "quick, counter with Zen Headbutt!"
Stantler lowered its head and an orb of light blue energy formed between its horns. It charged down Haunter and slammed into him with the Zen Headbutt. Haunter was blasted back and slammed into the stadium wall.
"Haunter!" Ash shouted. Haunter's eyes snapped open and he leapt out of the hole he made and started flying around the stadium, cackling madly. Ash shook his head at the Ghost Type's antics, "Haunter, Hypnosis!" he ordered.
Haunter turned invisible with another cackle. He reappeared right in front of Stantler and his eyes started glowing bright red causing Stantler to fall asleep.
"Now, finish this with Dream Eater!" Ash ordered.
Haunter cast a shadow like version of itself at Stantler. It went straight through the Big Horn Pokémon's body, draining its energy.
Stantler's eyes snapped open and it struggled to its feet.
"All right, good job Stantler!" Karen said happily, "Now use Astonish."
A dark shadow fell across Stantler's face and it charged down the field and slammed into Haunter. The Gas Pokémon spun head over heels in the air as he was blasted back by the attack.
"Use Sludge Bomb" Ash ordered.
Haunter righted himself and spat several balls of mud at Stantler. They crashed all around the Big Horn Pokémon's side, causing an explosion.
"No, Stantler!" Karen shouted.
"Stantler is unable to battle, Haunter wins; Ash is the victor," the judge announced.
"And an amazing victory by Ash!" the announcer shouted, "I think that Ash is quickly becoming the fan favorite, what will he come up with next?"
Ash returned Haunter with a silent thanks and made his way back to the locker room.
"Will Misty of Cerulean City and Steven of Nimbasa City report to the battlefield?" a voice said over the loudspeaker.
"That's me, wish me luck," Misty said.
"Good luck Mist, Steven's no pushover," Ash advised.
Misty made her way out to the field and stood across the field from Steven.
"And for our final battle of the third round, we have Misty vs. Steven."
"Trainers, release your Pokémon," the judge ordered.
Misty threw her Pokéball at the same time as Steven.
"Kabutops, go!" she shouted.
"Eelektross, I choose you!" Steven called.
With dual cries of their names, both Pokémon appeared on the field, ready to battle.
Misty eyed the Eelektross worriedly; she'd never seen a Pokémon like it before. She pulled out her brand new Pokédex to scan it.
"Eelektross, the EleFish Pokémon and the evolved form of Eelektrik. Eelektross' mouth locks onto its opponents, where upon it delivers an electric shock. Eelektross is an Electric type Pokémon with the ability Levitate."
Misty gulped slightly when it said electric type, but she quickly shook her head and got ready to battle.
The judge raised two flags into the air, "This will be a one-on-one battle. The victor will be declared when either of the trainer's Pokémon are announced unable to battle. Ready, begin!"
Deciding to go in the offensive, Misty said, "Kabutops, use Slash attack!"
Kabutops sped forward and brought its scythes slashing down on Eelektross before it could react. It grunted in pain as the attack hit, but stared back stubbornly.
"Eelektross use, Thunderbolt!" Steven shouted.
Eelektross shouted its name as it fired a point blank Thunderbolt at Kabutops. The Shellfish Pokémon screamed as the super effective attack coursed through its body. He fell to his knees as the electricity stopped, but didn't faint.
"Great job Kabutops, now use Night Slash!" Misty called.
Kabutops' scythe started glowing with dark purpled energy and he slashed at Eelektross.
"Protect," Steven shouted.
A bright green shield instantly formed around Eelektross and the Night Slash bounced off.
"Oh no, Kabutops get out of there," Misty said in worry.
"Another Thunderbolt!" Steven ordered.
"Use Aqua Jet to dodge," Misty snapped off.
As Eelektross fired another powerful Thunderbolt attack, Kabutops' body became surrounded by water and he rocketed off and around the field. The electricity missed him by feet, and he continued soaring around and slammed into Eelektross' side.
"Night Slash," Misty shouted, while Eelektross was close.
The Shellfish Pokémon's scythe became surrounded by dark, almost black energy and he slashed down on the dazed Eelektross. The EleFish Pokémon went flying across the field and smashed into the wall.
"Now finish it with Ancient Power!" Misty ordered.
Kabutops started glowing white. The energy then traveled down its body and formed into a Silver ball of energy between its scythes and he fired it at Eelektross. The Ancient Power attack slammed into the EleFish Pokémon, causing an explosion. When the smoke cleared, Eelektross had still standing.
"Now finish this with Wild Charge," a grinning Steven ordered.
Eelektross charged down the field with a bright electric aura around its body and slammed painfully into Kabutops. Kabutops shouted painfully as he was electrified before collapsing in a dead faint.
"Kabutops is unable to battle, Eelektross wins; Steven is the victor," the judge announced.
"And there you have it folks, Misty has finally been defeated by the trainer from Unova. What will we see next?" the announcer said. "Now, during the fourth round, all battles will take place as double battles between the two contestants. We will have the fourth round match ups for you shortly."
"And now, if you'll look up at the screen we have the matchups for the fourth round semi-finals," the announcer said over the loudspeaker.
Ash looked up and grinned. The first match was between two trainers, named Clark and A.J. The second battle however, was between himself and Steven.
The battle was surprisingly short lived as A.J. demolished Clark. His Sandslash was truly a force to be reckoned with.
All too soon, it was Ash's turn. "Will Ash and Steven report to the battlefield," a voice said over the loudspeaker.
Ash and Steven walked out to the battlefield together and shook hands in the middle.
"Good luck," Ash said with a grin.
"And good luck to you," Steven said, grinning himself.
They turned and made their way to the battle boxes.
"What a show of sportsmanship," the announcer shouted, "As before, this battle with be a this will be a two on two match, meaning that both trainers will have two Pokémon to battle with before the victor is announced.
"Trainer's, release your Pokémon!" the Judge ordered.
"Scyther, to the Battlefront."
"Watchog, I choose you!"
With two identical flashes of light, both Pokémon appeared on the field. All were ready to do battle.
"Let the battle begin!" the judge shouted.
Ash gestured for Steven to make the first move.
"Watchog, use Hyper Fang," Steven called.
Watchog leapt at Scyther, its fangs starting to glow brightly.
"Dodge and use Slash," Ash ordered.
Scyther flapped his wings and leapt to the side, slashing at Watchog as it passed where he once stood.
"Choog!" it cried out.
"Quick use Flash," Steven ordered.
"Watch!" Watchog's body suddenly erupted in bright light.
"Scyther scy!" Scyther cried out, squeezing it's eyes shut against the glare.
"Now quick use Iron Tail," Steven ordered.
Watchog's tail took on a metallic sheen and it whirled around to slam it against Scyther's thorax.
"Scy!" Scyther cried out, still fumbling and rubbing at it's eyes.
"Come on Scyther, try and use Slash," Ash encouraged.
Scyther slashed blindly, but Watchog easily evaded.
"Keep going Watchog, use Hyper Fang," Steven ordered.
Watchog wove around Scyther's wild slashes and bit him painfully in the arm.
"Scytheeer!" Scyther cried out.
His suddenly eyes shot open and he glared at Watchog.
"Vacuum Wave," Ash ordered.
Scyther slashed at Watchog, releasing a glowing blue blade of fighting energy that impacted painfully against Watchog.
"Now use X-Scissor," Ash ordered.
Scyther slashed with both arms, launching streak of x-shaped energy at Watchog.
"Dodge," Steven cried out.
Watchog however was too slow and took the attack head on. It cried out in pain before collapsing in a faint.
"Watchog is unable to battle, Scyther wins," the referee announced.
"Return Watchog," Steven said, "Darmanitan, I choose you!"
The Poké ball burst open releasing a large Fire type. "Darmanitan!" it shouted, waving it's arms and stomping its feet.
Ash's eyes widened at the sight. "Wow." he said.
Steven grinned, "Alright Darmanitan, use Fire Punch!"
"Darmanitan!" The Pokémon charged down the field faster than Ash had expected and slammed a fiery fist into Scyther's thorax.
"Scyyy!" he cried out from the super-effective attack.
"Quick use Air Slash," Ash called.
Scyther backed up and slashed at Darmanitan, releasing a blade of flying type energy. It impacted against Darmanitan, but he didn't seem to feel it, merely shrugging off the blow.
"Now use Flare Blitz!" Steven ordered.
A red aura of fire energy enveloped Darmanitan and it literally flew down the field and slammed into Scyther with a fiery explosion. Scyther didn't even scream before fainting from the attack.
"Scyther is unable to battle, Darmanitan wins," the judge announced.
Ash sighed as he returned Scyther. "Thanks buddy, don't worry we can still win this." Ash looked down at Riolu, "Let's go buddy."
"Ri," Riolu leapt out to the battlefield and squared himself up for the coming fight.
"Use Force Palm," Ash ordered.
Riolu sped down at Darmanitan and ignited a Force Palm attack against its chest before it could react. The blast blew Darmanitan back several feet where it landed with a large crash.
"Quick Darmanitan use Flamethrower," Steven ordered.
Darmanitan leapt back to his feet and breathed out a massive blast of flames that washed over Riolu. He cried out in pain from the attack but stayed standing as the flames diminished.
"Now use Fire Punch," Steven ordered.
Darmanitan charged at Riolu, it's fist igniting with flames.
"Circle Throw," Ash ordered.
Riolu fell back as Darmanitan swung the punch. Darmanitan stumbled forward, off balance, and Riolu took advantage. Grabbing Darmanitan's fist and planting his feet firmly against its gut, he flung the Blazing Pokémon overhead where it crashed painfully into the field.
"Now use Rollout," Steven ordered.
Darmanitan curled up into a ball and rolled down the field, slamming straight into Riolu, sending him flying back.
"Shadow Claw," Ash called.
Riolu leapt back to his feet and charged at Darmanitan, slashing repeatedly with a shadow infused claw.
"Fire Punch," Steven said.
Darmanitan punched Riolu down into the ground with a flame covered fist.
"Ri!" he cried out.
"Force Palm!" Ash called.
From the ground, Riolu's paw shot out and planted firmly against Darmanitan. It looked down at the paw in surprise just as it ignited, blasting Darmanitan clear across the field.
Riolu struggled to his feet, panting heavily from the battle.
"Let's finish this, Reversal," Ash ordered.
Riolu launched a powerful beam of fighting energy at Darmanitan. It impacted against the Pokémon with a powerful explosion that shook the field. However when the smoke cleared, it revealed a much-changed Darmanitan. It was now a charcoal grey color and it's arms and legs were tucked tightly to its body.
Ash blinked at the strange sight and quickly pulled out his Pokédex to scan it.
Darmanitan, the Blazing Pokémon, and the evolved form of Darumaka. Darmanitan switches from Standard Mode to Zen Mode when it has little energy left. In Zen Mode it gains the Psychic powers to make up for its lack of movement.
Ash paled as the implications of that sunk in.
"That's right Ash, this battle is over," Steven shouted, "Darmanitan, use Psychic!"
The Blazing Pokémon's eyes started glowing blue, and a blue aura surrounded Riolu.
"Ri, riolu!" Riolu shouted as he was lifted off the ground, and the Psychic attack started doing damage. Darmanitan slowly levitated the struggling Fighting Type towards itself.
"Now, finish this with Overheat!" Steven ordered.
"No Riolu!" Ash shouted in terror.
A red glow surrounded Darmanitan's body and an orb of fire appeared in front of it's closed mouth. He launched a powerful stream of spiraling white fire that slammed into Riolu's body and sent him flying into the nearby wall. He slumped to the ground, unconscious.
"Riolu is unable to battle, Darmanitan wins; The victor is Steven!" the Judge announced.
Ash collapsed to his knees. "We lost," he mumbled.
"And there you have it folks," the MC announced, "Steven from Nimbasa City in the Unova Region has triumphed over Ash and his powerful Riolu."
Ash didn't hear any of this. Instead he got up to run over and cradled Riolu in his arms.
"You did awesome Riolu," he murmured, "We'll get you to the Pokémon Center and Nurse Joy will heal you right up."
He looked up to see Steven looking down at him. He firmed his resolve and stood up, offering his hand to Steven. "That was an awesome battle Steven, congratulations."
Steven smiled, "Hey thanks Ash." He shook his hand, "one more win and we'll be even."
Ash forced a grin, "You can try, but I won't let you beat me again."
Steven laughed, "and try I will. Good luck Ash."
"And you." They shook hands again and left the field.
Ash sat next to Misty and Brock in the stands, watching as Steven battled in the finals against A.J.
A.J. was an incredibly powerful trainer, his Sandslash giving Steven and his Servine unending trouble. Finally however Steven triumphed with a powerful Grass Pledge, sending Sandslash into unconsciousness.
"And here we are Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you, the winner of the Copper Town Battle Tournament, Steven!"
Steven stepped up to the podium, smiling and waving to the crowd.
A small portly man walked up to Steven, holding the Mystery Box in his arms. "As the mayor of Copper Town, it gives me great pleasure to present to our winner his prize." He handed the box to Steven. "Go on son, open it up and let's see what it is."
Steven opened the box and pulled out a long black sash.
"That's right folks, a Black Belt," the MC said, "A special item able to increase the power of a Pokémon's Fighting Type move. Which leads me to Steven's other prize."
The mayor led Steven to the other side of the stage where a blond woman wearing a Karate gi was standing, "And now Steven, may I introduce to you to Angelica, the new Copper Town Gym Leader."
"A pleasure to meet you," Angelica said with a bow, "I'm looking forward to our battle."
"As am I," Steven replied, "Is tomorrow morning too soon?"
"That will be perfect," she said, "I shall meet you in the Pokémon Center to lead you to the Gym."
Steven acknowledged her with a nod.
"Let's hear it one more time for Steven!" the MC shouted, eliciting a ground shaking cheer from the audience.
Ash sat silently in his bed, contemplating his last battle against Steven. Riolu sat in his lap, relaxing against his stomach as Ash massaged the tension from his muscles. His mind kept going over the battle, questions raging across his thoughts.
What had he done wrong? Was he getting too overconfident? Overestimating his and Riolu's abilities? Underestimated Steven? Why...
His thoughts came to a screeching halt as he suddenly felt Riolu's aura surging through his body. Feelings of calm and reassurance filled him and he sighed, his eyes falling closed.
"Thank you Riolu," he thought, sending the message echoing out from his aura and into Riolu's.
The next morning at 9 A.M. Ash sat in the bleachers with Brock, Misty, and a hundred other spectators as Steven had his battle against Angelica.
Though Ash had already guessed based on her attire, this battle proved that Angelica specialized in Fighting Type Pokémon. She even had a Sawk, a fighting type from Unova, at her side.
Eventually Steven won his match and Angelica handed out her first Zen badge. Now she had two more challengers before Ash would be able to fight her, but he left the stadium anyway. He'd seen enough to develop a strategy.
Ash stood in his battle box, surreptitiously observing the gym around him. It looked like a cross between Pokémon battlefield and a karate school. On the other side of the field stood Angelica, her face betrayed no emotions as she coolly observed him. All around the battlefield the bleachers were still full to the brim with eager spectators.
A judge walked up to his own box in the middle of the field. "This will be a four-on-four Pokémon battle between Gym Leader Angelica and Ash of Pallet Town. The winner will be declared when all of one sides Pokémon are unable to battle, furthermore only the challenger is allowed to make substitutions. If the trainers are ready, let the battle begin!"
Angelica was the first to release her Pokémon, "Poliwrath, time to battle!" she tossed out her Pokéball and released a powerful looking Poliwrath.
"Poliwrath!" the Tadpole Pokémon said in challenge.
"In that case, Ivysaur to the battlefront," Ash called, launching his Poké ball and releasing the Seed Pokémon.
"Ivysaur, use Magical Leaf!" Ash ordered.
"Saur!" he responded, launching a wave of glowing multicolored leaves at Poliwrath.
"Protect," Angelica responded.
A green shield formed around Poliwrath and the Magical Leaf merely bounced off.
"Try an Energy Ball," Ash ordered.
Ivysaur quickly fired the attack, this time hitting Poliwrath, even as it charged at Ivysaur.
"Ice Punch," Angelica ordered.
Poliwrath clenched it's fist as it started glowing light blue with freezing energy. With a mighty swing he punched Ivysaur in the side.
"Ivy!" he yelled in pain as he went skidding back several feet.
"Vine Whip," Ash ordered.
"Saur." Ivysaur extended his vines and whipped Poliwrath several times, eliciting cries of pain from it.
"Dynamic Punch," Angelica commanded.
Poliwrath suddenly grabbed Ivysaur's vines and charged at him. His fist was glowing golden red and he delivered a painful blow to Ivysaur's side.
"Saur!' he cried out. Sparks began travelling along his body as the Dynamic Punch paralyzed him.
Ash grit his teeth, "Ivysaur, quick use Grass Knot."
Ivysaur's eyes glowed with green energy and suddenly a small sprig of grass grew around Poliwrath's foot, tying itself together. Poliwrath took a step and tripped, slamming painfully to the ground.
"Wrath," he said in anger.
"Ice Punch," Angelica said.
Poliwrath jumped back to its feet and gave Ivysaur an extra powerful Ice Punch. "Sauur!" he shouted as he was flung across the field and slammed into a wall. He slumped down to the ground, unconscious.
Ash sighed and returned Ivysaur. He really needed to work on Ivysaur's defense to make up for his lack of speed. "You did great, thanks bud," he said before switching Poké balls. "Jolteon to the battlefront!" He launched the Poké ball and released his Lightning Pokémon. "Use Thunderbolt!"
"Jolt jolt," he responded and fired a large bolt of lightning at Poliwrath. It impacted against the Tadpole Pokémon, causing it to scream in pain.
"Use Water Gun," Angelica ordered.
Poliwrath, panting from the electric attack, launched a high powered stream of water straight at Jolteon.
"Agility," Ash ordered.
Jolteon vanished in a blur of speed, reappearing directly to Poliwrath's left. "Now Thunderbolt," Ash said.
Again Jolteon unleashed a bolt of electricity that slammed into Poliwrath.
"Poliiiiii!" it cried out before collapsing in a dead faint.
"Poliwrath is unable to battle, Jolteon wins," the judge said.
"Return Poliwrath," Angelica said. She murmured something to her Poké ball before switching out for another. "Primeape, time to battle!" Out of the Poké ball burst the Pig Monkey Pokémon.
"Priiiimeape," he said, bouncing in place as it waited for Angelica's orders.
"Thrash," Angelica said.
"Priiimeape!" it shouted and charged at Jolteon.
"Whoa," Ash yelped, surprised by it's speed. He was about to yell for Jolteon to dodge when it was on him. Jolteon yelped in pain as Primeape scratched and kicked at him.
"Pin Missile!" Ash shouted.
Jolteon's hair spiked out and erupted with sharp spines in all directions. Primeape yelped in pain as it back away.
"Use Fury Swipes!" Angelica ordered.
Again Primeape charged at Jolteon and slashed wildly at him.
"Quick use Dig," Ash shouted.
Jolteon quickly dug into the dirt to escape from Primeape's wild attack.
Angelica smiled and said, "Earthquake."
Ash's eyes shot wide open, "get out of there Jolteon!"
Primeape slammed its fist onto the earth, generating a shockwave that shook the whole field. Ash himself wavered in place from the attack. When the ground settled Ash shouted for his Pokémon. "Jolteon, Jolteon are you alright?"
Slowly, Jolteon crawled out of the hole he'd made and collapsed on the ground.
"Jolteon is unable to the battle, Primeape wins," the judge announced.
"Return Jolteon," Ash said sadly, recalling his Pokémon to its ball. He then switched out Poké balls and threw it. "Pidgeot, to the battlefront!"
Pidgeot burst free of the Poké ball with a loud, "Pidgeooooo!"
"Quick use Aerial Ace!" Ash called.
"Pidgeot," she responded and flew straight at Primeape with a white aura encircling her and slammed into it.
"Priiiime," it bellowed as it was blasted across the field.
"Quick Primeape, use Thunder Punch," Angelica ordered.
Primeape leapt to its feet and it's fist started crackling with electricity as it charged at Pidgeot.
"Hurricane," Ash commanded.
Pidgeot's wings started glowing blue as she flapped powerfully, sending a hurricane gail at Primeape. The fighting type struggled against the attack, but the wind soon overtook it and sent it flying back with a crash. Primeape did not get back up.
"Primeape is unable to battle, Pidgeot wins," the judge announced.
Angelica sadly returned her Pokémon before switching out Poké balls and releasing her Sawk.
"Sawk, let's begin this battle with something unexpected," Angelica said, "Grass Knot!"
"What?" Ash said in surprise.
Sawk's eyes glowed green and several blades of grass grew around Pidgeot's feet, tripping her up. She let out a squawk as she fell to the ground with a crash.
"Now, quickly use Close Combat!" Angelica said.
"Don't let it hit you, fly up!" Ash ordered.
Sawk dashed forward too fast for Pidgeot to react and started raining kicks and punches down on the surprised Bird Pokémon.
"Wing Attack!" Ash ordered.
Pidgeot struggled to concentrate under the barrage of punches. Her wing started glowing and she slammed it into Sawk, skidding him back across the field.
"Now Aerial Ace," Ash ordered.
Pidgeot flew into the air and soared towards Sawk with streaks of white energy surrounding her body. Before anyone could blink, Pidgeot crashed into Sawk, sending him flying across the field.
"Use Focus Blast!" Angelica ordered.
Sawk shakily stood back up and brought his hands together to form large light blue ball of energy. He quickly launched it at Pidgeot.
"Send it back using Steel Wing!" Ash ordered.
Pidgeot's wings took on a metallic shine and she batted the incoming Focus blast right back at Sawk.
"Dodge it!" Angelica shouted.
Sawk leapt out of the way just before the attack hit, but was caught in the blast and sent careening into the wall.
"Heat Wave!" Ash ordered.
Pidgeot flapped her wings and waves of fiery wind blasted down on Sawk, causing an explosion. As the dust cleared, Sawk was revealed to be knocked out.
"Sawk is unable to battle, Pidgeot is the winner," the judge announced.
As Angelica returned her Pokémon, Ash gave Pidgeot a good look. He could tell that she was getting tired but was still fit for battle.
"Machamp, time to battle," Angelica called, throwing her final Poké ball.
"Take to the air Pidgeot," Ash ordered, alert for another trick like Grass Knot.
"Machamp, use Smack Down," Angelica ordered.
Machamp brought two hands together and formed a rock of energy before launching it at Pidgeot.
"Dodge," Ash cried frantically.
PIdgeot tried to maneuver around the stone, but her size was a disadvantage this time and it hit her. She cried out in pain even as she plummeted back down to earth.
"Now Stone Edge," Angelica continued.
"Machamp!" the Pokémon said. A ring of white energy formed around it before reshaping into an orbiting series of sharp stones. The stones proceeded to launch themselves at Pidgeot at full speed, crashing on and around Pidgeot as she cried out in pain.
"Shield yourself with Steel Wing," Ash tried.
Pidgeot struggled to do so, but was already too weak from her previous two battles.
"Finish this with Dual Chop," Angelica ordered.
Two of Machamp's hands started glowing with teal draconic energy as he charged down on Pidgeot and brought them down on her back, finally knocking her out with a final painful squawk.
Sadly Ash pulled out a Poké ball and returned Pidgeot. "Thank you so much Pidgeot, you were awesome," he said to it before switching. "Since you seem to like dragon moves, lets see how you deal with my dragon. Dratini, to the battlefront!"
The Poké ball popped open as it was thrown and released Dratini to the field. He held his head up high, glaring up at Machamp as it towered over him.
"Interesting," Angelica said.
"Twister," Ash ordered.
Dratini immediately created a powerful cyclone that span straight at Machamp, sweeping it up and sending it tumbling about before leaving it groaning on the field in front of Angelica.
"Quick, use Smack Down," Angelica ordered one again.
Machamp was quickly on its feet and launching another stone at Dratini. The dragon Pokémon was too slow to dodge and he cried out in pain from the attack.
"Dragon Tail," Ash ordered.
Dratini quickly slithered at Machamp as his tail started glowing teal. He twirled around and smacked his tail hard into Machamp's side and sending it skidding back several feet.
"Dual Chop," Angelica ordered.
Machamp charged at Dratini with two of its hands once again glowing with dragon energy.
"Dodge it," Ash called, "Then Flamethrower!"
Dratini nimbly slithered around Machamp's attempts to hit him. He then launched a point black flamethrower straight into Machamps face, blasting it back.
"Dual Chop again," Angelica persisted.
Dratini attempted to dodge, but this time Machamp managed to make a hit, causing Dratini to cry out.
"Dragon Tail!" Ash called.
With it's proximity, it was easy for Dratini to slam his tail into Machamp's chest and send it flying across the field.
"Now finish it with Dragon Rush!" Ash ordered.
"Tiniii!" Dratini yelled as a teal aura enveloped him. The aura reshaped itself into a fanged dragon and he literally flew at Machamp, slamming into it with a massive explosion.
When the smoke finally cleared, Dratini was panting from exertion next to an unconscious Machamp.
The judge examined Machamp before raising his flag, "Machamp is unable to battle, Ash is the victor!"
A massive cheering broke out amongst the spectators. Ash jumped slightly, he'd forgotten he had an audience. He gave the crowd a few waves after returning Dratini before turning back to Angelica.
She'd already returned her Pokémon and walked up to him.
"That was a battle I shall always remember," she said to him, "I thank you for the honor of your challenge. As proof of your victory, I present you with the Zen badge." She held out a small badge shaped like the Yin-Yang Symbol.
Ash took it and placed it in his badge case, "Thank you for battling me, I enjoyed our battle too."
She bowed to him in respect, a gesture which Ash returned before walking out of the Gym.
Thus ends chap 10.
I won't be surprised if many of you hate me for letting Steven win that battle. Unfortunately Steven needed to win at least one battle if he is going to true rival to Ash. Hell even Barry beat Ash once.
I'm sorry I'm so late with this update, I was out of town this past weekend and unable to access the internet to post. I'll do my best to have Chapter 11 up on friday.
Thanks everyone,
Dragonwolf12