The small group of trainers entered the Flood Chamber for the first time. Siebold stood at the end of the chamber, his back turned. "I do believe I am satisfied with your response, young challenger, though I cannot agree with your reason for saying so. Either way, we both agree, so you will have your battle. Please, allow me to make the necessary preparations." Siebold then walked up to a small device that was suspended on the wall and punched in the code, revealing four Ultra Balls. The referee had made his way over to them and had requested for all spectators to follow him to the viewing area. The three friends wished Ash good luck and followed the referee. As they left, the room darkened. A faint noise that sounded like rushing water could be heard all around the stadium. Suddenly the room lit up, and the two seemingly ornamental chains lifted two massive tanks containing water high into the air. The tanks then burst, flooding the entire area with water. Luckily, Ash was only up to his ankles, so his Pokémon would safely be able to battle. Siebold was seen slowly descending the stairs and stepped into the water. "Welcome challenger! I am the Elite Four's water type specialist, Siebold! Shall we begin?"

"You're on! Let's go Bayleef! You too Bulbasaur!"

"I had suspected that you would use grass types against me. Naturally, I planned ahead and retrieved by strongest Pokémon to counter them. Barbaracle, Gyarados, you're up!"

"Battle begin!"

"Bulbasaur, Sleep Powder on Gyarados! Bayleef, use Razor Leaf to hit both of them!"

"Not so fast. Gyarados, use Bounce to evade! Barbaracle, use Swords Dance."

Gyarados leaped out of the radius of Sleep Powder and into the air, while Barbaracle took the Razor Leaf to its chest, resulting in looks of shock from Ash's friends. Barbaracle then performed a peculiar dance, causing three blades to rise into the air before crashing into it, sharply raising its attack. Siebold was now ready to finish the two Grass starters, and he ordered the next move. "Barbaracle, X Scissor!

The water and ground type Pokémon lunged at Bayleef and crossed its arms to form an X. Ash was ready though, and countered with a move of his own. "Bulbasaur, use Vine Whip to grab Bayleef and hurl her into the air! Bayleef, get ready to strike with a Body Slam!"

The Kanto grass starter nimbly dodged Gyarados' Bounce and shot its vines out to retrieve Bayleef. Bayleef was thrown into the air, but it knew what to do next. It tucked its body inward and prepared to tackle Barbaracle with full force. The unsuspecting Pokémon looked up in horror, as it was sent into the ground with the powerful attack. "Now Bulbasaur, Vine Whip to hold it in place! Bayleef, finish it with Razor Leaf!" Siebold's Pokémon was helpless as Bulbasaur restricted its movement with Vine Whip, and Bayleef sent a barrage of leaves straight for it. A minor explosion occurred.

"Gyarados, use the smoke to surprise them with Ice Fang!"

The smoke cleared to reveal a fainted Barbaracle, but as the referee was about to announce the winner of the match, Gyarados appeared and bit Bayleef in the leg. The icy cold jaws managed to freeze it solid, rendering Ash offensively useless. "Aqua Tail!"

Gyarados quickly swung its tail around and smashed the frozen Bayleef into a nearby wall. Bulbasaur looked on in panic as Gyarados shifted its view to the little grass type. "Poison Powder, quick!"

"Ice Fang!"

Just as Gyarados opened its jaws to bite Bulbasaur, the little grass type ejected a toxic substance into its mouth, causing Gyarados to wince in pain and shake violently. "Vine whip to hold it in place, and then use Energy Ball!"

"Not this time. Ice Fang on its vines!"

"Bulbasaur, let go!" Ash cried out in panic, but to no avail. It was already too late. Gyarados sank its freezing teeth into Bulbasaur, causing it to cry out in pain. Then Gyarados hoisted the tiny Pokémon into the air and flung it into a wall. The referee rushed over to where it fell. "Bulbasaur is unable to battle; the winner is Gyarados!"

"Good job buddy, take a good rest. Pikachu, Charizard! You're up!"

The two trusty Pokémon appeared, one from its Pokeball, and the other from its trainer's shoulder. It was time to test the strategy. "Pikachu! Start off with Quick Attack! Charizard! Get ready!"

Charizard dug its claws into the ground and prepared to unleash its new learned move. Pikachu took off at lightning speed and forcefully headbutted Gyarados in the chest. The reeling Gyarados was then hit by it once more, before it leaped out of the way for Charizard to use its move. "Blast Burn!"

Charizard flew to the top of the stadium and slammed its fist deep into the ground, causing a fissure to rupture towards Gyarados. Flames erupted from the fissure and surrounded the water type. The circle of flames then closed in and hit the Gyarados with full force. Gyarados had taken way to much damage, and one last hit from the Poison Powder that had been inflicted on it fainted it. "Gyarados is unable to battle; the winners are Pikachu and Charizard!"

"Impressive, but now it is time for my counterattack! Blastoise, Starmie! Come on out!"

"All right, bring it on!"

"Blastoise Hydro Pump! Starmie, Dazzling Gleam!"

"Charizard fly out of the way! Pikachu use Thunderbolt!" The two ever loyal Pokémon dodged the attacks and countered with their own. The four combatants were now in a stalemate, with neither of them deciding to forfeit. The battle was off to a promising start, but little did Ash know that he was falling into Siebold's trap. Ash ordered the next move. "Pikachu, Electro Ball on Starmie! Charizard, Steel Wing to finish it off!"

"Siebold nodded at his two Pokémon. "Get ready to counterattack guys. Draw them in close, and when they're in range, you know what to do."