At the moment, we were cheering Ash in his semi-final matchup against Ramos. Ramos was down to his last choice as Ash hasn't lost a single pokemon and has only used Noivern and Druddigon. Ash, at the moment, was using Mega Raichu against Ramos's powerful partner, Mega Garchomp. Mega Garchomp went in with dragon rush as Ash simply said,"Ice punch," as Mega Raichu intercepted with the move, freezing Garchomp and dealing the knockout blow. Garchomp reverted back to its original form as Raichu was announced the winner. Raichu jumped into his trainer's arms as it returned to normal. Ash was now on a one way ticket to the the finals. Next up was my match against Alain and this will determine if I make it to the finals as well or if Alain lucks out and beats me. He's definitely tough and the last time I battled him in the Kalos League, I was just lucky that Violet was able to handle Charizard. This time will be different and it's time to show him how much I've grown. As we made it to the field, only one thing was on our mind: victory. In the stands, Ash made it and joined everyone in the cheering. Meanwhile, Ember was nervous. She didn't know who to root for. One side wanted her to root for me, but the other wanted her to root for Alain. She decided to remain neutral since she respects us both. The announcer was saying,"It's now time for our second semi-final match, with Kalos Champion Liz up against Alain. These two competed in the finals the last time they were in the Kalos League, with Liz coming out on top. Will things be different this time? We'll see soon enough"!!! Our battlefield was the Lumious badlands. Alain decided to start with Tyranitar as it appeared and started a major sandstorm with its ability, sand stream. I shouted,"Krookodile, let's get going," as my dark/ground type appeared, unfazed by the sandstorm. I picked him first especially because even in a sandstorm, its vision would be top notch, especially against a pokemon like Tyranitar. With both sides ready, it was finally time to begin.
Tyranitar used dark pulse as Krookodile intercepted with its own dark pulse, creating an explosion. I then say,"Splash the river with iron tail," as Krookodile did just that, dispelling the sandstorm and splashing Tyranitar. From behind, Krookodile launched back to back power up punches, hitting Tyranitar hard while gaining a massive attack boost. Krookodile then launched mud slap as Tyranitar destroyed it with stone edge before breaking the stone edge with its tail. Krookodile dodged the shards with iron tail as Tyranitar charged in with crunch. I say,"Trip it with low sweep," as Krookodile used the move on the charging Tyranitar, making it collide with the ground hard. Krookodile then jumped and used dark pulse, dealing the knockout blow and taking Tyranitar out of the match. Things were only starting and like Ash says,"We're only getting warmed up."
After Alain returned Tyranitar, he got his next choice ready, which was his Weavile. I returned Krookodile as I say,"Rhydon, let's go," with it appearing to battle. Ash says,"Hold up. When did Liz get a Rhydon"? Serena seemed to recognize it as she was surprised, saying,"No way..." She's right though. My Rhydon was from the Rhyhorn Grace got me. It got strong and evolved big time and now, was battle ready. Rhydon first started off with rock tomb as Weavile blocked it with protect. However, Rhydon speedily came from behind and hits it with rock tomb again, causing Weavile to get hurt and become trapped. Rhydon prepared to attack again, but Weavile quickly responds with double team, but I knew what to do. Rhydon stomped the ground and used earthquake, making the whole arena shake, eliminating the copies and revealing the real Weavile. Rhydon then struck with flamethrower, dealing super effective damage and taking Weavile out easily. With another win out of the box, things were looking up for me, but now's not the time to get overconfident. Alain returned Weavile and had his next choice ready, which turned out to be Bisharp, a familiar foe. I decided to keep Rhydon out because I knew just what to do. Ash says,"Rhydon is so incredible!! The way it got strong so fast and how quick it can act and move in battle"!
On the field, Alain shouted,"Thunder wave," which I expected right away. Bisharp launched the attack, but it did absolutely nothing as both Rhydon and I smiled together. Both Alain and Bisharp were shocked as Bisharp launched thunder wave three more times, but nothing happened. Why wasn't Rhydon affected by it"? I gave the answer, saying,"Oh Alain? Did I mention my new Rhydon has a special ability called lightning rod?! Thunder wave gave it an attack boost instead of paralysis, so, thank you for your help. It'll make win #3 all the sweeter," with Rhydon nodding and grunting in agreement. The hesitant look on Bisharp was all that I need for Rhydon to land a super effective earthquake and flamethrower, knocking it out easily. We were announced the winner once again as the announcer says,"Incredible!! Liz is on a roll, proving why she's the Champion. If this keeps up, she'll be on the easy street to the finals with Ash." Clemont says,"Liz has gotten a lot stronger and she's not going to give up her title so easily." Ash was watching carefully as he was studying my battling style, learning a couple tricks he can use in the finals. With three wins for my side, it was time for a battlefield change as I returned Rhydon for now. Alain shouted,"Liz!! You've definitely gotten a lot stronger since we last met. Battling you again...it brings back fun memories from before."
I shouted right back,"I feel the same way Alain. This is why I love being a trainer: getting to meet so many pokemon and people who have the same happiness ans determination I have. It's the best part and I'm glad to have met so many great friends and pokemon who feel the exact, same way." Soon, the new field appeared as it was now a grass field. Alain had his next choice set which was his Unfezant, a male one since it had the mask. I say,"Want to have an aerial battle? Fine by me. Right Staraptor," as Staraptor appeared with both flying types racing one another and ready for an aerial match of the millennia. Both of them started with steel wing as they parried back and forth with their attacks, avoiding taking damage while damage while trying to deal damage. Staraptor soon landed a hit before dodging its opponent's attack. Unfezant then went in with sky attack while Staraptor was readied close to the ground. Right before it connected, Staraptor dodged while Unfezant connected hard with the ground. Now, it was Staraptor's turn to use sky attack as it collided with Unfezant, who was heavily damaged, but able to shake it off. It chased after Staraptor, trying to retaliate with steel wing, but Staraptor dished out a harsh close combat at Unfezant before dealing the final blow with steel wing.
Staraptor was the winner as it landed on my arm with pride. We were so far on the verge on the massive clean sweep, but this is no time for second guessing. Alain returned Unfezant as he called his fifth choice, which was Metagross, who evolved from his Metang. This ought to be good as I returned Staraptor and called Krookodile back out again. Thanks to its ability intimidation, Metagross was scared slightly while its attack power lowered. Between the lowered attack of Metagross and the attack boost from the double power up punches before, Krookodile is in the driver's seat. We were ready for our next matchup as Krookodile started with dark pulse, but Metagross dodged it with agility, which showed that it was surprisingly fast. I wasn't surprised as Krookodile looked behind and struck again with brute force, pushing Metagross back. Metagross tried to strike with metal claw, but Krookodile swung up and dodged quickly. Metagross then went in with rock slide as Krookodile used the rocks as momentum to jump and land another hit with dark pulse. Alain had Metagross use meteor mash, but because of dark pulse, the steel/psychic type flinched. Krookodile went under with dig as Metagross tried to determine where it would come out from.
Krookodile jumped from behind and launched dark pulse from the air, which Metagross dodged this time and went in with meteor mash. As Krookodile landed, it used its claws and arms to push the powerful attack back while avoiding the damage. For Krookodile, doing this showed just how far it's willing to go, for anyone. I saw an opening as I shout,"Close range dark pulse now," as Krookodile hit the up close Metagross hard, dealing major super effective damage and knocking out Metagross. Krookodile was announced the winner as it was now 6 to 1 and I know just what his final pokemon was. As Alain returned Metagross, he readied his final choice, which was his faithful partner, Charizard. I returned Krookodile as I knew who I was going to use as I shout,"Sino, let's go," as my Greninja appeared to battle. I say,"Now Sino, together, as one"! We both synchronized as in its place stood the formidable Liz-Sino. Everyone was shocked as even the announcer says,"Amazing. Liz has the mysterious power with her Greninja as well. This battle will really be one for the ages"! Alain knew just what to do as he pressed his keystone while saying,"Respond to my heart, now keystone. Beyond evolution, mega evolve"!! Charizard glowed and instantly became Mega Charizard X. Sino and I looked at each other before smiling and developing a look of determination. We were both ready to bring it, not going in anything less than an inch. After all, this determines who gets to face Ash in the final.
Mega Charizard X and Liz-Sino were in a staredown, waiting for someone to make the first move. Both pokemon charged at each other as Mega Charizard X uses flamethrower. Sino dodged it and landed a hard night slash, right on its gut. Charizard staggered a bit, but was still standing. Sino charged in and used double team as Mega Charizard X mowed down the copies with flamethrower. Sino then launched a potent water shurigen as Mega Charizard X destroyed it with dragon claw. Sino went in with double power up punches as Mega Charizard X blocked with dragon claw again, with both attacks parrying to attack and defend. Suddenly, Charizard almost caught Sino by the leg, but Sino dodged at the LITERAL last second. Mega Charizard X then launched flamethrower from the air, but Sino cut right through it with night slash, avoiding the hit. Mega Charizard X went in with blast burn as Sino blocked it once more with water shurigen, cancelling the attack out. Sino charged in the smoke and, along with the fact that Mega Charizard X couldn't move afterwards, launched two potent power up punches, giving it a major attack boost, before blasting it a good distance away with hydro cannon. Charizard was struggling and on its last limbs, but it was able to shakily stand and stay up. This battle was unlike anything any of us have ever experienced. Sino and I both agree: this is the most fun we've had in a battle in a long time. The fun and enjoyment of it all is enough to get us even more fired up to win and make it to the finals.
Looking up at the stands, I saw Ash and I remembered our promise...to have the ultimate showdown and prove who's the ultimate trainer. Now, I'm ready to earn my place to fulfill that promise. Both Sino and I will not disappoint Ash or Greninja. Mega Charizard X went in with dragon claw as Sino dodged, leaping out of the way in time. Sino then charged in with double night slashes, parrying with dragon claw again. Mega Charizard X then pelted Sino hard with thunder punch as we both felt it. An idea came into mind as I say,"Sino, take the hits. Let's charge up a special surprise"!! So, as the thunder punches kept hitting Sino, we both felt the pain, but toughed it out. After a couple more hits, Sino was down to a knee as we were both sore, but not giving up. At that moment, I shouted,"Sino, now," as Sino glowed bright blue. It happened at the perfect time, our game changer: torrent. Sino then went in with power up punch, hitting Mega Charizard X and gaining another attack boost. Mega Charizard X went in with thunder punch again as Sino blocked with water shurigen before hitting it with the super effective move. I then say,"For our finale, hydro cannon max power"!!! Sino formed the attack as it was flaming blue and becoming huge. Almost as big as the sun. With a mighty, synchronized throw, Sino launched the move as it hit Mega Charizard X head on. Aftet the smoke of the explosion settled, Charizard was knocked out cold and back in its normal form. We were the winners as the announcer says,"What an epic ending!!! Liz and Sino knocked out Charizard and now will face Ash in the finals"!! Sino returned to normal as we were both breathing fast and happy.
I did it...I made it to the finals...once again. Now..the real challenge lies ahead...Ash. Malva came over to the field, saying,"Breaking news...Liz defeats Alain and will be facing Ash Ketchum in the finals. Anything you want to say"? I smiled with Sino as I say,"Two things actually. One, Ash Ketchum of Pallet Town, I can't wait to see you in the finals. It's time to see how much you've grown. Two, as a little treat, I'm making our match something special. 7 on 7. I'll see you there."