The following morning saw Hilda seeing Ash talk to Maximus and Trip.
"So, could Maximus and I test this new thing out?" Ash asked, to which Trip replied "Sure. I've heard how tough you are Ash, and Maximus is tough as well, so It'll be a good test. Also helps with punishing Neo Team Plasma"
"Alright. I don't like it, but we might as well test it out" Maximus said. Ash then turned, and saw Hilda, then waved and asked: "Hey Hilda, you ready for a Rematch with Trip?"
"Uh, sure. I'll need a little time to get ready though. How many Pokémon are we each using?" Hilda asked, to which Trip replied "Three-on-three"
"Noted. So, are we going first?" Hilda asked, to which Trip replied "No. Maximus and Ash are going first. Again, three-on-three"
"I still don't trust you" Hilda replied, to which Ash responded "He's got something he wants to test that, if it works, he'll implement against Team Plasma"
"Oh, OK I guess," Hilda said, still a bit nervous. Trip nodded, then added "I'll be waiting for you on the beach"
"Alright" the others replied, and Trip departed to set up.
"Well, shall we?" Hilda asked, to which Ash, putting an arm around her to reassure her, replied "We shall", and the three of them followed.
When they arrived at the beach, they find Trip with a strange device on his arm.
"There you are. Alright, I've marked the arena on the sand, so Ash, Maximus, please take up your spots" Trip said, to which Ash replied, "What is that on your arm?"
"It's a device that means trainers within its range will take damage when their Pokémon are KO'ed" Trip replied, to which Hilda replied "What? Why?".
"It has multiple purposes. Firstly, to toughen you, Hilda, up so you will find it easier to withstand attacks from Pokémon" Trip responded, to which Ash added "As we've seen, both Neo Team Plasma and Team Rocket aren't above having their Pokémon attack trainers"
"True. And what is the other reason?" Maximus asked, to which Trip replied "Give the Plasma, and now Rocket, scum a taste of their own medicine, since for whatever reason, at least in Neo Team Plasma's case, they've got special shields around them that deflect Pokémon attacks"
"How did you learn that?" Ash asked, to which Trip replied "My Servine tried to Wring Out a Neo Plasma Grunt, but was stopped. The same thing happened with its other moves"
"Yikes. Alright. Remember, don't put it too high, or I will beat your ass" Maximus replied, to which Trip nodded.
"So, what's going on here?" Hilbert asked as he approached, to which Trip replied "Testing a way to lay the hurt on members of Neo Team Plasma" Trip replied. Hilbert shook his head, and responded with "Why don't you just run up to one and punch them in the face?"
"Because most of us don't have the martial arts training you have bro" Hilbert replied, to which Hilbert responded "touché"
"So, are we getting this battle going?" Maximus asked, to which Hilbert replied: "Sure, I'll be referee".
When Ash and Maximus took their spots, Hilbert quickly asked Maximus what city he's from, and when he answered, Hilbert, nodded, then continued "The battle between Ash of Pallet Town and Maximus of Nacrene City will not begin. Each side will use three Pokémon, and the battle is over when all three of one side's Pokémon are unable to continue"
"Alright. Rufflet, I choose you" Ash called and Rufflet materialised. Maximus nodded, then responded "Vullaby, let's go" and Vulalby materialised.
During this battle, invisible, a small, anthropomorphic Pokémon with quarter notes for arms and hands, a black headpiece, flowing, wavy hair with musical bar-style streaks and light-blue ovals in its hair watches.
Battle: Rufflet, Emboar and Fraxure VS Vullaby, Weezing and Zebstrika
"Rufflet, use Rock Tomb" Ash commanded, and Rufflet grabbed rocks and threw them at Vullaby.
"Vullaby, dodge it and use Thief" Maximus replied, Vullaby's wing glowed with Anti-Positive energy, then dodged the rocks and struck Rufflet, dealing Minor damage and taking his Eviolite for itself.
"That's not good. Well, Rufflet, use Slash" Ash commanded as a pissed Rufflet's claws glowed white, and he struck Vullaby, dealing Minor damage.
"Vullaby, use Pluck" Maximus commanded, while Ash called "Rufflet, counter with Aerial Ace" and Vullaby's sky-blue beak collided with Rufflet's sky blue energy coated body struck, dealing Minor damage to Vullaby, and Moderate damage to Rufflet.
"Slow down that Vullaby Rufflet, use Rock Tomb" Ash called, and Rufflet grabbed rocks with its feet and threw then at Vullaby, dealing Minor damage and lowering Vullaby's Speed.
"Respond Vullaby, use Pluck" Maximus replied, and before Rufflet could respond, Vullaby's beak was glowing Sky Blue, and it struck, dealing Minor damage.
"Rufflet, use Slash" Ash called, and Rufflet's claw glowed white, and it struck Vullaby with it, dealing Minor damage.
"Vullaby, use Pluck," Maximus said, while Ash called "Rufflet, use Slash" and Vullaby's sky blue glowing beak struck as Rufflet's white glowing claw struck, and the blocked each other's attacks a couple of times before Rufflet managed to strike Vullaby with a glowing white claw, dealing Minor damage.
"Strike back Vullaby, use Pluck," Maximus said, and Vullaby's beak struck Rufflet, dealing Minor damage.
"Respond Rufflet, use Slash" Ash commanded, while Maximus called "Vullaby, use Pluck" and both Rufflet and Vullaby strike, KO'ing each other.
"Vullaby and Rufflet are unable to battle, this battle is a draw," Hilbert said as Ash and Maximus withdrew their Pokémon as they're both shocked by the arena, even if only moderately, something Ash barely felt, and Maximus only lightly fell.
"Good job Rufflet, now rest up," Ash said, while Maximus said, "You did great Vullaby, now rest well".
Trip, noticing this, said "Wow, you two are tough. How do you do it?"
"We'll reveal that after the battle" Ash replied, to which Maximus nodded, and Trip also nodded.
"Alright, time for you to meet a new addition to my team, but what should be a very familiar one to you. Weezing, let's go" Maximus said, and Weezing materialised. Ash nodded, and responded "Yep, very familiar. And I have a good counter. Emboar, I choose you" and Emboar materialised.
"If I remember correctly, your Emboar's a Physical attacker, right?" Maximus asked, to which Ash replied "Well, there's something that my Emboar knows that'll help since I know what your Weezing is likely to know"
'OK then. Let's find out. Weezing, use Toxic" Maximus called, and as Weezing shot poisonous liquid at Emboar, but Ash replied "Emboar, use Substitute" and Emboar used a quarter of its' health to block Weezing's Toxic.
"I thought that would be the case. Alright Weezing, use Sludge Wave" Maximus called, and Weezing shot a wave of poison sludge.
"Emboar, use the Substitute to block the Sludge Wave, then strike with Fire Punch" Ash replied, but Emboar instead of cloaked its fist with flames cloaked itself in fire and crashed into Weezing, dealing Moderate damage.
"Weezing, quick, use Toxic" Maximus called, but Ash was ready.
"As you retreat Emboar, use Protect" he replied, and Emboar threw up a barrier to avoid being Poisoned.
Weezing then restored a Slight amount of health with its Black Sludge.
"Toxic, again" Maximus called, but once again, Ash was ready and replied "Emboar, use Substitute" and Emboar used another quarter of its health in a doll to stop the Toxic.
Weezing then restored a Slight amount of health with its Black Sludge.
"Destroy the Substitute again Weezing, use Sludge Wave" Maximus called, and Weezing shot a wave of poisonous Sludge at Embaor, destroying the Substitute.
"Quick Emboar, another Heat Crash" Ash called, and Emboar cloaked itself in fire and charged into Weezing, dealing Moderate damage.
"Quick, Weezing, use Toxic" Maximus called, and Weezing shot the poisonous liquid into Emboar, Badly Poisoning it.
Or, it would have, if Emboar wasn't holding a Lum Berry, which cured its Poison.
"Should have seen that coming?" Maximus said, to which Ash replied "Yep. Quick Emboar, use Substitute" and Emboar used a quarter of its health to put a doll in.
Weezing restored a slight amount of health with its Leftovers.
"Emboar, quick, use Heat Crash" Ash commanded, while Maximus called "Weezing, use Sludge Wave" and Weezing shot a wave of poisonous liquid at Emboar, destroying the Substitute as Emboar, empowered by Blaze, cloaked itself in fire and struck Weezing, dealing Considerable damage.
To Maximus' shock, Emboar managed to get behind the Substitute after hitting Weezing, and as a result, Ash had a narrow window of attack. This is Ash, so of course, he sees it, and takes it, calling "Emboar, end this with Heat Crash" and Emboar cloaked itself with flames, and struck Weezing, KO'ing it. Maximus was also electrified by the arena, but it didn't hurt him that much.
"Weezing is unable to battle, Emboar wins," Hilbert said as Maximus withdrew Weezing, and said "Great job Weezing, now rest up", while both Ash and Emboar cheered happily.
"Zebstrika, quick, use Wild Charge" Maximus called, and Zebstrika charged itself with electricity and charged at Emboar.
"Emboar, use Fire Punch" Ash commanded, and Emboar cloaked his fist with flames and they connected, the resulting explosion KO'ed Emboar and dealt Severe damage to Zebstrika. Ash was shocked by the arena, but it didn't hurt him much.
"Emboar is unable to battle, Zebstrika wins," Hilbert said as Ash withdrew Emboar, and said, "You did a great job Emboar, now rest well". He then continued with "Now for a new addition to my team. Fraxure, I choose you" and Fraxure materialised.
"Fraxure? Oh shit, there goes my victory" Maximus said, to which Ash nodded, and said "How about we end this. Fraxure, use Dual Chop" and Fraxure's hands glowed with draconic energy, as Maximus called "Zebstirka, use Wild Charge" and Zebstrika cloaks
itself with electricity. They both charged at each other, and struck, dealing Minor damage and KO'ing Zebstrika. Maximus was shocked a third time by the arena, but, again, it didn't hurt much.
Conclusion: Emboar, Rufflet and Fraxure wins
"Zebstrika is unable to battle, Fraxure wins. The victor is Ash from Pallet Town" Hilbert said, and Fraxure cheered and flexed as Maximus withdrew Zebstrika, and said "Congratulations Ash, you won. Now, how are you two about to withstand the arena" Trip asked, to which Ash replied "I have been shocked by my Pikachu and burned by my Charizard, as well as attacked by other Pokémon, so my resistance to Pokémon attack is very high"
"I've been training with my Pokémon for a long time. Many battles, many scratches and bruises, and several broken bones. But I'm very tough now, and I'm able to fight Team Plasma myself" Maximus added, to which Trip nodded, and replied "Well that would explain it"
"Are you going to battle me now Trip?" Hilda asked, to which Trip replied "Sure" and he adjusted the settings on the shocker arena, then they both took their positions.
"The battle between Trip and Hilda, both of Nuvema Town, will now begin. Each trainer will use three Pokémon, and the battle ends when all three of one trainer's Pokémon are unable to battle" Hilbert said. Hilda then called "Stoutland, let's show them what we can do" and Stoutland materialised. Trip nodded, then called "Conkeldurr, go get em now" and Conkeldurr materialised.
Battle: Conkeldurr, Serperior and Unfezant VS Stoutland, Duosion and Simisear
"Stoutland, return," Hilda said and Stoutland was withdrawn. Hilda then continued with "Duosion, let's show them what we can do" and Duosion materialised. Having predicted this, Trip said "Conkeldurr, return" and Conkeldurr was withdrawn. Trip then continued with "Unfezant, go get em now" and Unfezant materialised.
"Unfezant, use Facade" Trip called, and Unfezant shined in a white-orange aura, and charged at Duosion, scoring a Critical Hit and dealing Considerable damage.
"Respond Duosion, use Wonder Room" Hilda commanded, and Duosion's eyes glowed blue, and a room of light summoned them, swapping all Pokémon Defense stats.
"Unfezant, strike again with Facade" Trip commanded, and Unfezant shined a white-orange aura, and struck again, just as Hilda commanded "Duosion, use Psyshock" and Duosion unleashed a blob of Psionic energy at Unfezant, dealing Considerable damage.
"Keep attacking, use Facade" Trip called, and Unfezant glowed in white and orange, and struck Reuniclus, dealing Minor damage.
"Keep the offence up Reuniclus, use Pain Split" Hilda called, and Duosion glowed, and a beam of light connected Unfezant and Reuniclus, dealing minor damage to Unfezant and healing Reuniclus by a minor amount.
"Unfezant, another Facade" Trip called, and Unfezant glowed in white and orange, then struck Duosion, dealing Minor damage.
"End this Duosion, use Psyshock" Hilda responded, and Duosion unleashed a blob of Psionic energy at Unfezant, KO'ing it.
"Unfezant is unable to battle, Duosion wins" Hilbert called as Trip withdrew Unfezant, and said "Not bad Unfezant, now rest up", while Duosion and Hilda both cheered. Trip was then shocked by his own arena, taking Minor damage.
"Serperior, use Energy Ball" Trip commanded, and Serperior shot a ball of natural energy at Duosion, KO'ing it. Hilda was then shocked by the arena, taking Moderate damage.
"Duosion is unable to battle, Serperior wins," Hilbert said as Hilda withdrew Duosion, and said, "Good job Dusoion, now take a long rest". She then continued with "Now Simisear, let's show them what we can do" and Simisear materialised.
Trip, in response, called "Serperior, return" and Serperior was withdrawn. He then added "Now, Conkleudrr, go get em now" and Conkeldurr materialised.
"Simisear, return, you don't stand a chance," Hilda said and Simisear was withdrawn. She then added "Samurott, let's show them what we can do" and Samurott materialised.
"Samurott, use Water Pulse" Hilda commanded, and Samurott generated a ball of water and shot it at Conkeldurr.
"Deflect it Conkleudrr, use Chip Away" Trip replied, and Conkeldurr's concrete block and hand glowed white, and blocked the Water Pulse.
"Samurott, quick, charge in and use Water Pulse" Hilda commanded, and Samurott got close enough to deliver the ball of water to Conkeldurr, dealing Moderate damage.
"Conkeldurr, quick, respond with Brick Break" Trip called, and Conkeldurr's hand glowed orange, and struck Samurott, dealing Considerable damage.
"Samurott, stay focused, another Water Pulse" Hilda commanded, and Samurott shot another ball of water at Conkeldurr, which Trip responded with "Block it again, use Chip Away" and the glowing white hand and concrete slab blocked then Water Pulse.
"Get behind and use Water Pulse" Hilda commanded, and Samurott struck again, dealing Moderate damage.
"Strike again Conkeldurr, use Brick Break again" Trip replied, using how close Samurott was to strike with a glowing Orange hand, dealing Considerable damage.
"Another Water Pulse Samurott" Hilda called, but Samurott shook his head, then generated a wave of water, which is shot at Conkledurr, a Surf attack, KO'ing Conkeldurr.
"Conkeldurr is unable to battle, Samurott wins," Hilbert said, which both Hilda and Samurott cheer as Trip is shocked by the arena, taking minor damage.
"Well, it's time to end this. Serperior, go get them now" Trip called, and Serperior materialised.
"End this Serperior, use Energy Ball" Trip commanded, to which Hilda replied "Quick, use Aqua Jet" and Samurott shrouded itself in an arrow of water, and charged at Serperiorm dealing Minor damage. Serperior's ball of natural energy then KO'ed Samurott. Hilda is then shocked by the arena, taking Minor damage.
"Well, it's one versus one now. So Simisear, let's show them what we can do" Hilda said, and Simisear materialised.
"Serperior, use Dragon Pulse" Trip commanded, and Serperor shot a pulse of draconic energy at Simisear, but Hilda was ready.
"Simisear, use Brick Break" Hilda commanded, and Simisear's hand glowed orange, and destroyed the pulse.
"Quick, Serperior, use Wring Out" Trip commanded, and Serperior glowed white, and wrung Simisear out, dealing Moderate damage.
"Get Serperior off, use Fire Punch" Hilda commanded, and Simisear cloaked his fist with flames, and punched Serperior, dealing Significant damage.
"Quick Serperior, use Dragon Pulse" Trip commanded, and Serperior responded with a pulse of Draconic energy, dealing Moderate damage.
"Quick, we must keep the momentum up. Simisear, end this with Fire Punch" Hilda commanded, and Simisear once again cloaked his fist with flames and charged at Serperior.
"Quick, stop that with Dragon Pulse" Trip replied, and Serperior shot a pulse of draconic energy at the fist, causing an explosion that did Moderate damage to both, triggering Serperior's Overgrow, and Simisear's Blaze.
"One last shot. Serperior, use Energy Ball" Trip called, while Hilda called "Simisear, use Fire Punch" and the ball of natural energy collided with the fist cloaked with flames, KO'ing both.
Conclusion: Draw.
Both Hilda and Trip are shocked, taking Minor damage.
"Serperior and Simisear are unable to battle, this battle, and indeed, the match is a draw," Hilbert said as both Trip and Hilda withdraw their Pokémon.
"Good job Simisear, now rest up," Hilda said, while Trip said, "You did great Serperior, now rest well". He then turned to Hilda, and said "Well, seems you've gotten loads tougher than last time, well done"
"Thanks. I wonder how that'll work on Team Plasma, and if it's a one-sided thing" Hilda replied, to which Hilda responded "To which Trip replied "I'll be working on that"
"Good. Now, how about we rest and recover, and maybe get some training done before the end of the day" Ash said, to which Hilda nodded, and replied "Good idea". They all then departed.
With Team Rocket
With their teams fully trained, Jessie, James and Meowth arrive on the outskirts of Opelucid City.
"Alright. According to our intelligence, Neo Team Plasma is planning their next attack here" Jessie said, to which both James and Meowth nodded, and James added "How about we get a bit more training done before that happens"
"Good idea," Jessie said, and after they set up a few special drones to detect when Neo Team Plasma was approaching, they head for Route 8. This is not only for easy access to training, but also so they're close to Opelucid City and can hide in a Hidden Grotto.