Ash was ready to go. He had seen the Pokémon his opposing trainers had used, and was ready to handle them. He walked up to Black Belt Brenda, who said "Hello there, I am challenge trainer #1. Good Luck", before adding "Now go, Throh" and Throh materialised. Ash nodded, then responded "Jellicent, I choose you" and Jellicent materialised.

Battle: Jellicent VS Throh
"Jellicent, use Surf" Ash called, and though Jellicent sent a wave of water at Throh, Brenda called "Throh, use Wide Guard" and the barrier Throh threw up stopped Surf's damage.
"Alright then. Jellicent, use Shadow Ball" Ash called, and Jellicent shot a ball of spectral energy at Throh, dealing Minor damage.
"Oh, this is so annoying. Use Reversal" Brenda called, and Throh cloaked itself in inverted orange energy and struck, but did no damage to Jellicent.
"That's what I was thinking. Now, Jellicent, use Shadow Ball again" Ash called, and Jellicent shot another ball of Spectral energy at Throh, dealing Minor damage.
"You just had to have a Ghost-type, didn't you. Ugh, that's annoying. Throh, use Superpower" Brenda called, and throh cloaked itself with powerful orange energy and charged through Jellicent without inflicting any damage.
"Here we go again. Jellicent, another Shadow Ball" Ash called, and Jellicent shot a ball of spectral energy at Throh, dealing Minor damage.
"Throh, another Reversal" Brenda called, and Throh went to strike Jellicent while cloaked in an inverted orange aura, but it went straight through Jellicent without dealing damage.
"Jellicent, another Shadow Ball" Ash called, and Jellicent shot another ball of spectral energy at Throh, dealing Minor damage.
"Well, I've lost. Now, Throh, use Reversal again" Brenda called, and Throh cloaked itself in inverted orange energy and failed to do damage to Jellicent.
"Let's end this Jellicent, use Shadow Ball" Ash called, and Jellicent shot a ball of spectral energy at Throh, KO'ing it.
"Aw man, return Throh," Brenda said, and Throh was withdrawn
Conclusion: Jellicent wins.

"Congratulations, that's one battle down," Brenda said, pointing at the path to follow. Ash nodded, thanked Jellicent and Brenda, then headed for the second trainer.

This second trainer was Ace Trainer Grant, who, when Ash arrived, said "I'm Number two, think you have what it takes to win?"
"I'd say so" Ash replied, smiling. Grant nodded, then said "Emolga, let's go" and Emolga materialised.
"Ferrothorn, I choose you" Ash called, and Ferrothorn materialised.

Battle: Ferrothorn and Haxorus VS Emolga and Jellicent
"Emolga, use Discharge" Grant called, and Emolga shot a blast of electricity around itself, dealing Slight damage to Ferrothorn.
"Ferrothorn, use Leech Seed" Ash called, and Ferrothorn shot a bunch of draining seeds at Emolga, seeding it.
Emolga then took Minor damage from Leech Seed, while Ferrothorn healed.
"I have a funny feeling about what you may use. So, Ferrothorn, return" Ash called, and Ferrothorn was withdrawn.
"Now, Haxorus, I choose you" Ash called, and Haxorus materialised.
"Not bad. Emolga, Encore" Grant called, and Emolga cloaked itself with white energy and clapped repeatedly, but it failed.
Emolga then took Minor damage from Leech Seed.
"Now Haxorus, use Dragon Claw" Ash called, and Haxorus cloaked its claws in draconic energy, and slashed Emolga, dealing Significant damage.
"Emolga, quick, respond with Volt Switch" Grant called, and Emolga generated a ball of electricity, and shot it at Haxorus, dealing Minor damage.
Emolga then returned to Grant, and he called "Now Jellicent, let's go" and Jellicent materialised.
"Betcha didn't know Haxorus can hit Ghosts for Super Effective damage too. Now, Haxorus, use Night Slash" Ash called, and Haxorus' claws now glowed with Anti-Positive energy, and slashed Jellicent, dealing Considerable damage.
"Wow, I didn't expect that. Your Haxorus has some nice move variety. Now Haxorus, another Night Slash" Ash called, and Haxorus cloaked its claws with Anti-Positive energy, and slashed Jellicent, dealing Considerable damage.
"Now Jellicent, use Hydro Pump" Grant called, and Jellicent shot a blast of water into Haxorus, dealing Moderate damage.
"End this Haxorus, use Earthquake" Ash called, and Haxorus shot waves of Light Brown energy at Jellicent, KO'ing it.
"Jellicent, return," Grant said, and Jellicent was withdrawn. He then continued with "Now Emolga, let's go" and Emolga materialised.
"Haxorus is faster, so, use Dragon Claw" Ash called, and Haxorus cloaked its claws with draconic energy and KO'ed Emolga.
"Emolga, return, well done Ash, that was a good fight," Grant said as he withdrew Emolga.
Conclusion: Ferrothorn and Haxorus win.

"Well done Ash, but you have a long way to go to complete the challenge," Grant said, to which Ash nodded, and said, "I intend to win". Then Grant pointed Ash to the next trainer, and he headed that way.

When Ash reached Hiker Don, Don said "I'm the third trainer, now it's serious"
"That sounds good," Ash said, then Don nodded, and said "Now Piloswine, let's do this" and Piloswine materialised.
Ash nodded, then responded "Jellicent, I choose you" and Jellicent materialised

Battle: Emboar and Jellicent VS Piloswine and Probopass
"Jellicent, use Surf" Ash called, and Jellicent shot a wave of water at Piloswine, dealing Severe damage.
"Strike back Piloswine, use Earthquake" Don called, and Piloswine shot waves of Light Brown energy at Jellicent, dealing Considerable damage.
"Now Jellicent, end this with Surf" Ash called, and Jellicent sent another wave of water at Piloswine, KO'ing it.
"Wow, oh man, Piloswine, return," Don said, and Piloswine was withdrawn.
"Now Probopass, let's go," Don said, and Probopass materialised.
"Alright, Jellicent, return," Ash said, and Jellicent was withdrawn. He then added "Now Emboar, I choose you" and Emboar materialised.
"Now Emboar, wipe out that Probopass with Superpower" Ash called, and Emboar cloaked himself in a powerful, orange aura and slammed into Probopass, KO'ing it in one hit, though had its' Physical stats dropped.
'Far out, that's one powerful Emboar" Don said as he withdrew Probopass.
"Awesome work Emboar and Jellicent," Ash said, and Emboar cheered.
Conclusion: Emboar and Jellicent win.

"Wow, I didn't expect your Emboar to KO my Probopass in one hit. What a Superpower" Don said, to which Ash nodded, and responded "It's because I've done my best to train him well", to which Don nodded, then pointed Ash towards the fourth trainer, then Ash departed for Trainer four.

Meanwhile with Hilda
Hilda has just signed in to the Tournament, and she returns to Route 23 once she's done to watch Ash's progress.
"He's doing well," Drayden said, to which Hilda nodded, and responded "He'll ace this, that I'm sure of"
"I hope so, he's looking very promising" Drayden replied.

Back to Ash
The fourth trainer Ash encounters is Ace Trainer Juliet.
"I'm Number 4. Beat me, and you're 1/3rd of the way there" Juliet said, to which Ash replied "Already? Awesome"
"Let's see what you've got. Swanna, let's go" Juliet said, and Swanna materialised.
Ash nodded, then responded "Alright, Ferrothorn, I choose you" and Ferrothorn materialised.

Battle: Ferrothorn and Emboar VS Swanna and Galvantula
"Swanna, use Brave Bird" Juliet called, and Swanna cloaked itself with sky blue energy, and charged into Ferrothorn, dealing Minor damage, but taking Slight recoil, and additional damage from Iron Barbs.
"Ferrothorn, use Substitute" Ash called, and Ferrothorn used a quarter of its health to put a doll in to Protect itself.
Ferrothorn restored a Slight amount of health with Leftovers.
"Swanna, use Brave Bird again" Juliet called, and Swanna cloaked itself with sky blue energy and charged into the doll, failing to break it and taking Slight recoil.
"Now, Ferrothorn, use Leech Seed" Ash called, and Ferrothorn shot a bunch of seeds at Swanna, and seeds it.
Ferrothorn restores a Slight amount of health with Leftovers, then drained a Minor amount of health from Swanna.
"Swanna, another Brave Bird" Juliet called, and Swanna cloaked itself with sky blue energy and charged into Ferrothorn's Substitute, breaking it and taking Slight recoil.
"Ferrothorn, another Substitute" Ash called, and Ferrothorn used a quarter of its health to hide behind a doll.
Ferrothorn restored a Slight amount of health with Leftovers, then drained a Minor amount from Swanna.
"Swanna, heal yourself with Roost", and Swanna took a seat on the ground and glowed with sky blue energy, restoring half its health.
"Big mistake. Ferrothorn, use Power Whip" Ash called, and Ferrothorn's limb glowed green, and struck Swanna, dealing Significant damage.
Ferrothorn then restored a Slight amount of health with Leftovers and drained a Minor amount of health from Swanna.
"Swanna, use Tailwind," Juliet said, and Swanna called a Tailwind to double her allies Speed.
"Ferrothorn, end this with Power Whip" Ash called, and Ferrothorn's appendage glowed green and struck Swanna, KO'ing it.
"Oh no, Swanna, return," Juliet said, and Swanna was withdrawn. She then added "Now Galvantula, let's go" and Galvantula materialised.
"Ferrothorn, return," Ash said, and Ferrothorn was withdrawn. Ash continued with "Now Emboar, I choose you" and Emboar materialised.

"Galvantula, use Electro Ball" Juliet called, and Galvantula shot a ball of electricity at Emboar, dealing Moderate damage.
"Now Emboar, wipe Galvantula out with Fire Punch" Ash called, and Emboar cloaked its fist with flames and punched Galvantula, KO'ing it in one hit.
'Wow, Galvantula was wiped out. You've trained your Pokémon well Ash" Juliet said, to which Ash replied "Thank, you've got a pretty strong Galvantula"
Conclusion: Ferrothorn and Emboar win.

"And this is one-third of the way through your challenge Ash, well done," Juliet said, to which Ash replied "Thanks, you're a pretty strong trainer", to which Juliet smiled and thanked him, then pointed him towards the fifth trainer.

Ash reached Black Belt Luke, who said "I'm number 5, starting to tire?" Luke asked, to which Ash replied "Nope, still a full team, ready to go"
"Good. Now, Sawk, let's go" Luke said, and Sawk materialised.
"Well, let's see if this happens twice. Jellicent, I choose you" Ash called, and Jellicent materialised.

Battle: Jellicent VS Sawk
"Aw man, so this is happening. Oh well. Sawk, use Close Combat" Luke called, and Sawk cloaked its limbs with orange energy and tried to punch and kick Jellicent, but it all went straight through without doing damage.
"Jellicent, respond with Surf" Ash called, and Jellicent called a wave of water onto Sawk, dealing Considerable damage.
"Aw man, I can't hit it. Oh well, Sawk, use Reversal" Lukas called, and Sawk cloaked itself in inverted Orange energy, and it passed through Jellicent without doing damage.
"Another Surf attack Jellicent" Ash called, and Jellicent sent another wave of water into Sawk, dealing Considerable damage.
"Endure this next attack Sawk," Lukas said, and Sawk braced itself. Ash then called "Jellicent, use Giga Drain" and Jellicent sent natural tentacles at Sawk, and Sawk endured the attack.
"Another one" Lukas called, but Endure failed, and Ash called "End this Jellicent, use Surf" and Jellicent's wave of water KO'ed Sawk.
"Wow, that was an epic fail," Lukas said as Sawk was withdrawn.
Conclusion: Jellicent wins.

With Hilda and Drayden
"He's doing even better than I did," Hilda said, to which Drayden nodded, and responded "Yep, he's doing really well so far"
"Has anyone done so well at this point?" Hilda asked, to which Drayden replied "Nope. He's done the best so far"
"Awesome" Hilda replied, jumping for joy.

Back to Ash
"So, who's next?" Ash asked as he approached the sixth trainer, which was Ace Trainer Steve.
"I'm number six, I'll show you my strength," Steve said, to which Ash replied "Well I hope so, I do enjoy a challenge"
"Alright. Stunfisk, let's go" Steve said, and Stunfisk materialised. Ash nodded, then responded "Alright. Ferrothorn, I choose you" and Ferrothorn materialised.

Battle: Ferrothorn and Rufflet VS Stunfisk and Amoonguss
"Ferrothorn, use Substitute" Ash called, and Ferrothorn used a quarter of its health to put a doll in front of it.
"Strike with Revenge Stunfisk" Steve called, and Stunfisk cloaked itself in an angry, orange aura, and struck the Substitute, failing to break it.
Ferrothorn then restored a Slight amount of health with Leftovers.
"And now to strike back, Ferrothorn, use Power Whip" Ash called, and Ferrothorn's appendage glowed green, and struck Stunfisk, dealing Significant damage.
"Respond with Revenge" Steve called, and Stunfisk's orange aura was much angrier when it struck the Substitute, obliterating it.
Ferrothorn then restored a Slight amount of health with Leftovers.
"End this Ferrothorn, use Power Whip again" Ash called, and Ferrothorn's appendage glowed green and struck Stunfisk, KO'ing it.
"Wow, still hits pretty hard, even for Ferrothorn, who's a wall," Steve said as he withdrew Stunfisk, while Ash and Ferrothorn both cheered.
"Don't get too comfy, Amoonguss, let's go" Steve added, and Amoonguss materialised.
"Ferrothorn, return" Ash called. He knew what he had planned was risky, but he's going for it.
"Rufflet, I choose you" Ash called, and Rufflet materialised.
"Now Rufflet, use Brave Bird" Ash called, and Rufflet cloaked itself with sky blue energy and charged into Amoonguss, dealing Significant damage, and Rufflet taking Moderate recoil.
"Amoonguss, use Clear Smog" Steve called, and Amoonguss sent a cloud of white-purplish smog at Rufflet, dealing Minor damage.
"We can do this Rufflet, another Brave Bird" Ash called, and Rufflet again cloaked itself with sky blue energy and charged into Amoonguss, KO'ing it and taking Moderate recoil.
"Well done, good timing on the switch," Steve said as he withdrew Amoonguss.
"Great work Rufflet" Ash called, and Rufflet cheered.
Conclusion: Ferrothorn and Rufflet wins.

With Hilda and Drayden
"Wow, he's blitzing my challenge. He's definitely showing the same strength he showed when he beat me" Drayden said, to which Hilda replied "Surprised? He's built a team that's designed to handle whatever's thrown his way"
"That's good to see. How far do you think he'll get in the Tournament?" Drayden asked, to which Hilda replied "He's going all the way of course unless I can somehow stop him"
"Confident, in both him and yourself. Admirable" Drayden replied, to which Hilda nodded, smiling and continuing to cheer Ash on.

Back with Ash
"Well done Ash, you're half-way. Now, head that way for trainer seven" Steve said as he pointed Ash in the right direction.
"Thanks, Steve" Ash replied, and he headed for the seventh trainer.

The seventh trainer turned out to be Pokémon Ranger Lena, who said I'm Number seven, I'll beat you down"
"We'll see about that"
"That we shall. Floatzel, let's go" Lena replied, and Floatzel materialised.
"Alright. Ferrothorn, I choose you" Ash called, and Ferrothorn materialised.

Battle: Ferrothorn and Jellicent VS Floatzel and Lucario
"Floatzel, use Whirlpool" Lena called, and Floatzel generated a Whirlpool and shot it at Ferrothorn, dealing Slight damage.
"Let's see how much this does. Ferrothorn, use Power Whip" Ash called, and Ferrothorn's appendage glowed green and struck Floatzel, KO'ing it in one hit.
Ferrothorn then restored the little damage it had taken with Leftovers.
"Floatzel, what the?" Lena said as Floatzel was withdrawn. Ash replied "FLoatzel's really fragile, that's why it was KO'ed so easily"
"Oh. Well, let's see if you can KO this one as quickly. Lucario, let's go" Lena responded, and Lucario materialised.
"Alright, Ferrothorn, return," Ash said, and Ferrothorn was withdrawn.
"Now, Jellicent, I choose you" Ash continued, and Jellicent materialised. At this, Lena groaned, and said "Great, a Ghost-type that my Lucario can't touch"
"Your Lucario has only Fighting-type and Normal-type damaging moves?" Ash asked, surprised, to which Lena replied "Yeah, just Aura Sphere" and the ball of aura energy shot from Lucario's hands did nothing to Jellicent.
"Big yikes. I feel kinda sorry for you. Jellicent, Surf" Ash responded, and Jellicent sent a wave of water at Lucario, dealing Considerable damage.
"Let's try to stall PP a bit. Lucario, Calm Mind" Lena called, and Lucario focused its mind to boost its Special stats.
"Alright Jellicent, use Surf again" Ash called, and Jellicent shot another wave of water at Lucario, this time dealing Moderate damage.
"Lucario, another Calm Mind" Lena called, and Lucario focused its mind again to further raise its Special Attack.
"Jellicent, Surf one more time" Ash called, and Jellicent's wave of water struck Lucario, and did exactly enough damage to KO.
"Well, it sort of worked," Lena said as she withdrew Lucario.
Conclusion: Ferrothorn and Jellicent wins.

"You're tearing through us. What's your name?" Lena asked, to which Ash replied "I'm Ash"
"Nice to meet you, Ash. Now, go that way for the next trainer, the 2/3rds point of your challenge" Lena said, to which Ash nodded, and said "Thanks", and he headed for the eighth trainer.

The eighth trainer turned out to be Hiker Doug.
"I'm number eight, getting tired Ash?" Doug asked, to which Ash replied "Nope. My team's still fresh and ready to go"
"Good. Now, Boldore's let's do this" Doug said and Boldore materialised. Ash nodded, then responded "Ferrothorn, I choose you" and Ferrothorn materialised.
"You use that Ferrothorn a lot, I've noticed" Doug commented, to which Ash replied "What can I say? He's tough, strong, and is a valuable ally"

Battle: Ferrothorn and Emboar VS Boldore and Aggron
"Boldore, use Stone Edge" Doug called, and Boldore generated a bunch of sharp stones and threw them at Ferrothorn, dealing Minor damage.
"Ferrothorn, respond with Power Whip" Ash replied, and Ferrothorn's appendage glowed green, and slammed into Boldore, dealing Significant damage.
"Alright then. Just to make switching painful, Boldore, use Stealth Rock" Doug said, and Boldore sprayed a bunch of pointed stones around Ash's field.
"Well, let's end this Ferrothorn. Use Power Whip" Ash called, and Ferrothorn's appendage glowed green again and slammed into Boldore, KO'ing it.
"Argh, Boldore, return," Doug said, and Boldore was withdrawn.
"Now then Aggron, let's go" Doug called, and Aggron materialised.

"Ferrothorn can't do too much to this one. So, let's switch to one that can. Ferrothorn return, and Emboar, I choose you" Ash said, and he withdrew Ferrothorn, then called Emboar into battle.
"Emboar? Well, let's see what he can do" Doug replied, to which Ash nodded, and said "You'll see"

To be continued in Chapter 66