Chapter 90: Bug Boy Beat Down

After a day of rest and training, Ash stood in the corridor of the stadium, waiting for his match to be called.

"This is it, buddy. You ready?"

"Pika!"

"Yeah, me too. But we've got this!"

"Ash Ketchum and Guzma to the arena, please. Ash Ketchum and Guzma to the arena, please."

"Well, here goes nothing."

Stepping forward, he entered the arena to a cheering crowd. Coming out of the passage opposite of him was Guzma, his trademark scowl plastered on his face.

"So, you decided to show up. Hope you're ready for a pounding kid, because I ain't going easy on ya!"

Ash said nothing, but he kept his determined face on him as the referee made his way to the match.

"This match between Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town and Guzma of Melemele Island will now begin! Each trainer will use three Pokemon each, and the battle shall conclude when all Pokemon on either trainer's side are unable to battle. Each trainer shall release their Pokemon at the same time, and substitutions are allowed. Are each of you ready?"

"Ready!"

"Ready to win."

"Then let this match begin!"

"Go, Golissopod!"

"Pikachu, I choose you!"

"Golissopod, use First Impression!"

"Dodge, then use Electro Ball!"

Golissopod lumbered over, trying to swing its humongous arms and pound Pikachu, but Pikachu was quicker. Using his tail as a spring, he jumped just in time, then he used the tail to launch a ball of electricity at the large Bug type, causing it to stumble for a minute before regaining his footing.

"Don't let that rat best you! Use Razor Shell!"

"Volt Tackle, Pikachu!"

Golissopod, in a fury, used his shell to shoot out multiple water bursts in an attempt to hit Pikachu, but he dodged them all quickly before striking the bug right in the gut, causing it to run to Guzma and return himself, much to the criminal's annoyance.

"Wimp. Go, Pinsir!"

Ash momentarily considered returning Pikachu, but decided to keep him in.

"You okay to keep fighting, buddy?"

"Pika!"

"Alright then, hit him with a Quick Attack!"

Guzma smirked, letting until Pikachu was getting too close to avoid what he was planning. Then...

"Pinsir, use Guillotine!"

Pinsir got ready to catch Pikachu again, ready to deal a crushing blow. But...

"Use Iron Tail on his antennae!"

Just in time, Pikachu broke out of his Quick Attack and went in for an Iron Tail, cracking Pinsir's antennae and causing it to howl in pain. Ash used this to his advantage.

"Hit him with a Thunder and finish him off!"

Before Pinsir could get his bearings, Pikachu summoned the largest storm cloud he could manage, creating a large thunderbolt that crashed down and shook Pinsir to its core. Ash let this go on for a few seconds before deciding enough was enough.

"Stop, Pikachu!"

Nodding, Pikachu let up, allowing Pinsir to fall to the ground unconscious.

"Pinsir is unable to battle! The round goes to Pikachu!"

"Good work, buddy! Return."

Tired but triumphant, Pikachu ran up Ash's arm and perched himself back on his shoulder. Guzma snarled before drawing his next Pokemon.

"Go, Scizor!"

"Incineroar, I choose you!"

Guzma could only gape in horror. This was possibly the worst combination he could be facing at the moment, but it was too late now. All he could do was hope Scizor had the fortitude to survive.

"Attack with Bullet Punch, Scizor!"

"Counter with a Fire Punch!"

Incineroar met the hard punch with one of his own, the two clashing in the middle as Scizor tried to land a blow. But given that Incineroar had a 4X advantage over him, it wouldn't be easy.

"Furry Cutter, and don't let up!"

"Incineroar, build up a Fire Blast!"

Before Scizor could attempt to get in close, Incineroar built up a tremendous fire blast, creating a huge wall of fire that protected it. Scizor tried to get closer, but just the extreme heat was enough to force it to back off.

"Now!"

All at once, Incineroar let it loose, sending a massive fire blast towards the Bug Type. With no hope of escape, Scizor could only watch as the attack came closer until it hit him dead on, sending him flying to the ground unconscious.

"Scizor is unable to battle! The round goes to Incineroar! Guzma, send out your final Pokemon!"

Guzma felt his blood begin to boil. He was down to his last Pokemon, who was already on its last legs from its previous battle, while he hadn't managed to knock out a single one of Ash's. He could only hope Golissopod would be enough.

"Go, Golissopod! Hit him with Poison Jab!"

"Darkest Lariat, Incineroar!"

Golissopod wearily shout out poison darts, but Incineroar easily deflected them with his spinning arms. Realizing he was beat, Golissopod tried to retreat, but Incineroar was too fast, pummeling him with his arms mercilessly. By the time he was done, Golissopod was on the ground, defeated.

"Golissopod is unable to battle! Incineroar is the winner, and the battle goes to Ash from Pallet Town!"

"Alright! Way to go guys!"

"Pika Pika!"

"Incineroar!"

Guzma grumbled to himself, returning Golissopod before slouching away to sulk. As he was halfway out, though, Ash stopped him.

"Hey Guzma?"

"What? Did you come to rub your victory in my face?"

Ash instead held his hand out, smiling.

"Good match. You had me on the ropes a few times."

Guzma snorted, swatting his opponent's hand away before returning to his self pitty.

"Whatever. See ya around, chump."

Ash just watched Guzma leave, feeling sorry for the Team Skull Boss.

"What's his deal? He doesn't have to be such a sore loser."

"Pika."

"Yeah, you're right. We should get back to the others."

And they did just that, but Ash couldn't get Guzma out of his head. He wanted to help him, but he didn't know how.