According to Ash , the battle with Mandi wasn't a had expected a good battle but it was clear that Mandi had underestimated him. After the battle on the water field, Ash's second battle was on the ground field. He used Gyarados again , since he could take advantage of the field with his powerful water type. Ash again managed to win the first two Pokemon of his opponent by using Gyarados.

"Go, Nidorino!" The trainer shouted as he released his third pokemon.

"Give everything you have got, Gyarados." Ash said with vigour.

"Tackle attack!"

"Endure it!"

Gyarados endured the tackle attack from Nidorino. There wasn't much damage but it was enough to tire him out.

"Use Leer and Hydro Pump!"

He then used leer on Nidorino and made it frozen for a few seconds but that was enough time for Gyarados to turn off leer and use Hydro Pump before it could regain its composure. Nidorino was blasted head on onto the rocks by the sheer force of the attack .

"Now! Tackle!" Ash commanded without taking any chances.

Gyarados tackled Nidorino who had been still in a daze,and knocked it out with swirls in its eyes.

"Nidorino is unable to battle! Victory for the Green Trainer Ash Ketchum!"

Ash upon hearing it exhaled a sigh, finally letting all the tensions bleed out from his shoulder. Pikachu and Mew, now disguised as a Pichu, cheered for Gyarados who grinned savagely while Lucario nodded in utmost satisfaction.

"And rookie trainer Ash Ketchum will be moving on to the 3rd round of the preliminaries ! Congratulations Ash Ketchum for an outstanding performance !"

After the battle, Ash returns Gyarados to his Pokeball. He gives a peck on the pokeball and lets the two pokemons perched on each of his shoulders into his arms. He got out from the field sighing and leaned onto the Wall.

"Are you okay?" Lucario asked worriedly.

"I'm fine. It's just the adrenaline finally finished."

"Ah. You can rest after checking the pokemon at the Pokemon Center. Tomorrow you have another battle."

"You're right."

Ash went to the Pokemon Center without wasting any time. It was already evening and he had to buy dinner for him to eat before he rested. Ash enters the Pokemon Center, thankfully it wasn't packed yet as the other trainer's are either training with their pokemon or are still in a Competition.

He waits in the lobby of the Pokemon Center ignoring the whispers and looks from other competitors since he had only used Gyarados till now and is a rumour amongst other trainer's.

"Ash Ketchum!" Nurse Joy called out his name to his relief.

"Here, your pokemon is fully healed and is in perfect health."

Ash took the pokeball back."Thank you so much Nurse Joy."

He gets out from the Pokemon Center and goes to get him and his pokemon some dinner. He went to a cafe where the worker gladly packed the food for him and his pokemon. Ash walks back to the cabin he was allotted to stay.

The cabin was comfy for both trainer and pokemon. Each trainer's room has a bedroom and a living room with a couch ,as well as a small makeshift kitchen and there is plenty of area for the pokemon to roam inside. Ash is thankful that he has no roommate, Nurse Joy had informed him that the trainer who he has to share room with chose to be with his friends at a different quarter. So Ash is lucky to have the privacy he much needed.

Ash released his Pokemons along with Legendaries after making a barrier using his aura.

"Good Job, Gyarados." Ash appreciated his water type for the amazing efforts it showed in the battle.

"Thank you. What about the next battle?" Gyarados enquired.

"You're right. The next match will be on the Ice field."

"How about me?" Articuno chirped up at the mention of ice

Ash sweatdropped at the legendary bird's childishness."You can't. It's unfair for the trainer and did you forget that you are a legendary."

Before Articuno could retaliate, someone shrieked.

"Boohoo"

Everyone in the room deadpanned upon hearing the childish voice. Mew, the so-called Mythical pokemon's deliberate attempt to prank them had failed miserably. The pokemon with the wisdom of ages is the most childish among all the other pokemon. Mew pounded upon seeing everyone's face "You are no fun."

Ash couldn't hold back his laughter anymore and began to laugh hilariously followed by the others. After the little entertainment, they ate dinner together. Mew was still pounding occasionally, but none said anything or did anything, knowing very well that it's not good to be on the bad side of the mythical pokemon, even if it is a child at heart.

Ash decided to go to sleep early so that he could do some training with his pokemon at early dawn, when there would be less rush and more peace

In the morning, Ash woke up before sunrise. He changed from his Pajamas to his trainer's clothes and took all his pokeballs and clipped them into his belt and necklace respectively. Ash goes to the kitchen in the living room to make himself a simple sandwich and then goes outside to train his pokemons. He could feed his pokemon later. Training on a full stomach is not ideal.

The day went like that and finally, it was time for his third match. This match will decide whether he goes for the top 64 or not.

" And now the start of the third battle on the Ice field. On the red side is promising trainer Ash Ketchum of Pallet Town! On the green side is Pete Pebbleman from Pewter City!" The announcer shouted along with the cheers and applause of the audience. "Let the battle begin"

"Cloyster, Use Mud shot !"

"Gyarados dodge it and use Aqua Tail !"

Gyarados dodges the Mud shot and uses Aqua tail directly at Cloyster who retreated inside its shell, mildly escaping from the powerful impact but it still dealt some damage on Cloyster.

"Use Hydro pump !" Ash commanded

"Rapid spin" Pete exclaimed as Gyarados unleashed the hydro pump. Cloyster spins its body at high speed dispelling the hydro pump.

" Now Cloyster, frost breath " Pete cries out.

Ash clenched his hands tightly. He needs to find a way. His eyes lit up when he got just the Idea to counter Cloyster's strongest attack.

" Gyarados, Rain dance followed by Ice beam, full power " Ash commanded.

"Oh No!" Peter exclaimed in pure shock.

"Cloyster is unable to fight, Victory to Gyarados!"

Pete returns Cloyster to its Pokeball and releases his Arcanine. Seeing the fire type Ash looked at his water type, even if he had won the battle, Gyarados was at its limit, Ash hummed and glanced at Pikachu.

"Gyarados, Return!" Ash returns him back to his Pokeball, much to the surprise of the audience. "Go, Pikachu!"

"Oh! Look at that, trainer Ash had finally decided to switch pokemon and had called out his Pikachu !"

"Pikachu, Use Agility !"

Pikachu uses agility at incredible speed and strided around Arcanine causing it confusion.

"Arcanine, Fire Blast !" Pete cried upon seeing his pokemon getting confused on where Pikachu is.

But Pikachu had good reflexes and his speed was boosted twice due to the use of agility. Arcanine's fire blast missed Pikachu and in turn melted the whole ice field. What was left of the ice field was the small icebergs which Pikachu and Arcanine were currently standing on.

"This is Unbelievable, the whole field has been melted. And Pikachu can no longer use Agility. What a turn of events. Both pokemon are trapped inside the field. What will happen now"

"Arcanine Flamethrower"

Ash smirked on seeing the outcome.

"Pikachu, Into the water !"

Pikachu jumped into the water diving down from the Flame thrower and surfaced right in front of Arcanine. Ash smirked mischievously.

"Such a fool fell right into our trap!" He exclaimed and commanded with finality, " Pikachu! Thunderbolt! Full power."

Pikachu grinned savagely and used a powerful thunderbolt which channelled through the water and Arcanine was hit hard by the bolts of electricity and fainted with swirls in its eyes.

"Arcanine is unable to battle! Victory for the red trainer! Green trainer, please send out your next pokemon!

And thus Pete released his Dewgong but, since the field was already on Pikachu's advantage, the match ended pretty quickly.

Pikachu runs into Ash's arm and begins nuzzling his cheek, He gives a ruffle on his partner's still wet fur and congratulates him on winning the Match. Now only one more step to go before he enters the finals.

XXXX

For the rest of the day, Ash decides to watch the rest of the competitors' match and watches Gary being defeated by a trainer named Melissa. Gary's Nidoking was defeated by her Golem which eliminated him from the league. But still, Ash appreciated Gary for reaching the top 32. Seeing Gary's loss made Ash think about his next match.

"What to do now. The next battle is on the Grass field. Any idea who to use ." Ash asked his Pokemons.

"You can use Charizard for the Battle. He had been complaining about you only using Gyarados." Lucario said as he pointed at Charizard who nodded in agreement.

"You're right. Perhaps I will."

But for some reason, He has a bad feeling about this match. Therefore Ash decides to go to the Pokemon centre and call Prof. Oak. The professor was able to reduce some of his tension and he felt so grateful for that. In the afternoon after Gary's loss, Ash went to the Grass field for his battle. Well, if he is really in a pinch, he could depend on his Charizard or Lucario. If the match goes far from his hands, could use the Legendaries.

Ash wishes to use legendaries only in the top 4 or higher. He didn't want to use them before that, fearing for their safety. That was why he hadn't used Charizard or Lucario in any of the previous matches. Both are his power- houses excluding the legendaries and he was planning on using them on top 16 and above. He loves his pokemon more than the league battle. He just wishes everything goes smoothly. He will surely give all his pokemon a chance to battle. Ash sighs from his train of thoughts and looks at his opponent, who hasn't appeared yet. His opponent was a girl named Jeanette Fischer from Crimson City. When she entered the stadium, a red carpet was laid out for her and flower petals were showered on her and she even had a cheering squad of her own.

"Trainers, please choose your pokemon !" The Referee Said to them.

"Pikachu, I choose you !" Ash called out.

"Beedrill, make me proud !" She said letting out a beedrill.

" Let the battle begin " the referee announced.

"Beedrill, Poison sting !" She commanded first.

"Dodge it, and use Iron Tail."

" Protect, then use Pin missile."

"Dodge it ". Pikachu began dodging the pin missiles aimed at him but got striked by some of them which activated his ability Static, with each strike it endured, paralysing the beedrill.

Ash grinned, this was his chance." Pikachu, thunderbolt ."

" Beedrill, try to dodge it." Jeanette cried frantically, but Beedrill was still paralysed and got hit with the electricity.

"Beedrill is unable to battle. Please send your next pokemon" the referee instructed.

Jeanette took another Pokeball,"This one will not be easy! Go, Scyther!"

Ash stared at the scyther. It is trained well and will surely be a challenge for Pikachu. His partner is exhausted, the Pin missile even if it activated the static ability, took a lot out of him.

" Pikachu, could you battle?" He asked him. Pikachu turned towards him and showed a thumbs up. Ash smiled seeing his buddies enthusiasm. He might have been worrying for no reason. With determination he commanded.

" Thunderbolt "

"Dodge it and use X-scissor"

As Ash suspected, Scyther was trained for speed. It dodged Pikachu's thunderbolt. Ash had to credit her for the training she gave her pokemon. Pikachu was trained along with Raikou, so dodging his thunderbolt is not child's play.

" Pikachu, use Agility followed by Iron tail." Pikachu uses agility and hits Scyther. When Scyther prepared the X-scissor Pikachu used an Iron tail to dispel it.

"Now, Scyther. Double team." Scyther began to create numerous copies of himself and strided towards Pikachu.

Ash thought about what to do. After a few seconds, he called out to Pikachu and said.

" Pikachu, fix your tail on the field and spin your body, then use thunderbolt "

Everyone present in the arena blinked hearing the command. Jeanette was stunned and confused. Her Scyther has totally rounded Pikachu with double team. When She thought of finishing the battle, Ash had called out the weird command.

In the middle of the field, Pikachu surrounded by Scyther did as his trainer had asked. He trusted his trainer, therefore he fixed his tail on the ground and began to spin at the same time he unleashed thunderbolt. Due to him spinning around the thunderbolt dispersed into many bolts of electricity and began to spin, eliminating the many copies of Scyther. The real Scyther was also electrocuted.

The crowd was stupefied. None thought that thunderbolt could be even used like that.

Pikachu on the other hand stopped its attack and released itself from the ground. His head was spinning but he was okay.

Jeanette was speechless. She looked at Scyther and found that he was paralysed from the impact.

Ash, also understanding that, asked Pikachu to end the battle with another Thunderbolt.

" Scyther is unable to battle. Victory for Pikachu". The referee announced

" That was an awesome performance by Ash Ketchum and his Pikachu. Jeanette is down to her last pokemon. Who will she use? Will she be able to catch up with Ash ?.. I don't know about you guys but I am excited to see the rest of the battle." The announcer exclaimed and the crowd cheered and clapped their hands seeing the battle.

Jeanette wasn't done yet. She released her Bellsprout onto the field, which surprised the audience but Ash internally cursed knowing very well about its special ability chlorophyll.

Ash told Pikachu to come back since he knows Pikachu is really at its limit now. But to his shock, Pikachu refused to come back. Ash tried to reason with the electric type, but Pikachu, just like his other pokemon having sensed the little Grass type's power, was adamant to fight it. Ash, having no choice but to comply with his pokemon's wish, allowed it.

" Bellsprout, wine whip "

Bellsprout used it's wines to grab Pikachu and began to thrash him to the ground again and again. Pikachu tried to get free but the grip was strong.

" Use Thunderbolt, and get yourself free ". Ash cried out with concern. Pikachu did as said and got free.

But Bellsprout wasn't finished. Jeanette told Bellsprout to use Razor Leaf.

" Dodge it and use quick attack ." Pikachu tried to dodge each strike but he was exhausted, so he wasn't able to dodge faster and used quick attack"

" Use wine whip again and then body slam. "

As Pikachu got near Bellsprout dodged his attack with great reflex and used its wine to catch Pikachu and throwed him with great force. Then he used body slam on Pikachu and he was out cold.

"Pikachuuu..." Ash cried out.

The whole arena was silent, it's the first time Ash had lost a pokemon, that too Pikachu. But it was Pikachu's decision to battle.

"Pikachu is unable to battle. Please send the next pokemon"

Ash walks towards the battlefield and picks up Pikachu. His partner did his best. Pikachu opened his eyes slightly and licked his palms. Ash gently pats him and smiles at him.

The audience was mesmerized by the bond between the trainer and pokemon. Ash let Pikachu rest and called out his next pokemon.

"Go, Muk" Ash released the sludge pokemon.

Jeanette commands to use Flying Kick on Muk but it doesn't work, as Muk had absorbed Bellsprout attack using its slimy body.

Bellsprout kept on using a flying kicks but was no use. Ash grinned at this. It's all thanks to Prof. Oak. It was during his call to the professor that Ash got the Idea to use Muk. He had left it at Oak's laboratory since Muk had enjoyed staying at the ranch while they had visited. The professor had talked to him about Muk, engulfing all the pokemon at the ranch using its body, even the professor showing its love for them. It was an attempt to calm him. But the conversation gave him the Idea to transfer Muk to him.

"Keep it up, Muk!" Ash shouted encouragingly.

Bellsprout used Leafcutter, but Muk was unaffected. Jeanette and Bellsprout were shocked by the turn of events.

"Okay Muk, enough of the fun time for Body Slam !"

Muk engulfed Bellsprout inside his body and released toxic. They could see Bellsprout trying to get out from Muk but it didn't work until there was no punch seen anymore and Jeanette gasped. Muk let go Bellsprout who didn't respond with the referee who walked into the field looking at Bellsprout and ensuring that it was knocked out.

"Bellsprout is unable to battle and thus the winner of the 4th round of the preliminaries is Green Trainer. Ash Ketchum!"

Ash grinned and jumped up and down raising his hands to the air. From the podium, he ran towards Muk who engulfed him using his body making him fall onto the grass.

"Oh dear. Yes. Yes. You're Amazing!" Ash said laughing.

XXXXX

After the Battle with Jeanette, Ash goes out with Pikachu at his side. He needs to check Pikachu at the pokemon centre. He went outside from the Battlefield and walls towards the pokemon centre.

Ash was now in the forest near the Pokemon centre. He had healed Pikachu and Muk and had really needed to talk with his pokemon. His mind was filled with numerous thoughts. They were able to clear the 4th round of the preliminaries. Ash can't say the match was easy. It was like he feared. He and his team were pushed pretty hard, Pikachu's battle with Scyther was a challenge. But they came back eventually. When Ash told his other pokemon that he had used muk and Pikachu, and about the outcome of the battle everyone cheered for both of them except Charizard. Charizard wasn't happy and he had received a Flamethrower right on his face which left him in a charred mess. He had promised his buddy he would use him in the top 16.

Once he told everyone about the battle, Ash looked at Pikachu accusingly. Pikachu gulped seeing his face and tried to run away. But Ash caught him using his aura and stared at him a little more fiercely.

[Pikachu, Pika!] "Don't stare at me like that Ash, what did I even do." Pikachu said, making an innocent face.

Ash scowled, looking more intimidating " What were you thinking back there. You were at your limit and still, you urged to battle. I told you to return, right. " Ash was really angry and all his pokemon understood that because Ash was protective over them just like how they were to him. Pikachu really crossed the limit still staying in battle and they all agree that he is bound to hear Ash's shoutout, "no you were adamant, you wanted to do what you like and even if anything bad happens, you don't care, you just want to show off. Do you have any idea how worried I was down there? " Ash kept on saying and Pikachu looked ready to tear up.

He understood how Ash felt, he was putting himself just to see what that stupid Bellsprout had got. And because of him, Ash is worried. And he is the reason. Tears began to sprawl from his eyes.

Seeing Pikachu cry made Ash calm down. He thinks he went a little overboard with the scolding. But he had wanted that, his pokemon are his life, they should understand that.

He sat beside Pikachu and took him in his arms and gave him a hug. Pikachu sobbed into his chest clenching his jacket and said sorry.

Ash forgave him and asked him not to do it again, which brought a smile to Pikachu.

" But don't think I am not punishing you. No Ketchup for you for two days." Ash said which earned laughter from everyone and Pikachu pounded. But he was happy to know Ash cared so much about him.

On the way back to their cabin after the talk, Ash bumped into someone. He looked up to know who it was and was greeted by the pleasant faces of his Mother and .

"Mama. Prof. Oak! What are you two doing here?!" Ash asked, surprised.

"Surprise !" Delia exclaimed with a vibrant smile, "We're coming to Congratulate you."

"Yes." Prof. Oak nodded in agreement.

They decided to go to the restaurant since Delia found that Ash hadn't ate his Lunch while talking with both Prof. Oak and her.

"If you manage to win the next few battles. You're gonna go into the Quarter Final or the Top 4 . And from Top 16 onwards you will be using 6 Pokemon and if you reach Top 4, make sure to choose your pokemon carefully, I am saying that from the top 16 onwards use your best. I don't want you to make the same mistake Gary did. Once you win the finals you become the Winner of the League."

Ash, Pikachu, and Lucario listened to Prof. Oak keenly. Honestly, Speaking, In all these battles Ash didn't use his full power. And that means even in Pikachu's last battle. It was because of that Pikachu was hurt badly. And this only he and his team know, there is a chance Lance might know since he had watched them train. And now he just wants to win the League, at least.

"Well, I will just wing it like usual and if I am in a pinch, I will use my legendaries, that is if either Charizard or Lucario cannot continue."

"I agree." Lucario chirped up.

"Well, If you need Pokemons just call me and I will send it to you."

"Thanks. Professor."

They finished eating lunch at the hotel while talking to each other. Prof. Oak told him to do his best even if he lost he was still a winner to them. The professor told him that they had got a room in one of the hotels. They entered the elevator and chose the floor they wanted to go to. The door was closing when a trainer suddenly came by, he too wanted to get to the ground floor just like them and Prof. Oak opens the elevator door again.

"Thank you." He said after entering.

"No Problem." Prof. Oak assured him.

When the boy saw his Pikachu his face lit up like a candle and kneeled in front of him, "Is it yours?"

"Yes. He belongs to me." Ash responded.

The boy rubs Pikachu's cheeks, Ash hummed and raised his eyebrows when the boy commented that Ash had raised him well.

"You also have a Pikachu, I assume." Ash stated as a matter of fact from how the boy handled his.

"How do you know?"

"You were handling him like you have your own Pikachu. Especially when you touched his cheeks. If someone else did that they must have been electrocuted."

The boy laughed at that and stood up, "Yes you are right. I have my own Pikachu."

"I'm Ash Ketchum, You are?" Ash asked, offering his hand.

"Ritchie. A pleasure to meet you." Ritchie Said shaking the offered hand.

It was really weird for Ash when he offered his hand. But he felt the boy - Ritchie was nice. The way he interacted with Pikachu was proof of that. Pikachu would easily understand, if anyone with bad intentions approached him.

"I assume you are also in the League. Yes?" Ash asked after a moment of silence.

"Yup. We might meet at the field."

Ash hummed and looked at the boy back when they arrived on the ground floor. He exhaled deeply and gave a hug to his Mother who was goIng back to the hotel they were staying while Ash got ready to go back to his Cabin.

"It's rare for you to talk with other people," Lucario commented.

Ash nodded " He seemed friendly and also I think, I am gonna get an interesting challenge for my next battle."

He arrives at the Cabin and decides to rest. The next two days are off for all participants. Since it's the beginning of the Top 16, the league wanted to ensure that all the participants had their much-needed rest and also for the pokemon to be at full health. Even though it's a day off he needs to train his pokemon early in the morning, as he doesn't like rush and he needs peace.

Anyway, one thing was sure to him. If he comes across Ritchie during any of the matches, it will be interesting. The coming two days are important to him and he can't slack off from using it to the best of his effort. And he also had this feeling that tomorrow is going to be special.

Hey, Guys. A new update for this story. The Checkmark is meant that the story already got fixed. Thank you for the Beta-Reader who fix it.

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