A/N: Edited the last chapter with Night Shade into a Ghost-type move.
Ash faced Morrison across the field. The Pallet Town native looked the Verdanturf Town native, a hint of readiness in the latter's eyes for the battle before them.
The field shifted to an ice field and the referee informed the two trainers to send out their Pokémon. Morrison sent out his first Pokémon which is Girafarig, when Ash sent out Kingler for their first battle.
Ash thought back to last night's conversation he had with Morrison before their battle...
Prior to the battle, Morrison was doing some training in the forest with his Metang.
"Metang, use Take Down!" He said and the Iron Claw Pokémon charged forward with an orange outline. Morrison continued to watch his Pokémon before an image of Ash's face appeared on the tree.
"Metang, stop!"
Before reaching the tree, the second stage pseudo stopped in its track to his trainer's commands. It spun around in confusion towards its trainer, wondering why he said to halt its attack.
"Sorry, Metang..." Morrison began, "... It's just... I can't fight Ash!" He began to clutch his fist in frustration and closed his eyes in fear. "He's my friend... even if he is my rival... I just... never thought I would be fighting him here and now..."
"I know it can be hard."
The kimono dressed trainer turned around to see Ash and his friends.
"Gah!" Morrison jumped before composing himself, "How much did you hear?"
"Enough," Ash said.
Brock took this time to spoke up, "Battling against a friend can be tough for anyone. But you can't let that decide your battle."
"If you don't want to battle, maybe you should just forfeit," Ash said, surprising Morrison and the Maple siblings.
"What?!" Morrison said.
"You heard me," Ketchum replied. "If you don't bring your best, then why battle?"
"I... I..." the kimono wearing trainer stuttered before shaking his head clear of any hesitation or doubt and showed a determined expression on his face. "No! I will battle you at my best! Just wait and see!"
Ash grinned, "That's what I want to hear! I'm giving it my all too!" Morrison gave one back, no longer conflicted and apologized to his Pokémon for his behavior. Metang accepted the apology and pumped its claw in the air, ready to give its all too. Pikachu shared his trainer's expression and wanted to battle too.
"Woah," May said, "Looks like Morrison got his fighting spirit back."
"Yeah," Max commented, "Although why would Ash encourage Morrison like that?"
"That's just Ash for you," Brock informed them, "He wants to fight trainers at their best, no matter if they are friend or rival."
Both Maple siblings nodded before they, Brock, and Ash turned in for the night and left Morrison to train for their fight tomorrow.
"Ready Morrison?" Ash called from across the icy terrain.
The Verdanturf town native smiled before responsing, "You bet Ash! Girafarig, start with Light Screen!"
The two-headed ungulate cried out, summoning a glass screen in front of himself.
"Kingler, go for Brick Break!" Ash said and the Kanto crustacean scurried across the terrain before using his massive pincer that was glowing white and swung it down, shattering the Light Screen.
"Rig?!/What?!" Both opponents said when Ash followed up, "Use Metal Claw!" Kingler took his his pincer again, taking a metal sheen and swiped at Girafarig, nailing a hit.
"Energy Ball!" The Long Neck Pokémon conjured a dark green orb and fired it, hitting the Pincer Pokémon. "Now Assurance!" Girafarig gained a dark hue and charged into Kingler. The impact sent the Kanto crab skidding across the ice in pain.
"Kingler, Mud Shot!" Regaining his energy, the crustacean pointed his huge pincer and fired a total of five globs of mud, each hitting the two headed giraffe.
"Charge Beam!" Shaking himself clean, Girafarig worked up a charge and fired a concentrated beam of electricity towards Kingler.
"Protect!" The crab generated a green forcefield that defended him from the Electric-type move. Ash knew he could have used Metal Claw to absorb the damage but competitors could have caught onto that and work their way around it.
"Girafarig, Calm Mind to Zen Headbutt!" Closing his eyes and picturing a soothing drop of water, the ungulate felt a peace with himself. A determined look appeared on the Johto hoofed Pokémon and ran with a blue psychic glow around his head, albeit with some stumbling as he ran.
Ash picked up on the Psychic-type move but noticed how the Long Neck Pokémon lacked traction on the ice field. Which led to him getting an idea.
"Kingler, skate across the ice!" The Pincer Pokémon hurried his trainer's words and obeyed to the best of his ability. Taking off himself, the Kanto crustacean was sliding on the ice. He managed to avoid the two-headed giraffe, which sent him in a collision course with a nearby icicle. Zen Headbutt shattered the structure but the user was slid into another icicle.
"Clamp an icicle to throw yourself towards Girafarig! Then use Night Slash!" Ash said.
"Girafarig, hurry and get up!" Morrison cried in worry for his Pokémon. The Long Neck Pokémon did his best but continued to stumble without the proper traction.
The Pincer Pokémon, however, heeded his trainer's commands. He clamped down on a nearby icicle, spun around, and skated towards the Normal/Psychic-type. His pincer took a dark hue and slashed it across the giraffe, who cried out in pain. The Dark-type move did its work and the Long Neck Pokémon was unconscious from the attack.
"Girafarig is unable to battle, Kingler is the winner!"
"Nice job out there, Kingler! Get some rest," Ash said before returning the Pincer Pokémon to his Pokéball.
"You were great, Girafarig," Morrison praised his Pokémon before getting out a new Pokeball, "Go, Growlithe!"
The Kanto Puppy Pokémon barked with an eager expression to fight.
"Larvitar, I choose you!" Ash sent out the Rock Skin Pokémon, who chirped at being called out, "Lar!" Growlithe let out a growl, Intimidating the Johto pseudo legendary.
"Growlithe, start with Agility!" Morrison ordered and the Puppy Pokémon ran on the terrain better than Girafarig with his claws.
"Larvitar, Screech!" The Rock/Ground-type Pokémon unleashed soundwaves that made disoriented the Fire-type and swerve into an icicle. Shaking off the crash, Growlithe woofed again and ran towards the reptilian.
"Go for a Flame Wheel!" The canine picked up his pace and flames covered him before converting into a wheel-like appearance.
"Dark Pulse! Knock it off-course!" Larvitar fired a series of dark purple double helix spirals into the incoming Fire-type move, hitting the puppy Pokémon. The Dark-type move intercepted the run and Growlithe growled at the attack.
Morrison weighed his options before calling out his next move, "Howl then Flamethrower!"
The Kanto Puppy Pokémon Howled to the sky, raising his attack and unleashed flames upon the ice field.
"Dig!" Larvitar clawed the ground but the ice was rather hard to uncover. This led to the reptilian getting roasted but managed to hold on. The Rock Skin Pokémon growled at being covered in soot, shook it off, and cried fiercely to the canine.
Ash mentally face palmed at the fact the ice was harder to dig under but made a new call, "Rock Slide!"
This time, the olive green reptile cried to the sky. From above, portals dropped rocks onto the field.
"Dodge them!" the kimono wearing trainer said. The Puppy Pokémon evaded the incoming rocks at first but soon was cornered and rocks fell onto him. The canine unburied himself with some bruises but managed to hold on.
"Now Reversal!" Growlithe jumped with a faint brownish aura and rammed Larvitar in the chest. The Fighting-type move did its work, knocking the reptile into icicles that broke upon impact. The Johto pseudo legendary felt himself ache but pushed on, not ready to give in.
Ash began to worry for his only Rock/Ground (at this moment) and held the ball in his hand, ready to recall him. Larvitar caught onto his trainer's actions but shook his head in refusal. Getting up, the Rock Skin Pokémon yelled to Growlithe, ready for more.
Ketchum nodded, put the ball away and decided to give Growlithe all he got. "Dark Pulse!"
Larvitar gave his Dark-type move all he had, hitting the Puppy Pokémon. An explosion occurred, sending Growlithe over to his side of the field. The Kanto canine was then revealed to have swirls for eyes.
"Growlithe is unable to battle, Larvitar is the winner!"
Ash let out a sigh of relief and praised the Rock Skin Pokémon for his work. The Rock/Ground type nodded with appreciation before shining blue. Larvitar began to morph, his cone beginning to split into three as four spikes appeared on the side of his face. His lower half has gained a cocoon which covered his whole body.
When the light died down, Larvitar was no longer present and out came Pupitar.
"Pupi!"
"Woah..." Ash was blown away by the evolution before using his Pokédex to scan Pupitar.
[Pupitar, the Hard Shell Pokémon and the evolved form of Larvitar. Even sealed in its shell, it can move freely. Hard and fast, it has outstanding destructive power.]
Putting up the device, Ash was proud to see Pupitar. He was on the path of becoming strong. Ash figured it must have been mostly the training from Mount Silver and his first few fights to make him evolve to be stronger.
"Great work Pupitar! Return for now," Ash said. The silver pupa made no attempts to rebel this time and returned to his Pokéball.
Morrison had already returned Growlithe, apologizing to him and grinned to himself. Fighting at his best was great and against a friend made him want to win. "Go, Swampert!"
The Hoenn Water starter appeared on the field with a fierce expression on his face. "Swamp!"
"Kingler, come back out!" The Kanto crustacean reappeared and snapped his pincer in response.
"Swampert, start with Ancient Power!" Morrison called. The blue amphibian let out a roar before shimmering white and sending fossils towards the crab.
"Block with Metal Claw!" Ash defended. Kingler swung his metallic pincer and shattered a few fossils before getting overwhelmed by the Rock-type move. Ketchum realized that the crustacean had probably a short time of recovery and was beginning to take its toll.
"Hammer Arm!" Swampert launched himself with white glowing arms before swinging down.
"Protect!" Ash quickly responded. Kingler managed to generate a green bubble and Protect himself from the Mud Fish Pokémon's attack. The Protect ended but Swampert remained close the Pincer Pokémon.
"Ice Punch!" The Hoenn Water/Ground-type punched the Kanto Water-type with an icy coat, nailing Kingler who was sliding away.
"Retaliate with Hidden Power!" The crustacean fired several orbs that struck the amphibian, who roared in pain.
Ash saw the crab moving slower as he was slowly losing energy from the Ice Punch and the earlier use of Ancient Power. Ketchum decided to make his last few attacks count. "Use Blizzard!"
Opening the large pincer, Kingler fired a chilling gust of wind that didn't stop the Mud Fish Pokémon.
Morrison made his attack, "Use Superpower!"
"Continue with Blizzard!" Ash countered.
Swampert managed to charge through with a red aura as Kingler added to the Ice-type move. The blue salamander continued to get through the storm and reached the crab. With a flex of his body, Kingler was knocked away and fell to the ground, unable to battle.
"Kingler is unable to battle, Swampert is the winner!"
Ash praised the Pincer Pokémon for his work before pulling out his next Pokémon.
"Go, Meganium!" The Herb Pokémon appeared and slammed into the ground while roaring, "Meg!"
"Hmmm," Brock said in the stands. "Meganium on an ice field. She won't have the traction to fight but she does have a type advantage over Swampert."
"What if that makes the battle harder for Ash?" May asked.
"I doubt it," Brock reassured, "Meganium has more range moves than physical. Even then, she is a major powerhouse in strength."
On the battlefield, Morrison took action. "Use Ice Punch!" The blue amphibian charged in with an icy fist, planning to punch the pale-green sauropod.
"Magical Leaf!" Meganium's flower neck unleashed several multicolored leaves that sliced at Swampert, dealing super effective damage.
"Now, Seed Bomb!" Ash said. She had picked up the attack from her new mate and Meganium was more than happy to oblige.
She reared her neck back before firing several explosive seed projectiles, bombarding the Mud Fish Pokémon nonstop. Faltering underneath the power, Swampert managed to stand and gave the sauropod a snarl.
"Swamp…"
Meganium met the snarl with a growl of her own, "Meg…"
"Use Muddy Water!" Swampert was on all-fours and generated a wave of brown water.
"Counter with Leaf Storm!" Meganium whipped up a spiral of leaves that clashed with Muddy Water as both attacks passed each other. Muddy Water splashed the Herb Pokémon as Leaf Storm blasted Swampert back. Both starters were sent to their trainers' side and managed to stand again.
"Meg/Pert!"
Ash went in for the finishing touch as Swampert had dealt with super-effective attacks, he was no doubt on his last legs. "Use Petal Dance!"
Morrison, for what could possibly be his last attack, shouted, "Swampert, Earthquake!" The Hoenn starter understood and with his last act, he slammed his two forelimbs in front, creating a tremor that cracked the field just before the onslaught of pink petals consumed the amphibian.
Meganium nearly slipped as the Ground-type took its effect on the field but managed to withstand the attack and saw the unconscious form of Swampert.
"Swampert is unable to battle, Meganium is the winner! Since Morrison has lost three Pokémon, we will have a five-minute intermission," the ref said.
Ash returned Meganium and left just like Morrison as the ice field descended.
Both trainers made it back to the field, now swapped to grass terrain.
"Trainers, choose your Pokémon!" the ref said.
Morrison pulled out his Pokéball, "Go, Steelix!" The steel serpent appeared and roared throughout the stadium.
"Tauros, I choose you!" Ash said, choosing the Normal-type bull who snorted at the size of his opponent. The bull mooed Intimidating Steelix with his ability.
"Battle begin!" the referee declared.
Morrison got the first attack this time, "Dragon Breath!"
The Iron Snake Pokémon unleashed a chartreuse green breeze from his mouth. The draconic breath headed straight towards the Wild Bull Pokémon.
"Dodge it and use Flamethrower!" Ash countered. The bull avoided the Dragon Breath and snorted a stream of flames towards the serpent.
"Dig!" The Steel/Ground-type burrowed immediately underground, avoiding the Fire-type move. Morrison thought he would have the upper hand as he cracked a smile…
"Earthquake!"
That stopped the grin from the Verdanturf Town native as the Normal-type slammed his hooves into the ground, creating a tremor. Said tremor damaged the underground Steelix until the serpent managed to come from underneath and strike the bovine.
Tauros grunted and pawed the ground, as if he was daring the Steel/Ground-type to try that again. Steelix gloated the bull and roared with a hint of smugness.
"Steelix, Iron Tail!" The metallic serpent's tail turned to a harder metal and slammed into the bull's hide.
"Now Crunch!" The Iron Snake Pokémon opened his jaw, lurching forward to Crunch the Wild Bull Pokémon.
"Protect!" Tauros was able to conjure a green shield that Protected him from Steelix's Crunch.
"Now Flamethrower quick!" Ash said. The bull snorted flames and managed to hit the disoriented snake from his position.
"Follow up with Zen Headbutt!" Tauros charged forward with a blue psychic glow around his body.
"Dragon Breath!" Steelix managed to recover and bellowed chartreuse green breath. The attack landed on the Wild Bull Pokémon but the Normal-type plowed through the pain.
"More power!" Morrison ordered and the Iron Snake Pokémon poured on more and more draconic energy. The increased power of the Dragon-type move caused Tauros to have a slower pace in his run.
"Go, Tauros!" Ash encouraged and Tauros mooed with all his might and leapt at Steelix, causing an explosion. The smoke and impact made both trainers cover their eyes before seeing the result.
Steelix had collapsed to the ground while Tauros was barely standing on his hooves.
"Steelix is unable to battle, Tauros is the winner!" The ref declared and the crowd went wild.
Ash let out a breath of relief as Tauros mooed in victory. Morrison recalled his fallen Pokémon before sending out his next Pokémon.
"Gligar, let's go!" The pink bat-scorpion flew in the air before seeing his opponent.
Ash made a quick command, "Use Rest!" Tauros bellowed before falling asleep, standing up. Green energy shimmered as the bull slept. "Return for now," he followed as he called back his bull.
"Why use Rest and then return?" Max asked Brock in the stands.
"Rest allows a Pokémon to recover but at the same time makes the Pokémon fall asleep. Ash must be going for a healthy Tauros so he can use him again," Brock deduced. "Unless the user has Sleep Talk, it's a risky play."
"Go, Meganium!" On the field, the Herb Pokémon appeared again and saw her Ground/Flying-type opponent.
"Gligar, Screech!" The Fang Scorpion Pokémon sent disorienting sound waves like Larvitar -now Pupitar- did earlier in the match. The sauropod cringed as the Screech hit her dead-on.
"Now, X-Scissor!" Gligar flew in with a crimson glow on his claws and landed a double slash on Meganium's hide.
"Leaf Storm!" The Johto Grass starter managed to unleash a flurry of leaves at the close Ground/Flying-type, and was hit but managed to regain altitude.
Ash knew that he wouldn't be able to land any super effective moves on Gligar given how he is a part Flying-type. But he planned to make progress one way or another.
"Poison Jab!" the Verdanturf native said with an emphasis.
The bat-scorpion hybrid quickly flew in with a dark purple claw and planned to jab the sauropod in the flank.
Ash took immediate action, "Sunny Day!" The Herb Pokémon roared as the sunlight grew harsh. The Fang Scorpion Pokémon jabbed at the sauropod but there was no purple hue on the Johto starter.
Ketchum let out a sigh of relief. He recently learned that Meganium has the ability Leaf Guard, which makes her immune to status effects when Sunny Day is present. He made an advance, "Magical Leaf!"
Meganium summoned multicolored leaves and flung them, striking Gligar at close range. "Seed Bomb!" She made her next assault, spewing large energy seeds that exploded as the Fang Scorpion Pokémon weaved through.
"X-Scissor again!" Gligar managed to nail another crimson X on Meganium, the receiver cringing in pain from the Bug-type attack. She nearly dropped as she was taking nonstop damage from super-effective attacks.
Ash saw this and planned to wrap this up and let her get a few more hits. "Petal Dance!" Meganium's flowers flapped before releasing pink energy petals that swirled and nailed Gligar.
"Alright, Gligar! Let's finish this! Aerial Ace!" Morrison cheered.
The Fang Scorpion flew in with white streaks covering his entire frame and slammed head-first into the Herb Pokémon. The pale-green sauropod cried out in pain as she fell to the ground with swirls in her eyes.
"Meganium is unable to battle, Gligar is the winner!"
Ash praised Meganium for her hard work before drawing another Pokéball, "Swellow, I choose you!"
The Swallow Pokémon looped in the air before seeing his opponent. Both Flying-types eyed and circled one another before getting commands were issued.
"End this quickly with Guillotine!" Morrison ordered. Gligar's pincers glowed with a silver aura and flew in to deliver a quick OHKO move.
"Hidden Power!" Ash countered. Swellow generated several glowing orbs before firing them. The Hidden Power smashed into the Ground/Flying-type, interrupting Guillotine.
"Gar!" The bat-scorpion hybrid cried in pain from the super effective Hidden Power before regaining his altitude.
"Use Secret Power!" The Swallow Pokémon glowed purple before ramming into the Fly Scorpion Pokémon, sending the purple hybrid down and sleeping.
"Gligar!" Morrison cried out, the Ground/Flying type now sleeping in the air.
"Wait, how did Secret Power do that?" Max asked Brock.
"Secret Power works differently depending on the terrain. Most of the time though, it can cause paralysis. However on the grass field, it can cause a sleeping ailment," Brock explained.
"Aerial Ace!" Swellow flew with precision, striking the sleeping Gligar out of the air.
"Iron Tail!" Morrison yelled. To his luck, the Fly-Scorpion managed to turn his tail to steel but missed due to the drowsiness.
"Go for Hidden Power again!" Ash said. The Hoenn regional bird fired several orbs again, striking the bat-scorpion hybrid again.
"Now, Air Slash!" Swellow flapped his wings, sending air-fueled crescent blades, continuously striking Gligar all over.
"Gligar, please wake up!" the Verdanturf native pleaded. There was a brief movement in the Fly Scorpion's eyebrows as the eyelids opened up slowly.
"Now finish it with Aerial Ace!" The Swallow Pokémon dove in with white streaks all over and nailed Gligar. Which made the bat-scorpion open his eyes, now awake.
"Gli!"
Morrison cheered, "Alright, Gligar! Steel Wing!" The Fly-Scorpion Pokémon gained altitude once again and flew in with metallic covered wings.
"Swellow, again!" Both Pokémon collided, creating a mid-air explosion. The bird flew back, a bit injured while the bat-scorpion plummeted down, no doubt unconscious from all of the previous attacks he took while asleep.
"Gligar is unable to battle, Swellow is the winner!"
"Ash is in the lead with four Pokémon! Three revealed and one a mystery! Will Morrison be able to make a comeback?!" the announcer said.
Returning Gligar to his Pokéball, Morrison took a deep breath and grinned. "All up to you. Go, Metang!"
Morrison's last Pokémon appeared and floated before banging its claws together, "Tang!"
"Steady, Swellow," Ash said to his Pokémon. He knew that his chances of taking down Metang would take a while. So he decided to make it worth it.
"Let's start strong! Secret Power!" Swellow glowed purple and charged in.
Morrison smirked, "Not this time! Metang, dodge and use Ice Punch!"
The Iron Claw Pokémon evaded the attack and landed a chilling punch onto the Swallow Pokémon. The attack did its work since the bird had been tired from his previous battle.
"Swellow is unable to battle, Metang is the winner!"
Ash returned the bird before bringing out his choice, "Go, Tauros!" The Wild Bull Pokémon appeared but like the Ground/Flying-type before he was snoozing. Now Ash could only hope his sleeping Pokémon would wake up now.
"Take Down!" Morrison had Metang already took off and on the bovine's path.
"Tauros, use Flamethrower!" the bull was fast asleep and the Iron Claw Pokémon just rammed him. The impact sent the bovine skidding away.
"Flamethrower again!" Ash called. This time Tauros managed to snort a torrent of flames at the second stage Hoenn pseudo legendary. Metang cried in pain before floating back.
"Use Confusion!" The Steel/Psychic-type's eyes flashed blue and a wave of psychic energy pushed the bull back.
Ash grit his teeth in frustration. If he sent out Pupitar, he would most likely get clobbered. But he was sure his final choice would work so he needed Tauros to put in some work too.
"Tauros, wake up!" Ketchum yelled. The bull opened his eyes instantly and narrowed them out the sight of the pseudo legendary. While he had recovered, now he had taken some damage and was ready for some payback.
Ash let out a breath of relief and made his next play, "Use Assurance!" Covered in a black aura, Tauros charged and nailed Metang.
"Follow up with Zen Headbutt!/Meteor Mash!" both moves were shouted at the same time and the Pokémon took off, the bull covered in psychic energy and the pseudo legendary with silver. Both met and kicked up dust before an explosion went off at the sheer power.
Tauros was sent flying back as Metang floated back but managed to hold on. The Wild Bull Pokémon landed on his side and was revealed to be unconscious.
"Tauros is unable to battle, Metang is the winner!"
"And now that Metang is on the field, Morrison is sweeping through Ash's team! With Pupitar being weak to Steel, it's most likely that Ash will send out his last choice! Or maybe the return of his newly evolved Pokémon?!" the announcer said to draw attention about the battle's conclusion.
Ash retrieved the leader of the herd and pulled out his last Pokémon. "Let's do this! Snorlax, I choose you!" The Kanto giant appeared and stood tall against the pseudo legendary.
"Snorlax?" the Maple siblings said with surprise.
"Don't sell Snorlax short," Brock commented, "He can take hits and deal the same amount of damage to. He's definitely one of Ash's powerhouses."
Morrison looked at Snorlax in surprise before taking action, "Take Down!" Outlined in an orange aura, Metang charged forward.
"Mega Kick!" Snorlax launched with a glowing foot and met the pseudo legendary in a stalemate. Each powerhouse glared at each other before breaking apart, Metang sparking with recoil.
"Superpower!" the Sleeping Pokémon surrounded himself with a red aura and pummeled the Iron Claw Pokémon relentlessly.
"Iron Defense then Confusion!" Metang shimmered with a silver coat, increasing his defense, then its eyes turned blue and a wave of psychic energy blasted Snorlax. The slumbering giant stood his ground.
"Double-Edge!" The Normal-type giant rushed with energy surrounding him and plowed into the Steel/Psychic-type. Snorlax sparked from the recoil damage but managed to survive it.
"Pour everything you have into Meteor Mash!" Morrison claimed to end the battle. Metang swirled with a silver aura and planned to plow Snorlax again.
"Alright Snorlax, last wrap this battle!" Ash declared. He punched the air for emphasis in his next move, "Earthquake!"
Snorlax stomped the ground, sending a tremor that shook the pseudo legendary and halted his rushdown. "Now Fire Punch!" The Sleeping Pokémon's fist gained fire and punched the Iron Claw Pokémon directly.
The Ground-type and Fire-type move sent Metang crashing across the field and skidded to a halt that kicked up so much dust. When the dust cloud finally disappeared, it was revealed that it was unable to battle.
"Metang is unable to battle, Snorlax is the winner! And since Morrison is out of Pokémon, Ash is the winner!" the referee declared.
Ash ran onto the field and gave his Snorlax a hug, despite his size, "Awesome job out there, Snorlax!"
"Lax…" the giant said, proud of his work and knew he would be given a treat for today's battle.
"You were great out there, Metang," Morrison addressed before returning his ace Pokémon. He and Ash met in the middle and shook hands with each other.
"Glad I got a chance to battle you, Ash," the Verdanturf native said.
"The feeling is mutual," Ash replied. Sure fighting a friend isn't easy, but it would make a trainer better. That's something Ash knew from multiple experiences.
"I'll be watching on the sidelines for now. Hoping you will win it all!" Morrison declared.
Once again, the Top 8 of the Ever Grande Conference stare at the screen, waiting for their opponent to reveal themselves. Coming to a stop, Ash grinned.
His next match was against Tyson.
"Hey, Ash!" his opponent said. Ash turned his attention to the brunette. "Let's battle with no regrets tomorrow!" Tyson declared.
Ash's grin grew bigger. "Wouldn't dream of it!" He was determined to beat the trainer. Pikachu and Meowth shared the same look as their trainers. They wanted to battle again and with everything they got.
A/N: Finally got this chapter. Sorry for delay, college has me on a leash this semester. Still working on monthly updates but can't promise if it stays true.