"Chapter 4: Round 1-Ash vs. Dash"
Ash buckled up his belt, complete with five PokéBalls on it. He put on his lucky hat, slid into his favorite jacket, and walked out of his room into the bright sunshine. Today was the today. Today was his day. He looked at the smiling faces of his friends and family, all happy for him and what they knew he had the chance to accomplish.
"Ready Ash?" Misty asked.
"I've never been more ready for anything in my entire life," Ash said. "Let's do this."
*****
Ash said goodbye to his mom, May, Professor Oak, and Gary, as they left to take their seats in the stands to watch him compete. Misty and Brock would be joining him on the field as coaches. They entered the stadium and walked around for a bit, seeing the sights. Vendors selling expensive food and souvenirs, children were running around playing, anxious for the match to begin, and other trainers having friendly matches. Ash looked at his watch and noticed he still had another 15 minutes or so until he had to be in the Trainer's box, ready for the match.
"Hey, you must be Ash," someone said from behind them. They turned around to see a young man, about Ash's age, tossing a PokéBall up and down. He had a very smug look on his face.
"That's right, and who are you?" Ash asked.
"I'm Dash," he said. "Dash Dexter. You know, your first round opponent. I thought you would have known that already. Don't you study up on the competition?"
"Well, um," Ash stuttered, searching for an answer. He had spent too much time studying the rules last night and forgot to even study up on his opponent.
"Yeah, I thought as much," Dash said. "From the information I gathered from your bio, I didn't expect you were the brightest trainer at the tournament."
"Hey, take that back!"
"I'd rather not, thanks. I'm sure even you would know that they key to any victory is to know more about your opponent than they know about themselves."
"Well I've won two different League Championships, I must know something. How many have you won?"
"Three, not that I like to brag."
Ash was growing more and more annoyed at Dash. "Who does this guy think he is?" Ash thought to himself. "I'm going to wipe the floor with him!"
"Well, I've spent far too much time talking to a loser such as yourself," said Dash. "In about 10 minutes, victory is as good as mine. See ya!"
With that, Dash walked off to prepare for the match, leaving Ash fuming.
"I hope you beat that creep," Misty said.
"Pika!" Pikachu said, agreeing with Misty.
"Don't worry, I will," Ash said, trying to cool down and refocus his attention where it should be. "Let's get to the field."
*****
"Welcome Poké-fans from all corners of the world!" the PA announcer shouted to the screaming crowd packed inside the stadium to view the upcoming Pokémon match. "We've got a great match-up for you today! Please give a warm welcome to a champion of both the Orange and Hoenn Leagues. A representative of the Kanto region, Ash Ketchum!"
Ash walked onto the field from the tunnel beneath the stands, waving his hands to all the people in the crowd who were cheering loudly. He was followed closely by Misty, Brock, and Pikachu.
"Look at all my adoring fans!" Ash exclaimed.
"I think you better come back down to earth," Misty said. "Focus on the match, sweetie."
Ash took his spot in the Trainer's box; a rectangular area marked off for the trainer to stand in during the match. Pikachu joined him. Misty and Brock sat behind him on the coach's bench.
"And now," the PA announcer continued, "please, give it up to a guy who's won not one, not two, but three League Championships! Champion of the Indigo, Johto, and Hoenn Leagues, and another Kanto contender, here's Dash Dexter!"
Dash entered on the other side of the stadium. He took his spot and crossed his arms, with that same smug look on his face. He was ready for this, just as Ash was.
"Here are the rules for this Round 1 match," the referee announced to both trainers. "Each trainer will be allowed only three Pokémon a piece in this battle, and will use only one Pokémon at a time. However, trainers are not allowed to switch their Pokémon at any point. Each Pokémon will fight until it faints. Trainers, choose your Pokémon now."
"Pikachu, you're up first buddy," Ash said. Pikachu quickly ran to the center of the field, taking its place near the center circle, ready to battle.
"Go!" Dash shouted, tossing a PokéBall out onto the floor several feet before Pikachu. It opened, and Dash's Pokémon materialized out of it.
"Wobbuffet!" it said.
"Wobbuffet?!" a very surprised Ash said.
"Interesting," Brock commented.
"Trainers ready?" the referee asked. "Let the battle begin!"
Ash hesitated, trying to figure out what kind of strategy he was going to use for this one. He knew Wobbuffets were tricky to battle against, so he'd have to play it careful.
"Well, what are you waiting for?" Dash asked. "I'm the one with the Wobbuffet! You have to attack first!"
"Pikachu, Thundershock!" Ash quickly said, tired of hearing Dash's annoying voice. He knew this gambit would be risky, but he'd have to try it. Pikachu fired its electric attack directly at Dash's Wobbuffet.
"Wobbuffet, use Mirror Coat!" ordered Dash. Wobbuffet raised a protective shield around itself, and when Pikachu's attack struck it, it was sent flying back right at Pikachu,
"Look out!" Ash shouted, but it was already too late as Pikachu's attack, now with doubled power, came soaring right back at Pikachu, striking the electric mouse and sending it backwards.
"Ash, you better not try that again," Brock advised.
"I know, Ash said. "There's no overpowering a Wobbuffet. Pikachu, we've got to outsmart it."
"Pika-Pi-Pikachu," Pikachu said, nodding in agreement after getting back to its feet. Pikachu ran off at full speed towards Wobbuffet.
"Counter it, Wobbuffet!" Dash yelled. Wobbuffet raised its counter shield, ready for Pikachu to attack. Pikachu kept charging at full-speed.
"What an idiot," Dash thought. "He walking right into it!"
"Pikachu, now!" Ash yelled. Pikachu, who was now almost at Wobbuffet, leapt into the air, jumping right over the blue-colored Psychic-type. Pikachu landed on the ground behind Dash's Pokémon, and noticed there was a weak spot behind it, as Wobbuffet's counter shield only protected its front.
"No!" Dash shouted.
"Yes!" Ash shouted back. "Pikachu, Thunderbolt!"
Pikachu fired a huge bolt of lightning right at Wobbuffet's back, sending Wobbuffet falling over face-first into the ground. Pikachu continued to shock it until it could take no more.
"Wobbuffet is unable to battle!" the referee announced. "Pikachu is the winner!"
"Alright!" Ash shouted, jumping up into the air and pumping his fist.
"What a stunning move by Masters Tournament rookie Ash Ketchum!" the announcer said. "He completely surprised Dash with that one!"
"Wobbuffet, return!" Dash yelled, extremely upset and irritated as he recalled his Pokémon. "I let you off easy on that one. I won't make that mistake this time. Go, Aggron!"
Dash threw out another PokéBall, and the large, imposing figure of Aggron appeared from it. Ash's triumphs of joy quickly turned into feelings of dread. Misty and Brock felt the same way as they saw the huge Pokémon towering over Ash's Pikachu.
"Dash is now going with Aggron," said the announcer. "Will Pikachu be able to take on this massive Steel and Rock-type goliath?"
"Aggron, Earthquake!" Dash commanded. Aggron lifted up its massive foot, bringing it hard to the ground. The whole stadium began to shake, and a massive tremor was sent right at Pikachu.
"Pikachu, get out of there!" Ash yelled, but it was too late. Aggron's attack connected with Pikachu, sending the small electric-type flying into the air, badly injured. Ash ran out of the Trainer's box to his left and dove to catch Pikachu before his Pokémon could hit the ground.
"Pikachu, are okay?" Ash asked, concerned over the well being of his very first Pokémon.
"Pika-chu....," Pikachu said weakly, barely able to move.
"Pikachu has been defeated," the referee shouted. "Victory goes to Aggron!"
"Poor Pikachu," Delia said as she, May, Professor Oak, and Gary watched from the stands to the right of Ash.
"Taken down on the word go!" the announcer yelled. "The match is now tied with one Pokémon on each side now defeated. Let's see what move Ash makes next!"
Ash walked over to Misty and gave her Pikachu. Misty could tell how upset Ash was as she watched him slowly walk back to the Trainer's box. The fire she saw in his eyes was unlike any she had ever seen before.
"Masters Tournaments aren't for small and weak Pokémon," Dash said. "You're playing with the big boys now, Ash."
Ash clenched his fist, his anger growing inside. He tried his best to hold it in, but something inside him had snapped. He wouldn't stand for anyone insulting Pikachu like that.
"So you wanna play with the big boys, huh?" Ash said. "Well they don't get much bigger than this! Go, Snorlax!"
Ash called forth the massive Normal-type from its PokéBall. It materialized, lying on its back in front of Aggron. It slowly got up to is feet, still groggy from just waking up.
"Well, I take it back," Dash said. "You do actually have a decent Pokémon. It's still no match for Aggron, though."
"We'll see," Ash said, with his confidence evident in his voice
"Ash has sent out his own heavyweight in Snorlax," said the announcer. "This match is just starting to heat up, so don't go anywhere folks!"
"Take it out now!" Dash ordered.
Aggron rushed at Snorlax. Snorlax looked just in time to get its hands up and grab Aggron's incoming claws of steel. The Pokémon tried pushing each other back and forth, neither one moving more than an inch backward. Their strength was about even, and both trainers knew a shoving match was not going to decide this one.
"Snorlax, try and toss it!" Ash ordered. Snorlax summoned all its strength and grabbed Aggron underneath is arms, slowly lifting it up above its head. It struggled to hold the extremely heavy Pokémon.
"Aggron, Iron Tail!" Dash yelled. Aggron spun out of Snorlax's hold, nailing the sleepy giant with its huge tail as it tumbled to the ground, sending Snorlax to the dirt as well. Both Pokémon were slow to get back up.
"Get in there and pummel it!" said Dash. Aggron ran over to the vulnerable Snorlax and began to launch a volley of punching attacks at Snorlax's massive gut. Snorlax put its arms in front of itself, trying to shield itself slightly from the strong punches, but it was still taking a lot of damage.
"Two can play that game," Ash said. "Snorlax, use your Dynamic Punch!"
Ash's Pokémon ducked under one of Aggron's punches and landed one of its own on Aggron's jaw, temporarily stunning it. Snorlax then reeled back and let loose its Dynamic Punch, hitting Aggron right in the midsection and sending it flying backwards. Aggron landed hard on its back. It stumbled to its feet, walking around woozy from the confusing effects of the Dynamic Punch. It soon became too disoriented to stand, and fell over again. Aggron didn't bother to try and get up again.
"Aggron is unable to continue," the referee announced. "Snorlax wins!"
"And with one massive blow, Ash's Snorlax takes out Dash's Aggron!" the announcer shouted. "Dash only has one Pokémon left, so he better make it count!"
"You asked for it," Dash said, calling back Aggron and holding up his next PokéBall. "No more games. Go!"
Dash tossed the ball out onto the field, and it popped open, releasing a Kabutops.
"W-what?" Ash said, a little stunned. "Where in the world did you get a Kabutops?"
"None of your business," Dash snorted back. "Now let's fight."
"Fine then," Ash said. "Come on, Snorlax, let's end this now!"
"Kabutops, Slash attack!" ordered Dash. Kabutops lunged at Snorlax, slashing at it with its razor-sharp blades located on the ends of its arms. Snorlax used its sturdy arms to help shield itself again. Kabutops began to move quicker, jumping to one side of Snorlax, taking a slash, then moving to another side. It was far too fast for the less-than-speedy Snorlax to keep up with.
"Ash, do something!" Misty shouted. "Don't let Snorlax just get cut to pieces out there!"
"What can I do?!" Ash said, growing anxious. "Kabutops is way too fast for it, and I can't switch Snorlax out!"
Kabutops continued its massive blade assault, leaving Snorlax little or no time to defend. Snorlax started to wear down from its injures, shifting from side to side as it began to lose its balance. Kabutops took a quick slash at Snorlax's right leg, causing to massive Pokémon to begin to fall over. When Kabutops looked up, it noticed Snorlax was going to fall in its direction!
"Get out of there!" Dash shouted. However, there was no time left, as Snorlax fell over right on top of Kabutops, squashing it. When Snorlax rolled over, the ref could see that the flat-as-a-pancake Kabutops was in no shape to keep battling.
"Kabutops is no longer able to battle!" the ref shouted. "The winner is Ash Ketchum!"
"What a stunning upset!" the announcer yelled. "In his first Masters Tournament battle, Ash Ketchum has scored a surprising victory against Dash Dexter! I think we can expect great things from this young man as he moves on into Round 2."
Dash could only stand there in shock. He couldn't believe his eyes. Couldn't believe what just happened. For the first time he was left without anything to say. He simply recalled Kabutops and walked off the field, dejected.
"We did it," Ash said, who also was having a little trouble believing how he just won. "We did it!"
Ash ran up to give Pikachu and Misty a hug, and Brock gave him a pat on the back for a job well done.
"We did it," Ash said again, breathing a little sigh of relief. It was over. He had won his first victory. No more nervousness, and no more anxiety. It was close, but he knew he could do this now. Ash looked up into the crowd to find his friends and family, but instead saw someone else eyeing him. It was the man he ran into his first day on the island. The man simply smiled at him, and turned and walked out of the stands. Ash ignored him, and saw who he was looking for.
"Yay, he won!" Delia Ketchum shouted as she cheered on her son, with May right next to her and cheering loudly as well. The Professor smiled and clapped, and Gary simply nodded his head.
"One down, six to go," Ash said.
Ash buckled up his belt, complete with five PokéBalls on it. He put on his lucky hat, slid into his favorite jacket, and walked out of his room into the bright sunshine. Today was the today. Today was his day. He looked at the smiling faces of his friends and family, all happy for him and what they knew he had the chance to accomplish.
"Ready Ash?" Misty asked.
"I've never been more ready for anything in my entire life," Ash said. "Let's do this."
*****
Ash said goodbye to his mom, May, Professor Oak, and Gary, as they left to take their seats in the stands to watch him compete. Misty and Brock would be joining him on the field as coaches. They entered the stadium and walked around for a bit, seeing the sights. Vendors selling expensive food and souvenirs, children were running around playing, anxious for the match to begin, and other trainers having friendly matches. Ash looked at his watch and noticed he still had another 15 minutes or so until he had to be in the Trainer's box, ready for the match.
"Hey, you must be Ash," someone said from behind them. They turned around to see a young man, about Ash's age, tossing a PokéBall up and down. He had a very smug look on his face.
"That's right, and who are you?" Ash asked.
"I'm Dash," he said. "Dash Dexter. You know, your first round opponent. I thought you would have known that already. Don't you study up on the competition?"
"Well, um," Ash stuttered, searching for an answer. He had spent too much time studying the rules last night and forgot to even study up on his opponent.
"Yeah, I thought as much," Dash said. "From the information I gathered from your bio, I didn't expect you were the brightest trainer at the tournament."
"Hey, take that back!"
"I'd rather not, thanks. I'm sure even you would know that they key to any victory is to know more about your opponent than they know about themselves."
"Well I've won two different League Championships, I must know something. How many have you won?"
"Three, not that I like to brag."
Ash was growing more and more annoyed at Dash. "Who does this guy think he is?" Ash thought to himself. "I'm going to wipe the floor with him!"
"Well, I've spent far too much time talking to a loser such as yourself," said Dash. "In about 10 minutes, victory is as good as mine. See ya!"
With that, Dash walked off to prepare for the match, leaving Ash fuming.
"I hope you beat that creep," Misty said.
"Pika!" Pikachu said, agreeing with Misty.
"Don't worry, I will," Ash said, trying to cool down and refocus his attention where it should be. "Let's get to the field."
*****
"Welcome Poké-fans from all corners of the world!" the PA announcer shouted to the screaming crowd packed inside the stadium to view the upcoming Pokémon match. "We've got a great match-up for you today! Please give a warm welcome to a champion of both the Orange and Hoenn Leagues. A representative of the Kanto region, Ash Ketchum!"
Ash walked onto the field from the tunnel beneath the stands, waving his hands to all the people in the crowd who were cheering loudly. He was followed closely by Misty, Brock, and Pikachu.
"Look at all my adoring fans!" Ash exclaimed.
"I think you better come back down to earth," Misty said. "Focus on the match, sweetie."
Ash took his spot in the Trainer's box; a rectangular area marked off for the trainer to stand in during the match. Pikachu joined him. Misty and Brock sat behind him on the coach's bench.
"And now," the PA announcer continued, "please, give it up to a guy who's won not one, not two, but three League Championships! Champion of the Indigo, Johto, and Hoenn Leagues, and another Kanto contender, here's Dash Dexter!"
Dash entered on the other side of the stadium. He took his spot and crossed his arms, with that same smug look on his face. He was ready for this, just as Ash was.
"Here are the rules for this Round 1 match," the referee announced to both trainers. "Each trainer will be allowed only three Pokémon a piece in this battle, and will use only one Pokémon at a time. However, trainers are not allowed to switch their Pokémon at any point. Each Pokémon will fight until it faints. Trainers, choose your Pokémon now."
"Pikachu, you're up first buddy," Ash said. Pikachu quickly ran to the center of the field, taking its place near the center circle, ready to battle.
"Go!" Dash shouted, tossing a PokéBall out onto the floor several feet before Pikachu. It opened, and Dash's Pokémon materialized out of it.
"Wobbuffet!" it said.
"Wobbuffet?!" a very surprised Ash said.
"Interesting," Brock commented.
"Trainers ready?" the referee asked. "Let the battle begin!"
Ash hesitated, trying to figure out what kind of strategy he was going to use for this one. He knew Wobbuffets were tricky to battle against, so he'd have to play it careful.
"Well, what are you waiting for?" Dash asked. "I'm the one with the Wobbuffet! You have to attack first!"
"Pikachu, Thundershock!" Ash quickly said, tired of hearing Dash's annoying voice. He knew this gambit would be risky, but he'd have to try it. Pikachu fired its electric attack directly at Dash's Wobbuffet.
"Wobbuffet, use Mirror Coat!" ordered Dash. Wobbuffet raised a protective shield around itself, and when Pikachu's attack struck it, it was sent flying back right at Pikachu,
"Look out!" Ash shouted, but it was already too late as Pikachu's attack, now with doubled power, came soaring right back at Pikachu, striking the electric mouse and sending it backwards.
"Ash, you better not try that again," Brock advised.
"I know, Ash said. "There's no overpowering a Wobbuffet. Pikachu, we've got to outsmart it."
"Pika-Pi-Pikachu," Pikachu said, nodding in agreement after getting back to its feet. Pikachu ran off at full speed towards Wobbuffet.
"Counter it, Wobbuffet!" Dash yelled. Wobbuffet raised its counter shield, ready for Pikachu to attack. Pikachu kept charging at full-speed.
"What an idiot," Dash thought. "He walking right into it!"
"Pikachu, now!" Ash yelled. Pikachu, who was now almost at Wobbuffet, leapt into the air, jumping right over the blue-colored Psychic-type. Pikachu landed on the ground behind Dash's Pokémon, and noticed there was a weak spot behind it, as Wobbuffet's counter shield only protected its front.
"No!" Dash shouted.
"Yes!" Ash shouted back. "Pikachu, Thunderbolt!"
Pikachu fired a huge bolt of lightning right at Wobbuffet's back, sending Wobbuffet falling over face-first into the ground. Pikachu continued to shock it until it could take no more.
"Wobbuffet is unable to battle!" the referee announced. "Pikachu is the winner!"
"Alright!" Ash shouted, jumping up into the air and pumping his fist.
"What a stunning move by Masters Tournament rookie Ash Ketchum!" the announcer said. "He completely surprised Dash with that one!"
"Wobbuffet, return!" Dash yelled, extremely upset and irritated as he recalled his Pokémon. "I let you off easy on that one. I won't make that mistake this time. Go, Aggron!"
Dash threw out another PokéBall, and the large, imposing figure of Aggron appeared from it. Ash's triumphs of joy quickly turned into feelings of dread. Misty and Brock felt the same way as they saw the huge Pokémon towering over Ash's Pikachu.
"Dash is now going with Aggron," said the announcer. "Will Pikachu be able to take on this massive Steel and Rock-type goliath?"
"Aggron, Earthquake!" Dash commanded. Aggron lifted up its massive foot, bringing it hard to the ground. The whole stadium began to shake, and a massive tremor was sent right at Pikachu.
"Pikachu, get out of there!" Ash yelled, but it was too late. Aggron's attack connected with Pikachu, sending the small electric-type flying into the air, badly injured. Ash ran out of the Trainer's box to his left and dove to catch Pikachu before his Pokémon could hit the ground.
"Pikachu, are okay?" Ash asked, concerned over the well being of his very first Pokémon.
"Pika-chu....," Pikachu said weakly, barely able to move.
"Pikachu has been defeated," the referee shouted. "Victory goes to Aggron!"
"Poor Pikachu," Delia said as she, May, Professor Oak, and Gary watched from the stands to the right of Ash.
"Taken down on the word go!" the announcer yelled. "The match is now tied with one Pokémon on each side now defeated. Let's see what move Ash makes next!"
Ash walked over to Misty and gave her Pikachu. Misty could tell how upset Ash was as she watched him slowly walk back to the Trainer's box. The fire she saw in his eyes was unlike any she had ever seen before.
"Masters Tournaments aren't for small and weak Pokémon," Dash said. "You're playing with the big boys now, Ash."
Ash clenched his fist, his anger growing inside. He tried his best to hold it in, but something inside him had snapped. He wouldn't stand for anyone insulting Pikachu like that.
"So you wanna play with the big boys, huh?" Ash said. "Well they don't get much bigger than this! Go, Snorlax!"
Ash called forth the massive Normal-type from its PokéBall. It materialized, lying on its back in front of Aggron. It slowly got up to is feet, still groggy from just waking up.
"Well, I take it back," Dash said. "You do actually have a decent Pokémon. It's still no match for Aggron, though."
"We'll see," Ash said, with his confidence evident in his voice
"Ash has sent out his own heavyweight in Snorlax," said the announcer. "This match is just starting to heat up, so don't go anywhere folks!"
"Take it out now!" Dash ordered.
Aggron rushed at Snorlax. Snorlax looked just in time to get its hands up and grab Aggron's incoming claws of steel. The Pokémon tried pushing each other back and forth, neither one moving more than an inch backward. Their strength was about even, and both trainers knew a shoving match was not going to decide this one.
"Snorlax, try and toss it!" Ash ordered. Snorlax summoned all its strength and grabbed Aggron underneath is arms, slowly lifting it up above its head. It struggled to hold the extremely heavy Pokémon.
"Aggron, Iron Tail!" Dash yelled. Aggron spun out of Snorlax's hold, nailing the sleepy giant with its huge tail as it tumbled to the ground, sending Snorlax to the dirt as well. Both Pokémon were slow to get back up.
"Get in there and pummel it!" said Dash. Aggron ran over to the vulnerable Snorlax and began to launch a volley of punching attacks at Snorlax's massive gut. Snorlax put its arms in front of itself, trying to shield itself slightly from the strong punches, but it was still taking a lot of damage.
"Two can play that game," Ash said. "Snorlax, use your Dynamic Punch!"
Ash's Pokémon ducked under one of Aggron's punches and landed one of its own on Aggron's jaw, temporarily stunning it. Snorlax then reeled back and let loose its Dynamic Punch, hitting Aggron right in the midsection and sending it flying backwards. Aggron landed hard on its back. It stumbled to its feet, walking around woozy from the confusing effects of the Dynamic Punch. It soon became too disoriented to stand, and fell over again. Aggron didn't bother to try and get up again.
"Aggron is unable to continue," the referee announced. "Snorlax wins!"
"And with one massive blow, Ash's Snorlax takes out Dash's Aggron!" the announcer shouted. "Dash only has one Pokémon left, so he better make it count!"
"You asked for it," Dash said, calling back Aggron and holding up his next PokéBall. "No more games. Go!"
Dash tossed the ball out onto the field, and it popped open, releasing a Kabutops.
"W-what?" Ash said, a little stunned. "Where in the world did you get a Kabutops?"
"None of your business," Dash snorted back. "Now let's fight."
"Fine then," Ash said. "Come on, Snorlax, let's end this now!"
"Kabutops, Slash attack!" ordered Dash. Kabutops lunged at Snorlax, slashing at it with its razor-sharp blades located on the ends of its arms. Snorlax used its sturdy arms to help shield itself again. Kabutops began to move quicker, jumping to one side of Snorlax, taking a slash, then moving to another side. It was far too fast for the less-than-speedy Snorlax to keep up with.
"Ash, do something!" Misty shouted. "Don't let Snorlax just get cut to pieces out there!"
"What can I do?!" Ash said, growing anxious. "Kabutops is way too fast for it, and I can't switch Snorlax out!"
Kabutops continued its massive blade assault, leaving Snorlax little or no time to defend. Snorlax started to wear down from its injures, shifting from side to side as it began to lose its balance. Kabutops took a quick slash at Snorlax's right leg, causing to massive Pokémon to begin to fall over. When Kabutops looked up, it noticed Snorlax was going to fall in its direction!
"Get out of there!" Dash shouted. However, there was no time left, as Snorlax fell over right on top of Kabutops, squashing it. When Snorlax rolled over, the ref could see that the flat-as-a-pancake Kabutops was in no shape to keep battling.
"Kabutops is no longer able to battle!" the ref shouted. "The winner is Ash Ketchum!"
"What a stunning upset!" the announcer yelled. "In his first Masters Tournament battle, Ash Ketchum has scored a surprising victory against Dash Dexter! I think we can expect great things from this young man as he moves on into Round 2."
Dash could only stand there in shock. He couldn't believe his eyes. Couldn't believe what just happened. For the first time he was left without anything to say. He simply recalled Kabutops and walked off the field, dejected.
"We did it," Ash said, who also was having a little trouble believing how he just won. "We did it!"
Ash ran up to give Pikachu and Misty a hug, and Brock gave him a pat on the back for a job well done.
"We did it," Ash said again, breathing a little sigh of relief. It was over. He had won his first victory. No more nervousness, and no more anxiety. It was close, but he knew he could do this now. Ash looked up into the crowd to find his friends and family, but instead saw someone else eyeing him. It was the man he ran into his first day on the island. The man simply smiled at him, and turned and walked out of the stands. Ash ignored him, and saw who he was looking for.
"Yay, he won!" Delia Ketchum shouted as she cheered on her son, with May right next to her and cheering loudly as well. The Professor smiled and clapped, and Gary simply nodded his head.
"One down, six to go," Ash said.