After participating in the Kalos League, Ash decides to go to the Nessada region with his friends. Along the way, they face some unexpected events which will change the life of some of them.
Ch.35: Ash vs Barry
After Trip, Brock and Tobias eliminated Iris, Clemont and Dawn, it was now time for the last battle in the fifth round where Ash will face Barry.
"The Pokemon battle between Ash from Pallet Town and Barry from Twinleaf Town will now begin," said the referee. "Each trainer will use 6 Pokemon and the battle will be over when all six Pokemon on one side are unable to continue. Are the trainers ready?"
"Ready," said both Ash and Barry.
"Send out your first Pokemon," said the referee.
"Empoleon, let's go," said Barry as he brought out his starter Pokemon.
"Infernape, I choose you," said Ash as brought out his Sinnoh fire/fighting–type.
"Ash starts this match with Infernape and Barry sends out his Empoleon," said Freddy. "We've got some quite match–ups."
"Infernape is a fire/fighting–type and Empoleon is water/steel–type," said Selena. "I think Infernape has the advantage as Empoleon's steel–type attacks won't do much damage on Infernape while Infernape's fire–type attacks will do normal damage, but Infernape is weak against Empoleon's water–type attacks and Empoleon is weak against Infernape's fighting–type attacks," said Selena. "It's hard to tell who's going to win."
"Let the battle begin," said the referee.
"Infernape, let's start with Focus Blast," said Ash.
"Empoleon, counter it with Water Pulse and then use Hydro Cannon," said Barry. Both Pokemon fired their attacks which collided in the middle of the battle field, but then Empoleon fired a Hydro Cannon which was going towards Infernape with full speed.
"Infernape, dodge it with Dig and use Flare Blitz from underground," said Ash. Luckily, Infernape was fast enough and went underground at last second and heated up the battle field with Flare Blitz which caused a lot of pain to Empoleon.
"Hang in there, Empoleon," said Barry, but just then the entire field erupted in flames, dealing more damage to Empoleon.
"Infernape, use Flamethrower," said Ash. Infernape came out of the hole and landed a direct hit with Flamethrower. "Now use Focus Punch."
"Empoleon, use Hydro Cannon," said Barry panicked. Infernape's fist glowed and charged towards Empoleon with Focus Punch, but the water/steel–type fired another Hydro Cannon.
"Infernape, use your best Focus Punch to send it back," said Ash. Just as Hydro Cannon was about to hit Infernape, the fire/fighting–type used Focus Punch and managed to send the attack back at Empoleon who didn't have time to dodge and was struck by its own move. "Now use Focus Blast."
Infernape used the moment and fired its Focus Blast which struck Empoleon for the final hit.
"Empoleon is unable to battle," said the referee. "Infernape is the winner."
"Ash's Infernape has a lot of power after it managed to use Empoleon's own Hydro Cannon against it," said Selena.
"Ash and Infernape are in perfect sync," said Freddy.
"Empoleon, you did your best," said Barry as he return his fallen Pokemon. "No more messing around, Ash. Staraptor, let's go."
"Infernape, return," said Ash as he returned Infernape. "Take a long rest. Talonflame, I choose you."
"Barry sends out his Staraptor as his second Pokemon while Ash switches his Infernape for Talonflame," said Freddy.
"Looks like we've got an aerial battle," said Selena.
"Staraptor, let's start with Brave Bird," said Barry.
"Talonflame, counter with Flame Charge," said Ash. Talonflame and Staraptor charged towards each other and Talonflame easily overpowered Staraptor. "Now use Double Team."
"Staraptor, watch out," said Barry. "Those two are up to something."
"You've got that right, Barry," said Ash. "Talonflame, use Steel Wing."
All of Talonflame's copies' wings glowed and Staraptor was hit by multiple Steel Wing attacks.
"Staraptor, use Double–Edge," said Barry. Staraptor charged towards Talonflame and landed its powerful Double–Edge, but Staraptor took recoil damage when suddenly it was in flames. "Staraptor, what's wrong?"
"It looks like Talonflame's ability, Flame Body, gave Staraptor a burn," said Selena.
"Talonflame, let's show them more of your fire power," said Ash. "Use Overheat."
Talonflame fired its Overheat which landed on Staraptor with a direct hit.
"Staraptor, try using Close Combat," said Barry.
"Talonflame, use Flame Charge and follow it up with Brave Bird," said Ash. Talonflame charged towards Staraptor and landed its Flame Charge which raised its speed and landed a direct hit with Brave Bird, causing Staraptor to scream in pain. "Let's finish this, Talonflame. Use full power Steel Wing."
Talonflame charged towards Staraptor with glowing wings and slammed its Steel Wing, knocking Staraptor out.
"Staraptor is unable to battle," said the referee. "Talonflame is the winner."
"Without much difficulties, Ash's Talonflame manages to take out Barry's Talonflame," said Freddy.
"This could be another clean sweep for Ash," said Selena. "Let's not forget that the winner of this battle will face Trip in the semifinals."
"Ash has the advantage as he still has six Pokemon remaining," said Freddy.
"Staraptor, return," said Barry as he returned Staraptor to its Pokeball. "Roseraid, let's go."
"Talonflame, return," said Ash. "You deserve a long rest. Hydreigon, I choose you."
"Ash has a Hydreigon," said Barry shocked as he saw the dragon/dark–type.
"It looks like Ash is done playing games as he sends out his Hydreigon against Barry's Roseraid," said Freddy.
"I've never seen a Hydreigon before," said Selena. "At least not as strong as Ash's."
"Roseraid, use Sludge Bomb," said Barry.
"Hydreigon, counter it with Flash Cannon," said Ash. Roseraid fired its Sludge Bomb only to be countered by Hydreigon's Flash Cannon. "Now use Dark Pulse."
"Roseraid, use Weather Ball," said Barry. Hydreigon fired its Dark Pulse and landed on Roseraid causing to flinch which prevented it from using Weather Ball.
"Hydreigon, use Dragon Pulse and follow it up with Flamethrower," said Ash. Hydreigon fired its Dragon Pulse which landed on Roseraid, dealing a lot of damage and then struck the grass/poison–type with Flamethrower, dealing the final blow.
"Roseraid is unable to battle," said the referee. "Hydreigon is the winner."
"This might have been the fastest battle in the tournament as Ash's Hydreigon take out Roseraid with three hits in a row," said Selena.
"Ash sure is not playing games," said Freddy.
"Roseraid, return," said Barry. "Take a long rest. Skarmory, let's go."
"Hydreigon, return," said Ash. "You'll get your chance at the gyms. Take a rest for now. Croconaw, I choose you."
"Barry sends out his Skarmory while Ash switches his Hydreigon for Croconaw," said Freddy.
"I say that Croconaw has the type advantage as Skarmory's steel–type attack won't do much damage, but Skarmory can dodge Croconaw's attacks pretty easy," said Selena.
"Croconaw, use Aqua Tail," said Ash.
"Skarmory, dodge it and use Metal Claw," said Barry. Skarmory managed to avoid Aqua Tail, but Croconaw was too fast causing Skarmory's Metal Claw to miss. "Use Aerial Ace."
"Wait for it to get closer and use Focus Punch," said Ash. Skarmory was just about to land its Aerial Ace, but Croconaw managed to counter it with Focus Punch. "Use Hydro Pump at close range." Croconaw fired its Hydro Pump which landed on Skarmory with a direct hit.
"Skarmory, hang in there and use Air Slash," said Barry.
"Counter it with Aqua Tail," said Ash. Skarmory fired its Air Slash, but Croconaw successfully countered it with Aqua Tail which overpowered the flying–type move and struck Skarmory.
"Skarmory, use Sky Attack," said Barry.
"Croconaw, grab it with Ice Fang and then finish it with Hydro Pump," said Ash. Croconaw opened its jaws and managed to counter Skarmory's Sky Attack with Ice Fang and fired a close range Hydro Pump which struck Skarmory with a lot of power, knocking it out.
"Skarmory is unable to battle," said the referee. "Croconaw is the winner."
"And without any problems, Ash's Croconaw manages to defeat Barry's Skarmory," said Freddy.
"That Hydro Pump at close range was pretty powerful," said Selena. "As always, Ash's Pokemon remain undefeated."
"Skarmory, return," said Barry. "Hitmonlee, let's go."
"So he chooses Hitmonlee," said Ash. "Croconaw, return. Hitmonchan, I choose you."
"Barry sends out his Hitmonlee and Ash brings out his Hitmonchan," said Freddy.
"This will be an interesting match," said Selena. "These fighting–type Pokemon have their unique battle style. Hitmonchan lands powerful punches while Hitmonlee lands powerful kicks."
"Hitmonlee, use Blaze Kick," said Barry.
"Hitmonchan, counter with Fire Punch," said Ash. Both fighting–types charged towards each other and their attacks collided in the middle of the field, creating a huge explosion. "Hitmonchan, use Thunder Punch."
Hitmonchan charged towards Hitmonlee and landed its Thunder Punch with a lot of power.
"Hitmonlee, hang in there," said Barry. "Use High Jump Kick."
"Hitmonchan, counter it with Focus Punch," said Ash. Hitmonlee charged towards Hitmonchan with High Jump Kick, but it was easily overpowered by Hitmonchan's Focus Punch.
"Hitmonlee, use Brick Break," said Barry.
"Dodge it and use Focus Punch," said Ash. Hitmonchan managed to dodge Hitmonlee's Brick Break and landed its Focus Punch directly. "Now use Power–Up Punch and follow it up with Fire Punch."
Hitmonchan managed to land its Power–Up Punch which boosted its attack and managed to overpower a Blaze Kick from Hitmonlee.
"Stay strong, Hitmonlee," said Barry. "Use Stone Edge."
"Hitmonchan, counter it with Thunder Punch," said Ash. Hitmonlee fired its Stone Edge, but Hitmonchan managed to counter it with Thunder Punch.
"Use High Jump Kick," said Barry.
"Dodge it, Hitmonchan and use Ice Punch," said Ash. Hitmonchan managed managed to dodge High Jump Kick which caused Hitmonlee to take damage and landed its Ice Punch which froze Hitmonlee solid. "Now finish this with Focus Punch."
Hitmonchan charged towards the frozen Hitmonchan and landed its Focus Punch, which broke Hitmonlee out of the ice, but it also sent the Kicking Pokemon into the wall behind Barry, knocked out.
"Hitmonlee is unable to battle," said the referee. "Hitmonchan is the winner."
"Ash and Hitmonchan emerge victorious against Barry and Hitmonlee," said Freddy.
"Barry is down to his last Pokemon," said Selena. "As always, Ash and his Pokemon are completely dominating against their opponents."
"Hitmonlee, return and take a rest," said Barry. "No more games. Heracross, let's go."
"Hitmonchan, return," said Ash. "You deserve a long rest. Sceptile, I choose you."
"Barry brings out his last Pokemon, Heracross and Ash substitutes his Hitmonchan for Sceptile," said Freddy.
"Heracross has the type advantage, but will it be able to defeat Ash's Sceptile," said Selena.
"Heracross, let's start with Aerial Ace," said Barry.
"Sceptile, counter it with Dragon Pulse," said Ash. Heracross charged towards Sceptile, but the grass–type managed to counter with Dragon Pulse. "Now use Leaf Blade."
"Heracross, stop them with Brick Break," said Barry. Both Pokemon charged towards each other and their attacks collided in the middle of the battlefield. "Use Rock Blast."
"Sceptile, dodge it and use Energy Ball," said Ash. Heracross fired its Rock Blast, but Sceptile managed to avoid it and landed its Energy Ball with a lot of power.
"Heracross, time to get serious," said Barry is he touched his Mega–Stone and Mega–Evolved his Heracross.
"We'll get serious as well," said Ash as he Mega–Evolved his Sceptile. "Sceptile, use Dragon Pulse."
"Heracross, counter with Rock Blast," said Barry. Both Pokemon fired their attacks which for a moment appeared to be evn in power, but then Dragon Pulse began to overpower Rock Blast and struck Heracross. "Use Aerial Ace."
"Sceptile, dodge it and use Energy Ball," said Ash. Heracross charged towards Sceptile, but the grass/dragon–type was too fast and much to Barry's shock, Mega–Sceptile managed to avoid Aerial Ace and landed its Energy Ball on Heracross, which lowered its Special Defense.
"Heracross, use Brick Break," said Barry.
"Sceptile, counter it with Focus Punch and then use Leaf Blade," said Ash. Sceptile managed to counter Heracross' Brick Break with Focus Punch and landed a direct hit with Leaf Blade. "Now use Frenzy Plant."
"Heracross, counter it with Shadow Claw," said Barry. Sceptile slammed its hands on the ground and multiple vines started to come out which headed for Heracross who barely managed to stop the attack with Shadow Claw. "Keep going, Heracross."
"Sceptile, stop Frenzy Plant and switch to Energy Ball and follow it up with Dragon Pulse," said Ash. Sceptile stopped its Frenzy Plant and fired Energy Ball which struck Heracross with a lot of power and finished the bug/fighting–type with Dragon Pulse.
"Heracross is unable to battle," said the referee. "Sceptile is the winner. The victory goes to Ash from Pallet Town."
"I can't believe what a battle we just saw," said Freddy. "Heracross was too busy countering the vines from Frenzy Plant that it didn't notice the incoming Energy Ball and Dragon Pulse."
"This is the first time I see a Pokemon dodges a move that always hits," said Selena. "Ash's Mega–Sceptile sure is very fast."
"With this victory, Ash moves on to the semi–finals where he'll face off against Trip," said Freddy. "But the semi–final battles will start the day after tomorrow."
(Later that day)
Ash and his friends were at the Pokemon Center and had just finished dinner. Ash was now thinking which Pokemon to use against Trip. Luckily, Ash knew what Pokemon Trip has and just in a few minutes he was able to decide his six Pokemon.
To be continued…
That's all for this chapter. I think it was obvious that Ash will defeat Barry. In the next chapter you'll find out which Pokemon Ash chose, but one of them will have trouble.
R&R