Ch.5: 1st Round Match–Ups
"THEY TRIED TO WHAT!?"
That's the first thing Ash heard from his friends when he and Serena entered the Pokémon Center and explained them why Serena betrayed him. He knew they were gonna be angry, but they were just plain furious, especially Bonnie! She couldn't believe her brother would do such a thing.
At first, the group felt anger when they saw Serena walking in with Ash, but that anger turned to looks from disbelieve when they heard that Serena was threatened to be raped by Brock, Tracey, Cilan and Clemont.
"I think you guys just showed how I felt from the inside when Serena told me that," said Ash.
"You don't know just how much I want to face Clemont right now," said Bonnie. She wasn't showing it, but Ash knew that she was boiling with anger from the inside, an anger she'd love to unleash on Clemont.
"You won't have to wait for long," said Paul. "They announced the first round matches a few minutes ago and you'll be facing Clemont."
"I can't wait to teach him a lesson," said Bonnie with a smirk.
"And who are your opponents," Serena asked the rest of the Elite Four.
"Well, I'll be fighting Dawn, Paul will be facing Barry, Alain will be battling Lance and Trip will face Cilan," said Ash.
"I battled Barry before at the Sinnoh League and beat him without a problem," said Paul.
"I don't know about you, but when it comes to Lance, his Dragonite is pretty hard to beat," said Alain.
"And I can't wait to beat Cilan. The score is tied 1:1 so this'll be a tie–breaker," said Trip.
"It's good to see you guys are determined to win," said Ash and turned to Bonnie. "Just don't let your emotions get the best of you."
"So, when's the first battle," asked Lillie.
"Tomorrow morning at 10am. Bonnie's battling first and I'm after that at 11am," said Ash.
"I'm sure all of you will win in your battles," said Serena.
"Thanks, Serena," said Bonnie with a smile.
The next day, everyone was in their seats, waiting for the first battle to begin. Soon, both Bonnie and Clemont came out.
"This will be a 3–on–3 Pokémon battle between the Alola Elite Four member, Bonnie, and the Lumiose Gym Leader, Clemont. Each trainer will use 3 Pokémon and the battle will be over when all Pokémon on one side are unable to continue," explained the referee.
"I can't wait to see how this turns out, folks. After all, this'll be a battle between a brother and a sister," said Charles.
"Are the trainers ready," the referee asked Bonnie and Clemont.
"I know I am," said Clemont.
"I'm ready as I'll ever be," said Bonnie.
"Then send out your first Pokémon," said the referee.
"Diggersby, let's go," said Clemont as he brought out his normal/ground–type.
"So predictable. Chesnaught, I choose you," said Bonnie as she brought out her grass/fighting–type.
"Bonnie sure wants to give Clemont a hard time," said Alain.
"And since Diggersby is weak to both grass and fighting attacks, she made the perfect choice," said Ash.
"Let the battle begin," said the referee.
"Diggersby, use Hammer Arm," said Clemont.
"Chesnaught, use Spiky Shield, followed by Leech Seed," said Bonnie.
Diggersby charged in with Hammer Arm, but Chesnaught protected himself with Spiky Shield, damaging Diggersby in the process before landing a Leech Seed on the normal/ground–type, which started to slowly drain its energy.
"Hang in there, Diggersby. Use Double Slap," said Clemont.
"Counter it with Drain Punch," said Bonnie.
Diggersby charged in with Double Slap, but Chesnaught overpowered it with Drain Punch, dealing major damage.
"Diggersby, use Mud Shot," said Clemont.
"Use Seed Bomb," said Bonnie.
Diggersby fired its Mud Shot, which was easily countered by Chesnaught's Seed Bomb and the grass–type attack struck Diggersby hard before Leech Seed could knock it out.
"Diggersby is unable to battle. Chesnaught is the winner," said the referee.
"That was easy. Chesnaught, do you want to go on," Bonnie asked Chesnaught and he nodded.
"Diggersby, return," said Clemont as he returned his fallen Pokémon before looking at Bonnie. "Bonnie's a lot stronger than I thought, but I'll still win this battle." Clemont pulled out another PokéBall before tossing it. "Heliolisk, let's go!"
"He can't be serious, right? Heliolisk's electric attacks will barely do a thing to Chesnaught and let's not forget that it's weak to fighting–type attacks," said Alain.
"This'll be even easier," said Bonnie. "Chesnaught, use Seed Bomb!"
"Dodge it, Heliolisk and use Thunder Wave," said Clemont.
Chesnaught fired his Seed Bomb, but Heliolisk managed to avoid it and paralyzed Chesnaught with Thunder Wave.
"Heliolisk is pretty fast, but we can still beat it, right Chesnaught," Bonnie asked her grass/fighting–type and he nodded. "Use Leech Seed!"
"Dodge it, Heliolisk and use Signal Beam," said Clemont.
Chesnaught fired his Leech Seed, but Heliolisk avoided it and struck Chesnaught with a super–effective Signal Beam.
"Hang in there, Chesnaught. Use Seed Bomb," said Bonnie.
"Dodge it and use Fire Punch," said Clemont.
Chesnaught fired his Seed Bomb, but Heliolisk avoided the attack and struck Chesnaught with a Fire Punch.
"Are you okay, Chesnaught," Bonnie asked her grass/fighting–type to which he nodded. "Alright then, use Leech Seed!"
"Dodge it and use another Fire Punch," said Clemont.
"Not this time. Use Spiky Shield," said Bonnie in a hurry.
Chesnaught fired his Leech Seed, but Heliolisk avoided it and went for another Fire Punch, only to take damage by Spiky Shield.
"This is our moment. Use Drain Punch," said Bonnie.
Chesnaught charged in and struck Heliolisk with a super–effective Drain Punch, restoring some health in the process.
"I know you can still battle, Heliolisk. Use Parabolic Charge," said Clemont.
"Counter it with Seed Bomb and then use Drain Punch," said Bonnie.
Heliolisk fired its Parabolic Charge, but Chesnaught counter it with Seed Bomb and went for a Drain Punch, but the paralysis kicked in, stopping Chesnaught in his tracks.
"This is our moment. Use Fire Punch and then full power Signal Beam," said Clemont.
"Chesnaught, get out of there," said Bonnie in panic.
Heliolisk charged in with Fire Punch and struck Chesnaught with the fire–type move before firing a Signal Beam, which struck Chesnaught directly, knocking the grass/fighting–type out.
"Chesnaught is unable to battle. Heliolisk is the winner," announced the referee.
"Chesnaught, return. You were amazing out there. Take a good rest," said Bonnie as she returned Chesnaught to his PokéBall and brought out another. "Altaria, I choose you!"
"And Bonnie's second Pokémon is Altaria," said Goodshow. "Let's see what she has planned."
"It doesn't matter what her plan is. Heliolisk, use Thunder Wave," said Clemont.
"Altaria, dodge it," said Bonnie.
Heliolisk fired its Thunder Wave, but Altaria managed to avoid it.
"Heliolisk, go for Fire Punch," said Clemont.
"Just what I wanted. Altaria, use Dragon Breath at close range," said Bonnie.
Heliolisk charged in with Fire Punch, but was stopped when Altaria fired her Dragon Breath, paralyzing it in the process.
"What a move by Bonnie and Altaria! Will Heliolisk manage to pull through the paralysis," asked Goodshow through the microphone.
"Altaria, let's finish it with full power Flamethrower," said Bonnie.
"Heliolisk, get out of the way," said Clemont in panic.
Altaria fired her Flamethrower and struck Heliolisk hard, knocking it out.
"Heliolisk is unable to battle. Altaria wins," announced the referee.
"How come Flamethrower did more damage than usual," asked a confused Serena only to hear Ash chuckle. "What's so funny?"
"I knew Bonnie had a plan. She wanted to make sure Dragon Breath hit Heliolisk and reduce its speed by paralyzing it and finish it with a Flamethrower. As to why Flamethrower did more damage, I'm guessing it's because of Heliolisk's ability Dry Skin," explained Ash.
"Of course! Dry Skin helps Heliolisk restore health if hit by a water–type move, but takes super–effective damage from fire–type attacks," said Paul with a realization.
"Heliolisk, return and take a rest," said Clemont as he returned his defeated electric/normal–type to its PokéBall and brought out another. "Luxray, you're up!"
"And Clemont's final Pokémon is Luxray. Does he have a chance against Bonnie's two fresh Pokémon? Let's find out," said Goodshow.
"Luxray, use Electric Terrain," said Clemont.
"I don't think so. Altaria, use Cotton Guard," said Bonnie.
Luxray summoned an Electric Terrain which will boost the power of its electric attacks while Altaria drastically raised her physical defense with Cotton Guard.
"Luxray, use Wild Charge," said Clemont.
"Altaria, let's make things worse for them," said Bonnie as she revealed a Mega Ring on her bag, where Dedenne, Squishy and Z2 were taking a nap, and pressed it. "Altaria, Mega–Evolve!"
"Look out, folks! When this Altaria Mega–Evolves, things get serious," said Goodshow.
"Luxray, use Wild Charge," said Clemont.
"Altaria, stay still," said Bonnie calmly.
Luxray charged in with Wild Charge and struck Mega–Altaria, but muc to Clemont's shock, the attack didn't do a thing.
"How is that possible," asked Clemont, surprised.
"If you really want to know, Altaria becomes a dragon/fairy–type when she Mega–Evolves so your electric attacks won't do a thing," said Bonnie with a smirk. "Altaria, use close–ranged Flamethrower!"
"Get out of there, Luxray," said Clemont, but it was too late and Luxray was struck by the fire–type attack, which also burnt it. "This is bad."
"You bet it is," said Bonnie. "Altaria, let's finish this with one more move. And that move is Hyper Beam!"
"Luxray, use Thunderbolt, quickly," said Clemont in panic.
Mega–Altaria fired her Hyper Beam, which Luxray tried to counter with Thunderbolt, but because of Mega–Altaria's ability, Pixilate, Hyper Beam overpowered the Thunderbolt and struck Luxray hard, knocking it out.
"Luxray is unable to battle! Altaria is the winner," announced the referee as Altaria turned back to normal. "The victory goes to Bonnie!"
"That's how we do it," said Bonnie with a smirk and went to the battlefield to hug her Pokémon. "Nice job, Altaria."
Meanwhile, Clemont and the other traitors were with wide eyes. They couldn't believe what just happened. Luxray was Clemont's strongest Pokémon and it was defeated with just two hits!
"Luxray, return," said Clemont with a sigh and returned his defeated electric–type to its PokéBall, before walking out of the arena, but not before glancing at Bonnie and Altaria, who were still celebrating their victory. "I guess Bonnie is a lot stronger than I thought she was."
Later, after everyone congratulated Bonnie on her victory, it was time for Ash's battle against Dawn..
"Togekiss, let's go," said Dawn as she brought out her flying/fairy–type.
"Time to show them your true power. Infernape, I choose you," said Ash as he brought out his Sinnoh powerhouse.
"Get ready, everyone. When Infernape comes out, things are sure to heat up," said Goodshow.
"Togekiss, use Air Slash," said Dawn.
"Infernape, counter with Flamethrower," said Ash.
Togekiss fired its Air Slash, but Infernape managed to counter ad even overpower it with Flamethrower, striking Togekiss with the fire–type move.
"Togekiss, are you okay," Dawn asked her Pokémon and Togekiss nodded. "Alright then, use Dazzling Gleam!"
"Dodge it with Dig," said Ash.
Togekiss fired her Dazzling Gleam, but Infernape avoided it by using Dig.
"I thought you were smart, Ash. Ground–type attacks don't affect Togekiss," said Dawn with a smirk. "Infernape will have to come out sooner or later."
"Really? You of all people should know that Infernape doesn't need to come out, cause we can attack from underground as well," said Ash with a smirk and Dawn paled when she realized what he meant. "Infernape, use Flare Blitz!"
"Togekiss, fly as high as you can," said Dawn in panic, but it was too late as Infernape heated up and the entire battlefield erupted in flames from the Underground Flare Blitz. Togekiss tried to get away, but the flames reached it and was hit hard, also burning it.
"Let's finish this with Flamethrower," said Ash.
Infernape came out and fired his Flamethrower at Togekiss, who was still recovering from Flare Blitz, and directly struck the flying/fairy–type, knocking it out.
"Togekiss is unable to battle! Infernape is the winner," said the referee.
"One down, two to go," said Ash with a smirk.
"Togekiss, return," said Dawn as she returned her defeated Pokémon to its PokéBall, before bringing out another. "Mamoswine, let's go!"
"So she's using a ground/ice–type," said Ash. "This'll be interesting."
"Boy, she's so desperate that she can't make a good choice," said Paul.
"Doesn't she know that Mamoswine is weak to fire and fighting–type attacks," asked Trip.
"Yeah, but Infernape is weak to ground–type attacks," reminded Alain.
"No matter how you look at it, Infernape has the higher advantage," said Bonnie. "Even if Mamoswine has any ground–type attacks, it still won't be enough. Remember a year ago when Infernape refused to be defeated even after taking 2 Earthquakes by a Garchomp?"
"I sure do. This just proves how strong Infernape really is," said Lillie.
"Mamoswine, use Take Down," said Dawn.
"If they want power, we'll give them power. Infernape, use Focus Punch," said Ash.
Mamoswine charged in with Take Down, but Infernape was faster ad easily overpowered it with Focus Punch, dealing major damage to the ground/ice–type.
"Mamoswine, use Rock Slide," said Dawn.
"Let's bring back some memories. Infernape, spin and use Flamethrower," said Ash.
Mamoswine summoned several rocks that started falling for Infernape, but the fire/fighting–type used his flaming Counter Shield to block them.
"Now is our moment. Mamoswine, use Take Down," said Dawn.
"Infernape, send the rocks at Mamoswine," said Ash.
Mamoswine charged in once again with Take Down, but Inferape used the flames to control the directory of the Rock Slide to send the rocks at Mamoswine, pushing the ground/ice–type back.
"What a move by Ash and Infernape!? I've never seen anything like it," exclaimed Goodshow.
"Mamoswine, use Ice Shard," said Dawn.
"I don't think so. Infernape, counter it with Focus Punch and then use Flamethrower," said Ash.
Mamoswine fired its Ice Shard, but Infernape easily broke through it with Focus Punch and then fired his Flamethrower, which struck Mamoswine, knocking it out.
"Mamoswine is unable to battle! Infernape is the winner," announced the referee.
"That right there is we can expect from Infernape," said Lillie.
"He just needs to beat Dawn's last Pokémon," said Bonnie.
"Yes, but the rest of her Pokémon don't stand a chance against Infernape," said Paul. "She's got Quilava, Bunneary, Pachirisu and Piplup. Infernape clearly overpowers Quilava in fire power, Bunneary is weak to Focus Punch, and Pachirisu and Piplup can be easily dealt with Dig and Focus Punch."
"When you put it that way, Dawn is in really though situation," said Serena.
"Piplup, let's go," said Dawn as she brought out her starter Pokémon.
"Let's hope that Piplup will more of a challenge," Ash thought to himself. "Infernape, let's start with Flamethrower."
"Puplup, counter it with Hydro Pump," said Dawn.
Infernape fired his Flamethrower, but Piplup managed to counter it with Hydro Pump, despite struggling a little.
"Nice, I was wondering if you could counter that," said Ash.
"Well get ready, cause Piplup and I are going to defeat you and Infernape," said Dawn. "Use Drill Peck!"
"Infernape, counter with Flare Blitz," said Ash.
Piplup charged in with Drill Peck, but Infernape easily managed to overpower it with Flare Blitz, hitting Piplup hard.
"Piplup, hang in there," said Dawn.
"You know, Dawn. If you and Piplup somehow manage to defeat Infernape, you'll still have two more Pokémon to battle to win this," said Ash. "What would you prefer? A Volt Tackle from Pikachu, an Energy Ball from one of my grass–types, or a good beating from Greninja?"
"Stop talking and start battling," said Dawn in frustration. "Piplup, use Hydro Pump!"
"Infernape, dodge it and use Focus Punch," said Ash. Piplup fired his Hydro Pump, but Infernape easily dodged it and struck Piplup directly with Focus Punch. "Finish this with full power Flamethrower!"
Infernape fired his Flamethrower, which struck Piplup, knocking him out.
"Piplup is unable to battle! Infernape is the winner," announced the referee. "The victory goes to the Alola Champion, Ash!"
"And there you have it, folks! After a clean sweep for Infernape, Ash takes the victory," said Goodshow in excitement.
"Great job, Infernape. Return and take a rest," said Ash as he returned his fire/fighting–type and walked out of the arena, but not before glancing over to Dawn, who was holding Piplup tightly. "Hmm, maybe we went a little overboard with that last Flamethrower, but if this what I need to do to see how wrong those traitors were, then so be it."
Later, Trip, Paul and Alain also won their respective battles by sweeping Cilan's, Barry's and Drake's teams with Chandelure, Gliscor and Tyranitar, respectfully, and everyone was now waiting for the 2nd round match–ups.
To be continued…
Hey, everyone! I'm back with another chapter. Sorry if you had to wait this long. I would've posted it by the beginning of the moth, but I was out of the country and didn't have my laptop with me. I hope you liked this chapter. The next one will be out some time in April. Until then, have a nice day! See ya, bye!
R&R