Chapter 16: The End of Qualifying
The next day Ash found himself in one of the early matches of the day, and once again his opponent was someone he was very familiar with.
"It's no surprise that Trip is competing here," Iris said.
"I agree, though I do find it surprising that those two would be facing off against each other so soon," Cilan stated.
"Well, they did face off in the first round of the Unova League, remember?" Iris reminded him. The rest of them remembered hearing about Trip from stories Iris and Cilan had told them, mostly about how he and Ash hadn't started out on very good terms, but by the time they reached the Unova League tensions between them had simmered, allowing them to have a heated but friendly opening round battle.
"What Pokémon do you think they'll use?" Max wondered.
"That depends on who makes the first choice," Daisy said.
"And it doesn't look like we'll have to wait too much longer to find that out," Misty added. Everyone looked over at the screen just in time to see who would send out their Pokémon first.
"Oh boy. That's going to put him at a disadvantage," Daisy commented. She, along with everyone else, was a bit worried when they saw Ash would make his choice first.
"Come on, guys. We have to believe he can still win, even if Trip has the advantage of choosing second," Iris said.
"That's right. If we know anything about Ash it's that he doesn't let a type disadvantage stop him," Max agreed. Down on the field Ash already had a Poké Ball in hand.
"I already know Trip's going to have a type advantage on us, but you've shown that it takes more than that to defeat you," he spoke. "Now take the field, Tyranitar!" The Poké Ball sailed through the air and opened, revealing its occupant. With a loud roar Tyranitar made her presence known.
"I still can't believe that's the same little Larvitar we met back in Johto," Brock commented.
"I find it hard to imagine her being as shy as you said she used to be," May added. "Especially looking at her now."
"It's all true. When she was just a Larvitar she would freeze up if anyone other than Ash and Pikachu approached her," Brock said. "By the time she finally warmed up to me and Misty it was time to leave her with her mother in the Johto Pokémon preserve."
"I wonder what made her decide to journey with Ash now," Dawn said.
"Maybe after spending all that time together she started to miss him," Iris guessed. "If they really were that close them it's a possibility."
"She's got a point," Max agreed. By now Trip had decided on which Pokémon he would use.
"Go, Serperior!" A look of concern went across all their faces as Trip hurled his Poké Ball and called on his Grass-type serpent.
"We should have known he'd pick his Serperior," Iris commented.
"This does seem like a recipe for disaster for Ash," Cilan said.
"Come on, guys. Ash has overcome type disadvantages before. This time will be no different," Max stated.
"Max is right. He's going to win just like he always does," Daisy agreed. With both combating Pokémon on the field the referee signaled for the battle to begin.
"Let's end this quick, Serperior! Use Leaf Storm!" Trip commanded. With a flick of his tail Serperior sent a hurricane of leaves towards Tyranitar. Ash and Tyranitar, however, appeared strangely calm.
"Do it," Ash instructed. The Armor Pokémon threw her head back and let out a loud roar. At the same time sand was forcibly expelled from the vents all over her body, creating a rather large sandstorm. The sandstorm collided with Serperior's Leaf Storm, effectively canceling out the super-effective attack.
"Whoa… that's one strong Sandstorm," Dawn commented.
"That's not Sandstorm. It's Tyranitar's Sand Stream ability," Brock corrected. "Using that Tyranitar can call up a sandstorm at will. Pretty smart of Ash, using that to block Serperior's attack."
"Well what do you expect? This is Ash we're talking about," Max stated.
"Not only that, but if Trip has Serperior use Leaf Storm again the move's power will be noticeably decreased," Misty informed them.
"Use Slam!" Trip called.
"Counter with Stone Edge!" Ash instructed. As Trip's Serperior moved in for a close-combat strike Tyranitar materialized several sharp stones around her body. Moments later those stones were hurled in the direction of the charging Regal Pokémon.
"Knock them down with Dragon Tail!" Trip shouted. Serperior abandoned his initial attack and powered up his Dragon Tail. As the Stone Edge drew closer the end of Serperior's tail took on a pale blue glow. Once the Stone Edge was close enough he swung his tail on front of him, shattering the incoming Rock attack.
"Ice Fang!" Ash said. Upon hearing the attack called Serperior looked up in time to see the Armor Pokémon quickly advancing on him, her frozen fangs bared.
"Dodge it!" Trip ordered. Serperior had just enough time to twist his body out of the way of the super-effective attack, leaving the two Pokémon in a stalemate.
"Trip's really honed his skills over the years. Just what I'd expect out of him," Ash thought.
"I've got to find a way to get in close, but how?" Trip mused. As the Unova native went through his options one stuck out.
"Use Leaf Storm!" he called. Once again Serperior whipped up a hurricane of leaves and sent them towards Tyranitar.
"Okay, just like before, Tyranitar," Ash calmly said. With a nod Tyranitar conjured up another sandstorm and blocked the incoming Leaf Storm…
Just like Trip wanted.
"Now, use Wrap!" Trip shouted. While Tyranitar was using her Sand Stream ability to once again block Serperior's Leaf Storm the Regal Pokémon made his move, quickly closing the distance between himself and Tyranitar and wrapping his body around her. All too late Ash and Tyranitar realized they had fallen into Trip's trap.
"Damnit! That Leaf Storm was just a distraction!" Ash swore. "Try to break free!"
"Don't let her go!" Trip ordered. Tyranitar tried to muscle her way out of Serperior's grasp, but the Regal Pokémon refused to release her.
"Quite the cunning ploy by Trip there, using Leaf Storm to distract Ash and Tyranitar from the real attack," Cilan praised.
"Do you think Ash and Tyranitar can get out of this?" Daisy wondered.
"They had better if they want to advance in the tournament," Iris stated. All of them looked on in concern as Tyranitar continued to struggle within Serperior's grasp.
"I've got to find a way to get Tyranitar free, but there's no way she can attack while Serperior is wrapped around her like that… wait! That's it!" With a stroke of realization Ash enacted his plan.
"Tyranitar, use your Sand Stream ability!" he called. With a loud roar both Tyranitar and Serperior were engulfed in a massive sandstorm.
"That's brilliant!" Brock shouted.
"What is?" Dawn wondered.
"By using Tyranitar's Sand Stream ability he's able to attack despite Tyranitar being trapped in Serperior's Wrap," Brock explained.
"Not only that, but because Tyranitar is a Rock type she's not taking any damage," Misty added.
"Typical Ash, always thinking outside the box," May commented. Trip, meanwhile, was having an internal argument. He knew he couldn't have Serperior release Tyranitar out of fear of a counter attack, but at the same time if Serperior didn't release her then he'd fall to the damage he was taking from the sand storm. Eventually Trip was given no choice.
"Serperior, let go and get out of there!" he shouted. Serperior wasted no time releasing Tyranitar and emerging from the sandstorm.
"Quick! Use Ice Fang!" Ash instructed. Shortly after Serperior made it out Tyranitar emerged as well. Neither Trip nor Serperior had time to react as the Armor Pokémon closed her frozen jaws around Serperior. The Regal Pokémon let out a cry of pain from the super-effective attack.
"Now use Stone Edge!" Ash said. Tyranitar put a bit of distance between herself and Serperior before once again materializing a group of razor-sharp stones around her. This time, though, when she sent them in Serperior's direction there was no blocking or dodging. The attack struck home, each stone leaving a small cut on the body of the Regal Pokémon. When the attack was over Serperior collapsed, unable to remain upright.
"Serperior is unable to battle! Tyranitar wins! The victory goes to Mason Cruz!" the referee announced. Once again the crowd was whipped into a frenzy over one of Ash's battles.
"Alright! Way to go!" Bianca cheered.
"He kinda had me worried there for a second," Iris said.
"Eh, I knew he'd win," Max stated. While the others talked about Ash's battle Misty had her eyes on the battlefield where Ash and Trip were shaking hands. A small smile soon formed on her lips.
"You never stop ceasing to amaze me, Ash Ketchum," she sighed. "Maybe that's why I…"
"And with that the qualifying rounds have come to an end! Next up: group play! Which trainers will advance to the round of 16?! Join us and find out!" With those words the stadium began emptying for the day. As expected Max and Bianca won their battles and advanced to group play along with Ash.
"Man, we are on fire!" Max bragged.
"Yeah we are," Bianca agreed.
"Don't get ahead of yourselves. Now the real battles begin," Brock advised.
"Hey, after the way we've been battling I'd like to see anyone try and stop us," Max countered. May sighed and shook her head.
"You know, one of these days your ego is going to cost you," she warned.
"Maybe, but it won't be here," Max said.
"You know, that's the kind of attitude I'd expect out of Ash," Daisy commented.
"Maybe in the past, but I've learned that overconfidence can lead to a quick downfall," Ash said. "In any case, we need to make sure our Pokémon are ready for the next series of battles. Remember, these are going to be double battles."
"Don't worry about me. I've got the perfect teams already in mind," Max said.
"Me too," Bianca added.
"What about you, Ash? Do you know what pairings you're going to go with?" Daisy asked.
"I've got a few in mind, but I want to see how things play out before finalizing anything," he stated. "Besides, I'm still waiting to hear back from… you-know-who."
"Maybe they haven't found anything yet," Iris said.
"I can only hope," Ash responded. "Anyway, let's not think about that now. We've got to stay focused on the tournament now."
"Yeah," Max and Bianca agreed. With that the group of friends left the stadium on their way to their cabins, their minds focused on the upcoming group play round of the tournament.
The qualifying rounds end with Ash, Max and Bianca all advancing. How will the three of them fare in the group stage? Will all three make it to the round of 16? Find out in the next chapter of Regrets & Redemption!
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