"Dammit, that was cheap," Aaron yelled as he tried to cover his face.

"Well, he just took out one of Ash's strongest pokemon," Cynthia said logically as she also tried to cover her eyes and mouth.

Bertha just closed her eyes as she said calmly, "It was very smart. Clearly, he wants to get as much of an advantage as possible before Ash uses his Torterra. This way, he starts this new battle a full pokemon ahead."

Flint grinned and pointed into the dust before he exclaimed, "I don't think so. It is still standing, albeit barely."

Flint was right. Ash saw at the same time. Infernape was still standing. All his body looked marked and burned and the foot he had been using Blaze Kick on was now being held off the ground, but he was standing. Magneton was clearly on the ground after the self sacrifice move. Ash cursed himself at his carelessness. Now, any attack would knock Infernape out.

Ash took a breath and ordered, "Use Calm Mind to pull yourself together." As Volkner returned Magneton, Infernape closed his eyes and started to hum as white energy surrounded his body. After a second Infernape opened his eyes. The calming effects managed to stop the shaking, but Infernape was still one hit away from dropping.

Ash turned and watched as Volkner released his pokemon. Surprisingly it appeared in the pool and Ash watched in horror as a Lanturn materialized. This was bad. Volkner must use this pokemon to battle any ground types, and it had the advantage against Infernape.

"Lanturn, use Thunderbolt followed by Hydro Pump."

"Infernape, counter with Flamethrower. Full Power." The boosted fire type attack succeeded in pushing the Thunderbolt back, but clearly failed against the water type attack. The attack nailed Infernape in the chest. Infernape clearly dropped from the attack.

Ash returned his valiant fire type and whispered to it, "Amazing, you don't realize how much that meant to me that you stayed standing." Ash then tucked the ball away and grabbed another. He then threw it and yelled, "Time to get serious, Torterra, show them your will."

His giant turtle-like pokemon roared and stomped on the ground. Torterra glared at his opponent. Torterra was Ash's power card. Torterra was his way to make up any advantage. Torterra would get the job done.

"Now, we get to see a strong pokemon," Bertha claimed with a smile. Ground types always beat fire in her opinion.

Cynthia nodded in agreement and said thoughtfully, "The match up makes sense. Although I figured he'd use Torterra as his anchor."

Scott nodded in agreement, and Gary looked slightly confused. He then questioned, "What's an anchor?"

Bertha quickly answered since Cynthia was stuck in her own thinking, "An anchor is a person's fifth pokemon. Generally the anchor is a pokemon with high power and defense. An anchor is usually used if a person is losing by the second half. They put a strong pokemon in that almost certainly will take out one or two pokemon. Since they are fifth, the opponent shouldn't have more than three pokemon or so left. The anchor takes out a couple, and if the anchor falls, then the trainer still has another pokemon left to wrap up. It is a very high level tactic, but effective when used correctly. Torterra would have been perfect. Fully evolved, high defense, and able to do grass and ground type moves. Ash must have known this, so why didn't he use a different pokemon."

Scott quickly wondered aloud, "Maybe he wanted to keep his other two for later. Even it up now so that those two are fighting on equal footing."

Flint then claimed cockily, "Your acting as if Torterra is sure to take down two. Volkner's Lanturn is trained to battle grass types. It is even better since Torterra is part ground."

Palmer looked at Flint and asked calmly, "You mean he has a way to defeat Torterra?" This just caused Flint to grin broader as they watched the battle start.

Ash quickly ordered, "Torterra, use Leaf Storm." Torterra growled and created a vortex of leaves as it curved towards Lanturn.

Volkner quickly countered, "Jump into the water." Lanturn quickly submerged itself underwater, and the Leaf Storm pounded fruitlessly on the surface. As soon as the attack stopped, Volkner ordered, "Now use Hydro Pump."

Lanturn quickly jumped out of the water and shot a pressurized stream of water at Torterra. The attack connected with the side of his shell, but didn't bother him. Torterra quickly shook his body and broke the attack, but before he could counter, Lanturn was back in the water. Clearly, Volkner was sticking with a hit and run strategy.

Ash quickly decided to put in play their plan and ordered Torterra, "Walk to the edge of the water." Torterra started to slowly lumber over to the pool. When Torterra was overlooking the water Ash ordered, "As soon as you see Lanturn, hit it with Hyper Beam."

Torterra watched intently for a sign of Lanturn and finally saw a shadow at the opposite end of the pool. Torterra quickly opened his mouth and charged up a ball of pure orange energy. With a grunt, Torterra launched the attack. The beam pierced right through the water and headed for the shadow. Following a desperate shout from Volkner, Lanturn managed to dodge by a hair's width. The Hyper Beam collided with a wall and created an explosion underwater.

As water launched into the air, Volkner yelled, "Now use Signal Beam when it can't move." Lanturn surfaced and launched a multicolored beam at Torterra. Torterra let out a grunt as the super effective attack hit. The attack managed to push the Continent Pokemon back several feet, but Torterra took it without making any more noise.

Ash took the time to make the next part of the plan by yelling, "No attack from that distance can hurt Torterra."

Volkner growled and ordered in a bad move, "Lanturn, start swimming closer as you hit it with Ice Beam." Ash flinched at the move, but had been expecting it. An ice type move was perfect for an electric type gym.

Lanturn started swimming rapidly towards Torterra as it let out a blue-white beam at Torterra. Still immobile, Torterra took it with another grunt as the quadruple effective attack hit. Ice started to build up on Torterra's shoulder where it was being hit.

Ash watched intently as the Lanturn got closer. The attack was becoming more powerful as it got loser and Ash started to mutter to himself, "Take it…Little More…Now," He then yelled, "Torterra, use Crunch." With speed disregarding its size, Torterra took a quick step forward and fastened its mouth over the main antenna on Lanturn's head. Torterra picked the pokemon out of the water and started swinging it. Lanturn ignored Volkner's orders and let out a Thunderbolt, which had no effect on Torterra.

Ash grinned and quickly explained confidently, "I got the idea from my rival. He had his Torterra use Frenzy Plant, knowing it wouldn't hit and that I would capitalize on the recovery period. He then allowed my pokemon to get close enough to counter." Volkner growled at the trap and Ash ordered, "Torterra send it into the air and use Leaf Storm."

Torterra launched the flailing Lanturn into the air and summoned the vortex of cutting leaves. It surrounded Lanturn and launched the crying pokemon into the ground away from the pool. Ash then ordered seriously, "Use Rock Climb." Torterra then had its feet grow glowing claws that slammed deep into the ground. Torterra then gave a terrifying roar as it perched on its hind legs and slammed its clawed feet into the ground. A giant block of stone came out of the ground and hoisted Lanturn twenty feet into the air. Torterra then started running up the small mountain as it charged Lanturn.

Volkner quickly ordered, "Ice Beam." Lanturn shot out the counter, but Torterra charged right through it and smacked into the smaller pokemon. Lanturn was thrown off the rock and smashed into the ground. Torterra wasn't done yet, and Volkner watched in horror as Torterra jumped off the rock and headed towards Lanturn. Volkner then yelled desperately, "Use Blizzard, full power."

Lanturn reacted from the desperation in its master's voice and shot the stream of frozen pressurized air at the underside of Torterra. Torterra growled in pain as the ice type move collided with its vulnerable underside, but continued its descent and landed on the ground with a heavy noise.

Ash ground his teeth when Lanturn hopped out from under Torterra. That Blizzard slowed Torterra's descent and threw his aiming off so that that final attack missed, and now, Torterra had his entire shoulder and underside covered in ice. Ash knew he had to get rid of that and ordered, "Use Synthesis."

Torterra started to glow as it took in light and the ice started to crack and melt from the excess energy.

Volkner quickly took advantage and yelled, "Lanturn, use Surf." His pokemon then summoned up a huge wave of water and rode the attack as it bore down on the recovering Torterra.

Ash clenched his fist as he ordered triumphantly, "Use Solarbeam."

Volkner laughed and yelled, "It won't be…" Volkner then watched in confusion and despair as Torterra launched a yellow-green beam from its mouth instantly. The grass type attack ripped the surf down the middle and blasted into Lanturn. The attack suspended Lanturn in midair before evaporating. Lanturn fell without moving and landed. Volkner returned his pokemon in shock before he realized. He then called to Ash, "You used the sunlight from the Synthesis to launch the Solarbeam without charging."

Ash shrugged and answered calmly, "It's useful to have a backup plan prepared for using a recovery move."

"Volkner was outsmarted the entire time there," Lucian commented in admiration.

Flint quickly defended his friend by pointing out, "But he dealed so much damage. That Synthesis didn't finish because of the Solarbeam, and Volkner landed three ice type moves and a Signal Beam. He might have lost, but he crippled Torterra."

Cynthia then let out a small smile and pointed at Torterra before saying, "Maybe not as much as you thought though." Everyone looked to see the rest of the ice break away showing Torterra with only several marks.

Scott pointed out logically, "Torterra have some of the best defense there is. Ash must have known that even super effective attacks wouldn't harm Torterra too much."

Gary quickly added, "And Ash has been known to have unusual pokemon. His Torterra seems even better than most I've seen."

Bertha let out a sweet smile as she added, "And it is far stronger than when I battled it. That was just three weeks ago. Imagine how much stronger it could be by the time the Sinnoh League comes around."

Palmer looked extremely excited as he claimed in an overly loud and dramatic voice, "Looks like I have to work with Rhyperior for the rematch."

Ash watched as a Jolteon was brought out. So Volkner was going for a bug type assault, but it didn't make sense. Torterra was part ground and Jolteon was pure electric type. A single Earthquake and Jolteon would be out.

Ash decided to test it out and ordered, "Start out with a tester Earthquake, Torterra." Torterra growled and balanced on his hind legs before slamming his front into the ground. The ground shook with the impact.

Volkner looked bored as he ordered, "Use Magnet Rise." Jolteon growled and started to glow yellow, and started to float several inches off the ground. The Earthquake passed right underneath.

Ash growled at the nullification of Torterra's ground type moves before ordering, "Use Leaf Storm."

"Counter with Pin Missile."

The bug type attack pierced right through Leaf Storm and started nailing Torterra on the tree placed on his back. That was a particularly sensitive spot for Torterra. Jolteon was keeping up the bug type move. Ash ordered quickly, "Destroy Pin Missile with Energy Ball."

Torterra summoned up the green ball and launched it at the incoming missiles. Unlike Leaf Storm, Energy Ball disintegrated the attack before continuing on to Jolteon. Ash gasped as the Jolteon seemed to fly out of the way. Magnet Rise didn't diminish its speed at all.

Volkner quickly ordered, "Use Signal Beam on the tree." Jolteon let out the multicolored beam which hit Torterra's tree again.

Ash ground his teeth before knowing what they had to do. "Torterra take it." Torterra grunted in confirmation and faced the bug type attack, and refused to move.

Volkner then yelled angrily, "I'm not going to get close this time, Ash. Jolteon, keep up the Signal Beam." Jolteon grunted as it continued the attack. Torterra took it as they waited. A minute passed by and Torterra started to shake, but finally Ash saw the Signal Beam start to weaken. Volkner saw this too and ordered, "Switch to Shadow Ball."

Jolteon switched to launching dark gray balls into Torterra's head. Torterra took it as they knew their chance was coming. After thirty more seconds, Ash saw the new Shadow Ball forming slower. He quickly yelled, "Energy Ball."

Volkner immediately yelled, "Fire." Jolteon let out the Shadow Ball as Torterra fired Energy Ball. The Energy ball quickly destroyed the Shadow Ball before smacking into Jolteon who yelped in response. Between the slowed Shadow Ball and Volkner, in his fear, ordering a premature attack. The Shadow Ball had no chance against Energy Ball. Ash didn't waste any time and yelled, "Stone Edge and then slam it into the ground with Leaf Storm. Then end this with Earthquake."

Torterra roared as multiple circles formed around him. Stones replaced the circles and they all launched at Jolteon who yelped again as the effective attack hit. Jolteon was thrown into the wall. As soon as it pushed itself off, it was smashed into the ground from a Leaf Storm attack. Magnet Rise didn't have a chance against its force. And Jolteon was then nailed with the Earthquake. Jolteon was clearly done from the series of attacks.

Volkner returned his pokemon with shock clearly written on his face. They had been winning for so long before being dismantled in the space of ten seconds.

"Did you see that? How cool was that?" Aaron asked excitedly as he jumped on his seat.

Gary nodded with a smirk and claimed cockily, "Ash had that planned out from the start."

Cynthia decided to play the dark horse as she pointed out, "Except look at Torterra. It is close to fainting now. It just took quite a bit of clear super effective attacks. It may have won, but it came at a big price."

Ash had realized this too and was preparing to launch an all out attack at the beginning. They needed to deal as much damage as possible. Ash watched as Volkner pulled out a poke ball. Volkner looked at it for a moment before throwing it and yelling, "I'm relying on you, Raichu."

Ash cursed as Volkner's first pokemon came out. The larger version of Pikachu swished its tail eagerly. Ash quickly yelled, "Use Earthquake." Torterra roared and slammed his feet into the ground.

Volkner immediately yelled, "Jump and use Giga Impact." Raichu jumped off the ground and started his descent for Torterra. He started to glow purple before he smashed into Torterra's head. Torterra smashed into the ground and cracked the ground below it, but it continued as Torterra bounced up and flipped backwards before rolling onto his stomach again. Torterra was as out as they come.

Ash gasped. To defeat Torterra in one shot. Even weakened he didn't see how. Ash quickly tried to think and saw double vision for a second. He saw Raichu coming down, but also Cynthia's Garchomp. He then saw the attacks connect with his and Paul's Torterra's heads. Then they both did the same movement. Smashing into the ground before the force actually flipped them onto their back. Both with one attack, knocked out a pokemon that shouldn't be able to be knocked out like that.

The head. Both landed on the head, but Ash knew that the head wasn't particularly weak. The forehead was heavily protected, but then Ash thought on something Cynthia said as she treated Paul's Torterra. That strong attacks can send vibrations through the entire body and damage it all. Maybe the head was a way to transfer energy to the rest of the body. Ash returned Torterra as he thought about how he needed to figure that out. That could help in the future.

Ash turned to Pikachu who nodded. Ash then whispered, "Show them your will, buddy."

"One shot. How?" Gary asked incredulously. Ash had just proven his Torterra's defensive power, but all that was just removed.

"Well Giga Impact is an extremely powerful attack," Lucian pointed out reasonably.

"But would that be enough. It is also a physical move, and Torterra have better physical defense than special," Gary argued. Lucian didn't really have a reply to that.

Cynthia laughed and stated, "Garchomp knocked out Ash's rival's, Paul, Torterra. That was his first pokemon, so he had plenty of time to train it. Garchomp knocked it out with a single Brick Break after being hit with Giga Drain and Frenzy Plant. I imagine it is more powerful than Ash's. Imagine a Torterra that has had as long as Pikachu to train."

Gary still didn't seem convinced and claimed, "Except Garchomp is a pseudo-legendary, and is strongest in physical moves. Raichu had far less physical attack power. I just don't see how it could have been done."

Even Cynthia realized the validity of his argument and replied, "Maybe there is a secret. Ash has told me that Paul's Torterra hasn't even been really hurt in a battle since than. Possibly these two hits just hit right."

"This is an interesting match. Ash's Pikachu against Volkner's Raichu. Both their starter pokemon. I wonder if Ash can pull out a victory over Pikachu's evolved form. Volkner's Raichu is extremely powerful," Flint announced as Pikachu jumped off Ash's shoulder to face Raichu.