Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon. If I did Ash would win everything.
A/N: Here is the next chapter. Hope you enjoy it.
Indigo League Centre Arena
Ash stood with the rest of the finalists, He had been right when he said Gary would make the main tournament. He was just a few feet away, with his cheerleaders in the stand screaming his name. Ash also noticed a trainer who was roughly his age. However what made him stand out from the rest of the other finalists was that he had a Pikachu on his shoulder, and was also looked similar to him. The only real difference was Ash's cap had a rounded front, where this trainers had a square front and was blue with a yellow band around it. Ash also noticed the trainer he had beaten before facing Mewtwo. Ash had laughed when the two trainers had locked eyes, and the guy had placed his hands together and looked to the heavens in prayer. Ash smirked and then turned back to the main stage where Mr Goodshow was standing ready to address all of them.
"Welcome finalist, and congratulation for making it through the qualifying rounds. The main tournament is a straight knock out. Also all battles up to the semi-finals will remain three on three. Once we reach the semi-finals then it will be six on six. Now if you all would like to turn to the big screen we will now match up your next opponents."
Ash turned to look at the screen. He noticed his picture flipped. His opponent however was still blank, then a 30 seconds later it flipped to show Gary. Ash locked eyes with Gary. So he was going to be facing him in the next round. Both trainers acknowledged each other and then turned back to the stage, to hear Mr Goodshow final address.
"There you have it. These matches will take place later this afternoon. Now we will determine what fields you will battle on."
Ash again looked to the screen as his and Gary picture stood in the foreground of a flicking image. Suddenly the image froze and revealed a water type field. Their match would also take place on central battle field, Ash couldn't wait.
Outside Arena
Ash was walking with Sabrina and Brock, they were discussing what Pokemon he should use for the match. Sabrina had suggested Gengar, due to its ability to use elemental attacks, Brock had suggested Dragonair. Ash had decided his last Pokemon would Pikachu. They were just on their way to the Pokemon centre when Ash froze as someone shouted his name.
"Ash! Oh Ash my beautiful little boy." Ash groaned he turned to come face to face with his mum and Professor Oak, who was doing his best to keep Delia under control. Ash then felt himself pulled into a big hug.
"Mum, you're embarrassing me." Ash noticed Delia had let go and was now holding him at arm's length, she had a frown on her face.
"Ash Richard Ketchum, is that anyway to speak to your mother. I haven't seen you for nearly a month. Are you eating at all? You look a little thin. What about you know what? Are you changing them everyday?"
Ash just wanted to crawl under a rock and die. He couldn't believe what is mum had just said. His face was bright red, not out of anger, but total embarrassment. "Yes Mum, I am eating, and yes I am changing you know what every day happy?" Delia stepped back and inclined her head. She then allowed Professor Oak to come forward. The old professor out stretched his hand.
"I understand congratulations are in order, young man. You managed to go through all your qualifying matches without losing a single Pokemon. Most impressive. I also understand that you have been drawn against my grandson in the first round of the main tournament. I wish you both the best luck and know whatever happens. You two are the pride of Pallet Town." Ash smiled and then shook the professor hand.
"Thanks professor, that means a lot. I take you both decided to come watch the tournament?" Ash noticed Delia was smiling.
"Of course. You didn't think I would miss seeing my son in his first Pokemon league tournament did you? I came to support you and to take a few pictures for your photo album. Smile." Delia removed her camera then snapped several pictures of Ash and his friends. The flash was so bright that Pikachu had fallen off Ash's shoulder and landed on the floor. The little mouse Pokemon shook his head and then glared at Delia.
Ash finally recovered from being blinded, he then led his mum and Professor to the Pokemon centre. Ash's match was scheduled to start in a few hours and he wanted to make sure everything was prepared. However there had been something on Ash mind that he had waited to ask the professor about. He had heard once a trainer had won a main league tournament then the amount of Poke ball a trainer could carry at one time would be increased. Ash was hoping this was true. He was planning to travel the five main regions. Kanto, Jhoto, Hoeen, Sinnoh and Unova.
"Professor. Is it true that if a trainer wins a league tournament then the restriction on the number of Poke ball they can carry will be lifted?" Ash noticed professor Oak inclined his head.
"Yes it is true. If a trainer wins an official league tournament then the restriction is lifted, from six balls, to ten balls. If a trainer wins another official tournament then the restriction will be lifted again, this time to fourteen balls."
Ash was pleased about this. If he won this tournament then his restriction would be lifted, allowing him to take Pokemon he already had to the new regions. He would also be able to catch new ones as well. The group sat down for lunch in the Pokemon centre, and discussed a few topics. Ash had heard that Team aqua and Team Magma were causing trouble in the Hoeen region again, and that his dad was now over there trying to stop both teams from capturing the legendary Pokemon. Groudon and Kyogre. The professor then updated Ash on all his Pokemon, it seems his Charmeleon was now showing signs of evolving so Ash decided he would send back one of his other Pokemon, so that he could have Charmeleon on him, just in case he got a chance to evolve it.
Indigo League Centre Arena
Ash looked around the stadium. Every seat was filled. The noise was incredible. Ash could see Sabrina, Brock, Professor Oak and his mum in the stands. His mum was busy snapping picture again. Ash looked across the field and noticed Gary was enjoying the attention. Both trainer then locked eye and nodded to each other. Ash noticed the referee was in position. Both flags raised once more.
"This is a first round Indigo league championship match. Between Gary Oak of Pallet Town and Ash Ketchum of Pallet Town. This battle is a three on three contest. All clauses are in effect. When all of one trainers Pokemon have been eliminated. I will declare the winner. Now prepare your first Pokemon."
Ash looked to the field. It was a huge pool of water with floating platforms all over it. Ash pulled a ball from his belt. "Gengar end this." Ash threw is ball onto the field and Gengar appeared, grinning at Gary.
Gary ignored the smirk on Gengar face, and threw his own ball onto the field. "I choose you Gyarados!" The ball opened up to reveal Gary's Gyarados, it landed in the pool with a big slash and then surfaced before roaring. The roar lowered Gengar attack power.
Ash smiled, so his Gyarados had intimidate. Ash was pleased that it wasn't moxie, like his. Ash waited for the referee to officially start the match.
"Gengar vs Gyarados. Begin!"
Ash wasted no time in launching his first attack. Gengar use Substitute!" Gengar grinned before making a copy of himself and vanishing from the field.
Gary watched Gengar vanish from sight. This was going to make the battle a lot harder. Still it had not attacked which was a good thing seeing how Gengar was faster than his Gyarados, but not for long. "Gyarados use Dragon dance!" Gyarados roared before being surrounded by an orange and black energy, allowing it to increase its speed and attack.
Ash narrowed his eyes. "Gengar use Disable!" Gengar appeared, it eyes glowed yellow, disabling Gyarados from using dragon Dance for three to five turns.
Gary growled in frustration. He was going to try another one, to make sure his Gyarados could over power any of Ash's Pokemon, now though it couldn't use it thanks to disable. "Gyarados use Outrage!" Gyarados roared once more. It was then surrounded by a red energy and charged at the substitute of Gengar breaking it.
Ash just folded his arms. He expected Gary to be a lot better than this. "Gengar lets end this. Thunder bolt on the pool!" Gengar grinned and then formed an orb of electricity between its hands and sent the bolt of lightning right at the pool of water. Causing it to light up, and fry Gyarados who was floating on the surface of the water. The huge sea serpent coughed some smoke before falling face first into the pool with swirl for eyes.
The referee raised his flag. "Gyarados is unable to battle. The winner is Gengar. Trainer send out your next Pokemon."
Gary recalled Gyarados. How could he had been so stupid. He knew Gengar knew electric attacks, so why had he allowed the ghost Pokemon to use them. Had he used roar then Gengar would have been sent back to Ash and a fresh Pokemon would be right for the picking with outrage. Gary growled, he still had a lot to learn. "Go Steelix!" The ball opened up to reveal Onix evolved form. Steelix towered over the field and growled at Gengar.
The referee raised his flag. "Steelix Vs Gengar, begin!"
Ash looked at the steel type. Last time he had faced this Pokemon, it had been a Onix, now though it was a Steelix. Ash wasn't sure what moves it had so decided to play safe. "Gengar use Substitute!" Gengar made another copy of itself before vanishing.
Gary shook his head. "Not this time Ashy boy. Steelix use Roar!" Steelix opened its mouth and let out a huge roar, breaking Gengar substitute and sending the ghost Pokemon back to Ash. Pikachu then was picked and forced onto the field. This made Gary smile.
Ash frowned, he had been expected that tactic last round, but Gary had used Outrage instead. It wouldn't have been bad if Steelix was still an Onix as Pikachu had access to Iron tail. However that attack wouldn't be much good on a steel type. Ash knew is Pikachu was strong, but it was completely out matched in this battle.
The referee raised both flags. "Pikachu vs Steelix, begin!"
Gary decided to start things off. "Steelix use Earthquake!" Steelix whole body began to spin before it used its huge steel tail to smash down onto the battle field. The whole arena shook.
Ash needed to counter fast. Only place his Pikachu was safe was the water. "Pikachu, quickly dive into the pool" Pikachu jumped into the pool and then surfaced above the water. Only signs of the earthquake was the huge waves in the pool but Pikachu luckily hadn't suffered any damage. The question now was, what was Ash planning to do?
Gary growled in frustration. Pikachu had dodged his attack and now it was in the water. If steelix went anywhere near the pool then he would fall in and that would be the end of this battle. "Steelix use Ice fang on the surface of the water!" Steelix teeth turned into icicles, it then charged its head towards the pool.
Ash seeing what Gary was up to decided to act fast. "Pikachu out of the pool quick and then use Double team!" Pikachu leapt out of the water, just as the whole pool was frozen over. It then landed on the ice and made several copies of itself.
Gary didn't look to concerned. It didn't matter how many copies of Pikachu there were, earthquake would hit them all. Steelix use Earthquake." Steelix moved forward a little, it was only a little way but Ash had noticed and he was smiling. With the field now covered it ice it was hard to tell where the pool was. However Ash knew, and now he was going to make Gary pay for his stupidity.
"Pikachu quickly jump and then use Iron tail on the ice right in front of Steelix!" All the Pikachu jumped just as the earth shook causing cracks to appear in the ice. All the Pikachu then flipped in the air, their tails covered by steel. They all slammed their tails right in front of steelix.
Gary laughed. " You missed Ash" However when he heard the cracks of the ice, his eyes widened. It was then he noticed where Steelix was. The ice below its body was now giving way and below was the pool of water. "Quickly Steelix back up hurry." However it was too late, the ice gave way and the whole of Steelix body fell into the pool of water. Gary watched helpless while Steelix thrashed around in the water. After a while, swirls appeared in its eyes.
The referee raised the flag. "Steelix is unable to battle, the winner is Pikachu. Trainer send out your final Pokemon."
Gary recalled Steelix. Even with the type advantage. Ash had managed to use a smart strategy to turn the tables. He was down to his last Pokemon. unfortunately it was Blastoise. Gary threw the ball onto the field and out of the ball appeared his starter, now fully evolved.
Ash was happy about this. Now he had the advantage. However he wasn't going to fall for Gary bide and withdraw combo this time.
The referee raised both flags. "Pikachu vs Blastoise, begin!" Both flags dropped.
Ash wasted no time in making sure the battle was going to his. "Pikachu, Thunder wave!" If Ash was right Gary was going to instruct his Blastoise into the pool, avoiding the status attack. This would leave his Blastoise wide open. However Ash was surprised to hear Gary shout out.
"Blastoise use Hidden Power!" Blastoise roared before slamming its foot on the field. The attack had taken Pikachu by surprise who was now being launched into the air. It seems the attack had been hidden power ground.
Ash was surprised at the attack. His Pikachu was now heading for the battle field floor. "Pikachu quickly use Thunder!" Pikachu spun in mid-air then launched a thunder attack, however the bolt landed a few feet from Blastoise missing him.
Gary was pleased the attack had missed. Now it was his turn. "Blastoise use Hydro Pump!" Blastoise roared before charging its two huge water cannons. It then launched two blasts of water at Pikachu. The attack hit causing Pikachu to cry out in pain and then fall to the arena floor. He was covered in scorch marks. He got to its feet and gritted his teeth. He then fell face down on the field.
"Pikachu is unable to battle. The winner is Blastoise. Trainer send out your next Pokemon."
Ash recalled Pikachu. Gary had taken him completely by surprise with that hidden power. He was left with two Pokemon now. Ash pulled off Gengar ball from his belt. "Gengar end this!" The ball snapped open to reveal Gengar ready to battle once more.
The referee raised both flags. "Gengar Vs Blastoise, begin!"
Ash decided to waste no time. "Gengar use Thunderbolt now!" Gengar formed an orb of electricity between its hands then launched the attack at Blastoise.
Gary seeing potential lights out for his Pokemon, decided to do the only thing he could do. "Blastoise Protect!" Blastoise formed a blue sphere around itself and watched the thunderbolt absorbed causing no damage.
Ash again was surprised by Gary's move. "Gengar use Hypnosis!" Gengar eyes glowed blue. It then sent out hypnotic waves towards Blastoise.
Gary seeing only one option had to take it. Blastoise into the water now!" Blastoise dived into the pool avoiding the hypnotic waves, however now it was trapped.
Ash smiled. It was the only move Gary could make, especially with the chance of Protect failing if used again. "Okay Gengar end this Thunderbolt onto the pool!" Gengar quickly charged an orb of electricity between its hands and then sent it at the pool. Like it had done against Gyarados. The pool lit up and Blastoise was caught right in the middle of it. The turtle Pokemon sank into the pool, before a few seconds later, floating to the surface, with swirl for eyes.
"The referee raised the flag on Ash side of the field. "Blastoise is unable to battle. The winner is Gengar. Seeing how all of Gary Oak's Pokemon are knocked out, then I declare Ash Ketchum the winner of this match and he will advance to the quarter finals.
Ash recalled Gengar while Gary recalled Blastoise. Both their platforms then joined allowing both trainers to meet in the middle and shake each other hands. Gary looked at Ash and then grinned. "Well done Ash. You deserved to win today. However don't thing this is over. I will train twice as hard now and when we next meet, then I will win."
Ash just laughed. "Well don't forget while you are training, then I will be too. So expect a tougher battle next time. " Both trainers then turned to the crowd who were now on their feet cheering for both trainers. Ash looked to the stands and noticed Sabrina was smiling and clapping her hands, while his mum was snapping pictures every five minutes. He had won his fourth match and now he had a place in the quarter finals. Ash couldn't wait to see who he would be facing next.
A/N: There you have it. Ash is in the quarter finals and will now face Richie. However i assure you this battle will be nothing like canon.