ch 63:The Indigo Stadium
It was early in the morning in the Indigo plateau and Ash was standing inside the Indigo Stadium with Ritchie, Alana, and Sam.
The stadium was empty except for the 4 of them.
"Hard to believe, isn't it. The 4 of us all made it here." Ritchie said.
"I still can't believe I made it here. Into the actual Indigo Stadium." Sam said.
"The competition is really going to git stiff here. I just hope we don't get pitted against each other early on." Alana said.
"You guys better hope you don't get pitted against me." Sam said confidently.
Ritchie turned to Ash.
"So Ash, I've noticed that most of the pokemon you've used aren't ones from your old Kalos team. If they've been battling in the NPC for years, wouldn't they be stronger?" Ritchie asked.
"They are, the thing is , Daniel only wants me using the pokemon I raised here on this journey except one of my older pokemon per match. The same with Gary. " Ash said.
"I guess that means if I end up facing you, I may have a slight change." Ritchie said.
"You know the roster for who is facing who and well will be up soon. We should head down there soon." Alana said.
"I'm heading there right now to see who I'm going to beat." Sam said as she walked out.
"We should probably go to." Alana said.
"We'll see you later Ash." Ritchie said.
"Pika." Sparky said.
"Pika." Pikachu said.
As Ritchie left with Alana, Ash saw someone else reveal themselves.
"Keeping close with your new little friends I see." Gary said.
"They're good trainers Gary." Ash said.
"Not good enough. You and I both know that those 3 aren't going to win this. I've done a little research, some of these trainers are professionals like us. Now young starters like your friends there."
"Ritchie isn't a starter , he's competed in the pokemon league before. He may have even been in it with you. Besides they have just as much of a chance of winning as we do." Ash said.
"I know that Sam girl of your's won't be winning.{"
"Why is that?" Ash asked.
"Because, I'm facing her today at 3:00." Gary said.
Ash turned to him.
"You can't ask me to go easy on her. I never hold back on anyone. It wouldn't be fair to my pokemon." Gary said.
Ash sighed.
"You better watch out, she's better than you think she is. It would be ashamed for you to get knocked out of the Indigo stadium so early" Ash said.
"Yeah if you want it that way, I think I'll give a certain pokemon of mine some good exercise." Gary said before he walked off.
Ash and Pikachu gave concerned looks.
He knew that if Sam kept winning, she would face one of them eventually.
After leaving the Indigo stadium, Ash met up with Serena , Lucy, and Brock in the registration building.
"Alright Mr. Ketchum , let's see who you're facing today." The woman behind the counter said.
She put Ash's information in and then a picture of a young man.
"A Finn Dusker at 2:00." The young woman said.
"Anything I should know about him?" Ash asked.
"He competed in the Indigo league 3 years ago but lost in the semi finals. He eventually gained membership in the KPTL and has been there since." The woman said.
"KPTL, geez Gary was right. I am facing a professional." Ash said slightly nervously.
"You've got this Ash, you've been in the NPC for years." Serena said.
"I know, but Daniel said I can only use one of my pokemon from the NPC. It took years to get my original team to get to the standards of the NPC."
"Don't think like that Ash, you're pokemon have just as much chance to win even with your younger pokemon." Brock said.
Ash tightened his first.
"You're right! We're going to beat this guy today!" Ash said.
Later that day Ash was at his condo looking at his pokemon who he let roam outside.
Serena was with Lucy and Shauna.
He then looked down at his pokeballs he had set down on the table.
He was trying to go over who he should use. He knew his newer pokemon were good, and he had trained most of them for over a year. But his opponent's pokemon would be at the level of his older pokemon, this would be incredibly difficult.
If he could only pick one of his older pokemon, he'd have to pick carefully.
Moments later there was a knock on the door.
"Come in." Ash said.
The door opened as Red walked in. Ash noticed Red's hair was even messier than normal and his jacket looked like it wasn't on properly.
"Geez Red what happened?" Ash asked.
"Korrina's idea of a honeymoon. I'm lucky I got an hour break." Red said sweat dropping.
"Well you can rest here in the meantime." Ash said as Red sat down on the couch.
"Red I could actually use your help, I'm trying to decide who I should use for this first round in the Indigo stadium. It's 6 vs 6, my opponent is in the KPTL and I can only use one of my older pokemon."
"Well I actually have some news from Daniel. He asked me to tell you that in this first round, you and Gary can use 2 of your older pokemon. If you make it to the next round then you can use 3, if you make it to the semifinals 4, the finals all 6."
Hearing this made Ash feel a little better, but he still had a lot to think about.
"Alright the younger pokemon I want to use are Haunter, Venusaur, Aerodactyl, and Tauros. I want to decide who I want to use from my older team." Ash said.
"Well you've used Pikachu and Charizard a lot in Kanto. How about one's you haven't used in a while." Red said.
"That's a good idea. Like Lucario, I'm sure he'd love to be in a battle, but who else?" Ash asked.
Moments later they heard tapping on the door.
Ash and Red turned to see Pikachu tapping on the glass.
"Pika!" He shouted.
"What's going on?" Ash asked as he and Red walked outside.
They saw Ash's pokemon circled around Croconaw who had a massive pile of crushed pebbles around him.
"Chu." Pikachu said, telling Ash that he had been crushing rocks in his mouth as a jaw exercise.
Croconaw was now glowing white, and growing bigger.
"No way." Ash said in disbelief.
When Croconaw stopped glowing he was now massive and his jaw was even bigger than it was before. His back spikes had increased in size as well as his claws.
"Grow!" He roared.
"Wow Croconaw finally evolved into Feraligatr." Red said.
Ash had been training him for years and had used him in many battles in the NPC. Yet he never evolved before. It was almost perplexing, was he just a late bloomer like Felix had told him and Red some pokemon were.
Ash smiled.
"I know who else I'm using in my match today." Ash said.
Moments later the two felt another aura behind them.
"Oh boy." Red said as Korrina wrapped her arms around his shoulders and pressed her head against the back of his head.
"Break's over." She said.
Ash noticed her hair was a bigger mess than Red's.
"What time is your match Ash?" Red asked.
"2:00." Ash said.
"Plenty of time, Ash we're using your guest room." Korrina said as she guided Red inside and he sweat dropped.
Ash and all of his pokemon sweat dropped at the same time.
"OK I guess we won't be going inside for a while. Or going in that guest room , ever again."
Later that day, Ash was standing in the tunnel of the Indigo stadium. Pikachu was on his shoulder as they stared out at the light that was the Indigo stadium field.
"This is it, the Indigo stadium." Ash said as he took a deep breath.
"Time to make our dream a reality." Ash said before he slowly walked in.
He looked around at the crowd around him and tried to take it all in.
There were no platforms, just one of the largest battlefields he had ever seen.
Standing on the other side of the stadium was Ash's Opponent Finn Dusker.
He looked a year or so older than Ash with brown hair and green eyes. He wore black pants with a blue t-shirt with white sleeves. He also wore a pair of shades.
Inside the crowd, Serena and the others were sitting near the front row.
"This is so exciting. " Serena said.
"I've never seen any of Ash's NPC matches in person. This should be very exciting." Oak said.
"Alright folks our third match for today in the Indigo Stadium, we have Ash Ketchum against Finn Dusker. Two professional trainers will now face off. This should prove to be an explosive match." The announcer said.
"The battle between trainer Ash Ketchum and Finn Dusker is about to begin. Trainer's choose your pokemon." The ref said.
Finn reached to his belt and took out a pokeball.
"Go Kadabra!" Finn shouted as the small psychic type pokemon came out and sat on the ground in front of his trainer.
"Trainer Finn Dusker has chosen an Kadabra."
Ash reached for his own pokeball belt and held it close to his face before throwing it forward.
"I choose you Haunter!" Ash shouted.
"Haunt!" Haunter shouted.
"Trainer Ash has chosen a Haunter." The other announcer said.
"A ghost vs a psychic type. Both are weak to each other. This should be very interesting." Felix said.
"Both trainers have chosen their pokemon. Let the match begin!" The ref shouted.
"Kadabra use Psychic." Finn said.
"Haunter use Shadow claw!" Ash shouted.
As Kadabra's eyes glowed blue, he unleashed a wave of psychic energy at Haunter.
However, Haunter's claws glowed violet as he slashed through the wave of psychic energy without taking any damage.
"Shadow ball!"
"Teleport."
Haunter formed a ball of shadow energy in his mouth before unleashing it right at Kadabra. Just before it could hit, the small Psychic pokemon vanished.
"Haunter, get ready, he could appear anywhere." Ash said.
Haunter quickly turned around completely only to see Kadabra wasn't there.
Kadabra reappeared to Haunter's flank.
"Psychic."
Before Ash could even react , Haunter was hit and hurled back.
"Haunter takes a direct hit, one that will certainly deal a lot of damage." The announcer said.
Ash could feel the sheer force behind Kadabra's attack.
Haunter got up and stared Kadabra down.
"Kadabra use Psyshock."
"Haunter use Shadow ball and stay close behind it."
"Haunter! Haunter shouted as he unleashed another Shadow ball that tore through the incoming Psywave.
Haunter stayed close behind it , hopping to follow it right to Kadabra.
"Teleport." Finn said.
Kadabra vanished just before Haunter could reach him.
"Kadabra use Psywave." Kadabra appeared behind Haunter this time and blasted him with Psywave.
"Haunter takes another direct hit." The announcer said.
"This isn't good, Haunter can't even touch Kadabra." Clemont said.
"Ash can figure this out. He always does." Serena said.
"Haunter use Shadow ball!" Ash shouted.
"What is he doing that won't work." Brock said.
Serena watched Ash and Haunter closely as he formed a ball of ghost energy in his mouth and unleashed it at Kadabra.
"Teleport."
Kadabra vanished.
"Haunter use Dark pulse." Ash said.
Haunter grinned as he unleashed a pulse of dark energy around him, that went father than a normal one. As Kadabra reappeared, he was hit by the Dark pulse and stumbled backwards.
"How about that." Red said.
"Go Haunter!" Serena shouted.
"Haunter Shadow Claw!"
Haunter rushed over and slashed Kadabra with his claws before he could Teleport away.
Kadabra fell to the ground before he looked over to Finn who nodded.
Just before Kadabra fainted, he gave Haunter a very intense and mean look.
"Kadabra is unable to battle." The ref said.
"Alright Haunter!" Ash shouted.
"Well folks trainer Ash Ketchum and his Haunter turned it around for the knockout." The announcer said.
"Kadabra return, you did your part and I thank you." Finn said before he returned Kadabra. He took out the next pokeball and hurled it forward.
"Get ready for my next one Cacturne." Finn said as the large Cactus pokemon came out.
"Haunter you've done enough return." Ash said as he tried to return Haunter.
However, he wouldn't go back in the pokeball.
"What?" Ash said.
"Haunt?" Haunter said in confusion.
"It seems trainer Ash can't return his pokemon."
"What's going on, is his pokeball broken?" Shauna asked.
Finn smiled.
"It seems your Haunter had someone look at him the wrong way. Cacturne use Sucker punch " Finn said.
"Haunter use Shadow claw" Ash said.
Haunter tried to knock Cacturne's fist out of the way, but his fatigue had finally caught up with him.
Cacturne's first knocked Haunter's claws aside and slammed into his face, hurling him back.
"Haunter!" Ash shouted.
Haunter landed on the ground in front of Ash with swirly eyes.
"Haunter is unable to battle." The ref said.
"There you have it folks, trainer Finn has just evened things out again." The first announcer said.
"Haunter return, you did great Haunter." Ash said as he reached for his next Pokeball.
"I choose you Venusaur!" Ash shouted as Venusaur came out of his pokeball and stood in front of Ash.
"Saur!"
"Trainer Ash has now chosen a Venusaur!"
"Venusaur huh, so a grass on grass battle. Should be close." Red said.
"Cacturne use Leech seed."
"Venusaur Vine whip on those seeds." Ash said.
"Saur!" Venusaur shouted as he unleashed over a dozen vines from his bloom at the seeds Cacturne launched at him.
The vines smacked the seeds right back at Cacturne.
"Cacturne use Sucker punch from above."
Cacturne leapt up and over the Leech seeds before doing a front flip and coming down with his right arm raised ready to strike Venusaur.
"Vine whip!" Ash shouted.
"Saur!" Venusaur shouted as he whipped his vines around Cacturne's arms and hurled him into the ground.
"Yes." Ash said.
"Pika!".
"That was close." Lucy said.
"Go Venusuar!" Serena shouted.
"Cacturne pull him in." Finn said.
Cacturne got up and began wrapped the vines further around his arms as he pulled Venusaur closer to him.
"Venusaur use Growth and pull yourself back."
Venusaur increased his special attack power as he tried to pull himself back and away from Cacturne.
Despite his efforts, Venusaur couldn't beat the leverage Cacturne had on him and was pulled closer.
"Venusaur use Growth!"
"Venusaur can't seem to break free from Cacturne's pull."
Ash looked up at the sky and saw the amount of sunlight filling the stadium.
"Venusaur get ready." Ash said.
"Saur!" Venusaur said nodding.
Eventually Cacturne pulled Venusaur within arm's reach.
"Revenge."
"Turne! Cacturne shouted as his arm glowed red as he collected rage from taking Venusaur's last attack and unleashed it as he smashed his arm into Venusaur's face.
"That's gotta hurt." Brock said.
"Hold on Venusaur!" Serena shouted.
Ash felt the power behind Cacturne's attack , but he also felt Venusaur's determination.
"Venusaur has taken a direct hit and is still at Cacturne's mercy." The announcer said as Cacturne raised his arm to use Revenge again.
That was when Finn noticed the bloom on Venusaur's back was now glowing.
"Huh?"
"Solarbeam!" Ash shouted.
"Saur!" Venusaur roared as he unleashed a massive beam of solar energy from the bloom on his back.
The Solarbeam hit Cacturne and hurled him back.
"He got him!" Serena said.
"Great hit Venusaur." Ash said.
"That looked like it did more damage than it was suppose to." Bonnie said.
"It did because Venusaur used growth twice, that greatly increased the power of his Solarbeam.
"Well folks Ash turns it around it again." The first announcer said.
"Venusaur use Double edge!" Ash shouted as Venusaur sprinted forward.
Cacturne raised his head and saw Venusaur sprinting at him.
"Leech seed on the ground." Finn said.
Cancturn leapt up and shot the ground in front of him with a seed that sprouted just as Venusaur went over it.
The sprout entangled Venusaur and began draining his energy.
"Leech seed had Venusaur in his hold."
"Cacturne use Pin missile."
Cacturne raised his arms and pelted Venusaur with Pin missiles as the leech seed continued to train his energy away.
"Venusaur use Vine whip to break free!"
"Saur." Venusaur said as he let his vines out and tried to force the leech seed sprouts off him.
After a minute he forced the sprouts off him and continued on smashing all of his vines into Cacturne, hurling him back.
"Double edge!" Ash shouted as Venusaur sprinted at Cacturne.
Cacturne raised his head and saw Venusaur getting closer.
"Cacturne, destiny bond."
Venusaur crashed into Cacturne and hurled him back.
When Cacturne landed his eyes were swirly.
"Cacturne is unable to battle." The ref said.
"Yes that's two down." Ash said before he saw violet energy surrounding Venusaur.
"What?" Ash said as Venusaur gave a dizzy look before fainting.
"Cacturne's taking Venusaur with him." Finn said.
"Venusaur is also unable to battle." The ref said.
"I'm not sure what just happened folks but both pokemon are down."
"Why did Venusaur just faint?" Shauna asked.
"That Cacturne must have used Destiny bond. It's the only way." Red said.
Ash returned Venusaur.
"Rest well Venusaur."
"Cacturne return." Finn said as he took out his next pokeball.
"Go Jolteon!" he shouted as the electric Eeveelution came out.
Ash took out his next pokeball as well.
"I choose you Aerodactyl!" Ash shouted.
"Aerooo!" Aerodactyl shouted as he flew out.
"Jolted use Discharge."
Jolteon's spiked fur stood up as she unleashed 3 bolts of unstable electricity at Aerodactyl.
"Aerodactyl doge and use Rock slide." Ash said.
Aerodactly flew in and made several sharp turns , narrowly avoiding each of the bolts of electricity before hurling 5 large rocks down at Jolteon.
"Double kick off those rocks."
Jolteon leapt off each rock, using double kick to propel herself directly over Aerodactyl.
"Discharge."
Jolteon blasted Aerodactyl before he could even move.
"Aerooo!" Aerodactyl shouted in pain.
"A direct hit." Ash said gritting his teeth.
"Discharge hits its mark folks."
"Now follow up with Double kick."
"Aerodactyl use Crunch!" Ash shouted.
Before Jolteon could unleash her feet at Aerodactyl. He flew forward and snapped his massive jaws around Jolteon before hurling her back several feet into the air before she crashed into the ground.
"Gotcha." Ash said.
"Aerodactyl recovered from discharge nicely." Korrina said.
Jolteon got back up and growled at Aerodactyl.
"Aerodactyl use rock slide."
Aerodactyl flew in and unleashed several massive rocks towards Jolteon.
"Agility into Discharge."
Jolteon made several quick movements avoiding each of the rocks before unleashing 3 bolts of electricity.
"Aerodactyl fly down in an arch and use Rock slide."
Aerodactyl made a sharp turn and flew at an angle as he unleashed his attack.
At the same time Jolteon unleashed another Discharge.
Both pokemon were hit with the attacks with Jolteon under a rock and Aerodactyl paralyzed.
"That's not good, now Aerodactyl can't move." Lucy said.
Jolteon forced the rock off her and got up.
"Jolteon use Thunder!".
"Aerodactyl doge it!"
Aerodactyl tried to move, but was still paralyzed and took the attack head on.
"Aeroo!" He cried before crashing into the ground with swirly eyes.
"Aerodactyl is unable to continue." The ref said.
"Just like that folks Finn takes the lead." The announcer said.
"Aerodactyl return, you did you best." Ash said as he took out his next pokeball.
"I choose you Tauros!" Ash shouted.
"Mooh!" Tauros shouted as he came out and scrapped his hooves across the ground.
"Tauros, he'll turn things around for Ash." Serena said.
"Jolteon use Discharge."
"Tauros use Stone edge." Ash said.
Tauros smashed his horns into the ground came up with a collection of spiked rocks on his head before unleashing them into the incoming electricity, tearing the bolts apart.
"Double kick." Finn said.
Jolteon leapt up and smashed through several off the incoming rocks with her feet.
"Bulldoze!" Ash shouted.
"Moahh!" Tauros shouted as he charged forward and smashed into Jolteon who was still in the air.
"Jolteon!" Finn shouted.
Jolteon landed in front of him with swirly eyes.
"Jolteon is unable to battle."
"Ash evens things out again."
"Jolteon return." Finn said as he took out his 4th pokeball.
"Go Dugtrio."
"Trio." The triple Digllet said as he came out and popped his heads out of the ground.
"A Dugtrio. This could be tricky for Ash." Oak said.
"Dugtrio use Earth Power."
"Trio." Dugtrio shouted as he unleashed a powerful seismic blast.
"Tauros use Bulldoze!" Ash shouted.
"Moaah!" Tauros shouted as he charged forward with seismic power behind his own attack and plowed clean through the incoming Earth Power.
"Dugtrio Dig!".
Dugtrio burrowed clean under the Bulldoze and came up behind Tauros.
"Tri Attack!".
"Trio." Dugtrio shouted as he unleashed the triple attack and hit Tauro's side.
"Tauros takes a direct hit." The announcer said.
"Tauors use Bulldoze."
Tauros charged forward using seismic power to shake the ground.
"Dig, as far down as you can go."
Dugtrio burrowed down so far that he avoided the Bulldoze's effects.
"It looks like Dugtrio's dig is so powerful, he can dig past the effects of Bulldoze.
Once it was safe Dugtrio came back up.
"Tri attack."
"Trio." Dugtrio said as he unleashed another triple attack.
Tauro's size made it difficult for him to avoid that attack in time and was hit once more.
"That Dugtrio is too fast. " Delia said.
"Come on Tauros, you can beat him." Serena said.
"Tauros use your hooves, feel where he's moving." Ash said as Dugtrio burrowed underground again.
When Tauros felt the ground move, he knew where Dugtrio was moving and where he'd come up.
"Bulldoze!".
"Moahh! Tauros shouted as he slammed his hooves into the ground and caused a seismic quake that hit Dugtrio underground.
"Trio!" Dugtrio cried as they surfaced.
"He got them!" Serena shouted.
"Tauros use Bulldoze!" Ash shouted.
"Mooah!" Tauros shouted as he sprinted at Dugtrio with seismic power behind his attack.
"Dugtrio use Fissure!"
"Trio!" Dugtrio shouted as he unleashed a massive series of cracks in the ground.
"Oh no Tauros look out!" Ash shouted.
Tauros tried to stop himself, but he was too late.
He fell into the Fissure and was caught in its power before being knocked out.
"Issue, one hit KO if it lands. Very dangerous." Felix said.
"Tauros is unable to battle."
"Amazing folks, trainer Finn has taken the lead again."
"That's not good, this guy has 3 pokemon left and Ash only has 2." Brock said.
"But I know who those 2 remaining pokemon are." Red said smiling.
"Tauros return, you did great Tauros." Ash said before he took out his 5th pokeball and held it to his face before hurling it forward.
"I choose you Lucario!" Ash shouted.
Serena, Clemont, Bonnie, and Korrina's eyes widened as they saw Ash's Lucario do a front flip before landing in front of him with a very aggressive stance and expression.
"Trainer Ash Ketchum has now let out his Lucario!".
"I've seen what this Lucario can do in the NPC Robb, Finn here could be in some real trouble."
"Dugtrio use Fissue."
"Lucario Dodge and use Close combat." Ash said.
"Grouuu!" Lucario roared as he sprinted forward and leapt up acrobatically over the incoming ground split.
Finn couldn't believe it as he watched Lucario soar over the Fissure.
"Dugtrio use Dig!"
"Trio." Dugtrio said as he burrowed his way underground.
"Power up Punch!"
As soon as Lucario landed he slammed his now glowing right fist into the ground, causing the battlefield to shake and Dugtrio to burst out of the ground.
"What?" Finn said.
As soon as Dugtrio came up, Lucario sprinted forward and slammed his fists repeatedly into Dugtrio.
"Trio!" Dugtrio cried before falling over with swirly eyes.
"Dugtrio is unable to battle."
"Alright Ash!" Serena shouted.
"Lucario certainly hasn't lost his touch." Clemont said.
"He's amazing." Lucy said.
"Dugtrio return, this one looks really tough. Go Arcanine!"
A large Arcanine came out and roared as he stared down Lucario.
"Arcanine use Extemespeed."
"Lucario Extremespeed."
Arcanine sprinted at Lucario only to have Lucario move out of the way as he tried to pounce him.
Arcanine quickly turned around and tried to hit him again.
Once again Lucario easily avoided Arcanine's attack, one after the other.
"Well folks, that Arcanine is fast, but Lucario is more agile."
"Keep it up Lucario." Ash said.
"Arcanine use Fire blast."
Arcanine opened his mouth and unleashed a powerful symbol shaped blast of fire.
"Lucario use Bulldoze."
Lucario gathered up seismic energy before unleashing the ground attack into the fireblast, destroying it without harming Lucario.
"Arcanine get over Lucario and use Firefang!"
"Arooo!" Arcanine shouted as leapt up and over Lucario before making a sharp turn and opened his jaws wide.
"Lucario behind you." Ash said.
Lucario slammed his left foot up and into Arcanine's jaw.
"What?" Finn said before Lucario slammed Arcanine with his feet and fists another 4 times using close combat.
The large fire pokemon was hurled back several feet.
"Aura sphere!"
Lucario's eyes glowed blue as a sphere of aura formed in his right hand, before he unleashed it.
The Aura sphere flew through the air and slammed into Arcanine hard, hurling him back even further.
When the dust cleared, Arcanine's eyes were swirly.
"Arcanine is unable to battle." The ref said.
The crowd let out a massive applause at Lucario's skills.
"Amazing folks, simply amazing." One of the announcers said.
"Lucario is unbelievable." Brock said in disbelief.
"Alright Lucario! They've taken back the lead!" Serena said.
"Alright Lucario return, you've done enough for this match." Ash said.
"Arcanine return. Even if I do beat his last pokemon I still have that Lucario to deal with. Oh well I'll worry about that later. Go Blastoise!" Finn shouted.
A large Blastoise came out and stood in front of Finn.
"Trainer Finn has chosen a Blastoise for his final pokemon. Will it be enough to turn the match around?".
Ash took out his final Pokeball and held it to his face before throwing it forward.
"I choose you Feraligatr!" Ash shouted.
Feraligatr came out and snapped his jaws at Blastoise.
"Graww!" He roared.
"Trainer Ash Ketchum has chosen a Feraligatr. We now have two water starters squaring off against each other folks."
"Blastoise use Rapid spin!"
Blastoise got into his shell and hurled himself at Feraligatr.
"Feraligatr use Crunch!"
Just before Blastoise's massive shell could reach Feraligatr. The mighty water starter opened his massive jaws as wide as they could possibly go.
He then snapped them around Blastoise's shell, stopping him.
"Huh?" Finn said.
Feraligatr then hurled him up and into the air.
"Slash!"
"Iron defense!".
Feraligatr covered his shell in metal as he went inside.
Despite this, Feraligatr slashed the outside of Blastoise's shell and hurled him back into the ground.
"Ash's Feraligatr is certainly powerful." One of the announcers said.
"Blastoise Ice beam."
"Oise!" Blastoise shouted as he opened his mouth and blasted the entire field with ice.
"What is Blastoise and Finn up to?" The announcer said.
"Slide on the ice and use Hydrop pump!"
Blastoise hurled himself across the ice while unleashing a massive jet of water from his cannons.
Feraligatr was hit and pushed back onto the ice before he slipped and slid across the ice.
"I see, Blastoise keeps hitting him with Hydro pump while also keeping him away. It will be slow, but eventually Feraligatr will be worn down." Red said.
"Feraligatr dig in and use Hydro pump."
Feraligatr dug all of his claws into the ice and held himself in place before he unleashed a massive jet of water that tore through Blastoise's Hydro pump and forced him back across the ice.
"Super power!" Ash shouted.
Feraligatr hurled himself forward using his claws and smashed Blastoise's shell with All his strength.
The resulting force also smashed the ice on the ground to pieces as Blastoise was hurled back.
Blastoise landed and slowly got up.
"Blastoise Skull Bash, everything you have left."
Blastoise lowered his head and hurled himself at Feraligatr.
"Feraligatr use Crunch!"
Just before he was hit , Feraligatr opened his jaws and snapped them around Blastoise's head, stopping him cold.
"Oh no." Finn said.
Feraligatr snapped his jaws down on Blastoise's shell hard before the massive turtle fainted before Feraligatr let him go and dropped unconscious Blastoise onto the ground.
"Blastoise is unable to battle, trainer Ash Ketchum is the winner" The ref said.
"Yes, we did it. We won!" Ash shouted.
"Graww!" Feraligatr roared.
"It's over folks, trainer Ash Ketchum has won the match!" The announcer said.
"Yes, he did it!" Serena shouted.
"Alright Ash!" Red shouted.
"Blastoise return, well we came pretty far. We can always go back to the KTPL." Finn said.
Ash went to the pokemon center and dropped off his pokemon to Nurse Joy.
"Ash, there you are." Ash heard.
He turned to see Serena and the others.
"You did it Ash. You made it into the quarterfinals" Red said.
"I will admit things are certainly getting harder." Ash said.
"You can handle it Ash." Korrina said.
That was when Ash noticed Leaf and Oak weren't with them.
"Wait, where's Leaf and the professor?" Ash asked.
"They left to see Gary's Match." Brock said.
"Sam is battling him. We should get over there." Ash said.
Oak and Leaf were in the stands as they watched Gary battle Sam.
"Guys." Ash said as they saw him with Serena, Red, Korrina, Lucy, and Brock.
"You made it." Leaf said.
"What's happened?" Serena asked.
"Gary is doing exceptionally well." Oak said.
On the battlefield, Ash and the others saw Sam's Nidoqueen unconscious in front of her.
Standing in front of Gary was his Blastoise.
"Unbelievable folks, Gary Oak's Blastoise has now knocked out 5 of Sam's 6 pokemon." The announcer said.
Ash gave a concerned look as he saw how frustrated Sam looked.
"Nidoqueen return." Sam said gritting her teeth and closing her eyes.
"I can't give up, I just can't." She said as she took out her last pokeball,
" I choose you Venusaur!" Sam shouted as she let out her Venusuar.
"Saur!" Venusaur shouted.
"Venusaur use Vine whip!"
"Saur!" Venusaur shouted as she unleashed a dozen vines.
"Blastoise grab them."
Blastoise snatched Venusaur's vines in his hands and pulled her forward.
"Blizzard." Gary said.
"Blast!" Blastoise shouted as he unleashed a frigid icy attack right into Venusaur.
"Saur!" Venusaur shouted in pain.
After the attack ended, Venusaur was on the ground unconscious.
"It's over folks, another one hit KO for the win." The announcer said.
"Well done Blastoise, well done." Gary said.
Sam fell to her knees as she came over to Venusaur and wrapped her arms around her head.
"I'm sorry Venusaur, I failed us." Sam said as tears came down from her eyes.
Ash , Serena, Brock, and Lucy gave concerned looks.
"We should try and comfort her, this is going to hit her hard." Ash said.
On the field , Gary walked over to Sam with Blastoise beside him.
"Hey kid, you need to take it easy. You lost, everyone does it, you think I won my first league. I lost before I even got to the Indigo Stadium. Roll with the punches and move on." Gary said before he and Blastoise walked out.
"Poor Sam." Serena said.
Ash felt bad for her after all she had done to get there. Still the outcome of the match didn't surprise him whatsoever. Gary wouldn't stop until he was at the top, Ash just had to make sure he got there instead.
Authors note
The first match of the Indigo stadium is done.
Up next is the quartefinals,
All remaining battles will be 6vs6
Sorry if you wanted to see more of Sam's match, but Ash's match took up most of this chapter's space.
So until next time, please review, comment, suggest, or ask(via PM)