Episode 190: Sora vs Karen
Author's Note: Ganondorf will be mentioned here, and details of Ganondorf's defeat will be revealed when more chapters are up. And no, to those who saw the title of the chapter, I am not referring to Sora's twin sister. Also Karen will have some replacements of non-Dark-type Pokémon. And I might make a couple of OCs in place of Bruno and Koga.
Several hours came and went since meeting with Latios and Latias, and saving them from a pair of Pokémon Hunters. They make a stop for the night to rest up after a day of excitement. Sora and Kairi had their Pokémon out to relax with them.
"Look at all those stars," Leaf said.
"So pretty," Kairi said.
"Yeah, but nowhere near as pretty as you, Kairi," Sora said, lovingly. Kairi blushed as she giggled.
"You're very sweet, Sora and I love you for it," Kairi said. The couple moved in and kissed each other on the lips. Chikorita was playing with Togepi and the Pichu. Kairi watched on and found it to be very adorable. "Oh, look cute that is."
"I'll say. Chikorita's having a good time," Sora said.
"And so are the Pichu," Ash pointed out.
Everyone all laughed. They all looked up to the night sky and smiled.
"You know, my dad would often tell me when I was little that each star out there was a completely different world," Kairi said.
"Seriously?" Leaf asked.
"Of course. And each world would shine down on us, just like a million lanterns," Kairi said.
"I never would have guessed," Ash said.
"It makes sense since Kairi and I ventured through some of the worlds, and we foiled Ganondorf and his evil plans," Sora said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"Eevee!" Angel exclaimed.
Everyone turned to see a meteor shower.
"A meteor shower!" Ash said.
"It's a good thing we made a stop. Otherwise we would have missed a spectacular view," Tracey said.
On the very next morning, a huge line was forming. They all knew something was going on. A man walks by them, so Leaf spoke up.
"Excuse us, sir, but do you have any idea what's going on?" Leaf asked.
"The Karen Cup is taking place, that's what," the man said.
"What's the Karen Cup?" Sora asked.
"The Karen Cup is a Pokémon tournament that is named after a member of the Johto Elite Four, Karen," the man said.
"Karen of the Elite Four? If I remember right, Karen uses Dark-type Pokémon," Tracey said.
"That's right, young man," the man said. "The rules of the tournament states that you can battle using three Pokémon each. The Trainer who makes it to the top not only wins the tournament, but they get the right to battle Karen in one final battle."
"The Karen Tournament. Sora, I think you should sign up for it," Ash suggested.
"You sure, Ash?" Sora asked, feeling skeptical.
"You kidding? It would help to train for your next Gym battle. Also, I'm gonna enter, too. So no matter who wins, you and I will split the prize," Ash said.
"Sounds like something you'd say, Ash. You boys are in for a world of fun," Leaf said.
"Is there a reason you suggested this, Ash?" Kairi asked.
"I figured that the two of us have earned the right battle a member of the Elite Four ever since the Indigo Plateau," Ash said. Sora thought for a moment.
"Yeah, you're right, Ash. It might be fun to enter a tournament for a change," Sora said.
"Also, you owe me a rematch for beating me in the final round of the Indigo Plateau," Ash said.
"Hey, I thought it was going to be a friendly competition," Sora said. Ash ends up laughing.
After Sora and Ash have gotten finished registering for the Karen Cup, Sora exchanged Xatu, Sudowoodo, Raikou, and Skarmory for Azumarill, Kleavor, Ariados, and Granbull since he figured Bug and Fairy-type Pokémon would be a good choice going up against Karen. Also, Heracross is a Fighting-type Pokémon, but he knew battling a member of the Elite Four wouldn't be a walk in the park. He had to make it count.
The Karen Cup begins as fireworks are lit.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the Karen Cup is officially underway! We have a widespread of promising young Pokémon Trainers who came this way to have a battle in this tournament, but only one of them will have the privilege of facing off against the user of Dark-types and member of the Johto regions Elite Four, Karen!" The announcer announced as everyone all looked at woman with silvery-blue eyes and long silvery-blue hair that reaches past her waist with two long bangs that frame her face. She wore a yellow spaghetti strap cropped tank top that reveals her flat midriff, and white knee-length pants with yellow beads. She also wore yellow high heels on her feet. Her tank top has four straps, two on each side that strap over her bare shoulders. Everyone all cheered. "Before we begin the Karen Cup, I believe Karen has this to say!" Karen stepped up and spoke.
"I look and I see Trainers who are full of potential and promise. What I ask from you is to show your potential to me and give it everything you've got! And I shall do the same when my time to battle has come!" Karen spoke through the microphone.
"Now that Karen has spoken her part, the time has come to see the matchups for this tournament!" The announcer announced as the matchups are being set up. The matchups have been decided, so Ash's battle is the second battle, and his opponent is a young man with red hair. Sora's battle will be the fourth, and he'll be up against a young woman who is fair-skinned with purple eyes, and long, thick, spiky blonde hair. She wore large silver hoop earrings. "The matchups have been decided! The first match will begin in thirty minutes! And to those who are participating in the Karen Cup for the first time, the battles will be limited to three Pokémon each, and the battle is over when all three of either side's Pokémon are unable to continue battling, and there is no time limit!"
"Looks like you're having your match before I have mine," Sora said.
"Seems that way. Just make sure you don't lose, Sora," Ash said.
"You do the same, Ash," Sora said. Just then, Sora's opponent approached Sora.
"Let me guess, you're gonna be my first opponent, aren't you?" The woman said. Sora turned to see her. She wore a sleeveless light purple vest and a white tank top and wore long white fingerless gloves. She wears a dark purple miniskirt and purple heeled boots.
"That'll be me," Sora said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"You look familiar though," Sora said. He thought for a second and then the memory popped in. "Say, aren't you Mai Valentine? The one who won that one tournament three years in a row?"
"So you've heard of me. And I know who are. You're Sora; the Indigo Plateau Pokémon League Champion. You're a lot shorter than I thought you'd be, but beggars can't be choosers," Mai said. Sora blinked twice. "Listen up, Sora, don't think I'm going to go easy on you just because you're only a kid."
"I don't want you to, Mai. I expect you to throw whatever you got at me," Sora said.
"After I win, you'll wish you didn't say that," Mai said.
The tournament has gotten off to a good start, so Ash's battle was about to begin as Ash's opponent stepped in the battlefield.
"Our second battle's about to begin! On my right, it's Ash from Pallet Town, and on my left, it's Jack from Violet City!" The announcer announced as Ash and Jack took out their Pokéballs.
"Trainers! Choose your first Pokémon and begin!" The referee called out. They threw their Pokéballs.
"Go! Scizor!" Ash called out. His Scizor emerged from inside.
"Go! Marowak!" Jack called out. A Kantonian Marowak emerged from inside, ready to battle as it turls its bone.
"Ash's first Pokémon is a Scizor and Jack's first Pokémon is a Marowak! Quite an interesting matchup!" The announcer announced.
"Marowak! Start things up with a Bone Rush!" Jack ordered. Marowak held its bone and rushes right at Scizor.
"Dodge it, Scizor!" Ash called out. Scizor dodges Marowak's bone attack. "Use Metal Claw!" Scizor swiped its pincers at Marowak.
"Use Bone Club to block it!" Jack ordered. Marowak swung its bone to block Scizor's Metal Claw. They clashed their attacks like it was a sword fight.
"Scizor and Marowak aren't giving each other an edge! The sparks are really flying in this bout!" The announcer announced.
"Come on, Ash! You can do it!" Sora said.
"Pika, Pika, Pika!" Pikachu said.
"Scizor! Use Bullet Punch!" Ash ordered. Scizor's pincers gave off a light blue glow and started to give the Bone Keeper Pokémon a series of punches. Marowak tried to block with its bone, but Scizor quickly overpowered Marowak and substains some injuries.
"Scizor's Bullet Punch has done a serious number on Marowak! But how will Jack react to this?" The announcer announced.
"Marowak! Use Brick Break!" Jack ordered. Marowak came at Scizor with its hand raising above its head.
"And here comes Marowak with a Brick Break!" The announcer announced.
"Scizor! Use Flash Cannon!" Ash ordered. Scizor unleashed a Flash Cannon, hitting Marowak hard and ends up being knocked out.
"Marowak is unable to battle! Scizor wins!" The referee announced.
"Ash takes the lead in this battle, leaving Jack with two Pokémon left to use!" The announcer announced. Jack called Marowak back and he took out a Great Ball and threw it.
"Go! Hitmontop!" Jack called out. A Hitmontop came out with a spin.
"Jack's second Pokémon is a Hitmontop! Will Ash switch Pokémon or will he keep Scizor out to keep on battling!" The announcer announced. Ash called back Scizor back and he took out his next Pokéball and threw it.
"You're up, Hitmonlee!" Ash called out. His Hitmonlee came out with a kick.
"Ash has sent out a Hitmonlee! Which one of the evolved forms of Tyrogue will make it to the top? Well, we are gonna find out and see!" The announcer announced.
"Hitmontop! Use Triple Kick!" Jack ordered. Hitmontop came at Hitmonlee to land three kicks.
"Hitmonlee! Use Low Sweep!" Ash ordered. Hitmonlee dodged came at Hitmontop to land a low kick.
"Detect!" Jack ordered. Hitmontop's eye gave off a twinkle and dodged Hitmonlee's Low Sweep.
"Saved by Detect!" The announcer announced.
"Hitmontop! Use Vacuum Wave!" Jack ordered. Hitmontop forms a sphere of wind in his hands, and he sends it right at Hitmonlee.
"Hitmontop hurls a Vacuum Wave right at Hitmonlee!" The announcer announced.
"Dodge it, Hitmonlee!" Ash called out. Hitmonlee attempts to dodge, but he was hit by Hitmontop's attack.
"And Hitmontop lands a direct hit!" The announcer announced.
"Use Jump Kick!" Ash ordered. Hitmonlee jumped and stuck his right foot in front and came right at Hitmonlee. Hitmontop was hit hard right on the spot, so he goes flying right at the wall, hitting at the wall.
"And Hitmonlee has landed a hit with that Jump Kick!" The announcer announced. Hitmontop gets back up and spins around to regain posture. "And it looks like Hitmontop is nobody's soccer ball!"
"Way to go, Ash!" Leaf said.
"Jump Kick is a risky move, since Hitmonlee would have taken some damage if he missed his target," Kairi said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"Hitmontop! Use Gyro Ball!" Jack ordered. Hitmontop spins around glow light-green it spins around fast, with a light-green ring surrounding him. Hitmontop comes right at Hitmonlee.
"Hitmontop spins around and around with a Gyro Ball! Ash and Hitmonlee will have to think fast before this kicking fiend gets a hit in the face!" The announcer announced.
"Hitmonlee! Use Low Sweep!" Ash ordered. Hitmonlee gave a low kick land struck Hitmontop when he came close, and stopped spinning. "Use Jump Kick!" Hitmonlee lands a kick when he jumped. Hitmontop goes flying in the air and comes for a crash landing. A coud of dust erupts when the Handstand Pokémon crashed on the ground. The dust cloud clears and we see Hitmontop knocked out.
"Hitmontop is unable to battle! Hitmonlee wins!" The referee announced.
"And the Tyrougue evolutionary rilvalry has come to a close with a Low Sweep and Jump Kick combination! Now Jack just has one Pokémon left to use! Which one will Jack use to turn it around? I think we're about to find out!" The announcer announced as he calls Hitmontop back and he took out another Pokeball and threw it.
"Your turn now, Rhydon!" Jack called out. His Pokeball opened and a Rhydon emerged from inside, ready to battle.
"And Jack's final Pokemon is a Rhydon! Hitmonlee has the type advantage here, so we will see how well it's going to go!" The announcer announced.
"Hitmonlee! Use Jump Kick!" Ash ordered. Hitmonlee sticks his foot out to land a hit.
"Use Hyper Beam!" Jack ordered. Rhydon fired a Hyper Beam, hitting Hitmonlee on the mark, resulting in a knockout.
"Hitmonlee is unable to battle! Rhydon wins!" The referee announced.
"So much for Ash's undeafeated battle! It looks like Jack is starting to make a pretty big push! And it looks like Ash is gonna have to push back even harder if he wanna stay in the Karen Cup!" The announcer announced. Ash called Hitmonlee back and took out Scizor's Pokeball and threw it.
"Back you go, Scizor!" Ash called out. Scizor came back out to battle.
"Ash sends Scizor back out to battle! Will Scizor pick up the pieces for its fallen comrade, or will it fall apart for this Bug and Steel-type?" The announcer asked.
"Scizor! Use Bullet Punch!" Ash ordered. Scizor comes at Rhydon and lands a series of punches on the Drill Pokemon, dealing some super-effective hits.
"Scizor's taking advantage over the fact that Rhydon cannot attack again right away while it's recharging from that Hyper Beam!" The announcer announced.
"Use Metal Claw!" Ash ordered. Scizor came at Rhydon again and lands a slash attack with his pincers, giving off a metallic glow.
"Use Fire Punch!" Jack ordered. Rhydon's fist emits fire and lands a feiry punch onto Scizor, dealing some heavy damage.
"Rhydon has made a heavy hitting attack with that Fire Punch! It looks like it's going to be over for Scizor very soon!" The announcer announced.
"Finish Scizor off with a Drill Run!" Jack ordered. Rhydon rushes at Scizor with a brownish tan aura taking the shape of a drill around its horn. Rhydon came too fast for Scizor to dodge and for Ash to do anything. Scizor was down for the count.
"Scizor is unable to battle! Rhydon wins!" The referee announced.
"Jack has put in a huge dent as he drives Ash into a corner! Which one of his Pokémon will Ash be able to use to take down that heavy-hitting Rhydon? Or maybe it will be Rhydon who will plow over the next Pokémon like it was a monster truck, crushing a toy car like it was nothing?" The announcer asked as Ash calls Scizor back and smiled. Rhydon was panting heavily. Ash knew Rhydon used up some energy when using powerful attacks like Hyper Beam and Drill Run.
"Great job, Scizor. You did a number on Rhydon with your Bullet Punch; but thanks to you, Rhydon is starting to get tired. I won't let it go to waste," Ash said. He took out his next Pokeball and threw it. "Your turn now, Charizard!" His Pokeball opened and his partner came right out, ready to battle.
"Ash's final Pokemon is his Charizard! Now Ash is on the recieving end since it's a common fact that both Fire and Flying-type Pokemon are at a huge disadvantge against a Rock-type Pokemon like Rhydon!" The announcer announced.
"He really must be in a rush to lose! Fine with me, because I'm going to get an easy win after all! Rhydon! Use Hyper Beam!" Jack ordered. Rhydon prepares to fire a Hyper Beam, hoping to end it quickly. Rhydon fires the beam attack.
"Dodge it, Charizard!" Ash called out. Charizard flew to dodge Rhydon's Hyper Beam. Ash knew Rhydon won't attack again after using Hyper Beam, so he had to end it now. "Okay, use Dragon Claw!" Charizard's claws emits a green energy around his claws and slashes at Rhydon.
"Charizard makes good on its entry with that Dragon Claw!" The announcer announced.
"Use Seismic Toss!" Ash ordered. Charizard grabs Rhydon and threw it down to the ground, hard. Rhydon recieves some heavy damage from the fall.
"Get up, Rhydon! Use Fire Punch!" Jack ordered. Rhydon struggles to get back up, but fell back down, tired and beaten from the Dragon Claw and Seismic Toss combo.
"Rhydon is unable to battle! Charizard wins! The winner is Ash from Pallet Town!" The referee announced.
"And Ash has won the second match!" The announcer announced. The crowd cheered hard as Ash has won his second match.
Sora meets up with Ash as he gets ready for his upcoming battle after the next..
"Great job on dealing the final blow on Jack, Ash," Sora said.
"Thanks, Sora. And best of luck against Mai," Ash said.
"Thanks," Sora said as he and Ash hi-five each other. After watching the third battle, Sora knew his battle against Mai was about to get started, so he turned to his partner. "You ready, Pikachu?"
"Pika," Pikachu nodded.
"Okay, here we go," Sora said.
"Up next, we have a clash of the titans coming up next! We got Sora Ketchum, the Champion of the Indigo Plateau Pokémon League versus the deadly beauty, Mai Valentine!" The announcer announced.
Sora and Mai stepped to their positions, waiting for the referee to give the word. Sora took out a Sport while Mai took out a Pokéball.
"Trainers, choose your Pokémon and begin!" The referee called out.
"Go! Nidorina!" Mai called out. A Nidorina came out, but this Nidorina is light purple. A swirl of stars surrounds Nidorina. Sora threw his Sport Ball as Mai threw her Pokéball.
"Go! Kleavor!" Sora called out. Kleavor came out of the Sport Ball. Kleavor was ready to battle. Everyone watching were awestruck when they saw Kleavor with their own eyes.
"Mai starts off with a Shiny Nidorina as Sora has sent out a Kleavor! I never thought I would see one in this day and age, but just about anything is possible at this point!" The referee announced.
"I didn't think he had something like that. Kleavor is considered a rare Pokémon nowadays. Rare or not, I'm not going to lose," Mai said in her thoughts.
"Kleavor! Use Stone Axe!" Sora ordered. Kleavor came rushing at Nidorina with his axes ready to chop.
"Dodge it, Nidorina!" Mai ordered. Nidorina manages to dodge as soon Kleavor got close. "Use Shadow Claw!" Nidorina came at Kleavor with her claw emitting a shadowy aura.
"Kleavor misses its mark, but Nidorina is coming at Kleavor with a Shadow Claw!" The announcer announced.
"Use Stone Axe!" Sora ordered. Kleavor came at Nidorina again and lands a slash at Nidorina. Kleavor's axes let off some stone splinters.
"Kleavor lands a hit with a Stone Axe! It works the same way as Stealth Rock!" The announcer announced.
"Use Aerial Ace!" Mai ordered.
"You use Aerial Ace, too!" Sora ordered.
Kleavor and Nidorina came at each other with an Aerial Ace, landing a hit onto each other.
"Kleavor and Nidorina are going neck to neck with an Aerial Ace! Both of these Pokémon aren't giving each other an edge!" The announcer announced.
"Use Water Gun!" Mai ordered. Nidorina fired Water Gun right at Kleavor, landing a hit.
"Ooh, that's a super-effective hit!" The announcer announced.
"Use X-Scissor!" Sora ordered. Kleavor crossed his arms and cuts through the water like butter. Kleavor lands a hit onto Nidorina. "Use Night Slash!" Kleavor's axe emits a dark aura and lands a hit onto Nidorina. The Poison Pin Pokémon lands on the ground, beaten.
"Nidorina is unable to battle! Kleavor wins!" The referee announced.
"Sora has taken the early lead in this battle! Mai has two more Pokémon left to use! Which ones will be next?" The announcer asked. Mai calls Nidorina back and she took out her next Pokéball and threw it.
"Go! Persian!" Mai called out. A Kantonian Persian came right out to battle. Persian purred upon entry. Stones jabs right into Persian.
"Mai's second Pokémon is a Persian! And Kleavor's Stone Axe takes effect!" The announcer announced.
"You can handle it, Persian! Use Power Gem!" Mai ordered. Persian fired a Power Gem right from its jewel.
"Dodge it!" Sora called out. Kleavor managed to dodge Persian's Power Gem.
"Kleavor manages to dodge Persian's Power Gem with incredible speed!" The announcer announced.
"Keep firing Power Gem!" Mai ordered. Persian fired Power Gem again and again right until the Classy Cat Pokémon lands a hit.
"A super-effective hit!" The announcer announced.
"Use Metal Claw!" Mai ordered. Persian came at Kleavor and lands a metallic slash onto the Axe Pokémon, dealing some heavy damage. Kleavor was knocked out.
"Kleavor is unable to battle! Persian wins!" The referee announced.
"Mai makes a push against Sora's Kleavor, making, tying it up!" The announcer announced. Sora called Kleavor back and smiled.
"Get some rest, Kleavor. You've earned a good, long rest," Sora said. Sora took out his next Pokéball and he threw it. "Okay, Noctowl! Your turn!" His Pokéball opened and Noctowl emerged from inside. Stars swirls around the Owl Pokémon upon entry.
"And Sora's second Pokémon is a Shiny Noctowl!" The announcer announced.
"A Flying-type Pokémon. This is going to be easy. Persian! Use Power Gem!" Mai ordered. Persian fired Power Gem right at the Shiny Owl Pokémon to land a hit.
"Use Psychic!" Sora ordered. Noctowl uses Psychic to block Persian's Power Gem and held it.
"Noctowl uses Psychic to block that Power Gem with a Psychic!" The announcer announced.
"Send right back at Persian!" Sora called out. Noctowl sends it right back at Persian, landing a hit.
"Not bad, Sora. But it won't be enough! Persian! Use Fury Swipe!" Mai ordered. Persian came at Noctowl and gave him a few scratches.
"Persian is really giving it to Noctowl! Really hard!" The announcer announced.
"Use Wing Attack!" Sora ordered. Noctowl lands a hit with his wings. "Use Moonblast!" Noctowl's crest forms pink energy and sends it right at Persian, landing a hit. Persian was knocked out.
"Persian is unable to battle! Noctowl wins!" The referee announced.
"Now Mai is down to one Pokémon remaining! And now what Pokémon is going to be next for Mai to use?" The announcer asked. Mai took out a Pokéball and threw it.
"Go! Nidoqueen!" Mai called out. A Nidoqueen came out to battle as Mai's last Pokémon.
"And Mai's final Pokémon is a Nidoqueen!" The announcer announced. Nidoqueen got jabbed by the stones.
"Okay, Noctowl! Use Psychic!" Sora ordered. Noctowl uses Psychic on Nidoqueen, lifts Nidoqueen in the air and slams her down.
"Nidoqueen! Use Ice Punch!" Mai ordered. Nidoqueen jumped up and lands an icy punch onto Noctowl, landing a hit. Noctowl was taken down.
"Noctowl is unable to battle! Nidoqueen wins!" The referee announced.
"Now Mai and Sora are down to one Pokémon each! Which one of these two will be moving on and have a chance to battle against Karen?" The announcer asked. Sora was about to take out his next Pokéball when Pikachu spoke up.
"Pika!" Pikachu said. Sora turned to his partner.
"You wanna battle Nidoqueen, Pikachu?" Sora asked.
"Pika," Pikachu nodded.
"You know your electric attacks will have zero effect on Nidoqueen because she's a Ground-type Pokémon," Sora said.
"Pika," Pikachu nodded. Sora looked at Pikachu and saw how determined he is.
"Doesn't look like I'm gonna stop you. Go for it," Sora said. Pikachu stepped in the battlefield, ready to battle.
"Here's an unexpected turn of events! Sora has sent out Pikachu to battle against Nidoqueen! Sora is clearly at a disadvantage!" The announcer announced.
"What is he thinking? Sora knows Electric-type attacks won't effect Nidoqueen!" Leaf said.
"I'm sure Sora has a plan," Kairi said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"Pichu," the Shiny Pichu said.
"Pichu," the Spiky-eared Pichu said.
"You gotta be kidding. A Pikachu against my Nidoqueen? This should be easy," Mai said. "Nidoqueen! Use Body Press!" Nidoqueen jumped and came falling down, intending to slam Pikachu.
"Nidoqueen is moving in with a Body Press!" The announcer announced.
"Dodge it with Quick Attack!" Sora ordered. Pikachu ran across the battlefield to dodge Nidoqueen's attack.
"Nidoqueen missed its target completely!" The announcer announced.
"Nidoqueen! Use Scorching Sands!" Mai ordered. Nidoqueen jumps and stomps on the ground, kicking up a cloud of sand. The cloud then coalesces into a brown sphere of sand, which Nidoqueen kicks at Pikachu. This lands a hit, and it results a burn.
"Ooh, Pikachu is now burned with that Scorching Sands!" The announcer announced.
"Scorching Sands? That's a new one on me," Kairi said.
"Scorching Sands is a Ground-type move that can cause a burn when it hits," Tracey said.
"I know you'll hold on, buddy," Sora said.
"Good job, Nidoqueen! Use Ice Punch!" Mai ordered. Nidoqueen started to come at Pikachu with an Ice Punch.
"Dodge with Quick Attack!" Sora ordered. Pikachu manages to dodge Nidoqueen's punch with his speed attack. Pikachu was hurt by the burns. "Use Iron Tail!" Pikachu jumped and lands a hit with an Iron Tail.
"Use Hyper Beam!" Mai ordered. Nidoqueen fired a Hyper Beam.
"Here comes Hyper Beam!" The announcer announced.
"Dodge it!" Sora called out. Pikachu barley dodged Nidoqueen's Hyper Beam.
"What a close call for Pikachu!" The announcer announced.
"Use Iron Tail!" Sora ordered. Pikachu swings his tail around and gave Nidoqueen a good smack with his tail. Nidoqueen has fallen to the ground, beaten.
"Nidoqueen is unable to battle! Pikachu wins! The winner is Sora Ketchum from Pallet Town!" The referee announced.
"And Sora has earned the right to move on in the next round!" The announcer announced. Mai called Nidoqueen back and smiled.
After the battle, Sora fed Pikachu a berry that looks like a blue strawberry. This is a Rawst Berry. It heals Pikachu of his burns.
"Feeling better, Pikachu?" Sora asked.
"Pika," Pikachu nodded.
"You did a great job, Pikachu," Sora said. Just when we was about to rejoin Kairi, Tracey, and Leaf, Mai approached Sora.
"Hey, Sora," Mai said. Sora and Mai looked to see Mai walking up to him. "Great match, Sora. I can see how you won the Indigo Plateau. And I can see why Yugi said some good things about you." This surprises Sora.
"You know Yugi?" Sora asked.
"I do. He, Joey, Téa, and Tristan said you're a skilled Pokémon Trainer even though you battled Yugi and lost. You were a whole lot better than I thought you were, so I wanted to meet and battle you ever since. You passed my expectations with flying colors," Mai said.
"I'm flattered, Mai. It was a thrill battling you," Sora said.
"Likewise, Sora," Mai said, shaking hands. Sora and Pikachu rejoined Tracey, the girls, and the baby Pokémon as Ash shows up shortly after. And just in time for the next battle to start.
The fifth, sixth, seventh, and battles have concluded, leaving Sora and Ash being eight participants left.
"The first round of the Karen Cup has concluded, and now there are only left participants left! Let the shuffling begin!" The announcer announced as the shuffling has started. And it shows that Ash will in the first battle and Sora's will be the third. "And the shuffling is done! The next round of the Karen Cup will begin in fifteen minutes!"
"You should sit the next one out in the next round, Pikachu. That battle with that Nidoqueen really did a number on you," Sora said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"Sora's right, Pikachu. You might have recovered from your burns, but took a lot of damage during the battle," Kairi said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said, knowing they were right.
After fifteen minutes, Ash got ready for his battle and stepped in the battlefield, ready to go. Ash's battle is against a young man wearing a white shirt, black overalls and a red bow tie.
"First up, we got Ash from Pallet Town, going up against Theodore from Malie City! Both of these youngsters have made it this far, only one of them is moving on!" The announcer announced. Ash and Theodore each took out a Pokéball and waited for the word from the referee.
"Choose your Pokémon and begin!" The referee called out.
"You're first, Tauros!" Ash called out, throwing his Pokéball. Tauros came out with a snort.
"Go! Sandlash!" Theodore called out. An Alolan Sandslash emerged from inside, ready to battle.
"Ash has sent out Tauros while Theodore sent out an Alolan Sandslash!" The announcer announced.
"Sandslash! Use Ice Ball!" Theodore ordered. Sandslash forms a ball made of ice and hurls it right at the Wild Bull Pokémon.
"Sandslash starts things up with an Ice Ball!" The announcer announced.
"Tauros! Use Double Team!" Ash ordered. Tauros made several copies of himself, making Sandlash's Ice Ball miss completely.
"That was a close shave on Ash's part! That second Ice Ball would have been stronger than before if the hit lands!" The announcer announced.
"Use High Horsepower!" Ash ordered. Tauros's entire body gave off an orange aura and charges right after Sandslash, landing a heavy blow.
"Sandlash! Use Icicle Spear!" Theodore ordered. Sandslash forms a spear of ice and threw it at Tauros. But that attack missed thanks to Tauros's Double Team. "Use Blizzard!" Sandlash fired a Blizzard right at Tauros's doubles right until the real one was found. "Use Metal Claw!" Sandlsash came at Tauros with a Metal Claw, ready to hit Tauros.
"Tauros! Use High Horsepower!" Ash ordered. Tauros charges at Sandslash and they both collide with one another, resulting in a double knockout because of how powerful those moves were.
"Tauros and Sandslash are both unable to battle! This round is a draw!" The referee announced.
"The first round ends in a double knockout! Now both Theodore and Ash have two Pokémon each, so which one will these two send out next?" The announcer asked.Ash and Theodaore called their injured Pokémon back and they each took out another Pokéball. Theodore threw his first.
"Go! Raticate!" Theodore called out. An Alolan Raticate emrged from inside, ready to battle.
"Go! Totodile!" Ash called out as he threw his Pokéball. His Totodile came out to battle with a swirl of stars.
"Raticate! Start things up with a Hyper Fang!" Theodore ordered. Raticate came at Totodile with a Hyper Fang.
"Totodile! Dodge and use Slash!" Ash ordered. Totodile dodged and slashed at Raticate, sending the Alolan Mouse Pokémon down. Raticate gets back up, ready to go.
"Raticate! Use Crunch!" Theodore ordered. Raticate came at Totodile in order to land a bite attack onto the Shiny Big Jaw Pokémon.
"Dodge and use Ice Fang!" Ash ordered. Totodile dodged and lands an icy bite onto Raticate, freezing it.
"Now Raticate is frozen solid! I doubt Theodore was expecting this to happen!" The announcer announced.
"Use Water Pulse!" Ash ordered. Totodile forms a ball of water and sends it at Raticate. It deals some heavy damage, resulting in a knockout.
"Raticate is unable to battle! Totodile wins!" The referee announced.
"Ash's Totodile has trounced the Alolan Raticate, leaving Theodore just one more Pokémon to use!" The announcer announced. Theodore calls Raticate back and he took out another Pokéball and threw it.
"Go! Marowak!" Theodore called out. An Alolan Marowak came out with a twirl.
"Theodore's final Pokémon is an Alolan Marowak!" The announcer announced.
"Marowak! Use Shadow Bone!" Theodore ordered. Marowak charges at Totodile with its bone giving off strikes the opponent; or, Alolan Marowak holds its bone, which has both of its ends lit in a green flame, in front of it. Then, purple will-o'-the-wisps appear above the bone and enter the green flames, coloring them purple, before Alolan Marowak clubs Totodile, engulfing the target in purple flames.
"Totodile was struck by Marowak's Shadow Bone!" The announcer announced.
"Use Bonemerang!" Theodore ordered. Marowak threw the bone right at Totodile.
"And Marowak throws a nasty Bonemerang right at Totodile!" The announcer announced. Totodile is struck hard and fell to the ground. "It looks like it's all over for Totodile!" Suddenly, Totodile started to evolve, much to everyone's shock. Totodile has become a Croconaw. Croconaw's coloring is the same as Totodile's.
"No way!" Theodore exclaimed.
"I wasn't expecting that to happen!" Ash said.
"Incredible! Totodile has just evolved into a Croconaw!" The announcer announced.
"Evolved or not, I'm going to win! Use Shadow Bone!" Theodore ordered. Marowak rushes at Croconaw with a Shadow Bone.
"Use Water Pulse!" Ash ordered. Croconaw forms a ball of water, but bigger than before, so the Shiny Big Jaw Pokémon sends it at Marowak, landing a hit. Marowak has ended up being knocked out by the water attack.
"Marowak is unable to battle! Croconaw wins! The winner is Ash from Pallet Town!" The referee announced. The crowd cheered.
"I knew you would do it, Ash," Leaf said.
After the second battle, Sora entered the battlefield, ready to go. His opponent is a girl who has dark green hair with pigtails and wore a pink dress.
"Now the third battle of the round is about to begin! We have Dixie from Motosoke and Sora Ketchum from Pallet Town!" The announcer announced as Dixie took out a pure white Pokéball. This is a Premier Ball. Sora took out a regular Pokéball.
"Choose your Pokémon and begin!" The referee announced.
"Go! Meganium!" Sora called out. Meganium came right out to battle.
"Go! Ponyta!" Dixie called out. Her Premier Ball opened a Ponyta emerged from inside. This Ponyta has chalk-white fur covering most of its body. Instead of flames, its mane, tail and fetlocks are covered in a long, purple-and-blue, fluffy fur. Its eyes are purple with light-blue irises, and it has a small purple-and-white horn on top of its forehead.
"Sora has chosen a Meganium as Dixie has chosen a Galarian Ponyta!" The announcer announced.
"So that's what Ponyta living in Galar looks like," Kairi said, taking out her Pokédex and scanned it.
Ponyta Galarian Form, the Unique Horn Pokémon
Type: Psychic
This Pokémon will look into your eyes and read the contents of your heart. If it finds evil there, it promptly hides away.
"This is the first time I ever saw a Galarian Ponyta in my life," Leaf said.
"Me too! I have got to get a sketch of this!" Tracey said.
"Ponyta! Begin with a Fairy Wind!" Dixie ordered. Ponyta blew a pink sparkly wind at Meganium.
"Dodge it, Meganium!" Sora called out. Meganium dodges Ponyta's Fairy Wind. "Use Razor Leaf!" Meganium unleashed a Razor Leaf right at Ponyta.
"Dodge it!" Dixie called out. Ponyta gallops and dodges Meganium's Razor Leaf.
"Ponyta managed to dodge that Razor Leaf! Talking about a close shave!" The announcer announced.
"That Ponyta's fast. Meganium! Use Vine Whip on Ponyta's hooves!" Sora ordered. Meganium extends her vines and used them to trip Ponyta.
"Looks like Ponyta has taken a bad hit from Meganium's Vine Whip! But it looks like it'll take more than a Vine Whip to take down this equine Pokémon!" The announcer announced.
"Ponyta! Use Psybeam!" Dixie ordered. Ponyta fired a Psybeam from its horn.
"Dodge and use Body Slam!" Sora ordered. Meganium dodges Ponyta's Psybeam and started to come down with a great force of her body.
"Meganium's coming down hard like a ton of bricks about to crush a cupcake!" The announcer announced.
"Dodge it!" Dixie called out. Meganium attempts to dodge, but it was caught and slammed hard. Ponyta was paralyzed from the attack.
"It doesn't look very good for Ponyta! It's become paralyzed from that Body Slam!" The announcer announced.
"Use Petal Blizzard!" Sora ordered. Meganium unleashed Petal Blizzard, striking Ponyta in it, and resulting in a knockout.
"Ponyta is unable to battle! Meganium wins!" The referee announced.
"Ponyta has been taken down! Now Dixie has two more left to use!" The announcer announced as Dixie calls her Ponyta back. She took out a regular Pokéball and threw it.
"Go! Slowpoke!" Dixie called out. Her Pokéball opened and a Slowpoke emerged from inside. This Slowpoke is a slightly different shade of pink, and it has yellow colorations on its forehead and tail. This is a Galarian Slowpoke, and around its wrists, it's wearing what looks like a cuff that is made from twigs with some kind of orange nut
"Dixie has sent out another Galarian variant Pokémon, and it's a Slowpoke!" The announcer announced. Sora took out his Pokédex to get information on it.
"What does Dexter have to say about this Slowpoke?" Sora asked, holding his Pokédex.
Slowpoke Galarian Form, the Dopey Pokémon
Type: Psychic
Although this Pokémon is normally zoned out, its expression abruptly sharpens on occasion. The cause for this seems to lie in Slowpoke's diet.
"So it's just a Psychic-type, unlike the Slowpoke living anywhere else," Sora said, putting his Pokédex away. "You still good to go, Meganium?" Meganium nods. "Great! Use Body Slam!" Meganium jumped to land a Body Slam right on the Galarian Slowpoke.
"Dodge it!" Dixie ordered. Slowpoke just rolled out of the way, making Meganium miss completely.
"Look at that! Slowpoke just rolled out of the way like it wasn't even a big deal!" The announcer announced.
"Use Acid!" Dixie ordered. Slowpoke spewed an acid from its mouth and it hit Meganium on the mark.
"Meganium has taken heavy damage from that Acid!" The announcer announced. The cuff around Slowpoke's wrist started to give off a glow. A Shellder has appeared from out of nowhere, surprising everyone. "Wait, where did that Shellder come from?!" Slowpoke's entire body gave off a purple glow. "Wait a minute! Something is happening to Slowpoke!"
"What's going on?" Leaf asked.
"I think that Slowpoke's evolving!" Tracey said.
Slowpoke has become a Slowbro. The Shellder attached to its arm resembles the Shellder tail, but smaller, with a purple tip shaped like a stinger. The newly evolved Slowbro itself has a slight color difference compared to its counterpart, with purple accents on its head, arms and tail. This is a Galarian Slowbro.
"Incredible, ladies and gentlemen! Slowpoke has evolved into a Slowbro!" The announcer announced.
"A Slowbro? This I gotta see," Sora said, taking out his Pokédex and scanned it.
Slowbro Galarian Form, the Hermit Crab Pokémon
The evolved form of Slowpoke Galarian Form
Type: Poison/Psychic
A Shellder bite set off a chemical reaction with the spices inside Slowbro's body, causing Slowbro to become a Poison-type Pokémon. This evolution occurs when the Galarian Slowpoke is wearing a Galarica Cuff.
"Oh, man, so that's what it was on that Slowpoke's wrist," Sora said.
"Slowbro! Use Shell Slide Arm!" Dixie ordered. Slowbro fires a stream of purple poison from the tip of the Shellder on its arm at Meganium, dealing enough damage to result in a knockout.
"Meganium is unable to battle! Slowbro wins!" The referee announced.
"Now Dixie is starting to make a comeback with that sudden evolution! That has got to be quite a twist!" The announcer announced.
"I was hoping it was gonna work. I knew I was able to attract a Shellder by having my Slowpoke wearing a Galarica Cuff," Dixie said in her thoughts. Sora calls Meganium back.
"Sorry, Meganium. Slowpoke's evolution caught me by surprise. But you did your best," Sora said. Took out another Pokéball and threw it. "You're up, Tyranitar!" His Pokéball opened and Tyranitar came out, summoning a massive sandstorm upon entry.
"Sora's next Pokémon is a Tyranitar! Tyranitar has activated Sand Stream upon entry, so it's gonna hurt Slowbro! Also, Tyranitar is a good matchup to go against a Psychic-type like Slowbro!" The announcer announced.
"That won't help you! Slowbro! Use Shell Slide Arm!" Dixie ordered. Slowbro fires a stream of purple poison from the tip of the Shellder on its arm at Tyranitar.
"Dodge it and use Dark Pulse!" Sora ordered. Tyranitar dodged Slowbro's attack and lands a Dark Pulse right on the mark. Slowbro is also damaged from the sandstorm.
"Use Water Pulse!" Dixie ordered. Slowbro forms a ball of water from the tip of the Shellder and fired it at Tyranitar.
"Dodge and use Stone Edge!" Sora ordered. Tyranitar dodged and forms stones around him and sends them right at Slowbro, hitting it. "Dark Pulse!" Tyranitar unleashed a Dark Pulse, hitting Slowbro, resulting in a knockout.
"Slowbro is unable to battle! Tyranitar wins!" The referee announced.
"So much for Dixie's comeback! Sora is just one win away from making it to the next round! Which one will she send out next?" The announcer asked. Dixie took out her next Pokéball and threw it.
"Go! Wigglytuff!" Dixie called out. A Wigglytuff emerged from inside, ready to battle.
"And Dixie's final Pokémon is a Wigglytuff! And it looks like she's gained the upper hand when it comes to types!" The announcer announced.
"Since Wigglytuff's a Fairy-type Pokémon, it's going to be hard for Sora since his Tyranitar is a Dark-type Pokémon," Tracey said.
"I'm sure Sora will think of something," Kairi said.
"You still good to go, Tyranitar?" Sora asked. Tyranitar nods. "Okay. Use Earthquake!" Tyranitar slams on the ground.
"Tyranitar is making the whole stadium shake with that Earthquake!" The announcer announced. Wigglytuff inhaled some air, making it bloat up and float in the air. "Wigglytuff makes good use of being a Balloon Pokémon by floating to avoid Earthquake!"
"That's not all my Wigglytuff can do! Use Rain Dance!" Dixie ordered. Wigglytuff summoned a gray rain cloud and it starts raining down. Tyranitar's sandstorm is undone.
"Rain Dance has canceled out the sandstorm!" The announcer announced.
"Okay, Wigglytuff! Use Thunder!" Dixie ordered. Wigglytuff unleashed Thunder and it struck Tyranitar hard, dealing some heavy damage. Tyranitar is now paralyzed from Wigglytuff's Thunder.
"That was a shocking development!" The announcer announced.
"Use Thunder again!" Dixie ordered.
"Try to dodge it!" Sora called out. Tyranitar tries to dodge, but the Armor Pokémon is struck hard again, resulting in a knockout.
"Tyranitar is unable to battle! Wigglytuff wins!" The referee announced.
"Now Sora is down to just one Pokémon left to use! Which one will he send out against this floating powerhouse?" The announcer asked. Sora took out his next Pokéball and held it.
"Okay, Dragon Pulse won't affect Wigglytuff, but Gyarados's other moves will," Sora said. He threw his Pokéball. "Go! Gyarados!" His Pokéball opened and Gyarados came out with a whirl of stars.
"Evolved from a gold Magikarp, we've got a red Gyarados!" The announcer announced.
"He must be slipping! He knows a Water-type Pokémon is vulnerable to my Wigglytuff's Thunder! This'll be easy! Wigglytuff! Use Thunder!" Dixie ordered. Wigglytuff unleashed a Thunder right at Gyarados.
"Block it with a Dragon Pulse!" Sora ordered. Gyarados fired a Dragon Pulse and it successfully blocked Thunder.
"Using a Dragon-type move to block that Thunder was not something I would expect! Let's see what else Sora has up his sleeve!" The announcer announced.
"Wigglytuff! Use Body Press!" Dixie ordered. Wigglytuff comes right at Gyarados with its body coming at Gyarados.
"Dodge it!" Sora called out. Gyarados dodges Wigglytuff's attack. "Use Ice Fang!" Gyarados's fangs emits ice and uses them to repeatedly bite Wigglytuff.
"Gyarados is really giving it to Wigglytuff with that Ice Fang! I'm getting cold just by watching!" The announcer announced. Gyarados stopped biting Wigglytuff.
"Use Body Press again!" Dixie ordered. Wigglytuff attempts to do so, but Wigglytuff ends up shivering. She then noticed a piece of ice on the Balloon Pokémon. "Oh no!" The rain stopped.
"Use Flamethrower! Turn up the heat!" Sora ordered. Gyarados unleashed a powerful Flamethrower, engulfing Wigglytuff in flames.
"A second ago, I was feeling cold, now I'm warming up! It has to be because of Gyarados's Flamethrower!" The announcer announced. Wigglytuff has taken lots of damage and fell on the ground, beaten.
"Wigglytuff is unable to battle! Gyarados wins! The winner is Sora from Pallet Town!" The referee announced.
"And Sora will be counted as one of the final four of the Karen Cup!" The announcer announced.
"Well, better make the next one count," Sora said.
The next round of the Karen Cup went on as Sora and Ash have won their next battles, using Charizard and Feraligatr. It was now the final round of the Karen Cup before either Sora or Ash would battle Karen. She has been watching with her Pokémon, consisting of an Umbreon, a Honchkrow, a Weavile, a Houndoom, Tyranitar, and an Alolan Persian. Karen's Houndoom has smaller horns than Sora's Houndoom does.
"It seems those two have proven themselves once again," Karen said.
"And now it's the moment of truth! It's the final match before the exhibition match against Karen of the Elite Four! Which one of these two will have the honor of facing her in battle? Will history repeat itself like in the Indigo Plateau or will it be different this time? That is what we are here to find out!" The announcer announced.
"Deja vu," Kairi said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"I know what you mean. Ash and Sora gave it everything they had," Leaf said.
"Toge, Toge," Togepi chirped.
"Okay, even though this battle will decide which one of us will battle against Karen, but this is the real battle," Ash said.
"You've said it, Ash. Like before, don't go easy on me," Sora said.
"Don't worry, I won't," Ash said. He took out a Pokéball and held it. Sora did the same thing and waited for the referee to give the word.
"Trainers! Choose your Pokémon and begin!" The referee called out.
"Go! Scizor!" Ash called out. His Pokéball opened and his Scizor came out to battle. Sora threw his Pokéball.
"Go! Heracross!" Sora called out. His Pokéball opened and Heracross came out to battle.
"Ash and Sora have chosen Bug-types as their first Pokémon!" The announcer announced.
"Heracross! Use Megahorn!" Sora ordered. Heracross rushes right at Scizor with a Megahorn.
"Use Bullet Punch!" Ash ordered. Scizor came at Heracross and gave the Single Horn Pokémon with a series of punches.
"Scizor is canceling out Heracross's Megahorn and pummels it with Bullet Punch!" The announcer announced. Scizor gave Heracross one more punch.
"Scizor! Use Flash Cannon!" Ash ordered. Scizor unleashed a Flash Cannon, hitting Heracross on the mark. Heracross goes down, but he wasn't out.
"Heracross has taken loads of damage from that Flash Cannon! Will Heracross be able to hold on?" The announcer asked.
"Heracross! Use Arm Thrust!" Sora ordered. Heracross came at Scizor with an Arm Thrust.
"Dodge it, Scizor!" Ash ordered. Scizor dodges Heracross's Arm Thrust just by moving left and right.
"Heracross is coming at Scizor with an Arm Thrust, but Scizor is moving from side-to-side, so it's not feeling anything!" The announcer announced.
"Use Metal Claw!" Ash ordered. Scizor slashed at Heracross with a Metal Claw. "Use Bullet Punch!" Scizor gave Heracross another barrage of punches. Scizor gave Heracross one, last punch before being knocked out.
"Heracross is unable to battle! Scizor wins!" The referee announced.
"Ash has taken the lead in this bout! Sora will have to get his head in the game if he wanna win this!" The announcer announced. Sora calls Hercross back and he took out Typhlosion's Pokéball and threw it.
"You're up now, Typhlosion!" Sora called out. Typhlosion came out with his neck flaring up.
"And now it's Typhlosion's time to shine!" The announcer announced. Ash called Scizor back, knowing Sora was using Scizor's weakness to fire to his advantage. Sora wasn't surprise that Ash would switch out. "Ash has made a switch on his team!" Ash took out his next Pokéball and threw it.
"Croconaw! Your turn!" Ash called out. Croconaw emerged from inside and stars swirls around Croconaw upon entry.
"Ash has sent out his Croconaw to battle against Typhlosion! Will Sora keep Typhlosion out or will he be making a switch?" The announcer announced.
"Just as I thought you'd do, Ash. But that's not going to chase me off that easily!" Sora said.
"I don't expect to, Sora!" Ash said. "Croconaw! Use Water Pulse!" Croconaw forms a ball of water and sends it at the Volcano Pokémon.
"Dodge and use Quick Attack!" Sora ordered. Typhlosion dodged Croconaw's Water Pulse and rams into Croconaw. The Shiny Big Jaw Pokémon fell on its back, but it quickly gets back up on its feet.
"That Quick Attack did a number on Croconaw, but it wasn't enough to take that Water-type down!" The announcer announced.
"Use Slash!" Ash ordered. Croconaw came at Typhlosion and slashed right across his face. "Use Aqua Tail!" Croconaw's tail emits water and swings it around. This lands a hit onto Typhlosion.
"That had to hurt Typhlosion's pride!" The announcer announced.
"Use Flame Wheel!" Sora ordered. Typhlosion rolls into a ball of fire and plows right into Typlhosion. "Use Flamethrower!" Typhlosion spews Flamethrower, hitting Croconaw.
"Use Aqua Tail again!" Ash ordered. Croconaw came at Typhlosion with an Aqua Tail.
"Use Flame Burst!" Sora ordered. Typhlosion unleashed a Flame Burst against Croconaw. It dealt some damage. "Use Quick Attack!" Typhlosion lands a Quick Attack, resulting in a knockout.
"Croconaw is unable to battle! Typhlosion wins!" The referee announced.
"What an upset! Typhlosion has overcame a Water-type Pokémon and won it for the honor of Fire-type Pokémon everywhere!" The announcer announced.
"Great job, Sora. That was epic," Ash said. He took out Charizard's Pokéball and threw it. "Go! Charizard!" His Pokéball opened and Charizard came right out to battle.
"Ash has sent out Charizard, also a Fire-type Pokémon! This should makes hot!" The announcer announced.
"Charizard! Flamethrower!" Ash ordered.
"You too, Typhlosion!" Sora ordered.
Both Fire-type Pokémon fired their Flamethrower attacks. The Flamethrowers collide with one another. An explosion occurs between the both of them, and each earning an injury.
"Charizard and Typhlosion have both felt that explosion! It was like a bomb exploded!" The announcer announced.
"Charizard! Use Slash!" Ash ordered.
"Use Quick Attack!" Sora ordered. Typhlosion ran towards Charizard and they clashed into each other, dealing some each other.
"Neither of these Fire-type Pokémon are calling it quits! How long can this go on?!" The announcer exclaimed.
Charizard and Typhlosion pant heavily. Both Pokémon fell forward, earning a double knockout.
"Now Sora and Ash are down to one Pokémon each! Now it is time for the sudden death round!" The announcer announced. Sora and Ash called back Charizard and Typhlosion. Ash took out Scizor's Pokéball and Sora took out his Sport Ball. They threw their Pokéballs.
"Go! Scizor!" Ash called out.
"Go! Kleavor!" Sora called out.
Both evolved forms of Scyther emerged from inside and waited for their Trainer's instructions.
"Two evolved forms of Scyther duking it out on the same battlefield! This is a sight I never thought I would get to witness! Now we shall see which evolved form of Scyther is truly superior!" The announcer announced.
"Scizor! Use Flash Cannon!" Ash ordered.
"Use Aerial Ace!" Sora ordered. Kleavor dashed at Scizor as it fired Flash Cannon. Kleavor cuts through Scizor's Flash Cannon like a knife through butter. Kleavor lands a hit onto Scizor.
"Not bad, Sora, but I'm just getting started! Scizor! Use Bullet Punch!" Ash ordered. Scizor came at Kleavor and gave the Axe Pokémon a series of punches.
"Use Stone Axe!" Sora ordered. Kleavor swings his axes at Scizor and lands a hit. "Use Night Slash!" Kleavor swipes his right axe at Scizor, landing a hit.
"This is getting intense! Kleavor is really giving it to Scizor, and Scizor is really giving it to Kleavor! I'm having a hard time seeing who's got the better of who!" The announcer announced.
"Use Metal Claw!" Ash ordered. Scizor swung its pincers at Kleavor.
"Stone Axe!" Sora ordered. Kleavor uses his axes to block Scizor's attack.
"Kleavor just blocked it!" The announcer announced.
"Use Aerial Ace!" Sora ordered. Kleavor dashed at Scizor with an Aerial Ace and beaned it in the gut. Scizor then goes down for the count.
"Scizor is down, but is it out?" The announcer asked. Kleavor panted really hard, and Scizor pants just as hard. They gave each other such a beating. Scizor and Kleavor started to come at each other again, but Scizor goes down first. Kleavor uses his axes to keep his balance.
"Scizor is unable to battle! Kleavor wins! The winner is Sora from Pallet Town!" The referee announced.
"Sora has won it! Sora has won it! Not only he has won the Karen Cup, but he has earned the right to battle against Karen herself!" The announcer announced. Sora calls Kleavor back inside as Ash called Scizor back. They smiled and hi-five each other.
"Good match, Sora," Ash said.
"I won it for the both of us," Sora said.
"Yeah. It would have been ours either way," Ash said.
Sora accepts the trophy, but there was still the matter of Sora's battle against Karen. Sora healed up his Pokémon after the grueling battles, so he has to he ready to battle against Karen herself. Ash sits with Tracey, the girls, and the Pokémon.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the moment you have been waiting for! First up, we have the Dark-type user of the Elite Four, Karen, versus the Champion of the Indigo Plateau, Sora Ketchum! A real clash of titans! This will be a six-on-six battle, and the match will be over when all six are unable to continue battling!" The announcer announced.
"Trainers! Choose your Pokémon and begin!" The referee called out. Karen took out a Dusk Ball and threw it.
"Go! Umbreon!" Karen called out. Sora took out his Pokéball and threw it.
"Go! Ariados!" Sora called out. His Pokéball opened and stars swirls around Ariados upon entry.
"Sora has chosen Ariados as his first as Karen has chosen Umbreon!" The announcer announced.
"Ariados! Use Spider Web!" Sora ordered. Ariados spits out a thread and sends it right at Umbreon.
"Use Psychic!" Karen ordered. Umbreon uses Psychic on the thread and sends it back at Ariados. The spider-like Pokémon blinked twice while being wrapped around his own webbings. "Use Dark Pulse!" Umbreon unleashed a Dark Pulse.
"Try to dodge it!" Sora called out. Ariados tries to move, but the thread was too strong. Ariados was struck hard. Ariados was freed from his own thread and he was knocked out before he knew what hit him.
"Ariados is unable to battle! Umbreon wins!" The referee announced.
"As expected! Karen has taken an early lead!" The announcer announced.
"It looks like Sora is getting off at a shaky start," Leaf said.
"I'm sure Sora remembers that it takes more than types to win battles," Tracey said.
"I'm sure Sora can pull through," Kairi said.
"Don't think so," Mai said, sitting next to them. "Sora might have the right idea about type weakness, but a member of the Elite Four is a whole different level. Karen is way more experienced than Sora is."
"You know something, she's right. All of Karen's Pokémon are at a higher level and I think Sora knows that," Ash said.
Sora took out his next Pokéball and threw it.
"You're up, Heracross!" Sora called out. Heracross emerged from inside, ready to go. Karen calls Umbreon back and took out another Dusk Ball and threw it.
"Your turn now, Honchkrow!" Karen called out. Honchkrow emerged from inside, ready to go.
"Sora has sent out Heracross as Karen recalled Umbreon and sent out Honchkrow!" The announcer announced.
"Use Sky Attack!" Karen ordered. Honchkrow starts to build up energy.
"Karen has her Honchkrow prepare a Sky Attack! How is Sora going to handle that?" The announcer asked. Sora called Heracross back and took out another Pokéball and threw it.
"Go! Granbull!" Sora called out. Granbull came out.
"Sora has sent out Granbull to deal with her Honchkrow instead of Heracross! A smart move!" The announcer announced. Honchkrow's body becomes surrounded by a gradually intensifying light blue aura. "And Honchkrow is getting ready to use Sky Attack!" Once the aura flares up, Honchkrow flies into Granbull, but it does some major damage. "A direct hit!"
"Use Play Rough!" Sora ordered.
"Use Steel Wing!" Karen ordered. Honchkrow came at Granbull with a Steel Wing, dealing some heavy damage, resulting in a knockout.
"Granbull is unable to battle! Honchkrow wins!" The referee announced.
"Karen remains in the lead, leaving Sora only four Pokémon left to use!" The announcer announced. Sora calls Tyranitar back and he took out his Sport Ball and threw it.
"Go! Kleavor!" Sora called out. Kleavor came out to battle.
"Kleavor makes four to use!" The announcer announced.
"Use Stone Axe!" Sora ordered. Kleavor came at Honchkrow with his axes.
"Use Steel Wing!" Karen ordered. Honchkrow flew at Kleavor with its wings out. They struck each other. Pebbles chips off of Kleavor's axes and they float around Honchkrow.
"They both felt that!" The announcer announced. Karen calls Honchkrow back and she took out her next Dusk Ball and threw it.
"Go! Houndoom!" Karen called out. Her Houndoom came on out. Stones jabs into Houndoom.
"Karen has sent out her Houndoom!" The announcer announced.
"Use Flamethrower!" Karen ordered. Houndoom Flamethrower, hitting Kleavor and dealing a super-effective hit. Kleavor was taken down before Sora could tell Kleavor to dodge.
"Kleavor is unable to battle! Houndoom wins!" The referee announced.
"And Sora three of his Pokémon, and he needs to think fast if he wants to stay in this!" The announcer announced. Sora calls Kleavor back and he threw his next Pokéball.
"You're up, Azumarill!" Sora called out. Azumarill came out, ready to go.
"And Sora sends out Azumarill, a Water-type and a Fairy-type!" The announcer announced.
"Use Bubble Beam!" Sora ordered. Azumarill fired Bubble Beam right at the Dark Pokémon.
"Sora has sent out a Bubble Beam right at Houndoom!" The announcer announced.
"Use Sludge Bomb!" Karen ordered. Houndoom fired a Sludge Bomb, hitting the Aqua Rabbit Pokémon, ending being poisoned.
"It looks like Azumarill ends up being poisoned by Houndoom's Sludge Bomb!" The announcer announced.
"Use Chilling Water!" Sora ordered. Azumarill spews cold water right at Houndoom.
"Dodge and use another Sludge Bomb!" Karen ordered. Houndoom fired another Sludge Bomb, hitting Azumarill, resulting in a knockout.
"Azumarill is unable to battle! Houndoom wins!" The referee announced.
"And that makes four that Sora has lost to Karen!" The announcer announced. Pikachu decided to step in.
"You wanna battle, Pikachu?" Sora asked, surprised.
"Pika," Pikachu said with a nod.
"Well, okay, I'll give you a chance. Do your best," Sora said.
"Chu," Pikachu said, stepping in.
"And Pikachu makes his sixth Pokémon to be used against Karen! Let's see how well this is going to go!" The announcer announced.
"Use Flamethrower!" Karen ordered. Houndoom fired a Flamethrower right at the Mouse Pokémon.
"Dodge it with Quick Attack!" Sora ordered. Pikachu dodges and dashed right at Houndoom, landing a hit. "Use Iron Tail!" Pikachu swings his tail and struck the Dark Pokémon on the mark. Karen was impressed by Pikachu's speed.
"Pikachu makes good use of its speed and lands a hit with both Quick Attack and Iron Tail!" The announcer announced.
"I'm impressed. It's not over yet. Houndoom! Use Nasty Plot!" Karen ordered. Houndoom started to howl, raising its special attack.
"Karen has something in store with that Nasty Plot!" The announcer announced.
"Use Flamethrower!" Karen ordered. Houndoom fired Flamethrower right at Pikachu.
"Dodge it!" Sora called out. Pikachu tries his best to dodge, but Pikachu is hit hard by Flamethrower.
"Use Dark Pulse!" Karen ordered. Houndoom fired Dark Pulse and hits Pikachu on the mark. The Mouse Pokémon ends up being knocked out, because of how powerful Dark Pulse was.
"Pikachu is unable to battle! Houndoom wins!" The referee announced.
"And Pikachu makes five! Sora will have to send out his final Pokémon out to battle!" The announcer announced. Sora picked up Pikachu.
"You did your best, buddy. You're still a winner to me," Sora said.
"Chu," Pikachu said, weakly. Sora knew Heracross was the only one left, so he had no choice but to use him.
"Okay, Heracross! Back to action!" Sora called out. Heracross is sent back out to battle.
"We see Heracross back out on the battlefield! But Heracross may not last out there!" The announcer announced.
"Flamethrower!" Karen ordered.
"It's not over! Dodge it!" Sora called out. Heracross managed to fly and Houndoom's Flamethrower missed the Single Horn Pokémon completely.
"He's got guts, I'll give him that. But it's time to end it. Houndoom! Keep firing Flamethrower!" Karen ordered. Houndoom fired Flamethrower again and this time, it struck Heracross and he ends up being knocked out.
"Heracross is unable to battle! Houndoom wins! The winner is Karen!" The referee announced.
"Karen has won the exhibition match! Now the Karen Cup has come to an exciting close!" The announcer announced. Sora called Heracross back, so Karen approached Sora.
"You're quite a Trainer, Sora. I saw you gave it everything you had," Karen said.
"Thanks, Karen. I can see why you're a member of the Elite Four. You really gave me a run for my money," Sora said.
"If you're ever around, I would like a rematch against you someday," Karen said.
"Sure. I'm gonna train hard for it by then," Sora said.
Sora might have won the Karen Cup and lost the exhibition match against Karen, but Sora was glad he got to experience it along with Ash. So now the road to Blackthorn City continues.