Grass Field: Late Evening…
On whichever of the four fields the Indigo Conference preliminaries ended, that was where the top 16 or 8, depending on number of trainers competing that year, would meet. This year, with the conclusion of Ash vs Gary, the eight trainers were gathered within the grass field.
The final eight were: Hilbert, four girls, two other guys, and Ash. A spotlight moved over to the other locker room and six figures being: Lorelei, Bruno, Agetha, Lance, Wes, and President Goodshow came out to stand before the trainers.
"You eight have proven to be a step above the rest and made it to the battles within Indigo Stadium which will be six-on-six." Goodshow informed through a mic as the crowd quieted. At this point, you can leave nothing to chance. Now, look at the screen.
There you will see who your opponent is and what time your battle shall take place. Remember, tomorrow is a rest day for you to prepare. Additionally, each of you will take part in an interview to allow Kanto the opportunity to know you better."
Ever since Ash was young, his dream had been to battle in the Indigo Stadium. While he was excited, it's been years in the making. One more day until it happened would be nothing. Right now, he turned to see who his opponent would be.
"How about that?" Ash noted. "The first match of the day is against Hilbert."
Once they were able to take in all the information, the top eight were allowed to leave. As they left, each member of the elite four and champion greeted them. Although Ash has known Wes for years, he was a true professional like his Elite Four.
Outside the Grass Field
Ash headed out and was met by everyone now there to support him…even if it was in their own way. This consisted of: Serena, James, Brock, Delia, Luana, Ritchie, Gary, Professor Oak, and Blue. While Cross wasn't here, Ash imagined he was likely somewhere around the town.
"My little boy has come so far." Delia declared as she hugged her son.
"Congratulations on winning." Luana declared.
"He should enjoy it while it lasts." Gary smirked. "Next league, I'm coming back around to take the win."
Blue leaned on his son's shoulder. "That's the spirit."
"Come now you two." Samuel smiled. "There'll be time for rivalries after this league is over."
"Yeah, give it a rest you two." Serena added. "Rivalry later, cheer on Ash now."
"Very well." Gary crossed his arms. "Considering he beat me; Ash has a chance to go all the way." He then looked at Serena. "Is that good enough?"
Serena sighed. "Probably the best we're going to get from you."
Ritchie laughed. "Well, Ash probably has the strangest cheering section out of anyone in the top eight."
"These are only the people you can see here." James put an arm around the Orange Archipelago native. "Out of our little gang, I'd say Ash attracted the most bizarre assortment of people that would cheer him on."
"Eh, who needs normal fans anyways." Ash retorted.
That's basically how the night went. Casual conversations, good stories, and great company as the entire group went out to eat.
Interview Room: Morning…
The next morning, Ash was picked up from Pokemon Center J and brought to the place where the interviews were to take place. It was explained that they would be shown one at a time. The interviewer would ask them a series of questions before the audience could call in. Hilbert already went, and Ash was told he would be the second on stage.
"…Our next guest was the last to secure his place in the Indigo Conference's top eight, but that is by no means to downplay the sheer skill he's displayed as a trainer. Let's list off some of those accolades, shall we?
His Croconaw rode a leaf storm, Pikachu overcame a mirror match, and he's got a powerhouse of a Charizard. Beyond even that, he holds the title as Orange Archipelago champion. It's Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town."
The crowd cheered as Ash walked onto the stage and took his seat.
"First, congratulations on making it this far." The interviewer declared.
"Thank you." Ash returned. "It's been a long road to get here."
"I can only imagine considering you competed in a whole other league." The interviewer declared. "While certainly not the typical season, one cannot undercut the accomplishment. Anyways, we are here to learn more about said journey, so tell us about one of your pokemon."
"Well, you did mention my Feraligatr's prior evolution." Ash smiled. "I got him from my grandfather shortly after the Reclamation of Saffron. Despite his species typically growing more vicious as they evolve, mines as goofy as ever with a love of dance."
"I think many could see that." The interviewer lightly chuckled. "One of your pokemon who is more viscous by comparison would be that Charizard of yours. I know many people have been curious where you got him considering your starter was Pikachu."
"I met him as a Charmander." A sad look crossed Ash's face. "Back then, his prior trainer told him to wait on a rock saying he'd come back but had abandoned him. Through his actions, Charmander was left out in the rain which would have meant he'd lose his life.
I refused to let that happen, and I had great friends willing to help me get him to safety. We went back to that rock and took him to the nearby pokemon center. I refused to leave his bed side until he woke up. At that point, he was still loyal to his prior trainer.
I begged him not to go and offered to be his trainer. He accepted, and the next day we worked on the issue his prior trainer had being Charmander's accuracy. Of course, his prior trainer saw this and tried to take him back. Clearly it didn't work out, and he's been with me ever since."
The thought of any trainer carelessly abandoning their pokemon to die like that had quite a few people tearing up. Everyone then applauded Ash for stepping in to become the right kind of trainer for such a pokemon.
"That is quite the tale, but who is this trainer that did such a horrid act?" The interviewer asked.
"It was Damien Bowen." Ash informed sadly. "Even after what he did to Charmander, and the fact that he joined Team Rocket, I don't think he deserved what happened to him. None of Team Rocket deserved that."
"I can agree with you on that, but let's move away from this topic." The interviewer stated. "We'll now turn to the audience in the studio today and those watching at home as they have some questions for you."
"Right." Ash stated.
"The first question comes to us from a caller all the way in the Orange Archipelago." The interviewer informed. "It's Torren calling in from Fula Island."
Ash already perked up by the mention of Fula Island, but to learn it was Torren who called in truly grabbed his attention.
"Ah, I got through." Torren chuckled, "Hey Ash, it's been a bit now. First, I'd like to say we're all watching from the island, but I was curious what your plan was going into the next round? Oh, your pokemon here has been doing well and will be sent to Oak's lab soon."
"Firstly, thanks for telling me all of that Torren, and it's good to hear from you." Ash smiled. "As for your question, it's exactly how we tackled the Orange League. No matter who I use, my pokemon and I simply won't give up until it's over."
"Should have figured that when it came to you." Torren stated. "Anyways, everyone here, I'm fairly certain the whole region is as well, are cheering you on."
From there, Ash continued to answer more questions until his time was up.
Outside the cabin: Early Next Morning…
Ash woke before his friends and Pikachu, so he went about getting dressed quietly before making his way out of the room. While he wasn't normally one to get up before the others, Ash was admittedly a bit nervous.
After all, Hilbert was an experienced trainer and his secondary mentor. It was due to meeting him that Ash took well to teaching coverage moves himself. Even though Ash now had a league under his belt, one he won unlike Hilbert, it made him no less certain than he'd have been.
"Couldn't sleep either, huh?" Hilbert questioned as he happened to be on a stroll to calm his own nerves. "Ya know Ash, I never expected that trainer I met all the way back in Pewter City would go onto become a champion."
"While I did go off and become one, I think there's still a lot of growing I need to do." Ash chuckled. "I don't think some tittle will be that important in deciding which of us wins today."
"At the very least, I'd say you managed in a year to become every much my equal." Hilbert nodded. "I guess what I'm trying to say is that today either one of us can win. No matter the result, no hard feelings?"
"Yeah." Ash grinned as he nodded. "No matter the result, whatever happens on that field between us will stay on that field. After all the help you gave me early on, I'd like to think we've become friend."
"Despite not teaching me anything directly, I've managed to pick up on a few things around you, so I've learned from you as well." Hilbert nodded. "Yeah, I'd say we've certainly become friends."
Just hearing Hilbert had been thinking along the same lines, with the fact that they'd remain friends, made him feel better.
Indigo Stadium: Later…
Ash and Hilbert stood within their respective trainer boxes, and it was everything the former dreamed about for years. The traditional battlefield and roar of the crowd which packed the stands. Everything his journey threw at him was worth it because he now stood here.
"To top it all off, I have a great team for today to." Ash thought.
Stands
Serena, Brock, James, Ritchie, and Gary sat in the first row. In the row directly behind them sat: Samuel, Blue, Delia, and Luana.
"Oh, I get to see my little boy battle in the stadium he has dreamed of for years." Delia squealed in excitement.
"He worked so hard to get here to." Serena added just as excited.
Indigo Stadium
Just then, the ref walked over to his stand.
"Alright folks, hold onto your hats as the first battle of the top 8 is about to begin." The announcer informed as the crowd cheered. "In the green corner, it's Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town, and in the red corner, it's Hilbert Monta from Nuvema Town."
The crowd erupted into a roar as this was a battle none of them imagined they'd see at this point. Ash and Hilbert both had rather amazing records thus far in this league, so they knew this was about to be a good match.
"This is a full battle between Ash Ketchum and Hilbert Monta to see who will move on to the top four in this year's Indigo League." The ref declared. "There is no time limit and both sides can make substitutions at any point. Should this match result in a tie, both trainers will be eliminated. Do you understand?"
"Yes." Ash and Hilbert replied in unison.
"Using a coin flip, it was decided prior that Hilbert shall chose his pokemon first." The ref continued. "Should a battle result in a double knock out, Ash will choose first next."
"I'll start this off with one of my fastest pokemon." Hilbert declared as he threw his first choice out. "I choose you, Braviary."
Ash smiled at the pokemon who taught his Pidgeot steel wing. Speaking of his bird pokemon, she'd be rather angry with him if he didn't use her in this battle.
"Well, flying pokemon are rather fast; however, I think mine is faster than yours." Ash threw out his pokemon. "I choose you, Pidgeot!"
Upon being released, Pidgeot saw her opponent which certainly got her raring to fight.
Stands
"Ash made the right call." Gary noted.
"That he has." Blue knew this pokemon well from his battle with Ash. "Pidgeot is one of Ash's most determined. She'd have to be to knock out any Pidgeot I use. In short, Pidgeot will put up a hard fight giving Ash a chance at taking an early lead."
"Although, this could still be a bit of a gamble." Samuel noted. "Under Charizard and Scizor, I'd say Pidgeot is one of Ash's more powerful pokemon. Using her early could lead to his downfall. Of course, that could be said of any pokemon depending on Hilbert's remaining five."
Indigo Stadium
"It's a battle of two powerful looking birds." The announcer informed. "Which trainer has command over the skies? The answer to that question will also determine who takes the lead."
"Pidgeot vs Braviary...Begin." The ref declared.
Ash vs Hilbert (P. I)
"Quick attack!" Ash/Hilbert declared as one the moment the battle began.
The two flying/normal types sped at one another clashing powerfully at the dead center of the field with no clear winner.
"Rock slide." Hilbert ordered.
Ash knew that wasn't good since flying types and rocks don't typically mix. Even though Pidgeot couldn't learn such a move, she did have moves to help even the playing field.
"Pidgeot, use detect." Ash commanded. "Then, follow it up with mirror move."
Braviary summoned rocks which attempted to cascade down atop Pidgeot. Her eyes sheened and she barrel rolled to the right avoiding them. The bird pokemon then sheened with flying type energy summoning her own rocks above Braviary.
"Protect." Hilbert countered.
Braviary got up the green shield just in time to block the falling rocks.
"Through differing methods, both trainers just managed an absolute stalemate." The announcer informed.
"Steel wing!" Ash/Hilbert commanded resulting in both pokemon flying at one another with their steel covered wings.
As their pokemon flew at each other, Ash was suddenly reminded of how Misty handled her Blastoise in the battle she had with Hilbert. Considering flying types could move through air like water types could move through water, he had an idea.
"Pidgeot, add in a barrel roll and go as fast as possible!" Ash instructed.
Pidgeot trusted her trainer and began rolling as the two flying/normal types closed in. This maneuver put some extra momentum into Pidgeot's wings to the point that she came out on top when their wings clashed. This sent the valiant pokemon careening to the ground.
"Braviary, return." Hilbert declared.
He managed to return the valiant pokemon before they hit the ground.
"You return as well Pidgeot." Ash declared.
Even though she hadn't fainted Braviary, meaning the valiant pokemon was still an eligible choice, Pidgeot was proud to have won their current engagement. As such, she had no problems being returned.
Indigo Stadium
"Ash Ketchum has just forced Hilbert Monta's hand getting Braviary off the field." The announcer informed. "Despite this, I think it's too early to say who is quite in the lead since Ash also took this opportunity to return his pokemon as well."
"Looks like I'll need to use something I was hoping to conserve." Hilbert took out his next pokeball. "Beartic, I choose you!"
The ice type appeared, roaring, prompting Ash to get out his pokedex:
Beartic, the Freezing Pokémon. Beartic's frozen breath can create fangs and claws made of ice. It lives in frigid northern areas.
"That must be the evolve form of the Cubchoo that taught my Nidoran ice beam." Ash noted.
That aside, his best bet would be Scizor if he wanted to try for advantage, but the bug/steel type was one he tended to rely on in latter stages of battle just like Charizard. His next best option, out of what he had on hand, would be Umbreon or Galarian Rapidash.
The latter had a fire type move while the former could throw up a sunny day and combo it into an empowered weather ball. Ultimately, his best choses boiled down to Rapidash, Umbreon, or Scizor unless he wanted to go with a curve ball.
"I choose you, Umbreon." Ash declared.
The dark type appeared ready to battle.
Stands
"Hilbert really does have a large stock of pokemon." Serena noted. "It might even be larger than the number Ash has to draw from."
"Well, there are two extremes when it comes to types of trainers." Blue informed. "On one end, you have the trainers who focus on a core six while the other end catch an innumerable amount. I'd say Ash falls roughly in the middle in catching a more manageable number.
Given what Hilbert has displayed over the course of the Indigo League, it's likely he falls in line with the latter. Even accounting for two leagues worth of travel, his stock of pokemon is rather extensive giving him many different combinations to choose from."
"Still, Pidgeot did turn out to be a great start just as you said." Brock noted.
"It is a good move on Ash's part, but Hilbert strikes me as the kind to plan for a situation like this." Gary voiced. "As things stand, they're still roughly even, so I wouldn't put it past the Unova trainer to have something up his sleeve."
Indigo Stadium
"Both trainers returned their first pokemon." The announcer informed. "I'm sure many of you would say that Pidgeot was on top of the last battle, but no true winner was decided. Will this next battle determine which side has the momentum?"
"Umbreon vs Beartic…Begin." The ref declared.
Ash vs Hilbert (P. II)
"Umbreon, set up a sunny day." Ash instructed.
"Beartic, garner the lead with sheer cold." Hilbert ordered.
Umbreon cast the orb of light above the field while Beartic glowed a powerful ice blue before a sudden storm of ice washed over Umbreon.
"Umbreon!" Umbreon cried out.
It lasted barely a moment before dissipating revealing the dark type sealed within a sphere of ice.
"U-Umbreon?" Ash asked worriedly.
The ice cracked at once falling in chunks on the ground while Umbreon's body collapsed unconscious.
Indigo Stadium
The ref made his call. "Umbreon is unable to battle, so this round goes to the red trainer, Hilbert Monta."
"I don't…" Ash hadn't known what just happened until he remembered Serena telling him of a move with similar results to sheer cold. "A one hit move."
"It's a move a trainer can only utilize once in any given battle with a lot of restrictions." Hilbert shook his head. "Given all your prior battles, I had to bust it out to take the momentum."
"Don't feel bad." Ash declared with a grin. "Everyone of us who made it this far should give our absolute best. If you had held back, and I learned about it at any point, I'd feel negatively about you as a trainer. This is exactly the kind of strength I expect from you."
Hilbert smiled at that.
"Let me tell you something folks, I've seen countless trainers contend with one hit moves, and how they react can tell you a lot." The announcer declared. "This is just further evidence of how Ash Ketchum became champion over in the Orange Archipelago."
"Return Umbreon." Ash recalled his dark type. "Sorry you didn't get to do much, but I'm proud of all the work you put in getting us to this point. I hope you can be proud of that as well."
He put his dark type's pokeball back on his belt. Now, he was officially down five pokemon to Hilbert's six. In this situation, he figured it would be alright breaking how he's normally battled. Especially with a need to close the gap.
Ash grabbed his next pokeball. "I choose you, Scizor!"
In a flash of light, Ash's pincer pokemon appeared and immediately took up a battle stance. By this point, she knew how her trainer operated. In the important matches, she was brought in to get wins. Of course, she knew by now that losing wouldn't impact how Ash treated her.
He wasn't like any of her prior trainers. That said, attempting to get the win was still well within the wheel house, and it was something she always tried to do for him. Upon seeing Ash with an iron clad will to continue, the crowd cheered.
"Beartic, return for now." Hilbert figured he might as well take advantage of the sun Ash set up. "I choose you, Simisear!"
"In line with what Ash said, Hilbert is not pulling his punches." The announcer informed. "Ash set up a sunny day, so the Unova trainer is busting out a fire type to take full advantage of it. The question is, can Scizor cinch this match, or will it be too much to handle?"
Stands
"This is a rough match to follow losing one of his pokemon." Ritchie noted.
"It is certainly a bad spot to be in." Samuel agreed.
"The more you back Ash into a corner, the harder a time you'll have nailing him down." James stated.
"To put him in such a position now means this battle is just beginning." Serena added.
"Just like Blake and Red." Delia smiled fondly at that.
Indigo Stadium
"Scizor vs Simisear…Begin." The ref declared.
Ash vs Hilbert (P. III)
"Bullet punch!" Ash shouted.
Scizor rushed forward delivering a fast-paced steel type punch to Simisear's face.
"With Scizor in close, hit her with a full power fire blast." Hilbert ordered.
"Protect!" Ash hollered. "Then, unleash your strongest close combat."
Simisear blazed with fire immediately sending out the large burst only for Scizor to be protected by the green shield. The moment it dropped; she was on the ember pokemon laying into him as her defenses dropped a stage each.
"Heat wave." Hilbert commanded.
"Scizor, use psycho cut directly in front of you." Ash ordered.
Simisear blazed with fire before sending it out in a ring, but Scizor managed to draw on psychic energy sending a crescent of it out directly in front of herself. This managed to cut through the flames directly ahead.
The bug/steel type still did take a fair bit of damage from the flames that moved around her, and her move wasn't strong enough to fully penetrate the flames. This meant Simisear took nothing from this exchange, but Ash kind of expected that.
"Brick break at full strength." Hilbert instructed.
"Counter." Ash ordered.
Simisear pulled back his arm before firing it right into Scizor while coated in fighting energy. The pincer pokemon took the blow as well as could be expected before blazing with fighting energy. She returned the damage two-fold slamming into Simisear.
He skidded back quite a bit which Hilbert saw as his chance to end this. "Simisear, put your all into fire blast!"
In this moment, Ash knew taking the fire attack directly was off the table. It wasn't a physical move, so attempting to weather it only to turn it to their advantage with counter wouldn't work. This left two chooses. Dodge to continue the battle or attempt to end this now.
Ash knew exactly which option Scizor would be more inclined to do. "Scizor, send out an air slash to weaken fire blast. Then, full speed ahead with arial ace while rolling as you move."
Simisear fired the massive blast as the sun now began to fade. Scizor understood perfectly what her trainer was going for, so she sent out the crescent air which managed to cut through the fire lessening its size as well as speed.
At what she saw as the opportune moment, the pincer pokemon flew right at the fire cloaked in flying type energy and spinning rapidly to fuel the move making it faster. All this resulted in her cutting through the fire.
It certainly wasn't easy taking that damage, but it was easier than it would have been at full force. What's more, Scizor kept going before plowing squarely into Simisear powerfully sending him flying. The ember pokemon crashed to the ground before Hilbert with swirls in his eyes.
Indigo Stadium
"Simisear is unable to battle." The ref declared. "This round goes to the green trainer, Ash Ketchum."
"Return Simisear." Hilbert returned his fallen fire type. "You gave it your best, thank you. I promise your hard work won't go to waste."
"Ash managed to come back and knock out one of Hilbert's pokemon; however, he's down two who've battled still leaving the advantage to his opponent who only has one." The announcer informed. "Is this a sign of Hilbert's success or will Ash claw his way to victory?"
Stands
"Scizor was put through her paces in that last fight, but given Ash has two battle worn pokemon, he might be hesitant to make it three." Brock noted.
"You can't forget that whoever Hilbert chooses next could influence who Ash uses." Blue reasoned.
Indigo Stadium
Hilbert went over his remaining five pokemon in his head before ultimately deciding he simply couldn't use four of them before Braviary fell. On top of that, he felt his best chance for success would be sending him out in hopes of Ash sending out Pidgeot.
Then, no matter what it took, he'd need to bring the opposing flying type down. With that, he grasped his flying type's pokeball hoping for his opponent to play into it. The Unova trainer threw out his pokemon.
"I choose you, Braviary!" Hilbert shouted as he released his valiant pokemon.
"Scizor, return and take a rest." Ash swapped pokeballs since this was his flying type's battle just as much as it was in the beginning. "I choose you, Pidgeot!"
In a flash of light, Pidgeot appeared and was immediately ready to continue her battle with Braviary. The valiant pokemon, upon seeing her again, was prepared to show the bird pokemon why he'd been her teacher at one point.
"Looks like the battle of these trainer's flying/normal types is set for a round two." The announcer informed. "Ketchum proved their superiority, but has Monta figured out a way to turn the tables?"
"Pidgeot vs Braviary…Begin." The ref declared.
Ash vs Hilbert (P. IV)
"Quick attack!" Ash/Hilbert declared as one the moment the battle began.
The two flying/normal types sped at one another clashing powerfully at the dead center of the field with no clear winner once more.
"Zen headbutt." Hilbert commanded.
"Pidgeot, use detect." Ash commanded. "Then, follow it up with mirror move."
Braviary flew at Pidgeot with his head cloaked in psychic energy. The bird pokemon's eyes sheened and she barrel rolled to the right avoiding the coming valiant pokemon. Then, her head was cloaked in the same psychic energy.
"Protect." Hilbert countered. "Then, use rock slide."
Braviary got up the green shield just in time to block Pidgeot from making contact before rocks were summoned and bombarded the opposing flying/normal type sending her hurtling into the ground below.
"This time, Hilbert read and led the situation to get off a super effective blow." The announcer informed.
"Steel wing!" Ash/Hilbert commanded.
"This time, you use the barrel role strait." Hilbert ordered.
"There's more than one way to garner speed." Ash held out his arm. "Loop to build up your speed and strike true!"
Pidgeot took to the air performing several loops as she beat her wings to increase her speed while Braviary was rolling rapidly through the air. These maneuvers gave both pokemon an extra dose of momentum before the point in which they collided.
This time, due to their more erratic movements, their wings didn't clash. What happened instead was each managing to slam home their wings into the other's face sending both hurtling towards the ground. They crashed with resounding thuds.
"Braviary/Pidgeot!" Hilbert/Ash yelled.
Both pokemon heard their trainer's call and slowly began to rise while glaring intently at one another. Neither were willing to call it quits, but that ultimately wasn't their decision to make as they collapsed unconscious.
Indigo Stadium
"Both pokemon are unable to battle." The ref declared. "As this is a double knockout, the green trainer must select his pokemon first."
"Return Pidgeot." Ash recalled his fallen bird pokemon with a small smile. "You were as determined ever and managed to close the gap for us."
Ash clipped the pokeball to his belt before quickly mulling over his potential options.
"Ash managed to close the gap, but Hilbert still has four fresh pokemon over him." The announcer informed. "Is this a sign of Ketchum's comeback, or has that prior tie sealed the victory in Monta's favor?"
Stands
"That Hilbert is one quick learner." Luana noted. "Even Ash's adaptability couldn't counteract that."
"It seems as though the times Hilbert taught and observed Ash managed to teach him a little something in return." Brock crossed his arms. "I know I can say the same."
"Ash can still win, right?" Ritchie asked worriedly.
"Never count Ash out until the very end." Serena voiced confidently.
"That's a mistake many have made, and they paid for it." James added.
Indigo Stadium
Ash ultimately decided to swap in the one pokemon that made sense given he'd like to try and conserve his three fresh pokemon. "I choose you, Scizor!"
Ash's pincer pokemon appeared once more and took up her battle stance.
"I could send out Beartic again, but without sheer cold being useable, he's better suited to potentially helping Samurott in the back halve." Hilbert reasoned. "That only leaves two real options, and only one of them is my best bet at countering Scizor."
The Unovan trainer turned to the right and held out a pokeball. "I choose you, Kangaskhan." The normal type appeared right next to Hilbert within the trainer box. "It's time." He nodded. "I need your help."
The normal type nodded as she took her child out of her pouch and passed her to Hilbert. He was the only other being she had ever done this with, and the child was more than happy to chill with the Unovan trainer as her mother moved onto the field.
While this was happening, Ash got out his pokedex:
Kangaskhan, the Parent Pokémon. A Normal type. Kangaskhan carries a little one in the pouch on its belly and will protect it at all costs.
"While Ash sent out Scizor, Hilbert sent out another new pokemon that's mostly associated with Kanto." The announcer informed. "Will Kangaskhan be enough to take down Scizor, or will the pincer pokemon manage another victory?"
"Scizor vs Kangaskhan...Begin!" The ref declared.
Ash vs Hilbert (P. V)
"Bullet punch." Ash ordered.
Just as with every battle, Scizor launched forward with the intention of slamming home a steel covered pincer into her opponent. Rather than directly counter it, Hilbert had a move in mind that would stop the pincer pokemon in her tracks.
"Kangaskhan, stop them with sucker punch!" Hilbert countered.
Just as Scizor reached the normal type, she was suddenly uppercut by a fist covered in darkness. The blow was strong enough to knock the steel/bug type off her feet.
"Now, follow it up with rock climb." Hilbert commanded.
Kangaskhan stomped her right foot, coated in powerful normal energy, into the ground resulting in a portion of it being moved up. It slammed into Scizor's back before pushing her into the air. The parent pokemon proceeded to follow by climbing like a champ.
"What a sequence of hits!" The announcer shouted. "Monta not only countered the priority move, but utilized its advantage to further destabilize the foundation of how Ketchum has utilized his team many times prior."
"Kangaskhan, use flamethrower." Hilbert ordered.
"Scizor, get up and utilize aerial ace to fight back." Ash instructed.
Fortunately, Scizor had been quick to recover, so she was more than able to get up the flying energy as Kangaskhan lept up just a few feet higher. As she spewed down fire, Scizor flew into it managing to cut through at the cost of there still being damage.
She hit home the attack sending Kangaskhan plummeting to the ground. Unfortunately, whatever flamethrower had managed to do had been enough to faint the pincer pokemon. She must have been just shy of her ability kicking in to. Both hit the ground, but Kangaskhan rose back up.
Indigo Stadium
"Scizor is unable to battle which means this round goes to red trainer, Hilbert Monta." The ref declared.
"Return Scizor." Ash recalled his pincer pokemon. "You put in a lot of hard work, so we'll keep fighting until the absolute end; whatever that may be."
"Ash Ketchum is the first of these two to lose three pokemon, and Hilbert is managing to maintain advantage." The announcer informed. "As pokemon begin to dwindle, which trainer will come out on top of this exciting match?"
Stands
"Unless Ash decided to bring Charizard to this, I'd say his strongest pokemon, on hand, left is Pikachu." Gary noted. "While not the worst situation to be in, having two powerhouses would have been better."
"In the end, Ash worked to close the gap with one of his best bets." Brock noted. "That's all they are, a bet. Sometimes they'll pan out and other times you'll lose."
Vital Info: I'm a firm believer in any pokemon, except Arceus as he is the god of this world, can be taken down. Some will certainly be harder to beat than others, but if you're a good enough trainer, you can manage it. Gary is a truly exceptional trainer in his own right. I'm also glad you enjoyed how the double knockout was used here. As for rivalries, it is commonly said the new generation one day surpasses the old. Yeah, I carefully selected every pokemon for this battle.
It ultimately seemed to pay off as far as you're concerned. Of course, we have our differences on where things should go, but I have a plan. Of course, a little fourth wall moment never hurt. As for Agatha vs Brock...that actually gives me thoughts for my own version of Pokemon Chronicles to go with this series. Stay turned for that someday, maybe around the time in story that would happen. Hope you're not to disappointed by who his opponent ended up being.
Elemental Aura: I try not to when it matters. Agatha was admitedly fun to write for. I'm not sure if I truly captured her character, but it was still fun all the same. No doubt it doesn't feel good having such a move turned around on you. Again, a little fourth wall break didn't hurt anything. As for Gary's fate, TBD. For now, losing to Ash once isn't enough to simply stop him traveling. Thank you for your review.
Nightshadegirl: Yeah.