"Alright on a roll, we're going strong, are you up for getting back out there?" Ash asked, scratching Pikachu's head.
"Cha." Pikachu cheered, accepting the scratches.
"Alright, let's go and see who we're fighting today." Ash said, grabbing his Pokeballs. "Keep an eye on the place while we're out Impidimp!"
"Imp!" Impidimp exclaimed, saluting from a tube, before diving back in.
"Note to self, check tubes for any lost treasures once we get back." Ash said with a chuckle, knowing Ipidimp would always be his usual self.
At the Battle Cups
"It has been a long time since we've met, even with your visits to Orre." A young man said, walking over to Ash.
"Don't tell me, don't tell me, let me think." Ash said, seeing the young man. "You're Duking's friend from Phenac City, eh eh eh Justy right?"
"Your memory has served you well." Justy said. "Let's hope your battle skills have stayed that way as well."
"My battle skills are on a level all their own." Ash assured.
"I'll be eager to see just how much of that is true." Just commented.
"Alright trainers, as always this will be a rotation battle with box standard rules, make sure to choose wisely." The Scott recording said.
"Gliscor take the left, Cacturn take the right, Probopass take center!" Justy called out.
"Are you sure you still want in on this kind of team?" Ash asked Pikachu, knowing the matchups.
"Pi!" Pikachu exclaimed with a strong attitude.
"Alright, Incineroar take left! Pikachu go into the right spot! Sirfetch'd go into the center!" Ash called out.
"Probopass use Zap Cannon!"
"Sirfetch'd use Meteor Assault!"
Sirfetch'd rushed forward, striking Probopass for massive amounts of damage without ever even being touched by it's attack.
"Probopass use Zap Cannon while it's recovering!"
Probopass lined up their shot, and with Sirfetch'd recovering from his previous attack, he could do nothing but wait as he was zapped.
"Your skills might be impressive, but not even the strongest of flying types can hold up against a Zap Cannon like Probopass's." Justy said confidently as the smoke cleared, seeing Sirfetch'd readjust his weapons. "Wait, how is that possible, it was a direct hit!"
"Sirfetch'd might have evolved from a Farfetch'd but in Galar they are fighting types, not flying." Ash said with a smirk. "Now use Leaf Blade!"
"Probopass use Iron Defense!"
Probopass's body shimmered and shined as Sirfetch'd slashed his leek forward, sending the rock type spinning.
"Probopass use Dazzling Gleam!"
"Sirfetch'd use Meteor Assault!"
Probopass sent a shimmering blast out at Sirfetch'd as he blocked most of the damage with his shield before rocketing his leek forward, striking Probopass as it fell to the ground in defeat.
"Impressive battling, but you did great work by the looks of it, keep it up and you'll turn this match around for sure!" The Scott recording said.
"How many different messages does he have, and why do they always sound so supportive?" Ash questioned.
"As a pre gym leader, I understand his point, he has these messages not to encourage us, but rather to encourage new and younger trainers, that might not be as skilled or are just starting out, this way they don't get too hurt in loss, otherwise we might miss out on the next great trainer." Justy explained.
"Fair enough." Ash said, flipping a switch. "Scott's recording was correct, you did a good job against Sirfetch'd though."
Justy also flipped a switch, putting Gliscor onto the field on his side, and Incineroar onto the field on Ash's side.
"Gliscor use X-Scissor!"
"Incineroar use Darkest Lariat!"
Incineroar waited for Gliscor to get close before striking his claws against them, knocking the scorpion bat backwards.
"Gliscor use Earthquake!"
"Incineroar use Flame Charge!"
Gliscor slammed his stinger into the base of the arena, shaking it and tossing Incineroar about as he bounced around.
"Incineroar use Revenge!" Ash called out.
"Gliscor use Earthquake!" Justy commanded.
Gliscor shook the arena again, before Incineroar pounced on top of the ground type, pinning it to the ground for massive damage.
"Incineroar use Fire Blast!"
"Gliscor use Poison Jab!"
Incineroar let out a burst of flames from his belt, engulfing Gliscor as it tried to stab the fire type with their tail.
"Finish them with Darkest Lariat!"
"Gliscor use X-Scissor!"
Incineroar leapt off of Gliscor, before spinning back at them, slamming into the scorpion bat, striking it multiple times into submission.
"This is turning into an impressive battle, who knows just how will this turn out? Even at the current odds it's anyone's games!" The Scott recording boasted.
"You've been doing well, but let's see how well you do. Cacturne come out and use Sandstorm!"
Ash had to squint as sand whipped out from every needle of Cacturn's body.
"Incineroar use Flame Charge!"
"Cacturn use Sucker Punch!"
Incineroar rushed forward, before being struck by Cacturn's attack, launching him backwards.
"If he knows how I'll attack, he'll just use Sucker Punch, so I'll have to keep him on his toes." Ash said, flipping a switch.
"Cacturne use Poison Jab!"
Pikachu launched out of his Pokeball, striking his tail against Cacturne's fist, blocking the attack and pushing the grass type back a few feet.
"Alright, let's switch again!" Ash called, flipping a switch.
"Use Sucker Punch!"
Cacturne launched forward, seeing the silhouette of Sirfetch'd come out of the Pokeball, only for it to do nothing against an Iron Defense.
"Sirfetch'd use Final Gambit!"
"Cacturne use Energy Ball!"
Sirfetch'd rocketed forward, slicing the side of Cacturne before being launched backwards once more by the attack.
"Let's keep it going." Ash said, flipping a switch again as Incineroar rushed back out towards Cacturne.
"Cacturne use Sucker Punch!"
Cacturne punched at Incineroar's gut, but the fire type didn't even flinch from the attack.
"Wait, the only way that is possible is if you didn't use an attacking move, but Incineroar's moves are all attacks!" Justy exclaimed.
"You're right, but I also didn't give Incineroar a command." Ash chuckled. "Incineroar use Fire Blast!"
At the incredibly close range Cacturne was immediately engulfed in the flames, falling to the ground from the stacked damage.
"And there we have an excellent display of rotation battles!" Scott said.
"I don't think that was the message that should have played." Ash admitted. "That was a good match Justy. I know that with you helping them, Orre is still in good hands."
"You don't get to the state I'm in without any work." Justy admitted. "We have learned to help ourselves since you first showed up in our sands though."
"I'm sure Gordy being there has also helped. Tell him I said hi next time you see him." Ash chuckled, as the two parted ways once more.
Authors note
Yes another long overdue reference to the Orre region, obviously this group of trainers has all been gym leaders, more specifically gym leaders Ash hasn't fought, and technically Justy's title is the leader of the Phenac City Pre Gym. And all three Pokemon I gave him, he has the unevolved form of in both Pokemon Colosseum and Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness.
