"So I wonder who Ash will be using this round." Casey said, as she and Molly sat on the bench on Ash's side of the field.
Authors note
Am I the only one who finds it a bit strange that Johto was the ONLY region that had those benches on the field, like seriously how many trainers come with companions to a Pokemon League where it makes any level of financial sense to have those even in just the one tournament. Anyways rant over, back to the story
"I'm not sure, I know he switched out some of his Pokemon with Professor Oak, so at least one of them." Molly said trying to think of who Ash would choose.
"Trainers to center field." The matches judge said.
Ash approached the center field with Pikachu next to him, a girl with blue hair walking up from the other side.
"You both already know the rules, so shake hands and we'll begin." The judge said.
"Best of luck." Ash said.
"Same to you." The girl responded.
"Now trainers send out your Pokemon!" The judge declared.
"Little Miss come out!" The girl said sending out a mysterious Pokemon.
"Gligar I choose you!" Ash called out.
"Who's that Pokemon?" Casey asked, pulling out her Pokedex.
'Misdreavus the Screech Pokemon, a ghost type. It loves to watch people it's scared. It frightens them by screaming loudly or appearing suddenly.' Casey's Pokedex explained.
"Gligar use Wing Attack!" Ash called out.
Gligar swooped around, diving right at the ghost.
"Little Miss, use Psybeam!"
The Misdreavus's attack launched at Gligar, striking the scorpion bat and sending him crashing to the ground.
"Alright, new idea. Gligar time to use one of your new moves, use Sludge Bomb!" Ash called out.
Gligar hopped back into the air, sending a series of toxic blobs hurdling at the ghost type, drenching them.
"Little Miss use Perish Song!"
"Really, is that her strategy, what's her plan?" Molly asked.
"Gligar let's move fast, use Wing Attack!" Ash called out, the scorpion bat slicing through the ghost type.
"Little Miss use Psybeam!"
"Gligar use Double Team!"
Two more Gligar appeared on either side of Gligar, the Psybeam going through the second from the right.
"Now use Wing Attack!" Ash called out.
The four remaining Gligar swooped down, heading straight for Misdreavus, striking the ghost type several times in a row.
"Misdreavus is unable to battle, the winners are Ash and Gligar!" The judge declared. "Ash as recognition of your victory here is your number for this afternoons match, make sure to not be late."
Outside the arena
"Ash! That was incredible, I don't think I've ever seen Gligar move that fast before!" Casey said excitedly.
"When I called Professor Oak up he said Gligar's been training tirelessly ever since my first match against Jasmine and had made a lot of progress so I figured I'd bring him back to show what he can do." Ash admitted.
"You got lucky you did, if Gligar didn't knock Misdreavus out quick enough…". Molly paused.
"I know, double elimination I don't even know how they would've handled that." Ash admitted.
"Either way one more win and you'll have made it past the screening rounds!" Casey cheered.
"Yeah, so we better make sure it counts." Ash said with confidence.
A bit later, at Ash's third screening round
"Alright trainers, you both know the rules, one Pokemon each, no subs or switches allowed." The judge said. "Now shake hands and we can start this match."
"Best of luck." Ash said extending his hand.
"I don't need luck to beat you." A boy with purple hair reaching near his shoulders said.
"Alright then…". Ash said as the two made their way back to their sides of the stadium.
"Now trainers send out your Pokemon!" The judge called out.
"Gligar I choose you!"
"Azumarill come out!"
"Azumarill, a water type, Ash is in for an uphill battle." Molly commented.
"You've got this Ash!" Casey cheered.
"Gligar use Sludge Bomb!" Ash declared.
"Azumarill, Water Gun." His opponent commanded.
Gligar gathered a ball of poisonous sludge at his stinger before launching it at the Azumarill only for it to be easily deflected.
"Now use Water Gun again!" Ash's opponent called out.
"Gligar dodge it with Double Team!"
Gligar created copies of himself only to still get hit and sent flying back.
"Gligar use Wing Attack!"
"Azumarill use Water Gun!"
Gligar swept close to the ground, spinning around the stream of water before striking his opponent back a few feet.
"Azumarill use Water Gun again!"
"Gligar hold your ground!" Ash called out as the ground type was surrounded by the stream of water, leaving him soaked, his tail stuck firmly in the arena's dirt.
"Gligar use Earthquake!"
"Azumarill use Water Gun! Full power!"
Gligar bounced on his tail, sending a shockwave across the arena, tossing Azumarill into the air, their water gun dispersing around them.
"Finish this with Wing Attack!" Ash called out.
Gligar easily dislodged himself, flying straight at Azumarill, striking and defeating the water type.
"Azumarill is unable to battle, the winners are Ash and Gligar." The judge declared.
"Hey great fight, that Azumarill of yours was really tough." Ash said walking over to his opponent.
"Whatever, I need to keep training if I can be beaten by someone like you." His opponent said, returning their Azumarill.
Later that evening
"Too Ash, making it through the screening rounds." Casey said.
"Hey I made it too." Ritchie reminded, having joined the group for dinner.
"Sorry, I'm not used to another trainer competing alongside Ash." Casey apologized.
"It's fine, just happy to have made it this far myself." Ritchie said.
"Did they tell you guys what the next round will be?" Molly questioned.
"They won't until tomorrow, with all the battles still going on, but it will probably move to larger more bracketed battles." Ash said, pausing for a moment.
"What are you looking at Ash?" Ritchie asked, turning to look in the same direction.
"Isn't that the guy you faced last round?" Molly asked.
"Yeah, I wonder why he's talking to that kid, I'm just going to make sure nothings wrong." Ash said, walking over.
With the other trainer
"Thanks again for the Azumarill Mr!" The younger kid said, running off holding a Pokeball.
"Did you just give away your Azumarill?" Ash asked walking up.
"It lost a fight it should have won easily." The other trainer said.
"Even if it did, it still put up a good fight, why give it away?" Ash asked.
"The only thing that matters in a battle is winning and if that water type can't even beat a Pokemon as weak as a Gligar, then why keep it around." The trainer said.
"Hey thats no way to treat your Pokemon!" Ritchie said, having heard the disagreement and walked over.
"That might be against how you two treat your Pokemon, but thats not how you become a champion, only through having the best and fighting the best." The trainer said sternly. "I'm done here, enjoy your competition."
"Alright then." Ash said, as the other trainer walked off.
"You're just letting him go?" Ritchie asked.
"What else can I do? He's set in his ways and mindset, besides I doubt I'll run into him again, I can only hope for his Pokémon's sakes that they either find a good trainer when they fail, or he treats the ones that succeed fairly." Ash said, as the strange trainer left into the night.
Authors Notes
Yes, both trainers are trainers who did canonically compete in a Johto League, and have Pokemon they used in the anime with those move sets. One you probably recognize, the other you might have to do a little more digging to find out who they are. Also Gligar has new moves, of course he does, why would I keep Poison Sting and Sand Attack on him for the league? Also now all of his moves aren't through level up. Double Team and Sludge Bomb in gen 2 were TMs 32 and 36 respectively. Wing Attack is learned through breeding with a Scyther or Yanma or through a special distribution in Pokemon Stadium 2, and Earthquake is only available through a special distribution in Pokemon Stadium 2. I love using moves from spin off games.
Ash's Current Team and their Moves
Pikachu: Zap Cannon - Quick Attack - Thunder Punch - Thunderbolt
Houndoom: Flamethrower - Crunch - Solar Beam - Headbutt
Feraligatr: Hydro Pump - Crunch - Ice Punch - Thrash
Scizor: Fury Cutter - Wing Attack - Steel Wing - Slash
Sudowoodo: Slam - Mimic - Rock Throw - Low Kick
Espeon: Double Edge - Bite - Shadow Ball - Psychic
In Training
Charizard: Flamethrower - Iron Tail - Dragon Breath - Seismic Toss
Squirtle: Water Gun - Withdraw - Skull Bash - Hydro Pump
At Oak's Lab
Bulbasaur: Vine Whip - Razor Leaf - Solar Beam - Leech Seed
Kingler: Bubblebeam - Stomp - Hyper Beam - Crabhammer
Muk: Body Slam - Sludge Bomb
Tauros x29: Take Down - Horn Attack - Fissure - Double Team
Snorlax: Ice Punch - Mega Kick - Body Slam - Hyper Beam
Gligar: Sludge Bomb - Earthquake - Double Team - Wing Attack
Wobbuffet: Counter - Mirror Coat - Safeguard - Destiny Bond