Greetings everyone, Mgunnels3 here, and welcome back to A Promise Kept Ash's Johto Journey. I had this two-parter planned. The only problem is the teams and when to stop during the battle for the chapter. That said, let's get this chapter going.
Chapter 65: Ash vs. Paul: The gauntlet is thrown
"Human Speech"
"Pokemon Speech"
We joined our heroes as they were on the boat ride to the second Island of the Whirl Islands and Ash's Uncle's villa. Ash had already had a team planned for the challenge from Paul.
"Well, Ash, you think you can win against Paul?"Drew asked Ash, who looked down.
"I don't know, and to be honest, I got lucky with winning against him at the fire-type tournament against him, and I know how he operates with the challenges he faces," Ash said to Drew, who nodded. Pikachu nuzzles Ash.
"Don't let him get to you, Ash. Whatever the rules he has set for us as a team, we are prepared to face them head-on. Especially with our anniversary of the day we met today," Pikachu said to Ash, who nodded.
"I just wished we could have a better day we met anniversary to happen, buddy," Ash said to Pikachu, who shrugged.
"This is better than last when we were just having a day off," Pikachu told Ash. Drew was curious about this but knew today was a big day for Ash other than yesterday being Ash's Birthday.
"Land ho, the second Island of the Whirl Islands is approaching, and we will dock within the next five minutes," the ferry's pilot announced. At the ferry dock, Paul was waiting along with another person who had the same hair and was much taller.
Everyone gets out of the boat as Ash sees Paul and remains calm. Ash's Uncle recognized Paul's older brother.
"Regie, long time no see. I guess you were also asked to participate in the Whirl Cup?" David asked the man, who nodded.
"It sure has been a few years, and yes, I was along with Paul here," Regie said to Ash's Uncle. "I have taken that this is your nephew that Paul told me about?" Reggie asked him, who nodded.
"Uh-huh, this is my only nephew, Ash," David introduced Ash.
"Regie, here is my older brother and a trainer who has won many battles, not to mention he's the one who takes care of my Pokemon as a breeder," Paul said. While Paul was raring to go battling, he was okay with this interaction even though he usually prefers to be by himself.
Hearing that Regie was a breeder caught Brock and Casey's attention, given that they have connections to breeders, as the group was heading to Ash's Uncle's villa, which was a mansion almost as big as his house in Goldenrod, which made everyone amazed by the size of the place.
"Been years since I've been here, and everything is set up?" Ash asked his Uncle, who nodded.
"Yep, just needs the rules, and I will be the ref of this battle," David told Ash and Paul.
"Just a full 6v6 battle for normal trainers, but given that we've been to other regions, I want to use any Pokemon from Kanto to my home region in Sinnoh," Paul said to David, who nodded. "As for you, Ash?" Paul said to Ash in a stern voice. "If you want to keep my respect and be a rival, here are my terms of this battle," Paul told Ash.
"Name it," Ash said, showing he isn't the type to back down.
"Humph, well, to keep it, you will have to do the following either give me a good battle, win the match, or get me down to at least one Pokemon or a draw," Paul said to Ash. "Anything else, you might as well get out of my sight because I have no time for trainers who waste my time."
"That's the same rules you set for me during our battle Paul, so this is how you operate when it comes to rivals," Casey said to Paul, who nodded.
"To me, trainers are either good on their word and are the best, and the wannabe who think that they can be the best because they have Pokemon, don't disappoint me like your friend Gary," Paul said to Ash.
"Look, you operate how you do, and I operate how I do. I don't care about what Pokemon is strong or weak or my views on trainers speaking in battle, not outside the battle, so don't compare me to Gary. He's arrogant, but at least he cares about his Pokemon," Ash said as Paul humphed.
"The match hasn't even started, and you are already starting to be pathetic. Do you want to prove that to me? Show it, not tell," Paul said, trying to get to Ash, who shook his head.
"Let's get this battle started, shall we, and stop talking," Ash said to Paul and his Uncle, who nodded as Ash headed inside the villa and to the back of the house.
"I must say, Paul, he's already showing promise. I can see why he beat you in the Tournament," Regie said to Paul, walking in with the others.
"I wanna make sure that his win wasn't a fluke, and as pathetic as his little speech was, he's not taking my baits to urk him," Paul said.
Everyone arrived at the battlefield, and what David said about it being a stadium-like battlefield was not a joke scoreboard, trainers' boxes, and all.
"Man, it's been a while since I've seen this battlefield here?" Ash said.
"This used to be a place for tournaments when the Whirl Cup wasn't going on," David said to everyone. "Will you pick a trainers box, and we can begin?" David asked Ash and Paul, who nodded as they headed to the respected trainer's boxes. Both Ash and Paul's Pictures in the boxes on the screen show David was ready to ref this match.
"The battle between Ash from Pallet Town and Paul from Veilstone City will begin. As Paul mentioned, this will be a full six vs. six battle, with both sides allowed to swap out at any time. The winner will be determined whenever all six Pokemon on either side cannot battle," David announced as Drew, Misty, Casey, and Brock were on the sidelines on Ash's side and Regie on Paul's side. "Will, both trainers, let out their first Pokemon, and we can get this battle underway," David asked.
"Torterra, standby for battle," Paul sent out his first Pokemon Ash wasn't aware of what that Pokemon was but could tell it was a Grass-type as he pulled out a Pokeball.
"I choose you, Scyther," Ash sent out his Pokemon. For some reason, Scyther had a specific metallic sheen on his scales, which only Ash and his friends knew why.
"So, Ash intends on using his Metal Coat item he won at the Tauros festival on Scyther. That'll be interesting," Brock said to Misty, who nodded.
"Scyther must've asked Ash if he was ready to evolve last night during his talk to his Pokemon about who will be used," Misty said to Brock. "Neither of us knows who is being used. Only know that Pikachu will be used in this battle. After all, he is Ash's starter," Brock said.
"Torterra vs. Scyther, let the battle begin," David announced.
"Torterra, use Stone Edge," Paul commanded his Pokemon, whose tree on its back glowed and sent rocks at Scyther.
"Dodge it, and then use Fury Cutter," Ash commanded his Pokemon as Scyther was fast. Given his bloodline and heritage, he is faster than average, as Scyther landed a blow on Torterra.
"Frenzy Plant now," Paul commanded his Pokemon as his Pokemon launched a flurry of thorns and spikes at Scyther.
"Dodge it with Double Team," Ash commanded his Pokemon, who barely got out of the way with Double Team, only for the attack to hit all the clones. Scyther was hit but brushed it off. "Fury cutter now," Ash commanded Scyther. Ash was told about the side effects of those moves like Frenzy Plant before this battle, figuring that would be used in one of Ash's battles.
"Stone Edge," Paul commanded his Pokemon as it hit Scyther.
"Got you, Paul, use Counter," Ash commanded his Pokemon, which caught Paul off guard.
"It knows Counter," Paul said in surprise as it slammed its scythe on Torterra, sending him back still standing. Paul returned Torterra, which made Scyther glare at this. He was getting into the groove of the battle here.
"Magmar, standby for battle," Paul sent out his next Pokemon, which Ash had faced before as Ash returned Scyther.
"Pidgeot, come on out," Ash sent out his next Pokemon. This was a BIG battle for Pidgeot to show how far she had come on this Journey.
"Magmar, use Flamethrower," Paul commanded his Pokemon, who fired the attack at Pidgeot.
"Use Twister Pidgeot," Ash commanded his Pokemon, who used its attack, sending the Flamethrower and the twister back at Magmar. "Now, Wing Attack," Ash commanded her, who dove right at Magmar.
"Thunder Punch and Cross Chop," Paul commanded his Pokemon, who slammed its arms at Pidgeot. As the two moves clashed, Pidgeot was sent back, as did Magmar. It was going to take more than that to take Pidgeot down. Paul smirked at this Ash was giving him a good challenge so far, but this was just the warm-up. "Rock Tomb, now Magmar," Paul commanded his Pokemon, who fired rocks right at Pidgeot.
"Quick attack get out of their Pidgeot and then use Aerial Ace," Ash commanded her, using her speed to get the distance and her newly acquired move to slam right into Magmar, knocking it out.
"Magmar is unable to battle Pidgeot wins," David announced as Paul returned his Pokemon.
"You did it, Pidgeot," Ash said to Pidgeot, who landed exhausted but nodded.
"Thanks, Ash, that was a tough battle," Pidgeot said to Ash, who nodded.
"Not bad, Ash. So far, you've done well in this battle, but the real battle starts now. Salamence standby for battle," Paul sent out his next Pokemon, which is a Pokemon from the Hoenn region.
"Pidgeot, you gonna be okay battling this Pokemon?" Ash asked Pidgeot, who nodded as she was still raring to fight.
"Alright, use Aerial Ace," Ash commanded her, who took off into the air and was ready to slam right into the dragon-type.
"Use Brick break," Paul commanded his Pokemon, who slammed his claw right into Pidgeot mid-flight.
"Steel wing now," Ash commanded Pidgeot, who slammed her wing right into Salamence just after his attack hit.
"Hydro Pump, now," Paul commanded his Pokemon Ash was surprised to hear this attack was being used as it fired right at Pidgeot, hitting her.
"End this with Dragon Claw," Paul commanded his Pokemon, who charged at Pidgeot.
"Twister now," Ash commanded as she tried to fire the attack, only for Salamence to get to her quickly and slam his claw right into her sending her to the ground and knocking her out.
"Pidgeot is unable to battle Salamence wins," David announced as Ash returned and praised her as he pulled out his next Pokeball.
"Ursaring, come on out," Ash sent out his next Pokemon, which his Uncle and Regie recognized. On the other hand, Paul was surprised that Ash owned one.
"Wow, he must be a good trainer for one to join his team," Paul thought before seeing that his brother and Ash's Uncle recognized him.
"Or does his Uncle give it to him? Either way, reputation means nothing unless it's shown in battle," Paul thought. "Brick Break and Dragon Claw," Paul commanded his Pokemon, who charged at Ursaring.
"Slash and Brick Break as well," Ash commanded his Pokemon as the two Pokemon's claws slammed right into each other.
"Hydro Pump," Paul commanded his Pokemon, firing it at close range.
"Thunder Punch, now Ursaring," Ash commanded his Pokemon, who slammed his fist into Salamence's face hard. "Now, Ice Punch," Ash commanded his Pokemon.
"Earthquake now," Paul commanded his Pokemon, who slammed his tail into the ground.
"Jump now, and Slash attack," Ash commanded Ursaring as his two moves slammed into Salamence, knocking him out.
"Salamence is unable to battle Ursaring wins," David said as Ursaring let out a roar of pride at his first win under Ash. Paul returned his Pokemon before glaring at Ash. Ash, while he knew that he was in the lead, knew that Paul wasn't the type of trainer to let his guard down as Paul brought out his next Pokeball.
"Time to take things seriously more than before, Drappion. Standby for battle," Paul sent out his fourth Pokemon. Ash glared at this. Casey warned him about this Pokemon, which Paul used last in his battle against her.
"Ursaring, you gonna be okay to face off against him?" Ash asked, and Ursaring nodded."Alright, use Brick Break now," Ash commanded his Pokemon, who charged at him.
"Pin Missle now," Paul commanded his Pokemon as he fired those barrages at Ursaring. He barely dodged most of them, only for one to hit Ursaring as Drappion was right before him.
"Brick break and Cross Poison," Paul commanded his Pokemon, who slammed his arms right into Ursaring hard, sending him to the ground and knocking him out. "Ursarirng!" Ash said.
"Ursaring is unable to battle Drappion wins. The match is tied with four Pokemon a piece," David announced. Ash returned his Pokemon as Paul returned his Pokemon, saving him for later.
"Metagross Standby for battle," Paul wasn't letting up on his powerhouses. Ash looked it up and smiled, knowing a good Pokemon for this battle, as he pulled out a Pokeball.
"Time for your debut since you rejoined the team," Ash said, looking at Paul. "Let's see how you will handle this Pokemon. Let's go," Ash sent out his next Pokemon, who came out. It was Lapras.
"Wow, another Pokemon I wasn't expecting for him to use and fitting, given that steel-type attacks only do so much damage to this Pokemon," Paul thought. "Bring it; use Thunder Punch and Meteor Mash," Paul commanded his Pokemon.
"Thunderbolt now, Lapras," Ash commanded Lapras.
The two Pokemon launched their attacks, heading toward each other.
Things are getting heated with the battle between Ash and Paul in full swing. Who will win this battle, Ash or Paul? As the match concludes.
To be continued.