While Ash was in Giratina's dimension, May, Dawn, and Lillie were at the Lake Valor, waiting for Ash to return, and for the Wallace Cup to begin.
While they were waiting, Zoey showed up, and met May for the first time. The four girls spent some time together, talking about their travels so far, as well as about the contests, though that was mostly Dawn, and Zoey who spoke about them, as Lillie, and May have different likes.
When Zoey found that that May is a regular trainers, and not to coordinator, yet she will compete in the Wallace Cup; she wasn't angry. In fact, she smiled, much to Dawn's, and Lillie's surprise, as they knew that Zoey thinks that only those who are serious about contests, should be coordinators.
Surprisingly, Zoey admitted that she has accepted the fact that she needs to learn from contests, AND battles, if she wants to reach the top.
XXX
Then, the day of the Wallace Cup has finally arrived, and there was still no sign of Ash, which made the three girls worried. Even Zoey was worried as she has learned from the other girls where Ash went, and for what reason.
They all wondered what happened, and why Ash hasn't arrived yet. Knowing him as well as they do, Lillie, and May simply couldn't accept that something bad might have happened to Ash.
And so, the contest has started, with trainers going one at the time in the appeal round.
Among the first few trainers, May had her chance, and she used her Wartortle. She put up an amazing show with her Wartortle, showing its Aqua Tail in amazing light, which has impressed everyone. It has also made Dawn wonder if she can top what May did. She was worried.
The next somewhat famous face to have a chance at the appeal round, was Jessie. She looked just like she always does at the competitions, which is stunning.
Unfortunately, her presentation wasn't anything special. Everyone noticed that she just didn't seem to have the will to compete, and has only entered just to enter, so to say.
Zoey was next. She revealed that she has a new Pokémon, which is a Water Type Pokémon, Finneon.
Like always, Zoey did an amazing job, and showed her Finneon's power, moves, and beauty, all in a couple of minutes of presentation.
The crowd, and the judges loved her.
Zoey's presentation has made Dawn even more nervous, though; as now besides May, Zoey has also put an amazing show, and Dawn is starting to have doubts in herself.
Lillie did ask her if she was feeling ok, but Dawn being her usual self, just smiled, and said that she was fine, and that there was no need to worry.
Yeah, right.
And finally, Marian called for Ash to have his debut as a coordinator, and to show everyone his skills as a coordinator.
When Ash's name was called, the crowd cheered. Most of them didn't know who he was, while those that did, knew that he was a trainer, and not a coordinator. All of them cheered though, just like they did for all the other competitors. They wanted to see Ash's skills.
Unfortunately, Ash wasn't there, and when Marian called him, nothing happened.
Everyone was confused, and wondered what's going on, and where the next competitor is.
While the crowd was wondering where Ash is; Lillie, Dawn, and May got even more worried. They knew that Ash has no interest in the competitions, but they knew that when he says he will do something, he usually does it. As such, since he said that he will compete, and even went as far as to register, they knew that he wouldn't just give up without trying. That would be a bigger embarrassment for him, then to present himself, and fail.
Marian called Ash once again, but again, he didn't come out. After a minute of waiting, she was about to announce that since Ash didn't show up, he was disqualified; but then suddenly, a black portal appeared at the spot where the contestants stand for their presentation.
Everyone's attention was drawn to the portal, and they all wondered what's going on.
They didn't have to wait for long, though. Soon, the people around the stadium were able to see a figure walk through the portal. The figure was a tall male, dressed in white clothing with black shirt.
As the figure walked out of the portal, and stood in front of it, everyone was able to see him. Those who knew him, they recognized Ash. They wondered what happened, and where did he just come from.
"Excuse me but, who are you?" Marian asked when she saw Ash.
Ash looked at her, and she blushed slightly under his gaze. Then, he spoke. "I'm Ash Ketchum," Ash said. "Sorry I'm late. I just… lost track of time."
He tried to look sheepish, but he failed. That look just didn't go with him, and the whole crowd looked at him like he's messing with them.
"Ok," Marian said, wondering what's going on. She quickly got over it, and announced Ash once again.
Now, it was time for Ash to have his first try at the Pokémon Contests.
Ash went and released his Buizel. Buizel came out of his Poke Ball, surrounded by sparks of electricity, and several lightning bolts.
Buizel proceeded to punch all the bolts, releasing the electricity from them, and making him look like he's an Electric Type Pokémon, instead of Water Type.
Buizel came down to the ground, amidst the falling bolts of electricity, before Ash told him to use Aqua Jet.
Buizel proceeded to envelop himself in water, and then jumped into the pool on the battlefield, where he then swum in zig-zag pattern, showing his speed, and the power of his Aqua Jet.
Back in the waiting room, Lillie, Dawn, May, and Zoey, along with a bunch of other contestants and their friends accompanying them, are watching Ash's performance. They all love it, with Dawn being impressed, and shocked by how well Ash was doing.
Now she was getting even more nervous.
Ash told Buizel to pull a fast stop, which Buizel did by inflating his collar, which made him stop almost instantly. Buizel just floated there for a few seconds, showing his collar, before Ash told him to use Sonic Boom.
Buizel flew out of the pool, and into the sky with the power of his Sonic Boom, showing its power.
Ash finished the show with his Buizel using a Water Gun on the pool, which created a trench and crushed at the pools wall right in front of the judge's desk.
Wallace praised Ash's skill, once Ash finished the presentation. The crowd cheered, as they loved Ash's performance.
Ash stood there on the field, his Buizel next to him. He had a small smile on his face, while Buizel was grinning. He might not be a contest type of Pokémon, but Buizel definitely loved to show off.
XXX
"I'm surprised that Ash did this well," Lillie commented. "He was never interested in contests. I don't think he has even trained for this contest at all."
"Ash had great connection to his Pokémon," May said. "The way he trains them, they know what to do, and when without him even telling them."
"Hey, Dawn" Zoey called her blue haired friend. "You are up next."
Zoey, Lillie, and May looked at where Dawn is, only to see her in front of the mirror, messing with her hair. "Oh, now even my hair is nervous." Dawn spoke, while everyone, even her Piplup got sweat drops on their heads.
"What are you up to, Dawn?" Zoey asked.
She didn't respond, instead, she kept messing with her hair, and checking if everything was as it should be. The words her friends were telling her, didn't help it all.
Finally, it took Piplup to snap, and hit Dawn with small bursts of Bubble Beam, for her to snap back to reality, and gather her courage.
She was finally ready.
"Who will you use in the first stage?" Lillie asked Dawn.
"I'm going with Ambipom," Dawn said. She said that she wants another try with Ambipom, who has felt just as bad as Dawn has after their failure at the Solaceon Contest.
"I'm looking forward to the two of you going at it." May said.
"You'll do great, Dawn." Zoey said.
"Do as you always do, and believe in yourself, and you're Pokémon," Lillie said. "If you do that, you will do fine."
XXX
As Dawn walked toward the field for her turn in the Wallace Cup, she run into Ash in the hallway. "Where were you, Ash?" Dawn asked. "You were almost disqualified."
"We'll talk about that later," Ash said with a smile. "Now, go out there, and show them what you can do."
Dawn smiled, and said. "I will, Ash."
As she was walking away, Dawn said. "Congrats on a great job with Buizel."
"Thanks', Dawn." Ash said.
XXX
Dawn walked at the stage, and released her Ambipom. Ambipom came out in a storm of pink hearts, and bounced off of her two tails, before she landed on her feet. She had a smile on her face, as the hearts were falling around her.
Dawn started with Double Hit, which was so fast, that it could barely be seen with naked eye. It was amazing, and it showed Ambipom in perfect light, and her true nature.
As Zoey was commenting at that moment, it was simple, and beautiful, and she was saying that Dawn should keep it that way.
Ambipom used Swift, as her next move, where she fired them at the pool. It caused small splashes in two rows over the pool, where the first row had smaller splashes, while the second had bigger ones.
Ambipom finished it with Focus Punch. Her two tails glowed, and she hit the surface of the pool, causing two lines of waves to spread around it.
At the end, Ambipom landed in front of Dawn, as the two of them posed to end the appeal round.
The judges praised Dawn for a job well done, as she walked away from the stage, and back into the waiting room with the others.
Marian announced the conclusion of the first round, and that everyone should wait for the announcement from the judges, as they will decide which trainers will be passing into the next round.
XXX
Minutes later, Dawn was inside of the backstage with the others, where she is watching a large screen TV, where Marian has just announced that the judges have made their decision.
And then, the large screen showed the coordinators who will be moving to the second stage. Among the 16 coordinators who went to the next round, Ash, May, Dawn, and Zoey are the four of them.
Dawn couldn't believe that she has made it, while the others cheered next to her. They cheered for her success, but also for their own. That said, Ash's cheering was only a smile on his face. It wouldn't be a stretch to say that he can't allow himself to jump around, and cheer loudly.
Lillie congratulated them all on the pass into the next round, though she told them not to overestimate themselves, and become overconfident. She knew that Ash won't be overconfident, and Zoey is very calm, collected, and careful by nature, so she won't be either. Dawn is another story, though. She tends to lose herself, and might become overconfident now that she has finally made it pass the appeal round. As for May; Lillie doesn't know her that well, to make a judge on her character, and how she will be in the next round.
All in all, Dawn, May, Zoey, and Ash have all passed into the Top 16 of the Wallace Cup, and they were happy for it.
They can't wait for the next day, to continue the contest.
Once the first day of the Wallace Cup competition has ended, Ash spent some time with the girls, explaining to them what happened, and why he was late for the competition.
Zoey was also there, as she is good friends with Lillie, and Dawn, and has become friends with May. She was also interested in hearing where Ash was.
To say that all four girls were shocked by what Ash told them, would be an understatement. They didn't know what's more unbelievable. The fact that Ash had to go and fight against over two dozen Ghost, and Dragon Type Pokémon to get to the Turnback Cave; or the fact that he was pulled by Giratina into its own world where they had a conversation.
Ash did omit some things, though. He said about the battles against Ghost and Dragon Type Pokémon. He said how he was sucked through the portal, but didn't say about all the information about his ancestry, which Giratina gave him. He said that they have only talked about Team Galactic, and their goal with Dialga, and Palkia, as well as how to stop them.
Naturally, Ash told the girls about Griseous Orb, what happened to it, and how Ash can use it to contact Giratina if necessary.
Ash finished his explanation by saying that the reason her was late, was because time passes differently in the Distortion World, compared to their world, so his stay there of less than an hour, was two days in the human world.
XXX
Later that night, Ash didn't feel like sleeping, so he left his room, and headed down to the Lake Valor.
While he was seating there, he noticed that there was a ripple on the surface of the lake, before a flash of light appeared. Finally, some sort of shadow appeared from the light, and flew around the lake, and through the air for a little while, before it disappeared in the lake, once again.
Ash was left standing there, and looking at where the shadow disappeared. He thought of what it was, then he recalled about the story Dawn told him, about how she saw something like this on the day she started her journey, but at the Lake Verity.
Finally, it dawned to Ash. He realized what this shadow was, and what the shadow Dawn saw, also was. He recalled his studying before he started his journey, and his desire to learn about the Legendary and Mythical Pokémon. It was because of that, that he remembered about the legend of the three great Lakes of Sinnoh, and about the Pokémon who are said to live there.
The lake guardians. The Sinnoh's legendary trio, representing the spirit of all consciousness. The first one being Uxie, embodying knowledge, the second Mesprit embodying emotion, and finally, Azelf embodying willpower. According to legend, the trio was created by Arceus, right after Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina. Also, according to the legend, the Lake Guardians have the power to tame Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina.
Having realized this, Ash cussed. "Fuck."
XXX
Ash didn't mention anything about what he saw at Lake Valor to his friends. He knew that seeing one of the Lake Trio like that, and also Dawn seeing one before that, was not really as good thing as it sounds. As such, he decided to keep it a secret, though he knew that with him and Dawn seeing two of the Lake Guardians, it was most likely that they are trying to contact them for help.
As Ash by now knows some of Team Galactic's goals, he is sure that they will try to go after the Lake Guardians, before they go after Dialga and Palkia. As such, Ash decided to wait, and see what will happen, and stop it if he can. If he can't… well, there is always Giratina who agreed to help him.
The next day has arrived, and Ash, May, Dawn, and Zoey have had their battles in the next round of the Wallace Cup.
It was the Top 16 round, and all four of them were able to reach the next stage, which is the quarterfinal.
Dawn was the first who had her battle, and passed into the quarterfinals. She used her Buneary to battle a coordinator with a Wailmer. It was a relatively close match, but in the end, Dawn won, much to her delight, and the happiness of her friends. They were happy that she won, and is happy, as she has had a lot of problems lately due to the early losses at the previous two contests she entered.
Ash went next. Again, he used Buizel, and managed to pass into the next round by defeating a coordinator who used Kecleon.
Zoey used her Shellos, and passed into the quarterfinal by defeating Mareep. May also passed into the quarterfinal with her Skitty. She managed to defeat a coordinator who was using Exeggutor.
XXX
The quarterfinals came right after the top 16 round ended.
Dawn was again the first one to battle, and she used her Pachirisu. She defeated a blue-haired girl, who was using Pelipper. That means that Dawn became the first trainer to reach the semifinals.
Next battle in the quarterfinals, was Ash's, against a trainer named Kyle.
Ash was using his Buizel, while Kyle was using Lanturn.
Kyle mocked Ash how trainers changed their Pokémon in between rounds, while Ash stayed with Buizel all along. This allowed Kyle to make a plan on how to deal with Ash and his Pokémon, thus Lanturn, a Water/Electric Type Pokémon.
Of course, no matter how many plans you make, they are useless against Ash. The only way to defeat Ash is to have a stronger Pokémon, and in Kyle's case, his Lanturn wasn't stronger than Buizel.
It could be argued that Kyle is better at contest battle, which is why he was able to stay in the battle for a while, even though Buizel was stronger. In the end though, it was obvious that Ash was going to win the match, especially after he and Buizel managed to pull a fusion move called Ice Aqua Jet.
This was the first time they managed to make it work, and Kyle lost a shit load of points when Ash and Buizel pulled that move out of their asses. It's the move which allowed Ash to come an inch away from winning the battle.
By the time the battle was less than half a minute away from the end, it was obvious that Ash would be the winner, as there was no way that Kyle would be able to make Ash lose enough points to allow Kyle to overcome him and win the match.
But then, something unbelievable happened.
Ash quit 10 seconds before the end of the match, which would have been his win.
Once he did that, the crowd went quiet, as if someone has just died. They couldn't believe what Ash as just done.
"W-What do you mean, you quit?" Marian asked. "You've practically won."
"Yes," Ash said. "But I'm not a coordinator. I only entered because someone asked me to. I'm not going to continue competing when I have no interest, or need for the Ribbon, while Kyle, actually does want it, and need it. As such, I quit, and he can continue.
"Do keep in mind, though," Ash spoke to Kyle, this time. "You're next opponent will be Dawn, and you will not be able to defeat her."
With that said, Ash thanked his Buizel, before he returned him in his Poke Ball, and left the field, while the crowd murmured about what just happened.
XXX
After Ash's match, Zoey had her own, and passed into the semifinal. May followed her, and also passed into the semifinal. It was also revealed that May has a Venusaur, which evolved from the Bulbasaur she caught all the way back when she was traveling through the Hoenn Region with Ash, and Serena.
With the last quarterfinal match finished, there were now four trainers left. Dawn, Kyle, Zoey, and May.
The semifinal matches will be held the next day, and the pairings will be Dawn vs. Kyle, and Zoey vs. May.
XXX
Later that evening, Ash, and the girls were seating on the balcony of their hotel room. They were talking about the battles earlier that day, and about Ash quitting.
"Did you really have to quit?" Lillie asked.
"As I said, I don't need the Ribbon, and I didn't want to stand in the way of someone who does," Ash said. "May does that in Johto, so I decided to do it here."
"Yeah, but I never actually quit," May said. "Sometimes I just don't give it my all, while most of the times, I wasn't good enough as a coordinator to win the ribbon, even though I reach semifinals, and finals from time to time."
"Well, that Kyle guy is descent," Ash said. "As such, I decided to give him a chance to fight against Dawn. Besides, I don't think that any of you would have liked it if I defeated that guy, but had to give up against Dawn, or the two of you," Ash said to May, and Zoey.
"You are right," Zoey said. "I wouldn't like it to win the ribbon that way."
"Exactly," Ash said. "And if I ended up winning, I would have a ribbon which I wouldn't need, while you three wouldn't have a ribbon which you do need."
The girls nodded. "Do you really think that Kyle won't be able to defeat me tomorrow?" Dawn asked.
"I'm sure," Ash said. "You are better than him. Then again, you shouldn't be overconfident, and should give it your all. Don't make a slip just because you are better then he is."
Dawn nodded at that, and thanked Ash for his trust in her.
XXX
The final day of the Wallace Cup has finally arrived, with Dawn, and Kyle already on the battlefield ready for the first semifinal match.
Ash, May, Zoey and Lillie were in the back room, from where they will be watching Dawn's match, and from where later Ash, Dawn, and Lillie would watch May, and Zoey's match.
With everything ready, Marian started the match, and the five minute on the clock started ticking.
Dawn went first and released her Piplup, while Kyle released his Crawdaunt.
Dawn started the match with Bubble Beam, which Piplup fired while spinning in the air. Crawdaunt returned the fire with Sludge Bomb, which is fired from its pincers.
The two attacks collided mid-air, and caused an explosion, which signified the start of the battle.
(From here on, everything went the same as in the anime, so I won't write it, as it's pointless)
"And now, it's time for Wallace to say a few words to our big winner, Dawn." Marina said, as she was standing on the stage, where Dawn was also standing on the podium along with her Piplup, Buneary, Pachirisu, and Ambipom. In front of the stage, Wallace was standing with his Milotic next to him, while to the side, Nurse Joy was standing with the other two judges.
"That was wonderful," Wallace started to speak. "You displayed true elegance out there. A lovely end to a lovely contest. Thank you.
"Dawn, you are truly a coordinator of the highest order. I'm privileged to present you for your Wallace Cup win. The Aqua Ribbon."
Wallace held the ribbon in his hand, while his Milotic used Aqua Ring to levitate the Ribbon from Wallace's hand, to Dawn.
"Please, take it, and enjoy it." Wallace said, as Dawn took the Ribbon, and held in in her hands.
"Thank you, Wallace." Dawn said, as her Pokémon jumped in happiness next to her.
Everyone at the stadium was shouting, and cheering for Dawn, as she was presented with the ribbon. Those who knew here were happy for her, while those who didn't, were happy to have watched great matches, some of which were thanks to Dawn.
"I'm truly happy to have met such a wonderful group of Pokémon and made so many knew friends," Wallace spoke his final words in this year's Wallace Cup. "My wish now is that someday, in the very near future, we will meet here again for another exciting event.
"THE NEXT WALLACE CUP!" As Wallace shouted at the end, his Milotic fired a Hydro Pump in the air, which broke apart high up, and started to rain down in several waterfalls.
The crowd loved it.
XXX
After Dawn was presented the Aqua Ribbon, and the Wallace Cup ended, Zoey was the first one to leave the Lake Valor, and go to her next destination… wherever that is.
As for the others, they weren't exactly in a hurry, but there was no need to waste time either, so they decided to stay one more night at Valor Lakefront, before they will continue their journey.
That night, Ash and May had a lot of fun, as it's been months since Ash came to Sinnoh, and May went to Johto, so it's been months since they had some fun with each other.
While the two of them were at it the whole night, Lillie, and Dawn were in a separate room, so they can get some sleep, and get rested.
The next day, after breakfast, May caught a ship heading to Johto Region, after she said goodbye to Ash, Lillie, and Dawn. The goodbye to Ash wasn't said with words, though, but with a deep, and long kiss.
As May boarded the ship, and left; Ash, Lillie, and Dawn left right after, and continued their journey through the Sinnoh Region.
Couple of days after they left Lake Valor, Ash, Lillie and Dawn ran into a new trainer named, Tyler.
The kid has a female Piplup as his first Pokémon, and he even named her Pippy. Pippy was wearing a tiara on top of her head, which was a gift to Tyler from his mother.
When the gang met him, Tyler was on a journey for about a week. Besides Piplup, he didn't have any other Pokémon, as he has decided before he started out that he will catch the first Pokémon he ever touches. That Pokémon ended up being a Yanma, and Tyler has spent the next three days trying to catch the Bug/Flying Type Pokémon.
As he was a new trainer, and inexperience, the gang decided to help Tyler catch Yanma. They didn't battle it for him, but they did give him pointers here and there, on how to better battle, and communicate with his Piplup.
By the end of the day, Tyler had his Yanma, and was happy about it.
Once he thanked Ash, Lillie, and Dawn for their help, Tyler continued on his journey, and headed to Lake Valor, from where Ash, and the girls just came. As for the gang, they continued toward Pastoria City, for Ash's, and Lillie's next gym battles.
XXX
For the next few days, the gang walked, ate, slept, and trained their Pokémon. That's all they've been doing, as there was nothing else interesting that happened.
It looked like the road to the Pastoria City, is going to be boring, but then the gang run into Paul.
"So," Ash spoke as he stood several meters in front of Paul. Lillie, and Dawn were next to him, as well as several of his Pokémon, who are out of their Poke Balls for training. "Do you have your gym battle in Pastoria City?"
"Why are you interested," Paul asked back? "I was under the impression that you are now a coordinator."
Ash narrowed his eyes. "What makes you think that?"
"I saw you compete at the Wallace Cup," Paul said. "I can't believe you entered, only to quit. Pathetic."
"I entered because Wallace asked me to," Ash said. "He thought that with my Buizel having experience with contests training, it would be a good thing for me to try it out, and see if I can maybe learn something. He is under the belief that I can improve my battle style by incorporating contest battles, into my own battle style."
"That's almost the same I did in the Hearthome City Tag Battle, and you weren't pleased with my goals back then," Paul said. "Now you end up doing the same."
"I guess you can compare it if you want," Ash said. "But, I entered because I accepted someone's advice, as I thought it was a good one. Why did you enter? Oh right, you entered so you could put a pressure on Chimchar so he can activate Blaze, and also to have your Elekid evolve.
"So you see, even though it looks like they are comparable, our goals are very different."
"I guess I can accept that," Paul said. "But I did mostly get what I wanted out of tag battle. I got a stronger Pokémon, and won it. What did you get, except embarrass yourself?"
"I didn't win," Ash nodded. "But I never even tried to. As I said when I quit. Winning wasn't my plan. Learning, was. I learned something knew, and that will help me in the future. You on the other hand, haven't learned a thing since we met. You are still just as arrogant as you were back then."
Paul growled at that. He didn't like being insulted, even though he tends to do that to other people.
But then, much to everyone's surprise, Ash smiled, and challenged Paul to a battle.
Paul looked at Ash, wondering why he would do that, but in the end he shrugged it off, and accepted. He can at least see how Ash's Pokémon are progressing, and compare it to his own.
So, few minutes later, Ash, and Paul were ready for battle as they stood opposite of each other.
Dawn found something to use her Coin Toss app for, as she rarely uses it. She used it to see who of the two trainers will be the one to start the battle. Paul chose tails, and Ash chose head. The coin fell on heads, so it was Ash who would start the battle.
Ash looked behind himself to see which Pokémon to choose as the first of the three one-on-one battles. His Gligar ended up showing a lot of enthusiasm, so Ash chose him, even though Gligar has never had any battles before today.
Paul smirked when he saw that Ash chose Gligar, and said how it was a foolish choice, before he released his Pokémon. Paul's Pokémon ended up being Gliscor, which Paul caught at the same place, and on the same day as Ash caught his Gligar.
Gligar stood frightened as he looked at his evolved form, but also his former… boss… yeah, let's call it that. He had doubts about going into this battle, as he wasn't sure if he could win.
"Paul did this on purpose," Dawn commented from where she stood with Lillie, and with Piplup on top of her head. "He chose Gligar's evolved form just to mess with Ash, and Gligar."
"He most likely did," Lillie agreed. "And he will probably win the round, but I'm not so sure about the match."
"Don't worry, Gligar," Ash said to his Pokémon. "Just stay calm, and do what I tell you. OK?"
Gligar nodded, and with that, Ash started the battle.
Ash told Gligar to use X-Scissors, which made Gligar's claws glow, as he flew at Gliscor.
Paul countered that by having his Gliscor use Knock Off, which caused black sparks to appear around its right claw. Gliscor went to hit Gligar at the top of his head, as Gligar was approaching fast, but in the last moment, Ash told Gligar to spin.
Gligar spun to the side, and avoided Gliscor's punch, before he then proceeded to hit Gliscor with X-Scissor.
Paul was shocked to see his Gliscor be hit by its lower form, and then sent flying.
Ash on the other hand, was smiling. "Good job, Gligar," he said to his Pokémon, who smiled in return. "Let's keep it up. Use Sand Attack."
Gligar starred to throw sand from the ground at Gliscor, and managed to create a sand cloud around the larger Pokémon. The goal was to decrease Gliscor's visibility, but Gliscor didn't seem bothered by it.
Paul told Gliscor to use Guillotine. Gliscor jumped in the air above the sand cloud, and its right claw glowed white.
Ash knew that if this lands on his Gligar, he will lose, so he tried to defend with Protect, even though he knew that Gligar has just learned that move, and doesn't have it mastered.
Gligar put up a greenish barrier in front of himself in order to stop Gliscor's attack. Unfortunately, the barrier wasn't strong enough to hold under the pressure of Gliscor's power for more than a few moments, before it broke.
Gliscor grabbed Gligar by the throat with its glowing claw, and then slammed him into the ground.
Once the dust cloud cleared, Gligar was revealed lying on the ground, defeated.
"That was just one hit." Dawn said in disbelief.
"Guillotine is a move that will instantly knock out your opponent if it makes a contact." Lillie explained to Dawn. "Ash knew this, which is why he tried to defend with Protect, but as Gligar hasn't mastered it yet, it wasn't strong enough to hold under the pressure of Gliscor's attack."
Ash didn't returned his Gligar to his Poke Ball. Instead, he carried it back to his other Pokémon, who were standing with Dawn, and Lillie. In fact, all of Ash's Pokémon were out of their Poke Balls, except Decidueye, and Gardevoir.
"You did your best, Gligar," Ash said to his Pokémon, who felt bad for being knocked out in one attack. "Next time, you will do better, so don't worry about it."
Ash's Pokémon gave their support to Gligar, who smiled, as he was happy about it.
"It wasn't his fault, it was his trainers," Paul commented from where he stood, after he returned his Gliscor back to its Poke Ball. "Maybe you should say that to your Gligar."
Ash gave Paul a side-eye glance, but didn't say anything. He didn't even feel bothered by what Paul said. Ash's Pokémon though, they all glared at Paul. They didn't like him, or his words.
Paul went and released his second Pokémon. It was Ursaring.
Ash's Chimchar run forward to Ash, and said that he wants to battle.
"So you want to battle next," Ash questioned his Fire Type, who nodded. He looked ready, and willing to battle.
Ash had nothing against it, so he decided to go with Chimchar as his second Pokémon.
Ash started the battle by having his Chimchar fire Flamethrower.
Ursaring didn't even dodge it, but that was a mistake, because he not only was pushed backwards from the powerful fire type attack, but when the Flamethrower disappeared, Ursaring was left with its hands burned.
Paul was shocked that Chimchar's Flamethrower was so much more powerful than it was when Chimchar was his Pokémon. Paul decided to retaliate, and told his Ursaring to use Focus Blast.
Ash told Chimchar to dodge it, instead of blocking it. Chimchar jumped up from the powerful attack, which slammed at the ground, and exploded without hitting anyone.
Chimchar then used Dig, as per Ash's orders, but Paul told Ursaring to use Hammer Arm on the ground, which caused a small earthquake, which threw rock in the air, but also pushed Chimchar from below the ground, and into the air.
Ash went with Flame Wheel next, and his Chimchar hit Ursaring, who failed to catch the smaller Pokémon. Ursaring was sent flying, and fell on its back, but wasn't defeated.
Ursaring stood back up, and Paul told it to use Secret Power. It's body started to release pink aura, which caught Chimchar in it, and Chimchar gave a cry as he glowed for a moment.
Ash told Chimchar to use Flamethrower, but Chimchar didn't move. He seemed scared.
Lillie explained to Dawn that Secret Power is a normal type move, whose effect changes depending on the location. She said that on the rocky terrain they are at, it makes opponents flinch with fear.
Paul messed with Chimchar, and asked him if he is sure that it's Secret Power that got Chimchar so scared. Paul knew that that was most likely the case, as Chimchar isn't so weak to be scared from Ursaring for no reason. Still, he was messing with the Fire Type, so he can make it doubt itself and allow Paul an easy win.
Ash told Chimchar to get a hold of himself, and to fight back. He isn't weak, and he shouldn't be scared of an opponent who can be defeat.
Just like Ash, Ash's Pokémon, Lillie, and Dawn also gave support to Chimchar, who looked at them, but was still unsure, and scared.
Then, Paul told Ursaring to use Hammer Arm, and when Chimchar saw a larger Pokémon come down onto him with glowing arms, he freaked out even more, as his eyes started to roll back into his head, just before he was slammed into the ground by Ursaring's attack.
Nothing happened for a few seconds, as everyone looked at the pile of rocks under which Chimchar was buried.
Paul smirked at this, as he thought that he has won the battle, but then the ground started to shake, and the pile of rocks under which Chimchar was buried, broke apart, and Chimchar jumped high in the air.
He was different now, though. The fire on Chimchar's tail was much more powerful, and his eyes have turned pink.
Chimchar came back to the ground, and screamed in anger, as his flaming tail grew even more powerful and flames were spreading everywhere.
Everyone was shocked to see the sight of Chimchar, who is normally really calm, and occasionally scared, while now he seems like he has lost his mind.
Dawn, and Lillie thought that this was Chimchar's special ability, Blaze. The same thing which Paul has been trying to make Chimchar activate when he was Chimchar's trainer, but has always failed.
Chimchar glared at Ursaring, who backed away a little bit in fear.
Ash looked at his Pokémon, and though that this was unlike any Blaze he has ever seen, while Paul was reminded of the first time he met Chimchar, when Chimchar took down those Zangoose with this power.
"If this is what Paul was aiming for, then why was Chimchar never able to activate it?" Dawn questioned.
"Maybe because Paul was always putting pressure on Chimchar, and Chimchar wasn't being cheered on by his friends," Lillie said. "Remember, Ash and Paul are different, and while Ash's training's are tougher then Paul's, Ash supports his Pokémon even when they fail. The same goes for his Pokémon, who support one another.
"That wasn't the case with Paul. Now, Chimchar want's Ash to win, but also wants to show Paul his strength. Combine that with the support from Ash's Pokémon, and that would explain the massive power-up."
Ash wanted to see how far this will go, so he told Chimchar to use Flame Wheel.
Ursaring used Focus Blast in order to stop Chimchar's Flame Wheel, but the fire type attack was so powerful, it easily broke through the fighting type attack, and then hit Ursaring, sending it to the ground, where he was left lying motionless.
Chimchar came back to the ground, and stood there. He was still in his enraged state, though, as he screamed, and flames of his tail flew everywhere.
Paul returned his defeated Pokémon, before he looked at Chimchar. "That must be the most powerful Flame Wheel I have ever seen." Paul commented.
Ash told his Chimchar to stop and calm down, as he has won. Chimchar didn't listen to him, though. Instead, he used Flame Wheel on Ash.
Ash dodged Chimchar's attack, but then Chimchar went at Paul, who also dodged it. Chimchar then started to jumped all over the area, enveloped in flames, and was setting the surrounding forest on fire.
Dawn had her Piplup used Whirlpool, while Ash's Buizel used Water Gun, to doze out the flames, before they spread around, and set the whole forest on fire.
Chimchar flew toward Ash, completely covered in flames. Just when it looked like that he was going to hit Ash, Ash spoke. "STOP!"
The way Ash said this sounded demonic, and scared the shit out of everyone around him, human, and Pokémon. It also had effect on Chimchar, who immediately stopped, and the raging flames disappeared, as Chimchar calmed down due to fear he felt at that moment.
"Listen to me, Chimchar," Ash said in a commanding tone of voice, which immediately had Chimchar standing straight, and looking at Ash with wide eyes. "That power… is yours. You should command IT, not the other way around. Do you understand?" Chimchar nodded reluctantly, as he was still afraid.
"From now on, we will train harder," Ash spoke again. "I will have you learn to control that power, if it's the last thing I ever do."
"Do you really think that you'll be able to make him control that power?" Paul asked Ash, as he approached him and Chimchar.
"As I said," Ash spoke. "It's his power. As such, he can learn to control it. All he needs is time, training, and most important of all, trust in himself."
Paul scoffed. "We will see about that," he said. "When, and IF, you manage to control that power of his… we will battle again."
With that, Paul turned around and left.
"Paul wasn't able to tap in Chimchar's true power, but Ash was," Dawn commented, as she watched Paul walk away. "It's got to mean something. I just know it."
"It shows that no one knows a Pokémon's potential," Lillie said. "Seeing Chimchar's power, I'm sure that almost any other trainer wouldn't be able to help him learn to control it. But knowing Ash… he will give it his all, and by the time he's finished with Chimchar, Chimchar will be the strongest of his kind in the whole world."