Chapter 103 Advancement to the Top 16
The Indigo Plateau Conference entered its fifth day, with the fourth round of the elimination matches taking place today.
Early in the morning, Ash called Misty and Brock to watch Gary's match, as whether Gary could defy fate depended on whether he could defeat his opponent today and enter the top sixteen.
Seeing Ash's arrival, Gary said somewhat arrogantly, "Ash, are you already thinking about how to defeat me?"
"Tch, don't flatter yourself. I'm just here to see how you get eliminated," Ash retorted.
"Damn it!"
Hearing Ash's words, an unnamed anger surged within Gary. He absolutely could not lose this match!
Soon, the match began.
Gary and his opponent battled for two rounds, with both sides evenly matched. The Pokémon they sent out were all Gym-level in strength. However, Ash could tell that Gary was holding back; his first two Pokémon were not his ace.
The two sides fought until their last Pokémon. Gary's opponent's final Pokémon was a Gym Advanced Golem.
"Go, my darling!"
To be on the safe side, Gary sent out his true ace—Blastoise.
Pokémon: Blastoise (Gary)
Attribute: Water
Gender: Male
Level: Quasi-Elite Middle Stage
Ability: Rain Dish
"Blastoise, use Rain Dance!"
Gary commanded Blastoise to seize the weather initiative and activate its ability.
"Golem, quickly use Tackle to interrupt it!"
Gary's opponent quickly commanded Golem to interrupt Blastoise. His own Pokémon was four times weak to Water, and once Rain Dance was complete, Blastoise would be invincible.
"I'm sorry, but I must win this battle."
There was no major surprise in the final outcome. Rain Dance was completed, and Gary had Blastoise hit Golem with a Hydro Pump at close range, ending the match.
After the match, Gary, beaming with pride, found Ash: "Ash, see? I'm one step ahead of you again, top sixteen!"
"Tch, I wonder who was just forced into such a pathetic state," Ash said.
Gary tossed his head, coolly stating, "None of your business. This is my match. I'll use whatever Pokémon I want."
"So arrogant. When I meet you later, I'll absolutely thrash you," Ash said 'fiercely'.
However, he was also very glad that Gary finally came to his senses and sent out Blastoise, otherwise, he might have returned with regret.
"That's enough talk. My match is about to begin."
Ash stepped onto the Grass Field.
Announcer: "Fourth round of the elimination matches, third match on the Grass Field. In the green corner is Trainer Ash from Pallet Town, and in the red corner is Trainer Jeanette Fisher from Maiden Town. Now, please welcome both Trainers!"
Ash moved to the Trainer's position, while from the opposite passage, a red carpet unfurled, followed by two people. One was a girl wearing a kimono with a bow in her hair, and the other was a mood-maker vigorously scattering flower petals.
As Jeanette Fisher entered, her supporters cheered loudly.
In the stands, Brock was also captivated by Jeanette Fisher's beauty, much to Gary's disgust, who was sitting next to him.
"Go, Beedrill!" Jeanette Fisher sent out her first Pokémon.
Pokémon: Beedrill
Attribute: Bug + Poison
Gender: Female
Level: Gym Beginner
Ability: Swarm
"Beedrill, huh? Alright, you're the one!"
Ash also sent out his green Beedrill.
"A shiny Beedrill?" Jeanette Fisher looked surprised, but when it was time to attack, she wouldn't hold back: "Beedrill, use Impact!"
"Beedrill, use Swords Dance!"
Jeanette Fisher's Beedrill charged forward, while Ash's Beedrill danced and dodged attacks.
Seeing this, Jeanette Fisher commanded again: "Beedrill, use Twin Needle Attack!"
"Beedrill, we'll use Twin Needle Attack too!"
One yellow and one green Beedrill engaged in a fierce close-quarters battle. Ash's Beedrill was a higher level than Jeanette Fisher's and quite a bit larger, naturally gaining the upper hand.
"Beedrill, finish it with X-Scissor!"
Ash seized the opportunity, commanding Beedrill to use Twin Needle Attack to break through Jeanette Fisher's Beedrill's defense, knocking it out in one hit.
"Next, I'll use this one. Go, Scyther!"
Pokémon: Scyther
Attribute: Bug + Flying
Gender: Male
Level: Gym Beginner
Ability: Technician
"Scyther, huh? Beedrill, use Pin Missile!"
This time, Ash had no intention of switching Pokémon.
Beedrill shot out three waves of energy needles.
Scyther flapped its wings, swinging its dual blades, blocking as it approached Beedrill.
"Scyther, Double Team!"
Swish, swish, swish!
Scyther created two clones, attempting to confuse Beedrill's vision.
"Beedrill, aim for the one on the left and use Slash!"
Double Team is a clown skill in front of a Aura Guardian.
Upon hearing the command, Beedrill didn't even need to look at the other two clones. It swung its right stinger with all its might, and Scyther was directly heavily injured.
Seeing this, Jeanette Fisher couldn't help but take a step back: "How could this be?"
"If you don't get serious, you'll lose. Beedrill, Twin Needle Attack!"
"Scyther, Fury Cutter!"
Beedrill relentlessly jabbed Scyther with its stingers, and Scyther, after only two swings of its blades, was sent flying by one of Beedrill's stingers. Scyther lost its ability to battle.
"Ash's Beedrill is that strong too?"
Seeing Ash's Beedrill defeat two Pokémon, Gary had a bad feeling.
"This Beedrill is one of Ash's weaker Pokémon, Gary. If you want to defeat Ash, you'll probably have to do some serious studying!" Brock reminded him.
In the third round, Jeanette Fisher sent out her ace, Bellsprout, while Ash also made a switch, sending out Muk.
Pokémon: Bellsprout
Attribute: Grass + Poison
Gender: Female
Level: Gym Intermediate
Ability: Chlorophyll
If his opponent wanted to use softness to overcome hardness, he could only use something even softer to teach her a lesson.
Seeing that Ash sent out Muk, Jeanette Fisher's face visibly showed disgust.
"Bellsprout, attack!"
Bellsprout received the command and charged forward with a Jump Kick.
However, this Jump Kick caused no damage to Muk whatsoever.
Bellsprout, as if not believing it, kicked and stomped on Muk again and again, and finally even grabbed Muk's hand and performed an over-the-shoulder throw.
"Nieduo?"
Muk stared at Bellsprout with intelligent eyes, as if asking: "Little one, are you trying to give me a massage?"
"Muk, Body Slam!"
At Ash's command, Muk straightened itself, pounced on Bellsprout, pinning it to the ground and covering it.
When Muk moved away, Bellsprout was already twitching from the stench.
"Bellsprout is unable to battle! Trainer Ash wins!" The referee announced the match result.
Match Announcer: "Let's congratulate Trainer Ash on advancing to the top sixteen!"
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