The news of Ash advancing to the Top 4 of the Indigo Plateau Conference caused a massive stir throughout the Competitors' Village.
During his preparations, he carefully studied his next opponenta female trainer named Assunta. Ash had a lingering impression of her; in the original timeline, it was this very trainer who had defeated Ritchie in the quarterfinals.
"Assunta is skilled at using a wide variety of Pokémon types, and her tactics are incredibly flexible," Brock noted while analyzing the match recordings. "Her Rhydon possesses immense strength, and her Venomoth's powder-based moves are quite troublesome."
Misty added, "Most importantly, her Ivysaur has been exceptionally well-raised. In her previous matches, it displayed staggering endurance and power."
Ash nodded, a determined glint shining in his eyes. "I'm only one step away from the finals. I won't stop here."
On the day of the semi-finals, the atmosphere at the main stadium reached its absolute fever pitch since the start of the tournament. The stands were packed to capacity, and even the aisles were filled with eager spectators. In the VIP section, Professor Oak, Delia, Gary Oak, and others had arrived to witness this pivotal showdown.
The referee signaled the start of the match. Assunta took the initiative, tossing her first Poké Ball. "Go, Rhydon!"
As the dual Ground and Rock type Pokémon emerged, it immediately projected a powerful sense of Pressure.
Ash couldn't help but chuckle. It seemed the trainers of this generation had a particular fondness for large Pokémon. Rhydon, in particular, had already appeared several times throughout the tournament.
Ash's counter-strategy was simple. "I choose you, Wartortle!"
This choice took the commentator by surprise. "Faced with a Rhydon, Ash has once again sent out the Wartortle that performed so well previously! It seems he has complete confidence in his Pokémon's strength!"
"Rhydon, use Drill Run!" Assunta struck first.
"Wartortle, intercept it with Hydro Pump!" Ash responded calmly.
A powerful jet of water erupted from Wartortle, colliding violently with Rhydon's spinning horn. The advantage of type effectiveness allowed Wartortle to gain the upper hand instantly.
Rhydon attempted to retaliate with a Horn Drill, but Wartortle nimbly dove into the water to evade the strike before launching a surprise raid from the opposite side. After several exchanges, Ash found his opening and had Wartortle clinch the first victory with a precise Water Pulse.
Unfazed, Assunta sent out her second PokémonVenomoth.
The dual Bug and Poison type immediately scattered Sleep Powder across the field. Ash wasted no time recalling Wartortle. "I choose you, Shiny Magneton! Use Thunder Wave to stop that powder!"
The move hit its mark with pinpoint accuracy, leaving Venomoth in a state of paralysis.
"Keep it up, Venomoth! Use Psybeam!"
Despite Venomoth's best efforts to fire the psychic beam, its movements were sluggish under the effects of the paralysis.
"Finish this in one go! Tri Attack!"
Magneton unleashed a Tri Attack, merging ice, water, and electricity into a vibrant triangular blast. The move overwhelmed Venomoth, ending the second round of the match.
Having lost two rounds in a row, Assunta finally sent out her aceIvysaur.
This Ivysaur was significantly larger than average, and the bud on its back was already well-developed, showing signs that it was on the verge of evolution.
"Ivysaur, use Razor Leaf!"
"Come back, Magneton!" Ash withdrew his Pokémon and switched. "I choose you, Primeape! Cut through those leaves with Karate Chop!"
The moment Primeape stepped onto the field, it used precise hand chops to shatter the incoming leaves one by one.
"Ivysaur, use Leech Seed!" Assunta reacted quickly, shifting her strategy.
"Primeape, dodge and use Cross Chop!"
Primeape nimbly evaded the Leech Seed and landed a heavy Cross Chop directly on Ivysaur. However, Ivysaur's durability was unexpected; it tanked the hit and managed to release a Poison Powder in response.
"Come back, Primeape! I choose you, Charizard! Use Wing Attack!"
Charizard flapped its powerful wings to blow away the toxic dust. Its wings then glowed with a white light as it dealt a heavy blow to Ivysaur. No matter how much health Ivysaur had, it couldn't withstand Charizard's relentless aerial assault.
"Ivysaur, use Solar Beam!"
Though Ivysaur desperately channeled the energy for a Solar Beam, it couldn't land a clean hit against Charizard's superior speed. Ultimately, Charizard ended the fight with a single Flamethrower.
At this point, Assunta had lost three Pokémon. During the mid-match break, her expression remained remarkably composed. Ash noticed her diligently taking notes, clearly analyzing his tactics.
As the second half of the match began, Assunta sent out her fourth Pokémon. "Go, Ninetales!"
Seeing this, Ash sent out his chosen combatant. "I choose you, Gyarados!"
"Ninetales, take the lead with Extrasensory!"
The Fire type Pokémon unleashed the psychic power immediately. While Ninetales's Extrasensory wasn't very effective against Gyarados, it served as a successful distraction. Seeing this, Ash barked out an order. "Gyarados, use Hydro Pump!"
The Red Gyarados let out a thunderous roar and opened its massive maw, blasting a high-pressure stream of water that dealt massive damage to Ninetales.
"Ninetales, pull back and use Will-O-Wisp!"
But Ash was faster. "Gyarados, use Aqua Tail followed by Hyper Beam!"
Red Gyarados unfurled its body, slamming Ninetales away with a powerful Aqua Tail. Before the opponent could even hit the ground, Gyarados charged its energy and fired a Hyper Beam, leaving Ninetales unable to get back up.
"Ninetales is unable to battle! Gyarados wins!"
Assunta recalled Ninetales and sent out her fifth Pokémon: a Raichu.
Facing an Electric type opponent, Ash took a moment to think. "I choose you, Meowth!"
The stadium erupted in a clamor of confusion. This Meowth had never been seen in a match before. It seemed unlikely Ash was just using this high-stakes match for trainingcould it be some kind of secret weapon?
"Raichu, use Thunderbolt!"
"Meowth, use Agility!"
Raichu immediately discharged a Thunderbolt, but Meowth demonstrated incredible reflexes, using Agility to easily dodge the bolts.
"Great job, Meowth! Get close and use Slash!"
"Raichu, use Body Slam!"
In the end, Raichu's Body Slam failed to pin its target down. Instead, Meowth's Slash landed squarely on Raichu's stomach, sending it flying backward.
"Let's try a new ultimate move! Use Shadow Claw!"
A purple-black energy surged around Meowth's right claw as it slashed down fiercely on Raichu. The hit knocked Raichu out of the match instantly.
Assunta was down to her final Pokémon. She took a deep breath and sent out Wigglytuff.
"I choose you, Pikachu!" Ash sent out his most trusted partner.
During the battle, Wigglytuff attempted to use Sing, but Pikachu utilized a combination of Quick Attack and Agility to ensure he was never put to sleep. When Wigglytuff tried to close in with Double Slap, Pikachu used Electroweb to restrict its movements, finally ending the entire match with a massive Thunderbolt.
"Wigglytuff is unable to battle! Pikachu wins! The victor is Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town!" the referee announced loudly.
The entire audience rose to their feet, cheering for the spectacular semi-final match. With another perfect 6:0 victory, Ash had secured his spot in the finals, marking a major breakthrough in his Indigo Plateau Conference journey.
After the match, Assunta walked up to Ash and spoke sincerely. "Congratulations. Your strength truly earns you a place in the finals. I hope to see you win the championship."
Ash nodded solemnly. "I definitely will."
Tomorrow marks the end of this tournament, and then, the Orange Islands chapter begins!
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