Chapter 79: Ash and Paul

The next stage was the quarterfinals, and this time Ash’s opponent was Paul—a fateful confrontation once again. Cheng sat in the spectator stands, watching the battlefield with anticipation. Surely, this battle would be a spectacular one.

The referee made the announcement as Ash and Paul stepped onto the field. “Now commencing the first match of the semifinals. The contestants are Ash from Pallet Town and Paul from Veilstone City. The battle will be a six-on-six match, taking place on the ground arena. Both sides, please send out your Pokémon.”

Ash called out, “I’m counting on you, Pikachu.”
“Pika!” Pikachu sprang forward.

Paul responded, “Go, Aggron.”
He chose Aggron as his first Pokémon. From both type and size, Pikachu was clearly at a disadvantage. Cheng wondered anxiously how Ash would respond.

Suddenly, familiar voices rang out.
“Come and get your delicious rice crackers!”
“Cotton candy, straight from Swablu!”
“And refreshing Meowth Juice!”

Cheng recognized the voices instantly. He hadn’t seen Team Rocket around the battlefield earlier and had assumed they wouldn’t get in, but to his surprise, they managed to sneak in during the semifinals, selling snacks as usual.

“Meowth, give me two rice crackers, three takoyaki buckets, and three juices,” Cheng requested.

“Coming right up, meow!” replied Meowth, handing over generous portions to Cheng, their familiarity apparent.

“Thank you, Meowth.”
“Thanks for your patronage, meow!”

Meanwhile, Pikachu and Aggron had already begun their battle. Pikachu was struggling, suffering heavy blows. Ash wisely recalled Pikachu and sent out Infernape instead.

Infernape, while not having a clear type advantage, was far stronger than Pikachu and soon managed to defeat Aggron.

Paul then sent out Gastrodon, a Ground and Water-type Pokémon, which posed a significant threat to Infernape. Ash swiftly recalled Infernape and sent out Staraptor, his Flying-type Pokémon, which should have had an edge over a Ground-type.

However, under Paul’s flawless command, Staraptor suffered heavy damage, especially from Gastrodon’s newly learned Ice Beam, which was devastating against a Flying-type like Staraptor.

Ash recalled Staraptor and sent out Floatzel. Floatzel proved its strength, quickly defeating Gastrodon with an Ice Punch.

Paul’s next Pokémon was Drapion. Drapion used Toxic Spikes, spreading them across the battlefield; any Pokémon touching the ground would suffer from its effects.

Floatzel was defeated by Drapion’s tactics. Paul’s Drapion was so strong that it easily dispatched Staraptor and Torterra as well. Now, Ash was down to just three Pokémon.

Cheng realized Ash had fallen completely into Paul’s trap. Paul’s control over the match was precise, his tactical awareness unmatched. Ash was in real danger now.

As Paul had anticipated, Ash sent out his final Pokémon, Gliscor.

“Ash, you’re so naïve. You want to turn your Pokémon’s pain into strength, don’t you?” Paul remarked.

“That’s right! My Pokémon have grown so much. This time, we’re going to win!” Ash declared.

“Let’s see about that.”

“Return, Gliscor.”
“Go, Gliscor!”

Ash sent out Gliscor, and Paul answered with his next Pokémon, Ninjask. Ninjask’s incredible speed put Gliscor at a disadvantage; Gliscor simply couldn’t land a hit.

Though Gliscor had aerial superiority, Ninjask found an opening, slamming Gliscor down and subjecting it to Toxic Spikes damage. Ash had no choice but to recall Gliscor.

“Return, Gliscor.”
Ash then sent out Infernape.

Infernape entered the field, immediately suffering from the Toxic Spikes. Ash had Infernape use Dig to tunnel underground, then used Flare Blitz’s intense heat to neutralize the Toxic Spikes.

It was an effective tactic, but Infernape was already badly hurt. The duel with Ninjask followed. Despite Ninjask’s speed, Infernape seized an opportunity and used its type advantage to defeat Ninjask.

“Return, Infernape. Good work.”

Ash recalled Infernape.

Paul commented, “You’ve really become formidable. Now, Ash, watch my next Pokémon. Go, Froslass!”

“Pikachu, it’s up to you!”

“Pika!”

Froslass used Hail, paired with its Snow Cloak ability, making it nearly untouchable for Pikachu. But Pikachu, now fully recovered, launched a fierce attack and ultimately defeated Froslass.

Paul then sent Drapion back onto the field.

“Return, Pikachu. Go, Gliscor!”

After a hard-fought battle, Gliscor finally defeated Drapion, leaving Paul with only his last Pokémon.

“Go, Electivire.”

Electivire was Paul’s strongest Pokémon. Gliscor, already badly injured, was soon defeated by Electivire.

Ash sent out Pikachu next. Though Pikachu’s strength had returned, the gap between it and Electivire was too great. Pikachu managed to inflict some damage, but lost the ability to fight.

Ash now had only Infernape left.

“Go, Infernape.”

Infernape returned to the battlefield, and the clash began.

The duel between Infernape and Electivire was fierce, igniting the entire stadium—everyone cheered for both combatants. Cheng hadn’t expected the battle to be so exhilarating; his heart raced, and he longed to participate himself.

The fight lasted a long time. Infernape was finally struck down by Electivire’s Thunder. Just as the referee was about to declare Infernape defeated, it stood up once more.

Infernape’s Blaze ability activated, plunging it into its final burning state. The battlefield erupted in flames as Infernape launched its ultimate attack, the scene utterly breathtaking.

Cheng felt a surge of excitement, and a touch of emotion—it was a truly spectacular match.

At last, Infernape’s Flare Blitz collided with Electivire’s Thunder Punch. Electivire fell, defeated, and Infernape stood victorious.

“I declare Electivire unable to battle. The winner is Ash from Pallet Town!”

The battle of fate had finally concluded. Both Ash and Paul had grown tremendously; this, truly, was the meaning of Pokémon duels.

Elsewhere, Darkrai’s match ended even quicker—he wiped out his opponent using only his Darkrai.

Next came the semifinals: Ash’s opponent would be Darkrai. It seemed Ash would only make it to the final four this time.

Cheng knew it wasn’t that Ash was weak; Darkrai was just too powerful. Most believed Darkrai was simply here to prevent Ash from becoming champion. But Cheng didn’t think so. Still, Darkrai was a bit mysterious—someone of his strength had no need to participate in the Sinnoh League. What was his real purpose?

The day’s battles ended, and everyone began leaving the arena, heading for restaurants or inns. After a full day of matches, everyone was hungry and tired.

Cheng, Brock, and Dawn went to look for Ash, only to find he had already disappeared. Ash had left the stadium and caught up with Paul, who was departing.

As Cheng searched for Ash, he spotted Darkrai passing by. Darkrai glanced at Cheng, then left without a word.

Seriously, why look at me? Is there anything interesting about me?

“Here you are! Where’s Ash?”
A female voice appeared suddenly. Cheng turned and saw it was Cynthia, the champion.

“Miss Cynthia, it’s been a while.”

“It’s been a while, Cheng! I didn’t expect to see you here watching the matches. I thought you’d be participating in this tournament.”

“No, but if I ever get the chance, maybe I’ll compete. Ash’s battle today really inspired me.”

“It certainly did. Ash and Paul both performed brilliantly. After this match, I believe something has formed between them.”

“Something? What do you mean, Miss Cynthia?” Dawn asked, puzzled.

“A bond,” Cynthia replied.

Yes, a bond. But Cheng thought that word might have another meaning as well. He smiled gently, then remembered Darkrai.

“Miss Cynthia, do you know anything about Darkrai?”

“Darkrai? The boy who uses Darkrai?”

“Yes,” Cheng nodded, hoping to learn more from Cynthia.

“I don’t know much about him, but to possess a Pokémon like Darkrai, his background must be extraordinary. And he’s incredibly strong.”

“Why? Did you find something?”

“No.”

Cheng shook his head. He felt Darkrai was odd, but he really didn’t know anything.

Elsewhere, Ash had caught up with Paul.

“Paul, wait!”

Paul turned to see Ash approaching.

“Ash, Infernape has grown stronger.”

“Yes. Paul, are you leaving?”

“Yes. I’ve lost the tournament; there’s no point in staying. I plan to return to Slicing City and challenge Mr. Shinji.”

“I see. Take care, Paul.”

“You too, Ash.”

With that, Paul turned and walked away.

“Paul, let’s battle again someday!”

Paul paused, waved, and departed.

Thus ended the battle between Ash and Paul. Next up was Darkrai versus Ash.

Cheng could hardly wait.