Ash vs Paul

"DRAPION VS BUIZEL, ASH ONLY HAS 2 SWITCHES LEFT"

In the anime, Buizel loses to Drapion. Should I switch Pokémon?

"Buizel, return."

"Pin Missile," said Paul.

I returned Buizel, and Torterra took the Pin Missile.

"ASH USES HIS SECOND SWITCH, AND TORTERRA TAKES A POWERFUL PIN MISSILE!"

I smiled. Surely no one expected this, but I had trained several of my Pokémon these past two weeks, specifically Sceptile, Infernape, Glalie, Swellow, Heracross, and Torterra.

The last one was specifically trained to defeat this Drapion.

How? I found out I could display the move I wanted from the Pokenet and try to teach it to my Pokémon.

The moves I taught Torterra in two weeks were Rock Polish and Earthquake.

Earthquake is still pretty weak; we haven't fully mastered it yet, but with Rock Polish well-learned, there won't be a problem.

"Like before, Torterra."

"TORTERRA!" An orange glow enveloped Torterra, boosting its speed.

I remembered this Pokémon lost speed after evolving, and it got excited when I explained the move.

"Pin Missile again."

To Paul's surprise, Torterra dodged the attack without me even saying it and marched toward the giant scorpion.

I watched for the right moment to give the signal. Torterra must get close, but not too close, to avoid Drapion's pincers.

I watched like a hawk, waiting for the moment.

"Now!"

The next thing that happened was the ground turning a bright brown, and the ground beneath Drapion erupted.

"AND DRAPION TAKES A SUPER-EFFECTIVE HIT, ASH'S POKÉMON IS FIRED UP. WE'VE NEVER SEEN A TORTERRA THIS FAST BEFORE!"

"THAT'S RIGHT, PHILIP. A GREAT DISPLAY OF STRATEGY. ASH SIGNALLED THE EARTHQUAKE JUST WHEN DRAPION WAS OUT OF RANGE TO GRAB HIM WITH ITS PINCERS. ALSO, THAT EARTHQUAKE WAS CLEARLY FROM A NOVICE. IT BARELY COVERED HALF THE FIELD, WHICH IS WHY HE MADE UP FOR IT BY GETTING CLOSER."

"IS DRAPION KNOCKED OUT? LET'S WAIT TO SEE IF IT MOVES OR IF THE SMOKE CLEARS."

"Drapion, are you still awake?"

The smoke cleared, revealing an unconscious Drapion.

Paul grunted, "Damn."

Then he sent out Froslass, a Pokémon with a 4x advantage over a Grass/Ground-type like Torterra.

Since my ace is Infernape, I didn't want to switch.

"Hail," Froslass summoned a hailstorm around her.

"Frenzy Plant," I said. Hopefully, the long-range attack will land.

But it didn't. Froslass vanished like a ghost, reappearing just to the side of where the attack was heading, and retaliated with Ice Beam.

"Torterra!"

But there was nothing to be done. The damage was 4x effective, and Torterra became the first Pokémon to be knocked out.

"Torterra is down, 3-5!"

"TORTERRA IS DOWN AFTER A SPLENDID PERFORMANCE. IT LOOKS LIKE ASH IS SENDING OUT PIKACHU. IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE PAUL IS GOING TO SWITCH."

"Pikachu," I tried giving the mouse the best smile I could muster as Ash.

"Pika," the mouse responded, running toward Froslass.

To my surprise, Paul switched Pokémon.

Fearing what I thought my rival was planning, I stopped Pikachu from using Thunderbolt.

"Pikachu, don't do anything."

I was lucky Pikachu had quick reflexes; another Pokémon would have ignored me and attacked—like Charizard, for example.

Out of the red energy came an Electivire.

"Tch," Paul muttered.

"A CUNNING DECEPTION FROM PAUL THAT DOESN'T PAY OFF. ASH IS ON FIRE!"

"Quick Attack, then Iron Tail."

"Brick Break."

The attacks collided, creating a shockwave around the Pokémon from the sheer force of the collision.

It was time to end this.

"Pikachu, return. You'll do more in the next round."

The mouse came back to me, looking confused.

"Go, Infernape!"

"Thunder."

If this is like in the anime, Infernape will win the next three battles.

That is, assuming Thunder doesn't knock him out, I thought as I watched the simian get electrocuted.

Looks like he didn't get paralyzed. Good.

"Now, Brick Break!" Paul shouted.

"Dig," I said simply.

Before Electivire could land the hit, Infernape dodged by using Dig, burrowing underground.

Then he struck Electivire with Ground-type energy.

"Use Dig again."

"Electivire, return."

Paul sent out Ninjask, who wasn't affected by Dig.

"Giga Drain."

This time, it was like in the anime.

Ninjask tried to drain Infernape's life force, but Infernape knocked him down with a Mach Punch.

The referee stated the obvious.

We were up 5-2.

Internally, I smiled. Looks like my Pokémon Showdown matches paid off.

"Electivire, return."

"Dig."

"Protect."

A barrier formed around Electivire, blocking Infernape's Ground-type attack.

"It seems you're trying to buy time with Protect. Well-played. But we have other moves, don't we, Infernape?"

"Infernape," said my Pokémon.

If looks could kill, I'd be six feet under from Paul right now.

"Flare Blitz."

"Thunder Punch."

The next move was a clash of equally strong attacks.

The impact caused the moves to explode, sending both Pokémon back.

However, something curious happened.

Infernape was paralyzed; I noticed electricity coursing through his body, his aura glowing yellow.

And Electivire got burned, I think. His aura turned red.

Is this what Pokémon burns look like?

Anyway, in the next few seconds, Electivire collapsed, defeated. Leaving Froslass alone to take on my entire team.

And I had something to do.

"Infernape, I'll need you later. It's better if you stop fighting now."

"In?"

If this goes like in the anime, Infernape will end up badly injured and unable to help me with Tobias.

I don't think Infernape is as exhausted as he was in the anime, but better safe than sorry.

"Trust me, you'll understand later. You've already shown how strong you are, and you'll show it again, loud and clear, against the Darkrai trainer."

"Froslass."

"I withdraw Infernape."

"Infernape is withdrawn from the battle. The score is now 4-1."

I should use Pokémon I won't need later.

Considering Pikachu will fight Tobias, it's better not to wear him out now.

Staraptor hasn't fought yet, but he's at a disadvantage against Froslass. Gliscor is even worse off, with Ice being his biggest weakness.

"Get the win, Buizel."

"Bui!"

"Fros!" Froslass summoned hail.

"Aqua Jet."

Buizel turned into a water missile, striking Froslass, but just like in the games, it wasn't very effective.

Moments later, Buizel was knocked out, courtesy of a few Ice Beams.

My water otter tried to land a Hydro Pump before falling, but Hail and Froslass's hidden ability prevented any damage.

"Sorry, Buizel. I promise you'll evolve if you want."

I should have used Pikachu.

3-1.

I ignored the referee stating the obvious and spoke with Pikachu.

"Pikachu, Froslass is worn out now. It's your turn."

The rest of the match went just like the canon.

At first, Froslass dominated the battle due to the hailstorm, raising her evasion and making her appear and disappear to intimidate Pikachu while the hail damaged him. I ordered Pikachu to use Thunderbolt to try to get rid of the hail, but it didn't work. Then Pikachu used Volt Tackle, but Froslass came straight at him, then disappeared and phased through him. She hit him with Icy Wind, then launched another one that Pikachu broke with Iron Tail, hitting Froslass in return. When Froslass saw the hail clouds clearing, she used Ice Beam and started freezing Pikachu, but Pikachu didn't give in. He immediately used a pinpoint Volt Tackle and knocked her out.

"AND THAT'S IT! ASH KETCHUM ADVANCES TO THE SEMIFINALS!"