Ash vs Tobias part 1

Ash's POV

"NOW THAT THE QUARTERFINAL MATCH IS HISTORY, TOMORROW'S MATCHES ARE ON THE SCREEN."

I don't need to look at the screen to know who I'm up against.

"IT LOOKS LIKE ASH WILL FACE TOBIAS AND JAKE WILL FACE ETHAN. DON'T MISS IT!"

I couldn't help but feel nervous. I thought about the team I'd use tomorrow.

"Pikachu, Infernape, Sceptile, Glalie, Swellow, and Heracross."

Now to look for Paul. I remember Ash said goodbye to him in the canon.

Paul's POV

I've been surpassed. That's a fact.

Ash has become much smarter, and Infernape stronger.

I sighed.

I guess I'm still not ready to challenge Brandon.

At least I've learned from this match: I shouldn't underestimate my opponent.

"Hey, Paul."

Hmm, it's Ash. I should've expected it. That fool would come to say goodbye.

"Your Infernape has gotten really strong. Take good care of him."

"Yeah, I will. Thanks. Are you leaving? I'm about to face a Darkrai."

"Honestly, I don't think you can beat him, and I can't either, not as I am now. That's why I'm leaving—I need to get stronger."

"Tobias has at least two legendaries."

??

"What?"

"I know he has a Latios. Look, do what you want, but I advise you to stay one more day. I've planned a strategy for Darkrai and Latios, and I want you to see it firsthand. As my best rival so far, I think you could learn something."

This doesn't sound like Ash.

But still, two legendaries... though first, he'd have to beat Darkrai.

But Ash has surpassed me. Maybe he can at least take down one of that mysterious trainer's Pokémon, or his strategy.

"Fine, I'll stay."

I'll see how far I am from the top.

Ash's POV

Well, convincing him was easy.

"YOU! So, this is where you've been hiding. I'm fining you 4000 Pokédollars!"

"Barry."

I was fond of this character. He was my first rival in the first Pokémon game I played.

His voice was sharp, and he spoke really fast, which made it hard to understand what he said.

"I just wanted to congratulate you on your glorious battle with Paul. I'll definitely defeat you and beat my father."

Hmm, I should get along with him.

"Whenever you want to battle, call me. I'll be staying in Sinnoh for a few months. Your Empoleon is strong."

I had to capture a few Pokémon.

Barry looked surprised when he heard my statement.

"Yeah! You'll see, I'll beat both you and Paul. I won't fall behind! By the way, you're getting good reviews on PokéNet. Your fan club is growing."

I blinked. Fan club?

A flash of Ash's memories crossed my mind.

Of course, many of the competitors were seen as elite athletes in my world.

Ash carved a niche for himself in the Pokémon fandom.

Although, according to my new memories, it was somewhat toxic. I was insulted for using unevolved Pokémon and for losing. Some even threatened me for causing them to lose their bets.

"I'll check it out, though I don't expect much support for tomorrow's battle."

Barry's face grew serious.

"Honestly, I don't think anyone can beat Tobias except the Sinnoh elite."

What a boost of confidence.

"We'll see," I said before going to look for Brock and Dawn.

While searching for them, I pulled out my Pokédex and looked up my name.

"For the first time, the kid has a serious team. What a shame he's up against the legendary trainer."

"A shame, he had potential this year, but I'm betting against him."

"Let's see what baby Pokémon he sends out, haha."

"I can't wait to see his face when he loses 6-0."

The comments kept going on and on about how I was going to lose.

Oh well, no pressure.

One Day Later

Since I've been in this world, I've had a theory: what if to get out of this world, I need to defeat everyone in this tournament?

Think about it—I wake up just before registering for the tournament, right when the league starts, and I'm transmigrated into the protagonist, who I know is going to lose.

If that's not it, I'd have to find Arceus, Hoopa, Dialga, or Palkia…

"THE SINNOH LEAGUE TOURNAMENT AT LILY OF THE VALLEY ISLAND IS NEARING ITS FINAL STAGE, AND TODAY'S FIRST SEMIFINAL ROUND IS ASH VS. TOBIAS! NOW LET'S SEE TODAY'S BATTLEFIELD... AHA, IT'S THE GRASS FIELD! SO GET READY FOR A HOT 6 VS. 6 BATTLE!"

The applause erupted.

I looked at Tobias, who didn't seem particularly worried.

"AND NOW, LET'S SEE THE FIRST POKÉMON FROM OUR COMPETITORS!"

Without speaking, Tobias sent out Darkrai.

I threw out Infernape.

Honestly, Darkrai's stare gave me chills, but I had to focus on how to defeat Darkrai and Latios with the least possible losses.

"Infernape, use Dig."

"Darkrai, levitate."

I smiled. "Now use Sunny Day."

Suddenly, I felt a lot of heat—Sunny Day was working.

Tobias raised an eyebrow but ordered Darkrai to stay airborne to dodge Infernape's attack.

"SO THIS IS ASH'S STRATEGY: COMBINING DIG WITH SUNNY DAY, NOW BOOSTING FIRE-TYPE ATTACKS!"

Seeing that Dig wouldn't reach Darkrai, I told Infernape to come out.

Now the real battle begins.

"Dark Void." "Destroy it with Mach Punch."

Infernape smashed the black sphere with his fist before it hit him.

"Hmm, triple Dark Void."

Can you use the same attack three times at once?

Infernape, without needing me to say anything, dove into the hole he had dug earlier, dodging the attack.

"Well done, Infernape."

"AND INFERNAPE HAS LASTED THE LONGEST AGAINST DARKRAI SO FAR, AT 30 SECONDS!"

Thanks for the encouragement, geez.

To the crowd's surprise, I switched Pokémon.

"Go, Sceptile."

"ASH SWITCHES OUT DESPITE INFERNAPE'S GOOD PERFORMANCE. WHAT IS HE THINKING?"

"Sceptile, use your speed," I said simply.

Darkrai used Dark Void in all directions but failed. Sceptile used its incredible speed to overwhelm the legendary and circle it.

Then Darkrai felt a hit on its back, then to the right, then to the left, and finally from the front.

The legendary Pokémon was taking multiple Leaf Blade attacks, accumulating damage.

"Upwards and Ice Beam, Darkrai." It floated up and fired an Ice Beam, missing.

"Bullet Seed!" Sceptile unleashed a barrage of seeds at bullet speed after dodging the attack, hitting Darkrai, who wasn't expecting this level from a 'humble' Pokémon.

The Pokémon dubbed 'King of the Jungle' awaited my next command.

I glanced at my watch—Sunny Day's effects should wear off in two minutes.

"Dark Void."

"Now."

From Sceptile's mouth, a powerful Solar Beam blasted through Dark Void and hit Darkrai, knocking it down to the ground.

The audience couldn't believe it, and neither could I. Everyone stayed silent for a few seconds, watching a legendary Pokémon fall.

I got excited until Darkrai got back up, looking pretty angry.

Tobias was now staring at me seriously, his calm demeanor replaced with a more focused one.

"Sceptile, don't let your enemy get distance and use Leaf Blade."

Darkrai tried to retreat, but as a long-range attacker, there was little it could do against my Sceptile, who kept the pressure on.

The next few seconds were surreal. The legendary Pokémon, cornered, attempted to fire an Ice Beam.

"Now, Sceptile."

However, a powerful Solar Beam hit before it could charge its Ice Beam.

Defeating Tobias' Pokémon…

"Darkrai is unable to battle…" Even the referee couldn't believe what he had just seen.

Once again, the entire stadium fell silent… while I raised my arms in victory as my Pokémon roared.

At that moment, the crowd erupted...

"WOOOOOOW!"

"HE DEFEATED THE MIGHTY DARKRAI!"

"THIS KID AND HIS POKÉMON ARE INCREDIBLE!"

"HE'S LEADING 6-5!"

Incredible, we defeated the god of nightmares.

My excitement faded when Tobias sent out his next Pokémon, Latios.

Luckily, Solar Beam isn't the only thing I've taught Sceptile.

I'll win this no matter what and go back home.