Chapter 56: Semifinals

It was the next day, where Soul and the remaining contestants would be fighting to advance to semifinals.

Waking up from all the gaming they did yesterday, Soul went to start the day with a bath.

Mew also awoke and yawned from its rest. Looking around it begins to float and play around the living room.

When Soul arrived at the living room, he saw that Mew was floating around like usual.

He greeted it and started cooking breakfast for everyone. It took quite a time, because of how much food, he needs to make for all of them including himself.

Finally finishing cooking breakfast, Soul went to call everyone out as they feast on their

delicious meals.

When they all finished, he returned them all except for Mew and Anubis as they both were special cases and walked to the stadium.

Arriving there, the same thing happened again, as Soul won the battle easily and ended up taking a spot in semifinals.

He still stayed in the stadium and watched the next battle, because it was Ashley against Opal this time, only one of them can move forward.

Sitting on one of the seats, Soul looked over at both of them, who walked out of the stadium.

The rules were explained as they both got a short introduction, and the audience was going crazy over both of them.

Ashley went to send out a Golduck, where Opal chose a Raichu. A smart choice, but that is not the important thing you need to win in a battle.

Ashley started off with a Water Pulse, as Golduck sent a ball of water against Raichu, who used Thundershock to destroy it.

She then ordered Golduck to use Psybeam against Raichu, who dodged the attack as it used Double Team with each of them holding a ball of electrics.

Ashley quickly orders Golduck to use Aqua Jet to dodge the attack, but it was too late, as Golduck got electrified and fainted.

Judge: Golduck is unable to battle! The winner of this match is Raichu!

Ashley: Aww… I wanted to win the first match.

Opal: Good job Raichu and keep it up.

Raichu nodded as it proudly displays its power to the audience and its opponent.

Ashley who saw this gained a irk mark as she sent out a Venusaur.

Soul: 'Seemed like she has chosen a Bubalsaur as her starter.'

He thought as he carefully watched the fight between his two friends. One thing for sure, the audience loves them.

Venusaur started out with sending Razor Leaf, which Raichu dodged by jumping into the air.

It shouldn't have done that as its legs and tails were grabbed by Venusaur Vine Whip. It got smashed down to the ground again and again until it fainted.

Judge: Raichu is unable to battle! The winner of this match is Venusaur!

Returning her Raichu, Opal took out a Pokeball from the belt and sent out a Gengar.

It gave off a creepy grin when it saw Venusaur, as Opal ordered it to use Shadow Ball.

Gengar sent out a ball of shadow, as Venusaur used Razor Leaf to stop it. It then used Sunny Day and used Solar Beam, which didn't need to get charge because of the effect of Sunny Day.

Gengar didn't manage to dodge the attack as it was hit by the powerful beam.

When the dust was cleared, Gengar could be seen with some injuries. It looked annoyed by the Venusaur but still waited for Opal command.

Opal: Use Payback.

Gengar sent out a powerful ray of dark beam, that injured Venusaur, who have gotten some scratches on its body.

It then went to use Earthquake, which was effective against Gengar poison-type. The move made Gengar fainted, but what surprised the audience and Ashley was that Venusaur also fainted even though it wasn't hit after it used Earthquake.

Judge: Both of the parties Pokemon have fainted! This match is a tie!

Ashley: W-What happened?

Opal: My Gengar used Destiny Bond against your Venusaur.

Ashley: What? I didn't remember having you told it to do that.

Opal. That because I told it before the match.

Ashley's expression became even more surprised when she heard that, she scratches her head and said.

Ashley: You got me good there, but the next fight will be mine!

She returned her Pokemon along with Opal as they sent out their Ace Pokemon out.

Ashley sent out her Ninetales, and Opal sent out Blastoise.

Opal went first as she ordered Blastoise to use Hydro Pump.

Seeing the incoming attack, Ashley went to order Nintales to dodge and use Confuse Ray, which made a hit, because of Blastoise's big body.

Ashley: Alright, now use Solar Beam!

Opal: Not so fast, Blastoise use Rain Dance!

When Ninetales was about to use Solar Beam, Blastoise managed to use Rain Dance as the heat was replaced by a clouded sky as rain begins to fall.

Soul didn't like that move very much.

So when Solar Beam was fired out, its power was only 50%, which was effective, but not effective enough.

But Ashley wasn't finished as she ordered Nintales to use Quick Attack. Opal counters it with Aqua Jet to which Blastoise managed to use again without hurting itself.

Ashley: 'How can someone be so lucky?'

She thought as she was about to tell Ninetales to withdraw, but it was too late as it was hit by Blastoise's hard body and fainted.

Judge: Ninetales is unable to battle! The winner of this match is Blastoise and Opal, who would advance to semifinals!

Cheers were heard, as Soul clapped with a smile. It was a wonderful battle for him, as he has gained more information about his potential future opponent.

Ashley: Well even though I lost it was an epic battle! Let's fight again when we have a chance.

Opal: Sure, I could always use a spare partner to use my tricks on.

They both gave each other hand, as they went to meet up with Soul and Matthew.

Before Soul could say anything, Matthew beat him to it first.

Matthew: That was so cool! On the next Indigo League, I would totally join with my partner, Sandslash.

Soul: It was indeed a good battle, both of you did great.

Ashley: Aww, you making blush by all the praising.

Opal: Thank you for the praise and I hope, that I can have a good fight with you soon.

Soul: We'll see about that tomorrow.

They all hang out as the night came and Soul went back to bed and fell asleep.