Part 31

After that strange encounter with the blue-haired girl, Ash was called up for the next battle. Trip had won the last battle against Lucas, and now it was Ash's turn to face Remo.

"Good afternoon battle fans and a very warm welcome back to the magnificent Fulgurate stadium. Up next on the battle calendar we have Ash, a trainer who hails from the kanto region against Remo. So Don, how do you see this battle shaping up?"

"I'm very curious to see how Ash will break through Remo's solid defense. He's very well known for his defense, but, his Garchomp's offense is more than enough to shut down any Pokémon. We'll find out soon," Don George said through the microphone.

The crowd roared with excitement as Ash and Remo stood at opposite ends of the battlefield, both ready for an intense battle. The referee, Dan from Galar, stood between them, raising his hand to signal the start of the match.

Referee Dan from the Galar region

"Trainers, before we begin, I'll quickly explain the rules," Dan announced, his voice firm and clear. "This will be a timed battle—30 minutes total. Each trainer will have 15 minutes per half. The clock will run while you're battling, so manage your time wisely."

Ash and Remo nodded, acknowledging the rules with serious expressions.

"Once the 30 minutes are up, the match ends regardless of the situation, and the winner will be determined by whichever trainer has more Pokémon remaining in the field," Dan continued. "You may substitute Pokémon at any time, but only if they're still able to fight. Are you both ready?"

"Ready," Ash said, his eyes locked on Remo, his pulse racing in anticipation.

"Let's do this," Remo replied coolly, his gaze sharp and determined.

"Very well. Now, trainers, please shake hands to signify the start of the match," Dan instructed.

Ash and Remo stepped forward, extending their hands toward each other. Ash's grip was firm and full of energy, while Remo's was steady, exuding confidence.

"May the best trainer win," Ash said, his voice brimming with enthusiasm.

"You've got it, Ash," Remo replied, his smirk never wavering.

With the handshake complete, Dan stepped back and raised his flag. "The battle between Ash and Remo will now begin!"

"Lucario, let's show them what we're made of!" Ash called, his voice filled with determination.

"Don't hold back, Garchomp!" Remo commanded, his voice calm but filled with confidence.

Freddy's voice echoed across the stadium. "Ladies and gentlemen, the battle is set! Lucario versus Garchomp! The ultimate showdown of speed and power!"

Ash clenched his fists, eyes focused on Garchomp. "We've trained hard for this, Lucario. It's time to use everything we've learned!"

Lucario nodded, its blue aura flaring brightly as it assumed a battle stance.

"Let's start with Aura Sphere, Lucario!" Ash called out.

Lucario's body glowed, gathering energy at its paws before it fired a powerful Aura Sphere toward Garchomp.

But Remo smirked, unfazed. "Garchomp, dodge it with Dragon Rush!"

In a blur of speed, Garchomp lunged forward, avoiding the Aura Sphere with an impressive twist of its body. It then charged straight at Lucario, cloaked in a fiery red aura.

"Watch out, Lucario!" Ash shouted.

Lucario reacted quickly, leaping out of the way just in time, but Garchomp's momentum was unstoppable. It slammed into the ground, causing a shockwave that made the whole arena shake.

"Nice move, Remo," Ash said, grinning. "But we're just getting started!"

Remo's eyes sparkled with competitive fire. "I wouldn't expect anything less from you, Ash. But Garchomp is just getting warmed up."

"Lucario, use Bone Rush!" Ash commanded, as Lucario summoned a bone-like staff and charged toward Garchomp.

Remo's eyes narrowed. "Garchomp, use Earthquake!"

The ground trembled as Garchomp slammed its tail into the arena floor. The shockwave rippled outwards, causing Lucario to lose its footing and stumble.

"Lucario!" Ash shouted, but Lucario quickly regained its balance, using the Bone Rush to counterattack.

With incredible speed, Lucario swung the bone staff with precision, landing a solid hit on Garchomp's side. The attack caused Garchomp to stagger back, but it quickly recovered, growling fiercely.

"This is getting intense," Paul said, watching the battle carefully.

Lucario's eyes blazed with determination as it dashed forward, fists glowing with powerful energy. It struck Garchomp with a flurry of precise, rapid punches and kicks.

"Impressive," Remo acknowledged, "but Garchomp won't go down that easily. Let's finish this with Dragon Claw!"

Garchomp's claws grew sharp and gleamed with intense energy as it slashed at Lucario. The blow connected, sending Lucario flying back, its body skidding across the ground.

"Lucario!" Ash yelled, his voice full of concern.

Lucario struggled to stand, its aura flickering weakly. Ash could see his Pokémon was exhausted, but there was a fire in its eyes—a will to fight on.

"I know you can do this, Lucario! One more push!" Ash encouraged.

Lucario nodded, its blue aura flaring brighter than ever before. It stood tall, even as it trembled from the battle's toll.

"Now, Lucario, use Aura Sphere again! Full power!"

Ash's voice was filled with conviction as Lucario gathered energy in both paws. The energy built up until it formed a massive Aura Sphere, glowing with an intensity that seemed to shake the very air around them.

"Garchomp, counter with Draco Meteor!" Remo ordered.

Garchomp opened its mouth, unleashing a barrage of meteoric energy that soared toward Lucario. The two attacks collided in mid-air, creating a massive explosion of light and energy, blinding the crowd momentarily.

When the smoke cleared, both Pokémon stood at the edge of the battlefield, visibly exhausted but still standing strong.

Ash's heart pounded in his chest. "Come on, Lucario... you can do it..."

Lucario's eyes narrowed, and with a final push, it unleashed its Aura Sphere straight at Garchomp. The blast hit Garchomp directly, sending it crashing to the ground in a cloud of dust.

The arena fell silent. Garchomp struggled to rise but eventually collapsed, unable to continue.

The referee raised a hand. "Garchomp is unable to battle! Lucario is the winner!"

The crowd erupted in applause, and Ash ran forward, smiling in relief as Lucario approached him, exhausted but proud.

"You did it, Lucario! That was amazing!" Ash exclaimed, hugging his Pokémon. "But man, we went through way too much for just the first Pokémon. At least his ace is out of the way."

"Alright, Garchomp, you've done more than enough," Remo said, his voice calm but filled with respect. He reached for Garchomp's Pokéball and returned the Dragon-type.

Remo glanced over at Ash, a confident smirk on his face. "Alright, time to bring out a heavy hitter. Rhyperior, I choose you!"

The massive Ground/Rock-type emerged from its Pokéball, stomping the ground with a powerful quake. Its massive size and imposing stature immediately intimidated the crowd.

Ash didn't flinch. "Lucario, let's go! Show them your power!"

"That's a pretty bad disadvantage for Ash and Lucario," Barry remarked cautiously.

"Trust me, it's not," Calem replied with a calm tone.

Lucario stepped forward confidently, its eyes burning with determination. The crowd could feel the tension in the air as the two Pokémon squared off.

"Rhyperior, use Rock Wrecker!" Remo commanded.

Rhyperior raised its fists and unleashed a massive rock projectile, hurling it toward Lucario with deadly precision.

"Lucario, dodge it and counter with Close Combat!" Ash shouted.

Lucario moved with lightning speed, dodging the Rock Wrecker effortlessly. It closed the distance between itself and Rhyperior in an instant. With a burst of energy, Lucario unleashed a flurry of rapid punches and kicks, landing hit after hit on Rhyperior's thick armor.

Rhyperior staggered back, struggling to keep up with Lucario's speed and power. It roared in frustration, but Lucario wasn't done.

"Now, Lucario, finish it with Aura Sphere!" Ash commanded, his voice unwavering.

Lucario focused, its body glowing with blue energy as it gathered a massive Aura Sphere in its paws. In a flash, the energy orb was hurled directly at Rhyperior, striking it head-on.

The blast sent Rhyperior crashing to the ground, its massive form unable to withstand the force of the attack. The ground shook as the Pokémon lay still, unable to rise.

The referee raised his hand, calling the end of the battle. "Rhyperior is unable to battle! Lucario wins!" The crowd cheered at the entertaining scenes.

Ash's face lit up with a triumphant smile as Lucario returned to his side, still standing strong despite the battle's intensity. "Great job, Lucario! You made that look easy!"

Lucario gave a small nod, its aura glowing with satisfaction.

Remo returned Rhyperior to its Pokéball, his expression one of respect. "Impressive, Ash. You really know how to command your Pokémon.

"Absolutely remarkable!" Freddy's voice rang out across the Stadium. "Ash and Lucario land two knockouts within just a few minutes!"

"So, your next Pokémon?" Ash inquired.

"Alright, let's do this, Gurdurr!" Remo called, throwing the Pokéball into the air. The Fighting-type emerged, flexing its muscular arms and letting out a mighty roar.

"I'm going to switch too," Ash grinned, ready to counter. He returned Lucario praising it for its efforts. "Talonflame, it's your turn!" he called. Talonflame soared into the sky with a burst of speed, its wings leaving a trail of fire behind it. It landed on the battlefield gracefully, eyes glowing with fierce determination.

"Impressive," Remo said, but he didn't hesitate. "Gurdurr, use Dynamic Punch!"

Gurdurr charged forward with incredible speed for its size, its fist glowing with an intense aura. It swung with powerful force, aiming straight for Talonflame.

But Ash was quick to react. "Talonflame, dodge and use Acrobatics!"

Talonflame effortlessly darted to the side, avoiding Gurdurr's punch by mere inches. With a burst of agility, Talonflame launched into the air, spinning with great speed and striking Gurdurr with a precise kick.

The impact sent Gurdurr stumbling back, but it quickly regained its balance, growling in frustration.

The battle between Ash and Remo had reached a fever pitch, both trainers and their Pokémon showing signs of exhaustion. Just as the tension was building, the referee, Dan from Galar, glanced down at his watch and blew his whistle sharply.

"Half-time!" he called, signaling the break.

The crowd murmured, some already standing up to stretch or chat about the intense first half. Ash and Remo both took a few steps back, giving their Pokémon a moment to rest. Dan raised his hand to signal to both trainers.

"Trainers, you have five minutes to assess your team and prepare for the second half of the battle. No substitutions or healing during this break."

Ash quickly glanced at his Pokémon, nodding in approval of their efforts so far, while Remo did the same. The arena buzzed with excitement as both trainers took a moment to prepare for what was sure to be an even more intense second half.

As the break continued, Remo stood off to the side, watching his Pokémon, each one resting after the intense first half. His gaze shifted from the field to his team, and despite the score being 2-0 down, he held his composure.

He walked over to Garchomp's Pokéball, holding it in his hand, and spoke quietly but with a sense of conviction.

"You've all given it your best so far. We're down, but the game's not over," Remo said, his voice calm yet filled with determination. "We've got the skills to turn this around. I know it's not easy, but this is when we dig deep and push forward."

He turned to his other Pokémon, giving each one a reassuring nod. "No matter what happens, we fight together. Let's show them what we're made of."

With that, Remo placed his hand on Garchomp's Pokéball, a silent promise in his eyes. His team might have been down, but they weren't out.

Referee Dan stepped forward as the halftime break came to a close. "Alright, trainers, time's Up! He called, his voice firm. Both trainers nodded, returning to their positions with renewed focus. Dan raised his hand, signaling the continuation of the match. "Let's resume the battle!"

The battle between Talonflame and Gurdurr resumed with a burst of energy. Ash called out confidently," Talonflame, Let's show them what we've got! Use Flamethrower!"

Talonflame flapped its wings powerfully, unleashing a massive steam of fire. Gurdurr tried to block it with a Protect, but the flames broke through, pushing the Fighting-type back.

Remo gritted his teeth, "Gurdurr, counter with Brick Break!" He commanded, hoping to land a solid hit. But Talonflame was too quick. Ash shouted, "Dodge and go for a quick attack!"

With incredible speed, Talonflame zipped around Gurdurr, landing a solid strike before Gurdurr could react. The Fighting-type staggered, clearly struggling to keep up.

Ash grinned. "Talonflame, finish it with Aerial Ace!"

With a swift burst of movement, Talonflame zoomed in on Gurdurr, striking with precise accuracy and knocking out the Fighting-type to the ground. Remo looked at his defeated Pokémon, a hint of frustration in his eyes.

Referee Dan stepped forward, raising his flag high. "Gurdurr is unable to continue battling!" He announced, his voice carrying across the field. "Talonflame is the winner!" The crowd cheered as Ash pumped his fist in the air, a genuine smile spreading across his face. Remo nodded in acknowledgment, calling Gurdurr back to its Pokéball. "Nice job, Gurdurr. You gave it your all."

Remo glanced up at the scoreboard, his eyes narrowing as the numbers appeared clearly in front of him: 3-0. Below, the timer read 5 minutes left. A hint of frustration flickered in his eyes.

"That's not enough time..." he muttered under his breath. "I've got to make a comeback fast." He looked back at Ash, who was focused and calm, clearly aware of the time ticking down.

"I need another heavy hitter..." Remo muttered in deep thoughtful. "Alright, Bouffalant, you're up next!" Remo released his Bouffalant, at this point aware that a comeback was impossible. He wanted to get at least a consolation knockout before he lost. Ash swapped out his Fire/Flying type bird for his Krookodile.

The battle between Krookodile and Bouffalant began with a tense silence for all. Both trainers knew the battle was over a long time ago, for Remo, it was a matter of avoiding humiliation.

"Bouffalant, use Head Charge!"

Bouffalant charged forward, its horns glowing with power, but Ash called out calmly, "Krookodile, dodge and use Taunt!" Krookodile sidestepped almost effortlessly, and then taunted Bouffalant, causing it to charge recklessly in frustration. Remo's eyes widened. "Bouffalant, no! Stay focused!"

But Krookodile was in control. Ash smirked. "Now, use dig!"

Krookodile burrowed into the ground just as Bouffalant barreled past. The ground shook for a moment, and before Remo could react, Krookodile emerged from beneath Bouffalant, knocking the charging Pokémon off its feet with a powerful Earthquake.

As the battle raged on, Freddy's voice echoed through the Stadium, filled with excitement. "Folks, I'm absolutely blown away by this battle so far!" He exclaimed. Ash is using Krookodile's speed and power to perfection. Remo's not backing down, though- he's giving it his all. The crowd cheered, energized by Freddy's words.

Remo gritted his teeth in frustration. "Come on, Bouffalant, get up!" He shouted, but Bouffalant struggled to rise. Krookodile stood proudly, enjoying the battle as much as Ash was. Ash gave it an approving nod.

"Let's finish this, Krookodile. Use Stone Edge!"

With a swift, powerful strike, Krookodile summoner sharp rocks from the ground, sending them hurtling towards Bouffalant. The attack landed with a heavy thud, sending Bouffalant crashing to the ground, unable to battle.

"And now, Ash is simply walking them home - it's becoming too easy for him," Freddy announced.

Referee Dan stepped forward, raising his flag. "Bouffalant is unable to continue!" Krookodile wins!"

Remo sighed, calling his Pokémon back. "Good try, Bouffalant... you really gave it your best." With only ten seconds remaining in the battle, Referee Dan had enough as he blew his whistle signaling the end of the battle.

Ash smiled, offering a word of encouragement. "You're tough, Remo. I hope we'll battle soon again to see how much you've improved.

Remo smiled at his kind words of encouragement. "Thanks, Ash. I'll be looking forward to it. Congrats on your victory today, Ash. Looks like you'll be moving on to the round of 16."

The big screen appeared with the scoreboard and Pokémon which were eliminated. It was a dominant 4-0 win for the Kanto native.

As Ash's victory was confirmed, the group gathered together on the sidelines, watching the celebrations unfold.

Misty crossed her arms, a slight frown on her face. "Well, it was a decent win, I guess. But honestly, I've seen Ash win so many times, it doesn't feel all that special anymore."

May raised an eyebrow, looking over at Misty. "I don't know, Misty. That was a pretty solid match. His Pokémon were just amazing out there."

Dawn nodded in agreement. "Yeah, it wasn't just the win - it was how Ash battled. He really knew how to control the flow of the battle. I'd call that impressive." Though May And Dawn agreed mutually, Misty didn't seem all too convinced.

Iris, who had been watching intently, couldn't hide her excitement. "I'm so impressed! Ash's Pokémon are just so strong, and his strategies were incredible!" She beamed with enthusiasm, clearly in awe of Ash's performance.

Serena smiled warmly, her cheeks tinted pink. "I agree, Iris. It was such an intense battle. I'm so happy for him!" Her voice softened slightly as she watched him celebrate, a hint of affection in her gaze. "He deserves this win."

Misty raised an eyebrow at Serena's expression but said nothing. May and Dawn exchanged a look, noticing Serena's subtle reaction.

"Looks like someone's a little more than just impressed," Dawn teased with a smile, her eyes sparkling. Serena blushed but quickly changed the subject. "Well, it's just... he's always been so dedicated, right? It's nice to see all that hard work pay off." She quickly added, her voice a bit flustered.

Iris chuckled. "I think we all are. Ash's battles never cease to amaze me."

Misty rolled her eyes playfully but couldn't help a small grin. "Alright, Alright, I get it. You're all impressed. Let's just see if he can keep this up."

Next chapter soon!