This is last chapter about Battle Club tournament matched and will cover semi finals and finals. So get ready. Because after this , I am sticking with brains , gyms and journeys and shippings for quite a while.
"Enjoy while it lasts" - Someone from background.
Ash was ready for this battle. He could just feel the heat inside him burning.
"Wow ! Ash is so fired up , isn't he ?" Serena chuckled.
"Yeah ! I can feel the heat myself!" Dawn groaned .
"Hey ! Did you just wake up ? Wow ! Your hair looks..." Bianca began but realised she should probably not say it .
"What does my hair look like ?" Dawn snatched mirror from Bianca as she realised how crumpled her hair was.
"Well! I don't see why are you making such a fuss about it , Dawn ? It just looks the same now " Ash sighed as Dawn finished setting her hair .
All silently giggled as Dawn looked hurt .
"Hey ! My match is starting. I gotta go." Ash said.
"Good luck Ash ." Serena said to him.
"I know you are gonna win it." Stephan smiled.
"Ash has brought out his Eevee to battle Roxane's Pokemon who has already crushed past two opponents. The incredible Infernape." Commentator announced.
"Why is he choosing Eevee? There is no way an Eevee could beat that powerful firepowered Pokemon." Stephan groaned.
"I think you should cut Ash some slack. He knows what he is doing. Maybe he has some plan ." Dawn defended.
"Infernape! Use mach punch ." Roxane said as Infernape's firsts smoldered with bright flash of fire.
"Eevee! Use attract!" Ash said as Eevee' s eye made a heart symbol hitting Infernape . ( Oh ! Come on. Just imagine a heart shape design)
But Infernape remained unaffected.
"Wait! So does that mean your Infernape is not male?" Ash uttered.
"Obviously duh! You should focus on your Eevee though now because my Infernape is gonna.." She trailed off seeing Infernape hitting Eevee.
"I am not so sure of what plan Ash has in mind !" Dawn sighed.
"Nice change of sides, Dawn . Is it any way affected by his statement on your hair?" Bianca asked but shut up when Dawn gave her a glare .
"Eevee! Use dig to dodge attacks."Ash said as Eevee disappeared into ground .
"Oh ! I hate stealth attacks. Internape ! Use Calm mind. " She said as Infernape closed its eyes.
"Eevee ! Attack Infernape by coming out from ground and then dig back ." Ash said .
Infernape sensed from where Eevee was moving and moved away .
"What?" Ash and Eevee both look surprised.
"Calm mind. I think you should get from word. You can't sneak up on us ." She giggled.
"In that case ! Eevee use shadow ball." Ash commanded as shadow ball hit Infernape but it didn't do much .
"Wow ! I really expected more challenge in semi finals. Don't you know dark type moves like shadow ball are not effective against fighting and fire type like Infernape ?" She mocked.
"Infernape! It is time to wrap it up . Use flamewheel." She said as Infernape transformed into wheel of fire.
"Looks like it is the end for you ." She grinned.
She is fast. She knows exactly how to disable my attacks and nothing I do is working. What do I do ?
"Ash ! Don't give up ." His friends shouted.
"Alright! This is all or nothing. Eevee ! Use quick attack." Ash said as both head for each other creating smoke.
Smoke cleared to reveal both barely standing.
"It looks like both Pokemon are on their last boost now. One attack and it will decide who will be first one to go to finals." The commentator announced.
"I have come here to give my best and I trust in you , Eevee . You can do this." Ash said giving her a gesture.
"Infernape! Use flamewheel at maximum power now . " Roxane said as Infernape rolled in fire heading towards Eevee.
"Hey! Why is Eevee not moving?" Serena clutched her chest .
"She will get knocked out . Why is Ash not doing something?" Dawn asked.
"Did he just give up?" Cilan doubted.
"I don't believe that . " Others disagreed as they saw Eevee covered in flames with a huge blast revealing Infernape standing .
"Yes! We did it Infernape." Roxane jumped in the air .
" Eevee is unable to battle which means ..." Judge began .
"Wait!" Ash shouted surprising everyone.
Soon knocked out Eevee disappiated into thin air and Eevee appeared landing on ground .
"Eevee!" It squeaked as soon as Infernape fell down unable to battle.
"And in a dramatic turn , folks , Eevee is the winner which means Ash will be moving to finals." Freddie announced.
"I have never seen Substitute attack used that effectively. The timing and illusion was so perfect and it was like Eevee was not even here but appeared out of nowhere . That is one great trainer. I will tell you that , folks." Don George remarked.
"Wow! Ash ! You did it. I was so worried but you just. Wow!" Serena leaned closer as Bianca coughed indicating she is breaking pact and Serena stepped away pouting.
"Ya! I wasn't sure it was gonna work . But Eevee finally learned Substitute. After failing at copycat, I thought substitute will be powerful attack so we started to practice." Ash told them all.
"Hey ! I will meet you guys soon. Gotta take Eevee to Pokemon center." Ash told them as Pikachu hopped on his shoulder while he carried Eevee who rubbed against him affectionately.
"You were so great Eevee. Thank you ." Ash stroked her .
"Finally folks ! The moment we all have been waiting for and which will mark the end of this tournament . Once again, I will like to remind you that grand prize -a board of seven feathers and a mystery box. So please welcome our finalists " Commentator announced.
"Ash Ketchum ,a young trainer from Pallet town , winner of Hoenn league but yet dreamt to start a new journey left all his old Pokemon and is thinking of competing in Clevan league."
"Who is giving all this information to them ?" Ash groaned as he walked with Pikachu.
"And Liona , one of the toughest brain of our levior school and in entire Clevan region ."
"I have been looking forward to this battle." She winked. ( Fourth wall- I tried looking for tough photo. Didn't come up in search )
"Me too! I can hardly wait." Ash replied excitedly.
"Did he not realize she meant that as ulterior motive for something else or ...what?" Stephan asked .
"He is just dense." All girls replied together
"Wow! You guys really discuss him , don't you ?" Cilan and Stephan chuckled.
"I choose Ninetales." She revealed a majestic nine tail (apparent from name) , beautiful Pokemon.
Ash took out its pokédex to check about it " Ninetales, the Fox Pokémon. The evolved form of Vulpix. It has nine tails and a shining golden fleece. Ninetales are said to live very long lives."
"I choose Dragonair for my final battle." Ash brought out his dragonair .
"This is one tough competition folks. Ninetales , a fire type vs Dragonair, a dragon type. Dragonair may have the advantage but only time will show how right it is or how wrong it is." Commentator announced.
"Began!"
"Ninetales! Firespin." Liona commanded as before Ash could even get time to command , dragonair was engulfed in fire but thankfully for Ash , it didn't do that much as dragon types are highly resistant to fire moves .
"Wow ! That is one fast Pokemon. Dragonair ! Use dragon claw ." Ash said as dragonair approached with dragon claw towards Ninetales but it dodged it .
"Ash! Do you know the best thing about powerful Battle? They don't last long ." She smiled.
"Nintetales! Use illusion on dragonair!" She said as whole field was converted into a hellish Wasteland.
"What is this place?" Ash asked.
"One of the place I always like to visit with my Ninetales. You see ! I focus on recessive traits of Pokemon more than dominant ones. To be Direct , mystic powers of my Ninetales are highly developed. There is no way you are getting out of here ." She smiled.
"Hey ! What is Ash referring to 'what is this place '?" Stephan asked.
"He and Dragonair are affected by illusion of Ninetales. That is why they are seeing things that are not actually there ." Cilan told them.
"I hope Ash can figure this out ." Serena prayed.
"Well dragonair! No need to worry. It is just another terrain. It is illusion. Nothing is real here" Ash calmed himself as dragonair nodded
"Trying to be calm. Won't work. Tell me if this is illusion." She said as a Dragonair started to squirm held by mechanical hand coming out of nowhere.
"Yes! It is . Dragonair! Use rain dance ." Ash said . Dragonair nodded and from its pearl , came out light making it rain into the field.
Ninetales started to get wet and distracted as the illusion broke away due to lack of concentration.
"Not bad . Now dragonair! Use hyperbeam !" Dragonair emitted a bright beam of light towards Ninetales.
"Ninetales! Use flamethrower now." She commanded. The two attacks collided with each other causing a tremor in whole field.
"It looks like neither side is going to give in as both Pokemon try to prove who is more powerful." The commentator announced while all held their breath.
"Dragonair! Use full power now." Ash yelled
"Ninetales! Maximum heat." She yelled.
As the large explosion took the field knocking out both to ground.
As all waited for first one to stand up , the time freezed . Moving slowly as it could. There was a bit movement in Ninetales but it then stopped while Dragonair stood up victorious.
"And the winner of this battle club tournament is Ash Ketchum from Pallet town . Please give him a warm welcome." Don George announced.
"It was a great battle, Ash . You are really great trainer and so is your dragonair." She remarked.
"Your Ninetales is pretty powerful too. Thanks for a great battle , Liona." Ash shook her hand .
"Hey Ash! Please take this. " She handed him a cone shaped thing.
"What is it ?" Ash asked
"It is Castello badge. You earned it ." She told him.
"But I didn't defeat you in.." He began.
"Ash! It doesn't matter you defeat me in some field officially or here . I know you have the skills to do it . That is all that counts." She smiled.
"Thanks Liona."Ash forwarded his hand again.
"How about a hug instead?" She hugged him before he could answer.
"Goodbye Ash ! Do well on your journey." She said withdrawing .
"Now Ash ! I present you with this commerative symbol of seven feathers and mystery box . You battled hard and I wish you luck on your journey." Don George said giving him prize as both Ash and Pikachu grinned.
"Wow ! You were so amazing out there . Congratulations Ash ." Serena was about to hug but stopped herself.
"Hey ! It is fine , Bianca. I think today I can make an exception. After all I did get hug by a rival surprisingly so intentional hug will settle the odds " Ash laughed.
"Maybe next time. The mood is gone" Serena trailed off listening that. There was quite a buzz over his victory but eventually all settled.
"So what is in the mystery box ?" Cilan asked.
"Oh! I never opened . I guess that is what makes it mystery box . Get it?" Ash laughed as all glared.
"Fine! And it is...a what ?" Ash made a face opening the box.
"Aw! It is whole collection of famous Valeria makeup collection." Dawn shone her eyes.
"I don't want that . So who wants to take it ?" The words barely came out that Ash , Stephan , Cilan and Pikachu of course were only witness to see Bianca, Serena and Dawn fighting each other in one of the most important battle over the possession of kit .
Who gets the kit? That is one question even writer can't think aptly.
As the journey continues