AG178: Difference between revisions

Team Rocket hear a roar at the mouth of a tunnel and run down it, thinking it is Ho-Oh. Instead, a furious {{p|Salamence}} greets them with {{m|Flamethrower}}, sending them running. Meanwhile, Brandon takes the King and the others to the pyramid, where [[Scott]] is waiting. The King pushes Scott aside as he walks into the Battle Pyramid, declaring that no one stands in his way. Inside, Scott finds out that Ash is possessed by the King's spirit. Afterward, he reveals that Brandon explores ruins as well as being a Frontier Brain.

The battle is set for a one-on-one match. Brandon sends out Regirock. Ash wakes up inside another dimension but can see through the King's eyes. Noticing the battle, Ash summons {{AP|Sceptile}}, which the King replicates in reality. Ash orders Sceptile to use {{m|Leaf Blade}}, which the King replicates. Regirock uses {{m|Iron Defense}} to nullify the attack. The King then orders {{m|Bullet Seed}}, but Iron Defense also nullifies it. Witha  snide grin, the King orders Sceptile to fire Bullet Seed at the ceiling. Sceptile is hesitant at first, but obeys. The attack causes rubble to crash on top of and bury Regirock. The group notes that Ash would never attack in that manner. Brandon calls the King a coward for his tactic, but Ash hears the insult from within the King. Ash temporarily breaks the spell, denies that he is a coward, but soon loses control to the King.

Max thinks Regirock is down and out, but the Rock Peak Pokémon breaks out of its tomb and immediately uses {{m|Hyper Beam}}. In an astonishing move, the King orders Sceptile to use the referee as cover. Sceptile initially hesitates, not used to Ash using such dirty tricks, but the King tells him to obey and Sceptile leaps behind the frightened referee, [[Samuel]]. Brandon cancels the attack. The King uses Sceptile’s Leaf Blade on Regirock’s leg, causing it to kneel down. Regirock uses {{m|Lock-On}}, targeting Sceptile. The King orders another Leaf Blade on the other leg, rendering Regirock immobile. Regirock uses Hyper Beam again. Sceptile's attempt to dodge fails as Lock-On ensures that the attack hits. Hyper Beam comes around and Sceptile is blasted to the ground and faints. The King refuses to admit defeat and orders Pikachu to battle. May, Brock, and Max defend Pikachu and try to break through to Ash. The King appears resistant and orders Pikachu to use Thunderbolt, but it refuses. Brandon reminds Ash that they’re his good friends, and Ash gets {{AP|Pikachu}} to use {{m|Thunderbolt}} on him. The attack frees Ash from captivity and purges the King from his body. Brandon uses a counter of the spell to banish the King's spirit back to the orb. Ash returns to normal, to his friends' relief. Brandon admits to Scott that Ash's friends freed him from the spell.

As the sun sets, Brandon tells Ash that his own carelessness and arrogance attracted the King and rendered him vulnerable. Ash admits that he may be a foolish kid at times, but he still wants the chance to battle Brandon fair and square. Unfortunately, Brandon declines the challenge as he has some more ruins to visit but he tells Ash he will get in touch when the time is right. He advises Ash to train hard in the meantime. Brandon and Samuel enter the Battle Pyramid, and Scott advises the group to stand back. The Pyramid's corners slide outward and dust begins to be kicked up. The massive structure lifts into the sky on rotors that keep it aloft, allowing Brandon to move to the his next ruins site. May notices a golden bird in the sky, and the whole group witnesses the real Ho-Oh flying in the distance. Ash remember how he saw it [[EP001|when he first started out]] on his journey. He uses this to inspire himself to train for the rematch. But for now, the [[Grand Festival]] is on the horizon, and May cannot wait to put herself to the ultimate test.