DP179: Difference between revisions

Having returned to the now-repaired [[Sunyshore Gym]], {{Ash}} is ready to finally battle [[Volkner]] for the {{badge|Beacon}}, the final [[badge|Gym Badge]] he needs to enter the [[Sinnoh League]]. {{an|Dawn}}, as thanks to Ash for cheering for her during the [[Grand Festival]], has donned her cheerleading uniform and, along with {{TP|Dawn|Piplup}} and {{TP|Dawn|Buneary}}, start to chant for Ash's victory while {{an|Brock}} sits with {{E4|Flint}}. The Elite Four member tells Brock that since it was announced that Volkner had started accepting challenges again, people have been queueing outside the Gym for the chance to battle however Volkner was his first official match since returning to be against Ash. The robotic referee states the rules; the battle will be three-on-three, and only Ash will be allowed to make substitutions. Ash gets ready to battle, determined to earn his final Sinnoh League badge.

Volkner sends out his first Pokémon, an {{p|Electivire}} and Ash decides to begin with {{AP|Torterra}} due to the obvious type-advantage it has over Electivire. Ash starts by ordering a {{m|Leaf Storm}} from Torterra, however Volkner has Electivire use {{m|Fire Punch}} to burn the leaves up. Brock notes that it's just like a Gym Leader to use an attacking move as a defense.  Ash tells Torterra to use Leaf Storm again and Electivire again uses Fire Punch to burn the leaves up, however this leaves its mid-section exposed and Ash has Torterra use {{m|Energy Ball}} in quick succession and manages to score a direct-hit. Ash then has Torterra use {{m|Rock Climb}}, and the Continent Pokémon slams down its claws into the ground making a rock pillar lift Electivire into the air before charging at it. As Torterra climbs up the pillar, Volkner has Electivire use {{m|Ice Punch}} and the attack makes a clean hit. Torterra being part {{type2|Grass}} gets frozen quite easily and is blasted back to the ground. The utter power manages to take Torterra out, leaving it [[fainting|unable to battle]]. Brock realises that Volkner taught Electivire to use Ice Punch to help it against {{type2|Ground}} Pokémon like Torterra, while Volkner congratulates Ash on his strategy of using Energy Ball in combination with Leaf Storm. Ash recalls Torterra thanking it for trying its best, and decides to send {{AP|Pikachu}} up against Electivire next. Pikachu enters the battlefield and gets ready...

Ash has Pikachu begin with {{m|Quick Attack}} and Electivire counters with Fire Punch. Pikachu dodges and uses {{m|Thunderbolt}}, however Electivire takes no damage. Volkner commands an Ice Punch, and Pikachu dodges again and uses another Thunderbolt but to no avail. Dawn asks Flint what's happening, and Flint explains that Electivire has the [[ability]] {{a|Motor Drive}} which absorbs all {{type2|Electric}} attacks used against it and renders them useless. Realizing that Electric attacks won't work Ash orders an {{m|Iron Tail}}, however Electivire quickly dodges and starts to run around the battlefield at high speed. Volkner tells Ash that Motor Drive takes all the power from Electric attacks and uses it to increase Electivire's {{stat|speed}} before ordering a Fire Punch. Pikachu tries to dodge but Electivire is too fast and Fire Punch scores a direct-hit. Brock and Flint note that Ash is in a tricky position, as going up close puts it in danger from Fire Punch and Ice Punch and it can't attack from far away due to Thunderbolt having no effect. Electivire is told to use Ice Punch and it hits, however luck is on Ash's side as Pikachu's {{a|Static}} ability is triggered, {{status|Paralysis|paralysing}} Electivire. It tries to run up and hit Pikachu with Ice Punch, however the paralysis stops it and Pikachu dodges. Another Ice Punch is attempted, however Pikachu uses Iron Tail to counter and when the attacks meet, Electivire receives another dose of static leaving it stumbling. Another Ice Punch is commanded by Volkner and Ash, knowing that Electivire is now far slower than before, commands another Iron Tail which hits Electivire in the face and knocks it out, giving Ash the victory. Volkner recalls Electivire and notes that he is enjoying this battle, while Flint notes that Volkner is just warming up.

Volkner sends out his second Pokémon, {{p|Jolteon}}. Ash knows the battle is only going to get harder and sends out {{AP|Infernape}}. Ash has Infernape start with a {{m|Mach Punch}} but Jolteon dodges and uses Thunderbolt which hits Infernape and leaves it shocked. Then Volkner has Jolteon use {{m|Shadow Ball}} and Infernape recovers in time to dodge. Volkner commands more Shadow Balls, and Jolteon starts to fire them rapidly. Ash tells Infernape to hit back with Mach Punch, and Infernape manages to counter all the Shadow Balls which clouds the entire battlefield with smoke. Volker tells Jolteon to jump and use Shadow Ball, and Ash tells Infernape to use Mach Punch. Infernape jumps after Jolteon and makes a direct hit, slamming Jolteon into the ceiling which manages to knock it out, allowing Ash to claim his second victory.