DP179: Difference between revisions

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 {{type|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|paralyzing}} 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}}, which hits and sends Jolteon flying however it uses Thunderbolt mid-air 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. Volkner 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.  

Back at the gym Ash and Volkner note their regret that the match will soon be over but nevertheless they'll still battle with all of their might. Ash sends Infernape back out against Luxray. Infernape uses {{m|Flamethrower}} while Luxray uses Shock Wave and the two attacks collide. Infernape uses Mach Punch but Luxray uses {{m|Double Team}} and creates a series of clones. Infernape hits a few of the clones and Luxray comes out and bites Infernape with Thunder Fang which hurts it badly. Infernape responds with a Mach Punch but Luxray dodges Infernape and uses another Thunder Fang causing even more damage. Flint notes that Ash is in the same position as before, unable to attack from a distance therefore having to risk going up close and receiving damage. Luxray uses another Shock Wave as a finisher but Infernape jumps to dodge. Luxray also jumps and uses Thunder Fang, managing to get another hit and sending Infernape into a fall. Luxray prepares for another Thunder Fang, but Ash tells Infernape to use {{m|Dig}}. Infernape escapes underground, however Volkner is prepared for this and tells Luxray to use Iron Tail which breaks the ground and Infernape is thrown into to the air before falling to the ground. Volkner notes that it's time for him to stop having fun and tells Luxray to finish Infernape off with Thunder Fang. Ash screams for Infernape to get up, however Infernape isn't moving and appears to have nearly reached its limit as Luxray quickly approaches.

As Luxray speeds towards Infernape with Thunder Fang powered, Team Rocket's damage to Sunyshore Tower causes the lights of the gym to suddenly go out stopping Luxray in its tracks. Volkner and Ash agree to continue the battle regardless and Luxray prepares to use Thunder Fang. However Infernape has started glowing and its eyes are red indicating that {{a|Blaze}} has been activated! Infernape screams in rage causing its flame crown to erupt. Flint notes that Blaze being activated means that while Infernape is close to being defeated, its {{type|Fire}} moves have been powered up to help it out. Brock and Dawn tell Flint that there's a possibility that Infernape could start rampaging, having done so before while it was a {{p|Chimchar}} [[DP081|during a battle]] and then again when it was a {{p|Monferno}} [[DP163|just before it evolved]] and both times it wouldn't listen to Ash's commands. There's a good chance that it could happen again, causing Flint to become concerned and Dawn to become worried, as she doesn't know how Ash would handle it now since Infernape is far more powerful now than it was when it was a Chimchar and a Monferno.

Infernape fires a massive Flamethrower without Ash's command, which glances past Luxray and causes damage to the wall. Infernape then starts to use Flamethrower on the ceiling, causing rubble to nearly fall on Brock, Flint, Dawn and her Pokémon. Ash tells Infernape to get control of itself, and Infernape slowly turns around and starts to walk towards Ash dangerously while growling. Pikachu prepares to fight Infernape off but Ash tells him to stand down. As everyone nervously watches, Infernape is soon right in front of Ash, who tells the Flame Pokémon that he believes in it. Infernape responds to this by smiling, indicating he is fully in control of Blaze at last. The battle resumes and Ash tells Infernape to use Flamethrower. Thanks to the power-up from Blaze, Flamethrower is far more powerful and sends Luxray back, and Volkner commands Luxray to use Thunder Fang. Infernape withstands the attack and uses Mach Punch which scores a hard hit on Luxray who is told to use Iron Tail. Infernape dodges and uses another Mach Punch causing even more damage. Ash tells Infernape to use {{m|Flame Wheel}}, and Infernape powers up and slams hard into Luxray finally knocking it out. The robotic referee declares Luxray unable to battle and Ash is awarded his hard-earned victory. Ash and Infernape jump into each other's arms and as Ash tells Infernape how amazing it is. The two celebrate, overjoyed that it controlled its Blaze and helped Ash finally defeat Volkner. Later Volkner congratulates Ash and his Pokémon and presents him with the {{badge|Beacon}}. Ash thanks Volkner and takes the badge, finally completing his requirement for the Sinnoh League.