DP179: Difference between revisions

footnotes=* {{filb-eppics|dp|179}}

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 {{EF|Flint}}. The Elite Four member tells Brock that since it was announced that Volkner had started accepting challenges again, people have been queuing outside the Gym for the chance to battle; however as promised, Volkner would not battle any other {{pkmn|Trainer}}s before 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 {{2t|Ground|Grass}} type, 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 realizes that Volkner taught Electivire to use Ice Punch to help it against Ground-type 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...

Volkner tells Ash that he never thought he'd be the first to send out his final Pokémon and sends out the first Pokémon he used against Ash before their previous match was cancelled, {{p|Luxray}}. Ash recalls Infernape and sends Pikachu back out, hoping that he's recovered from the battle against Electivire. Ash starts with Quick Attack but Luxray uses {{m|Shock Wave}}, which hits and sends Pikachu flying. Brock notes that although Shock Wave isn't very effective against Electric type, it still carries a lot of power. Ash orders an Iron Tail, which hits Luxray hard. Pikachu uses two more Iron Tails and both make direct hits and Pikachu begins to corner Luxray. Volkner responds with a {{m|Thunder Fang}} from Luxray. Luxray grabs Pikachu's tail with the Thunder Fang and Pikachu takes the hit hard and slams against the ground. As Pikachu struggles to get up, Luxray uses Shock Wave which sends Pikachu flying against the wall, knocking him out.