DP188: Difference between revisions

Ash recalls Gliscor and sends in Pikachu next. Barry thinks that Ash is planning to use Pikachu's speed to gain the advantage, but Brock says that this strategy will only work if Electivire’s {{a|Motor Drive}} [[Ability]] isn't activated by Pikachu's {{m|Thunderbolt|Electric}} {{m|Volt Tackle|attacks}}, since a Pokémon with all of Electivire's power combined with so much speed would be a real threat to any opponent. Barry then says that Ash should be just fine as long as he avoids using any {{type|Electric}} moves. Paul rests on his laurels and has Electivire direct Thunder into the ground again, and the debris is sent flying towards Pikachu. However Pikachu is ready and uses {{m|Quick Attack}} to dodge the projectiles, even using some of them for momentum, much to Paul's shock, and lands a direct hit on Electivire's head. However, Electivire recovers and grabs Pikachu with its tails, leading [[Reggie]], watching the battle from [[Veilstone City]], to wonder why Ash keeps falling for the same trap over and over again, and that he might have some sort of plan. Pikachu tries to escape using {{m|Iron Tail}}, but Electivire smashes him into the ground before he can do so. Pikachu manages to escape, and is commanded by Ash to counter Electivire's Brick Break with Quick Attack, causing a massive impact. Ash, wanting to go for broke, calls for {{m|Volt Tackle}}, causing Reggie and Barry to question why Ash is using an attack he know won't work. Paul allows the attack to hit, and it triggers Electivire’s Motor Drive Ability, giving it a speed boost. Paul tells Electivire to use {{m|Thunder Punch}}, and Electivire moves so fast that it can barely be seen and prepares to strike. However, Ash anticipated this in an effort to draw Electivire in, and has Pikachu collide with Iron Tail at the last moment. Paul then recounts his and Ash's [[DP003|first battle]] when Pikachu was battling {{p|Elekid}}, and knows that Ash had hoped to finish the battle the exact same way; with Iron Tail. But things are different this time, as Pikachu is stuck, and will be overpowered by Thunder Punch if he lets up at all. Meanwhile, Electivire, with one of its arms free, has another move it can use: Brick Break. Ash tells Pikachu to try and get away, but it's no use; Brick Break lands directly on Pikachu's head, sending him flying. Pikachu tries to get up, but ultimately faints.

Electivire starts things off with a Thunder Punch, and Infernape counters with {{m|Mach Punch}}, which collide and neutralize each other. Infernape tries for a {{m|Flamethrower}}, which is blocked by Electivire's {{m|Protect}}. Electivire uses {{m|Thunder}} to create a [[Counter Shield]] around the battlefield, but Infernape {{m|Dig}}s underground and avoids the attack, before resurfacing below Electivire and hitting it dead-on. Infernape then takes damage from Poison, before Electivire gets back on its feet. After another blocked Flamethrower, Infernape and Electivire exchange a fury of Mach and Thunder Punches, respectively. They each land an attack before yet another Flamethrower by Infernape is blocked by Electivire's Protect. Ash instructs Infernape to use another Mach Punch, but Electivire dodges and ensnares Infernape's arm with one of its tails, causing Reggie to criticize Ash for falling in that trap once again. Electivire then unleashes a Thunder, causing Infernape so much damage that it collapses to the ground, seemingly [[Fainting|unable to battle]].  

The [[battle judge|referee]] begins to declare Infernape out of the match, though Electivire interrupts him, knowing that Infernape still has the ability to fight and wants to finish the battle properly. Electivire is proven right as Infernape starts to get up, and Paul tells it that it's pathetic for going down this easily, like always, and turns his head in skepticism. However, Infernape suddenly regains its senses, and Ash tells a surprised Paul that this battle isn't over yet. Infernape stands and returns with a vengeance, activating its {{a|Blaze}} Ability. This makes Reggie realize that Ash let Paul trap his Pokémon on purpose, to give him a false sense of security and provoke him to attack Infernape to the point of activating Blaze. Ash orders a Flamethrower, and Infernape fires a super-powerful blast at Electivire. Electivire tries to hold it back with Thunder, but it can't stand up to the sheer power. Ash then has Infernape use Mach Punch, which hits and sends Electivire flying back. Knowing their Pokémon are now at their limits, they get ready to finish it; Paul shouts for a Thunder Punch, while Ash orders a {{m|Flare Blitz}}. The two Pokémon, battling like they've never battled before, land their attacks on each other, creating a maelstrom of fire and electricity streaming into the sky, illuminating the stadium. Infernape pushes itself further and ends the exchange, feeling the [[recoil]] from Flare Blitz. After a delayed reaction, Electivire feels the explosive force of Infernape's Flare Blitz, throwing up a thick blanket of smoke. The smoke clears and reveals Electivire still standing, and the two Pokémon and their Trainers stare each other down. The two Pokémon remain perfectly still, until Electivire finally falls and is declared unable to battle, awarding Ash the victor of this truly intense battle.  

Later, Brock and Dawn are walking outside and run into Barry, where they are all looking for Ash. Then, {{an|Cynthia}} comes forward, and Barry is awestruck at being face-to-face with the {{pkmn|Champion}}. Cynthia explains that although Ash and Paul are very different people, all their time feuding and battling with each other has created a bond between them that can never be broken. She captures the moment with a quote from the [[Sinnoh]] time-space legend: ''"When every life meets another life, something will be born."''.  Cynthia finishes by telling everyone that she is eager for the day when Ash or Paul make it all the way to the Champion League so she could face them in battle properly.

Paul is about to leave [[Lily of the Valley Island]] when Ash calls out to him. Paul finally admits that Infernape is strong, and Ash accepts the compliment before asking if Paul is leaving already, which Paul confirms as there is no reason to stay. He will be heading back to [[Snowpoint City]] to request another battle with {{an|Brandon}}. Ash wishes him good luck with that, while Paul wishes Ash all the best in the rest of the tournament. Paul turns to leave, and Ash tells Paul he'd like to battle again one day. Paul signals a goodbye to him, letting Ash know that he has earned his respect and bringing their long-standing rivalry to an end. As Paul leaves, Ash turns his focus to his next opponent, the ever-mysterious Tobias.