DP187: Difference between revisions

The [[Lily of the Valley Conference]] quarterfinals [[Full Battle]] between {{Ash}} and [[Paul]] continues from where it left off, with {{AP|Buizel}} trapped in the grip of {{p|Drapion}}'s tail. When Buizel tries to use {{m|Sonic Boom}} with his free tail, Drapion just grabs it with a free arm, rendering it useless. Ash instructs Buizel to puff up and instantly release the floatation sack on his neck, allowing himself to escape and use {{m|Water Gun}} to lift himself into the air, away from Drapion. With Buizel still in the air, Drapion uses {{m|Toxic Spikes}}, littering the field with them and {{status|poison}}ing Buizel when he lands. Then, Drapion uses {{m|Pin Missile}} to finish off Buizel, thus leaving Ash with five Pokémon.

Ash then sends out {{AP|Staraptor}} to battle Drapion next. Drapion unleashes a Pin Missile, which Staraptor effectively dodges with his high speed. He then goes in for an {{m|Aerial Ace}}, which Drapion manages to dodge at the last second, and captures Staraptor with its pincer tail. Drapion follows up with {{m|Cross Poison}} on the trapped Staraptor, and then throws the Predator Pokémon onto the ground, poisoning him with the remnants of Toxic Spikes and knocking him out.

Ash calls {{AP|Torterra}} onto the field, and Torterra feels the effect of the Toxic Spikes instantaneously. Drapion uses Cross Poison on Torterra, and Torterra sends Drapion back with {{m|Energy Ball}}. Ash quickly attacks again with {{m|Leaf Storm}}, hitting Drapion again. Paul instructs Drapion to use Pin Missile to counter the Leaf Storm, and the attacks end up neutralizing each other. Torterra emerges from the smoke with a {{m|Rock Climb}}, but is grabbed by Drapion and struck by a {{m|Poison Fang}}. Torterra uses {{m|Synthesis}} to regain some energy, though Drapion attacks with Pin Missile again, hitting Torterra and knocking it out, leaving Ash with three Pokémon. Paul asks Ash if he's planning to send out {{AP|Gliscor}} next, to which Ash responds that Paul is correct. Paul [[recall]]s Drapion as he tells Ash that he already knows all the Pokémon that Ash will be using because he purposely let him take out his {{DL|Paul|Aggron}}, and {{DL|Paul|Gastrodon}} so he could be certain of Ash's strategy and exactly which Pokémon he'd use. Paul then says that ever since he kept Drapion on the field, he has been able to predict every one of Ash's moves, but much to his shock, Ash is still willing to continue. Ash states there is nobody like Paul and replies that he is not losing to him that easily.

Ash sends out Gliscor and Paul sends out his fourth Pokémon, {{DL|Paul|Ninjask}}, which uses {{m|Agility}} right from the start. Ash tells Gliscor to use its newest attack, {{m|Stone Edge}}. However it is easily dodged by Ninjask, still using Agility, also aided by its {{a|Speed Boost}} [[Ability]]. Ninjask comes in with a quick {{m|Fury Cutter}}, hitting Gliscor countless times. While falling, Gliscor regains lift and tries to use {{m|Fire Fang}} on Ninjask, but is unsuccessful. Instead Ninjask appears from behind, knocking Gliscor into the field and the Toxic Spikes Drapion had left. Ash swaps Gliscor out for his {{AP|Infernape}}, who also gets poisoned from the Toxic Spikes. Ash realizes that he's at a major disadvantage while Toxic Spikes are active and tells Infernape to use {{m|Dig}}, which perplexes Paul and Ninjask. Infernape returns with {{m|Flare Blitz}} underground, illuminating the entire field in a bright red, alleviating the Toxic Spikes, and also damaging Ninjask. Paul tells Ninjask to use {{m|Giga Drain}} and it begins to sap energy from Infernape. At this point everyone notices that Ninjask is not moving as fast as it was originally. As Ninjask drains away its energy, Infernape scrutinizes Ninjask's movements carefully and lands a successful {{m|Mach Punch}}, knocking out Ninjask. Ash and Paul are now tied with three Pokémon each that are able to battle and Ash, knowing Infernape is starting to get tired, recalls it for some rest.

Paul sends out his next Pokémon, {{DL|Paul|Froslass}}, while Ash selects {{AP|Pikachu}}. Paul starts things off by having Froslass use {{m|Hail}}, and a thick cold mist soon covers the entire battlefield. Froslass’s {{a|Snow Cloak}} Ability comes into effect as she begins fading in and out of view, preventing Pikachu from following her movements. Things become more urgent when Pikachu starts to take damage from the Hail. Ash commands a {{m|Thunderbolt}} and Pikachu tries to hit Froslass, however, the Hail severely restricts the attack and it doesn't even get close to his target. Paul has Froslass use {{m|Ice Shard}}, which scores a direct hit on Pikachu. As Thunderbolt isn't working, Ash tells Pikachu to use {{m|Volt Tackle}}, however he passes right through Froslass without even hitting her. Froslass uses another Ice Shard, though Pikachu leaps into the air with {{m|Iron Tail}}. He swings around in mid-air finally lands an attack on Froslass, knocking her into the ground. Hail finally subsides, leaving Froslass with nowhere to hide. Paul orders an {{m|Ice Beam}} which freezes Pikachu in ice. Paul calls for another Ice Shard, but Pikachu is one step ahead and uses Volt Tackle to escape the ice and hits Froslass first. While Pikachu suffers [[recoil]] from the attack, Froslass is left unable to battle, thus leaving Paul with just two Pokémon. Although {{an|Dawn}} and {{an|Barry}} are happy that Ash is in the lead again, {{an|Brock}} reminds them that while Ash may have more remaining Pokémon, they have all taken considerable damage, whereas one of Paul's remaining two Pokémon has yet to enter the battle. Ash knows the round took a lot out of Pikachu, so he calls him back to the sidelines.  

Paul sends Drapion back out and Ash calls on Gliscor again, encouraging it to show Paul what it learned from [[McCann]]. Drapion uses Pin Missile to start things off and Gliscor dodges by flying in the air. Gliscor uses Stone Edge and Drapion uses Cross Poison to neutralize the attack, leaving behind a large smoke cloud which Gliscor shields itself in. Ash then tells Gliscor to use {{m|Giga Impact}}, and Gliscor emerges only to power up and fly back into the cloud. Drapion gets ready to attack, not knowing where Gliscor will come from. Gliscor appears and Paul commands Poison Fang, as Giga Impact scores a direct hit. Drapion turns around to counterattack, only to be shocked that Gliscor isn't there. Paul and Drapion realize that Gliscor used the momentum from the attack to quickly throw itself back into the sky, safe from attack while it recharges from using Giga Impact. [[Reggie]], who was watching the battle on TV, remarks that Paul's predictions have been crushed and he can no longer predict Ash's strategies. Paul realizes he allowed himself to be distracted by Stone Edge and has Drapion use Pin Missile. Gliscor uses its special training to dodge the attack with ease. It then powers up {{m|X-Scissor}} and flies towards Drapion, with both Ash and Paul ready to give it their all as the match enters its final stages.