Chapter 279: Consecutive Fifth-Round Advancements
"What an incredible Butterfree. No wonder you're a new Trainer from Pallet Town. I'm completely convinced I lost this round," Ritchie admitted with a respectful sigh. He withdrew his fainted Happy (Butterfree) into its Poké Ball, then quickly sent out his next Pokémon.
"Go, Zippo!"
In a flash of white, Zippo— a well-developed Charmander — appeared on the field.
"Just as expected, it's Charmander," Ash thought. Having studied Ritchie's previous battle records the day before, Ash had prepared his Pokémon lineup specifically to counter Ritchie and was determined to win this match. For some reason, a mysterious compulsion grew in Ash's heart, as if fate itself demanded that he defeat Ritchie.
Wasting no time, Ash retrieved his energetic Butterfree and sent out his next Pokémon.
"Alright, Primeape! I choose you!"
With a burst of light, the muscular Primeape bounded into the arena. The moment it appeared, Primeape began pumping its fists through the air, getting its blood pumping for battle — a technique it picked up from Red's Hitmonchan.
"Zippo, use Flamethrower!" Ritchie commanded as the bell rang. Zippo opened its mouth and loosed a stream of searing flames, aiming a pillar of fire straight for Primeape.
"Primeape, dodge it!"
Primeape easily sidestepped the fire and darted in toward Zippo, glaring at its opponent with fierce, intimidating eyes. Ritchie's Charmander faltered under Primeape's aggressive aura, and the strength of its flames diminished noticeably.
"Primeape, now's your chance! Use Cross Chop!"
As Primeape closed in, Ash gave a sharp command. Primeape crossed its arms, white energy crackling, and struck hard with a Cross Chop right at Zippo — landing a direct hit to a critical spot.
"Hang in there, Zippo!" Ritchie shouted anxiously as he saw his carefully trained Charmander blasted backward by just one powerful blow. He hadn't expected Zippo to fall so quickly, completely overwhelmed by Primeape's attack.
"Ugh…" At Ritchie's encouragement, Zippo tried to struggle to its feet but ultimately collapsed in defeat.
"Charmander is unable to battle!" the referee announced.
"Ash, you're the second toughest opponent I've met at the Indigo League — after Red, of course. The strength of the two of you really surprised me! But even though both Happy and Zippo have fallen, I will never give up!" Ritchie declared, releasing his final Pokémon.
"I'm counting on you, Sparky!"
White light revealed a Pikachu with a distinctive tuft of hair: Ritchie's Sparky.
"Return, Primeape," Ash said, calming his still-riled Pokémon as he returned it to its Poké Ball. Out of respect for Ritchie, Ash sent out Pikachu for the last round.
"Thanks for giving it your all, Ash," Ritchie said gratefully.
"Sparky, use Thunderbolt!"
"Pikachu, you use Thunderbolt too!"
In an instant, both Pikachu unleashed surging currents of electricity, sending crackling lightning bolts streaking toward each other.
ZZZAP!
The Thunderbolts collided midair, but Pikachu's electricity overpowered Sparky's, forcing its way through the blast and striking Ritchie's Pikachu.
"Pika!"
Even with its Electric resistance, Sparky was badly shocked; its fur was briefly singed from the sheer power of Ash's Pikachu.
"No wonder Pikachu's your partner," Professor Oak sighed in admiration.
"Ash's Pikachu has improved so much," Gary remarked in surprise.
"Well, Pikachu's always training with Red's Pikachu, after all," Leaf teased.
"Yeah, and thankfully, Pikachu isn't as lazy as Ash. He sneaks off to train with his big brother," Misty added.
"Pikachu, follow up with Quick Attack!"
"Sparky, use Agility — dodge it!"
Ash's Pikachu blurred forward, lightning-fast. At the last second, Sparky streaked aside using Agility, narrowly avoiding the hit. But Ash wasn't about to let Ritchie turn the tables.
"Pikachu, use Electro Ball!"
"Pika—!"
Ash's Pikachu summoned its electrical power, forming a sparking orb at the tip of its tail and launching it straight at Sparky. The electric sphere sped forward and struck Sparky squarely.
"Pika…"
Sparky slumped to the ground, exhausted and unable to continue.
"Sparky is unable to battle! The winner of this match is Ash from Pallet Town!" the referee declared, marking another newcomer from Pallet Town reaching the quarterfinals.
"Next up, it's my turn!" Leaf declared. After watching Ash's battle, she stood, waved farewell to Red and the others, and strode toward the trainers' entrance, ready for her own upcoming match.
Indigo League—Main Stadium—Another Battle
"Nidoqueen, Double Kick!"
At Leaf's command, Nidoqueen stormed forward, landing two powerful kicks on Onix.
"Onix, use Take Down!" its Trainer ordered.
Gritting its teeth through the pain, Onix launched a desperate charge at Nidoqueen.
"Too late! Nidoqueen, use Superpower!"
Nidoqueen tensed her muscles, absorbed the force of Onix's attack, then countered, heaving Onix's massive body back.
"Nidoqueen, now — Iron Tail!"
Nidoqueen's tail flashed silver as she spun, slamming it powerfully against Onix. With a howl of pain, the rock snake collapsed, eyes spinning.
"Onix is unable to battle! The winner is Leaf from Pallet Town!" declared the referee.
"We did it — that makes four Pallet Town rookies in the quarterfinals! What an unprecedented shining moment for the Town of Champions!" the commentator marveled.
"You four have really put Pallet Town on the map!" Professor Oak exclaimed, looking fondly at Red and the others.
"In a couple of days, it'll be me versus Red. I can't wait!" Gary said with anticipation, staring eagerly at his rival.
"I'm looking forward to our battle as well, Gary," Red said evenly, the fire of rivalry glinting in his eyes.
Thus began the Pallet Town civil war!