The moment Ash defeated Ritchie and advanced to the quarterfinals of the Indigo Plateau Conference, a system prompt chimed in his mind:
[Ding! The host has advanced to the quarterfinals of the Indigo Plateau Conference. Rewards: 5,000 Realm Points, 3 High-level TMs, 6 IV Enhancers.]
[Main Quest Issued: Win the Indigo Plateau Conference.]
[Quest Rewards: 20,000 Realm Points, Aura Power Advancement, 1 Mysterious Pokémon Egg.]
[Failure Penalty: None.]
This was the first time the system had issued a clear main quest. The generous rewards only further steeled Ash's resolve to take the championship. At the same time, the format of the quarterfinals underwent a major changeshifting from three-on-three battles to full six-on-six confrontations. This would not only test a trainer's command but also their roster depth and tactical preparation.
In the players' lounge, Brock carefully analyzed their next opponent. "Your opponent for the quarterfinals is Yoshiki. He's the trainer who defeated Gary in the round of thirty-two. He is particularly skilled with Rock and Ground types, though he has shown competence with other attributes as well."
Misty added, "I've studied the recordings of his matches. His Golem is particularly difficult to deal with. Its defense is incredible, and that single Pokémon managed to defeat both Gary's Nidoking and Blastoise in succession. Furthermore, his Rhydon is quite powerful, and its Horn Drill has a frighteningly high accuracy rate."
Ash nodded, a spark of fighting spirit flashing in his eyes. "Perfect. This is the chance to avenge Gary and show Yoshiki what a real tactical battle looks like."
On the day of the match, the main stadium was packed to capacity. A full six-on-six battle meant a longer match with more strategic depth, and the audience waited with bated breath for the showdown to begin.
Standing in one of the corridors, Gary watched the field with a complex expression. Seeing Ash face the man who had defeated him made Gary feel a sense of worry. His opponent was far superior in terms of information gathering and tactics compared to the Ash he knew. Though Ash had shown impressive strength recently, Gary wondered if he could survive his first true full-scale battle.
The referee signaled the start of the match, and Yoshiki sent out Golem first. The Pokémon was massive, its rocky body glinting like metal under the sunlight, exuding an extraordinary aura.
"Oh! Sending out Golem in the first round? It seems he wants to set the momentum early!" Ash knew exactly how strong this Golem was. This was a play to seize the initiative right from the start.
After a moment's thought, Ash sent out his own choice. "Wartortle, I choose you!"
"Wartortle?" the announcer shouted in surprise. "Trainer Ash clearly came prepared, sending out a Pokémon with a type advantage immediately!"
Yoshiki looked surprised for a moment but quickly regained his composure. "Even if you're prepared, you're still underestimating me! Golem, use Earthquake!"
"Wartortle, jump and use Hydro Pump!" Ash commanded calmly.
Just as Golem stomped the ground, sending violent shockwaves through the earth, Wartortle nimbly leaped into the air, perfectly avoiding the impact. While mid-air, it adjusted its posture and unleashed a powerful torrent of water from above.
The stream hit Golem precisely in the cracks of its rocky armor, dealing significant damage.
"I see!" Brock realized from the stands. "Ash is using Wartortle's agility to exploit Golem's lack of speed, while simultaneously using the height to increase the impact of the Hydro Pump!"
Yoshiki's expression soured. "Golem, use Rock Tomb to restrict its movement!"
Countless boulders rained down, but Wartortle wove through the falling rocks with ease, countering with a Hydro Pump whenever it found an opening. After a few rounds of maneuvering, Golem finally collapsed under the relentless pressure of Wartortle's water attacks.
"Golem is unable to battle! Wartortle wins!"
Yoshiki took a deep breath to steady his nerves. After recalling Golem, he resolutely sent out his next Pokémon. "Go, Rhydon!"
The drill on Rhydon's head began to spin at high speed, signaling its readiness for combat. Ash immediately recalled Wartortle and sent out Bulbasaur.
This choice drew another gasp from the announcer. "Bulbasaur! A double advantage for Grass types against Ground and Rock! Ash's use of type advantages is masterfully fluid! He's certainly done his homework for this match!"
Sweat began to bead on Yoshiki's forehead. "Rhydon, use Horn Drill!"
"Bulbasaur, use Vine Whip to control the distance!" Ash's command remained steady.
Bulbasaur manipulated its vines with precision, treating them like a pair of long whips to keep Rhydon at a safe distance.
"Good! Now, use Razor Leaf to harass it!"
For a time, Bulbasaur engaged Rhydon in a game of guerrilla warfare, sometimes lashing out with vines to interrupt attacks and other times using Razor Leaf for long-range attrition. Although Rhydon possessed immense strength, Bulbasaur's exquisite distance control kept it from ever getting close.
Seeing that Rhydon's stamina was nearly depleted, Ash issued the final order. "Now! Sunny Day, then Solar Beam!"
Bulbasaur shot a ball of fire from its bulb into the sky, causing the battlefield to become incredibly dry. Then, the bulb gathered energy instantly, unleashing a Solar Beam that slammed directly into Rhydon.
The small combo caught Rhydon completely off guard. By the time the scorching beam of light hit, Rhydon was already going down.
Having lost two Pokémon in a row, Yoshiki changed his tactics and sent out a massive Onix. This Onix was roughly 1.2 times the size of a normal one, making it look incredibly intimidating. Perhaps only the giant Onix Ash had captured could compare to this hulking shield.
Ash responded by sending out his Red Gyarados. Even though some in the audience had seen it before, the sight of a Shiny Gyarados was always a feast for the eyes.
"Onix, use Rock Throw!" Yoshiki attempted to use a wide-area attack for suppression.
"Gyarados, use Dragon Dance to evade, then Hydro Pump!" Ash displayed superb command.
The Red Gyarados danced elegantly through the rain of boulders, avoiding every rock with impossible fluidity before unleashing a high-pressure Hydro Pump. The blast sent Onix flying out of the arena, where it slammed heavily against the defensive wall.
By the end of the first half of the match, Yoshiki's tactics had been completely neutralized by Ash. He was being led by the nose.
As the second half began, Yoshiki sent out Sandslash, attempting to win through raw speed. Sandslash moved across the field like a blur. Ash countered with Primeape. The Fighting-type advantage against Ground types put Sandslash in a difficult position.
Despite Sandslash using Rapid Spin, Primeape intercepted the rotation with a precise Karate Chop, breaking the momentum. A follow-up Cross Chop decided the match instantly.
With only two Pokémon left, Yoshiki sent out Omastar. This was an ancient Water and Rock-type Pokémon, the spikes on its shell glinting with a cold light. Ash was a bit surprised that Yoshiki had been hiding such a card, but it didn't change the overall situation.
Ash thought for a moment and sent out his Shiny Magneton. The Electric-type advantage over Water, combined with the Steel-type resistance to Rock, gave Magneton an absolute edge. The battle was a one-sided beatdown, leaving Omastar with no room to counter.
"Omastar, use Hydro Pump!" Yoshiki made one final gamble.
"Magneton, use Magnet Rise to evade, then use Thunderbolt!" Ash's command remained rock-solid.
Magneton easily floated above the thick pillar of water. Its Thunderbolt followed, striking like a golden python and hitting Omastar dead center. The super-effective attack knocked Omastar out of the fight instantly.
Yoshiki's final Pokémon was Machamp, clearly prepared to deal with Normal or Rock types. Its four muscular arms were a testament to its raw power.
"Charizard, I choose you!" Ash smiled as he sent out his ace.
The crowd erupted into a roar when Charizard appeared on the field. After its special training, this Charizard looked even more majestic, the flame at the tip of its tail burning with incredible vigor.
"Charizard, use Flamethrower!"
"Machamp, evade and use Cross Chop!"
The two Pokémon engaged in a fierce duel. Charizard utilized its flight advantage to launch attacks from the air, while Machamp relied on its four arms for defense and counterattacks. Suddenly, Machamp used Submission, attempting to drag Charizard into a close-quarters brawl.
"You want to go head-to-head?" Ash grinned. "Charizard, block with Dragon Claw and then use Seismic Toss!"
Charizard's claws glowed with a green light, slamming into Machamp and interrupting the Submission. It then grabbed Machamp's arms and took to the sky. After spinning three times in the air, Charizard hurled the Fighting type toward the ground with immense force. When the dust cleared, Machamp's eyes had turned into unconscious swirls.
The referee waved his flag. "Machamp is unable to battle! Charizard wins! The victor is Ash of Pallet Town!"
The entire stadium broke out into thunderous applause.
Not only had Ash advanced to the semifinals with a perfect 6-0 score, but he had also perfectly avenged Gary's earlier defeat.
Only two matches remained before he could claim the title of Indigo Plateau Conference Champion.
🚨 Note: Consider supporting this story on Patreon.com/kleinmoretti to access 100+ advance chapters and 2 new chapters daily! (Full story bundles also available without a subscription).