144 Kanto - Indigo Plateau

Ash had fun at the ball, he had danced with almost everyone he knew, at least once before going outside to catch his breath. Lucario who was dressed up in white and blue dress pants and a hat joined him there with the some of the other Pokemon. His Charizard was mingling with his parents who were brought to the ball by Red and Lance and the three of them made quite a sight. Most reporter's focus was on the three fire lizards who were growling, hissing, rumbling and purring.

Lucario had informed Ash Charizard was telling his parents that he was grounded, why he was grounded and how he won his title as a Champion Pokemon. His parents were unhappy he was grounded but pleased by his success and how far he had come. Ash gave a sigh of relief, he didn't realize he needed to hear that till he heard it. He gave a grin before posting that little tid bit in their group chat only for it to blow up before leaving.

Ash decided to leave when he noticed Banette getting agitated, not to forget they had a battle the next day. Gary nodded as he left and slowly Misty left, then Gou and Paul followed by Ritchie and finally Chloe. Tomo stuck close to Gary as he talked to some of the other trainers who were interested in the Arcanine line. Growlithe and Arcanine were standing beside him the whole time giving warning growls whenever someone came closer than necessary. Tomo left with Jessilina once she had finished scouting and sounding put some of the trainers who were not part of top sixteen but made it to the League.

The next day it was time for the battles, Misty was up against Paul. Jessilina against another poison type specialist called Assistants. And Ash just like in the anime storyline was battling against Ritchie who grinned. There were other participants too and one of the surprise participants was Ethan, Gold's younger brother. Ash was shocked but shook himself out of it, of course they'll be different people.

Ash gave a smirk, "May the best trainer win!"

Ritchie, "You're going down!"

Ash, "We'll see!"

Misty, "Don't think I'll go easy on you just because we are friends!"

Paul gave a huff, "I'll be insulted if you did."

Jessilina laughed as she walked out, "Let's do our best."

Announcer, "Welcome folks to the Top sixteen finals. After this is over we'll be having our top eight contenders. Now let's start by welcoming our first participants. As they say, Ladies first!"

Jessilina walked in and the crowd cheered, "I'm here to win."

Assunta, "You are going down!"

Announcer, "Remover this is a three on three battle, the last Pokemon to remain standing wins the match."

Jessilina, "Go Dustox!"

Assunta, "Go Venomoth!"

Announcer, "Begin!"

Jessilina, "Acrobatics!"

Assunta, "Agility!"

The two bug types used activate and agility to attack and fly around each other. Ash half thought if this was a contest, Jessilina would be winning. Dustox was using not only acrobatic but also aerial ace to keep ahead of her opponent.

Jessilina, "Now!"

Before Assunta could guess what was happening Dustox attacked using hyperbeam which hit Venomoth.

Assunta, "Venomoth!"

Announcer, "Venomoth is unable to battle! Dustox wins the match."

Assunta clenched her fist before relaxing, "Return Venomoth, thank you for the battle. I choose Tentacruel!"

Misty, "That Tentacruel is ripped!"

Ritchie, "How can you tell?"

Misty, "See the bright coral bulges on his head and the large stinger? If the colour is the shade of coral that means Tentacruel is healthy and the large stinger is one of his strongest defense."

Ash, "That's cool! Your Tentacool also evolved right?"

Misty, "Just two days ago, she's still getting used to the new body. And she's not mine per say.... "

Ash, "You didn't catch her yet?"

Misty, "Not yet, I will after the League though."

Ritchie, "Why not now?"

Misty, "One she is one of V's kids, two she was not supposed to evolve so early. It was an accident. Three her health worries me."

Gou, "What happened exactly?"

Misty, "There were a bunch of thieves who snuck in to steal some Pokemon. The little one V kept aside for me fought against them and forced herself to evolve."

Chloe, "Isn't that dangerous?"

Misty nodded in frustration, "It is, she already went through two operations to make sure she doesn't accidentally poison herself."

Assunta, "Use water gun!"

Jessilina, "Double energy ball!"

Dustox used energy ball which collided with the water gun before he flew behind Tentacruel and used another energy ball to attack. Tentacruel managed to dodge at the last minute before Dustox used U turn to return herself.

Jessilina grinned, "Come on Gulpin!"

Gulpin, "Gul!"

Jessilina, "Sludge!"

Assunta, "Water pulse!"

The water pulse and sludge hit and the Pokemon attacked each other again and again.

Assunta, "Poison jab!"

Jessilina, "Solar beam!"

The poison jab and solar beam hit both Pokemon. They stood looking at each other for a while before falling.

Announcer, "Gulpin and Tentacruel are unable to battle. Choose your next Pokemon!"

Assunta, "Let's go Ivysaur!"

Jessilina, "Time to shine my beautiful Salazzle!"

Announcer, "Begin!"

Assunta, "Vine whip!"

Jessilina, "Fire lash!"

The flame whip burned the vine whip away making Ivysaur wince at it.

Assunta, "Razor leaf!"

Jessilina, "Incinerate!"

Safe to say Salazzle dominated her opponent very easily. Ivysaur the poor girl didn't stand a chance against the more experienced female battler. Jessilina and another trainer went to the next round very easily. Next was Ash vs Ritchie and Misty vs Paul matches. Ash walked to his arranged area excited to battle and the announcer repeated what was said earlier.

Announcer, "Let's welcome our next set of participants."

Ash, "Don't go easy on me!"

Ritchie, "Right back at ya."

Announcer, "Choose your Pokemon!"

Ritchie, "Go Happy!"

Ash, "Beedrill let's go!"

Announcer, "Begin!"

Ritchie, "Happy agility!"

Ash, "Beedrill quick attack!"

The two bug types flew fast and attached each other very ferociously. Both Pokemon were evenly matched before Beedrill attacked using poison needles as well. Happy had quite some hard time dodging the poisoned pin pricks the large bee Pokemon was attacking him with.

Ritchie, "Air slash!"

Ash, "Solar beam!"

As Butterfree attacked using air slash Beedrill dodged before shooting the solar beam she had prepared. The solar beam hit Happy just as air slash hit Beedrill. Both Pokemon fell to the ground before Beedrill righted herself and hovered above the field.

Announcer, "Butterfree Happy is unable to battle. Beedrill is the winner."

Ritchie, "Return Happy, thanks for the tough battle."

Ash, "I'm surprised you called Happy back."

Ritchie, "Professor Ivy was a great help. Now I choose Lily."

Grovyle appeared, "Gro!"

Ash, "Think you can keep going?"

Beedrill nodded, "Bzzzz!"

Announcer, "Begin!"

Ritchie, "Leaf blade!"

Ash, "Twin needle!"

Beedrill and Lily jumped at each other using needles and blades. They held the other Pokemon back using their weapon like appendages. Beedrill buzzed before using agility to break up the hold and attacking again. Lily not wanting to back down attacked with all her strength as well.

Ritchie, "Now use solar beam."

Ash, "Use hyper beam!"

The two Pokemon attacked when they were still a few inches away from each other creating an explosion. The dust from the explosion soon settled to show the two Pokemon were down and unconscious.

Announcer, "We have a double knock out, both Lily the Grovyle and Beedrill are unable to battle. Ash is on the lead with only one Pokemon down trainers choose your next Pokemon."

Ritchie, "Return Lily."

Ash, "Return Beedrill. Lily just evolved right?"

Ritchie, "Two weeks ago."

Ash, "And she is already able to go toe to toe with my Beedrill. She's going to become one hell of a power house once she settles in her new form completely."

Ritchie smiled, "Yeah! She took out Beedrill like a boss, I can't wait. Your turn Zippo!"

Zippo roared excited, "Zarrrrrrrrrrrd!"

Ash grinned, "I choose you Blastoise!"

Blastoise, "Blast!"

Announcer, "Begin!"

Ritchie, "Flamethrower!'

Ash, "Water gun!"

Announcer, "And we have a battle between two Legendary starters final evolution!"

The two attacks dispersed in vapour around the field and the fire and water type looked at each other.

Ash, "Rapid spin!"

Ritchie, "Fire spin!"

It was an interesting sight to watch fire spin and a spinning shell clash. Like two different colour giant Frisbees colliding against each other. It was quiet the funny yet terrifying sight to behold.

Ash, 'We could get crushed by that!'

Lucario who was ever vigilant by Ash's side, 'Indeed!'

Ash, 'Ah! Did I project again?'

Lucario, 'Yup, sure did Meema! Don't worry, it means you are healing.'

Ritchie, "Inferno!"

Ash, "Water pulse!"

The water pulse and inferno was both dodged by the two Pokemon before they started a round of attacks and dodging. Blastoise looked like he was enjoying himself which Ash decided was what mattered. Even Zippo looked happy and excited to be battling a stronger opponent who did not faint at the sight of him.

Ritchie, "Seismic toss!"

Ash, "Withdraw!"

Zippo grabbed Blastoise and went for a seismic toss Wheb Ash grinned, "Hydro pump!"

Blastoise gave a smirk as he aimed one of his cannons as Zippo's face and shot him with high velocity water. Both Pokemon separated and started to fall before Blastoise aimed downwards and shot hydro pump which created a mud pool. The shell Pokemon splashed into the mud while Zippo managed to correct his flight mid way and land safely.

Ritchie, "You okay Zippo?"

Zippo nodded after shaking his head, "Zard!"

Blastoise gave a smug look before taking out the brand new glasses he had received from Ash a few weeks ago. It was a celebratory gift for being the first Squirtle among the Squirtle Squad to evolve fully.

Ash, "Aqua jet!"

Ritchie, "Zippo heat wave!"

Blastoise used water gun to avoid the attacks and used aqua jet to fly around his opponent.

Ritchie, "Wait for it!"

Blastoise headed straight for Zippo and Ritchie shouted, "Now flare blitz!"

Blastoise hit Zippo, just as Zippo used flare blitz on him. Both Pokemon collided using their strongest attacks before separating from the other. The two observed each other before falling unconscious.

Announcer, "Zippo the Charizard and Blastoise are unable to battle. As Ash still has one healthy Pokemon left, he has won the match and will move on to the top eight finalists."

The crowd screamed as both Ash and Ritchie returned their down Pokemon. They nodded at each other and headed to the centre. Ash thumbed the last pokeball and gave a smile feeling the frustration. As soon as he reached the centre Wigglytuff came out and pouted at him.

Ash, "Don't worry Wigglytuff! Next round I'll choose you first okay?"

Wigglytuff puffed up before sighing and nodding, "Wiggly!"

Ritchie, "That was an intense battle! I want to battle you again."

Ash grinned, "Of course Ritchie. We can have a six on six battle!"

Ritchie, "Hey Misty's battle with Paul is still going on."

Ash, "She's going strong only one Pokemon on both sides."

Misty, "Starmie rapid spin!"

Paul, "Azumarill mega punch! Make it count."

Azumarill nodded and got mega punch ready and waited for Starmie to come closer to her and she moved. Azumarill twisted her body before bringing the powerful mega punch down on Starmie. Starmie was hit right in the middle of the gem that caused him to fall to the battlefield.

Announcer, "Starmie is unable to battle, Azumarill wins the match! Paul will be one of the top right finalist!"

Misty sighed, "Return Starmie! Well at least we made it to top sixteen!"

Misty walked to the centre, "Ash, Ritchie! Hey!"

Ritchie gave her a one armed hug, "Hey chin up! At least we made it to top sixteen tight?"

Misty gave a huff, "Yeah! I'm guessing Ash won."

Ash, "Yup! It was a close battle!"

Ritchie, "Close battle he says!"

Paul, "I want to battle you next Ash!"

Ash, "If our luck will allow it!"

On the screen they were congratulating Ethan on winning his match before they announced the match ups between the eight contenders:

Jessilina vs Katie

Ash vs Paul

Ethan vs Georgia

Tyson vs Gavin

Ash was surprised to see Tyson pop up, he had not seen nor noticed him during his stay here at all. He looked younger than his anime counterparts too. He turned to grin at Paul who smirked back at him on seeing the match up. The next battle rounds would be fun indeed!