237 The first clash

Rex lingered in the quiet chamber, where all motion seemed suspended, the humid air swirling in response to the rhythmic vibrations seeping into the core of the stadium. The source was unmistakable: the clamour of the crowd, their chants echoing around him, his name among them. Yet, he savoured the acclaim directed at Ash. The rookie trainer had performed beyond his expectations.

He was certain that if he hadn't been Ash's rival today, the boy would have breezed through the top 32 without breaking a sweat. Rex's leg twitched reflexively at the thought, eager for the challenge that lay ahead for his Pokémon. The thought of Scizor and Victreebell potentially facing defeat sent a thrilling surge through his veins.

"And now, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, Pokémon of all ages, I present to you his opponent, the rose that has bloomed magnificently under our adoration and the fierce spotlight of the arena, Rex Pierce!"

Doom-do-do-doom!

The crowd erupted, their cheers merging with the thunderous beat of drums, as all three hundred thousand eyes fixed on the blue entrance. There, a striking young man stepped into the limelight, his appearance a contrast of moonlit brilliance and vibrant neon that danced on his skin. His white hair shimmered like a constellation, while his black suit appeared as a deep void absorbing all light.

He waved back at the sea of hands waving frantically in the stands, their enthusiasm etching a genuine smile on his face, overwhelmed by the adoration, expectation, and hope they held for him. His strides took him to the edge of the metal ramp, which overlooked a vast chasm. Across the gap, a cheerful youth bounced from foot to foot, waving energetically at Rex.

Rex chuckled as he watched Pikachu cling desperately to his trainer, eventually losing patience and zapping Ash into a charred, smoking figure. Shaking his head with a smile of satisfaction, Rex thought to himself, 'He hasn't changed at all.' His grin broadened as Ash quickly composed himself.

"Rex!" Ash called out, waving again with a broad grin, "we finally made it! This time I'm definitely going to beat you!"

Rex's grin turned mischievous, a spark lighting up his eyes. He raised a fist in front of him and clenched it tightly. "Make it happen, Ash. I need you to make it happen," he declared, his hand clutching the fabric over his heart, tugging it gently. "Make my heart race," he added, observing as Ash's expression mirrored his own, Pikachu bristling with determination and crackling with electricity.

"WOW! It's a long-standing rivalry!" James exclaimed with palpable excitement. "I don't know about you, but I'm shivering with anticipation. Let's not wait any longer—let's get this battle underway. Which battlefield will we have the honour of witnessing today?"

The screens above the stadium flickered to life, capturing the attention of both competitors and the crowd as they watched the wheel spin and abruptly stop, eliciting a collective gasp from the spectators.

James burst into laughter, announcing, "And there we have it, folks! Their battle will unfold... in the forest battlefield!"

The stadium trembled and groaned as a stage rose from the depths of the chasm, a dense canopy of trees sprouting to fill the void. A single narrow path linked the two sides of the battlefield. Through the thick foliage, Rex could still glimpse Ash. Acting instinctively, he seized the first Pokéball. "Give 'em hell," he murmured, tossing it into the air. The ball exploded into a spectacle of fireworks that echoed those illuminating the stadium sky, as Scizor appeared, hovering silently. He nodded at Rex then shifted his focus to Ash, who stood frozen in surprise. Rex caught the returning Pokéball as it flew past his ear and secured it back on his belt.

Ash snapped out of his stupor, a wild grin spreading across his face. He grabbed a Pokéball from his belt, which expanded in his hand. He threw it into the air and caught it again as Pikachu darted into the forest, standing in a clearing.

"Pika pika-CHU~!" A surge of electricity rippled through the woods, causing the barriers to shimmer.

Rex watched, a wild grin on his face, his hands trembling with the thrill of the battle to come.

James chuckled with delight, "And here we go, the legendary Scizor versus the electric marvel, Pikachu. Battle... START!" At the sound of the horn, Scizor vanished, reappearing instantly behind Pikachu as its fur rippled from the shockwave, Scizor's scythe poised to strike.

Rex waited for Ash's command, but it never came. Pikachu reacted on its own, transforming into a streak of yellow lightning and zipping into the forest. It darted from branch to branch, then soared into the sky, unleashing a massive thunderbolt that was already closing in on Scizor.

Rex burst into laughter, his eyes widening in anticipation as he watched Scizor engulfed by the thunderbolt, a cloud of smoke marking the impact.

The smoke cleared, revealing Scizor unscathed, its metallic exoskeleton shimmering with a residual electric charge. The crowd gasped, a murmur of disbelief rippling through the stadium. Rex's grin widened; Scizor had used its Protect move at the last possible second, a near-invisible barrier deflecting the brunt of Pikachu's thunderbolt.

Ash's eyes sparkled with excitement, a silent nod acknowledging the clever defence. "Not bad, Rex! But let's see how you handle this!" he shouted. Pikachu, still charged with energy, landed deftly on the forest floor. Its cheeks sparked wildly as it executed a dazzling manoeuvre, darting toward Scizor with an agility that belied the power it was about to unleash.

"Pikachu, Double Team!" Ash commanded. In a blur, multiple copies of Pikachu appeared, each one identical and moving with synchronized precision. The Pikachus encircled Scizor, darting in and out, a whirlwind of yellow and black that disoriented not only Scizor but the audience as well.

Rex's smile thinned, recognizing the complexity of the challenge. "Scizor, Swords Dance!" he called out. Scizor's blades whirred into motion, each movement precise and graceful, building its attack power amidst the chaos of clones.

The multiple Pikachus simultaneously launched towards Scizor, each one preparing a Quick Attack. Just as they converged, Rex shouted, "Now, hurricane!" Scizor's jetpack rumbled at high frequency, unleashing a powerful flame that melted the earth beneath him, creating a gust that swept through the clearing, disrupting Pikachu's Double Team and revealing the true one as the illusions dissipated.

The real Pikachu, slightly taken aback by the sudden exposure, didn't miss a beat. "Electro Ball!" Ash cried. Pikachu, re-gathering its energy, front-flipped and summoned a massive orb of crackling electricity, hurling it with pinpoint accuracy. The orb sped towards Scizor, growing in intensity.

"Counter it, Blazing Scythe!" Rex commanded. Scizor's front scythe ignited with a fierce, fiery glow, slicing through the air and striking the Electro Ball. The collision resulted in a spectacular explosion, sending a shockwave throughout the forest arena. Leaves fluttered down around them like a gentle rain, the air filled with the scent of scorched earth and ozone.

Scizor emerged from the smoke, slightly charred. "Sci-ZOR!" the Pokémon growled.

Pikachu, sparkled with lightning, "CHUUUU!" the mouse shook off the minor debris and prepared for another round. Ash's tactical play was clear; he was pushing Scizor to its limits, testing its endurance against Pikachu's relentless speed and agility.

"Let's shake things up, Pikachu! Iron Tail!" Ash's command rang out clearly. Pikachu's tail took on a metallic sheen as it leapt high, aiming a devastating blow at Scizor.

"Intercept with X-Scissor!" Rex countered instantly. Scizor crossed its scythes, meeting Pikachu's tail with a clash of metal against metal, sparks flying upon impact.

"Pikachu, use Agility!" Ash called out, his voice cutting through the clamour of the crowd. Instantly, Pikachu's movements became a blur, zigzagging around Scizor with such speed that even Rex found it hard to track.

"Scizor, keep up with Double Team!" Rex countered. In a flash, multiple images of Scizor appeared, each mirroring the original's movements, creating a confusing array of targets.

Pikachu darted in and out, its agile form weaving through the illusions, seeking its real opponent. Ash, observing the pattern, grinned. "Now, Thunder!" he yelled. Pikachu skidded to a halt, its body channelling the raw power of the atmosphere, calling down a colossal bolt of lightning.

Scizor, surrounded by its duplicates, focused intently, the real one subtly shifting position to minimize the impending impact. "Protect!" Rex commanded just as the electric torrent descended. A shimmering shield enveloped Scizor, but the power was overwhelming, the shield flickering under the immense energy.

The lightning struck, a brilliant flash illuminating the entire forest, followed by a thunderous roar. When the light dimmed, Scizor was visible, slightly bowed but still standing, its protective barrier cracked but holding. The replicated images had vanished, unable to withstand the electric onslaught.

Taking advantage of the moment, Rex pushed for a counterattack. "Now, Blazing Scythe!" he shouted. Scizor's scythe reignited, blazing with intense fire as it charged towards the stunned Pikachu.

Ash's eyes widened, realizing the peril. "Dodge it, Pikachu!" he called desperately. But the fatigue from the repeated high-energy manoeuvres slowed Pikachu just enough. Scizor's blazing scythe struck true, landing a fierce blow that sent Pikachu tumbling across the battlefield.

The crowd gasped as Pikachu lay on the ground, its body smoking and twitching from the impact and residual electricity. Ash clenched his fists, his face a mix of concern and resolve. "Pikachu, can you stand?" he asked, his voice thick with emotion.

Pikachu struggled, pushing itself up on shaky legs, its determined cry, "Pika!" ringing out as a defiant declaration that it was not yet defeated.

Scizor, too, showed signs of wear, its movements slower and more deliberate after the exchange of powerful blows.

Ash nodded, lifting his cap in a characteristic gesture of determination. "Pikachu, one more thunder," he punched the air, "give it everything you've got!"

As Pikachu's energy surged, crackling with the intensity of a brewing storm, Rex's eyes narrowed, focusing on the pivotal moment. "Scizor, Fell Stinger, now!" he commanded, his voice resonating with unwavering resolve.

Scizor responded with a fierce cry, a wave of green aura exploding out from his body and wrapping around him. Its blades glowed ominously, pulsing with dark energy as it charged headlong towards Pikachu, slicing through the thickening air charged with electric power.

Pikachu unleashed thunder, a massive torrent of electricity streaking across the battlefield like a living entity of raw power. The crowd held their breath as the two forces collided, Scizor's darkened blades colliding against the wall of blinding light, a spectacle of pure elemental fury.

The impact was monumental, sending shockwaves rippling through the forest arena, uprooting trees and earth alike. Scizor, enveloped in electric tendrils, pushed forward with sheer force of will, its blades finding their mark as he flew past. The collision caused an eruption of light, its thunderous roar echoing over the gasps of the crowd.

There was a heart-stopping silence as the electric glow faded, revealing the two Pokémon in the aftermath of their clash. Scizor faltered, its strength waning. With a slow, agonizing motion, it fell to one knee, his blades still emanating a faint dark glow. The audience gasped, a collective intake of breath filling the charged atmosphere.

Pikachu, struck squarely by the Fell Stinger, trembled from the residual electric energy and the force of the blow. It stood motionless, eyes wide with shock and fatigue, before letting out a pained cry, "Pika-chu..." Its legs buckled, and it collapsed to the ground, unconscious, a hush falling over the stadium.

The referee examined Pikachu with a critical eye from the side, before raising a blue flag, "Pikachu is unable to battle, Scizor is the winner!" The crowd exploded with applause.

Ash rushed forward, concern etched deeply on his face, calling out to his beloved Pokémon. "Pikachu!" His voice cracked, filled with a mix of worry and admiration for the fierce battle it had fought.

The small Pokémon called out softly through half lidded eyes, causing Ash to smile appreciatively. He walked back to his spot and stared at Rex, his spirit still roaring for more.

"And there we have it folks, the first win of the battle goes to Rex and his Scizor. That is not to say Pikachu did not perform exceptionally, after all, this is the most damage Scizor has ever take." James said passionately.