"Gary has really gotten stronger," Ash exclaimed, looking at the screen displaying Gary's victory as he walked out of the arena.
Pikachu, perched on his shoulder, agreed with a "Pika."
Xiao You and Brock followed behind him; the three had just finished watching Gary's and Xiao Huo's respective matches.
"Now it's your turn, Ash," Brock said, patting his shoulder. "Let's go to the registration hall to draw lots."
The registration hall was bustling with people, and the battle schedules for various venues were being updated in real-time.
Ash walked up to the self-service drawing machine, took a deep breath, and pressed the button to draw his opponent.
After a few blinks, the screen displayed the result: "Tomorrow, Ice Field, first match, opponent: Xiao Zheng."
"Ice Field?" Xiao You leaned in to look. "I remember the Pokémon Xiao Zheng uses are..."
"Nidorino, Cloyster, and Arcanine," Brock immediately interjected. His professional acumen as a Gym Leader meant he knew the contestants' information like the back of his hand.
Ash stroked his chin in thought: "Ice Field... Tentacruel should perform well, and Kabutops's Rock-type also has an advantage against Cloyster."
"You're planning to use two Pokémon against three? Xiao Zheng is not weak!" Xiao You asked in surprise.
"Yes, I trust them," Ash said with a confident smile. "Tentacruel and Kabutops, it's decided!"
That evening, at the Pokémon Center's training ground, Ash was conducting his final special training.
Tentacruel moved agilely in the simulated Ice Field environment, its tentacles gleaming with a cold light; Kabutops, meanwhile, was engaged in combat training with Brock's Onix, its sharp scythes cutting through the air with a piercing sound.
"The match is tomorrow, everyone get some good rest," Ash said, recalling his two Pokémon and gently patting their Poké Balls.
The next morning, the area around the Ice Field was already packed.
At the commentary booth, Kanto Champion Lance and Hoenn's star Coordinator Lucia were adjusting their equipment.
"Good morning, everyone!" Lance's deep voice echoed through the arena via the loudspeakers. "Today, we bring you the first match of the Ice Field, featuring Trainer Ash against Trainer Xiao Zheng!"
Lucia took the microphone, her voice sweet: "Yes, Trainer Ash has performed exceptionally well in previous matches, and I believe he will deliver an exciting battle today!" Her cheeks flushed slightly, and her gaze unconsciously drifted towards the contestant's entrance.
The live stream's bullet comments immediately exploded:
"Lucia's at it again."
"That look is too obvious."
"Champion Lance's expression is hilarious."
In the contestant waiting area, Xiao You and Brock found seats.
Brock took out his notebook to prepare for recording, while Xiao You nervously clenched her fists.
"Don't worry," Brock reassured her. "Ash has made thorough preparations."
Meanwhile, in Kalos, at Serena's home, Serena and her mother were sitting in front of the TV, the table laden with snacks and drinks.
"It's about to start!" Serena gripped a cushion nervously.
At Professor Oak's Laboratory, Professor Oak and a group of Pokémon were also gathered around the big screen, Pikachu's companions especially excited.
On the Ice Field, the cold was biting.
The entire field was covered in a thick layer of ice, with a sizable pool in the center, its surface covered by a thin layer of ice.
Ash and Xiao Zheng emerged from the contestant passages on either side, taking their positions in the command zones.
The referee raised the flag: "The match rules are 3v3. Both Trainers, please send out your first Pokémon!"
"Go, Nidorino!" Xiao Zheng was the first to throw his Poké Ball.
The purple Nidorino appeared on the ice, its sharp horn gleaming under the lights.
"Tentacruel, I choose you!" Ash's Poké Ball arced through the air.
The giant Tentacruel landed in the pool, the splashed water instantly crystallizing into ice.
The referee confirmed both sides were ready: "Tentacruel versus Nidorino, battle start!"
"Nidorino, use Poison Sting!" Xiao Zheng launched the first attack.
Nidorino's back spikes bristled, and dozens of purple Poison Sting shot towards Tentacruel in the water.
"Tentacruel, dive underwater!" Ash reacted quickly.
Tentacruel's massive body gracefully sank into the water, and all the Poison Sting hit the water's surface.
Lance's voice rang out: "Beautiful! Ash perfectly avoided the first wave of attacks by utilizing the field advantage!"
Lucia excitedly added: "Tentacruel moves incredibly fast in the water!"
"Don't get cocky! Nidorino, use Horn Attack on the water!" Xiao Zheng commanded.
Nidorino quickly charged towards the pool, its sharp horn striking the ice surface.
The ice cracked, and water splashed everywhere.
"Now, Tentacruel, Ice Beam!" Ash seized the opportunity.
Tentacruel leaped out of the water, and the ice-blue energy gathered in its mouth shot directly at the ice surface beneath Nidorino's feet.
Where the beam touched, the water instantly froze, firmly trapping Nidorino's limbs.
"Oh no!" Xiao Zheng's expression changed.
"Continue, Sludge Bomb!"
Tentacruel's tentacles gathered a purple Energy Ball, accurately hitting the immobile Nidorino.
After the smoke from the explosion cleared, Nidorino's eyes were spinning.
The referee raised the flag: "Nidorino is unable to battle, Tentacruel wins! Trainer Xiao Zheng, please switch your Pokémon."
"Great job!" Xiao You jumped up in the waiting area.
Brock, meanwhile, diligently recorded: "Using Ice Beam to restrict the opponent's movement, then delivering a fatal blow – an excellent strategy."
Xiao Zheng recalled Nidorino, his expression grim: "I didn't expect to be suppressed from the start... Go, Arcanine!"
The majestic Arcanine appeared on the field, its orange fur still flowing gracefully in the cold air.
Its breath condensed into Mist in the air.
The referee announced: "Tentacruel versus Arcanine, battle continue!"
"Arcanine, Flamethrower!" Xiao Zheng shouted.
Scorching flames erupted from Arcanine's mouth, directly striking Tentacruel.
The water surface instantly became shrouded in steam.
"Tentacruel, quickly dodge!" Ash urgently called out.
Tentacruel quickly dove underwater, but some of its tentacles were still scorched by the flames.
Steam enveloped the entire pool area.
"Arcanine, use Odor Sleuth!" Xiao Zheng continued to command.
Arcanine's nose twitched, then it suddenly turned to the right side of the pool: "Woof!"
"Now, Flame Wheel!"
Arcanine, engulfed in flames, charged at high speed towards Tentacruel's hiding spot.
The water surface evaporated, forcing Tentacruel to reveal itself.
"Tentacruel, grab it with your tentacles!" Ash tried to counterattack.
Several tentacles wrapped around Arcanine, but the high temperature of the flames caused Tentacruel immense pain.
"Overheat attack!" Xiao Zheng seized the opportunity.
Arcanine erupted with even more ferocious flames, and Tentacruel finally couldn't hold on, releasing its tentacles.
The referee announced: "Tentacruel is unable to battle, Arcanine wins! Trainer Ash, please switch your Pokémon."
Ash recalled Tentacruel, softly saying: "You worked hard, get some good rest."
Then he took out another Poké Ball: "Kabutops, it's your turn!"
The ancient Fossil Pokémon appeared on the ice, its sharp scythes reflecting the cold light.
A gasp of surprise rippled through the audience, but quickly subsided—after all, Fossil Pokémon were no longer rare.
Referee: "Kabutops versus Arcanine, battle now begins!"
"Arcanine, continue using Flamethrower!" Xiao Zheng pressed his advantage.
"Kabutops, Rock Tomb!" Ash quickly responded.
Kabutops swung its scythes, and several rocks rose from the ground, blocking the Flamethrower attack.
At the same time, some debris struck Arcanine.
"A brilliant counterattack!" Lance commented. "Kabutops's Rock-type is super effective against Arcanine!"
Lucia clasped her hands to her heart: "Trainer Ash's commands are just too cool!"
Live stream bullet comments:
"Here we go again."
"Lucia, can you please focus on the commentary? She completely stopped pretending after yesterday's Water Field."
"But Ash is indeed amazing."
"Arcanine, don't give it a chance, use Extreme Speed!" Sweat beaded on Xiao Zheng's forehead.
Arcanine transformed into an orange flash, instantly colliding with Kabutops.
But Kabutops was prepared, crossing its scythes in front of itself.
Although it was knocked back several meters, it did not sustain fatal damage.
"Now, Kabutops, Rock Tomb!" Ash seized the opportunity of Arcanine being close.
Kabutops's scythes on both arms glowed, and countless sharp stones shot at Arcanine from different angles.
Arcanine couldn't dodge in time and was hit repeatedly.
"Arcanine!" Xiao Zheng exclaimed.
Arcanine barely stood, but it was panting heavily.
"Final blow, X-Scissor!"
Kabutops spun at high speed, forming a cross-shaped energy blade that struck Arcanine directly.
Arcanine finally couldn't hold on and collapsed onto the ice.
Referee: "Arcanine is unable to battle, Kabutops wins! Trainer Xiao Zheng, please send out your last Pokémon."
Xiao Zheng recalled Arcanine, taking a deep breath: "Only one left... Cloyster, it's up to you!"
The hard Cloyster appeared on the field, its shell tightly closed, like a small fortress.
Referee: "Kabutops versus Cloyster, battle now begins!"
"Cloyster, use Withdraw!" Xiao Zheng adopted a defensive stance.
Cloyster's shell gleamed with a metallic sheen, its defense greatly increased.
"Kabutops, continuously use Slash!" Ash launched a fierce attack.
Kabutops's sharp scythes repeatedly slashed Cloyster's shell, but with little effect, only leaving a few white marks on the shell.
"Cloyster, Spike Cannon!" Xiao Zheng suddenly counterattacked.
Cloyster's shell suddenly opened, and countless sharp spikes shot towards Kabutops.
The distance was too close for Kabutops to fully dodge, and it was hit by some of the spikes.
"Kabutops!" Ash shouted worriedly.
Kabutops steadied itself, but was visibly injured.
"Cloyster, continue using Withdraw!" Xiao Zheng switched back to defense.
Lance analyzed: "Trainer Xiao Zheng has adopted a very conservative strategy, using Cloyster's high defense to deplete Kabutops's stamina."
Lucia looked worriedly at the field: "How will Trainer Ash respond?"
Ash wiped the sweat from his forehead, then suddenly smiled: "Kabutops, use Swords Dance!"
Kabutops began to spin and dance, greatly increasing its attack power.
"It's useless! Cloyster's defense isn't that easy to break through!" Xiao Zheng said confidently.
"Is that so?" A glint flashed in Ash's eyes. "Kabutops, use Rock Tomb on the ice!"
Kabutops suddenly changed its target, launching a rock attack at the ice beneath Cloyster's feet.
The ice cracked, and Cloyster fell into the water.
"What?!" Xiao Zheng was startled.
"Now, Kabutops, use X-Scissor with full power!"
Kabutops leaped into the water, and the spinning X-Scissor directly struck Cloyster underwater.
Water splashed everywhere, and Cloyster was sent flying into the air.
"Final blow, Slash!"
Kabutops leaped to pursue, its scythes accurately hitting Cloyster in the air.
Cloyster crashed heavily onto the ice, and a clear crack appeared on its shell.
After careful observation, the referee raised the flag: "Cloyster is unable to battle, Kabutops wins! Therefore, the winner is Trainer Ash!"
The entire arena erupted in enthusiastic applause and cheers.
Ash let out a long breath and ran towards Kabutops in the center of the field: "That was amazing! We won!"
Kabutops, tired but satisfied, touched Ash's outstretched hand.
Xiao Zheng also walked over and extended his hand: "A brilliant match, your tactical execution was outstanding."
Ash shook his hand: "You were also a very strong opponent, Arcanine's performance surprised me."
At the commentary booth, Lucia excitedly stood up: "That was incredible! Trainer Ash defeated three Pokémon with just two, demonstrating perfect tactical coordination!"
Lance smiled and added: "Indeed, it was a textbook demonstration of type advantage and field utilization."
In the waiting area, Xiao You and Brock high-fived in celebration.
Brock's notebook was already filled with tactical analysis: "Ash's final attack on the ice was a stroke of genius."
At Delia's home in Pallet Town, Serena and her mother hugged and cheered.
At Professor Oak's Laboratory, Professor Oak and Delia were also overjoyed by Ash's victory.
Ash recalled Kabutops and waved to the audience.
Pikachu jumped onto his shoulder, affectionately rubbing against his cheek.
The first match of the Ice Field concluded with Ash's victory.