The ten-minute break passed in a flash, and a hint of humid heat still lingered in the air, as if the intense battle of the first half was still echoing.
Ash took a deep breath, adjusting the Pokémon balls in his backpack; his heart was beating a little fast.
This was his first time participating in the Indigo League Conference, battling his way from his hometown Pallet Town to this point, every battle felt like a challenge to himself.
He glanced at A Wen opposite him.
A Wen was a calm girl, her hair tied in a ponytail, her eyes gleaming with determination.
She was a formidable opponent Ash had met on his journey, and this semi-final was no joke.
"Go, Ash!" a familiar voice came from the stands; it was Xiao You, Brock, Professor Oak, and others, all cheering with banners.
The camera in the live stream was focused on the arena, and the chat was already flooding with comments.
"Wow, the second half has started, go Ash!"
"A Wen looks so strong, Ash, don't be careless!"
The referee stood in the center of the field, raising a flag: "First round of the second half, now begin! Ash's Aerodactyl versus A Wen's Kilowattrel!"
Ash nodded, throwing out a Pokémon ball: "Go, Aerodactyl!"
Accompanied by an earth-shattering roar, a giant Aerodactyl emerged from the ball.
It spread its wide wings, the tips gleaming with a rock-like luster, and the ancient patterns on its body seemed to tell an ancient legend.
Ash knew that this Pokémon's Flying and Rock types would be a double-edged sword in this battle—Flying type was weak to Electric type, but Rock type could in turn suppress Kilowattrel's Flying type.
He silently calculated his tactics.
A Wen was not to be outdone, throwing out her own Pokémon ball: "Kilowattrel, it's your turn!"
As soon as Kilowattrel appeared, it circled in the air, its feathers flashing with blue electric light, and its flapping wings created gusts of wind pressure.
A Wen calmly commanded: "Kilowattrel, use Quick Attack to charge!"
Kilowattrel's speed was astonishing; it transformed into an electric arc and lunged directly at Aerodactyl.
Ash quickly shouted: "Aerodactyl, don't panic! Counter with Rock Tomb!"
Aerodactyl flapped its wings fiercely, summoning sharp rocks from the ground, which crashed towards Kilowattrel as if the earth's crust was cracking open.
Electricity and rocks collided in the air, erupting in dazzling sparks.
A gasp rose from the audience, and Ash's mother, Delia, nervously clutched her handkerchief: "Oh, Ash, you must be careful!"
"Aerodactyl's Rock type truly counters Kilowattrel!" Professor Oak commented from below, while Gary nodded: "But the Electric type's advantage shouldn't be underestimated; this battle will be intense."
The live stream chat exploded:
"Aerodactyl is so fierce! Rock Tomb directly blocked its path!"
"Kilowattrel's Quick Attack is too fast, Ash needs to find a way!"
The battle continued.
Kilowattrel dodged some of the rocks, and Quick Attack successfully hit Aerodactyl's wing.
Aerodactyl let out a pained roar, its body swaying, but it immediately countered: "Crunch! Bite directly!"
Aerodactyl opened its giant, fanged mouth and lunged at Kilowattrel.
Seeing this, A Wen hastily commanded: "Kilowattrel, dodge, then use Thunder Punch!"
Kilowattrel agilely twisted its body, avoiding the Crunch attack, while simultaneously striking Aerodactyl's head with a Thunder-clad fist.
The electric shock stiffened Aerodactyl's body; it barely flapped its wings, retreating a few steps.
Ash gritted his teeth: "Hold on, Aerodactyl! Use Dragon Pulse!"
Aerodactyl gathered power, unleashing a dragon-shaped energy wave from its mouth, heading straight for Kilowattrel.
A Wen frowned: "Kilowattrel, hold your ground, block with your wings, then counterattack!"
Kilowattrel's wings were hit by the energy wave, feathers scattered everywhere, and it let out a shriek, but immediately recovered, charging again with Quick Attack.
The two Pokémon tangled in the air, electric sparks and rock fragments flying everywhere.
The audience on the sidelines held their breath, and Xiao Huo couldn't help but shout: "This is so exciting! Ash, win this!"
Lucia and Serena also cheered: "Go A Wen, but Ash, don't lose either!"
Ash took a deep breath and shouted to Aerodactyl: "Encore, Stone Edge!"
Aerodactyl pulled up more sharp rocks from the ground, forming a stone wall to encircle Kilowattrel.
A Wen saw the unfavorable situation: "Kilowattrel, quickly use Quick Attack to break through!"
Kilowattrel accelerated towards the stone wall, but just as it broke through, Aerodactyl's Dragon Pulse was already ready.
The two forces collided in the air, and an explosive shockwave shook the entire arena.
After the dust settled, Aerodactyl and Kilowattrel both fell to the ground, covered in wounds.
The referee raised a flag: "Aerodactyl is unable to battle! Kilowattrel is also unable to battle! Both Trainers, please switch your Pokémon!"
Ash panted, recalling Aerodactyl's Pokémon ball: "You did great, Aerodactyl, take a rest."
A Wen also recalled Kilowattrel, smiling slightly: "Kilowattrel, you're the best.
I didn't expect a draw."
Below the stage, Xiao You jumped up excitedly: "Ash, you're amazing! Aerodactyl helped a lot!"
The live stream chat continued to scroll:
"A draw?! This is too intense!"
"Ash's tactics are brilliant, and A Wen is also good! The second round is coming!"
The referee announced the Pokémon change: "Ash, please switch your Pokémon.
A Wen, you may also choose to switch."
Ash nodded, taking out the next Pokémon ball from his backpack: "Next up is Dragonair!"
Dragonair appeared gracefully, its body shimmering with a pink glow; this was Ash's special partner.
Professor Oak and Gary in the audience showed no surprise, as this Shinny Dragonair had already been revealed in the live stream.
A Wen took a deep breath: "I'm sending out Dondozo!"
Dondozo was a strong Pokémon, covered in muscles, with fierce eyes.
The referee loudly announced: "Second round begins! Ash's Dragonair versus A Wen's Dondozo!"
Ash knew Dragonair's advantage; it was a Dragon-type Pokémon with diverse moves.
He gave the first command: "Dragonair, use Rain Dance first!"
Dragonair nodded, and the sky instantly became overcast, with heavy rain pouring down.
The rainwater hit the ground, forming a curtain of water.
A Wen frowned: "Dondozo, don't panic, charge in with a close-range attack!"
Dondozo lunged at Dragonair, but Dragonair nimbly dodged: "Now, use Dragon Pulse!"
A dragon-shaped energy burst from Dragonair's mouth, hitting Dondozo directly.
The rainwater made the attack even more powerful; Dondozo was knocked back a few steps, but it immediately countered: "Use Take Down!"
Ash shouted: "Dragonair, dodge, then use Dragon Dance!"
Dragonair danced gracefully in the rain, its stats instantly boosted.
It became faster and stronger.
A Wen gritted her teeth: "Dondozo, hold on! Use Power Gem!"
Dondozo gathered energy and fired a beam of light, but Dragonair easily dodged it and charged up in the rain: "Thunder!"
Due to the effect of Rain Dance, the Thunder move was guaranteed to hit.
Dragonair's lightning accurately struck Dondozo, whose body twitched, letting out a painful roar.
Below, Brock excitedly shouted: "Ash's Dragonair is so smart! Rain Dance plus Thunder, a perfect combination!"
Delia nervously asked Xiao Ying: "Xiao Ying, do you think Ash can win?" Xiao Ying smiled and said: "Of course, he's Xiao You's partner, he definitely can!"
The battle continued fiercely.
A Wen commanded Dondozo to use close combat, but Dragonair's Dragon Dance made every attack more effective.
Dragonair hit again with Dragon Pulse, and Dondozo finally couldn't hold on, falling to the ground.
The referee announced: "Dondozo is unable to battle! Dragonair wins! A Wen, please switch your Pokémon."
A Wen sighed, recalling Dondozo: "You did your best."
She turned to Ash: "Ash, you're getting stronger and stronger."
Ash wiped his sweat: "Thanks, A Wen.
Your Dondozo was also very powerful!"
The live stream chat flooded with comments:
"Dragonair's Rain Dance strategy is godly!"
"Ash won the second round, promotion is within sight!"
The third round began, and the atmosphere became even more tense.
The referee announced: "Third round begins! Ash's Pikachu versus A Wen's Skeledirge!"
Ash threw out a Pokémon ball: "Pikachu, go!"
As soon as Pikachu appeared, it let out an excited cry: "Pikachu!"
It met eyes with A Wen's starter Pokémon, Skeledirge.
Skeledirge was a giant crocodile Pokémon, covered in tough bone armor, looking incredibly formidable.
A Wen smiled: "Skeledirge, it's your turn! Attack with Torch Song!"
Skeledirge opened its large mouth, spewing several high-temperature flame sound waves directly at Pikachu.
Ash quickly commanded: "Pikachu, use Quick Attack to get the first strike!"
Pikachu's body was instantly enveloped in electric light, and it charged at Skeledirge with lightning speed, hitting a vital spot directly.
The electric shock stiffened Skeledirge's body, and Pikachu took the opportunity to retreat.
"Great job, Pikachu!" Ash encouraged.
Below the stage, Lucia and Serena shouted together: "Go Pikachu!"
A Wen was slightly surprised to see that Pikachu could use Surf, but she immediately took out a Terastallize Orb from her pocket.
This was a shining orb that could absorb Terastallize energy from the air.
She loudly said: "Skeledirge, I'm going to make you stronger! Terastallize Orb, activate!"
The Terastallize Orb shimmered in A Wen's hand, absorbing the surrounding energy, then she forcefully threw it at Skeledirge.
A rainbow light illuminated the entire arena, and Skeledirge was encased in crystal shards, its entire body gradually covered in crystals.
Its type changed, becoming a pure Ghost type.
The audience didn't show much surprise, as the four systems were commonly used worldwide, and Terastallize was nothing new.
The live stream chat also simply commented:
"A Wen used Terastallize! Skeledirge became Ghost type."
"Now the type advantage has changed, Pikachu needs to be careful."
Ash knew that Terastallize Ghost type was generally effective against Electric type, and Electric type was also generally effective against Ghost type.
He said to Pikachu: "Pikachu, don't panic! Use Swift to attack!"
Pikachu floated lightly, then swooped down fiercely towards Skeledirge.
Skeledirge tried to counter with a Ghost-type move, but Pikachu's attack made it flinch.
A Wen commanded: "Skeledirge, use Shadow Claw!"
The Terastallized Skeledirge swung its claws, imbued with ghostly energy, but Pikachu nimbly dodged and countered with Surf.
Pikachu infused the giant wave with electricity, crashing into Skeledirge and leaving it paralyzed.
"Hold on, Skeledirge!" A Wen shouted, but its Terastallized shell made it slow to move.
Pikachu seized the opportunity and attacked with Thunderbolt.
Due to Ash and Pikachu's deep bond, the electric shock was incredibly powerful and guaranteed to hit.
Thunderbolt hit Skeledirge, and its body trembled.
The referee announced: "Skeledirge is unable to battle! Pikachu wins!"
The Terastallized shell instantly shattered after Skeledirge was defeated, Release Terastallize.
A Wen recalled her Pokémon, sighing: "You did very well, Skeledirge."
She looked at Ash: "Congratulations, Ash.
You won."
Ash excitedly picked up Pikachu: "We did it! Thank you, Pikachu!"
He turned to A Wen and said: "You're also very strong, A Wen.
Next time, let's battle again!"
The entire venue erupted in cheers.
The friends and family rushed onto the stage; Delia was the first to run over and hug Ash tightly: "Son, you're amazing! Mom knew you could do it!"
Xiao You's mother, Xiao Ying, smiled and said: "My future son-in-law is truly incredible!" Xiao You blushed: "Mom, don't say such things!"
Professor Oak patted Ash's shoulder: "Ash, your growth makes me very happy.
The Indigo League Conference finals await you."
Gary and Xiao Huo stepped forward together: "Ash, good luck in the finals! We'll continue to support you!"
Lucia, Serena, and Xiao You also came up to hug Ash: "You're the best Trainer!"
Brock was the last to speak: "Don't forget me, Ash.
Keep up the good work in the finals!"
The live stream chat finally scrolled:
"Ash has advanced to the finals! So touching!"
"Looking forward to the finals, go Ash!"
Ash stood among the crowd, feeling everyone's warmth.
He knew this was just the beginning.
As someone participating in the Indigo League Conference for the first time, this victory made him even more confident that more challenges awaited him in the future.