As Wartortle's precisely aimed Water Gun struck Nidorino, the referee's flag came down sharply.
"Nidorino is unable to battle! Wartortle wins! Therefore, the winner is Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town!"
The second round battle on the Rock Field ended with Ash's victory.
The audience erupted into enthusiastic applause. Ash's excellent command and Wartortle's tenacity earned widespread recognition.
"Good job, Wartortle." Ash gently touched the Poké Ball. "Next, we need to prepare for the third match."
After consecutive battles, the Pokémon had consumed a great deal of stamina.
Ash decided to head to the Pokémon Center for treatment.
However, when he arrived, he found the place already packed with trainers who had just finished their matches.
"Looks like we'll have to wait at least an hour," Brock said, looking at the long line.
At that moment, a strange woman dressed in a nurse uniform approached them. "Trainers, we've set up a temporary recovery station nearby. No need to wait in line. Would you like to come take a look?"
Ash's Aura immediately sensed something off. This "nurse" was giving off a familiar presence, it was Team Rocket in disguise.
He nodded calmly. "Sure, our Pokémon could use some quick recovery."
On the way to the so called "temporary recovery station," Ash subtly signaled Misty and Brock.
They immediately understood and prepared for any sudden situation.
The so called "recovery station" was actually a trap disguised as a medical tent.
Inside were several modified healing machines, while Jessie and James pretended to operate the equipment.
"Please place your Poké Balls here," Jessie said, trying her best to imitate Nurse Joy's gentle tone.
Ash suddenly smiled. "Team Rocket, your acting is still as terrible as ever."
"What?!" The trio was shocked.
Ash calmly sat down. "I recognized you long ago. But this works out, I really do need a break. Waiting at the real Pokémon Center takes too long."
Team Rocket exchanged confused glances, completely unprepared for this development.
Ash actually closed his eyes and began resting, as if he did not care about their presence at all.
"Since we've been exposed, we won't hold back!" Jessie tore off her disguise in frustration. "Hand over all your Pokémon!"
Ash did not even open his eyes. "Pikachu, Thunderbolt."
A flash of golden light struck, and Team Rocket once again experienced the feeling of blasting off.
"What an terrible feeling!"
As he waited, Ash continued studying the upcoming match schedule.
"The third match is on the Ice Field. My opponent is a trainer named Pete Pebbleman," Ash said while checking the information. "He specializes in Ice and Water type Pokémon."
Misty looked worried. "The Ice Field is really disadvantageous for us, especially for Kingler and Pikachu."
"That's exactly the test," Ash replied with a smile. "Besides, I plan to let a new partner take the stage."
The next day, the Ice Field was covered in a thick layer of ice, and the temperature around it was noticeably lower than the other arenas.
Pete's first Pokémon was Cloyster. It clung tightly to the ice surface, its shell shut firmly as it prepared to face any incoming attack.
"Kingler, I choose you!" Ash sent out his recently evolved partner.
Cloyster launched Icicle Spear, a barrage of sharp ice spikes shooting toward Kingler.
Ash remained calm. "Use Crabhammer to smash the icicles, then close the distance!"
Kingler swung its massive claws, shattering the incoming spikes one by one.
However, moving on the ice was difficult, and several of its follow up attacks were dodged by Cloyster.
"Cloyster, use Shell Smash!" Pete commanded.
Cloyster's shell suddenly opened, and its speed and power surged dramatically.
It followed up with a powerful Icicle Crash, forcing Kingler back several steps.
"Kingler, don't give up!" Ash encouraged. "Remember what we practiced during training!"
Kingler suddenly changed tactics, slamming its claws into the ice and creating a spray of shattered frost.
Under the cover of the icy mist, it quickly closed in on Cloyster and landed a precise Crabhammer straight on its weak point.
"Cloyster is unable to battle!"
Pete's second Pokémon was Arcanine.
Facing a Fire type opponent, Ash decisively switched to Pikachu.
"Arcanine, use Flamethrower!" Pete shouted.
"Pikachu, dodge with Quick Attack!"
Pikachu slid nimbly across the ice, skillfully taking advantage of the terrain.
A Thunderbolt struck true, but Arcanine endured it with sheer stamina.
"Now, Flare Blitz!" Pete called out.
Arcanine's body became engulfed in flames as it charged forward at incredible speed. Ash stayed composed.
"Pikachu, jump into the air and use Iron Tail!"
Pikachu leapt into the air, its tail glowing with a metallic sheen as it collided head on with Arcanine.
The clash of power erupted above the ice, and in the end, Arcanine was the first to fall.
Now it was time for Pete's final Pokémon.
He sent out Seel, while Ash made a decision that shocked the entire stadium, he sent out a red Gyarados.
When the massive Shiny Pokémon appeared on the Ice Field, the audience burst into an uproar.
The red Gyarados let out a roar that made the ice itself tremble.
"W… what kind of Pokémon is that?" Pete was clearly shaken. After a moment of confusion, he finally recognized it. "Th… that's a Gyarados?!"
"Gyarados, use Dragon Rage!" Ash commanded.
The red Gyarados unleashed a blazing breath from its mouth, instantly melting part of the ice field.
Seel tried to counter with Ice Beam, but under Gyarados's overwhelming pressure, the attack lost much of its power.
In the end, a powerful Water Gun brought the battle to a close.
Once again, Ash secured a flawless three to zero victory on the Ice Field.
A/N: In just a few more matches, he would encounter Ritchie. For Ash, the real challenge might come in the rounds beyond the Top 16, since there was little to reference. He would have to think it through carefully.
....