Chapter 4 "Welcome, Ladies and Gentlemen to the Ever Grande Festival Final for what looks to be a stunning display of pokemon battling. We have as the red trainer, Samantha from Olivine City in Johto facing off against the Green trainer, Ash from Pallet Town in Kanto. As these two titains of battling approach their boxes, the referee has started the computer to choose which trainer will show their first pokemon...and it will be the Green trainer, Ash who will reveal his pokemon first to battle on the first of two terrains, the rock arena." "Go, Swellow!" "Swe-e-low!" "And Ash's first pokemon is his Swellow! ... and Samantha has decided to begin with her Combusken!" "Alright Swellow, let's begin things with an Aerial Ace!" Swellow looped around a pillar of rock before shooting towards the opposing Combusken. "Combusken, Sky Uppercut!" Samantha called out with lightning speed. The pokemon jumped up in the air to collide dead on with Swellow's head, causing the two pokemon to re-bound off each other. "Quick Attack!" "Dodge it!" Swellow used his faster Aerial Ace to avoid being hit by the speedy Combusken, who changed attack to Sky Uppercut at the request of his trainer, hitting Swellow straight on. "Swe-e-low!" he cried as he fell back to earth. "Come on Swellow, get back up!" instructed Ash, watching his pokemon hurtle to earth. "Get in position for a Fire Punch!" called Samantha across the arena as Combusken shot forward to stand directly beneath where Swellow was destined to land. "Peck Attack!" called Ash, an idea comming to his head, hoping that Swellow would be too fast for his opponent and be able to dodge the Fire Punch and use the speed from his fall to his advantage. The result was too quick for anyone to see who's attack had made it's mark and the two birds were hidden from sight by large billows of smoke, that, when cleared allowed everyone a view of the panting Combusken who had moved out of Swellow's way, letting him hit the ground before smashing into him from the side. "No! Swellow!" "Swellow is unable to battle, Combusken wins." announced the referee, holding up the red flag. "Swellow return, let's finish this one, Cawphish, go!" "Cawphish Caw!" said the lobster pokemon, waving his claws up and down. "Combusken, Flamethrower!" "Use Crabhammer to deflect the flames!" Cawphish's claws glowed white and forced the flames away from himself, charring the rock pillar next to it. "Now Bubblebeam!" "Caw caw caw caw caw!" he said as he fired the stream of bubbles straight at his opponent. "Dodge it!" Combusken hid behind a pillar of rock. "Quick Attack!" "Crabhammer!" Two pokemon hit for another head to head, but this time it was Combusken who was unable to battle. "This will stop ya, Ivysaur, go!" "Sauuuuuuuuuuur!" and the monsterous pokemon appeared before the assembled crowd. "Ivysaur, grab Cawphish with your Vine Whip!" she commanded. "Deflect again with Crabhammer!" Cawphish's claws sent Ivysaur's vines soaring wildly off course. However Ivysaur circled her vines around a pillar of rock and grabbed Cawphish from behind, making his eyes bug from the unexpected attack. "Now pull it round that pillar and send it into the air!" laughed Samantha, pleased about well the match was going. CRASH! rock flew everywhere as Cawphish was rammed through a solid pillar before being flung downwards. "Cawphish, vicegrip those vines!" "Sauuuuuur!" cried Ivysaur in anguish as her vines were caught in the strong vicegrip. In reaction she retracted her vines away from Cawphish, an expression of intense pain across her face, illustrating her discomfort. "Ivysaur," called Samantha through gritted teeth, feeling the pain caused to her pokemon as keenly as though she had been the recipient of the attack herself, "Petal Dance then Raozor Leaf!" "Ivy, ivy ivy saur!" she said as she launched the two attacks in quick succession to merge in the air, heading straight for Cawphish. "Oh wow, that's so beautiful! she could be a really good at contests if she wanted to!" commented May, awed by the beauty while the others looked on, worried how Ash was going to counter the super effective attacks. "Cawphish, Harden!" called out Ash, the defensive attack deflecting the offensive attack. "Now, Crabhammer!" "Dodge it!" Ivysaur moved with more speed that expected to hide behind a large rock, causing the brilliant white, glowing claws to smash straight into the rock, exposing the hidden pokemon. "Vicegrip!" Cawphish grabbed Ivysaur by her ear and a leaf, causing her to roar with pain. "Ivysaur, use your vines to get it away!" Samantha called frantically as the tables of victory seemed to have been altered. Ivysaur smashed her vines into Cawphish's side, sending Cawphish flying across the arena to smash through three rock pillars in succession, a leaf from Ivysaur's bulb still clenched in his claws. Ivysaur roared in pain and her loss. Cawphish sank down the last pillar to the ground, motionless. "Cawphish is unable to battle" announced the umpire, "Ivysaur wins!" holding up the red flag of Samantha. "Cawphish, return, well done buddy!" he praised his pokemon in his ball before reaching behind him at retrieving another ball from his belt. "Glalie, I choose you!" "Gla-a-a-a-alie!" shivered the pokemon as it emerged onto the battle arena. "Glalie, let's start things off with an Ice Beam!" "Razor Leaf!" The razor leaves flying at Glalie were frozen solid, falling to the ground. "Now petal dance!" Beautiful pink petals swirled from the bulb on Ivysaur's back towards Glalie. "Icy Wind then Headbutt!" Glalie shot forwards through the swirling winds of ice straight for Ivysaur who dodged the headbutt attack, but was hit by the icy wind, making her stumble. "Now, Ice Beam!!!" called Ash, pointing straight at Ivysaur who didn't have a chance, weakened as she was by the icy wind attack and therefore "Ivysaur is unable to battle, Glalie wins!" causing Glalie to laugh and do a few loops round the rocky pillars. "Samantha has now lost two pokemon while Ash is already on his third, who will she choose to take on Ash's Glalie?" asked the commentator over the loud speakers. "Alright Ash, lets see how you take on my Gardevoir!" said Samantha, allowing her third pokemon to enter the match. "Glalie, Headbutt, let's go!" cried Ash with renewed enthusiasm. "Teleport!" said Samantha in a sing-song voice and her pokemon vanished from the previous spot and reappeared 20m to the left of Glalie who didn't notice until it was too late and smashed into a rock. "Now confusion!" Iredescent light eminated from the psycic pokemon, heading straight for Glalie who was still reeling from hitting the rock. "Glalie Double Team!" Faster than expected by the watchers of the battle, clones of Glalie appeared over the battle site, allowing the pokemon to avoid the attack. "Icy Wind over all the arena!" cried Ash, an idea comming to his head. "Fine, Gardevoir, Teleport away again!" What Samantha had failed to realise was that the Icy Wind attack was going to cover the entire arena, causing every part of the field so where ever Guardevoir teleported to, she was still going to be hit. "Guaaaardevoiiiiirrrrrr" she called to her trainer at she was hit by the attack. "Guardevoir, use Future Sight!" Guardevoir's eyes lit up and the skirts around her supposed feet rippled with an unseen wind. Nothing appeared to happen, but Ash could remember a girl called Cherry and her Girafarig who had shown him that attack, all those years ago in Johto, and knew there was little to be done about an attack that would not hit for a few turns. "Glalie, Ice Beam again as strong as you can!" he shouted, praying for no more Teleport. "Use Reflect" A barrier appeared between Guardevoir and the Ice Beam, sending it straight back at Glalie who directid it back with an Icy Wind attack, that proved too strong for the barrier, breaking through and sending Guardevoir backwards into the arena wall. A wind stirred up...Leaves began to rustle...Samantha flashed a knowing smile... "Glalie, make a cave with Ice Beam and HIDE NOW!" screamed Ash, desperation through out every word he spoke. Hurridly, just as he had once done to help Ash survive a strong blizzard, Glalie constructed a shelter between two pillars of frozen rock. He had just entered as was about to seal himself in when the attck flew onto the field, hitting Glalie and sending him flying through several pillars of rock before slamming into the arena walls and slowly sliding down, leaving large cracks in the wall. "Glalie is unable to battle, Guardevoir wins!" called the umpire, holding aloft Samantha's flag. "We shall now have a short interval for the field of battle to be altered. Please feel free to purchase any items from..." announced the announcer before going to to list the various snacks and beverages avaliable for purchase. "Well done Glalie, that was a fantastic battle." thanked Ash as he withdrew his fallen pokemon back to his ball. "Hey Ash, that was a great first half of battle!" said May from behind him. He smiled before following his friends to the locker room to chat and think about his next battle tactics. "I think you should use Grovyle to take out Guardevoir" commented Max. "No, he should use Pikachu" said Misty while holding Azurill in her arms. "Ash, you should use Torkoal against Guardevoir," said May, "He's got such a great heart he's sure to win!" "May, pokemon need more than a great heart to win in pokemon battling!" scorned Max. "I still think he should use Torkoal!" she huffed throwing her nose in the air in a superior manner. "No, he should use Pikachu!" butted in Misty. "Grovyle!" "Torkoal!" "Pikachu!" "Can you guys please shut up!" implored Ash, from the benches where he had been seated with Pikachu. "Oh, I'm sorry Ash..." blushed Misty, taking a step away from him. "He he, yeah Ash, sorry I think we're more into this battle than you are!" said Max, scratching the back of his head. "Sorry" stated May with a sweet smile before deciding to follow the others once deciding to leave Ash alone for a few minutes. With a sigh Ash spoke to his pokemon, "How would you feel about going up against Guardevoir?" "Pikachu!" said the little yellow pokemon, obviously confirming what his trainer suspected. "I thought so. But we'll need a strategy..." both entered a deep state of thought, contemplating the situation. "Would the two competitiors return to the main battle arena. The battle will commense in no more than five minutes. That is all" came from above through the loud speakers. "Well Pikachu, lets see what comes." and he offered his pokemon his sholder before walking back through the door that lead to the battle arena. "Ladies and Gentlemen, we now come together again to observe the final half of this, the final of the Ever Grande Festival to find out who is the master of the hoenn pokemon league. The chosen field for this half of the battle is a water field. How will this effect the outcome of the match? With the current advantage we have the red trainer, Samantha who still has four remaining pokemon while her opponent, the green trainer Ash Ketchum has only three remaining pokemon. As the victor of the previous round of the battle, Samantha will be required to release her pokemon first..." "Skarmory, I choose you!" said Samantha as she threw the white bottom half and blue and red striped upper half of her great ball to release the powerful steel and flying type Skarmory. "Oh, no! She switched her pokemon!" gasped Misty, "I don't think Ash thought she'd do that, who's he going to use?" "I think I know!" said BRock on her right, smiling before they heard "Pikachu, I choose you!" "Thought so" he winked at Misty while they watched their best friend's first pokemon bound onto the battle field with a defiant "Pika!" "Round begin" called the umpire, singnalling the beginning of the second half. "Skarmory, let's start with a Steel Wing attack!" instructed Samantha, eager to begin the battle. "Skar skar!!" he cried as he launched himself at Pikachu. "Pikachu, Quick Attack dodges!" Pikachu began dodging from one floating pad to another with speed much too much for the slower Skarmory to follow. "Skarmory, use Swift!" As Samantha changed attack, knowing that however fast that Pikachu was, swift would not be avoided. "Dive in the water and hide under a pad!" The flurry of golden stars embeded themselves in the pad before fading away as the attack ended. "Come back up for a Thunderbolt attack!" Ordered Ash, pointing straight at Skarmory...But nothing happened...there was no movement anywhere..."No, he couldn't have..." whispered Ash, terrified that his best buddy in the world had drowned to avoid a swift attack... "PIKACHU!" faster than could be seen, Pikachu burst up through the water and high into the air to deliver a thunderbolt attack to the unprepared Skarmory that screached in pain. "Skarmory, Double Team!" "Skar Skar Skar" echoed around the arena from each Skarmory clone. Pikachu stood motionless, staring up and around at the Skarmory filled skies, trying to identify the real one. "Now, Skarmory, Steel Wing attack!" cried Samantha, a smile across her beautiful face. "Pikachu, dodge it!" Pikachu stood on his platform, dodging from side to side as Skarmories flew at him one at a time. He was able to dodge all attacks bar one. That single hit was from the real Skarmory, sending Pikachu flying onto another platform, further from Ash, stretching their communication skills to their limit. "Pikachu, Thunder them all!" yelled Ash at the top of his voice. "Piiiiiiiiikkkkkkkkaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaachuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!" The little pokemon lit up half the arena with the strength of the attack, hitting every Skarmory within the range, destroying them all. "Skaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrr!" All but one Skarmory vanished, leaving the real pokemon to fall into the water. "No, Skarmory!" cried Samantha as her pokemon remained under the water... "Pikapi!" screamed Pikachu as Skarmory surfaced, directly below the platform Pikachu was perched on, flinging him high into the air and slamming into the water. "Pikachu, thunderbolt again!" electricity flowed through the entire water arena, shocking it's opponent which was still in the water. When the attack ended, Skarmory wasn't moving. "Skarmory is unable to battle. Pikachu wins!" said the umpire, holding aloft Ash's green flag. "Alright, well done buddy!" said Ash, praising his little buddy. "Pi...pika..chu" panted Pikachu as it struggled back onto a platform. "Hmmmm Pikachu, come back. Now!" cried Ash, a calculating look on his face. "Pika?" questioned Pikachu, he could barely remember any time when his Pikapi had recalled him in a battle. But rather than protest and request to continue, he hopped from one pad to another, back to Ash, deciding that maybe, he would like a rest, even if it was just a small one. "Well done buddy, that was great" said Ash as he bent to pet his pokemon. "Alright," he straightened up again to face Samantha, "Grovyle, you're up!" he cried, bringing his only grass type into play. "Grovyle!" the pokemon balanced effortlessly on a floating pad, placing his favourite twig in his mouth before crossing his arms to stare at the opposing trainer and see who would be his opponent. "Houndour, I choose you!" "Raaaaaaaaaaaaaw!" cried her pokemon as he emerged from his ball. "Grovyle, lets start with bullet seed!" called out Ash, eager to make the first move with fresh pokemon on both sides. "Houndour, burn up those seeds with Flamethrower, then attack with a Shadow Ball!" responded Samantha. The flames that erupted from Houndour's maw made ashes of Grovyle's attack, before he lowered his head and created a black ball, retaining it to gather strength before launching it straight at Grovyle. "Grovyle!" cried the pokemon as, at Ash's command, used Quick Attack to jump into the air, before falling back down at Houndour, his leaves glowing in preparation for a leaf blade attack. It looked as though the attack was going to reach it's target before Houndour released another Flamethrower directly at Grovyle, forcing Grovyle to protect himself and sending him flying back to his floating paf. Grovyle retaliated with another Bullet Seed that was destroyed again by Houndour, this time using his Swift attack. The battle between these two continued for another twenty minutes, each pokemon blocking the other's attack, wearing down the opponents due to shear exhaustion rather than the effect of either's attack. The two trainers glared at each other, both trying to find a weakness in the other's defensive armour while Houndour panted and Grovyle was down on one knee. "I don't know how long this battle can go on for...neither pokemon can get their attacks to hit..." murmered Brock, not taking his eyes off the motionless trainers and their fatigued pokemon. "I think Ash is going to have to come up with a plan soon...but what can he use to his advantage that he hasn't already tried?" questioned Max. They all looked pensive, each trying to come up with a plan. To their suprise, especially Misty's, Ash's body suddenly straightened and his head rose again, and although they could not see it, his face lit up, an idea entering his head. "Grovyle, Bullet Seed!" Houndour retaliated with a flamthrower and a Shadow Ball that was easily dodged by Grovyle. "Bullet Seed again Grovyle!" despite every attack being foiled, Ash continued to have Grovyle use it's bullet seed attack against Houndour. "What's Ash doing? Bullet Seed isn't going to work!" stated May. "I know, how's he going to win by using only one attack. He's only going to keep wearing out Grovyle by causing it to keep dodging while still using it's attack." replied Morrison, worry on his face. "Hmm, I think I know what he's up to!" said Misty, a smile crossing her face, "I think he's trying to fustrate Samantha and Houndour and trying to goad them into moving off the platform at Grovyle. That way, it's going to have to leave the safety of the pad and cross the water!" "I get it! Then it'll be weakened by the water enough for Ash to win the round!" exclaimed Max. "Argh, that's it! Houndour, Iron Tail!" screamed Samantha, finally pissed off to the max. "Excellent, Grovyle, knock it out of the air and into the water with a Leaf Blade!" cried Ash, thrilled that his plan was working. "Finally, finish it Houndour!" The two pokemon collied in hit air with Grovyle using Houndour's head to jump above the pokemon and strike from above, knocking Houndour off balance and soaring down back to the battle field before landing with a huge splash. Grovyle gracefully landed on a pad midway between the trainers. "Grovyle, use a Pound attack!" cried Ash, knowing that moving quickly was the only way he could gain the upper hand in this deciding battle. Grovyle pounded Houndour back under the water as it struggled to stay afloat. "Now, use Leaf Blade as soon at it surfaces!" Houndour was sent flyin out of the water from the force of the attack and onto a pad, landing heavily with a thud. "Leaf Blade again Grovyle!" desperately screamed Ash. "Houndour, get up, use a Flamthrower!" With obvious pained motions, Houndour sat up as Grovyle was flying towards it, leaves aglow before opening his mouth to let off a flamethrower. However, when he opened his mouth, to his, and his trainer's dismay, no fire erupted, his inner fire had been extinguished,leaving Houndour to Grovyle's mercy. "Houndour is unable to battle, Grovyle is the winner!" called the Umpire. "That was amazing, he really used the field to his advantage!" cried May, pratically bouncing on her seat in excitement. "I know! Ash has really learned how to play the type arena to his advantage." added Misty while Azurill squeaked on her lap. "Well folks, Samantha has just two pokemon left while Ash still has three. Will she be able to claw back the advantage her opponent now holds over her? Which pokemon shall she choose next?" said the commentator over the loud speakers. "Gardevoir, your back on the scene!" cried Samantha, releasing the psychic pokemon. Her face a smile, but behind her eyes, Ash could see the despiration behind her eyes, boosting his confidence. "Grovyle, Leaf Blade!" Through loyalty to his trainer, Grovyle fought through the exhaustion barrier to attack his new opponent, but his movement was more lathargic that previous. Seeing this, Samantha's worry dissappeared, sensing that although her own pokemon was tired, Ash's was more so. "Guardevoir, use Reflect!" a barrier appeared between the two pokemon, sending Grovyle smashing into an arena wall as the force of his own attack was reversed back against him. "No! Grovyle!" cried Ash. "Grovyle is unable to battle, Guardevoir wins!" "Well done Grovyle. You were great! Alright Pikachu, you ready?" "Pika!" he cried, refreshed and ready for battle before bounding onto the battle field, his cheeks sparking with excess electrical energy. "Alright Pikachu, thunderbolt!" "Teleport!" Pikachu's attack missed at Guardevoir changed her position, re-appearing else where on the battle field. This continued several times, exhausting Pikachu's electrical supply. "Pikachu, close your eyes. Listen for Guardevoir and then hit it with a thunder attack!" Pikachu concentrated hard, sparking up his pouches in preparation. "Guardevoir, use Confusion!" ordered Samantha, refusing to give Ash and Pikachu a chance. Although Guardevoir could no be seen, it could be heard and a thunder attack was aimed straight for it, the power increased to maxiumum once certian of a hit. Guardevoir shrieked in pain and fell limply to the ground. Ash had only a moment to thank Pikachu before he too sank to the ground. "Pikachu and Guardevoir are unable to battle, this round is a draw!" called the umpire as Pikachu's and Guardevoir's faces both went blank on the screen over head. Laughing hysterically, Samantha cried across the arena, "You might as well give up now Ash! I know you always use the same pokemon, and...and...it's your Torkoal! On a water field! Against my, POLIWRATH!" "Poli poli!" "Hmm, well, I'm glad you've studied which pokemon I've used, but you know, tactics do change!" replied Ash, a smile also on his face. Immedietly, Samantha was silenced. "But for this battle, I decided to bring back an old friend" He held the pokeball in his hand, looking at it in his grasp before throwing it into play. "Did you know Ash was changing pokemon?" whispered Brock to Misty. "Not as such, but I did suspect a little. He was so secrative about his training" she replied. "Who do you think it is?" "Raaaawr!" "CHARIZARD!?!?!?!?" Both freeked out. "Fine, but he's still a fire type!" snapped Samantha, unsure how to attack the threat she hadn't prepared for. "Poliwrath, us your Surf!" Her pokemon summoned a stong wall of water to head straight for Charizard who dodged by taking into the air. "Charizard, show them your flamethrower!" This time, fire shot from Ash's pokemon, hitting Poliwrath straight in the middle of his chest, dealing little damage. "Charizard, Dragon Breath!" "He know's Dragon Breath?!?" questioned Misty as green fire erupted from his maw before being deflected by Poliwrath's Ice Punch. "I think Charizard knows more than we think Misty!" replied Brock, still in shock after Ash's unexpected arrival, "He's grown stronger than I think any of us could ever have imagined." "Poliwrath, Water gun!" Jets of water came forth from the centre of Poliwrath's spiral, catching Charizard on his tail, causing the red lizard to cry out in pain and fury, weakening it. "Charizard, Dragon Breath again!" cried Ash, revelling in the battle with an old powerhouse. More green flames licked around Poliwrath. "Poliwrath, Water gun!" again, water shot from the centre of Poliwrath's spiral, straight for Charizard who dodged before soaring down to grasp Poliwrath who responded with an Ice Punch, preventing the Seismic Toss Charizard tried to initiate. Charizard was sent flying through the air, his right wing and right leg stuck fast in a chunk of ice. "What's Ash going to do? Charizard can barely move!" cried Misty, terrified that it was all going to finish now. "Misty, if Charizard is anything like I've heard, they'll be fine!" comforted Max as the red head chewed her fingernails. "Poliwrath, Surf!" "Charizard, you have to dodge it!" screamed Ash, now as terrified as Misty as he watched his pokemon attempt to veer away from the attack, but what hit and pulled under the water, leaving Samantha with a smug look on her face. "Charizard, overheat!" At first, nothing. The chopped surface of the water began to steam and bubble. The pool began to glow blood red before "RAAAAAAAAWR!!!!" Charizard, a huge ball of fire and heat rose from the depths of the water and soared into the air, all ice melted before blasting Poliwrath with an attack so strong, he was thrown into the water, where he began to flail in the burning, boiling water. "Poliwrath!" screamed Samantha as she watched her writhing pokemon, "Get out of the water!Use your surf!" Poliwrath summoned a strong wave that lifted him out of the water and straight for Charizard, riding the wave while preparing another Ice Punch. "Charizard, use Seismic Toss!" called out Ash. Charizard rose over Poliwrath and the huge wave before doing a loop and grabbing the pokemon from behind, rising in the air before spinning round and round and round then streamlining back to earth. "Poliwrath, Hyper Beam the water!" Luckily for Poliwrath, the fall from the seismic toss was so great that he had time to charge up and launch the strongest normal attack, directly down. The attack spread out across the surface of the water, shining so strong that Charizard was blinded, dropping Poliwrath before he was ready, alowing Poliwrath to jump on a floating pad amidst the golden red waves of water, licking around his feet. Momentarily blinded Charizard began flying in zig-zags, barely avoiding the trainer board over the stadium. Taking advantage of her opponent's lack of vision, Samantha called Poliwrath for a water gun. It was only through luck that Charizard veered away, missing the stream of water. "Charizard, get in close and use overheat!" Flying dangerouly near to his oppenent, Charizard sped round and round Poliwrath at an incredible speed, constantly getting closer, his speed confusing Poliwrath to his where abouts, alowing Charizard to hit Poliwrath directly on the back, sending him flying off his pad to land heavily on another. For a moment, he lay there stunned giving Charizard a chance to launch another Dragon Breath, pinning it to the ground. "Poliwrath!" wailed Samantha, unsure how she could instruct her pokemon to defend himself and recover. "Try a water gun attack!" He tried...but was unable to send one strong enough to move himself away from Charizard's attack. Suddenly, the force on Poliwrath's back had gone. He could move again and wasted no time in rolling onto his back and sending a Hyper Beam directly towards his opponent. Taking evasive manouvers Charizard ducked and dived every attack aimed. 'Right' thought Ash. 'Time for a showdown.' "Charizard combine Overheat with Dragon Breath!" Landing on a pad, Charizard took a stance, digging his claws into the soft, polystyrene surface his maw opened wide to reveal his pointed white teeth that glinted in the sunlight. With an almighty roar he losened off a large jet of yellow and orange flames, tinged with an iredescent green that engulfed Poliwrath's water gun and then Poliwrath himself. "NO! POLIWRATH!" wailed Samantha, sinking to the ground as her pokemon smashed into the arena wall before sliding, slowly, painfully down to rest half in, half out of the water. As if in shock, the umpire raised his left arm, the arm with a green flag and announced, "Poliwrath is unable to battle! CHARIZARD WINS! The winner of this match, and the Hoenn League is ASH KETCHUM FROM PALLET TOWN!!!!!!!"