Dragonite is unable to battle. Garchomp is the winner," announced the referee as Garchomp turned back to normal. "Therefore, the winner of the match is Ash."
"What a battle," exclaimed Goodshow. "I've never seen anything like it. Garchomp didn't even seem to be hurt by Dragonite's Ice Beam and delivered a powerful Dragon Rush to give Ash the victory."
Ash returned Garchomp to his PokéBall and walked out of the battlefield without saying a word, leaving a devastated Iris.
Later that day, Paul defeated Ritchie by using Aggron and Electivre, Trip defeated Bianca using Chandelure and Conkeldurr, Alain defeated Brendan using Tyranitar, Metagross and Charizard. Bonnie managed to knock out 5 of Steven's Pokémon, but his Metagross defeated Dedenne, Chesnaught and Volcarona. Thankfully, Volcarona's Flame Body activated and gave Metagross a burn, which reduced its attack power. Bonnie Mega–Evolved her Altaria and managed to defeat Mega–Metagross by a combination of Flamethrower and Hyper Beam.
At dawn, the matches for the third round were revealed. Ash was facing Diantha, Trip was facing Cameron, Alain was facing Volkner, Paul was facing Brock and Bonnie was facing Max.
Everyone was excited, but Ash and Lillie were the most excited as tomorrow was also their anniversary as it marks exactly 3 years since they've met.
106Chapter 7
Ch. 7: Champion vs Champion
The next day came fast and everyone was excited for their matches. Bonnie couldn't wait to show Max just how strong she really is. Ash was facing Diantha and he knew that she would be expecting to battle Greninja, but he had a secret weapon for Gardevoir. Trip knew about Cameron and was ready to teach him a lesson. Alain was facing Volkner and knew that his team isn't perfect when it comes to dealing with electric–types, but he was confident that he'll win. And Paul was facing one of the traitors, as well as one that men that tried to rape Serena, Brock. Ash had told him everything about all of Brock's Pokémon and was ready to serve justice.
It took the group, including Lillie and Serena, to get to the VIP section and got ready to watch Ash's battle against Diantha.
"This'll be a full 6–on–6 battle between the Alola Champion Ash and the Kalos Champion Diantha. Each trainer is allowed to use 6 Pokémon and the battle will be over when all 6 Pokémon on one side are unable to continue," said the referee. "Are the trainers ready?"
"Ready," said both Ash and Diantha.
"Then let the battle begin," said the referee.
"Hawlucha, let's go," said Diantha.
"Swellow, I choose you," said Ash.
"Hawlucha, use Poison Jab," said Diantha.
"Dodge it with Quick Attack and then strike with Aerial Ace," said Ash.
Hawlucha charged in with Poison Jab, but Swellow avoided it and struck Hawlucha with a super–effective Aerial Ace.
"Hang in there, Hawlucha and use Steel Wing," said Diantha.
"Use Double Team and use your own Steel Wing," said Ash.
Swellow created copies of himself, confusing Hawlucha, and struck the flying/fighting–type with a powerful Steel Wing, which also rose his defense.
"Hawlucha, use High Jump Kick," said Diantha in desperation.
"Use Double Team and finish this with Aerial Ace," said Ash.
Hawlucha went for High Jump Kick, but Swellow avoided it with Double Team and landed a direct hit with Aerial Ace for the final blow.
"Hawlucha is unable to battle. Swellow is the winner," announced the referee.
"I can't believe what we just saw. Ash's Swellow took out Diantha's Hawlucha without taking any damage," said Goodshow as Ash and Diantha returned their respective Pokémon. "Let's see which Pokémon they're gonna send out next."
"Gourgeist, let's go," said Diantha.
"Not a problem. Incineroar, I choose you," said Ash.
"Diantha is in trouble. Incineroar is a fire/dark–type and has a huge advantage over Gourgeist," said Bonnie and the other elites nodded.
"If you guys think this is advantage, just wait when she brings out Gardevoir. Ash told me that he's got a secret weapon for her," said Lillie.
" To be honest, pretty much everyone knows about Greninja's power, so it's not that much of a secret," said Serena.
"It's not Greninja. He's taking a day off with Delphox," said Lillie and everyone started to wonder what Ash had in store for Diantha's Gardevoir.
"Gourgeist, use Shadow Ball," said Diantha.
"Counter with Darkest Lariat and then use Flame Charge," said Ash.
Gourgeist fired a Shadow Ball, but Incineroar effortlessly destroyed it with Darkest Lariat and landed a direct hit with Flame Charge.
"Hang in there, Gourgeist. Use Energy Ball," said Diantha.
"Use Flamethrower," said Ash.
Before Gourgeist could fire its Energy Ball, Incineroar launched a Flamethrower, striking a direct hit, and also burning Gourgeist.
"Finish this with Darkest Lariat," said Ash.
Because of his increased speed, Incineroar charged at Gourgeist, and landed a picture–perfect Darkest Lariat, knocking Gourgeist out.
"Gourgeist is unable to continue. The winner is Incineroar," announced the referee.
"And Gourgeist goes down just like that," said Goodshow. "Incineroar completely dominated over Gourgeist."
"Gourgeist, return," said Diantha as she eyed Ash and Incineroar. "Ash's Pokémon are a lot stronger than I thought. I need to deal with Incineroar's raw power and Swellows' speed. Goodra, let's go."
"Incineroar, return," said Ash as he returned his fire/dark type and looked at Diantha. "If you think Goodra is gonna throw me over, you're sadly mistaken. Torterra, I choose you!"
"Goodra, start with Flamethrower," said Diantha.
"Stop it with Stone Edge and then use Earth Power," said Ash.
Goodra fired its Flamethrower, but Torterra managed to counter it with Stone Edge and struck the dragon–type with Earth Power, which lowered its special defense.
"Goodra, use Draco Meteor," said Diantha.
"Torterra, surround yourself with Leaf Storm," said Ash.
Goodra launched an orange sphere in the air, which exploded into several meteors that headed towards Torterra, but the grass/ground–type surrounded himself with Leaf Storm that actually caught the falling meteors, much to Diantha's shock.
"Now, send them at Goodra," said Ash.
Torterra fired the Leaf Storm, with Draco Meteor inside the storm, towards Goodra, dealing major damage to the Kalos dragon–type.
"Hang in there, Goodra. Use Power Whip," said Diantha.
"Torterra, stay still," said Ash.
Goodra charged at Torterra with Power Whip and scored a direct hit, but Torterra didn't seam to be faced by the attack at all.
"Now use Stone Edge and then finish it with Earth Power maximum power," said Ash.
Torterra fired his Stone Edge, which struck Goodra directly and it was lights out for the dragon–type after a painful Earth Power.
"Goodra is unable to continue. Torterra is the winner," announced the referee.
"And Ash continues to dominate in this battle, taking Diantha's third Pokémon out," said Goodshow.
"You did your best, Goodra. Return and take a rest," said Diantha as she returned her fallen dragon–type. "Aurorus, come on out."
"Torterra, return," said Ash. "Sceptile, I choose you."
"Now that's an interesting choice. Sceptile is weak against ice–types, but is strong against rock–types," said Bonnie.
"And we all know what Sceptile is capable of," said Paul.
"Aurorus, use Ice Beam," said Diantha.
"Sceptile, dodge it and use Leaf Blade," said Ash.
Aurorus fired its Ice Beam, but Sceptile avoided it and charged like a bullet towards Aurorus, striking the ice/rock–type with Leaf Blade.
"Use Thunderbolt," said Diantha.
"Counter with Dragon Breath," said Ash.
Aurorus fired its Thunderbolt, but Sceptile managed to counter with Dragon Breath.
"Use Energy Ball and finish it with Focus Punch," said Ash.
Sceptile struck Aurorus with a powerful Energy Ball and finished it with a Focus Punch.
"Aurorus is unable to continue. Sceptile is the winner," announced the referee.
"And Aurorus goes down just like that. Sceptile avoided pretty nasty moves and used its speed and agility to take out Aurorus," said Goodshow.
Diantha couldn't believe what just happened. It's true that Aurorus wasn't one of her strongest Pokémon, but it never went down that easy.
"Aurorus, return," said Diantha as she returned the ice/rock–type to its PokéBall. "Tyrantrum, come on out."
"Get ready, Sceptile," said Ash as Sceptile nodded. "Use Energy Ball and then Dragon Breath."
Diantha didn't know how fast it happened, but before she knew, Tyrantrum was struck by Energy Ball, which lowered its special defense, and Dragon Breath.
"Sceptile, use Leaf Blade," said Ash.
"Tyrantrum, counter it with Poison Fang," said Diantha.
Sceptile was about to hit Tyrantrum with Leaf Blade, but the rock/dragon–type bit him with Poison Fang, poisoning the Hoenn Pokémon.
"Are you okay, Sceptile," asked Ash and Sceptile nodded despite the poison. "Let's end this quick. Use Focus Punch followed by maximum power Leaf Blade."
"Tyrantrum, use Dragon Claw," said Diantha.
Sceptile charged with Focus Punch at Tyrantrum, who was about to use Dragon Claw when yellow sparks appeared around him. Diantha realized that Tyrantrum got paralyzed from Dragon Breath earlier and could only watch as Sceptile struck the rock/dragon–type with Focus Punch and Leaf Blade, knocking it out.
"Tyrantrum is unable to continue. Sceptile is the winner," announced the referee.
"And Sceptile continues its dominance by taking down Tyrantrum," said Goodshow.
"That's a one powerful Sceptile for sure," said Trip.
"Yeah, but too bad Ash won't be using him against Gardevoir," said Lillie and everyone looked at her in confusion.
"What do you mean," asked Serena.
"Ash told me that he's got a secret weapon for Gardevoir," said Lillie. "And no, it's not Greninja."
"Tyrantrum, return," said Diantha as she looked at Ash. "I must say you're stronger than I thought. But get ready for my strongest Pokémon. Gardevoir, come on out."
"I'm not worried about Gardevoir," said Ash as he returned Sceptile. "Besides, I've been waiting to use my secret weapon. Melmetal, I choose you."
"And Ash has chosen his Mythical Pokémon, Melmetal," exclaimed Goodshow.
"I didn't see this one coming," said Paul.
"Gardevoir, start with Shadow Ball," said Diantha.
"Counter with Flash Cannon," said Ash.
Gardevoir fired her Shadow Ball, but Melmetal easily countered it with Flash Cannon.
"Use Moonblast," said Diantha.
"Use another Flash Cannon and then Double Iron Bash," said Ash.
Gardevoir fired her Moonblast, but Melmetal countered it with another Flash Cannon and then extended his iron fist towards Gardevoir. The psychic/fairy–type avoided the first strike, but got hit by the second, sending her crashing down on the ground in front of Diantha.
"Are you okay, Gardevoir," Diantha asked her Pokémon as Gardevoir slowly stood up and nodded. "Let's take it to the next level. Gardevoir, Mega–Evolve."
"Well, she's not gonna give up," said Ash. "Melmetal, use Flash Cannon!"
"Gardevoir, use Moonblast," said Diantha.
Both Pokémon fired their respective attacks, which collided in the middle of the field.
"Melmetal, use Double Iron Bash and aim it in front of Gardevoir," said Ash.
Melmetal extended its arms and landed Double Iron Bash in front of Gardevoir, causing dust to blind Gardevoir.
"Hang in there, Gardevoir," said Diantha.
"Melmetal, use Thunder Wave," said Ash and Melmetal launched a Thunder Wave at Gardevoir, paralyzing it. "Now use Double Iron Bash."
"Gardevoir, try to use Reflect and then Shadow Ball," said Diantha.
Melmetal extended its arms for Double Iron Bash, but Gardevoir managed to put a Reflect, receiving less damage, and fired a Shadow Ball, which struck Melmetal, but the bulky steel–type didn't seem faced by the attack.
"Melmetal, use Flash Cannon," said Ash.
"Use Expanding Force," said Diantha.
Both Pokémon fired their respective attacks, which collided in the middle of the field, creating a cloud of dust.
"Let's finish this," said Ash as he put a Steelium Z in his Z–Ring. "Melmetal, use Corkscrew Crash!"
"Gardevoir, use full power Moonblast," said Diantha.
Gardevoir was about to fire her Moonblast, but the paralysis kicked in and got hit by the super–effective Corkscrew Crash.
"Gardevoir is unable to continue. Melmetal is the winner," announced the referee. "The winner of this match is the Alola Champion, Ash!"
"And there you have it, folks. Ash once again emerges victorious with a clean sweep," said Goodshow. "We saw the durability of his Torterra and Melmetal, the speed of his Swellow and the power of his Sceptile."
The rest of the Elite Four also won their matches. Paul won by using his Electivire, Drapion and Gliscor. Trip won by using Jellicent and Serperior. Alain won by using Tyranitar, Metagross and Charizard. And Bonnie won by using Tyrantrum and Squishy in his 50% form.
Everyone got ready for bed. Well, almost everyone as Ash and Lillie decided to celebrate their anniversary and for them, the night was still young.