"Congratulations, Ash..." Richie said, forcing a smile as he approached Ash. Though his face was calm, a hint of reluctance lingered in his eyes. Extending a hand toward Ash, he added, "You did great out there."
"Thank you," Ash replied, shaking Richie's hand firmly and nodding slightly.
"You're really strong, Ash. But I'm not giving up," Richie said with a determined glint in his eye. "Next time, when we face each other again, I'll give you a real challenge. Be ready for a surprise."
Ash watched as Richie released his hand, smiled faintly, and turned to leave.
"When that time comes, I still won't lose," Ash said quietly, a small smirk playing on his lips.
Watching Richie's retreating figure, he felt certain they'd meet again—and when they did, Richie would be an even tougher rival.
---
In the stands, Gary watched the match with a serious expression. He had stayed until the end, but now he stood and walked away.
His focus was singular: defeating Ash. To Gary, every other trainer in the tournament was inconsequential.
---
The quarterfinals continued, and the second match began promptly at 10:00 AM. Unlike Ash's battle, this one was a closely contested fight.
The trainers and their Pokémon were evenly matched in strength and skill, making the battle both thrilling and nerve-wracking for the audience.
After nearly thirty minutes of intense combat, one trainer narrowly emerged victorious, securing their spot in the semifinals.
Having watched the match, Ash, Misty, and Brock left the stadium to return to the Pokémon Center in the players' village for lunch.
They rested briefly before heading back to the Indigo Stadium for Gary's match at 1:30 PM.
---
Gary's battle was nothing short of spectacular. Perhaps motivated by Ash's earlier victory, Gary delivered an impressive performance, using only three Pokémon to defeat his opponent.
These were the same Pokémon he had used in the qualifiers and the main tournament, leaving his trump cards unrevealed. No one could guess what surprises Gary had in store.
By the time all four quarterfinal matches concluded at 5:00 PM, the excitement in the air was palpable.
The intensity of the battles had captivated the audience, making this day of the Indigo Plateau Conference one to remember.
---
Back at the Pokémon Center, Ash and his friends waited eagerly for the evening announcement of the semifinal matchups.
A recap of the day's matches played on the lobby's television, hosted by commentators with a lively and humorous style.
Even those who had already seen the matches found themselves drawn in by the entertaining review.
At exactly 6:00 PM, the matchups for the semi finals were revealed.
As the screen displayed the list, Ash froze. His eyes widened as he read the name of his next opponent.
Misty and Brock, sitting beside him, noticed his reaction. They leaned in to look at the screen.
"It's Gary..." Ash murmured. His initial shock gave way to a grin, his excitement building. "So, it's finally time, huh?" His smile grew wider, his teeth flashing as his competitive spirit ignited.
---
Elsewhere in the Pokémon Center, Gary stood quietly in a less crowded corner. He, too, saw the matchup on the screen.
Without a word, he turned and walked away, determination etched on his face.
Knowing that Ash would be his opponent, Gary began formulating his strategy. He couldn't afford to lose—not here, not now.
While he acknowledged Ash's strength, Gary believed in his own abilities and was determined to prove he was the better trainer.
---
The news of Ash and Gary's upcoming semifinal battle spread quickly, sparking widespread discussion among fans of the Indigo Plateau Conference.
Many believed this was the true final match of the tournament—a clash between two of the most promising young trainers.
Some supported Ash, citing his impressive performances and his bond with his Pokémon.
Others backed Gary, praising his tactical prowess and composed style. The fan support leaned heavily in Ash's favour, with a ratio of roughly four to one.
---
Meanwhile, Delia Ketchum, Ash's mother, prepared to leave for the Indigo Plateau. Standing at the entrance of her house, she handed her backpack to Mr. Mime, who was helping her pack.
"Take good care of the house while I'm gone, okay, Mimey?" Delia said with a smile.
She wasn't travelling alone. Professor Oak, eager to see his grandson compete in the semifinals, joined her.
Though proud of Gary's achievements, Professor Oak couldn't help but compare him to Ash.
"Gary has come a long way," Oak mused as they boarded their transport. "But Ash... he's something else entirely.
His Charizard, Pikachu, and that Pidgeot with its incredible Aerial Ace... Gary will have a hard time keeping up."
Still, Oak remained hopeful. He respected both boys' skills and knew that tomorrow's match would be a spectacle to remember.
---
Ash spent the evening strategizing with Brock. Despite his confidence, Ash knew he couldn't afford to underestimate Gary.
Gary had a large roster of Pokémon to choose from, and Ash couldn't predict which ones he would use.
"No matter what he brings, I just need to stay in control of the battle," Ash said, finalizing his plan.
---
The next morning, Ash rose early. After a quick breakfast, he headed out with his Pokémon for their morning exercises.
Across the Indigo Plateau, a plane from Pallet Town landed at the nearby airport. Delia and Professor Oak had arrived, but they decided not to visit Ash or Gary before the match. They didn't want to risk distracting the boys.
Instead, the two secured front-row seats at the Quartz Stadium, eagerly awaiting the start of the semifinals.
The stage was set. The world was watching. And Ash's long-awaited battle with Gary was about to begin.
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A/n : Join us in, this match to remember