Chapter 270: Silver Conference (1)
After dinner, Ash, who had just returned to the Athletes Village and was preparing to go upstairs, saw a familiar figure walking towards the viewing lake not far away.
"Is that Gary?"
Although he wasn't sure what was going on, Ash still decided to go take a look.
Soon, he found Gary by the lake, staring blankly at the water.
Gary sensed someone approaching, looked up, and said, "Oh, it's Ash?"
"Gary, it's late at night. Why aren't you resting properly to prepare for tomorrow's match? What are you doing out here?" Ash asked curiously.
Gary shook his head. "It's nothing, I just wanted to come out and relax."
Ash looked at the full moon reflected on the lake and sighed, "The scenery here is indeed quite nice."
After a long silence, Ash suddenly asked, "By the way, Gary, I heard from President Goodshow that you're serious about becoming a researcher?"
"Yeah. During this journey, I've realized that I have too many immature aspects, and there are still many unknown possibilities for us. So, I want to try and see if I can catch up to you, Ash, in terms of Pokémon research," Gary replied.
Ash smiled. "Catch up to me? That will probably take a lot of effort, but I'll be waiting for your challenge anytime."
The two chatted idly for over half an hour before dispersing to return to their rooms to rest.
The next day.
As the ceremonial cannon sounded, the main tournament of the Silver Conference gradually kicked off.
Silver Stadium.
A crowd of Trainers entered the venue in an orderly fashion to participate in the opening ceremony.
The group assignments would only be announced after the opening ceremony.
"Everyone, please look! The Silver Stadium is completely packed. The numerous spectators present are impatiently waiting for the start of the opening ceremony and the entrance of the Trainers. The Johto League Silver Conference..."
Under the enthusiastic commentary of the Host, the opening ceremony of the Silver Conference began.
At Ash's home, Professor Oaks Laboratory, Elm's laboratory, and other places that had deep connections with Ash, people were guarding their television sets, staring at the screen.
Without the interference of the Team Rocket Trio, the opening ceremony proceeded very smoothly.
After the sacred flame was lit, President Goodshow gave a brief speech, and the opening ceremony was declared officially over.
After the opening ceremony, Ash's group headed straight to the Pokémon Center to check the battle groupings.
"So this is the elimination round bracket!" Brock said, looking at the big screen.
Misty's gaze swept quickly over the match schedule, and soon she spotted Ash's photo. "Found it! Ash, you've been assigned to Group H. Look, right there!"
"Let me see."
Ash looked in the direction Misty was pointing and soon saw his next two opponents, a boy and a girl, both rookie Trainers.
After seeing the venue arrangements for the battles, Ash's group planned to return to the Athletes Village.
Just as they reached downstairs, the girl assigned to Ash's group, carrying a Vulpix, blocked their path.
"I've been waiting for a long time. Your name is Ash, right?" the girl asked.
Ash nodded. "That's me. You're Moe, right?"
"So you also have the habit of researching your opponents. It seems you're a tough opponent. I won't hold back in the upcoming match!" Moe said.
"Bring it on. I will take every battle seriously."
After Moe left, Ash and his friends returned to their room, and Brock immediately couldn't wait to look up information on Moe for Ash.
"Ash, that Moe specializes in Fire-type Pokémon, and there's also an Electabuzz in her team. It's likely used to guard against opponents using Water-type Pokémon," Brock said.
"It's fine. I wasn't planning on going all Water-type anyway," Ash said confidently.
Misty asked curiously, "Ash, have you already decided who to use?"
"Yeah, I'm planning to let Feraligatr, Donphan, and Electabuzz take the field."
Ash still wanted to give all his Pokémon a chance to compete, just like in the Indigo Plateau Conference.
Stadium B.
"Dear spectators, the first match of the elimination round, Group H, is about to begin. I believe some of you are no strangers to the contestant in this match, Ash. He is the Champion of the recently held Indigo Plateau Conference..."
As the Host finished revealing Ash's league information, the randomly drawn results for who would go first and second were also out.
Moe was the one who went first.
"Ash, I didn't expect you to be the Champion of the Indigo Plateau Conference!" Moe exclaimed.
Ash said helplessly, "That's all in the past. Now, enjoying our match is what matters most."
"Alright, I won't hold back. Here I come, first up is you, Slugma!"
Moe's starter was indeed a Fire-type Pokémon.
Pokémon: Slugma. Type: Fire. Level: Excellent High. Ability: Weak Armor (If hit by a physical move, defense drops and speed increases significantly). Moves: Ember, Yawn, Rock Throw, Flamethrower...
"Slugma, huh? Then it's decided, Feraligatr!"
While waiting in the holding area, Ash had taken off the Everstone that Totodile was wearing.
Even after evolving into Feraligatr, Totodile hadn't forgotten its soul dance moves. It was just that its body had grown larger, and its appearance had changed, so watching it dance felt a bit awkward.
Host: "Moe brought out Slugma, and Ash brought out Feraligatr to counter!"
"Slugma, take the initiative! Use Flamethrower!"
"Slug~"
Slugma spewed a stream of flames at Feraligatr.
"Feraligatr, use Water Gun to disperse it!"
Feraligatr pursed its lips and shot out a Water Gun with extremely high velocity.
The power of the Water Gun was great; while dispersing Slugma's Flamethrower, it also shot towards Slugma.
Moe hurriedly shouted, "Slugma, hurry, use Double Team to dodge!"
"Double Team, huh? Feraligatr, aim at the third image on the right and use Hydro Pump."
Ash loved it when opponents used skills like Double Team.
After Feraligatr aimed at the afterimage Ash pointed out, it shot out another stream of water. Before Slugma could react, it was taken out by a single Hydro Pump.
Seeing this scene, the Host shouted loudly, "It appeared! Ash's 100% accurate Double Team counter-technique from the Indigo Plateau Conference..."
"Slugma, you worked hard. Rest well," Moe whispered to the recalled Slugma.
"The next part is up to you, Electabuzz!"
"Ele~"
Pokémon: Electabuzz (Moe). Type: Electric. Level: Gym Beginner. Ability: Static (Carries static electricity on the body, sometimes paralyzing opponents that make contact). Moves: Omitted.
"It really is Electabuzz? Then it's decided, Donphan!" Ash also performed a rotation.
"What?"
Seeing Donphan, Moe was immediately shocked.
"Electabuzz, use Swift!"
"Donphan, use Rollout."
Just as Electabuzz fired Swift, Donphan curled into a ball and used snake-like movement to dodge the damage while quickly approaching Electabuzz.
Duang~
Donphan slammed heavily into Electabuzz's body, causing Electabuzz to stagger back a few steps.
"Come back, Electabuzz!" Seeing the situation was bad, Moe hurriedly switched Pokémon. "Quilava, it's up to you next."
Pokémon: Quilava. Type: Fire. Level: Gym Intermediate. Ability: Flash Fire. Moves: Omitted.
"Quilava, use Flame Wheel!"
Moe's fighting style was very similar to the Ash one from the original work; they both liked to attack, but there were some slight differences. Moe had a certain tactical understanding, whereas Ash relied entirely on brute force in the early stages.
"Donphan, don't lose to him! Continue using Rollout attack!"
The two Pokémon collided head-on.
Given the level gap, Quilava couldn't hold up against Donphan at all and was left dizzy by the collision.
"The gap is so big. Is this the strength of someone who has won a league championship?"
Looking at the immovable Donphan, Moe fell into deep self-doubt.
Donphan slammed into Quilava again and again, the damage from Rollout stacking higher and higher. After three hits, Quilava was also down.
Moe recalled Quilava with a complex expression. "Electabuzz, I'll leave the rest to you!"
"Come back, Donphan. It's your turn to shine, Electabuzz." Ash rotated again.
"This time it's Electabuzz?" Moe said with a solemn expression. "Electabuzz, use Thunderbolt!"
"Electabuzz, use Quick Attack to dodge it."
Ash's Electabuzz was very fast, easily dodging the lightning attack from Moe's Electabuzz. After closing the distance, Ash's Electabuzz slammed into its opponent, then launched a point-blank Swift to deal heavy damage.
Despite the two-level gap, because the moves were not STAB, the damage didn't knock out Moe's Electabuzz.
In the end, after a clash of the 'Three Punches', Ash won with an overwhelming advantage.
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