Final Rounds

That night Ashlyn was glad to have something to eat and a rest. Her Pokémon deserved it from all their hard work getting to the conference. The gang had met up with Morrison and Tyson. Brock had made dinner for them all. Morrison and Tyson definitely liked Brock's cooking.

"Hey Brock, are there any battles tomorrow?" May asked.

"Actually no. Tomorrow is a day off. It's for trainers who can rest up for the final rounds." Brock explained.

"Well by now there are 32 trainers left in the tournament." Alain stated.

"I least I will have more time to think on what six Pokémon I should use for my first final battle," Ashlyn commented, "I've been through full six on six battles before, and I do understand how difficult it is to choose what Pokémon to use."

"Well I think I know which Pokémon I'm going to use." Morrison said.

"What about you, Tyson?" May asked.

"I have a pretty good idea as well." Tyson replied.

"Well I'll surprise you guys tomorrow." Ashlyn decided.

So all the next day was resting and planning for Tyson, Morrison and Ashlyn before the start of the final battles.

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The day after the resting day was the start of the final battle rounds; it was now the Top 32 rounds. Ember was up first and she was against a girl named Katie from Lilycove City, and Tyson and Morrison watched in the stands with the others. The final rounds were held in the main stadium and the trainers battled on four different stages. That meant they would battle either on a water field, rock field, grass field or ice field, and the fields would change after three of either trainer's Pokémon had been defeated first. Ashlyn and Katie's battlefield had been chosen to rock field first.

Katie sent out a Venomoth first and Elena sent out Hestia (Shiny Blaziken).

As soon as the referee declared the match to begin, Katie started off by telling her Venomoth to use Stun Spore to paralyze Hestia.

"Stop that Stun Spore with flamethrower, Hestia!" Hestia's Flamethrower stopped the Stun Spore before it could cover her.

Just then Katie returned her Venomoth; the trainers were allowed to substitute Pokémon during the battles in this league. Katie then sent out her Golduck to battle next. This was clear to Ashlyn that Katie would probably keep switching out her Pokémon because of type disadvantage.

Ashlyn returned Hestia and sent out Twilight (Absol) next.

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"Why didn't Ashlyn send out Damini to battle Golduck?" May asked.

"That's because she figured out that Katie may substitute Pokémon again if he did send out Damini." Brock pointed out, "Ashlyn has been through something like this before and you should always think really clearly on what Pokémon to use."

"You're right about that, Brock," Tyson agreed, "after all you can never tell what Pokémon your opponent with use until you see it yourself."

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"Golduck, use Fury Swipes!" Golduck's fingers glowed white and ran towards Twilight.

"Twilight, dodge and use Thunderbolt!" Twilight dodged Golduck's fury swipes and then shocked it with thunderbolt. Katie was surprised by that.

"I'll have you know Katie that my Absol knows quite a lot of moves." Ashlyn commented.

Then Katie returned Golduck and sent out Dugtrio.

'I had a feeling she would switch out her Pokémon again.' Ashlyn thought.

"Dugtrio, use Dig!" Katie ordered.

"Feel the ground, Twilight. Try to predict where Dugtrio will come out and then dodge!" Twilight stood still as he closed his eyes. Waiting for Dugtrio to come towards him.

Twilight jumped out of the way just before Dugtrio burst out of the ground.

"Ice Beam!" Twilight shot Ice Beam at Dugtrio which froze them.

"Now use Razor Wind!" Twilight released a blade of energy from his scythe and Dugtrio got hit by it and fainted.

So Katie had five more Pokémon to use with Ashlyn still with six.

Katie sent out Misdreavus next.

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"Why'd Katie send out a ghost type?" May asked.

"Yeah, Dark type Pokémon beat ghost type Pokémon." Max pointed out.

"Katie must have a trick up her sleeve; I mean she wouldn't send out Misdreavus if she didn't." Brock stated.

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"Twilight, use Sucker Punch!" Twilight jumped into the air and gave Misdreavus a good punch before Misdreavus could do anything.

"Attract!" Twilight winked at Misdreavous and sent off pink hearts from his body and the hearts hit Misdreavous. Suddenly Misdreavous had heart-shaped eyes.

"Misdreavous!" Katie gasped, surprised.

"Double Slash!" Twilight's horn glows white as he ran towards Misdreavous and created copies of himself. Then all of the copies slashed Misdreavous.

Misdreavous then fainted from all the slash attacks. So Katie had only four Pokémon while Ashlyn still had six Pokémon.

Katie sent out her Venomoth again and this time Ashlyn sent out Hestia again to battle.

"Venomoth, use Stun Spore!" Venomoth let out an orange-colored powder from its wings.

"Hestia, Protect!" Hestia projected a green barrier around herself which prevent her from getting paralyzed.

"Now Blast Burn!" Hestia's holds out her arms and releases a powerful stream of fire from the fire around her wrists at Venomoth who gets a direct hit from the fire type attack.

"Oh no Venomoth, try to use Psybeam!" Venomoth was too weak to do anything.

"Now's our chance! Hestia, Flamethrower!" Hestia shot a stream of mouth from her mouth and Venomoth got a direct hit. Then Venomoth fainted.

So Ashlyn defeated three of Katie's Pokémon first.

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So now it was time for a field change and this time it was a water battlefield, and there was a short break. After the break, Katie sent out her Golduck again to battle and Ashlyn sent out Thor (Shiny Raikou). Katie and the crowd were surprised to see such a Pokémon.

"Thor, use Electric Terrain!" Thor releases multiple bolts of yellow electricity from his body, causing his body and the surrounding area to glow yellow.

Psyduck flinched at the electricity all around the field.

"Now Thunder Wave!" Thor releases multiple blue bolts of lightning at Psyduck, getting a direct hit.

"Psyduck!" Katie cried out.

Somehow, Psyduck was still standing.

"Psyduck, try and use Ice Beam!" Katie called out.

However, Psyduck was paralyzed. Katie was shocked at this.

"Finished up with Thunder Shock!" Thor roared as he launched his electric attack which Psyduck got a direct hit.

Then Golduck fainted. So Katie was now down to two Pokémon.

Katie sent out a Scizor and Ashlyn sent out Percy (Swellow).

"Scizor, use Quick Attack!" Katie commanded.

"Percy, Aerial Ace!" Ashlyn countered.

The two Pokémon tackling each other with Quick Attack and Aerial Ace.

"Use Metal Claw Scizor!" Scizor's pincers glowed a metallic color and moved towards Percy.

"Double Team!" Percy created copies of himself. Scizor hit ones of the copies which helped Percy avoid from getting hit. Katie had Scizor attack some more till it could hit the real Percy.

"Percy, use Heat Wave!" Percy blew a heat wave attack from his beak and Scizor got hit by the attack. The fire attack was too much for Scizor and it fainted.

Katie, the audience, Tyson and Morrison were shocked that Ashlyn's Swellow knew Heat Wave.

Katie was now down to her last Pokémon, a Walrein. Ashlyn let out Damini (Shiny Manectric).

"Use Avalanche, Walrein!" Walrein's body glowed light blue and white rings of energy appeared in the sky, and then an avalanche of snow appeared out of the rings.

"Quick Flamethrower!" Damini shot a stream of fire at the avalanche of snow which soon caused it to melt into water that rain down onto the field.

"Walrein, use Water Gun!" Walrein fired a Water Gun at Damini.

"Protect!" Damini projected a green barrier in front of herself.

"Let's use Thunderbolt, Damini." Damini fired Thunderbolt towards Walrein.

"Walrein, use Mimic!" Walrein used Thunderbolt to counter Damini's Thunderbolt.

"Damini, use Agility on the pool's floats!" Damini jumped from the pool's floats one by one very quickly and Walrein had no idea where Damini would attack from next.

"Now let's use Thunder!" Ashlyn shouted.

"Use Blizzard, Walrein!" Katie yelled.

Damini fired Thunder as Walrein fired Blizzard. Walrein got fried by the Thunder and Damini got cold from the Blizzard. Walrein took real damage from the thunder attack and fainted.

So Ashlyn was the winner and could battle in the next round.

"Congrads, Ashlyn. I have to admit that I was amazed by your Pokémon having many different moves." Katie admitted.

"Ah well different moves can be useful in battles. Especially since when your Pokémon are at a disadvantage with an opponent." Ashlyn stated.

"I have to agree with you, Ashlyn." Katie agreed.

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The rest of the day was more six on six battles, and Tyson and Morrison passed their rounds. That evening it was time for the results of who would be battling who in the Top 16. To the gang's surprise, Ashlyn and Morrison were facing each other in the next round. Ashlyn looked at Morrison; Morrison was in shock that he had to battle Ashlyn and he ran out of the center.

Ashlyn sighed, "I believe that Morrison doesn't want to battle me." She said.

"Well it was going to happen sooner or later." Brock hinted.

"It's true that Morrison has to battle you Ashlyn, his friend, but Morrison has to accept it tomorrow." Alain stated.

Ashlyn felt worried about Morrison.

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The next day was the Top 16 battles and now Ashlyn and Morrison were battling each other. This field was an ice field.

Ashlyn stared at Morrison; Morrison was still not at his best because he was battling with Ashlyn.

'I have that feeling that Morrison will not battle his best in this,' Ashlyn thought, 'so I'll have to set him straight.'

She sent out Jacinth (Sableye) first and Morrison sent out Girafarig.

"Girafarig, use Light Screen!" Girafarig used Light Screen.

"Jacinth, Brick Break!" Jacinth use Brick Break and the attack smashed the Light Screen.

"Now use Shadow Claw!" Jacinth scratched Girafarig good with his Shadow Claw attack.

"Use Tackle Girafarig!" Morrison ordered.

That was a big mistake; since Jacinth was part ghost, the tackle did nothing.

'I knew it,' Ashlyn thought, 'Morrison isn't concentrating at all because of this challenge with me.'

"Dark Pulse!" Jacinth shot his attack at Girafarig and Girafarig fainted.

Morrison returned Girafarig and Ember returned Jacinth.

"Hey Morrison!" Ashlyn called out, "this is not the type of battle wanted with you. If you're going to keep on like this, then you should quit this battle now!"

Morrison was shocked by Ashlyn's words and gritted his teeth, "I'm not quitting!" he shouted, "and I will give you a real battle now!" He sent out Growlithe.

"This is more like it," Ashlyn grinned and released Ula (Shiny Milotic), "Ula, Water Pulse!"

"Growlithe, use Flamethrower!" Morrison ordered.

The two attacks clashed causing a steam to form over the field.

"This is the battle I wanted from you, Morrison." Ashlyn said, happy that Morrison snapped out of his shock.

"Ula, use Twister!" Ula spins her tailfins like a fan and a tornado comes out at Growlithe.

"Dodge it with Flame Wheel, Growlithe!" Growlithe dodged the Twister attack and then tackled Ula.

"Hydro Pump!" Ula shot a powerful stream of water from her mouth which got a direct hit at Growlithe.

"Growlithe, use Flamethrower!" Growlithe blew Flamethrower at Ula.

"Ula, use Water Gun and then Surf!" Ula shot a stream of water from her mouth which clashed against Growlithe's Flamethrower which caused it to become steam once more. Then Ula summoned a huge wave of water and rode it.

The water splashed over Growlithe. When the water subsided, it showed that Growlithe had fainted.

Morrison returned Growlithe and sent out Marshtomp, "Use Hydro Pump!"

Ashlyn smirked, "Ula, use Mirror Coat."

Marshtomp's hydro pump attack bounced off Ula and hit Marshtomp.

Morrison didn't expect that. "Marshtomp, use Hammer Arm!"

"Use Attract, Ula." Ula winked and sent off pink hearts from her body and the hearts hit Marshtomp, and Marshtomp became attracted to Milotic and couldn't fight.

"Now use Iron Tail!" Ula whacked Marshtomp with her Iron Tail, and then Marshtomp got thrown into an iceberg and fainted.

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During the few moments of break, Morrison apologized to Ashlyn for his behavior.

"I understand you're shocked of facing me because we are friends, Morrison," Ashlyn said, "but I'm glad you realize we can still have a great battle."

"Yeah." Morrison agreed.

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After the break, Ashlyn and Morrison were ready to fight again. The field was now a grass type field. Morrison sent out Steelix and Ashlyn sent out Hestia.

"Steelix, use Dig!" Steelix went underground.

"Hestia, close your eyes and feel the vibrations in the ground! Then dodge!" Hestia closed her eyes. Concentrating on the ground, waiting to feel the vibrations.

At that moment, Hestia jumped out of the way just when Steelix came out.

"Blaze Kick!" Flames appeared on Hestia's right foot and kicked Steelix in the face with it.

"Okay use Focus Blast!" Steelix got hit well by Hestia's Focus Blast, but it still stood.

"Use Dragon Breath, Steelix!" Steelix blew Dragon Breath at Hestia.

"Protect!" Hestia projected a green colored barrier in front of her, protecting her from Steelix's Dragon Breath.

"Now Overheat!" Hestia's body turns a faint red and she releases a white fire with a red-orange flame spiraling around it at Steelix and it hits Steelix. Then Steelix fainted.

Morrison returned Steelix and sent out Gligar and Ember sent out Warrin (Glalie).

"Gligar, use Steel Wing!" Morrison ordered.

"Use Powder Snow Warrin!" Ashlyn countered.

Warrin's Powder Snow attack had stopped Gligar from getting close to him, while Gligar was trying to fly towards him.

"Now let's move in with Ice Fang." Warrin bit down hard on Gligar with his Ice Fang attack and ice began to form on Gligar. Poor Gligar had trouble flying because of the ice.

"Try and break that ice, Gligar!" Morrison called out.

"Finish it off with one more Ice Fang!" Warrin bit down on Gligar again with ice fang and Gligar fainted from the ice attack.

Morrison was now down to his last Pokémon; Metang. Ashlyn returned Warrin and sent out Lela.

"Metang, use Confusion!" But of course, nothing happened.

"You should know Morrison that Psychic moves don't work on dark type Pokémon." Ashlyn pointed out.

Morrison face palmed himself in embarrassment for not knowing that.

"Use Dark Pulse, Lela!" Lela's Dark Pulse attack hit Metang good.

"Okay let's try this then," Morrison said, "Metang use Bullet Punch!"

Metang gave Lela a good punching.

"Use Fire Fang!" Flames appeared on Lela's fangs and she bit down on Metang, and Metang got hurt them. This was too much for Metang and it fainted. So Morrison lost and earned himself Top 16 place in the Ever Grande Conference.

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When the Top 16 rounds were over, everyone went to the Pokémon center to heal their Pokémon. Morrison walked up to Ashlyn.

"Congratulations on your win, Ashlyn." Morrison congratulated her.

"Thanks, Morrison." Ashlyn smiled.

"I'm sorry about today's battle. I was just so afraid that we would lose our friendship if you lost. But now I realized that I was just being silly." Morrison apologized.

"It's okay, Morrison. Whether you won or lost, you're still my friend." Ashlyn stated.

"Thanks, Ashlyn. Don't worry, I promise that I won't act that way ever again." Morrison promised.

Ashlyn smiled, "That means a lot, Morrison." She said.

Just then the results for the Top 8 rounds, that were happening tomorrow, appeared. This time Ashlyn was against a man named Jones.

"I know that guy," Tyson said, "he's a ground type Pokémon trainer, so he only uses ground type Pokémon."

"Wow, he must be a strong ground type trainer if he could defeat all eight gyms with ground type Pokémon." Max commented.

Ashlyn was interested by that, and she couldn't wait to battle Jones. So there was still some more battles for Ashlyn to get through if she wanted to win the Ever Grande Conference.

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The next day was now the Top 8 of the battle rounds in the Ever Grande Conference. Ashlyn put up a good fight against Jones and his ground type Pokémon; Jones had Flygon, Rhydon, Swampert, Camerupt, Claydol, and Sandslash. Ashlyn used Idris (Shiny Salamence) who defeated his Flygon. Cress (Lurantis) was somehow able to defeat his Swampert. Finn (Swampert) was able to defeat his Rhydon. Ula (Shiny Milotic) defeated Camerupt. Kazuki (Sceptile) defeated Claydol. Then Liana (Cradily) defeated Sandslash defeated. In the end, Ashlyn won against Jones.

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So now it was time for the Top 4 battles. Tyson and Ashlyn both defeated their opponents. But Ashlyn's next opponent was Tyson. Even though they were friends/rivals, Tyson and Ashlyn promised to have a good battle between each other.

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Now it was time for Ashlyn and Tyson's battle, and they were on a grass field. Tyson sent out his Sceptile and Ashlyn sent out Warrin (Glalie).

"Warrin, use Blizzard!" Ashlyn ordered.

"Sceptile, Solar Beam!" Tyson countered.

The Blizzard and Solar Beam collided with each other and created an explosion. The explosion caused both Warrin and Sceptile to faint.

"We've only started the battle and our first Pokémon have both been defeated Pokémon." Ashlyn said to Tesla.

Tesla agreed, "Raichu."

Tyson returned Sceptile and sent out Shiftry, and Ashlyn returned Warrin and sent out Willow (Beautifly).

"Willow, use Silver Wind!" Willow launched her Silver Wind attack at Shiftry.

"Shiftry, dodge!" Shiftry dodged the attack.

"Use Shadow Ball, Shiftry." Tyson commanded.

"Counter that with Energy Ball, Willow!" Ashlyn countered.

The Shadow Ball and Energy Ball collided with each other and caused a bang.

"Quick use Stun Spore!" Willow released stun spore from her wings and Shiftry became paralyzed by the stun spore.

"Now use Silver Wind!" Willow used her Silver Wind attack.

Tyson tried to make his Shiftry dodge, but Shiftry was too paralyzed. Shiftry got hit by the Silver Wind.

"Finish it with Aerial Ace!" Then Willow finished the battle off with Aerial Ace.

Tyson returned Shiftry and sent out Hariyama next. Ashlyn returned Willow and sent out Percy (Swellow).

"Hariyama, use Brick Break!" Hariyama launched his Brick Break attack.

"Dodge that with Quick Attack!" Percy's quick attack helped him escape before Hariyama could hit him with Brick Break.

"Percy, use Brave Bird!" Ashlyn ordered.

"Use Focus Punch, Hariyama!" Tyson countered.

Hariyama and Percy charged at each other with their attacks and an explosion happened sending the two Pokémon backwards. Percy was still all right but Hariyama was unable to battle. So Tyson lost three Pokémon first and it was time for a field change.

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Ashlyn was talking with Morrison and the others while it was break time.

"Tyson is stronger than I thought." Ashlyn admitted.

"I agree and his Pokémon are no push overs either." Alain agreed.

The others agreed.

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Now it was time for the second half of the battle between Ashlyn and Tyson and this time they were on a rock field. Tyson called out his Donphan and Ashlyn called out Sebastian (Crawdaunt).

"Use Rollout, Donphan!" Donphan started to roll towards Sebastian.

"Use Surf, Sebastian" Sebastian created a wave of water and it hit Donphan while it was still rolling. The surf attack not only soaked Donphan, it also stopped Donphan from rolling. "Now our chance! Sebastian, use Crab Hammer!"

Sebastian whacked Donphan hard with Crab Hammer and Donphan fainted.

Tyson's next Pokémon was Metagross. Ashlyn's next Pokémon was Hestia (Shiny Blaziken).

"Metagross, use Confusion!" Hestia was sent into the air.

"Use Ember, Hestia!" Even though Hestia was still controlled by Metagross, Hestia fired Ember at Metagross and Metagross got hit by the ember attack.

"Sorry Tyson, but Hestia and I have had practice against dealing with the move 'Confusion' before." Ashlyn stated.

Hestia pumped up ready to fight some more.

"Use Flare Blitz!" Hestia surrounded herself in red-orange flames, and while she charged towards Metagross the flames turned blue. Hestia charged straight into Metagross, and of course Hestia received damage after using Flare Blitz. Metagross took a lot of damage from that Flare Blitz attack and fainted.

Now Tyson was down to his last Pokémon; Meowth. Ashlyn returned Hestia and let out Tesla. Ever since Tesla first met Meowth, she wanted to have a battle with him.

"Meowth, use Slash!" Meowth ran towards Tesla, ready to slash Tesla.

"Tesla, dodge!" Tesla dodged Meowth's attack, "Attract!" Tesla winked at Meowth and multiple yellow hearts are released from her body at Meowth. When the attack hits Meowth, its eyes become replaced with hearts. That meant that Meowth had fallen in love with Tesla.

"Meowth!" Tyson gawked in surprise at Meowth's behavior.

"Tesla, Focus Punch." Tesla punched Meowth.

"Now Swift!" Tesla's tail glowed yellow and fired Swift and all the stars hit Meowth.

Meowth was then back to his normal senses.

"Tesla, use Iron Tail!" Ashlyn ordered.

"Counter with your Iron Tail, Meowth!" Tyson countered.

The two Pokémon started to clash at each other with iron tail like they were sword fighting. The fight went on and on with Meowth and Tesla throwing attacks at each other. Tyson's Meowth was clearly not giving up on the battle and neither was Tesla.

Finally Meowth couldn't take anymore and fainted, while Tesla was just barely still standing.

"Meowth is unable to battle!" The referee announced to everyone, "Ashlyn has defeated all of Tyson's Pokémon. Making Ashlyn Ketchum the Winner!"

"THERE YOU HAVE IT FOLKS!" The announcement said, "ASHLYN KETCHUM HAS DONE IT AGAIN IN THE HOENN REGION, WINNING THE EVER GRANDE CONFERENCE! THIS IS INCREDIBLE!" The audience cheered, "A 14 YEAR-OLD GIRL HAD WON THE LEAGUE! THE YOUNGEST ONE!"

The crowd erupted into cheered and applaud loudly.

Ashlyn was shocked at what had just happened. She had just won the Ever Grande Conference. She couldn't believe it. She finally got back to reality when she felt Tesla nuzzling against her leg. She smiled as she picked up Tesla into her arms and hugged her.

"We did it, Tesla. You and the others did great out there." Ashlyn smiled.

Tesla nuzzled against her cheek happily.

"That was a great battle, Ashlyn." Tyson admitted.

"I have to agree with you, Tyson." Ashlyn agreed.

"From all that battling, I could easily tell that Meowth enjoyed it very much." Tyson stated.

"Raichu! (I did too!)" Tesla agreed.

"Tesla had fun as well." Ashlyn translated, smiling.

Tyson smiled, "I'm glad."

Then the two shook hands, both acknowledging that they both battled brilliantly today. And so, Ashlyn became the winner of the Ever Grande Conference.