The Trainers who advanced to the second round were now clear.
From Kanto: Ash, Gary, and Brock—all three made it through, proving that once Kanto, the Orange Islands, and Johto reunited, their region would once again become the strongest.
From Hoenn: Aiden, Steven, and Tyson.
From Sinnoh: only Paul.
From Unova: Iris, Trip, and Cameron were all eliminated, leaving Professor Juniper looking rather embarrassed.
The second-round draw gave Gary a bye.
The remaining six were matched as follows:
1) Ash vs Steven
2) Aiden vs Paul
3) Tyson vs Brock
Ash's battle against Steven was the first to begin.
Steven was the Trainer who had once blocked Ash from reaching the semifinals of the Silver Conference—his Blaziken still haunted Ash's memories.
But Ash refused to rotate his Pokémon.
Steven sent out Weavile, which fell to Sceptile.
Then Steelix crushed Sceptile.
Corphish tried, but also fell.
At last, only Pikachu remained.
Pikachu defeated Steelix… but fell to Blaziken.
Steven sighed.
"Ash, why do you insist on using only the Pokémon you caught in Hoenn? Aren't your older Pokémon your partners too? If Charizard were here, you wouldn't have lost."
Gary added sharply.
"If you rely only on Pikachu, then beating me at the Silver Conference was just luck."
Ash froze.
Aiden finally spoke.
"Pokémon battles are decided by results. You say Pikachu is your partner—but what about the Pokémon you left at Professor Oak's lab? Have you trained them? Have you even visited Pidgeot?"
Ash trembled.
Then he turned to Professor Oak.
"Professor… is there a place here where I can retrieve my Pokémon? I want to see everyone."
Aiden smiled.
This was the Ash who would later conquer the Battle Frontier.
Then it was time.
Aiden Flint vs Paul.
Paul sneered.
"I told you Ash was useless."
Aiden calmly threw a Poké Ball.
"Win first. Then you can talk."
Metang appeared.
Paul released Nidoking.
"Ding! Nidoking's current stats are as follows…"
Pokémon: Nidoking
Level: 45
Ability: Poison Point
Type: Poison / Ground
Potential: Purple
"Nidoking, Earth Power!"
"Metang, Psychic!"
The ground erupted—but psychic force slammed into Nidoking first.
Poison-types were weak to Psychic.
Nidoking staggered.
"Again, Psychic!"
"Push through—Megahorn!"
Nidoking charged… and was met by Meteor Mash.
"Ding! Metang defeated Nidoking. Level up! Lv45!"
Light exploded.
"Not again—YOU'RE EVOLVING?!"
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