The Indigo Plateau main stadium had become a living, breathing beast of noise and light. Eighty thousand spectators filled every single seat, every aisle, every standing platform, and every overflow zone on the upper terraces and concourses. The air itself seemed to vibrate with raw, electric energy. Banners of every color snapped in the artificial breeze created by the massive overhead fans. Poké Balls were tossed like celebratory confetti. Children sat on parents' shoulders, screaming until their voices cracked. The giant jumbotron screens looped highlights from the earlier rounds, but nobody was watching them anymore. Every camera, every pair of eyes, every heartbeat in the entire stadium was locked onto the two competitor tunnels at opposite ends of the battlefield.
The announcer's voice rolled across the arena like rolling thunder, amplified to shake the steel girders high above.
"Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to the Indigo League Quarterfinals! In this corner, hailing from Pallet Town the trainer who has defied every expectation, rewritten his own destiny, and brought an entire region to its feet Ash Ketchum!"
Ash stepped into the blinding sunlight of the main field. No flashy entrance, no dramatic pose. He simply walked to his raised trainer platform with calm, purposeful strides. Pikachu perched proudly on his left shoulder, cheeks crackling with electric pride. His Eevee balanced perfectly on the right, tail curled loosely around his neck like a living scarf, ears perked and eyes bright with excitement. Ash raised one fist to the sky a simple, quiet gesture of acknowledgment and the entire stadium answered with a wall of sound so powerful it rattled the metal framework overhead.
"ASH! ASH! ASH! ASH!"
High in the family and VIP section, Delia Ketchum was already on her feet, hands clasped tightly under her chin, eyes glistening with unshed tears of pure pride. Beside her sat a woman in a wide sun hat, oversized sunglasses, and a loose jacket Cynthia, the Sinnoh Champion, perfectly incognito. She clapped steadily, her smile hidden but her posture radiating fierce, quiet support. Amber, Ash's adopted little sister, bounced on her toes beside them, pigtails flying as she waved a handmade sign that read "Big Brother Unstoppable!" in bright, wobbly marker. Daisy Oak stood right next to her, hands cupped around her mouth, screaming louder than half the section combined.
"Go, Ash! Show them what Pallet Town power looks like!" Daisy bellowed.
Amber turned to Delia with wide, shining eyes. "Mom, is big brother gonna win everything today?"
Delia laughed softly through happy tears, pulling Amber into a side hug. "He's going to win everything today with ease, sweetheart. That's what makes him special."
Cynthia leaned in slightly, voice low but warm under the disguise. "He's already won half the war just by stepping onto this field. The rest… he'll handle. He always does."
Far away in Littleroot Town, Hoenn, Professor Birch sat alone in his cluttered laboratory. The big screen on the wall showed the Indigo Plateau live feed. His lab coat was rumpled, a half-eaten sandwich forgotten on the desk. Treecko slept on a stack of papers beside him. Birch's eyes were glued to the screen, hands clasped so tightly his knuckles were white.
"That's my boy," he whispered, voice thick with pride and nerves. "Show them what Hoenn trainers are made of, Brendan."
In a quiet house in Veilstone City, Sinnoh, a purple-haired teenager sat on the edge of his bed, arms crossed, eyes narrowed at the television. Paul had never met Ash Ketchum in person he'd only seen clips and heard rumors of the Pallet trainer who kept climbing higher than expected. Paul watched the broadcast in silence, jaw tight. Every time the camera panned to Ash, his fingers dug deeper into his arms.
"…Who the hell is this guy?" he muttered under his breath. "Some nobody from Kanto making this much noise… let's see how long he lasts."
In the Lumiose Gym in Kalos, Clemont and Bonnie were glued to the large screen in the gym lobby. Clemont adjusted his glasses, eyes wide with scientific fascination. Bonnie bounced on her heels, cheering at the top of her lungs even though she had no idea who Ash was beyond "that cool trainer on TV."
"Big brother Ash is so cool!" Bonnie yelled, jumping up and down. "Look at that entrance! Go, big brother Ash! Go! Go!"
Clemont smiled proudly, even though he'd never met Ash either. "The data from his previous matches is incredible. The way he adapts… this is going to be a battle for the history books. Bonnie, sit down you'll knock over the equipment!"
Bonnie ignored him, still cheering. "He's gonna win! I know it!"
Deep underground in one of Team Rocket's secret headquarters, Giovanni sat in a dimly lit private chamber. A glass of deep red wine rested in his hand. His Persian lay across his lap, purring contentedly as the boss stroked its sleek fur with slow, deliberate motions. The large monitor on the wall showed the Indigo League feed. Giovanni's eyes were cold, calculating.
"So… the boy from Pallet Town made it to the quarterfinals," he murmured, taking a slow sip of wine. "We had our little… conversation in Viridian Gym. He defeated me, refused my offer, and walked away like it was nothing." A dangerous smile touched his lips. "Keep growing, Ash Ketchum. The stronger you become, the more valuable you will be when Team Rocket finally claims you."
Back at the stadium, the opposite tunnel opened.
"And in this corner, crossing from Littleroot Town in the Hoenn region the prodigy who left home to test his limits on foreign soil, the trainer who has already turned heads across two continents Brendan Birch!"
Brendan emerged into the light, red bandana tied tight against the wind, Sceptile walking at his side like a silent, vigilant shadow. The Hoenn trainer raised one hand in calm acknowledgment respectful, not boastful and the crowd responded with a massive, curious roar mixed with genuine excitement. A foreign trainer in the quarterfinals of the Indigo League? This was fresh. This was electric.
The referee a tall, stern-faced man with a voice that carried like a megaphone stepped to the center line.
"This is a full 6-on-6 single battle! Substitutions are permitted at any time! The first trainer to force six knockouts wins and advances to the semifinals! Trainers… take your positions!"
Ash and Brendan locked eyes across the scarred battlefield.
Ash's grin was wide, genuine, alive with anticipation. "Let's make this one legendary, Brendan."
Brendan nodded once, eyes sharp and steady. "No holding back. That's how I want it."
The starting bell rang a sharp, piercing tone that silenced the stadium for one heartbeat.
Ash drew his first Poké Ball and hurled it forward.
"Muk! Let's start this right!"
A massive wave of purple sludge exploded across the field. Muk rose like a living mountain of poison, body rippling, toxic bubbles popping across his amorphous form with cheerful menace. The crowd gasped at his sheer scale broader, denser, more imposing than any standard Muk they had ever seen. He grinned wide, dripping ooze, ready for war.
In some far away gym aka Fuchsia city gym koga was watching the match along with his daughter and aya. Koga's expression mirrored an chinese master proud of his deciple.
Brendan answered without hesitation, throwing his own ball.
"Absol! Show them your edge!"
White-and-black fur materialized in a graceful, predatory leap. Absol landed lightly on all fours, red horn gleaming under the lights like a polished blade, eyes already scanning the field with eerie, foresight-driven calm.
Commentator 1 (voice rising with hype): "And we are underway in the quarterfinals! Ash Ketchum leads with Muk a poison-type juggernaut built for endurance and raw toxicity! Brendan Birch counters with Absol the disaster Pokémon, known for razor-sharp speed, future-sight intuition, and devastating dark-type strikes!"
Commentator 2: "Classic matchup right out of the gate immovable object versus unstoppable force! Bulk and poison against agility and precision. Who dictates the flow?"
Ash closed his eyes for a brief second. A soft blue aura flared around his body invisible to the crowd but felt by his Pokémon. He channeled his Aura directly into Muk, sending a wave of calm confidence, tactical awareness, and unbreakable resolve.
Muk… tank the early hits. Build the poison. I'm right here with you. Every strike, every breath we're together.
Muk's grin widened. He understood perfectly. The Aura link made every command instant, every feeling shared.
Ash called out, "Muk Poison Gas wide spread, then follow with Sludge Bomb barrage!"
Muk inhaled deeply and exhaled a thick, rolling purple cloud that spread across half the battlefield like toxic fog. The gas bubbled and hissed, stinging the air.
Absol's eyes flashed white future-sight kicking in. It leaped high, clearing the gas entirely in a single elegant bound, body twisting mid-air.
Brendan: "Night Slash cut straight through!"
Absol dove like a falling star, horn igniting with dark purple energy. It slashed diagonally across Muk's massive side. The blade carved deep gashes; purple ooze sprayed in high arcs. Muk recoiled slightly, but his grin never faltered.
Ash felt the hit through his Aura link sharp, stinging but he sent another pulse of encouragement.
You're fine. Hit him back harder. We've got this.
Ash: "Shake it off! Sludge Wave flood him!"
Muk slammed both arms down. A massive surge of toxic sludge rose like a tidal wave and rushed forward. Absol skidded sideways, dodging most of the wave, but the edge clipped its hind leg. Poison seeped in immediately Absol winced, fur matting with venom.
The crowd was already on its feet.
"That Absol is FAST!" "Muk just took that Night Slash like it was nothing!" "Poison's already working look at Absol's leg!"
In the stands, Amber clutched Delia's sleeve, eyes huge. "Big brother's Muk is so big and strong!" Daisy screamed, "Drown him in poison, Muk!" Cynthia (quietly, under her hat): "Ash is using his Aura again… I can feel it from here. That link is incredible."
Back in Littleroot, Professor Birch leaned forward. "Brendan… careful. That Muk is a tank. And the boy's Aura… it's not just rumor."
Paul in Sinnoh smirked. "Predictable. Let's see how long the cat lasts against that sludge freak."
Clemont in Kalos adjusted his glasses. "The poison damage is already accumulating. Fascinating! Bonnie, look at how the sludge reforms it's almost like a living organism!"
Bonnie cheered louder. "Big brother Ash is gonna win! Go Muk! Go!"
Giovanni swirled his wine, Persian purring louder. "The boy's Aura control has improved dramatically since Viridian. Persian… we may need to accelerate our plans for him."
Koga with a proud face."That's how you show the world the true might of poison type pokemon do it kid!"
Brendan narrowed his eyes. "Absol Swords Dance, sharpen up!"
Absol spun in place, blades of dark energy whirling around its body, attack power surging visibly. Then it blurred forward again.
Brendan: "Pursuit strike from the shadows!"
Absol vanished into a ripple of darkness, reappearing behind Muk for a brutal ambush strike. The horn slammed into Muk's back with a meaty thud. Muk's body rippled like jelly, absorbing most of the force.
Ash sent another Aura pulse: Grab him now! Crush him!
Ash: "Poison Jab grab and crush!"
Muk's arm stretched like living rubber, latching onto Absol mid-strike. Poison Touch activated on contact Absol shuddered violently as venom flooded its system. Muk swung the smaller Pokémon like a toy and slammed it hard into the ground. The impact cratered the field, sending cracks spider-webbing outward.
Absol rolled away, breathing ragged, fur slick with poison and dirt.
Brendan: "Absol return!" Red light pulled the injured disaster Pokémon back. "You did great. Rest now."
Commentator 1: "Brendan makes the first switch! Absol took serious poison damage and a heavy slam smart to pull it early before it drops!"
Brendan drew his next ball. "Mightyena! Let's keep the pressure on!"
The dark-type landed snarling, fur bristling, red eyes glowing with feral intensity. Intimidate flared Muk's attack dropped slightly, but the poison blob just grinned wider.
Ash: "Alright, Muk let's finish this fast!"
Mightyena howled once, then charged.
Brendan: "Crunch go for the core!"
Mightyena's jaws glowed, lunging straight at Muk's center mass. Muk met the charge head-on with Poison Jab fist meeting fangs in a shower of sparks and sludge. They collided like two battering rams Crunch tearing chunks of purple ooze, Poison Jab burning fur and skin.
Muk: Sludge Bomb point-blank. Mightyena: Dodge left and Bite tearing another chunk.
They circled each other warily, then clashed again. No elegant footwork just raw, brutal aggression. Muk's body reformed every time Mightyena ripped a piece away. Mightyena's fur smoked from poison, eyes watering, but it never backed down, snarling through the pain.
Ash kept the Aura link open, sending constant waves of encouragement and tactical suggestions. Stay low. Use the sludge to slow him. You're stronger than he is. I'm right here.
Ash: "Sludge Wave flood the entire field!"
Muk raised both arms. A massive purple tide surged outward, turning the battlefield into a shallow toxic lake. Mightyena leaped onto a cracked boulder, using it as a springboard for Take Down slamming into Muk with full-body force.
The impact echoed like thunder. Muk skidded back several feet, leaving a trench in the mud.
Brendan: "Crunch again finish the job!"
Mightyena lunged once more. Muk caught it mid-air with extended arms, Poison Touch burning deeper. He swung Mightyena in a wide arc and hurled it into the sludge pool.
Mightyena surfaced snarling, shook itself off, and charged again with Sucker Punch a cheap, fast strike that caught Muk off-guard and staggered him.
Ash: "Gunk Shot end it!"
Muk opened wide and fired a massive purple cannonball of concentrated sludge. Mightyena twisted mid-air, barely dodging, then countered with another Crunch latching onto Muk's side and shaking like a rabid dog.
Both Pokémon staggered back, chests heaving, bodies covered in cuts, bruises, burns, and oozing poison.
The stadium was deafening.
"THEY'RE NOT STOPPING!" "THIS IS PURE POWER LOOK AT THEM GO!" "MUK'S STILL SMILING HE LOVES THIS!"
Misty was on her feet, hands around her mouth: "POISON HIM DRY, MUK! DON'T LET UP!" Sabrina's hands were clenched in her lap, eyes faintly glowing: "Hold on, my love… you've got this…"
Muk and Mightyena locked eyes then charged one final time.
Ash: "Sludge Bomb full force!"
Brendan: "Crunch give it everything!"
The two attacks met dead-center. A purple-black explosion rocked the stadium, shockwaves knocking loose dirt into the air. Smoke billowed.
When it cleared… both Muk and Mightyena lay sprawled in the center, unmoving.
Referee raised both flags.
"Double knockout! Muk and Mightyena are unable to battle!"
The arena detonated.
Commentator 1 (screaming): "WHAT AN ABSOLUTE WAR! Both trainers lose their second Pokémon in a fearless, no-holds-barred slugfest! The field is already a toxic swamp this battle is only getting started!"
Delia clutched Amber tightly. "They're fighting so hard… my boy…" Daisy jumped up and down. "That's my favorite sludge monster!" Cynthia (quietly): "Ash's Aura link is keeping Muk going longer than anyone expected."
Professor Birch in Hoenn wiped sweat from his brow. "Brendan… you're doing great. Keep adapting."
Paul in Sinnoh leaned back. "Not bad… for once."
Clemont in Kalos: "The double knockout was perfectly timed. Incredible stamina on both sides!"
Bonnie: "Big brother Ash's Muk is the coolest! Go big brother Ash!"
Koga:"Good job kid that's a wonderful display of pure poison madness This Master approves!!!"
Ash drew his next ball. "Kadabra! Your turn clean this up!"
Kadabra materialized in a flash of psychic light, spoons spinning slowly, eyes glowing with focused power.
Brendan exhaled slowly, then nodded. "Absol back in! Give it everything you've got left!"
The poisoned, battered Absol reappeared slower, breathing hard, but still defiant, horn raised.
Ash closed his eyes again. Blue Aura flared brightly around him. He sent a clear mental command to Kadabra.
End this quickly. Use the poison already in its system. I'm with you.
Ash: "Psychic full power, no mercy!"
Kadabra's eyes flashed. Absol was lifted into the air, body twisting helplessly. Slammed down. Thrown across the field. Confusion blast followed psychic waves ripping across Absol's form, amplifying the existing poison damage.
Absol tried one desperate Night Slash horn glowing weakly. Kadabra teleported behind it in a blink, reappeared, and finished with a point-blank Psychic wave.
Absol collapsed, eyes rolling back.
"Absol is unable to battle! Ash leads 2-1!"
Commentator 2: "Kadabra makes short, brutal work of the already-damaged Absol! Ash takes a commanding lead!"
Brendan recalled Absol gently. "You fought like a champion. Rest now."
He took a deep breath then smiled. "Swampert! Let's turn this around, partner!"
Swampert landed with earth-shaking force, fins flaring wide, eyes locked on Kadabra. The crowd recognized Hoenn's water-ground powerhouse instantly and went wild.
Brendan: "Muddy Water drown it!"
A thick, muddy tsunami surged forward. Kadabra teleported but Swampert predicted the exit point, charging with Hammer Arm. Kadabra blocked with Barrier the impact still sent him skidding back several feet.
Ash sent another Aura pulse to Kadabra: Stay mobile. Use Teleport to create openings. We've got this.
Ash: "Psychic lift and crush!"
Kadabra focused. Swampert resisted ground typing weakening the psychic grip but was lifted a few inches before slamming back down. Then Swampert stomped Earthquake rippling outward. The field buckled. Kadabra lost focus and took a direct Muddy Water blast to the face.
Ash: "Teleport out Confusion follow-up!"
Kadabra vanished again but Swampert was ready, spinning into a Hydro Pump that clipped Kadabra mid-teleport. The psychic tumbled, struggling up.
Brendan: "Earthquake again finish it!"
The ground heaved. Kadabra couldn't stabilize the quake threw him into the air. Swampert followed with a massive Hammer Arm smash.
Kadabra hit the ground hard… and didn't rise.
"Kadabra is unable to battle! Score tied 2-2!"
Commentator 1: "Swampert turns the tide! Brendan evens the match this is anyone's game now!"
Ash recalled Kadabra with a nod. "You did great. Rest up."
He pulled out his heaviest ball, eyes burning with determination.
"Big man… Blastoise! Show them what Kanto's ultimate water-type can do!"
Blastoise emerged in a massive burst of light towering, cannons gleaming under the stadium lights, dark glasses perched on his snout giving him that signature cool swagger. The crowd lost its collective mind.
"THAT'S THE BIG MAN!" "BLASTOISE IS HUGE!" "KANTO REPRESENT!"
Brendan stared for a heartbeat then his smile turned fierce. "This is what I came for. Swampert let's make history together!"
Commentator 1 (voice cracking with excitement): "Here it is, folks — the ultimate regional showdown! Blastoise Kanto's final-evolved water starter, a walking fortress with hydro cannons versus Swampert Hoenn's water-ground powerhouse, built for raw strength and adaptability! Two titans! Two legacies! This is WAR!"
The two giants stared each other down across the flooded, cratered field. Rain still fell lightly from Muk's earlier Rain Dance. The stadium fell into a tense hush.
Then the battle exploded.
Ash closed his eyes. Blue Aura flared brightly around him. He sent a powerful, clear mental link to Blastoise.
Big man… this is our stage. Use the rain. Outlast him. I'm right here with you. Every move, every breath we're together.
Blastoise's eyes flashed with understanding. He roared to the sky.
Ash: "Rain Dance full intensity!"
Dark clouds thickened overhead. Torrential rain poured down heavy, relentless. Blastoise's hidden Rain Dash activated his movements became noticeably faster, water streaming off his shell like liquid armor.
Brendan: "Swampert use the rain! Muddy Water barrage!"
Swampert stomped, summoning a thick, muddy tsunami that rolled forward like a wall. Blastoise countered instantly twin hydro cannons firing high-pressure Hydro Pump streams. The attacks collided dead-center water and mud exploding outward in a massive geyser that drenched the front ten rows.
The crowd screamed.
Ash: "Aqua Tail close the distance!"
Blastoise charged through the rain, tail glowing bright blue. Swampert met him head-on with Hammer Arm massive fist against glowing tail. The clash rang like a gong, shockwaves cracking the already-damaged field further.
They traded blows in the downpour Aqua Tail vs. Brick Break, Skull Bash vs. Earthquake. Each impact shook the stadium. Rain made the ground slick and treacherous Swampert used it to slide into low charges, Blastoise used it for boosted speed bursts with Rain Dash.
Brendan: "Earthquake break his footing!"
Swampert stomped hard. The arena buckled in waves. Blastoise braced, cannons firing a Rapid Spin Hydro Pump to anchor himself against the quake. Then he countered with Skull Bash lowering his head and charging like a battering ram.
The headbutt connected with Swampert's chest. The Hoenn starter staggered back, skidding through mud.
Ash: "Hydro Pump dual stream!"
Blastoise's cannons whirred, firing two concentrated beams. Swampert crossed his arms enduring the hits, water streaming off his body. Then he retaliated with Hydro Cannon a single, massive blast that pushed Blastoise back several feet, cracking the shell slightly.
The two titans were breathing hard now, rain pounding down, mud swirling around their feet.
Ash sent another Aura wave: You're faster in the rain. Use it. Wear him down. We're not done yet.
Ash: "Rain Dash Skull Bash combo!"
Blastoise blurred forward with increased speed, head lowered. Swampert met him with Hammer Arm again the collision sent both sliding back. They circled, trading punches, tails, cannon blasts, stomps.
Brendan: "Muddy Water trap him!"
Swampert summoned another muddy wave. Blastoise fired Hydro Pump to part it, then closed in with Aqua Tail slamming Swampert's side. Swampert roared, countering with Brick Break fist crashing against Blastoise's shell.
Cracks appeared. Both were hurting but neither yielded.
Ash: "Hydro Cannon full power!"
Blastoise planted his feet, cannons charging with a deep hum. The barrels glowed bright blue.
Brendan: "Swampert Hydro Cannon match it!"
Swampert mirrored him fins flaring, mouth opening wide, energy gathering.
Both fired at the same instant.
Twin ultimate water moves one pure, high-pressure blue, one thick and muddy collided dead-center.
The explosion was apocalyptic.
A towering column of water, mud, steam, and debris shot hundreds of feet into the air. The entire battlefield vanished behind a thick, swirling cloud of white spray and brown dust. Visibility dropped to zero. The rain continued to fall, mixing with the chaos.
The crowd held its collective breath.
Commentator 1 (voice hushed): "We… we can't see a thing! Both titans are still in there… waiting for the dust to settle…"
Commentator 2: "The field is completely obscured! No movement visible… trainers standing perfectly still… this could decide everything!"
Silence fell over the stadium broken only by the patter of rain and the distant rumble of settling debris.
Then a low, deep rumble from inside the cloud.
To be continued in the Next Dra---- Sorry wrong Show Journey continues…
------------------------------------------------------------
Thank You Note from the Author
To every single reader who has walked this path with me Thank you. From the deepest part of my heart, thank you.
We have reached Chapter 200. Two hundred chapters of Ash defying fate, forging unbreakable bonds, finding love in the unlikeliest places, and becoming the trainer he was always destined to be. Your comments, your votes, your quiet support in the background every single one of you kept this story breathing.
None of this exists without you.
So from me, from Ash, from Misty, Sabrina, Delia, Cynthia, Amber, Daisy, Pikachu, Eevee, Muk, Blastoise, and every Pokémon and person in this rewritten world…
Thank you for 200 chapters. Here's to the next 200 together.
See you in Chapter 201 for the conclusion of this battle.