Pokemon : Rewind

As the clock struck ten, the Victor's Cup commenced at Pummelo Stadium, its march playing loud and clear.

Beneath the blazing sun, the Dragonite statue in the northeastern stands gleamed brilliantly, almost appearing alive.

"This is Pummelo Stadium, and welcome to the Victor's Cup!" The commentator's voice echoed through the arena, amplified for the audience in the stands and broadcast worldwide.

"Today, we witness a monumental clash—the challenger, Kanto's rising star Ash, versus the indomitable Chief Trainer of the Southern Cross, Drake!"

The crowd roared in anticipation as the commentator hyped up the match.

"Please welcome Mr. Drake, the defender of the Orange Alliance Hall!"

Drake entered the arena from the red tunnel, his stride calm but purposeful. He took his place on the red side of the battlefield as the crowd erupted in cheers.

Though his fame was regional, Drake was revered in the Orange Islands as a symbol of strength.

---

In the VIP section, Lorelei, one of Kanto's Elite Four, observed Drake with a discerning eye.

"Drake hasn't lost his touch," she thought. "But can he stand up to Ash's ingenuity?"

Her gaze shifted to the opposite side of the stadium as the commentator announced the challenger.

"Now, let's welcome the young Trainer from Pallet Town in the Kanto Region—Ash!"

Emerging from the tunnel with Pikachu on his shoulder, Ash was greeted by a deafening chant.

"Ash! Ash! Ash!"

The energy was electric, the cheers echoing far beyond the stadium walls. Pikachu, ever the crowd pleaser, waved enthusiastically, eliciting louder cheers from the audience.

Ash, ever humble, acknowledged the crowd with a smile and a slight nod before focusing on the battlefield. Drake watched Ash's entrance, admiration flickering in his eyes.

"His reputation isn't exaggerated," Drake thought. "He's earned his place here."

---

The referee stepped forward to explain the rules.

Each Trainer would use six Pokémon, with a Court Change occurring after one side lost three Pokémon.

Drake, as the defending champion, was restricted from switching Pokémon during each round, while Ash could substitute freely.

Drake would reveal his Pokémon first, but Ash would get the first attack. Drake approached Ash, extending a hand.

"Welcome, Mr. Ash. It's an honor to face someone of your caliber," Drake said respectfully.

"Thank you. Please don't hold back—I want to see your best," Ash replied, shaking Drake's hand with a friendly smile.

---

The battlefield began to shift. The ground split open, revealing a mixed terrain beneath—rocky terrain covering most of the arena, with a central pool of water and a small platform in its middle.

"The battlefield is set!" the referee announced. "Both Trainers, send out your first Pokémon!"

Drake smiled confidently, pulling out a Poké Ball.

"You're up, Ditto!" he called, releasing the pink, amorphous Pokémon onto the field.

---

Ditto

Type: Normal

Category: Transform Pokémon

Ability: Limber

Hidden Ability: Imposter

Strength: Silver Level

—--

Ash raised an eyebrow. "Ditto? Interesting choice."

Ditto's Imposter ability allowed it to transform into any opposing Pokémon, copying its stats, moves, and appearance—except for HP and stat boosts. Though not inherently powerful, Ditto's utility made it a wildcard in any battle.

---

"Lapras, let's go!" Ash called, releasing his Water/Ice-type Pokémon onto the battlefield.

As Ditto activated its Imposter ability, it shimmered and morphed into an exact replica of Lapras.

The crowd murmured with excitement. A transformed Ditto was a rare sight, and they were eager to see how it would match up against Ash's real Lapras.

"Let the battle begin!" the referee declared.

—--

"Ditto, let's show them what you're made of," Drake said with unwavering confidence as the pink amorphous Pokémon morphed seamlessly into an exact replica of Ash's Lapras. The crowd was captivated, the transformation a mesmerizing spectacle for both casual fans and seasoned Trainers alike.

Ash kept his composure, observing the battlefield and considering his next move. Lapras was inexperienced compared to some of his other Pokémon, but Ash knew how to work with raw potential and maneuver around unique circumstances. He had learned long ago that Pokémon battles weren't always about raw power—inventiveness and strategy often made all the difference.

---

"Lapras, start with Confuse Ray!" Ash shouted.

Right away, his Lapras let loose a glowing orb of purple spiraling energy, aimed directly at its doppelgänger. 

The orb moved hauntingly slow, a deliberate visual deception meant to throw opponents off. Yet Drake didn't falter.

"Intercept it with Ice Beam!" Drake commanded.

Ditto, now fully mimicking Lapras, opened its mouth and fired a razor-sharp Ice Beam toward the Confuse Ray. 

The precision of the attack was uncanny, the Confuse Ray dissipating in a cascade of sparkling frost midair.

Ash smiled. He had anticipated this.

"Perfect. Lapras, into the water and use Water Pulse!"

Lapras emitted a harmonious cry before dipping gracefully into the central pool of water. In one smooth motion, a shimmering orb of water condensed before it and launched toward Ditto at high speed.

Drake, recognizing the calculated threat, quickly responded. "Ditto, hit it head-on with Ice Beam again!"

Ditto's Ice Beam streaked toward the orb of water, shattering it on impact in a spray of droplets. The interplay of moves heightened the tension in the air, and the crowd's cheers grew louder. 

Drake smirked. "You're relying too much on tactics, Ash. Let me show you the raw power of your Pokémon. Ditto, Thunderbolt!"

Everyone gasped as the shapeshifted Ditto released a powerful jolt of electrical energy toward the real Lapras. It was a devastating move, given Lapras's Water/Ice typing. Yet Ash was already a step ahead. 

"I knew you'd pull that, Drake. Lapras, dive underwater!"

Just before the Thunderbolt hit, Lapras submerged completely into the pool, vanishing from view. 

The electricity crackled on the water's surface but didn't manage to penetrate through the thick layer of water.

Drake frowned slightly. "Not bad. But hiding won't help you for long. Ditto, use Rain Dance!"

Now it was Ditto's turn to summon the rain. Clouds swirled and darkened above the battlefield, and almost immediately, a deluge came pouring down. 

With the field soaked, Ditto could better make use of its Water-type moves, and Ash's Lapras couldn't hide forever in the pool.

"Lapras, Mist!" Ash ordered through the storm.

In response, his Lapras surfaced momentarily, releasing an ethereal, cool mist that began to engulf the battlefield. The visibility dropped dramatically, a blanket of fog swirling between the two Pokémon.

The crowd murmured in awe, as many couldn't understand the strategy just yet. Even Lorelei leaned closer, intrigued.

"That's clever..." she mused. "He's cutting off Ditto's ability to target effectively. This isn't just a weather effect; he's strategically breaking Drake's momentum."

---

Drake, undeterred, raised his voice over the growing storm. "Ditto, use Hydro Pump toward the pool!"

Ditto fired a massive stream of water toward the center of the pool where Ash's Lapras had been hiding mere moments ago. The powerful blast caused a cascade of waves to crash over the edge of the battlefield, leaving drenched patches of rocky terrain.

But then, from the dense mist, Ash commanded with precision:

"Lapras, Water Pulse—from behind!"

Taking advantage of the visibility-reducing fog, Lapras had quietly maneuvered around the pool's edge and managed to position itself behind Ditto as it fired. 

Now, a second orb of high-energy water streaked through the mist and slammed directly into Ditto's back before it could react.

The crowd erupted in cheers as Ditto screeched, shaking itself off and momentarily losing its balance. But Drake wasn't about to let it end there.

"Counter with Body Slam!" Drake barked.

Ditto turned on a dime, launching itself lumberingly toward the source of the attack. 

However, the rainy terrain and slick rocks made its footing uneven. Ash saw an opportunity and seized it.

"Lapras, Freeze Dry—on the rocks in front of Ditto!"

Freeze Dry, an unconventional move for Lapras, came in handy not because of the damage it inflicted but because of its utility. 

Lapras shot an icy breath at the water-slicked stones directly in Ditto's path, instantly forming a sharp, jagged patch of ice. Ditto slipped before it could reach the real Lapras, crashing onto the frozen patch in an ungraceful heap.

Drake grimaced as Ditto tried to recover while still lying awkwardly on the jagged ice. "Stand up, Ditto, and use Body Slam again!"

But Ash was relentless. "Lapras, Hydro Pump!"

From its advantageous position, Lapras unleashed another high-pressure stream of water directly toward the fallen Ditto. The force of the impact sent Ditto flying backward, crashing onto the wet rocky terrain before it reverted to its original pink amorphous form.

---

"Ditto is unable to battle!" the referee declared, raising a flag toward Ash's side. "The first round goes to Ash!"

The stadium exploded with cheers, and Ash gave Lapras an encouraging nod. His young Lapras had triumphed in its first big test, its raw inexperience offset by Ash's creative strategies and unconventional moves.

---

In the VIP section, Lorelei smirked, leaning back in her chair.

"Drake will definitely ramp things up now," she noted softly. "But that boy... his adaptability and creativity might just carry him through. This is going to be a battle worth watching." 

The rain continued to pour as the battlefield began preparing itself for the next round. This was only the beginning of the Victor's Cup, and already, the match was shaping up to be unforgettable. 

Ash clenched his fist in triumph. "One down."

Drake returned Ditto to its Poké Ball, a glimmer of respect in his eyes.

"Well done, Ash. But the battle is far from over."

As the crowd erupted in applause, Ash prepared for Drake's next move. The Victor's Cup was only just beginning.

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