The next day came when the top 16 would start, 8 battles were scheduled, and they were

Ash vs AJ

Assunta vs Cross

Otoshi vs Samurai

Ritchie vs Remo

Gary vs Raymond

Pete vs Jeanette

Mina vs Melissa

Corey vs Green

Ash was sitting in the locker room waiting for him to be called, as he wanted A.J. walked up to him, "So looks like we're getting that Rematch huh,"

"Yeah, I guess," then Samurai walked in and leaned on the wall.

"While I am envious that you have the first match with Ash, I look forward to my rematch with the noble Otosshi,"

"Oh yeah you 2 fought, kinda forgot about that," Ash said then punched him on the shoulder, "Good luck,"

"I thank you but luck will not be needed," Samurai said

A.J. leaned in and whispered, "Yeah he talks like that now, for some reason, just turn your brain off it's better for both of you."

Then the screen signaled that their match would be starting so with a fistbump they departed to go to their spots.

"Welcome back everyone, the next round of battles in the Indigo Top 16 is about to begin! The trainers in battle today are the wandering wild trainer Akira of Vermilion City!"

On the spot in the red corner stood A.J., looking around slightly embarrassed that he forgot his name would be revealed, completely losing his mysterious side

"Against him is the young man who has overcome determination and spite in near-equal measures so far! Ladies and gentlemen, it is Ash of Pallet Town!"

On the other Ash was stretching his arm over his shoulder with Pikachu doing the same, "Seriously dude, your first name is Akira?"

"Hey, Akira is a cool name, it's just A.J. sounds cooler,"

The announcer spoke again, "Well it seems like the contestants know each other, this will be interesting, let's see if they can put aside their friendship and rivalry, the rules remain the same as always, each trainer has 3 Pokemon and the winner will be decided when one side can no longer battle!"

"Go Beedrill!"

"Poliwrath your up!"

On A.J.'s side, Beedrill had a Choice Scarf, and on Ash Poliwrath had Leftovers,

"Begin!"

A.J. raised his arm, "Beedrill let's end this quick, [Pin Missile]"

"Poliwrath [Strength] on the ground,"

As Beedrill's needles extended and he started shooting them, Poliwrath punched the ground creating a dust cloud obscuring everything.

A.J. raised his arm again, "Beedrill keep using [Pin Missile]!"

Beedrill started rapidly shooting more and more glowing Needles into the smoke finally clearing it and revealing that Poliwrath wasn't there, as Beedrill looked around suddenly from the side Poliwrath jumped out and flew winding up a [Power-up Punch] across Beedrill's jaw.

Then after he got back on the ground, Poliwrath got some healing from the Leftovers and stood ready as Beedrill shook its head.

A.J. frowned, the Choice Scarf boosted his speed but locked him into [Pin Missile] for a few more seconds, "Beedrill [Pin Missile] again!"

Ash smiled, "Dodge then [Belly Drum]!"

Beedrill shot another barrage of [Pin Missile] as Poliwrath ran across the field dodging them until Beedrill had to stop, as soon as she did Poliwrath's stomach started to glow as he delivered a loud slap to his stomach, cutting his heath but getting a bit more from Leftovers.

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A.J. frowned seeing that Poliwrath got the boost so he swiped his arm, "Beedrill change of strategy, [X-Scissor],"

A.J. wanted to end this quickly so that Poliwrath wouldn't get time to get any of that health back Beedrill appeared next to Poliwrath as her needles glowed bright green and she delivered a slash that also got the crit.

Poliwrath fell back onto the ground, and it looked like he was completely knocked out, the ref was about to call it until Poliwrath's body disappeared, it turns out that was a [Substitute]

Ash smiled as he flicked his hat, "I'm not going down easy, [Focus Punch],"

From the ground Poliwrath jumped out above the Beedrill, then as he brought his hands together he delivered a slam directly on Beedrill's head knocking her down too the ground.

Poliwrath landed again, he was pretty tired after both [Belly Drum] and [Substitute], but the leftovers provided a little help.

Then out of seemingly nowhere Beedrill stood up and stabbed him with a single [Twineedle] before falling over, leaving Poliwrath just barely still up.

A.J. smiled as he returned his knocked-out bee, "I guess Beedrill didn't want to go down without hitting you at least once,"

Ash shrugged, "Well he's pretty messed up, if he got that second needle then Poliwrath would be down to,"

A.J. shook his head as he brought his next Pokemon, his Arcanine.

As the dog hit the field Ash raised his arm first, "[Liquidation]!"

As Poliwrath gained water boxing gloves A.J. called out, "[Extreme Speed]!"

In a flash Arcanine went from his side to right in front of Poliwrath, Arcanine tackled Poliwrath, but Poliwrath grabbed onto Arcanine by the fur and spun his body around as they were still moving fast.

He sent Arcanine into the ground but in the process, Poliwrath was launched into the wall and knocked out as well.

Ash returned Poliwrath as A.J. gave a thumbs up at the crowd who were cheering, so Ash brought out someone A.J. would remember, Fearow who had his trusty scope lens.

As Fearow got on the field he stretched his wings and flew into the air, A.J. and Arcanine both looked at Fearow, they both recognized it as the one that they fought all that time ago and smiled for the chance of a rematch.

"Feels familiar doesn't it, Arcanine [Flame wheel]!"

"Yeah but not going the same way, Fearow fly up high and [Double team]!"

Fearow flew up into the sky and started making multiple clones of himself that covered the sky, meanwhile, Arcanine was in a ball and rolling across the field but this time he jumped up and crashed into a rock to gain momentum and jumped into the air.

"Yeah, because this time I'm winning, [Ember wheel!]"

As Arcanine was in the air near the center of the clones he spun around creating a spiral of small embers that shot in all directions hitting each and every Fearow clone and making them disappear

But when Arcanine landed back on the ground and looked up expecting to see Fearow neither he nor A.J. saw anything, Fearow was gone from the sky.

Ash smiled as he yelled out, "Now [Quick attack] into [Steel wing]!"

From behind a rock and not in the air Fearow ran, he didn't fly he ran, and the very sight of this surprised everyone as Fearow got close and slashed at Arcanine with his silver wings sending Arcanine a step back.

A.J. chuckled, "A running bird, Samurai warmed me you did that against him."

"No one ever expects it, just like [Dual Wingbeat]!"

Fearow took another step and jumped high with his wings glowing then with another spin the first hit the second crit causing Arcanine to stumble but he was still up.

"Arcanine now [Flare Blitz],"

Arcanine shook his head, shaking the sudden damage as he covered himself in fire and tackled Fearow who was still on the ground.

The hit did hurt but Fearow was still up and finally went airborne again as he heard Ash, "Let's end this [Drill Run]"

A.J. returned the command, "Arcanine get ready for another [Flare Blitz],"

Fearow's beak started spinning like a drill which for some reason gave it the property of ground typing, then he dived down aiming at Arcanine directly.

Arcanine also covered himself in more fire as he jumped on a rock then directly up ready to meet Fearow's attack head-on.

The clash created a small black smoke cloud between the 2 of them as they crashed into each other, and then both Fearow and Arcanine fell to the ground. Fearow got up with a pain in his neck, but Arcanine didn't, meaning he was out.

The crowd started cheering as A.J. returned Arcanine as he looked up, "Well then it's time I use my most loyal Pokemon, Sandslash!"

Sandslash came onto the field brandishing his large claws as he looked at Fearow, also remembering who he was. Fearow was breathing heavily but shook his head ready to keep battling.

"Sandslash use [Slash]!"

"Fearow [Mirror Move]!"

Both Sandslash had his claws glow as Fearow's talons glowed, and then they rushed at each other crashing the 2 attacks against each other, Fearow should have been stronger but he was tired so Sandslash was taking the upper hand.

Then as it continued A.J. smirked, "Let's see if you remember this, [Rapid Tomb],"

Sandslash dug his claws into the ground and started throwing rocks into the air, Fearow dodged them but they still created small points which Sandslash used when he rolled into a ball and bumped into the rocks like a pinball machine.

Fearow dodged the first time only to get a shot from the back when Sandslash bounced back and sent Fearow to the ground.

"Now let's end this, [Fissure]!" A.J. Comanded

As Sandslash was landing back on the ground he punched the ground with his claws and created a large crack right through the center under Fearow as an explosion was created.

There in the debris Fearow was on the ground with spirals in his eyes, making A.J. and Sandslash jump in celebration that they got to get revenge from last time, getting the crowd to cheer with him.

Ash returned Fearow as he pulled his last Pokemon, "Pretty good, but remember I still have 1 Pokemon," then he threw out his last Pokeball releasing Venusaur.

Venusaur stomped on the ground and let out a sigh looking at the scene in front of him, Sandslash got back into position.

"Sandslash don't let up, [Leech Life]"

Sandslash's claw cloud a lime green as he rushed forward and stabbed Venusaur in the side but unlike how he thought Venusaur looked unfazed

"Venusaur [Energy Ball]"

Venusaur looked down and charged a green ball of energy in his mouth and shot it point-blank into Sandslash's face.

"Now [Seed Bomb]!" Ash commanded holding his hat

A.J. panicked at that, "Sandslash run away!"

Venusaur's flower began glowing and from it, seeds started flying out everywhere where they landed they either exploded immediately or stayed hidden as a landmine, despite Sandslash avoiding most of them he still got hit so in desperation Sandslash dug down.

As Venusaur finished shooting the seeds he didn't see Sandslash but when he turned Sandslash jumped out and slashed before going back into his hole playing whack-a-mole with Venusaur.

As Venusaur looked more frustrated he couldn't have been happier when he heard Ash's command, "[Earthquake]"

A.J.'s eyes widened, "Sandslash get out of there!"

But it was too late as Venusaur stomped on the ground where the previous Fissure destroyed and caused everything to shake, and then when it was finished everyone remained silent wondering what would happen if Sandslash was still up.

But Venusaur sent his vines into the hole and dug around before pulling out an unconscious Sandslash and passing it over to A.J.

As soon as it was confirmed the crowd started cheering as the announcer took the mic again, "And that's all folks, with that Ash has triumphed over Akira, what an outstanding battle! But with that Ash moves on to the next round leaving A.J. among the Top 16!"

As Ash walked next to Venusaur to return him to his Pokeball he saw A.J. standing there looking a bit frustrated, his hands shaking, it looked like he was about to scream but then he started laughing.

A.J. Walked up to Ash, "Man I guess I really wasn't strong enough, but I did make you sweat that's better than our first battle,"

"That's for sure, last time you got swiped, you did pretty good, I just did better,"

"Yeah, I guess with freaks like you who can choose to skip rounds I must not be as strong as I thought I'd be," A.J. shook his head and held his hand out for a fistbump, "Congrats dude,"

Ash returned the fistbump, "Thanks, and hey you're still in the top 16, I can think of at least 1000 other trainers that can't say that,"

"Ha, yeah, anyway we should go, I wanna go see Samurai's match, he's my friend and all but I don't think he's beating Otoshi."

Ash and A.J. chuckled as they walked out together to go up to the stands to watch the next battles with everyone.