ETP017: The Orange Crew Supreme Gym Leader

is the 3rd chapter of Volume 4 of The Electric Tale of Pikachu.
==Synopsis==
Ash and Misty arrive to the Pummelo Island, where Ash challenges Drake, the supreme Gym Leader of Orange Islands. Even supported by Team Rocket, Ash sends Pikachu, but his opponent sends Ditto, who can shapeshift itself. Pikachu and Ditto clash with each other, with their strengths matched, but Ash finds something to turn over the battle.
==Chapter plot==
At Citrus Stadium, the an announcement is made that there will be a half-hour break as the "B" block matches have been completed. Ash and Pikachu cheer, as they have won these battles, to which Misty compliments him. Suddenly, Ash encounters a woman who notices him. She knows about his Indigo League achievement, where he was part of the top 16. The woman notes that with these types of stats achieved, if he can win tomorrow, he'll be able to compete in battle with the Supreme Gym Leader of the Orange Crew. Ash is curious, as he and Misty look upon many statues. The two look at a bronze statue of this person, who is Dragonite user named Drake. The two realize that catching a Dragonite is tough enough, and believe this man to be very tough to battle against. Misty states that if Ash can win against this guy, maybe he too can probably have a bronze statue of himself here.
Misty also notes that Drake is a professional and questions how well Ash will do. Still, she smiles, thinking it would be nice if he could at least face him. Ash is not amused, reminding that winning isn't everything. Still, upon seeing Drake on TV screen, Ash becomes confident, and Misty smiles to him. The next day, Ash wins another battle, and becomes happy to know he will be able to finally face Drake. Ash and Pikachu come to the counter, bearing a confident smile as they register for the final battle. The receptionist explains to him that the battle shown is a full-on six against six, and while Drake is not allowed to substitute his Pokémon, the challenger can swap whenever he wants. Ash wonders what other Pokémon does Drake have, but the receptionist explains it is his job to find out as a trainer. Regardless, she warns him that no other trainer has been able to defeat Drake for the past several years, as he is an elite trainer.
At night, Ash is looking at Drake's profile, and muses to himself which Pokémon will he use when he'll challenge Drake. As a boat passes by, it suddenly explodes, and the next scene displays Team Rocket, who have been flung out of the ship. Jessie blames James for causing the explosion, who is more inclined to take a break. Ash is not impressed by their achievements, to which Team Rocket realize that it's the 'twerp'. Jessie braces others for battle, until their stomachs growl, for they haven't eaten anything in three days. Ash asks if they would also be in for a meal and offers to feed to them, much to their surprise. However, Ash soon regrets this, as they have eaten more food than he could buy. Team Rocket is surprised to hear that he is going to challenge the Supreme Gym Leader of the Orange Crew. The three see that the 'twerp' is actually growing up. Ash is not sure what strategy he could deploy, while Team Rocket advises that he could count on luck, as well as the Pokémon he has chosen to trust.
Team Rocket proudly announces that's how they got here today, even if Ash reminds them they constantly lose. As they have been treated for dinner, Team Rocket promises they will cheer Ash on tomorrow. Ash sees this as an excuse that they could sleep over, though Meowth shushes him. At the hotel, Misty walks into Ash's room to ask him something, but becomes shocked to see Team Rocket sleeping there. Ash and Pikachu, however, spend the night at the beach. So, the next day, Ash from Pallet Town is up against the Dragonite user Drake 'the Great', the Orange Crew Supreme Gym Leader. Ash takes his hat off, showing honor to his opponent, with whom he shakes hands with as they meet face-to-face. As they shake hands, Ash notices Drake looks strong, but feels like a nice guy. Drake, however, thinks of the boy of having some potential. Without further ado, the two guys move to the battlefield to show each other's strengths. Among the audience is Team Rocket, who loudly cheer for Ash, and Misty, who is embarrassed by them.
The battle starts as Drake sends his Ditto out, and Ash his Pikachu. Ash starts off by commanding Pikachu to use a move before Ditto gets to transform. Ash is astounded how quick this was, and believes Ditto to be even stronger than his Pikachu. This is due to Ditto using Transform ability for an ever-changing shapeshifting appearance that can mess with its opponent. When Ditto transforms into Pikachu, it counters back with the same move at the same level. Ash is frustrated, since using their best tactics first will not work. However, Misty yells at him to look up, to which Ash realizes that Ditto's experience and level has remained intact, and needs to find a way to shift it back to its original form. Seeing Ditto among the rocks, Ash has Pikachu break through the rocky parts and stops Ditto's speed. Pikachu rams into Ditto, thus making Ditto transform back to normal. Pikachu quickly electrocutes Ditto, who becomes unable to battle.
Ash wins this first round, and Drake applauds him, since he is the first trainer to bypass his Ditto's strategy. Ash snuggles with Pikachu for winning this battle. The announcer believes this to be the match of the history, seeing Ash to be a tough kid, with only few Pokémon away from the conclusion of this battle.
==Gallery==