- "I've travelled with Ash for so long, I can answer that accurately. Determination plays a factor. Ash has utilized that in practically all of his battles. It's what drives him to win. All of his Pokemon reflect that inner desire, that raw fire, and it gives THEM the ability to win as well. At first, it didn't work against Aaron because he and his Pokemon can shatter that perseverance with their strategies. I honestly believe the moment Aaron lectured Ash is when the tide began to dramatically shift. Ash and Pikachu were given to battle against Aaron's remaining three."—Brock, Ash's long-time friend, explaining why he's lasted this long
It's all up to Pikachu. The odd seems insurmountable, but Ash forges ahead. Taking Aaron's prior words to heart, he has Pikachu try a manner of approaches against Bastiodon and eventually discovers a weakness in the Shock Wave Shield and uses it against Bastiodon. One down, but a bigger mountain to climb is sent out in the form of Steelix, who trounced Sparky and Zippo earlier. Close-calls and impossible moves are made, and Pikachu eventually beats Steelix. Two down. Magneton brings Aaron out of a possible breakdown and calmly heads out. Despite the narration favoring Pikachu, an unconcerned Magneton proceeds to end Pikachu when it gets the best chance. Aaron goes home with the trophy, making this his second conference title.
This chapter contains examples of:
- Always Someone Better: Magneton cites this a reason why it beats Pikachu. Doubles as a Pre-Mortem One-Liner.Magneton: "(Remember this, Pikachu. There is always someone in his world better than you. Thanks for the battle, but this is checkmate.)" (unleashes Hyper Beam)
- All for Nothing: Pikachu's efforts meant squat against Magneton.
- Beneath the Mask: Aaron isn't as cool, calm, and collected as he's usually depicted.
- Badass Boast: Just like when it fought Piplup, Aaron's Magneton utters one of these before backing up its talk:"(You still have me left. We'll sweat the details after I take care of some business.)"
- The Bus Came Back: Ritchie was Aaron's opponent in an earlier round. The same guy that was Always Someone Better to Ash in Kanto fell to Aaron.
- Fatal Flaw: When a person is in a pinch, their thinking faculties reduce, increasing the chances of errors. Aaron devotes a whole combat philosophy around preventing that. So, he also has the stress of consciously abiding by it. Thus, Aaron is rather terrible at handling pressure. Take him out of his comfort zone, and he crumbles like soft dirt.
- Foregone Conclusion: Like with Dawn, Ash isn't supposed to, so Aaron winning is no surprise. The great battle makes up for it.
- Good Is Not Soft: If Ian's comments are any indication, this part of Aaron has been Reconstruction.
- Heroic BSoD: Aaron almost suffers one. He tried to rationally explain Pikachu's impossible winning streak, but he winds up stressing himself out. Magneton keeps him on track.
- Hoist by His Own Petard:
- Aaron's lecture from the previous strategy spurred Ash to fight with more vigor than ever and even implement some of Aaron's tips, leading to Pikachu besting Bastiodon and Steelix. Later averted when Magneton brings things to a close swiftly.
- Pikachu and Ash use the Shock Wave Shield against Aaron and Bastiodon, leading to the latter's demise.
- Me's a Crowd: Magneton can separate into three individual Magnemites. It even has a unique move revolving around this property, Magne Current. The Magne Current utilizes the fact that a Magneton is composed of three Magnemite and the magnetic field that links them together.
- Mythology Gag: Pikachu beats Steelix, the evolution of Onix, by using water to make it suspectible to electrical attacks. Just like all the way back in Pewter City with Brock.
- Nerves of Steel: Nothing fazes Magneton. It's supremely confidant it can finish Pikachu when Bastiodon and Steelix couldn't. When Aaron finds the whole situation illogical, Magneton zaps him out of it. When Pikachu is gaining momentum, Magneton never falters. It knew victory was theirs, it just simply went out there and did it.
- Paper Tiger: Aaron's Steelix is brutal, strong, and relentless. Couldn't even beat a weakened Pikachu.
- Slasher Smile: Aaron's Steelix unnerves Pikachu with one of these.
