Even if a Pokemon like Pikachu reaches Champion Level, its ability values won't be particularly high.
After all, its inherent disadvantage is right there.
Moreover, Raihan also felt that although this Pikachu was formidable, there was still a difference in level compared to Duraludon.
So Ash choosing to go head-to-head with Pikachu also surprised him greatly.
Following Ash's instruction, Pikachu's lightning-shaped tail suddenly lit up with a layer of silvery metallic luster, turning entirely as hard as iron.
Pikachu suddenly kicked off, the small figure like a golden lightning bolt charging straight at Duraludon's Dragon Claw.
"Clang——!!"
Iron Tail and Dragon Claw collided fiercely in mid-air.
A piercing metallic crash sounded throughout the entire gym, the collision point suddenly bursting into a brilliant spark.
The terrifying shockwave surged out from the collision point in all directions, cracking the already battered ground in the center of the arena.
The cracks spread like a web towards every corner of the arena, while the surrounding barriers rippled with dense waves.
At this moment, Pikachu's level was fully revealed.
Champion Advanced Level!
After the form upgrade with his partner, Pikachu's level had leapt from Champion Intermediate Level to Champion Advanced Level.
Though in doing so, Pikachu's level was still a notch below that of Duraludon.
But Pikachu's formidable attack power was enough to make up for that notch of difference!
He carried a Light Ball that could directly double his attack and special attack.
Added to Pikachu's own attack abilities reaching SS-level, the small Pikachu was surprisingly evenly matched with the massive Duraludon in a direct confrontation!
"Clang clang clang!"
Iron Tail and Dragon Claw collided several times, yet neither side was able to overpower the other.
Eventually, both Pikachu and Duraludon were repelled by the recoil force, each retreating to their original positions.
Raihan looked at the Pikachu that landed steadily, his eyes full of admiration.
"Well done, Ash, your Pikachu is really incredible."
"A Pikachu at Champion Advanced Level can actually hold its own against my Champion Peak Duraludon."
"No wonder it's your Pokemon, another unconventional oddball!"
Ash rubbed his head, feeling a bit embarrassed at the term "oddball."
However, he didn't say much and quickly issued the next command.
"Pikachu, Thunderbolt!"
Pikachu's cheeks suddenly burst with dazzling electric light, a thick golden-yellow current shot towards Duraludon.
When an Electric Type faces a Dragon Type, the effect is naturally weak, so this strike posed limited damage to Duraludon.
"Duraludon, Dragon Pulse!"
Raihan gave the command calmly.
Duraludon opened its mouth, its throat condensing a deep purple Energy Ball, which flew into the air, transforming into a solid Dragon Pulse aimed at Pikachu's Thunderbolt.
"Boom!"
The two energies collided fiercely in mid-air, the golden-yellow current entwined with the deep purple Dragon-type energy, finally exploding simultaneously.
The shockwave once again sent dust flying from the center of the arena.
After the move confrontation, both sides remained evenly matched, neither being able to do anything to the other.
Raihan's brow furrowed slightly.
Despite everything so far, Pikachu was still firmly clinging to his Duraludon, not allowing him even a bit of an upper hand.
He subconsciously raised his hand, wanting to Dynamax Duraludon.
But as the hand was halfway up, he suddenly realized—this is Johto, where the Dynamax energy environment doesn't exist.
Only then did he sheepishly lower his hand again, a trace of frustration flashing across his face.
Without the trump card of Dynamaxing, his advantage was significantly diminished.
But Ash's side wasn't being so courteous.
"Pikachu, Zippy Zap!"
Receiving the command, Pikachu's small figure was suddenly enveloped in a circle of dazzling golden lightning.
The lightning rapidly gathered on him, instantly boosting his whole body's speed to a new height.
In the next moment, Pikachu's entire figure transformed into a streak of golden lightning.
The lightning's speed was so fast it was difficult to catch with the naked eye, in the blink of an eye, it had already rushed to Duraludon's face.
"Clang——!!!"
Pikachu, wrapped in lightning, slammed into Duraludon's body.
The force of that hit was terrifyingly strong, forcibly knocking Duraludon's massive body backward.
Duraludon slid several meters on the ground, its snow-white steel scales bearing a clear burn mark.
Raihan's pupils suddenly contracted.
"That speed——!"
Raihan was shocked by Pikachu's speed, and even more by the move Pikachu had used.
Zippy Zap.
This was a move Raihan had never heard of, just like that Psystrike by Gardevoir before.
As he subconsciously thought whether this was another Legendary Move, he quickly dismissed the thought.
If it was a Legendary Move, the power would definitely not be so limited.
An Electric Type move would have its power halved against Duraludon, but if it were a Legendary Move, it would definitely inflict more than just this slight damage.
The only trait of this move from start to finish was its speed.
Exceptionally, exceptionally fast!
In the audience, Lance also raised an eyebrow, his eyes carrying a hint of confusion.
"Zippy Zap...what kind of move is this? I don't think I've heard of it either."
As a Dragon Type Champion, he has dabbled in moves of all attributes, yet this move is equally a blind spot for him.
Cynthia, who has faced off against Ash, provided the answer.
"That is a skill Pikachu can use only when wearing a hat."
"It's an exclusive partner move for Ash and Pikachu."
"The standout feature of this move is its terrifying speed, comparable to Extreme Speed, and it can strike the opponent's weak spots with absolute accuracy."
"Any move that enhances defense or evasion is meaningless in the face of this move."
Clair listened beside them, her mind flabbergasted.
This Pikachu's level and ability values are already crazy, but how can even the skills mastered be so insane?
In the arena, Raihan didn't delve into the origins of this skill.
After all, this is a battle, and being distracted by the opponent's moves could provide an opportunity for the adversary.
He quickly adjusted his stance, with battle intent rekindling ferociously in his eyes.
"Duraludon, Flash Cannon!"
Receiving the command, Duraludon's mouth, clad in yellow armor, abruptly gaped open.
A dazzling silver-white energy ball condensed in its throat with energy intensely concentrated to an extreme, bending the surrounding air.
In the next moment, a thick Steel Type beam spewed from its mouth, directly aiming at Pikachu.
That was a top-tier Steel Type move, Flash Cannon.
But there wasn't a hint of panic on Ash's face, instead, he casually gave a command.
"Pikachu, Zippy Zap."
Pikachu's form was once again enveloped by a ring of golden lightning, instantly transforming into a streak of golden electricity.
The speed of the lightning was so fast it eluded the naked eye, effortlessly dodging the Flash Cannon, and in the blink of an eye, dashed to Duraludon's front, crashing hard into it.
"Clang!"
Right after, Pikachu's figure flashed once more.
It didn't stop in the slightest; the golden lightning streak was shuttling back and forth in the center of the arena, precisely crashing into Duraludon every time.
"Clang clang clang clang—!"
The clangs merged into a cacophony, and Pikachu's golden figure relentlessly flickered and shuttled around Duraludon, dizzying spectators.
The sound resembled metal forging, as though someone was heavily reforging Duraludon there!
Although Electric Type moves have limited impact when used against Duraludon, the single damage being minor.
However, this attack couldn't withstand repeated stack-ups.
The seemingly insignificant damage accumulated, even Duraludon's thick Steel armor slowly couldn't handle it.
Its massive body wobbled under Pikachu's continuous attacks, its snow-white scales now bearing scorch marks one by one.
On Duraludon's side, no matter what move it used, it couldn't hit the lightning-fast Pikachu.
Flash Cannon, Dragon Pulse, Earth Power... moves were launched one after another, but all missed.
Luckily, Zippy Zap seemed to be a Physical Attack skill, and Duraludon's physical defense is remarkably fine.
Otherwise, with this continuous strategy, Duraludon would likely be down by now.
Raihan's face was increasingly dismal.
"Ash, is that the only move you know?"
"Can't you switch it up?"
He said these words being rendered somewhat helpless by Ash.
A skill with terrifying speed like Extreme Speed, how could it be used so continuously?
What's more absurd is that Pikachu's small body actually has enough stamina to support such continuous use.
This is utterly not scientific within not scientific!
Ash grinned.
"Since Gym Leader Raihan said it, I'll switch moves then."
"Pikachu, Zippy Zap and stick to it, then—Brick Break!"
Pikachu received the command, once more darting as a golden lightning to Duraludon's front.
Then, a sharp white light suddenly gleamed on its small palm, fiercely chopping down toward Duraludon's body.
Raihan was in a total bind.
Pikachu even knows Brick Break?
What the hell kind of bizarre Electric Mouse is this!
"Clang—!!"
The Brick Break landed solidly on Duraludon's body.
Fighting Type move against Steel Type, highly effective!
The massive steel body let out a muffled cry of metallic agony from the strike, and a clear crack appeared on its scales.
Tons of damage were infused into Duraludon's body.
But it was precisely this close-range Brick Break that allowed Duraludon to seize the fleeting opening.
"Duraludon, Iron Head!"
Raihan swiftly issued the command.
Duraludon's armored head suddenly shone with a silver metallic luster, recklessly ramming towards the nearby Pikachu.
"Bang!"
The Iron Head hit Pikachu solidly, sending its small body flying.
However, Pikachu deftly flipped in mid-air, steadily adjusting its posture, landing lightly on the ground.
Steel Type against Electric Type, the effect is equally weak.
The Iron Head didn't cause much substantial damage to Pikachu.
Conversely, Duraludon, after consecutive attacks, was already panting heavily.
Its massive body was rising and falling continuously, the snow-white scales already covered with burn marks and cracks.
"Damn…" Raihan gritted his teeth, "Duraludon, Dragon Claw!"
"Pikachu, Iron Tail!"
The two Pokemon charged at each other again.
The green Dragon Claw and the silver Iron Tail ruthlessly collided in mid-air, sparking a brilliant shower of sparks.
"Duraludon, Dragon Pulse!"
"Pikachu, Quick Attack to dodge, Thunderbolt!"
Pikachu's figure turned into a blur to dodge the Dragon Pulse, then the pouches on its cheeks released dazzling electric light, a golden current bombarding Duraludon.
"Duraludon, Earth Power!"
Duraludon stomped fiercely, causing the entire arena to tremble violently, countless golden energy beams exploding from the ground beneath Pikachu.
Pikachu deftly threaded and jumped among the beams, narrowly avoiding the deadly strike.
The two sides exchanged blows over several rounds, and the arena's center was already devastated by various moves.
The once-new arena had become uneven, the ground covered with burn marks and cracks, rocks were flung into the air, tumbling down in the airstream.
The surrounding protective barriers were shaken by the collision of the two Pokemon, sending out circle after circle of dense ripples.
By this point, Raihan could clearly feel his Duraludon was gradually falling behind.
That little Pikachu was like a sticky toffee that wouldn't let go, relentlessly attacking his Duraludon, gradually draining its physical strength.
It's hard to tell if his Duraludon is at Champion Peak or if Pikachu is at Champion Peak!
"We can't drag this out any longer…"
Raihan took a deep breath, and his eyes reignited with a fierce resolve for a decisive battle.
"Duraludon, one last hit, Draco Meteor!"
Duraludon roared skyward, above the Gym suddenly illuminated, countless crimson meteors formed from the void, bombarding wildly towards Pikachu's location.
That was Duraludon's ultimate move of its own type.
Ash's eyes also turned incomparably solemn at this moment.
His bond with Pikachu was now completely connected as one.
"In that case, let's go all out too, Pikachu! Use—Pika Papow!"
Upon hearing this command, Pikachu on the field suddenly raised its head.
In the audience, Clair curiously asked Cynthia.
"Pika Papow? What kind of skill is this?"
Cynthia's expression turned extremely grave, her golden eyes fixed firmly on the Pikachu on the field.
"That's Ash and Pikachu's strongest skill."
"It's a partner move that can only be used when their bond reaches the extreme."
"The power of this move increases with the bond between Ash and Pikachu."
"With their current bond… the power of that move might even surpass Thunder and Volt Tackle!"
*******************************
Enjoyed the action? Drop a review, fire off a comment, and send those Power Stones rolling! Your support keeps the updates coming fast—let's keep the momentum going! 🔥