"Electivire, use Thunderbolt." After a moment of silence, Paul chose to attack first!
"Electabuzz!" Electivire swung its arm, releasing a massive golden current from its body.
"Block it with an Electroweb!" Electric Type moves have a weak effect on Pikachu, but Ash wasn't foolish enough to let Pikachu take it head-on.
"Pika Pika Pika!" Pikachu spun its small body, and a golden grid sphere formed on its lightning-shaped tail. Pikachu then flung the sphere, transforming it into a golden net in midair, blocking the incoming Thunderbolt.
"Boom!" The two Electric Type moves collided, creating a huge sound in the arena, and thick black smoke rose, making it difficult for both sides to see each other.
"Pikachu, use Quick Attack!" While others couldn't see through the smoke, Ash could "see" clearly where Electivire was standing.
Though Pikachu hadn't fused its Aura with Ash, their level of understanding each other had reached a point where one look was enough to grasp the other's thoughts. Even without Aura Fusion, they were as one!
"Pika Pika Pika!" Pikachu moved its limbs, turning into a flash of lightning, sprinting forward with a long white trail behind it, entering the mist in the blink of an eye, and then emerging!
The place where Pikachu emerged was right in front of Electivire!
"Thunder Punch!" Surprised that Pikachu had found Electivire's location so precisely through the smoke, Paul's command was half a beat slow, and his voice carried a hint of surprise.
As Paul's words fell, Pikachu had already slammed into Electivire, the massive impact spreading through Electivire's body, a dull sound echoing in the arena as Electivire shot back like an arrow, crashing into the barrier at the edge of the field.
"Bang!" The entire barrier shook three times, and Electivire's massive body slowly slid down from it.
"Great job, Pikachu, follow up with Iron Tail!" Steel Type moves have a weak effect on Electric Types, but that didn't matter. In addition to moves, the force of the attack was also crucial.
Iron Tail not only carried Steel Type energy but could also make Pikachu immensely strong, capable of cutting through steel with sheer force!
With Ash's order, Pikachu's tail was instantly coated in a metallic sheen, and Pikachu leaped into the air, spinning continuously to strengthen its tail's power.
"Electivire, use Brick Break!" Struggling to open one eye, Electivire saw a small figure descending from the sky and instinctively swung its palm horizontally at the sky!
"Bang!!" Iron Tail and Brick Break clashed fiercely, sending a visible shockwave spreading in midair, with both sides showing gritted teeth as they exerted all their strength to overpower the other!
In a normal clash, Pikachu surely couldn't be a match for Electivire, but this was Ash's Pikachu, and it was carrying a Light Ball. The Light Ball didn't just increase the power of Electric Type moves but directly enhanced Pikachu's attack and special attack!
With Pikachu spinning and gathering strength in the air, and Electivire responding hastily, within less than two seconds of the clash, Electivire's hand began to lower under the pressure.
"Pika!!!" Pikachu exerted itself again, sending Electivire's hand flying open, and Iron Tail slammed onto Electivire's shoulder!
"Bang!!" The heavy force carved a gash on Electivire's shoulder, and the sheer power forced Electivire to one knee, shattering the cracked ground beneath it and leaving a small crater.
"Pika!" Feeling the success of Iron Tail, Pikachu exerted a bit of force to bounce off Electivire's body, landing steadily on all fours.
Paul pursed his lips, feeling a bit shaken inside. Since Electivire joined his ranks, it hadn't suffered such a loss fighting an opponent of the same level. Furthermore, it wasn't just the same level; the opponent was an Electric Type Pokemon, and only a Pikachu.
With the Motor Drive ability, all of the opponent's Electric Type moves were blocked. Ash must have known this, so he only used an Electroweb for defense. Yet, under these circumstances, Electivire was completely suppressed by the opponent. Clearly, they were of the same level, but why did their opponent seem so much stronger than Electivire?
He didn't understand, not at all... If all the theoretical knowledge wasn't working at this moment, then just try to finish this battle as best as possible.
"Electivire, how much longer are you going to sleep? Launch a counterattack, use Thunder Punch again." Under Paul's unique method of encouragement, Electivire stood up once more, clenching its fists as sparkling electricity began to burst from both hands, Double Thunder Punch!
"Pikachu, use Quick Attack!"