[Elesa]: Carrying heavy weights for ten kilometers… is that really the solution to nightmares?
[Sabrina]: You say it's to dispel nightmares, but actually you're taking the opportunity to train Pikachu even harder!
[Lance]: As expected of Black Ash—he never misses a chance to train Pikachu, even in a situation like this.
[Wattson]: Sounds like a good way to banish nightmares, actually.
[Blaine]: You're really something else. You're not actually going to use Black Ash's method, are you?
[Flint]: Don't worry. Even if he tries, I doubt his Pokémon would agree to it.
…
In the Black World —
Pikachu shook its head vigorously, indicating it was fine.
Ash didn't think much more about it.
He took Pikachu and his other Pokémon for their morning exercise.
After they completed their thorough training, he took them to breakfast.
Afterward, he rushed straight to the Silver Conference without stopping.
Black Ash still took this top-four competition very seriously.
Arriving at the Silver Conference stadium,
Ash stepped onto the arena and looked at his opponent across from him.
It was a dark-skinned boy, his eyes blazing with competitive fire.
"My name is Harrison. Ash, I came specifically to this competition to challenge you!"
Harrison said excitedly.
Hearing this, Black Ash looked him up and down and replied directly,
"Send out your Pokémon. I don't want to talk to weaklings."
Hearing this, Harrison didn't hesitate.
He took out a Poké Ball and summoned his first Pokémon.
With a flash of red light, a massive Snorlax appeared in the center of the arena.
The moment it appeared, this Snorlax stared directly at Ash across from him.
Clearly, it was completely different from Ash's Snorlax in the White World.
It wasn't sleepy at all—instead, it was bursting with fighting spirit.
[Steven Stone]: A Snorlax with that kind of fighting spirit? It seems Black Ash's opponent is stronger than White Ash's opponents were.
[Flint]: True. Judging by the quality of Black Ash's opponents, they completely outclass White Ash's. Winning the Silver Conference won't be so easy this time.
[Cynthia]: But he'll definitely win, right? White Ash already won; there's no reason Black Ash would fail.
[Ash]: You guys aren't trying to curse me, are you…
[Gary]: Be confident—they're definitely talking about you.
[Ash]: …
In the Black World —
Ash looked at the Snorlax opposite him, then glanced at Pikachu beside him.
"Pikachu, this battle is yours."
"Pika pika!" Pikachu cried excitedly, hopping into the center of the arena.
A massive body and a small, slender form stood across from each other—the contrast was striking.
But no one thought Snorlax would definitely defeat Pikachu.
On the contrary, most people believed Pikachu was stronger.
"Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!"
Ash in the distance commanded loudly.
"Pika pika!"
Pikachu shouted. The next moment, terrifying lightning surged forward.
"Snorlax, use Protect!"
Harrison clenched his fists.
A shimmering barrier surrounded Snorlax as it used Protect.
A crackling sound echoed as Thunderbolt struck it.
But as the lightning dissipated, Snorlax remained standing—not defeated.
"It blocked it!" Harrison said excitedly.
In his mind, if Snorlax could withstand Pikachu's first attack, it could withstand subsequent ones too.
But Ash on the other side simply smiled.
"Now, Pikachu—use Electro Ball!"
Pikachu rushed forward quickly, lightning crackling on its tail. The next moment, it launched a massive Electro Ball directly forward.
A sizzling sound echoed as the Electro Ball shot at incredible speed, striking Snorlax's head.
Snorlax's entire body was bathed in lightning, pain flashing in its eyes.
"Snorlax, hold on! Use Hyper Beam!"
Perhaps inspired by Harrison's encouragement, as the lightning dissipated, Snorlax—though battered—didn't fall.
It glared at Pikachu, opened its massive mouth, and fired a thick Hyper Beam.
The purple-black beam spiraled toward Pikachu.
Facing this attack, Black Ash didn't have Pikachu tank it for training like before.
"Pikachu, dodge it! Jump into the air and use Thunder Punch!"
Pikachu's short legs kicked off the ground, launching it into mid-air.
It narrowly evaded the Hyper Beam.
The next instant, its left fist crackling with fierce lightning, it punched Snorlax directly in the face.
Snorlax's pudgy face deformed from the impact, and its entire body crashed to the ground.
"Pikachu, don't let up! Use Iron Tail!"
Ash's voice rang out again. Pikachu's tail gleamed golden as it spun in mid-air.
Its speed increased rapidly, and it struck Snorlax's head directly.
A resounding thud echoed as air waves rolled outward.
Snorlax was driven into the ground, its eyes spinning—it had fainted.
Seeing this, Harrison showed no frustration—only surprise.
"It's true! Ash, you really are my idol—so powerful!"
"That combo was textbook perfect! But I won't lose that easily."
"Snorlax, return! You're next—Machoke, come out!"
Harrison recalled Snorlax with excitement, then released his second Pokémon: Machoke.
The moment Machoke appeared, Harrison shouted,
"Machoke, use Mega Punch!"
Without hesitation, he ordered the attack.
Machoke charged forward, fists swinging, aiming for Pikachu.
Facing this assault, Ash's eyes remained calm as he commanded,
"Pikachu, counter with Iron Tail!"
Pikachu rushed forward again.
The next moment, both attacks collided. A loud bang echoed as air waves rolled.
"Machoke, use Cross Chop!"
"Pikachu, use Quick Attack!"
Both commanded simultaneously.
The two Pokémon clashed again and again, a continuous series of impacts echoing through the arena.
This time, Machoke and Pikachu were evenly matched in close combat.
[Caitlin]: This Harrison kid is actually pretty strong.
[Steven Stone]: Do you think he might have a Pokémon like Blaziken?
[Flint]: I doubt what you're implying, but I don't understand either.
[Cynthia]: Black Ash has met a worthy opponent. This battle will definitely be better than the previous ones.
[Blaine]: This Harrison's Machoke can actually keep up with Pikachu's fighting rhythm. He must have undergone intense training himself.
[Lance]: Harrison already said he's Ash's fan. It's natural he'd learn Ash's training methods.
[Brock]: Probably not. No one else has Ash's talent and perseverance. If someone actually tried to copy Ash's training methods, they'd most likely go crazy.
[Gary]: There are still many talented people in this world—they just haven't been discovered yet. Ash isn't really that exceptional.
In the Black World —
The two Pokémon continued their physical clash,
making the audience wince slightly.
But at this moment, Ash and Harrison had no concerns.
Their Pokémon received intensive training daily.
For them, this level of attack was just a warm-up.
"Okay, don't let them look down on us! Use Bullet Punch!"
Harrison's voice rang out again.
Machoke roared and charged forward.
Its fists shimmered as it rapidly delivered a series of blows.
"Pikachu, use Double Team!"
As Ash's voice fell, Pikachu's figure split into multiple copies.
Machoke hesitated momentarily, unsure which to attack.
Harrison was momentarily dazzled too. He shouted,
"Attack the one on the left!"
Unable to tell which was the real Pikachu, he picked one.
Receiving the order, Machoke's fist struck the left Pikachu.
Bang, bang, bang! The air roared with each impact.
But as its attack landed, Machoke realized it had hit a shadow clone.
Machoke instinctively looked back—and saw the real Pikachu smiling beside it.
"Now, Pikachu! Use Discharge!"
Ash in the distance smiled too, clenching his fist as he commanded.
Pikachu released a sharp electric light at point-blank range.
A sizzling sound echoed as the terrifying electricity engulfed Machoke.
Everyone gasped at the sight.
Even Harrison clenched his fist—he knew Machoke couldn't hold on.
Sure enough, when the lightning faded, Machoke lay motionless on the ground.
Unable to continue fighting.
Once again victorious, Pikachu landed firmly, looking proud.
Black Ash across the arena gazed at Harrison with anticipation.
He knew the opponent's third Pokémon would surprise him.
"Send out your next Pokémon. I believe it will impress me."'
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