"Pikachu—now! Use Electro Ball!"
"Pika—!"
The instant Ash's command rang out, Pikachu was already in motion. Its small body sprang high into the air, tail arched upward. At the jagged tip of its lightning-bolt tail, a crackling sphere of electricity rapidly condensed, sparks snapping violently as it took shape.
"Pika!!"
With a sharp cry, Pikachu twisted its body midair, swinging its tail down hard. The glowing sphere plunged like a slam dunk straight toward the battlefield below.
BOOM!
"Hitmonchan!!"
A deafening explosion rocked the arena. Hitmonchan let out a miserable cry as it was blasted backward, crashing onto the ground and instantly losing all ability to continue fighting.
[Ding! Congratulations, Host. You have defeated LV.22 Hitmonchan.
Experience gained: +340]
[Pikachu's experience has reached the upgrade threshold.
Pikachu has leveled up—current level: LV.31]
Almost simultaneously with the system's notification, the referee raised his flag and announced loudly:
"Hitmonchan has lost the ability to battle! This round goes to Contestant Ash—victory for Pikachu!"
Winning the second round—and seeing Pikachu level up to LV.31, now equal to Frogadier—put Ash in an exceptionally good mood.
But where there was joy, there was also bitterness.
"Ash… you little—!!"
"Ahhh!!"
Listening to the thunderous cheers erupting from the stands, Harlan, standing on the opposite side of the field, let out a hoarse, furious shout. His eyes burned with jealousy, resentment, and deep, festering hatred as he stared straight at Ash.
"Useless trash—get back here!"
With nowhere to vent his anger, Harlan angrily recalled the defeated Hitmonchan into its Poké Ball.
"Pikachu, you did great. Come back—this last battle goes to another partner," Ash said calmly.
He waved casually to the cheering crowd as Harlan withdrew Hitmonchan, then recalled Pikachu as well.
"Pika~ (^^)/"
Fresh off a win and a level-up, Pikachu was clearly delighted as it trotted back to Ash's side, radiating satisfaction.
The crowd's cheers gradually settled as the referee raised his hand once more.
"Both trainers, please send out your Pokémon for the third and final round!"
"Uncle, for the last battle you'd better send out your strongest Pokémon," Ash said with a grin, pulling out Frogadier's Poké Ball.
"Otherwise… you might end up getting shaved bald."
"Damn brat!" Harlan roared, veins bulging. "This time I'll teach you a real lesson—come out, Golem!!"
"Then I'm looking forward to it," Ash replied lightly.
"Frogadier—this final battle is yours."
Bang! Bang!
Both trainers threw their Poké Balls at the same time. Two flashes of light burst open, and two very different Pokémon appeared on the battlefield.
Harlan's final Pokémon was Golem, the Rock/Ground-type powerhouse of Kanto.
Ash's answer was Frogadier, the second-stage evolution of the Kalos Water-type starter.
Water versus Rock/Ground—a devastating four-times type advantage.
The moment Ash saw Golem hit the field, a broad smile spread across his face.
"Uncle, I told you to bring out your strongest Pokémon," Ash teased cheerfully.
"But this… you're being way too polite, aren't you? Hehe~ (=^v^=)"
"Damn it! If you've got guts, switch back to Pidgeotto or Pikachu!" Harlan snarled, his expression darkening when he saw Frogadier.
"Heehee~ (^v^) Uncle, when this match is over, don't forget to buy a few buckets of milk powder to nourish your brain, okay?" Ash said, still smiling brightly, completely ignoring the provocation.
That carefree grin made Harlan grind his teeth so hard he looked ready to punch Ash on the spot.
"Ash!!"
"Ash!!"
The crowd roared his name as the two trainers traded words, the atmosphere inside the arena reaching a fever pitch.
"System, scan the opposing Golem's data."
[Pokémon: Golem]
Level: LV.26
Type: Rock / Ground
Nature: Calm
Ability: Sturdy
Pokémon Potential: Red (Elite)
Moves (Copyable):
Mastered: Defense Curl, RolloutSkilled: Tackle, Sand Attack, Endure, Rock Throw, Stealth Rock, Take Down, Explosion, Rock Slide
"…Oh?"
Seeing Explosion listed in Golem's move pool, Ash's expression sharpened slightly.
Frogadier's Water typing might counter Golem fourfold—but if a LV.26 Golem managed to get in close and self-destruct, Frogadier would absolutely be taken down with it.
Just as Ash finished assessing the danger, the referee glanced between both sides and shouted decisively:
"Battle—start!"
"Golem, use Defense Curl—then Rollout!"
Knowing he was at a disadvantage, Harlan wasted no time and seized the initiative.
"ROOOAAH—!!"
Golem bellowed, drawing its four stone arms tightly around its massive body. Its form compressed into a perfectly rounded boulder, then began rolling forward with terrifying momentum.
Rumble—rumble—rumble—!!
Rollout was a move that grew stronger the longer it continued—and with Defense Curl boosting it first, its power would double.
Ash had no intention of letting it snowball.
"Frogadier—use Frubbles to intercept!" Ash ordered sharply.
"Gua—!!"
Frogadier reacted instantly, grabbing a clump of Frubbles from the foam around its neck and hurling it straight at the oncoming Golem.
Smack!
The Frubbles struck the rolling Golem—but a single clump wasn't enough to stop it.
"Maintain distance—keep moving! Continue with Frubbles!" Ash commanded calmly.
Thanks to Aura Perception, Ash could tell the attack hadn't been pointless. Golem's speed had dropped—it just wasn't obvious yet.
"Gua—! (~)"
Frogadier darted sideways, feet flashing as it repositioned with practiced agility.
Rumble—!
Smack!
Smack!
While dodging Golem's charge, Frogadier repeatedly scooped and hurled Frubbles, each hit layering more sticky foam onto Golem's body.
Harlan wanted Golem to dodge—but Rollout's straight-line momentum made sharp turns costly. Slowing down meant taking even more hits.
A predictable trajectory.
A massive target.
And Frogadier's pinpoint accuracy, honed through endless Water Shuriken training.
Before long, Golem was completely coated in Frubbles. Its rolling slowed… then slowed again…
Until finally—
SCREEECH—!!
Golem ground to a forced halt, momentum completely neutralized.
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T/N:
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