Before the third match began, a small incident occurred.
It seemed Moku had beaten Team Rocket.
They snatched the commentator's microphone and shouted at Ash—
demanding he crush Moku for them!
Officer Jenny quickly dragged them away…
After that little episode, the third match officially began!
Moku sent out an Exeggutor—Grass/Psychic type.
Ash sent out his Krabby—Water type!
Most contestants naturally used Water-types on the Water Field,
so Moku went for a counter pick with a Grass-type.
"This Krabby… looks underdeveloped."
Lorelei, though an Ice specialist, was also very well-versed in Water-types.
The Krabby's shell sheen and spirit looked decent,
but its body size was far too small—
not even half the size of a normal Krabby.
For Ash to send this thing out instead of Pikachu in the first match…
He might be in trouble.
"I don't think so."
Leon smiled confidently.
"Oh? Champion Leon has opinions on Water-types, too?"
Lorelei didn't like being contradicted on her home turf.
Officially, she was Kanto's Elite Four,
but her strength was Champion-tier even in other regions.
Why else had Lance been blocked from becoming Champion for so many years?
"Opinions? No. But… I can see it.
Both that boy and that Krabby—
Their fighting spirit is blazing."
Leon's greatest talent wasn't just seeing power—
He saw bonds, intent, and the will between trainer and Pokémon.
Strength alone wasn't everything.
He had a gut feeling—Ash would win.
"…Then I'll look forward to it."
Lorelei crossed her arms, watching what looked to her like a children's match.
…
As the battle began, Ash had Krabby dive into the water.
A smart move—but Exeggutor had Psychic abilities.
With a single Confusion, Moku condensed the water into a whirling vortex,
dragging Krabby into the spinning trap!
If this had been the old Ash, he would've immediately recalled Krabby in panic.
But now—
He remembered what he learned from the Heavenly Tally:
A trainer must trust their Pokémon.
Just like he and Pikachu did in the future.
And sure enough—
A moment came when Exeggutor's psychic focus wavered!
Seizing the instant, Krabby leapt out of the whirlpool—
Its claw snapped down on Exeggutor's leaf-stalk!
Exeggutor howled in pain!
Moku tried to command Hypnosis—
But Exeggutor was hurting too much to concentrate!
With Ash's combo of Leer + Stomp, Exeggutor was battered to the ground—
And one Bubble Beam finished it off!
Immediately after—
Krabby's entire body erupted with blue light!
Its size began to expand—
growing larger… and larger…
When the light faded, a massive new form appeared.
Krabby had evolved.
No—this was now a Kingler.
A brand-new Kingler stood before the audience.
Lorelei was stunned speechless.
Not because Krabby defeated Exeggutor—
but because…
"That evolved from the Krabby earlier?"
"This thing is twice the size of a normal Kingler!! What kind of mutant species is this?!"
Yes indeed—
the tiny, underdeveloped Krabby that was half the size of a normal one…
Had evolved into a Kingler twice as large as average!
This… was the definition of late-blooming Pokémon!!
"See? I told you, Lorelei! Ash's Krabby isn't normal!
Its burning spirit and its insane vitality—those alone show it's extraordinary!"
(In the actual anime, Ash's Kingler was absurd.
It was barely a third the size of Gary's Krabby, and evolution multiplied its size nearly tenfold!)
"…I admit defeat. It seems my understanding of Water Pokémon isn't as deep as Champion Leon's. I'll need to train harder."
"You're wrong.
It's not about understanding Water Pokémon.
It's about understanding… the bond between humans and Pokémon."
Lorelei blinked.
Then she adjusted her slipping glasses and gave a helpless laugh.
"Never thought I'd be taught a lesson today by Champion Leon. Thank you."
"Haha, don't mention it. Just make sure you keep blocking Lance from becoming Kanto Champion!"
"Hey—HEY!
When did I provoke you people?!
Why am I being targeted again?!"
Lance suffered stray damage for no reason.
…
After that, Ash's Kingler demonstrated incredible strength!
It went on to defeat both Seadra and Golbat—
a clean one-versus-three sweep!
Ash had won the first match!
"Sorry, Pikachu—I was planning to let you battle.
Didn't expect Kingler to be so strong hahaha!"
"Pika-pi~"
Pikachu waved dismissively—
Such small fry weren't worthy of HIM.
He only battled bosses.
"It was an excellent match. As expected of the legendary Ash."
Moku came forward to shake Ash's hand.
Prideful as he was,
knowing he was battling a future trainer who defeated two legendary Pokémon
left him with zero confidence.
Even if that power was in the future—
"Ahahaha, not at all! You were very powerful too!"
"Just a shame I didn't get to see your Pikachu battle."
"Pika pi!"
Pikachu pointed accusingly at Ash—
blaming him for not being sent out.
Ash: ###
Best Actor fits you perfectly!
You were acting all high and mighty just a moment ago,
and now you suddenly want to battle?!
If you don't win an Oscar this year, I'm not watching!
…
Note: The first match follows canon because it's Kingler's highlight.
Later Pokémon choices will differ.
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