“Togepi, Teleport.”
What came head-on were violent electric currents and a mighty Hyper Beam. Seeing Pikachu and Snorlax’s performance, Terrance revealed a hint of surprise before giving a simple command.
Immediately afterward, Togepi’s Teleport enveloped Froakie, and the two Pokémon instantly disappeared from the attack range of the moves.
Hyper Beam and Thunderbolt swept through, their overwhelming power instantly sending shattered rocks flying everywhere. Thunderbolt in particular—even after the attack ended, electric currents still lingered in the air. The power of this move had already surpassed the standard threshold of the Champion League. Looking at Pikachu crackling with electricity all over its body, Terrance’s gaze flickered. The power of the Light Ball truly was extraordinary.
“Flamethrower, Smokescreen.”
After Teleport, the suddenly reappearing Togepi and Froakie briefly hovered in the air. Working together, ink and flames fused, instantly causing black smoke to rise across the battlefield, covering the rainbow while also concealing their figures.
“Don’t panic.”
Seeing Togepi and Froakie disappear before their eyes, Snorlax and Pikachu immediately revealed panicked expressions. Looking at the pitch-black surroundings, the two Pokémon began relying on their Trainer, Ash.
“Aura is with me!”
After being trained by Terrance and Albus, Ash had indeed improved considerably. Facing this situation, he quickly activated Aura power, directly seeing through the black smoke formed by evaporated ink and flames. Even the leisurely strolling Togepi and the already leaping Froakie failed to escape Ash’s perception!
“This speed…” Seeing Froakie descend like a phantom, its nimble movements shocked Ash. And when Ash judged Froakie’s attack target, he was startled once more and hurriedly ordered, “Pikachu, use Thunderbolt to cover your entire body!”
During the Bounce process, Froakie transformed into a Flying Type, as if merging with the sky itself. Its movements were as agile as the wind. Using gravitational acceleration, if the Pikachu it had locked onto was struck, escape would be impossible. However, what made the several observing Trainers look at Ash in a new light was that Ash’s command this time was exceptionally brilliant, making a very good judgment.
But no one expected that at this critical moment, Froakie would actually stomp on the air and directly change its attack trajectory.
“How is that possible… at that speed…” Feeling Froakie’s descent path change as it suddenly charged toward Snorlax, Ash realized it was already too late to issue a command. At the same time, Togepi gave an evil grin, wrapped itself in flames, and directly released them toward Pikachu. Electricity and fire intertwined, instantly triggering an explosion that blasted away the black smoke covering the battlefield.
Among the people present, only Albus clearly sensed what had happened. His expression turned strange as he looked at Ash with disappointment. “Protean Ability, Protean! A Froakie that becomes a Flying Type has to be treated as a Flying Type Pokémon. You completely fell for it.”
As the black smoke dispersed, Snorlax stood there with difficulty, and everyone could see the unease in its expression.
“That’s… the Paralysis condition. Bounce triggered Paralysis. I get it now, it’s the rainbow’s effect.”
After falling into Paralysis, the already not very agile Snorlax became even slower, turning into a living target for Togepi and Froakie.
As for Pikachu, it had been caught in the explosion and finally struggled back to its feet, covered in injuries.
Although its moves had astonishing destructive power, this Pikachu’s defense was pitifully weak. The aftermath from the collision of the two moves alone left it panting heavily.
What made Ash despair even more was that fiery snakes were spreading across Pikachu’s body. This was precisely the sign of the Burn status condition.
“Snorlax has been inflicted with Paralysis, Pikachu has been inflicted with Burn… this is bad…”
“What should I do…” Ash’s mind fell into chaos. Pikachu being pushed into danger so easily was something he had never expected.
“Fire Blast, Water Pulse.”
Terrance had no intention of giving Ash time to think, so he immediately gave another command. Fire Blast could apply the Burn effect, while Water Pulse could inflict Confusion. Both moves made perfect use of the Rainbow Field.
Togepi, transformed into a Fire Type, and Froakie, reverted back to a Water Type, attacked as fiercely as demons.
“Snorlax?” At the critical moment, Ash spoke blankly. Seeing Snorlax standing in front of Pikachu, he froze for a moment.
Rest?
“When did Ash’s Snorlax learn the move Rest? How come I didn’t know?” Brock was stunned as well.
Ash’s Snorlax was usually kept at Professor Oak’s Laboratory. Other than eating, it spent its time sleeping, only staying awake briefly, and during those times it would be sent to Ash. When Ash sent out Pikachu and Snorlax this time, Ash and Misty had both been confused by his decision, but now they finally understood.
Seeing Snorlax enter the Rest state, rapidly healing its Status Conditions and injuries while forcefully tanking Fire Blast and Water Pulse before angrily waking up in a fit of waking rage, Brock said in disbelief, “Could this be Ash’s strategy?”
Using Snorlax’s Ability and body size… to become Pikachu’s shield?
“This Snorlax’s Ability… is Thick Fat?” Terrance said in surprise.
“Strategy my foot. Can’t you see Ash himself is confused too? That was completely Snorlax’s own decision.” Misty initially had the same thought as Brock, but after seeing Ash’s dumbfounded expression, she laughed helplessly. They had seriously overthought things.
“This Snorlax’s talent is pretty good. Ash really is lucky,” Albus clicked his tongue in amazement.
“Although this was somewhat unexpected, the match ends here. Togepi, full-power Fire Blast. Froakie, use Hydro Pump.” Although Snorlax had endured the two moves, it immediately became sluggish again. The dual Status Conditions of Burn and Confusion caused it to stop obeying Ash’s commands and start rampaging wildly. In other words, all they needed to do next was defeat Pikachu.
However, Snorlax taking a hit for Pikachu had indeed given Pikachu enough time to recover. Using the burn effect, while its stamina was being heavily consumed, Pikachu was also searching for the most suitable moment to erupt!
As the crisis approached, after hearing Ash’s command, Pikachu’s expression became incomparably resolute!
“Pi… ka… CHUUUU!!!!”
Facing Fire Blast and Hydro Pump, Pikachu clenched its fists. Reversal move began operating, the power of the Light Ball erupted, and astonishing lightning burst forth, directly pushing forward and colliding with Fire Blast and Hydro Pump. The aftermath of the explosion instantly blasted all three Pokémon away.
Even the heavyweight Snorlax was inevitably overturned.
Under these circumstances, there was no possibility for Pikachu and Snorlax to stand up again. Although Togepi and Froakie had also been shocked by that final Thunderbolt, since they had not consumed too much stamina, enduring the impact of the aftermath was more than manageable for them.
Brock swallowed hard before immediately announcing the result.
“He’s totally cheating.” Seeing Ash fight the current Elite Four to this extent made Albus seriously suspect Ash had lied about his age.
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