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"You're the one who should stay out of my way! Scyther, use Double Team!"
Facing Kaz's retort, Yas wasted no words and launched his offensive immediately. Hearing the command, Scyther dashed forward, vibrating its body at incredible speed. Within seconds, more than a dozen identical copies of the mantis Pokémon surrounded the battlefield.
The clones encircled Pikachu and Fraxure, making it nearly impossible to distinguish the real Scyther from its duplicates with the naked eye.
"Fraxure, use Draco Meteor!"
Confronted with this tactical maneuver, Ash remained completely composed. At his command, Fraxure raised its head skyward as orange draconic energy began condensing in its belly. With a powerful roar, it expelled the concentrated energy directly into the air.
BOOM!!!
The energy exploded with astonishing force high above the battlefield. Streaks of orange meteorites scattered and rained down like a shower of fiery comets. Some of the energy spheres struck Scyther's illusory clones while others bombarded the ground. Explosions echoed throughout the area as smoke enveloped all of Scyther's duplicates.
Under the large-scale bombardment of Draco Meteor, the real Scyther couldn't avoid being hit and was struck directly by one of the energy spheres.
"Pikachu, Iron Tail!"
Seeing Scyther reeling from the hit, Ash seized the opportunity and signaled Pikachu to attack. With two opponents challenging him at once, he saw no need for fair play—naturally commanding Pikachu to coordinate with Fraxure's assault.
"Electabuzz, Protect!"
CRACK!!!
At that critical moment, Kaz intervened unexpectedly. Electabuzz rushed in front of the staggered Scyther and extended its arms forward, generating a luminescent green barrier.
Pikachu's Iron Tail collided with the protective shield, releasing an explosive burst of energy. The Protect move successfully blocked Pikachu's attack, causing the Electric-type to bounce backward from the repulsive force.
"Kaz's Electabuzz is actually protecting Yas's Scyther!"
The restaurant owner who had followed them expressed his surprise. Such cooperation between these rivals would have been unthinkable before—proof that they had been forced into a desperate alliance.
"Scyther, Brick Break!"
Capitalizing on the moment, Yas launched his counterattack. Scyther leaped from behind Electabuzz's protective barrier, its forearm glowing with silver energy as it swooped down toward the vulnerable Pikachu.
"You're not the only ones who know how to protect each other! Fraxure, now!"
At Ash's shout, Fraxure seemed to instantly comprehend his trainer's intention. The Dragon-type rushed forward in a blur of motion. As Pikachu was knocked back by the Protect barrier and Scyther descended with its attack, Fraxure raised its arms just in time to intercept Scyther's Brick Break.
THOOM!!!
The ground beneath Fraxure's feet cracked and sank, demonstrating the tremendous power behind Scyther's attack. Yet Fraxure stood firm, successfully shielding Pikachu from the potentially devastating blow.
"Pikachu, Zippy Zap!"
Simultaneously, Ash launched his own counteroffensive. The moment Pikachu landed, it darted forward with electric arcs surrounding its body. Its speed increased exponentially, transforming the yellow mouse into a lightning-fast blur that zigzagged across the battlefield.
The combination of incredible speed and substantial power made Zippy Zap a formidable move. While not as overwhelming as Wild Charge or as powerful as Thunder, Ash had discovered this technique had a remarkable tendency to strike critical points. And now, with the Light Ball enhancing Pikachu's electric attacks, the move's potency had been dramatically amplified.
CRASH!!!
Dashing past Fraxure, Pikachu's Zippy Zap struck Scyther square in the torso. The impact sent the Bug/Flying-type hurtling backward through the air.
"SCYYYY!!!"
Scyther shrieked in pain as electricity coursed through its body. Being part Flying-type, Scyther had a natural weakness to Electric attacks. This direct hit proved particularly devastating.
"Scyther, no!" Yas's expression transformed instantly to one of shock and concern.
Meanwhile, Kaz observed his rival's Pokémon with a grimace. Despite their longstanding feud, they were now, as the saying goes, ants on the same rope—their fates intertwined. Once Yas was defeated, Kaz knew his own downfall would quickly follow.
"If you had learned to cooperate like this earlier, none of this would have happened," Ash called out to them. "But now it's too late! Let me show you what true teamwork looks like!"
"Fraxure, Dragon Rage! Pikachu, Thunderbolt!"
Sensing victory within reach, Ash pressed his advantage. Upon his command, both Fraxure and Pikachu unleashed their attacks simultaneously.
Fraxure was first to act, releasing a torrent of blue energy from its mouth. The energy coalesced into the form of a ferocious azure dragon that surged forward with gleaming fangs and claws.
Pikachu's Thunderbolt erupted from its body, merging seamlessly with Fraxure's Dragon Rage. The blue dragon became enveloped in a corona of golden electricity, transforming into a terrifying thunder dragon that roared as it charged forward.
"Electabuzz, Light Screen!"
Witnessing this spectacular combination attack, Kaz reacted with alarm. Electabuzz thrust both hands forward, creating a transparent psychic barrier. Light Screen was specifically designed to mitigate special attacks, but even Kaz looked uncertain whether it would withstand this combined onslaught.
BOOOOOM!!!
"WHOA!!!"
The fusion of Pikachu and Fraxure's special moves crashed against the Light Screen, generating an explosion of staggering proportions. The spectators instinctively shielded their faces against the shockwave that swept across the battlefield.
While Light Screen was effective against special attacks, its resilience depended on Electabuzz's own strength and focus. The combined power of the two special moves proved overwhelming. Soon, hairline fractures began appearing across the psychic barrier's surface.
CRACK! CRACK! SHATTER!!!
With a sound like breaking glass, the Light Screen shattered completely. The thunder dragon tore through the failing barrier and slammed directly into Electabuzz.
The Electric-type's body was launched backward by the tremendous impact.
Behind them, Scyther was still struggling to rise, its body crackling with paralyzing electricity from Pikachu's earlier attack. Before the Bug-type could react, Electabuzz crashed into it. Both Pokémon were propelled further backward by the combined momentum.
Kaz and Yas leaped aside in panic as their Pokémon were hurled past them and into the open area beyond. The collision resulted in another massive explosion that sent dirt and debris flying in all directions.
Smoke immediately filled the air, obscuring the aftermath.
Kaz and Yas stared in disbelief toward the impact site. As the smoke gradually dispersed, they could see that the explosion had carved a deep crater into the ground. At the center lay Scyther and Electabuzz, one collapsed atop the other.
Both Pokémon were scorched black, with small flames still flickering around the edges of the crater. The onlookers were awestruck by the display of power they had just witnessed. That combination attack had been truly extraordinary.
Meanwhile, other citizens of the town, drawn by the commotion, began gathering around the battlefield. Soon, a substantial crowd had formed. Misty and Brock made their way to Ash's side, watching as Pikachu and Fraxure stood triumphantly before their defeated opponents.
"As expected of Ash!" they remarked with confident smiles. They had never doubted this outcome for a moment.
Ash stood tall, his expression serious but satisfied. This victory wasn't just about proving his strength as a trainer—it was about teaching these gym leaders a lesson about the consequences of abusing their power. Around them, the gathered townspeople began to murmur in amazement at the young trainer who had single-handedly defeated the two gym leaders who had been causing them so much trouble.
The bright midday sun shone down on the battlefield, illuminating the aftermath of a contest that was about more than just Pokémon battling—it was about standing up for what was right, even when facing overwhelming odds.