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While Water Gun itself possessed comparable power to Flamethrower, its type advantage should have allowed it to compete effectively against the Fire-type attack, provided the user had sufficient training and experience.
Ash's development of Squirtle's Water-type techniques had undoubtedly met those requirements, yet his partner still couldn't match Magmortar's overwhelming Flamethrower assault.
"Use Withdraw!" Ash commanded urgently.
Watching the flames gradually advancing toward his Pokémon, Ash immediately issued orders with a determined expression. Upon hearing the command, Squirtle instantly ceased its attack and retreated safely into its protective shell.
Intense flames immediately engulfed Squirtle's entire form. Ash observed this scene with increasingly serious eyes. Even for a powerful Magmortar, the sheer intensity of those flames seemed somewhat excessive. His gaze couldn't help but drift toward the steaming heat rising from the volcanic crater's mouth.
"Did you notice the difference? Just as I expected from you, Ash!" Blaine observed Ash's analytical expression and smiled with genuine appreciation.
"What's happening here? We battled before, but Magmortar wasn't nearly this powerful during our previous encounter. Could it have improved so dramatically in such a short time?"
Green studied the situation unfolding before them with growing concern. Although Magmortar had already been formidable during her gym challenge, it definitely hadn't displayed this level of overwhelming strength.
"No, it's not that Magmortar has made rapid progress—this is entirely a matter of battlefield location!" Elite Agatha, standing nearby, spoke with clinical detachment. From her perspective as one of the Elite Four, it was naturally impossible not to recognize the underlying strategy.
"The battlefield location?"
"Exactly. The ambient temperature in this volcanic crater is significantly higher than the standard gym arena. At this intense heat level, even water will evaporate almost instantly upon contact."
"From the very beginning, Magmortar has been absorbing energy directly from the flowing magma, continuously increasing its own flame power while immersed in the molten rock. Although this represents only a temporary enhancement, when facing Squirtle, this level boost is sufficient to completely reverse the typical type advantage!"
Blaine had deliberately sent out Magmortar not through a Poké Ball, but by having the Fire-type emerge directly from within the magma itself.
It was obvious that Blaine had made extensive preparations specifically for Ash's anticipated challenge.
"This is..." Green began with some concern.
Some people might consider such tactics underhanded, but Green didn't share that opinion. From her perspective, any trainer needed to employ various strategic advantages when facing challenging situations. However, she couldn't help feeling worried about Ash's disadvantageous position.
At that moment, the flames within the arena gradually began to dissipate, and Ash focused his attention on Squirtle's location. The stone pillar beneath his partner had been charred completely black from the intense heat.
Squirtle remained huddled defensively within its shell, and the surface of that protective shell was also burned dark. Soon Squirtle emerged from its refuge, breathing somewhat heavily from the ordeal.
"Impressive! It didn't faint from that assault? For Squirtle's current level, that demonstrates surprising resilience!" Blaine's eyes narrowed slightly upon witnessing this outcome, though his expression still showed clear admiration.
Under normal circumstances, the power enhancement provided by level superiority should have been sufficient to completely reverse any type disadvantage. Moreover, his Magmortar had received additional strengthening from the volcanic magma energy, yet Squirtle had somehow endured the attack. This was more than enough to demonstrate that Ash's Water-type partner possessed exceptional strength.
"We're just getting started! Squirtle, use Aqua Jet!"
Ash maintained complete confidence in Squirtle's defensive capabilities, but he also understood that the current battlefield conditions heavily favored his opponent. Therefore, he immediately launched a determined counterattack.
After hearing the command, Squirtle immediately launched itself into the air. A tremendous amount of water flowed around its body, forming a protective column of rushing water as it charged directly toward Magmortar's position.
Being surrounded by the cooling water flow, Squirtle's body temperature dropped significantly, providing some relief from the damage inflicted by the previous Flamethrower attack.
"Magmortar, dodge the attack!"
Blaine responded immediately, and Magmortar instantly leaped to another stone pillar with impressive agility.
Squirtle's attack passed harmlessly by Magmortar and continued rushing through the air. After missing its target, Squirtle changed direction and curved back for another attempt.
"Ice Aqua Jet!" Ash continued his offensive strategy.
The moment Squirtle turned around and returned to the attack, it suddenly opened its mouth within the water column, releasing a burst of brilliant cyan light from deep within its throat.
The freezing energy spread rapidly along the flowing water, and in an instant, the rushing water surrounding Squirtle's body appeared to crystallize into diamond-like ice. The front end transformed into a sharp, spear-like ice formation that struck directly toward Magmortar.
"What technique is that?!" Blaine's expression shifted with genuine surprise. He had never encountered such an innovative combination move before in his extensive gym leader experience.
Even Elite Agatha, who was observing the battle from the sidelines, showed a change in her typically stoic expression. Green had never witnessed such a creative technique either. She owned a Wartortle herself, yet had never considered that combining Aqua Jet with Ice Beam could produce such a devastating effect.
"Magmortar, counter with Fire Punch!" Blaine had seen many battles throughout his career, and he quickly recovered from his initial shock to launch an immediate counterattack.
"MAGMORTAR!"
With a powerful roar, Magmortar clenched its right hand into a fist as intense heat immediately erupted around the appendage. The air surrounding the fist became visibly distorted from the extreme temperature as it punched directly against the incoming ice projectile.
BOOM!!!
The collision of opposing forces created a tremendous impact, causing the stone pillar beneath Magmortar's feet to crack and splinter. However, the scorching heat of the flames continuously melted the ice chunks falling from above, and the frozen water continued to break apart under the overwhelming temperature.
"That's truly an outstanding technique, Ash! However, Magmortar doesn't rely solely on Fire-type moves!" Blaine observed the spectacular display with obvious admiration while simultaneously preparing his next strategy.
"Magmortar, use Thunder Punch!"
At that critical moment, Magmortar suddenly clenched its left fist as the sound of crackling thunder filled the air. Golden lightning gathered around the appendage, and the ice water projectile proved less resistant to this Electric-type attack than it had been to the previous Fire Punch.
BOOM!!!!
Magmortar withdrew its right fist and simultaneously swung its left fist forward. The lightning-charged punch smashed through the remaining ice, continuously breaking through the frozen barrier before striking Squirtle directly while it was still wrapped within the ice formation.
"SQUIRTLE!!!"
After being struck by the Thunder Punch, Squirtle was sent flying backward among the scattered ice fragments, electricity crackling around its body as it flew completely out of the battlefield area and landed near Ash's position. Ash immediately rushed over to check on his partner.
"Squirtle!" Squirtle had fallen to the ground, lying on its back and spinning slightly with swirling stars in its eyes, clearly having lost consciousness from the powerful Electric-type attack.
"You fought brilliantly. Now come back and rest!"
Witnessing this outcome, Ash's determination remained completely unshaken. He retrieved his Poké Ball and recalled Squirtle with gentle appreciation. Then he looked back toward the battlefield where Blaine was also retrieving his partner.
"Return as well, Magmortar! Excellent work out there."
At this point, the first round was officially concluded, with Blaine having secured the opening victory.