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Rocks continued cascading from above, and Pikachu responded instantly to Ash's command, moving with lightning speed as it leaped back and forth between the surrounding stone pillars.
"It's useless to run!"
Blaine observed this evasive strategy and spoke with confidence. The boulders falling from the sky seemed to possess their own consciousness, avoiding the empty spaces and instead targeting the stone pillars directly.
Under these conditions, no matter how fast Pikachu moved, it couldn't escape without any safe places to land.
Watching countless shadows descending from above, Pikachu couldn't help but pause its movements and look up at the approaching avalanche.
"If you can't dodge them, then destroy them! Thunderbolt!"
"PIKAAAA!"
After hearing the command, Pikachu's eyes flashed with determination as powerful electrical energy erupted from its entire body. The amazing force of Thunderbolt released upward, blasting straight into the air.
BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM!
Electric currents swept continuously through the air, striking the falling rocks and causing tremendous explosions. Blaine observed this spectacular display with genuine amazement at the Thunderbolt's incredible power. He narrowed his eyes when focusing on Pikachu more carefully.
He noticed the distinctive scarf around Pikachu's neck. As Thunderbolt activated, the corners of the fabric swayed with the electrical currents, and he could clearly see the yellow orb embedded within the scarf's design.
"A Light Ball? That explains everything!" After identifying the item clearly, Blaine understood why this Thunderbolt possessed such overwhelming power.
The rocks directly above and around Pikachu were completely shattered by the electrical assault. The remaining boulders fell harmlessly into the volcanic crater, splashing molten magma as they sank into the lava below. Pikachu had successfully resolved the crisis.
"Rhydon, use Stomp!"
Blaine seized this opportune moment. With the air filled with smoke and stone fragments scattered everywhere, he launched his counterattack.
Rhydon immediately leaped high into the air, using the smoke's cover to descend directly from above. Silver light emanated from the soles of its feet as it prepared to strike from overhead.
"Dodge it!"
Upon hearing the warning, Pikachu stepped backward and simultaneously leaped into the air. Rhydon crashed down heavily from above with tremendous force. The impact completely shattered the stone pillar, but Pikachu had just barely avoided the devastating attack.
"Use Iron Tail!"
"Counter with Horn Drill!"
Facing Pikachu's Iron Tail assault, Blaine understood he couldn't allow another easy hit, so he launched an immediate counterattack.
Rhydon suddenly raised its head after hearing the command, and the spiral horn above its head erupted with brilliant light blue energy while rotating at incredible speed.
BOOM!
The opposing forces collided with tremendous impact, causing the ground beneath Rhydon's feet to crack and sink. The entire stone pillar developed fractures before launching Pikachu high into the air.
"You can't escape while airborne! Stone Edge!"
Seeing Pikachu suspended in mid-air, Blaine launched another attack as sharp stone blades erupted toward the Electric-type.
"That's not necessarily true! My Pikachu doesn't rely only on Electric-type moves! Splishy Splash!"
While positioned in the air, Ash activated the unique technique directly. Despite being above a volcano, water materialized from thin air as Pikachu released powerful electrical current throughout its body. The waves gushing forth seemed to flow down from the heavens themselves.
BOOM!
"What is that technique?!"
The water wave completely engulfed the Stone Edge attack, and Pikachu rode the surge like a master surfer. Lightning instantly poured into the water wave, creating an electrified tsunami. Blaine, Green, and Elite Agatha all displayed expressions of complete surprise.
Pikachu actually knew a Water-type move, and the name wasn't the familiar Surf but rather Splishy Splash—a technique completely unfamiliar to all of them.
"Splishy Splash? Could it be..." Elite Agatha felt genuinely surprised. Not long ago, Professor Oak had suddenly reported to the Alliance headquarters that he had discovered new Pokémon techniques.
This particular move seemed to be among those documented discoveries. Now that she considered it carefully, it was very likely that Ash had discovered it originally and Professor Oak had registered it officially.
In earlier eras, when understanding of Pokémon movesets was less comprehensive, some techniques were discovered by researchers while others were naturally uncovered by trainers who traveled extensively with their partners and then documented for the League.
BOOM!
Water-type moves were super effective against both Rock and Ground types. In other words, Splishy Splash would inflict significantly more damage to Rhydon than even Iron Tail could achieve.
Struck by the electrified water wave from above, Rhydon's massive form was blasted backward by the tremendous force. Its body flew through the air and crashed directly into a rear stone pillar, causing the upper portion to collapse immediately.
The water waves spread outward, falling from the air into the molten magma below with loud bubbling sounds. The lava surface was instantly cooled by the water, forming a layer of hardened rock.
Pikachu landed gracefully on a stone pillar while Rhydon's body remained embedded in the shattered pillar, clearly unable to continue battling. The outcome of the second round had been decisively determined.
In the previous round, Blaine had defeated Ash using type disadvantage reversal, and this round Ash had responded with his own reverse-type victory against Blaine.
He had used decisive action to demonstrate that type advantages didn't determine everything. He didn't need anyone to teach him this lesson, and Blaine obviously hadn't anticipated such a response.
It was remarkable to consider that very few young trainers had ever managed to defeat him using type disadvantage reversal.
"Return, Rhydon. You fought excellently—now rest well!" Blaine recalled his partner with the Poké Ball, looking at the device with a serious, contemplative expression.
Both Blaine and Elite Agatha now realized that Ash, whom they had considered merely a promising rookie, already possessed the strategic vision of a top-tier trainer.
"Ash, I have an important question. Did you create both the move you just used and the technique you employed yesterday during our first encounter?"
Blaine put away the Poké Ball and regarded Ash with deep fascination gleaming in his eyes.
"Yes, I did!" Ash wasn't modest about his achievements. These were his original creations, and he believed no one else possessed these particular moves. Of course, that might change in the future.
"It's absolutely remarkable, Ash. You've truly surprised me beyond words. Even though you're still a rookie trainer, I must say that your potential is completely limitless! You are undoubtedly the most naturally gifted trainer I have ever encountered!"
Blaine faced Ash directly and didn't hesitate to offer the highest praise possible. Anyone who knew Blaine personally would understand just how significant such commendation truly was.
Elite Agatha observed the battle silently without speaking, but seemed to agree completely with Blaine's assessment. She studied Ash's determined posture from behind, as if she could see a much taller, more imposing figure standing in his shadow.