"Ah! Big brother suddenly got a little stronger!"
Bonnie exclaimed in surprise as she saw Clemont command Heliolisk to attack like that.
"Mhm, Clemont is really amazing too… but Ash should definitely have a counter-strategy."
Serena hugged Pikachu close to her chest, her face filled with tension.
"Pika pi, Pikachu!"
"You're saying Ash will definitely win? Yeah… I believe it too!"
On the battlefield—
Clemont was planning to repeat his earlier strategy.
"Heliolisk, once more! Quick Attack forward—then use Flash!"
Clemont knew very well—since Hawlucha was weak against Electric-type moves, as long as he could land Parabolic Charge again, then under such an advantage, victory would surely be his!
"Ash, the timing is all up to you, Hawlucha. Keep your eyes locked on Heliolisk's movements—the opening will only last an instant!"
"Lucha!"
Clemont had no idea what Ash was planning for Hawlucha.
By now, Heliolisk had already charged right up to Hawlucha. Its frilled neck expanded like an umbrella, stopping its body in place—the necessary motion it always made before unleashing an Electric-type move.
And that was exactly the moment Ash had been waiting for!
"Now! High Jump Kick!"
BAM!!!
Just as Heliolisk's frill expanded after Quick Attack, the tiny delay was less than a second—yet that was all Hawlucha needed.
Its High Jump Kick struck Heliolisk squarely on the head, blasting it straight out of the battlefield!
"Heliolisk is unable to battle— Hawlucha wins!"
That made two wins in a row for Ash!
Clemont's face turned serious as he recalled Heliolisk.
"You fought well. Rest up—it was my tactical error just now."
Then Clemont drew out his third Poké Ball.
"As expected of you, Ash. You've taken down two of mine already… but I still have Luxio! Go, Luxio!"
"Meooow!"
"Ash, let's show Clemont just how strong Goomy's become! Let's go!"
"Sliggooo!"
"It really evolved into Sliggoo, huh? Impressive! Luxio, set up Electric Terrain!"
"Meooow!"
Luxio let out a fierce cry, its entire body glowing as sparks surged across the battlefield, turning it into an electrified arena!
"Sliggoo, Dragon Breath!"
"Sliggooo~~!"
"Luxio, Thunder Fang!"
The Dragon Breath shot out, colliding with Luxio's crackling Thunder Fang—the two moves clashing hard, each landing hits on the other!
"Electro Wave!"
"Rain Dance!"
Luxio fired a wave of electricity, paralyzing Sliggoo. Yet despite the paralysis, Sliggoo managed to summon Rain Dance!
Rain poured down, washing over the field. The falling water completely negated Electric Terrain!
"Sliggoo!!"
Suddenly, Sliggoo let out a loud cry as its entire body began to glow brilliantly!
It was evolving!
But just as it evolved—Luxio roared as well, its body bursting with light.
Both Pokémon evolved at the same time!
Sliggoo became Goodra, while Luxio evolved into Luxray!
A double evolution mid-battle—such a rare and spectacular sight!
"Incredible! Brother's Luxray… and Ash's Goodra!"
Because of Goodra's Ability, Hydration, the rain immediately cured all status problems—its paralysis was completely gone!
"How fascinating, Ash. I didn't expect both to evolve together… It seems your Goodra has pushed my Luxray to go beyond! Luxray, Wild Charge!"
"Yeah! Let's settle this! Goodra, use Bide!"
Luxray, now far more majestic after its evolution, charged fiercely with Wild Charge—its aura exploding with ferocity!
"Ash, I had prepared what I believed was a flawless counter against you. But your quick thinking disrupted everything. As expected of you! Still… Luxray and I will fight with everything we've got—no regrets!"
Clemont roared with all his strength:
"Luxray! Full power—take down Goodra before Bide releases! GO!!"
Luxray slammed into Goodra's belly with Wild Charge, the impact fierce enough to make Goodra wince in pain—yet it endured, refusing to collapse.
Its entire body began glowing red—the energy of Bide building up!
"Still standing?! Then we'll gamble it all! Luxray, again—Wild Charge!"
"Meooow!!"
Luxray unleashed its strongest Wild Charge yet, colliding again with Goodra's body!
"Gooooooodraaa!!"
Goodra's mind flashed with memories—of its weak and timid self, of Ash's encouragement, of its friends' support. It wasn't the same Pokémon it used to be!
"Goooooodraaa!!!"
"Yes, now! Release it all!!"
BOOOOOM!!!
The power of Bide burst forth in a massive explosion, engulfing Luxray in blinding light!
When the smoke cleared, Goodra and Luxray were still facing each other.
But then—Goodra only swayed slightly, while Luxray collapsed with a heavy thud.
"Luxray is unable to battle! Goodra wins! The victor is the challenger—Ash!"
The referee raised his flag to announce the result.
"Ahhh! Big brother really did lose… but seeing him give it everything against Ash, he looked so cool!"
Though Bonnie had expected Clemont's loss, she still felt a bit down when it finally happened. But as she had said before—no matter who won or lost, there could be no resentment. They were all friends.
Serena's eyes sparkled with joy as she looked at Ash—he had just earned his fifth Gym Badge.
"Ash… honestly, I feel a little frustrated. But more than anything, I feel relieved."
Clemont walked up with a faint smile. In his hand was the emblem of Lumiose Gym—the Voltage Badge.
Handing it to Ash, he continued, "When Bonnie and I returned early, I had been on edge all this time. But now it's finally over. Ash, this is the Lumiose Gym's Voltage Badge—it's yours."
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