"Waaa-gaaa!!!"
The moment Infernape hit the field, it let out a thunderous roar, shaking the stadium to its core.
Its overwhelming aura immediately made Alain's eyes narrow.
How many powerful Pokémon does Ash have? Every time he reveals another one, it feels like an endless well of strength.
The instant both Trainers sent out their Pokémon, the match was already ablaze.
"Infernape, Mach Punch!"
"Waa-gaaa!!!"
Infernape shot forward like a burning comet, its fists crackling with fiery intent.
This wasn't just any Pokémon. This was Ash's number one ace from Sinnoh. And more than that, its Blaze ability had awakened into something far greater—Awakened Blaze, a force unlike anything else.
Alain grit his teeth. "Weavile, keep your distance and use Screech!"
He wanted to recall Weavile, but even that brief moment of retreat carried risk. With an opponent like Infernape, giving it the initiative meant disaster.
Weavile slashed its claws against the rocks, producing an ear-piercing shriek that reverberated across the battlefield.
But before it could follow through, a blur appeared right before it—Infernape's blazing eyes locked directly onto Weavile's.
"W–Weavile?!"
The sudden, fiery presence made Weavile falter. Its claws froze mid-motion—
And that hesitation was fatal.
BAM!!!
Infernape's fist slammed square into Weavile's chest, sending it flying like a ragdoll.
"Thud! Thud! Crash!"
Weavile's body smashed through boulders before finally crumpling to the ground, unconscious.
"Weavile is unable to battle! Infernape wins!"
"Unbelievable! Alain has already lost two Pokémon in a row to Ash! This is going to be very difficult to recover from!"
The host's astonishment echoed throughout the arena.
This was the same Alain who had swept opponents with just his Charizard or Metagross. He never needed more than one or two Pokémon to completely dominate.
But against Ash? He had already lost two straight.
Alain silently recalled Weavile, exhaling deeply. Then he pulled out his third Poké Ball.
"Unfezant, take the field!"
"Skreeee!"
The Normal and Flying type appeared, wings spreading wide. Its typing immediately negated Infernape's Fighting-type advantage.
"Air Slash!"
"Flamethrower!" Ash countered without hesitation.
The two attacks collided mid-air with a thunderous boom. Fire roared across the sky, burning away the slicing winds.
"Quick Attack, then follow with Air Cutter!"
"Double Team!"
"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"
Dozens of Infernape copies flickered across the field, darting between the flames.
Unfezant desperately launched its Air Cutters at every target—but every strike passed through nothing but illusions.
"Now, Fire Spin—lock it down!"
Ash's command rang sharp and clear.
"Waaa-gaaa!!!"
Infernape unleashed a spiraling inferno that twisted upward, trapping Unfezant in a blazing vortex.
"Skreee!!!"
Unfezant screeched as it was caught.
The truth was harsh—Infernape's level was nearly Champion-tier now. Against that kind of strength, Unfezant couldn't compare.
"Then we'll risk it all—Sky Attack!" Alain barked, eyes blazing with determination.
Unfezant's body glowed with divine light as it prepared its ultimate strike.
"Meet it head-on—use Sonic Boom Punch!"
This was Infernape's perfected fusion of Mach Punch and Focus Punch, enhanced by its Iron Fist ability. Its fists pulsed with devastating power as it rocketed upward.
The collision was titanic.
The divine light of Sky Attack clashed with Infernape's roaring fist—
And then…
CRAAASH!!!
Infernape's blow shattered through Unfezant's attack entirely. The bird's eyes spun wildly as its body went limp in midair.
"Thud!"
It plummeted to the ground in defeat.
"Unfezant is unable to battle! Infernape wins again!"
"Waaa-gaaa!!!"
Infernape howled triumphantly, its aura surging higher than ever before.
The twin uses of Ash's tenfold Experience Boost Cards had finally borne fruit. At that moment, Infernape transcended from Elite tier into Champion-level power!
Its fighting spirit erupted like a volcano, shaking the stadium.
The Fire Monkey King was still the—Ash's invincible ace stood tall once more!
Alain's fists tightened around Charizard's Poké Ball. Part of him desperately wanted to release it immediately—to pit Charizard against this Infernape in a true clash of legends.
Instead, he steadied himself, exhaling slowly. "It seems… I still have much to learn." He tapped the Poké Ball softly.
Because Alain had lost three Pokémon, the finals now entered a ten-minute intermission—time for both sides to recover and prepare.
Ten minutes later, Ash and Alain returned to the battlefield, eyes locked in fiery resolve.
"Alain," Ash said firmly, "if I didn't have these fused memories, I might not have been able to defeat you. But now? I've grown stronger than ever!"
Alain's lips curled into a fierce grin. "That's exactly why this battle is worth everything. The stronger you are, Ash—the more it means if I can land a hit on you!"
And with that, Alain reached for his fourth Poké Ball.
The clash was far from over.
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T/N:
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