"Come back, Cloyster!"
Seiji withdrew his Poké Ball to recall the defeated Cloyster.
"Cloyster finally couldn't withstand Kingler's relentless assault. Contestant Seiji's third Pokémon should logically be Ice or Water-type, correct?" the announcer speculated, analyzing what counter Seiji might deploy against Ash's Kingler.
The audience focused their anticipating gazes on the Poké Ball in Seiji's hand.
"Go, Arcanine!" Seiji shouted, hurling his Poké Ball forward.
To everyone's astonishment, Seiji deployed the type-disadvantaged Fire-type Arcanine.
With luxurious flaxen fur, a body adorned with tiger-like black and orange stripes, fluffy fur surrounding its paws, and a magnificent flowing tail—Arcanine cut an imposing figure.
"It's the Fire-type Arcanine! What strategy does contestant Seiji have planned?!" the announcer declared excitedly, eager to witness Arcanine's tactics alongside the spectators.
"Deploying Fire-type Arcanine at the Ice venue? Could Seiji's plan be..." Gary mused, stroking his chin thoughtfully, seemingly deducing the upcoming strategy.
"Naoto transformed water into ice. This Seiji intends to melt ice back into water!" Leaf stated directly, identifying Seiji's tactical approach immediately.
"Perfect! Water-type Kingler has the advantage against Fire-type Arcanine. Kingler, use Bubble Beam!" Ash commanded enthusiastically, mistakenly believing Seiji had exhausted options and deployed a disadvantageous type.
Upon hearing Ash's command, Kingler advanced and fired streams of bubbles from its mouth toward Arcanine.
But Ash had clearly forgotten the origin behind Arcanine's legendary reputation.
What defines the speed of wind?
An agile stride was Arcanine's defining characteristic. In ancient times, countless people were captivated by Arcanine's graceful running form, thus deeming it a legendary Pokémon.
With nimble movements, Arcanine effortlessly evaded the Bubble Beam assault, leaping elegantly between ice pillars before gazing dominantly down at Kingler below.
"Arcanine's arsenal isn't limited to Fire-type moves. Arcanine, use Dragon Rage!" Seiji commanded.
Arcanine released a thunderous roar skyward, conjuring a swirling water tornado mixed with razor-sharp ice fragments. The vortex rapidly engulfed the stunned Kingler, trapping it within.
After several moments of muffled collision sounds, Kingler—absorbed into the water tornado—crashed to the ground with eyes rolled back, nearly unconscious on the ice surface.
"Are you okay? Kingler, stay with me!" Ash called out with genuine concern.
Hearing Ash's worried voice, Kingler stubbornly rose to its feet, though swaying unsteadily in obvious disorientation. Clearly not yet recovered from Dragon Rage's devastating effects, its determination to continue fighting for Ash touched many spectators' hearts.
"Ash's Kingler is remarkably resilient," Leaf observed sympathetically, impressed that despite such grievous injuries, Kingler still wanted to battle for its trainer.
"It actually knows Dragon Rage—completely unexpected!" Brock exclaimed, surprised by Arcanine's diverse offensive repertoire.
"Kingler's badly wounded. You should withdraw it," Misty advised gently, unwilling to watch Kingler endure further harm.
"Alright, come back, Kingler!"
Ash withdrew his Poké Ball to recall the confused Kingler before deploying his primary ace.
"Go, Pikachu! Use Agility to confuse Arcanine!" Ash shouted.
Pikachu rapidly utilized its exceptional speed, darting through Arcanine's field of vision in a blur of motion.
From Arcanine's perspective, multiple Pikachu seemed to materialize simultaneously, circling around it—clearly afterimages generated by Agility's velocity.
For several moments, Arcanine couldn't determine Pikachu's true position and hesitated to attack, fearing loss of offensive initiative.
"Incredible! Pikachu can maintain high-speed movement even on the Ice venue—Pikachu's velocity is extraordinary!" the announcer marveled.
"Arcanine, use Fire Blast!" Seiji commanded decisively.
Scorching flames erupted from Arcanine's maw, forming a massive character-shaped inferno that melted surrounding ice pillars into cascading water.
"That kind of attack can't hit!" Ash declared smugly.
"Don't you understand my intention in deploying a Fire-type at the Ice venue?" Seiji said with confident satisfaction.
After Arcanine consecutively released several Fire Blasts, the originally thick ice surface gradually liquefied from the intense heat. As water vapor continuously dissipated, the Ice venue transformed into a Water venue, with only small ice platforms remaining beneath Arcanine and Pikachu's feet, providing temporary footing.
"The opponent's target wasn't Pikachu," Misty observed astutely.
"He wants to melt the entire Ice venue to restrict movement," Brock agreed with her assessment.
"Contestant Seiji utilized Arcanine's Fire Blast to completely transform the Ice venue! Only two ice platforms miraculously survived beneath Arcanine and Pikachu, but Pikachu can no longer maneuver—its Agility has been completely neutralized!" the announcer explained.
"Arcanine, deliver the finishing Fire Blast to Pikachu!" Seiji exclaimed triumphantly.
Arcanine opened its jaws, igniting scorching flames in preparation to unleash Fire Blast on the trapped Pikachu.
"Ash, you can only fight with your back against the wall now!" Brock called out urgently.
"What do you mean?" Ash asked, genuinely confused.
"Just have Pikachu jump into the water—quickly!" Brock shouted helplessly.
As Arcanine's Fire Blast prepared to strike, Pikachu dove into the water first, narrowly avoiding the devastating attack. The original floating ice platform instantly vaporized from the scorching flames, making Pikachu grateful for its split-second decision.
Pikachu then swiftly surfaced directly before Arcanine. The Fire-type stared down puzzledly at the suddenly appearing Electric Mouse, preparing to eliminate it.
"Ash, there's water everywhere," Brock reminded pointedly.
"Huh?"
The flustered Ash turned back in confusion toward Misty and Brock.
"Did you forget? Water conducts electricity," Misty explained patiently.
"I know! I was just about to do that," Ash stammered awkwardly, clearly having just realized the tactical opportunity.
Finally comprehending the strategy, Ash commanded Pikachu to use Thunderbolt. High-voltage electricity instantaneously discharged from Pikachu's body like a lightning pillar piercing the heavens, spreading across the entire venue in a spectacular electrical display that left countless onlookers awestruck.
Moments later, Arcanine collapsed in the pool with eyes rolled back, completely unable to continue battling.
"Arcanine is unable to battle! Therefore, the winner of this match is Ash from Pallet Town!" the referee announced.
Following the announcement, enthusiastic applause and exuberant cheers erupted throughout the audience.
"Awesome! We won the third round too!" Ash raised his right hand triumphantly as Misty and Brock celebrated excitedly behind him.
"Ash's Pikachu is genuinely impressive—worthy of being a rare Partner Pikachu," Gary acknowledged with a sigh, glancing at Red beside him, clearly anticipating Red's Pikachu's eventual performance.
"You'll definitely witness it eventually. After all, I won't neglect any companion's opportunity to battle," Red stated calmly.
"Then we'll eagerly await that day!" Leaf responded with an anticipatory smile.