This method of improving a prospective Champion had long been discarded.
After all, the side effects were too severe. Though it allowed for rapid growth, the trainer would eventually hit a wall—unable to break through to the next rank. Reaching the level of a true Elite Four member would be impossible without starting over and rebuilding their foundation from scratch.
But rebuilding one's entire battling style was no easy feat. The habits and rhythm of battle lingered deep in muscle memory—it was almost impossible to erase them, unless by some miracle of amnesia. Unfortunately, Makoto Ito's talent simply wasn't exceptional enough for that.
"His Pidgeot is way too fast! My Magcargo's Flamethrower can't even keep up!" Kyle gritted his teeth as he watched Ash's Pidgeot easily weave through the torrents of fire.
Bang!
Pidgeot's Steel Wing struck Magcargo squarely, making the shell Pokémon cry out in pain.
"Grrhh!!"
Fortunately, Magcargo's rocky shell and its Rock typing gave it a solid defense, keeping it in the fight.
"Magcargo, endure it—and use Rock Slide!" Kyle commanded sharply.
Ash's Pidgeot was still flying low from the momentum of its previous attack—leaving a perfect window for Kyle's counterstrike.
"Magcarrrgo!" The Pokémon bellowed, summoning large boulders from the air and hurling them toward Pidgeot with surprising speed.
But as the rocks closed in, a faint smirk flickered in Pidgeot's eyes. With an elegant twist of its wings, it soared upward—dodging every stone. Kyle's jaw tightened.
Commentator: "Incredible! Ash's Pidgeot just displayed a flawless aerial maneuver! The precision of that flight control is stunning. How will Kyle respond to such overwhelming agility?"
"Damn it! Dodging everything like that—it's infuriating!" Kyle muttered, fists clenched. No matter how he attacked, Pidgeot danced around it effortlessly.
"Magcargo, use Smokescreen!" he ordered.
Thick black smoke poured across the battlefield, obscuring everything from sight. With this, Pidgeot would have no clear line of vision to strike back.
But Ash only smiled. "Pidgeot—use Brave Bird!"
With a cry, Pidgeot's wings spread wide, gathering a powerful aura of wind. The blast tore through the smokescreen like a hurricane, clearing the field in an instant.
Commentator: "Kyle's Magcargo tried to block Pidgeot's vision with Smokescreen, but Ash's powerful Brave Bird has blown it away! Kyle's in trouble now—can he find a way to turn this around?"
"Return, Magcargo," Kyle said, frustration in his tone as he withdrew the exhausted Pokémon. Then, pulling out another Poké Ball, he shouted, "Let's turn up the heat—Infernape, go!"
A burst of white light filled the field, and with a fierce roar, Infernape appeared—its flaming mane blazing like the sun.
Commentator: "Kyle's brought out his trump card—Infernape! All three of his Pokémon have now appeared, with one already down. Meanwhile, Ash still has two active Pokémon with plenty of strength left. This battle is leaning heavily in Ash's favor!"
Ash's eyes brightened.
"A Fire and Fighting-type, huh… Infernape's body structure is perfect for close combat."
As he watched the powerful Pokémon, Ash made a mental note. When I travel to Sinnoh, I need to catch one of those… and definitely a Lucario, too.
After all, Infernape's combination of Fire and Fighting types made it ideal for both raw combat and high-speed techniques—comparable to a perfected blend of Flash Step and Moon Step. It was a true master of both flame and martial power.
Lucario was a Fighting/Steel type Pokémon, its mastery of Aura serving as a powerful complement. Both it and Infernape were exceptional Pokémon—Ash definitely wouldn't miss the chance to capture one in the future.
"Even though Flying-types have the advantage over Fighting-types," Kyle said confidently,
"Infernape also has Fire-typing—and a body built for speed and power. Let's see how you handle this. Infernape, use Flame Wheel!"
"Infer!" Infernape roared, its fiery mane flaring as it spun forward. A vortex of flame burst from its body, rushing toward Pidgeot at incredible speed. Compared to the sluggish Magcargo, Infernape's agility and reaction time were on a completely different level.
"Pidgeot!" Ash called out.
The bird's eyes sharpened, the air pressure rippling from the beat of its wings. Even though both of Kyle's Pokémon were of similar rank, the difference between Magcargo and Infernape was obvious.
He's keeping his distance, Ash noted. Infernape's close-range power is dangerous. But if I keep the range wide, the advantage is mine.
"Pidgeot, use Air Slash!"
"Pidgeot!!"
The majestic bird spread its wings wide, slicing the air. Sharp blue blades of wind whistled through the battlefield, cutting straight toward Infernape.
"Infer!" Infernape shouted, flipping and dodging as the blades flew by, each movement fluid and fierce. But there were too many—the speed and precision of Pidgeot's attack were overwhelming. A few wind blades connected, striking Infernape across the chest.
"Grahhh!" it cried, landing hard on one knee.
Kyle gritted his teeth.
"What the hell is that move? This kid keeps pulling out strange techniques—no wonder Cynthia took such an interest in him. Looks like that brat Ethan's future just got a lot harder…" he muttered bitterly, watching Ash's relentless tactics.
"Infernape!" Kyle shouted, seizing his chance as Pidgeot swooped low for another pass. "Use Sky Uppercut!"
"Infer!!" Infernape planted its feet and launched off a nearby rock, leaping over ten meters into the air. Its fist glowed with fierce energy, ready to smash into the diving Pidgeot—
BOOM!
...
TN:
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