"What's wrong... Ash, you don't seem very good!" Blue couldn't help but taunt him. He hated arrogant people, and he hadn't forgotten Ash's one-versus-three declaration.
If it were the original Ash, he might have argued back, but the current Ash knew where the problem lay, so he wouldn't waste time on pointless arguments.
He let out a breath: "Hmph... just watch."
"Pikachu, use Agility and run circles around Squirtle!"
Gary frowned: "Squirtle, try to hit it with Water Gun, and stay alert!"
Ash didn't rush. He watched both of their movements, looking for a good opportunity to attack.
In fact, Pikachu could probably win with a single Thunderbolt, but Ash wanted more than just a victory. He wanted to learn a skill he didn't have.
As a human-form Arceus, Ash would often train with some Pokémon. While his timing wasn't the most precise, he had his own understanding of combat.
Finally, after another Water Gun missed, his eyes lit up: "Quick Attack!"
Facing the charging Pikachu, Gary brushed his hair: "That won't work. Use Withdraw and then Rapid Spin!"
But Squirtle couldn't withdraw in time and just adjusted its stance.
As everyone knows, if a turtle gets flipped over, it's very hard for it to get back up. So, Squirtle had to make sure its center of gravity was forward before it could safely use Withdraw.
Ash had caught on to this. He took advantage of the moment its body leaned back from the recoil of using Water Gun and launched his attack!
"Bang!" Squirtle was hit and sent flying.
"Now, Thunderbolt!!!"
"Pika...chuuu!!"
Even though it was still a bit rusty, after a brief charge, the lightning bolt still hit the airborne Squirtle, which had no way to dodge.
"Squirtle is unable to battle! Ash is the winner!"
As Professor Oak's declaration ended, Ash hugged Pikachu: "That was awesome, Pikachu! We won!"
Only after truly experiencing victory side-by-side could Ash understand the pure, unrestrained joy he felt at that moment.
"Tch... It's just a type advantage, that's all." Gary pouted, still a little unconvinced.
Blue also said: "If it were me, I would have just used Thunderbolt and ended it. Why bother with all that?"
Professor Oak looked at Ash, who was celebrating with Pikachu, and shook his head: "You guys are only seeing the surface... Have you thought about why the second Quick Attack worked? And why Ash didn't use an Electric-type move from the start?"
Hearing this, both brothers fell into a deep thought.
"I think Ash discovered Squirtle's special trait, right?" Red was the first to speak: "After all, you have to make sure you don't get flipped before you can withdraw... And I think Ash wanted to use his own method to solve the problem."
"Is that so...?" Gary hadn't even noticed Squirtle's habit.
Ayumi blinked her eyes. She suddenly felt that Ash was quite reliable.
Blue also dropped his condescending attitude, his expression slightly serious.
Seeing that his words had an effect, Professor Oak smiled faintly: "Next up, it's Red versus Blue. Get ready!"
"Go, Charmander!" "Bulbasaur, get ready to battle!"
The two who had always considered each other rivals started their battle without a word.
It was an exciting match. Just like Squirtle, both Pokémon were at level 13, but the battle didn't go according to type advantage.
Blue first used Sleep Powder in place, making it difficult for Charmander to get close. At the same time, he used Vine Whip and Leech Seed to wear down its stamina.
Although Charmander returned fire with Ember, long-range Ember wasn't very accurate. Red was in a tough spot for a while.
"Charmander, use Smokescreen!"
"Don't let it get away! Sweep with Vine Whip!"
Seeing that he had pushed his opponent into a corner, Blue naturally went for the kill.
But the continuous Vine Whip couldn't find Charmander's location.
"Charge in! Use Dragon Breath to blow away the Sleep Powder and then use Scratch!"
"He was hiding Dragon Breath!" Gary's mouth dropped open.
The Smokescreen cleared, and Charmander had somehow gotten to the side. With Dragon Breath covering it, Bulbasaur couldn't resist and was hit by Scratch, sending it flying.
"Final attack, Ember!"
"Bang..." The flames shattered on the bulb, and Bulbasaur's eyes turned into spirals.
"Bulbasaur is unable to battle! Red is the winner!"
"I... lost." Blue was stunned for a moment. He picked up Bulbasaur: "Thank you, Bulbasaur. I was too impatient..."
"Dana..."
Ash walked over and looked at Red, who was fist-bumping Charmander. If he were in that situation, he might have revealed Dragon Breath from the start, which would have led to a drawn-out battle.
However, against a Grass-type Pokémon, a drawn-out battle was the easiest way for the opponent to find an opportunity to wear you down to death.
Thinking about this, Ash grinned: "You're really strong, Red."
"You too."
"Next up, Ash versus Red! Both trainers, send out your Pokémon!"
"Go, Pikachu!" "Polliwhirl!"
Everyone's eyes widened: "Polliwhirl?!"
This was a Pokémon Red had owned since he was little. It had evolved from a Poliwag he found by the pond.
As a close friend, everyone knew that this Polliwhirl was Red's trump card.
"Ash, let's have a great battle!"
"I was just thinking the same thing!"
Polliwhirl lv. 25 (Intermediate)
Description: A Polliwhirl that evolved from a Poliwag to save a drowning Red. It is courageous and has a very high potential for Fighting-type moves!
His "Spiritual Vision" had already given him Polliwhirl's stats. Ash's heart settled a bit. A five-level difference with a type advantage was not impossible to beat.
"Pikachu, Thunderbolt!"
"Mud-Slap!"
"Bang..." The mud and the electricity collided and exploded.
Ash narrowed his eyes. This move had perfectly defended against the Electric-type attack, which meant he couldn't break through Polliwhirl from the front.
"Use Rain Dance!" Polliwhirl raised its fists, and a light rain began to fall on the battlefield.
It seemed its mastery wasn't very high, but it still strengthened the power of Water-type moves.
"Pikachu, use Agility and run!"
"Polliwhirl, use Bubble Beam to lock its position!"
The continuous movements made all the bubbles miss, but Pikachu was forced to get closer to Polliwhirl.
"Now, Brick Break!"
"Pika!" Pikachu cried out in pain as it was hit and sent flying. The damage was clearly high.
"Are you okay, Pikachu!" Ash said, worried.
"Pika~!" The little mouse bravely stood up and gave him a determined look.
Ash smiled faintly and calmed down.
There was no denying that in terms of experience and strength, Red was the strongest person here.
But Ash didn't think he was going to lose for sure.
Or rather, there was definitely a chance he could win!
A glance at Polliwhirl's movements, the system's description, and the layout of the battlefield flashed through his mind. Ash's eyes lit up: "Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!"
"Mud-Slap to block!"
As expected, the electric attack didn't work.
Ayumi couldn't help but worry: "At this rate, Ash is going to lose..."
Blue: "I don't think so. Both of them are full of surprises."
"Yeah, Ash is really strong!" Gary was confident.
"Bang!" The two attacks exploded, kicking up a cloud of dust.
"Now, Quick Attack!"
Red didn't expect Ash to order a close-range attack. He immediately ordered: "Slam! Stop it and then use Brick Break!"
Polliwhirl used one hand to block Quick Attack, while its other hand gathered energy and struck down.
"Pikachu, block it with your tail!"
Ash once again gave an order that surprised everyone.
This wasn't a move; it was just a change in body posture.
The tail only held out for half a breath before it was crushed by Brick Break.
But it bought Pikachu a precious opportunity to attack. Ash shouted: "Thunderbolt!!"
"Pika, ch...u!"
Polliwhirl, still in the Brick Break posture, had no time to dodge. The lightning crackled around it. It was knocked back several feet and fell to one knee.
The type advantage made the effect significant!
Ash immediately gave the order to finish it off: "One more time, Thunderbolt!"
"Boom..." This time, the electric attack exploded in front of Polliwhirl, raising another cloud of smoke.
When the smoke cleared, Polliwhirl's eyes were the same shape as the spirals on its belly.
"Polliwhirl is unable to battle! Ash wins!!"