Violent white light kept flashing over Gible's entire body.
In the next moment—
The white glow exploded outward.
And within that radiance, Gible's body began to… change.
The once round and adorable Gible gradually shed its chubby appearance.
Its limbs and torso extended outward.
The light faded!
Gible's silhouette vanished, replaced by its brand-new form.
The second stage of the Sinnoh pseudo-legendary line!
Gible's evolved form—
Gabite!
Gabite stood on two feet, its appearance very similar to a shark.
Because Ash's Gabite was a shiny variant, its overall base color was much darker than a normal Gabite. From its jaw to the middle of its abdomen was red, while the lower abdomen was a deep blue, distinct from the usual bright blue of the species.
Two protrusions grew on its head, each encircled with blue-gray stripes.
Its body bore four fins—one on each arm, one on its back, and one on its tail.
Its claws were single-toed and white, its feet three-toed, and its thighs were lined with interconnected, saw-shaped white bone spurs.
Evolution complete.
Gabite immediately rushed toward Ash.
Seeing Gabite's eyes, Ash opened his arms wide, ready to receive its embrace.
Even Chloe tactfully took a step back, giving the space to Ash and Gabite.
However—
This touching reunion turned comical in just one second.
Gabite did hug Ash.
But…
Its mouth was still firmly clamped on Ash's head.
And because Gabite had grown significantly larger after evolving—
This "love-bite headshot" carried much deeper affection this time! (Physically speaking)
"Aaagh! Ow ow ow! Gabite, you're about to bite into my brain!"
Gabite was hugging him so tightly that Ash couldn't even struggle free.
Seeing this scene—
Pikachu, who had long since hopped onto Tyranitar's side, spread its paws helplessly.
"Pika～"
Yeah, even I can't help him this time.
"Banji～"
Right? Well said, Pikachu bro!
[Professor Kukui: Oh my, Ash's Gabite really has an adorable personality.]
[Bruno: Incredible! Master Ash didn't even bleed. Such a body… he's already surpassed human limits!]
[Professor Elm: Speaking of which, Ash's bond with his Pokémon is amazing. Even if they stay in the backyard most of the time, the closeness never changes.]
[Professor Oak: Perhaps that is Ash's charm. When you treat Pokémon sincerely, Pokémon respond with sincerity.]
[Paul: Only the weak care about emotions. Getting stronger has nothing to do with feelings!]
[Steven Stone: You're too extreme. Pokémon battles have never been solely about victory.]
[Paul: If you don't pursue victory, what's the point of battling?]
Paul was a pure battle-purist.
To him, victory was everything.
Emotions were far less important.
He released Pokémon he deemed lacking in potential.
So naturally, he rejected Steven's viewpoint.
Even if Steven was a Champion.
After all, reality is the only standard of truth.
And at present, no one had appeared who could shake Paul's beliefs.
Perhaps in the future, someone might shatter that conviction completely—
To show him that the bond between Trainer and Pokémon can overcome all obstacles.
(Ash: Yep, that would be me!)
…
On screen—
In the end, Tyranitar had to intervene.
Only then was Ash rescued from Gabite's jaws.
"Gabite, you're too mischievous! My scalp is about to peel off."
Ash rubbed his head exaggeratedly.
Gabite's bite had indeed hurt for quite a while.
If we compare pain levels, it was even worse than Pikachu's Thunderbolt.
After all, Ash had long maxed out his resistance to Pikachu's electricity.
But Gabite's bite—
That was something he truly couldn't withstand!
It was named "Gabite" for a reason!
Chloe covered her mouth, giggling. These little interactions between Ash and his Pokémon always warmed her heart.
Just then—
A strange sound echoed from the desert.
The sound was deep and eerie, as if calling from an empty valley, drawing anyone who heard it toward the source.
Most likely the same sound that lured people into the sand tornado earlier.
Chloe subconsciously looked toward the direction of the sound.
A shadow flashed past her eyes.
What was that?!
Before she could react—
The owner of the shadow beat its two pairs of wings rapidly—
And countless sound waves shot toward them.
"Banji～"
Before the attack arrived, Tyranitar stomped forward, standing before everyone.
The Desert Tyrant roared.
The previously calm sand exploded violently.
The towering sand tornado shattered instantly.
Endless sand blasted outward in all directions—
Destroying the sand vortex entirely.
At the same time—
The shadow hidden in the sand finally revealed itself.
It was the evolved form of Trapinch—
Vibrava, a Ground/Dragon-type Pokémon.
Only a second-stage evolution,
Yet its earlier Supersonic attack already showcased its power.
Though the sand tornado was destroyed, Tyranitar, master of the desert, kicked up more sand.
The tornado turned into a Sandstorm.
During Sandstorm, ordinary Pokémon take damage every turn.
Only Ground-type Pokémon remain unharmed.
Aside from Vibrava, Tyranitar, and Gabite—
The only non-Ground Pokémon present was Pikachu.
And in this weather, Pikachu immediately got sand in its eyes.
Just as Pikachu rubbed furiously—
Ash placed something onto Pikachu's face.
Goggles—
Desert-weather goggles.
Not just for Pikachu—
Ash put a pair on Chloe as well.
"Good thing I came prepared. I thought about this in advance."
Chloe and Pikachu looked at Ash with admiration.
Ash puffed up proudly.
"Ash, you're amazing!"
With such boyfriend-like dependability, Chloe didn't hold back her praise.
However—
Ash's actions made Vibrava feel insulted.
Hello?! We're fighting here!
Vibrava's wings beat rapidly.
Another Supersonic attack shot toward the group.
Tyranitar and Gabite prepared, awaiting Ash's command.
But at that moment—
Ash made another decision!
"Tyranitar! Gabite! Move aside, it's too agile!"
Both Pokémon stared in confusion.
Huh? Fight a Ground-type… with Pikachu?
That's attribute suicide!
But Ash's eyes clearly showed he wanted to try!
"Go, Pikachu!"
"Pika! Pika!"
With goggles on, Pikachu felt unstoppable.
It ran boldly to the front, standing before both Tyranitar and Gabite.
Though Pikachu's small figure couldn't compare to theirs—
Nothing in the world could replace the sense of safety Pikachu brought!
[Brock: Here it is! Electric vs Ground! I must see how the novel explains Pikachu knocking out my Onix!]
[Denji: Terrifying! Will the unsolved mystery of "Thunderbolt KO-ing Onix" finally be revealed today?!]
[Wattson: Hahaha! If this works, I'll show it to all my old gym pals—electric has NO weaknesses!]
[Erika: Will it really work though? I'm kind of worried.]
[Wallace: Relax~ Did you all forget Ash's reward? "Reverse Attribute Master"! That title alone is enough to let him pull off a comeback.]
[Steven Stone: You didn't read carefully… Reverse Attribute Master only boosts resistance and accuracy. It doesn't let you overpower attribute immunity.]
[Wallace: Hehe… just wait for Ash to slap your face.]
[Ash: Why do I feel like you guys are more excited about this than I am?]
Why though?
Ash, shouldn't you know best?
Is it normal for Thunderbolt to knock out an Onix?!
[Hop: Let me witness this miracle! If Pikachu can beat Vibrava with an Electric move, I'll take Wooloo to win the World Championship!]
[Allister: Hop… Wooloo really isn't a fighting Pokémon. Don't ruin your future over this.]
[Hop: Don't worry! My goals are beating my brother AND winning the championship with Wooloo! Both would be perfect!]
[Leon: Hahaha! That's my little brother!]
[Pryce: Ambition is good. Never underestimate seemingly weak Pokémon—the power they unleash can surpass imagination.]
Who could beat Pryce's record anyway?
A Delibird defeating Ho-Oh.
A tiny Swinub blocking seven Special-Chapter protagonists.
Only Ash's "bare-handed psychic shield break" could compare.
[Hop: If that's the case, Wooloo beating Leon's Charizard is totally possible!]
[Lance: Wait, your brother is Leon? You want Wooloo to beat Charizard?]
[Allister: To clarify—Wooloo is a Galar Pokémon mainly used for wool production.]
[Lance: …Hop, good luck.]
[Hop: Even Champion Lance supports me! I'll definitely succeed!]
No—
He wasn't supporting you…
…
On screen—
Pikachu's appearance stunned Vibrava.
They didn't send the two powerhouses—
They sent a common Kanto electric mouse?
It had Ground typing!
Electric moves shouldn't affect it at all!
This behavior—
Was blatant disrespect!
Gabite can endure it—
But Vibrava absolutely cannot!
Vibrava's wings vibrated even faster.
The Supersonic waves shook even the surrounding sand.
Chloe, the only ordinary human present, covered her ears painfully.
The sound was torture for humans.
Yet Ash remained unaffected.
Seeing Vibrava's agitated reaction—
Ash became even more excited.
The more you resist…
The more excited I get!
"Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!"
Here it was—
The classic Electric-type vs Ground-type showdown!
Pikachu locked onto Vibrava through its goggles—
Golden sparks flashed across its body.
"Pika—CHU!!!"
Electricity surged and shot straight at Vibrava!
Golden lightning engulfed it instantly.
But—
As expected—
Electricity had no effect on a Ground-type.
Onix being knocked out by Thunderbolt still had no explanation!
Seeing the attack fail—
Ash didn't hesitate.
He immediately ordered Pikachu to increase its output.
He wasn't a clueless beginner anymore.
Of course he knew Electric was ineffective against Ground—
Without the "Power of Heart," Pikachu could never recreate its absurd past feats.
But—
"Pikachu! Max output!"
"PIKA!!!"
Electric power exploded ten-fold.
If 100,000 volts was Thunderbolt—
This was One Million Volts.
Would it work?
Against Ground-types?
Still no.
Vibrava, suspended in mid-air, proved it.
But—
Things weren't that simple.
High-output electricity generates extreme heat.
Few Pokémon ever weaponized this side effect.
But under certain conditions—
It created special effects.
Like now.
The ten-fold voltage generated tremendous heat.
The scorching current visibly melted everything around it.
And the battlefield was in a Sandstorm.
Countless sand grains whipped toward Vibrava.
Ground-types were immune to Sandstorm.
But—
When these sand grains touched the super-heated current—
They melted instantly.
And anyone who's played Minecraft knows:
Sand + smelting = Glass.
At this moment—
Countless grains of sand melted into blobs of molten glass,
hammering onto Vibrava's body.
At first Vibrava ignored them.
But as more and more molten glass stuck—
It couldn't move.
It had retained the traits of a dragonfly—
Its wings were its lifeline.
Yet now—
Those wings were coated in thick layers of molten glass—
Layers that continued to grow.
After about thirty seconds—
Pikachu finally stopped.
It wiped imaginary sweat from its forehead and hopped back onto Ash's shoulder.
And Vibrava?
Without the heat source,
plus the raging sandstorm—
The molten glass solidified instantly.
Vibrava had become…
a sand-coated glass ball.
Everyone watching was stunned.
They had never imagined a battle could be fought like THIS.
Using physics to win.
A third method of victory—
outside of pure strength
and attribute matchups!
Chloe was completely speechless.
Even viewers beyond the light screen were stunned.
Electric defeating Ground—
Such absurdity—
was now reality.
Unbelievable!
Who said Ash wasn't educated?
These viewers refused to accept that!
Someone capable of thinking of a tactic like THIS
couldn't possibly be stupid!
[Professor Oak: Even I never considered such a method. This level of creativity will absolutely reshape the future of double battles.]
[Professor Kukui: Ash once again shows us the meaning of turning the impossible into the possible!]
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