Pitter-patter!
Raindrops fell from the dense dark clouds inside the stadium, covering the entire field.
If a 'master-level' Rain Dance could only summon a light drizzle, then this 'proficient-level' Rain Dance brought down a steady medium rain, quickly drenching the entire field.
Although he successfully used Rain Dance, Adrian wasn't entirely satisfied, thinking to himself, "When I return to Kanto, I must go fish for and train a Poliwag with the Swift Swim Ability."
Because manual rain, after all, lacked a certain something and unnecessarily sacrificed an opportunity for attack.
"So Pichu's Shinny was a diversion for Gyarados's Rain Dance."
"This Gyarados is indeed extraordinary, managing to complete Rain Dance in such a short time, and not just light rain, but medium rain. Based on my experience, medium rain significantly enhances Water-type moves more than light rain. Next, this Gyarados is probably going for a strong offense!"
"Although rainy weather boosts Water-type moves, the opponent has an Ampharos. I feel like this is self-defeating? After all, in the rain, the Thunder move becomes unavoidable."
"I guess that Pichu's Ability must be Lightning Rod, which can nullify all of the opponent's Electric-type moves."
"So what if it's the Lightning Rod Ability? That Pichu is so small, its electric sac capacity is limited. Can it really handle Ampharos's moves? It'll probably be overloaded by Ampharos!"
...Many trainers present were veterans with rich battle experience, and besides what was obvious, they could also discern hidden strategies.
Before the discussions among the crowd subsided, the Electric-type energy on the opposing Ampharos surged, connecting with the dark clouds, and a thick bolt of lightning plummeted from the clouds, aiming directly at Gyarados.
It was the powerful Electric-type move—Thunder!
At the same time, several shadows materialized from Granbull, rushing towards Pichu, making it difficult to distinguish the real one.
Meanwhile, Granbull was enveloped in white light, its eyes filled with madness.
It attacked the adorable Pichu beside Gyarados like a rabid dog.
Normal-type powerful move—Double-Edge!
Shu intended to defeat both of Adrian's pokémon simultaneously with a crushing victory.
But just then, an unexpected change occurred on the field.
The thick lightning bolt, originally aimed at Gyarados, seemed to be guided by some mysterious force, directly diverting its course and striking Pichu instead.
Boom!
The lightning struck Pichu, electric arcs spluttering and crackling.
"It's Lightning Rod Ability, as expected! I just wonder if this Pichu can absorb Ampharos's Thunder move. If it can, then Ampharos is pretty much useless. If it can't, then Pichu is pretty much useless."
Everyone present fixed their gaze on Pichu, guessing the possible outcome.
Unfortunately, Pichu was enveloped in lightning, the dazzling light making it hard to see clearly.
"Blang~"
Granbull, originally preparing to deliver a killing blow to Pichu, quickly changed direction, redirecting its target to the Gyarados beside it.
Such terrifying lightning, it would get paralyzed too if it touched it!
"Awoo roar~"
Seeing Granbull charging towards it, especially its distinctive gaping maw, old memories began to assault Gyarados, causing it to go berserk.
It hated pokémon with big mouths the most!!!
A large splash of water suddenly appeared on its body, and Gyarados erupted with astonishing momentum, charging straight at Granbull.
Boom!
The two power-type pokémon collided.
Both sides were evenly matched, refusing to give way.
And just then, the lightning enveloping Pichu finally began to dissipate.
Pichu's electric sac continuously flashed with sparks, but there were no scorch marks on its body. Instead, its eyes were bright and spirited, and its face was full of excitement.
Little Pichu even licked its lips!
Whoosh!
A flash of light passed, and Little Pichu's aura began to climb steadily.
"This Pichu actually absorbed all of Ampharos's Thunder energy! It's so small, how can its electric sac's storage capacity be so large?"
With the outcome settled, many people in the audience couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.
"That Pichu is very well-trained, and its Lightning Rod Ability must have been specially developed, allowing it to absorb Ampharos's Thunder move."
Just then, Jon, the young man in the blue shirt, spoke up, and the people present quickly made way for him.
His gaze towards Adrian was filled with intense curiosity, and the Rapidash behind him was restless, seemingly eager to battle Adrian as well.
"This Adrian really has some tricks up his sleeve. I thought only his Gyarados was strong, but I didn't expect the Pichu, which usually seems to have no combat ability, to be so exceptionally trained."
Wille's eyes also flickered, and he thought, "No wonder Sister Clair treats him as an honored guest."
"In that case, Ampharos is pretty much useless!"
"Yeah, Shu is in danger!"
"No wonder he's with Wille, he really has some skills."
...The situation reversed, and the mood of the crowd began to shift accordingly.
"Little Pichu isn't bad!"
Adrian smiled, not at all surprised by this.
Although Pichu was small, it had consumed three ability candies, and its Ability development was far beyond its peers, so it naturally wasn't afraid of Ampharos's move attacks.
Not far away, Gyarados and Granbull fought to a draw, each being knocked back several steps by the recoil.
"Pi~"
Pichu then seized the opportunity to summon lightning, and the thick electric pillar was even several times thicker than Ampharos's.
Electric-type move: Thunder!
At this moment, Granbull's old strength was exhausted and new strength had not yet emerged, so the terrifying lightning caught it completely off guard.
"Blang~"
Granbull was enveloped in lightning, its face showing pain.
Seeing this, Gyarados quickly sprayed icy cold water from its mouth, attempting to knock out Granbull.
But Shu clearly wouldn't let it succeed, quickly ordering Ampharos to intervene: "Dragon Pulse!"
Dragon Pulse and Soak collided and exploded, nullifying each other's moves.
Even so, Granbull was scorched black and breathing heavily.
"Gyarados, Waterfall!"
"Pichu, help!"
Adrian didn't want to give his opponent a chance to breathe, choosing instead to have both of his pokémon combine their efforts for a powerful attack.
"Awoo roar~"
Waves of water once again appeared on Gyarados, and it charged towards Granbull with an unstoppable momentum.
"Pi~"
Pichu leaped onto Gyarados's head, its hands pressed tightly against Gyarados, and its energy continuously gathered and poured into it.
Boom!
help was successfully executed, and the boosted Gyarados's aura surged again. The water waves formed by Waterfall became even more turbulent, like crashing waves against the shore, capable of pulverizing even reefs.
"Blang~"
The terrified Granbull tried to use Protect, but the hastily formed Protect barrier couldn't hold.
Because this is the real world, neither a pokémon's Ability nor its skills are absolutely omnipotent and invincible. Many times, their effectiveness depends on the difference in strength between the opposing sides.
You can't expect Arbok to intimidate Mewtwo, nor can you expect to bind Rayquaza with Caterpie's String Shot.
Because the difference in strength between the two sides is too great!
After a pained scream, Granbull, already low on stamina, was directly knocked out of the arena, its body embedded in the stadium wall.
As for its eyes, they were already spinning in circles, clearly having lost its ability to battle.
Water-type, rainy weather, help—with these three stacked, let alone a wounded Granbull, even a full-health Granbull probably couldn't withstand it.
"Awoo roar~"
Having successfully secured the first knockout, Gyarados's Ability, 'Moxie', was finally activated, and its aura began to climb again, as if it had taken a stimulant.
It was like a malevolent dragon stirring up the winds and clouds, its gaze fierce and tyrannical, making people afraid to meet its eyes.
And when its gaze fell upon Ampharos, Ampharos, coerced by its aura, immediately broke out in a cold sweat on its forehead.