*Note: the format of this chapter is different but don't worry it will return to the previous format the next chapter. It was my fault to try to do it like this. Now I know that I don't like it. Fortunately, I notice early.
*Note2: This note is for those who are in Patreon too. Sorry for not upload chapter yesterday but I went out with my family all day and when I went back I was so tired I didn't want to do anything but relax.
...
In an incredible and short battle, Richie's first Pokémon had fallen, defeated by Ash's Pikachu. The fight had clearly been one-sided the entire time. Ash's Pikachu was clearly much stronger, and although Richie's Pikachu tried to put up a good fight, it ultimately wasn't a match for her. A shame, but that was the reality.
"IT LOOKS LIKE WE HAVE A VICTORY! ASH WINS THIS FIRST MATCHUP AGAINST PARTICIPANT RICHIE'S PIKACHU!" Bob announced.
"THAT'S RIGHT, BOB, AND I HAVE TO BE HONEST WITH YOU — THE STRENGTH THAT PARTICIPANT ASH'S PIKACHU HAS SHOWN HAS COMPLETELY CHANGED MY VIEW ON PIKACHU!" Carl added.
"EXACTLY, AND NOT JUST YOU — I FEEL THE SAME, AND A LOT OF PEOPLE WATCHING US RIGHT NOW WILL THINK THE SAME!" Bob continued.
"HOWEVER, PARTICIPANT RICHIE STILL HAS TWO POKÉMON LEFT, SO IT'S FAR FROM OVER AND HE CAN STILL MAKE A COMEBACK!" Carl said.
"THAT'S RIGHT! NOW WE JUST HAVE TO SEE WHAT PARTICIPANT RICHIE WILL DO NEXT!" Bob nodded.
Back to the battle.
"You did well, Pikachu, but now you need to rest," Richie said.
Richie hugged his Pikachu and gently placed it beside him.
"You've surprised me, Ash. Your Pikachu is really strong, but… this has only just begun!" Richie said.
He then took out a Poké Ball and threw it with force.
"Go, Jolteon!" Richie shouted.
A rather powerful-looking Jolteon appeared on the battlefield, ready to win.
"THE NEXT POKÉMON FROM PARTICIPANT RICHIE IS A JOLTEON — ANOTHER ELECTRIC-TYPE POKÉMON AND ONE OF THE EVOLUTIONS OF THE FAMOUS EEVEE!" Bob announced.
"I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BOB, BUT I'M EAGER TO SEE WHAT PARTICIPANT ASH WILL DO NEXT!" Carl said.
"YOU'RE NOT THE ONLY ONE, CARL!" Bob replied.
On the huge screen, one of the Poké Balls under Richie's name disappeared and was replaced by Jolteon's image.
As for Ash.
"Pikachu, return!" Ash said.
"Pika pi!" Pikachu nodded.
Pikachu quickly returned to Ash and stood by his side.
"OH, INTERESTING! PARTICIPANT ASH HAS DECIDED TO WITHDRAW HIS PIKACHU INSTEAD OF CONTINUING THE BATTLE!" Bob exclaimed.
The reason Ash withdrew Pikachu was simple: Jolteon's ability. You didn't have to be very smart to know why Richie sent out another Electric-type Pokémon. It was surely because of Jolteon's ability, Volt Absorb, which would nullify all of Pikachu's Electric attacks, leaving only Quick Attack and Iron Tail as options that could hit Jolteon. But Richie knew that and already had a strategy prepared. He had probably faced something similar before and knew what to do. So the best move was to withdraw Pikachu.
Ash then took out a Poké Ball and threw it with force.
"Go, Venusaur!" Ash shouted.
"Venusaur!" Venusaur roared as soon as it came out of the Poké Ball.
On the huge screen, Venusaur replaced the Poké Ball under Ash's photo.
"OH, GOOD MOVE! PARTICIPANT ASH'S NEXT POKÉMON IS VENUSAUR — A GRASS/POISON-TYPE POKÉMON CAPABLE OF RESISTING JOLTEON'S ELECTRIC ATTACKS! VERY GOOD CHOICE!" Bob said.
"ALTHOUGH PERSONALLY, A GROUND-TYPE WOULD HAVE BEEN A BETTER CHOICE!" Carl added.
"IT'S POSSIBLE HE DOESN'T HAVE ONE OR HAS A STRATEGY IN MIND THAT WE DON'T KNOW ABOUT! BUT… I HAVE NO DOUBT IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW HE DEALS WITH JOLTEON'S GREAT SPEED!" Bob said.
In the battle.
"Venusaur? This is going to be pretty tough," Richie said.
Ash's Venusaur looked strong — very strong — and didn't seem scared or nervous at all after seeing his Jolteon. This battle was destined to be very complicated…
Richie clenched his fists for a moment, watching his weakened Jolteon on the ground. He had lost his second Pokémon, but he didn't look frustrated. If anything, he looked more serious than ever.
"You did well. Return," Richie said as he recalled Jolteon to its Poké Ball.
On the huge screen, the second image under Richie's name turned gray.
Ash breathed slowly.
Venusaur was still standing, yes, but it was far from its best condition. The exchange against Jolteon had been much harder than it looked, and the effort of maintaining Sunny Day, using Growth, and finishing with Solar Beam had taken its toll. It could keep fighting… but not against what was about to come out.
Richie raised his last Poké Ball.
"This ends here… Go, Charizard!" Richie shouted.
The Poké Ball opened in the air and the huge Charizard appeared with a roar that made part of the stadium tremble. Its wings spread powerfully, creating a small gust of wind across the battlefield.
"PARTICIPANT RICHIE'S LAST POKÉMON IS CHARIZARD!" Bob shouted.
"AND IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE ANY ORDINARY CHARIZARD, BOB! IT LOOKS STRONG — VERY STRONG!" Carl added.
Ash narrowed his eyes.
Yes, it was strong. Very strong.
And there was also the most important detail of all.
A stone hung from a black collar around Charizard's neck. The Mega Stone gleamed under the stadium lights for barely a second, but it was enough for Ash to see it clearly.
So it was true.
Richie also had a Mega Evolution.
"I see you're prepared too," Ash said with a slight smile.
Richie smiled back.
"I wasn't going to come this far without an ace up my sleeve," Richie smiled.
Venusaur roared from the field, still willing to continue, but Ash gently shook his head.
No.
Although he could withdraw it, doing so now would be stupid. Venusaur was already quite battered and, in a way, had already done its job. It had completely stopped Jolteon, which was precisely the Pokémon that bothered Pikachu the most at that moment.
"Venusaur, let's do what we can," Ash said.
"Venusaur!" his Pokémon responded firmly.
"Charizard, use Flamethrower," Richie ordered.
"Venusaur, dodge it and use Energy Ball," Ash responded.
Charizard opened its mouth and an intense stream of flames shot toward the ground with brutal violence. Venusaur tried to move to the side and managed to avoid the center of the attack, but the flames still grazed part of its body. It endured and launched an Energy Ball almost at the same time.
"Charizard, break it with Air Slash!" Richie shouted.
Charizard flapped its wings and an air blade struck the green sphere head-on, making it explode midway.
"INCREDIBLE! RICHIE'S CHARIZARD DESTROYED THE ATTACK BEFORE IT COULD LAND!" Bob shouted.
"THIS BATTLE HAS GONE UP A LEVEL IN A MATTER OF SECONDS!" Carl added.
Ash frowned.
It wasn't just strong. It was also well trained.
"Venusaur, use Leech Seed," Ash said quickly.
"Venusaur!"
The seed shot out, but Charizard suddenly rose into the air.
"Now, Flame Charge!" Richie said.
Ash's eyes widened slightly.
Fast.
Too fast.
Charizard charged wrapped in flames and struck Venusaur directly in the side. The Grass-type's body was sent flying several meters, sliding across the ground before stopping.
"Venusaur!" some people shouted from the stands.
Ash clenched his fist.
It had hit too hard.
"Get up," he murmured.
Venusaur tried. It placed one leg down, then another… but its body trembled.
"Charizard, finish this. Flamethrower!" Richie ordered.
"Venusaur, Solar Beam," Ash responded instantly.
It was a last-ditch effort.
The Sunny Day was still active, though weaker than before. Energy began to concentrate around Venusaur… but this time it wasn't fast enough.
The Flamethrower arrived first.
It hit dead center.
The explosion of fire completely covered Venusaur.
Silence.
A second later, Venusaur fell heavily onto the field.
"Participant Ash's Venusaur is unable to battle!" the referee announced.
The third Poké Ball under Ash's name did not disappear, but the image of Venusaur on the screen turned gray.
Richie exhaled heavily.
He had done it.
"AND PARTICIPANT RICHIE WINS THIS MATCHUP!" Bob shouted.
"THAT'S RIGHT, BOB! PARTICIPANT RICHIE HAS MANAGED TO DEFEAT ONE OF PARTICIPANT ASH'S POKÉMON! HOWEVER, PARTICIPANT ASH STILL HAS TWO POKÉMON LEFT AND PARTICIPANT RICHIE ONLY HAS ONE!" Carl added.
"THAT'S RIGHT, CARL! THE BATTLE IS DEFINITELY TOUGH AND PARTICIPANT RICHIE IS AT A DISADVANTAGE, BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN HE HAS LOST!" Bob said.
"EXACTLY! IT'S DIFFICULT, BUT PARTICIPANT RICHIE CAN STILL TURN THE TIDE IN HIS FAVOR!" Carl nodded.
Ash calmly recalled Venusaur to its Poké Ball.
"You did well. Rest," Ash said with a smile.
Now yes.
The battle had reached its most important point.
Ash reached for his last Poké Ball and smiled.
"Let's go, Lopunny," Ash said.
The Poké Ball shot out and opened in the air.
"Lopunny!" the rabbit Pokémon appeared with an elegant leap, landing in front of Charizard.
The stadium took barely a second to react.
"WAIT A SECOND, BOB! PARTICIPANT ASH'S LOPUNNY IS SHINY!" Carl shouted.
"YOU'RE RIGHT, CARL! AND IT'S BEAUTIFUL!" Bob replied, completely excited.
Lopunny's fur shone differently under the stadium lights. Its already striking appearance became even more evident now, right before the decisive moment.
But that wasn't the only detail that caught attention.
On Lopunny's left arm, firmly fastened, was a bracelet. And embedded in it shone a stone that Ash knew perfectly.
The Lopunnite.
Richie smiled when he saw it.
"I see…"
Ash returned the smile.
"Yes. Let's do this right."
Charizard roared from the air.
Lopunny flexed its legs slightly, locking eyes with its rival.
For a moment, neither trainer said anything.
The entire stadium seemed to hold its breath.
Then…
"Charizard… Mega Evolve!" Richie said.
"Lopunny… Mega Evolve!" Ash said.
The Mega Stone on Charizard's collar began to shine brightly.
Lopunny's bracelet responded immediately.
Energy from both sides connected with their respective Pokémon, and the entire field was covered in blinding light.
"BOTH MEGA EVOLUTIONS AT THE SAME TIME!" Bob shouted.
"THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT EVERYONE WANTED TO SEE!" Carl added.
Charizard's silhouette changed first.
Its wings expanded slightly, its presence became more imposing, and when the light disappeared, Mega Charizard Y roared with overwhelming power. The air around its body grew hotter, and the sun — already present from Venusaur's previous Sunny Day — seemed to intensify even more.
Then it was Lopunny's turn.
The light enveloped its body, its energy surged sharply, and when the glow dissipated, Mega Lopunny stepped forward, more streamlined, faster, and clearly much more powerful than before.
Ash took a deep breath.
Richie smiled.
There was no turning back now.
Mega Charizard Y roared as soon as its transformation was complete.
The air changed.
The heat spiked.
The sun, already present from Venusaur's previous Sunny Day, intensified even further.
"MEGA CHARIZARD Y'S DROUGHT ABILITY HAS ACTIVATED A SCORCHING SUN ON THE FIELD!" Bob shouted.
"AND THAT WILL BOOST ALL OF ITS FIRE-TYPE ATTACKS!" Carl added.
Ash narrowed his eyes.
"So it strengthens the weather… good."
Mega Lopunny flexed its legs slightly, ready to move.
"Charizard, Flamethrower!" Richie ordered.
"Lopunny, dodge and Quick Attack!" Ash responded.
The stream of fire shot out with much more force than before.
Mega Lopunny disappeared from its spot at the last second, circling the attack from the side and appearing right under Charizard.
"Now, Thunder Punch!" Ash said.
Lopunny's fist became covered in electricity.
Direct hit.
Charizard roared loudly as its body shook in the air.
"SUPER EFFECTIVE HIT!" Bob shouted.
"ELECTRIC-TYPE IS PERFECT AGAINST CHARIZARD!" Carl added.
Richie gritted his teeth.
"Charizard, stay in the air and use Air Slash!"
Charizard stabilized and launched several air blades in rapid succession.
"Lopunny, keep moving, don't stop," Ash said.
Mega Lopunny began moving constantly across the field, dodging the attacks with quick and precise movements. It couldn't afford to take a direct hit.
Ash watched.
Rhythm.
Distance.
Timing.
"Now… Work Up," he ordered.
At the perfect moment between two Air Slashes, Lopunny glowed slightly.
Its power increased.
"INCREDIBLE! ASH IS BOOSTING HIS LOPUNNY'S POWER MID-BATTLE!" Carl shouted.
"AND HE'S DOING IT WITHOUT LOSING RHYTHM!" Bob added.
Richie clicked his tongue.
"Don't give it space… Charizard, continuous Flamethrower!" Richie said.
The fire covered a large part of the field.
Constant pressure.
Ash didn't hesitate.
"Lopunny, enter from the side and use Quick Attack to close the distance."
Mega Lopunny accelerated.
It crossed the edge of the attack, brushing against the flames but without taking the full impact.
It appeared at close range.
"Double Kick!" Ash ordered.
First strike.
Second strike.
Clean hit to the torso.
Charizard recoiled in the air.
But it responded instantly.
"Wing Attack!" Richie shouted.
The wing struck Lopunny squarely, sending it flying backward.
Mega Lopunny landed sliding several meters.
It stopped.
It got up.
Breathing heavily… but still standing.
Ash smiled slightly.
"Good."
Both were already at their limit.
Richie knew it too.
"Charizard… this ends now… Blast Burn!" Richie shouted.
The entire stadium fell silent.
Fire energy concentrated in front of Charizard, much more intense thanks to the sun.
Ash clenched his fist.
"Lopunny… dodge to the right and go straight in… Thunder Punch," Ash said.
Mega Lopunny moved.
The Blast Burn shot out like a massive explosion.
Lopunny spun.
Entered from the side.
The flames grazed its body, pushing it back for an instant… but didn't stop it.
It kept advancing.
Jump.
Fist charged with electricity.
Direct impact to the face.
"THUNDER PUNCH!" Bob shouted.
"SUPER EFFECTIVE!" Carl added.
Mega Charizard Y's body trembled.
Its wings lost coordination.
The fire disappeared.
And finally…
It fell.
Silence.
A second later…
"MEGA CHARIZARD Y IS UNABLE TO BATTLE!" the referee announced.
"PARTICIPANT RICHIE HAS LOST ALL THREE OF HIS POKÉMON!"
"THE WINNER IS ASH KETCHUM!"
The stadium exploded in cheers.
"WHAT A FINISH TO THE BATTLE!" Bob shouted.
"AN INCREDIBLE BATTLE FROM START TO FINISH!" Carl added.
Mega Lopunny landed.
Breathing heavily.
Tired… yes.
But far from completely destroyed.
It stayed on its feet.
Ash smiled.
"Good job."
He knew he still had Pikachu.
But he hadn't needed it.
Richie recalled Charizard to its Poké Ball.
He remained silent for a few seconds…
And then smiled.
"You were better," Richie smiled.
Ash returned the smile.
"It was a good battle," Ash said.
Both approached and shook hands, showing that although they were rivals, there was sportsmanship between them.