"Aqua Cutter!"
Yet, just as the Bullet Seed was launched, a high-speed spinning veil of water rose up around Samurott, effortlessly blocking the incoming projectiles.
In the next moment, countless wind and water blades surged forth from the watery veil, shooting directly at Sceptile.
Thanks to Quick Attack and Agility, evading such an assault was no issue for Sceptile.
However… Aqua Cutter wasn't just a simple attack—it was fused with Swords Dance!
If Samurott were allowed to maintain this powered-up state, even a brief clash could send Sceptile crashing to the ground.
Ash had already studied this particular combo over the past two days. He knew he couldn't afford to let it continue unchecked.
And the solution? Overpower it with sheer unstoppable force!
There may have been smarter strategies, but time was limited—and Ash hadn't thought of a better one yet.
Without hesitation, Ash gave the command:
"Sceptile, Frenzy Plant!"
"Scehh—!"
With a fierce cry, Sceptile drove both arms into the ground. In an instant, countless hardened vines erupted from beneath the battlefield, surging toward Samurott.
The relentless assault of the reinforced plant roots tore through the watery barrier with brute strength and continued driving toward Samurott hidden within.
"Detect!"
Samurott immediately gave up maintaining the now-shattered water shield. His eyes flashed blue as he read the incoming attack's trajectory with perfect clarity.
Dodging between the strikes while deftly slicing through the vines with his dual arm blades, Samurott completely neutralized the Frenzy Plant offensive.
But as the vines began to diminish, Samurott surged forward in a burst of speed. He closed the distance to Sceptile—who was still struggling with the move's aftereffects—and crossed his arm blades, which began to glow a brilliant white.
Night Slash – Double!
Sceptile had just regained mobility and tried to dodge—but it was already too late.
Slash! "Thwack!"
Two crisp impacts landed. Sceptile froze instantly.
Super effective!
A critical hit!
Ability: Sharpness – Boosts slashing moves!
With all three effects stacked—critical damage, type advantage, and boosted power from Swords Dance—this double Aerial Ace left Sceptile no chance to stand its ground. Not exactly a defensive tank to begin with, it was simply too much.
The moment the attack ended, Samurott smoothly clad his blades and retreated to stand in front of Paul.
Sceptile's body remained upright for a few moments longer… before finally crumpling to the ground, fainted.
In terms of explosive power, Sceptile was not far behind Samurott.
With speed buffs, it could even surpass Samurott in mobility.
But in close combat? That's where things got tough.
Even though long-range moves weren't a strong suit for Samurott—a somewhat one-sided specialist—Ash's Sceptile, similarly unbalanced in its skill set, clearly wasn't faring any better.
Against Aqua Cutter, which allowed Samurott to raise its Attack through Swords Dance or Ceaseless Edge, Sceptile had no way of keeping up just by boosting its Speed.
And the reason was simple: even if Sceptile pushed its Speed to the absolute limit, could its offensive pressure really compare to that of a Ninetales, attacking from nine different angles at once?
"Sceptile is unable to battle. Hisuian Samurott wins!" Gary declared from the referee's stand.
"You did great, Sceptile."
Ash recalled his partner into its Poké Ball and looked toward Paul, feeling an involuntary weight pressing on his chest.
Most of their Pokémon in this match had similar typings, or theoretically didn't carry a major type advantage over one another—yet why did it feel like he was constantly being outmaneuvered?
…Was this what drove Gary to become so withdrawn?
In that moment, Ash began to understand, at least a little what Gary had gone through.
"Pika~!"
A familiar voice by his ear pulled him from his thoughts.
"You want to battle, Pikachu?"
Ash looked down at his partner, who had run up to him with fists clenched and sparks in his eyes.
"Pika!" Pikachu nodded fiercely.
As the team's ace, now was the time for Pikachu to step in and turn the tide of the match.
"All right. I'm counting on you. Let's go out there and take down Paul's Pokémon!"
Ash had absolute trust in Pikachu—especially against a Water-type like Hisuian Samurott. This was Pikachu's moment to shine.
"Pika…CHU!"
Electricity crackled from Pikachu's cheeks as it dashed onto the battlefield, crouching low as its electric pouches let out a high-voltage hum.
"Haha… calling out Pikachu already?"
Paul smirked slightly as his attention sharpened.
Paul calmly raised a Poké Ball and returned Samurott without hesitation—but didn't throw out a new one. Instead, he simply gave a quiet command:
"Froslass, prepare for battle."
"Eeno~"
As his words fell, a faint ripple shimmered beside Paul. A soft voice echoed into existence as Froslass materialized midair, drifting effortlessly onto the battlefield.
Yes—Froslass had been outside her Poké Ball the entire time, silently following Paul during their journey. When others were around, she trained by cloaking herself in illusion and remains invisible, a unique form of stealth conditioning.
"This Pokémon… has been here the whole time?"
Both Ash and Gary looked visibly stunned. Neither of them had sensed anything—not even a hint—despite Froslass being right by Paul's side.
Such power… it's terrifying.
"No wonder I kept feeling this weird, chilly sensation."
Professor Oak nodded in sudden realization.
In informal matches, most Trainers usually avoid using moves like Destiny Bond—moves seen as overly practical or unsportsmanlike.
That's why Ash didn't even consider switching out; he fully intended for Pikachu to take down Froslass head-on.
"Got it, Pikachu—Thunderbolt, now!"
"Pika–chuuu!"
Lightning burst forth from Pikachu's body in a blinding arc—no less powerful than that of an Electivire—and surged toward Froslass.
"Dodge it." Paul said calmly.
Despite facing a move that could potentially knock her out in one blow, Froslass—seasoned and unshaken—merely covered her mouth with a soft smile. Her body shimmered and suddenly split into dozens of spectral forms drifting into the air.
Thunderbolt struck a few of them, but none were the real one.
In the blink of an eye, every Froslass invoked Snow Warning to summon a blizzard, turning the battlefield into a swirling snowstorm.
As the flakes fell, Snow Cloak activated, and with the illusions from Double Team mixed in, all the Froslass on the field vanished into the snow—her true self completely undetectable.
Unlike most Pokémon, whose Double Team clones try to look convincing, Froslass' illusions under Snow Cloak—enhanced by the wintry veil—became progressively less real. None even bore a true resemblance to her.
Each figure emitted a chilling aura, almost ghostlike—no, exactly ghostlike.
"Let the haunting begin." Paul gave the order.
"Ooooh~…"
At his command, the ghostly images began to move, each one whispering eerie cries from all directions—sorrowful, haunted moans that sent a chill down the spine.
While Pikachu grew increasingly frustrated and overwhelmed, his Special Defense steadily dropped.
At the same time, Froslass took the offensive:
—using Scary Face to slow Pikachu's movements,
—Baby-Doll Eyes to lower his Attack with a cutesy glare,
—Captivate to reduce his Special Attack with an alluring pose,
—and even Fake Tears to chip away at his emotional defenses.
One after another, the "Four Ghostly Techniques" tore into Pikachu's body and mind alike, leaving him both rattled and weakened—inside and out.
(End of Chapter)
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