Cloyster still had about fifty-six percent of its battle power remaining, but Nathan knew keeping it in the fight would be suicide. Against Ash's Pikachu, paralysis meant certain defeat. Reluctantly, he decided to switch out — the only tactical choice left.
After all, this was the Top 16. Each trainer could only use three Pokémon. Every switch mattered.
Right now, Ash had revealed only Pikachu, while Nathan had used one Pokémon and was about to send out his second. In a match of limited options, that was a risky imbalance — and Ash still had two unknown Pokémon waiting in reserve.
Even if Nathan had studied Ash's battle data thoroughly, he couldn't predict which Pokémon would appear next. And in a battle like this, luck was also part of a trainer's strength.
Commentator: "Nathan has recalled Cloyster! It seems Pikachu's fierce offense forced him to switch strategies. But will this new Pokémon be able to turn the tide?"
"Let's go — Dewgong!"
Nathan threw his Poké Ball forward. A burst of white light flashed across the icy arena, revealing a sleek, elegant Dewgong, its ivory coat glistening under the floodlights.
"Dewgong, use Water Gun! Wash away the toxins around us!"
"Deew~gong!" Dewgong obeyed instantly, unleashing a strong jet of water that cleared the lingering poison gas from the battlefield.
Ash narrowed his eyes. "Clever. Without the poison to limit movement, Pikachu's speed is back to full. But you picked a defensive type, huh?"
He smirked. "That's your plan. A bulky Water-Ice type like Dewgong — the perfect wall. But against my Pikachu's electric attacks, that defense won't last long."
Ash quickly saw through Nathan's reasoning. The poison around the frozen terrain was dangerous for both sides — especially Dewgong — so clearing it was a logical first move.
Commentator: "Nathan's second Pokémon is Dewgong! But facing an Electric-type opponent, will this defensive strategy hold?"
Meanwhile, in a viewing room above the arena, Sam Blackstone leaned back in his chair, watching the screen with a sly grin.
"Not looking too good for Nathan, huh?"
Beside him, Nathan Glacienne's father frowned deeply.
"That boy's too dependent on data. He spends all day buried in numbers, convinced statistics alone can guarantee victory."
He sighed, shaking his head.
"That's not how real battles are fought."
Professor Samuel Oak, sitting nearby, smiled gently.
"Don't be too hard on him. Nathan's still young — barely a teenager — and already reached the King-tier through data analysis alone. That's no small feat."
Glacienne crossed his arms. "It's a narrow path. Data flow can't carry him forever."
"Perhaps," Oak replied, "but he has time to grow — time to realize that experience and instinct matter just as much as calculation. When that day comes, he might become a true Champion."
Back on the battlefield—
"Dewgong, use Surf!" Nathan commanded sharply.
Dewgong slapped its tail against the frozen ground, and a massive surge of water materialized beneath it — conjured purely from condensed moisture and elemental energy. Within seconds, a towering wave surged forward, ready to crash down on Pikachu.
Ash's eyes gleamed.
"So that's how you use Surf without open water… impressive. Manipulating water energy like that on ice terrain — very advanced technique."
Commentator: "A huge Surf attack! A large-scale offensive move from Nathan's Dewgong! How will Ash's Pikachu respond to this tidal wave?"
Ash raised his arm. "Pikachu — Lightning Armor! Let's break through it!"
"Pika!"
Electricity erupted around Pikachu, forming a brilliant golden barrier of lightning. The air shimmered with energy as Pikachu's speed and power spiked dramatically.
The small Electric-type roared forward, sparks flying with every step, straight toward the oncoming wall of water.
The crowd held its breath — the difference in size was enormous. Against Dewgong's massive Surf, Pikachu looked like a mere speck of yellow light.
Then—
BOOOOOM!!!
Pikachu tore through the crashing wave like a thunderbolt splitting the sky, carving a hole straight through the center. The water exploded outward, scattering harmlessly across the frozen field.
"Pikachu! Pikachu! Pikachu!"
The audience roared, chanting its name in excitement. The little mouse landed gracefully on the ice, surrounded by sparks, eyes blazing with unshakable confidence.
"Pikachu is so handsome!"
"Who said Pikachu was weak?!"
As Pikachu broke through Dewgong's Surf with a flash of lightning, the audience erupted in cheers. The match had turned fierce — attacks were massive in scale, one after another — and Pikachu's explosive display of power sent waves of excitement through the crowd.
"Wow… I knew there was a gap between an Elite Four member and a Champion, but I didn't think it'd be this wide," Nathan Glacienne murmured, watching in awe. "This guy's even stronger than my father…"
To see his Dewgong's Surf shattered by such a small Pokémon — it struck Nathan hard. He'd underestimated Ash completely.
He took a deep breath and steadied himself. Calm down. You have to stay calm. There's always a way — I just need to find it.
After a brief pause, Nathan's icy blue eyes opened again, sharp and focused. The Glacienne family's trademark composure returned.
"Dewgong — Blizzard!" he commanded.
"Gooong!" Dewgong inhaled deeply, then unleashed a frigid blast from its mouth. A massive snowstorm roared across the arena, blanketing everything in white.
"Pika—!" Pikachu cried, struggling to stay balanced as the ground froze solid. Its paws slipped against the ice, sending it sliding backward through the howling snow.
Nathan's eyes gleamed.
"Yes — that's it! As long as Pikachu can't use that speed move — what was it, Shave — it won't be able to dodge!"
Pinned by the storm and unable to gain traction, Pikachu found itself in real danger for the first time in the match.
...
TN:
I think Nathan is supposed to be Conway from canon, or maybe an OC inspired by him 🤔. Personally, I'm leaning toward him being an OC — the Pokémon he uses are completely different from Conway's in the original timeline, and in this AU-verse, the situation is pretty far removed from canon anyway 🌌.
...
P.S: This is just my guess what do you think? 😊
...
⚡ Pa-treon-com/LordMerlin (Support me! 😊)