"Not bad… using the slick ice to halt Pikachu's movement without resorting to Quick Attack. This guy's tactical sense is impressive. When it comes to observation, he might even outclass Gary," Ash murmured, a hint of surprise flickering in his eyes as he watched the swirling snowstorm conjured by Dewgong.
The icy battlefield was originally meant to slow Pikachu down—but after Pikachu's quick acceleration using Quick Attack, that plan had failed.
Yet Ash hadn't expected Nathan to turn that same frozen field to his advantage again—this time, successfully limiting Pikachu's speed.
Narrator: "What a turnaround! Nathan's Dewgong has used both the terrain and the blizzard to completely suppress Ash's Pikachu's trademark speed! Is this the end for Pikachu?!"
"Dewgong! While Pikachu can't move—keep the Blizzard going, and add Hail!" Nathan commanded sharply.
The fierce Blizzard howled for several seconds before Nathan's next command came. Under such conditions, Pokémon could maintain one move while launching another—for instance, sustaining Flamethrower before shifting into Fire Spin. Nathan's Dewgong was now doing something similar.
"Haaah!" Dewgong roared, maintaining the raging Blizzard as several chunks of ice materialized within it—hailstones infused with Water-type energy—crashing down toward Pikachu.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
Three heavy impacts echoed across the arena as massive ice boulders slammed into the ground—trapping Pikachu from the left, right, and rear. The icy wind continued to push him back, forcing Pikachu into the center of the frozen trap.
Except for the front, Pikachu was completely cornered. But with the Blizzard still raging, moving forward was nearly impossible. Despite his agility, Pikachu's small frame was no match for such overwhelming force.
"Perfect! Now Pikachu's surrounded on three sides. There's nowhere left to run." Nathan's glasses glinted as he smirked confidently.
Narrator: "Ladies and gentlemen, Ash's Pikachu is now completely sealed in by Dewgong's Hail and Blizzard combo! Unless he can find a way out fast, he'll be crushed by Dewgong's next attack!"
"Dewgong—use your full power! Hyper Beam!" Nathan ordered, eyes flashing.
"Haaah!" Dewgong roared again, charging a blinding orange sphere of energy at the tip of its horn before firing it straight toward Pikachu.
Ash didn't flinch. "You think that'll work? Pikachu—Chidori Flow!"
Electricity burst across Pikachu's body, arcs of lightning crawling along his fur until he was wreathed in crackling light.
"BOOM!"
Hyper Beam collided head-on with the electric field surrounding Pikachu—triggering a massive explosion that shattered the surrounding ice.
"Pikaaa!"
When the dust cleared, Pikachu stood firm, smiling confidently—barely scratched. Dewgong, on the other hand, was panting heavily. Consecutive high-power moves had drained its stamina severely.
"Damn it! What kind of technique can block even Hyper Beam…?" Nathan muttered, disbelief written across his face. For a moment, he almost thought of surrendering—but quickly shook off the thought.
Commentator: "What a defense! That Chidori Flow-like electric barrier just withstood Dewgong's Hyper Beam—Pikachu's barely hurt! It looks like Nathan's Dewgong is in real trouble now!"
"Pikachu! Pikachu! Pikachu!"
The crowd erupted in chants, their excitement shaking the stands. Ash's Pikachu had once again shattered the myth of the 'weak Pikachu,' earning roaring admiration from every spectator.
"Unbelievable… Ash actually trained his Pikachu to this level." Giselle said from the VIP lounge, her eyes wide with astonishment.
"Yeah," Ferb Ignatius replied, arms crossed.
"That move—Chidori Flow—it's brutal. To think it can even repel Hyper Beam... that's not something an ordinary Pikachu could ever pull off."
"It's almost time to end this. Pikachu—Iron Tail!"
Ash's voice rang out across the icy arena. Pikachu's tail suddenly gleamed with a bright metallic sheen—sharp and radiant like forged steel. In a flash, Pikachu vanished, using Quick Attack to blur across the field faster than the eye could follow.
"BOOM!!!"
"Wha—!"
Before anyone could react, Pikachu appeared right in front of Dewgong and brought his tail crashing down with incredible force. The steel-infused strike landed clean on Dewgong's head, sending the Ice-type Pokémon flying backward into one of the massive ice boulders behind it. The impact shattered both the ice and Dewgong's endurance.
Referee: "Dewgong is unable to battle! Pikachu wins! Challenger Nathan, please send out your next Pokémon!"
As the dust settled, the referee raised the flag decisively. Dewgong's eyes had turned into dizzy spirals—there was no doubt who the victor was.
"Haaah… you did well, Dewgong. Return." Nathan took a deep breath, recalling his fallen partner. Then, without hesitation, he pulled out another Poké Ball. "Your turn again—Cloyster!"
"Cloy!"
The armored shell Pokémon burst onto the field, its spiked shell snapping open as it let out a sharp cry. The paralysis from earlier had faded—no longer completely immobilized, it could finally move again, though sluggishly.
Narrator: "Nathan has sent out Cloyster once more! Meanwhile, Ash still has two unknown Pokémon remaining, and Pikachu—though victorious twice already—looks visibly fatigued!"
Ash frowned slightly, noticing Pikachu's heavy breathing. "You've done great so far, buddy… but this battle's wearing on you."
Even for a Pokémon trained to championship level, Pikachu's stamina couldn't match the raw endurance of a large-bodied species like Cloyster or the Draconis family's Dragon-types. The repeated use of high-output moves like Thunderbolt, Chidori Flow, and Iron Tail had taken a clear toll.
Still, Pikachu stood firm, cheeks sparking lightly, eyes full of determination.
Ash smiled faintly. "Hang in there, Pikachu. Let's finish strong."
...
TN:
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