Even Ash himself didn't fully understand the reason behind it. Somehow, his Pokémon were able to use moves outside their natural attributes, something that left even him puzzled.
Narrator: "A powerful Dragon-type move! How will Ash's Croconaw respond?"
"Please… it has to hit!" Diantha clenched her fists, staring nervously at the Dragon Pulse released by the Steel Cannon Arm Shrimp. "After all, it isn't a Dragon-type Pokémon. The stamina cost of using Dragon Pulse is enormous. If this misses…"
"Look, Diantha is getting nervous," Bonnie said from the audience, glancing at Lorelei beside her.
"It's only natural," Lorelei replied calmly. "Even though she's a Champion, she's facing Ash. His Pokémon, even at the same level, are extremely difficult to deal with. Their overall strength makes it hard for anyone to gain an advantage."
"But Croconaw and her Steel Cannon Arm Shrimp are at the same tier, right? Why is the pressure so overwhelming?" Chie Aoyama asked, confused.
After their earlier interaction, Lorelei had formed a favorable impression of Chie Aoyama. At the very least, she knew the other party wasn't hostile, and had even supported them during the crisis involving Lugia.
"The levels may be the same," Sabrina explained, stepping in, "but Croconaw surpasses her Steel Cannon Arm Shrimp in skill mastery, raw strength, and independent decision-making. On top of that, Ash's custom techniques create an unknown factor. That uncertainty alone creates immense pressure. It's something you only truly feel when facing him."
At this point, Diantha had placed nearly all her hopes on Dragon Pulse.
"Your determination to win… I acknowledge it," Ash said with a faint smile as he watched the incoming attack. "Now, I'll show you Croconaw's strongest move… Great Shark Bullet."
"Croco!"
With a roar, Croconaw drew in the surrounding water. In an instant, a massive shark formed from compressed water, surging forward with terrifying momentum and colliding head-on with the dragon-shaped energy.
"What?! Croconaw's strongest move?!" The audience rose to their feet in shock, while Diantha's pupils shrank.
Boom!!!!!
The two attacks clashed violently, neither side giving way. For a moment, they were perfectly matched, leaving the audience stunned. After all, Dragon Pulse was an A+ tier move in terms of destructive power.
"That's impossible! Dragon Pulse is an A+ level attack, yet it's being matched… no, it's weakening?! What's happening?!"
Diantha's voice trembled as she noticed the shift. The power of Dragon Pulse was rapidly diminishing.
"Hmph. Great Shark Bullet is one of my self-created Water-type techniques," Ash explained calmly. "Its power ranges from C to S rank, depending on the opponent's attack. It can absorb water-based energy and grow stronger accordingly."
"But it has limitations. It can only absorb Water-type energy, so it's only effective against Water-based moves. Its absorption limit caps at S+."
Hearing this, both Diantha and the audience were left in disbelief.
Such an ability… it completely defied conventional understanding.
As the massive water shark continued to grow larger, the dragon-shaped energy shrank further and further. At this point, even disbelief couldn't change reality. Diantha could only watch as her attack was gradually overwhelmed.
"ROAR!!!"
The massive shark tore straight through the weakening Dragon Pulse and slammed into the Steel Cannon Arm Shrimp. The impact sent it flying, crashing through three or four pillars before finally embedding into a wall. Its body went limp.
It had completely lost the ability to battle.
"The Steel Cannon Arm Shrimp is unable to battle! Croconaw wins! Please have the challenger send out the next Pokémon!" The referee raised the red flag decisively.
"It's incredible! Ash's Croconaw has fully demonstrated the terrifying potential of Water-type Pokémon. As expected of a Champion-level trainer and a self-developed technique master!" the commentator exclaimed, igniting thunderous applause from the audience.
"Croco…!"
Croconaw let out a tired cry. Its stamina was clearly running low. After all, Great Shark Bullet was an S-tier technique. Even at its current strength, it could only use it two or three times at most. On top of that, it had already taken damage from the Steel Cannon Arm Shrimp earlier, so fatigue was inevitable.
"You did great. Take a rest," Ash said calmly.
Meanwhile, Diantha recalled her Pokémon, her voice soft but steady. "You fought well. Now, let's leave the rest to your teammate."
She then threw another Poké Ball.
A flash of white light burst forth, and a massive Gyarados appeared on the battlefield. Its body was enormous, far larger than the average of its species, easily exceeding seven meters. It was clear that it had been exceptionally well-trained.
"ROAR!!!"
The moment it appeared, Gyarados unleashed a deafening roar. Its Intimidate ability surged outward, causing Croconaw to instinctively step back for a brief moment.
But just as quickly, Croconaw steadied itself and roared back defiantly, refusing to yield.
"The challenger's final Pokémon has appeared! It's Gyarados from the Kanto region! What kind of counterattack will Diantha launch now?!" the commentator shouted, his voice filled with anticipation.
"A Water and Flying-type Gyarados… and a well-trained one at that," Ash observed. "Croconaw, use Ice Fang!"
Despite its fatigue, Croconaw surged forward once more. Its sharp teeth became coated in chilling white energy, extending outward into jagged, blade-like fangs that gleamed like serrated knives.
(End of Chapter)
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