"Stop dreaming. Pikachu, use Quick Step."
Watching Dewgong dive down with increased momentum, Ash's Sharingan had already tracked its movement. He immediately gave his command.
"Pika!"
Boom!
Pikachu dropped to all fours and kicked off the ice repeatedly. In an instant, its figure vanished from sight. Even though it used four limbs instead of two, the explosive stepping force made it far faster than Quick Attack or Agility.
"What?! Moving at that speed on ice?!" Pryce's eyes widened in shock. Normally, a Pokémon like Pikachu would struggle to move on such a slick surface.
But Ash's Pikachu was different. Quick Step relied on explosive force, shattering the ice beneath each step. With the surface constantly breaking, the lack of traction no longer mattered.
"After activating Thunder God Mode, most of Pikachu's electricity is concentrated on its body, so long-range attacks are limited. But in exchange, the power of its techniques increases dramatically."
"Pikachu… use Chidori."
Ash had already decided on his strategy. Although Electric-type moves counter Water-types, Dewgong's Ice typing reduced that advantage. Since Electric and Ice have no direct interaction advantage, ranged attacks would not be as effective.
So instead, Ash chose close combat, overwhelming force at point-blank range.
"Pika!!!"
A sharp, piercing sound erupted as lightning gathered in Pikachu's right paw. Combined with the lightning armor surrounding its body, Pikachu now looked like a warrior cloaked in thunder.
"What kind of move is that?" Pryce frowned. Having spent most of his life training in isolation, he had never heard of Ash's recently developed techniques.
"It's a piercing-type attack… If it lands, it'll be dangerous."
Despite not knowing the exact nature of the move, Pryce's experience as a veteran Champion-level trainer allowed him to judge its threat instantly.
"Pikaaaa!!!"
With Chidori fully formed, Pikachu surged forward in a straight line. Its speed was incredible, though slightly hindered by the icy terrain.
"Dewgong, get into the water, now!"
Before the attack could connect, Dewgong plunged into the pool, narrowly avoiding the strike.
"Hmph…"
Ash let out a cold chuckle, causing Pryce's expression to tighten. He immediately became more alert. No matter how much he disagreed with Ash's philosophy, he could no longer deny the boy's skill.
Ash's command, observation, and reaction speed were all on par with a seasoned Champion.
"Chidori Spear."
A confident smile appeared on Ash's face. Pikachu leapt onto an ice platform rising from the pool, and the Chidori in its paw suddenly extended outward, forming a long spear of lightning that pierced straight into the water.
Crackle… crackle…
The moment the lightning spear entered the pool, electricity spread instantly through the water.
Only then did Pryce understand the meaning behind Ash's earlier smirk.
"Dewgong, surface immediately!"
"Deeew!!!"
Even though Pryce gave the order, Dewgong had no chance to escape. The moment Pikachu's Chidori Spear entered the water, the current spread instantly, trapping it completely. Its body convulsed under the electric shock as it cried out in pain.
"It's not over yet. Pikachu, jump in and use Chidori Current."
Without giving Pryce any breathing room, Ash pressed the attack. Pikachu leapt straight off the ice platform and into the pool. The moment it entered the water, lightning surged across its body and rapidly spread throughout the entire pool.
"Pika!!!"
Electric arcs flickered wildly around Pikachu as Chidori Current activated. Golden lightning wrapped tightly around its body, forming both a defensive layer and a devastating area attack.
Chidori Current was not just for defense. In a water environment like this, its offensive capability reached its peak.
The electricity surged continuously through the water, striking Dewgong again and again. Despite its strong endurance, the type disadvantage made resistance impossible.
"Dee…"
After a short struggle, Dewgong's body was scorched by electricity. It floated helplessly to the surface, completely unconscious.
"Dewgong is unable to battle. Pikachu wins. Gym Leader, please send out your next Pokémon."
Sima raised the red flag as she announced the result, her voice carrying clear shock.
As Pryce's wife, she knew his strength better than anyone. A veteran Champion-level trainer with immense experience, he was not someone easily overwhelmed.
And yet, this battle had shown her something she had never witnessed before.
Ash's Pikachu had defeated a Champion-level Dewgong without taking any damage.
The gap between them felt like an ocean, impossible to cross.
"Pika, pika pika."
Pikachu jumped back onto the ice, pointing at Pryce with a provocative gesture. Its gaze was filled with confidence, almost bordering on disdain.
"Hmph. Just winning one round means nothing. You won't be so lucky next time. Go… Cloyster."
Pryce gritted his teeth, recalling Dewgong before throwing another Poké Ball.