After the white light faded, a large blue Pokémon appeared before Ash Ketchum and Pikachu. Its smooth azure body gleamed under the light, a sturdy shell resting on its back, and several raised ridges lined its forehead, forming a blunt horn-like shape. Its curled ears and gentle yet imposing presence made it unmistakable.
This was Lapras, a rare and gentle Pokémon. Due to excessive human capture in the past, its population had once declined drastically, making it difficult for ordinary trainers to obtain one.
"Another Water and Ice type… Pikachu, use Thunderbolt," Ash said, narrowing his eyes as he assessed the opponent. This Lapras was at the peak of Champion level. As expected of Pryce, he had more than one Champion-tier Pokémon.
"Pika…chu!" Pikachu, still in its empowered state, regained its ranged capability. A bolt of golden lightning shot forward at incredible speed, striking toward Lapras.
"Lapras, use Safeguard."
A pale blue barrier enveloped Lapras. Pikachu's Thunderbolt struck it, cracking the surface slightly, but failing to break through completely.
"Lapras, use Hydro Pump."
Unlike before, Pryce immediately shifted to offense. A powerful jet of water surged toward Pikachu.
"Shave."
Pikachu vanished from sight in an instant, dodging the Hydro Pump. Using the protruding ice rocks as footholds, it propelled itself forward with explosive speed, appearing directly in front of Lapras.
"Not good… Lapras, quickly use Safeguard again!" Pryce's expression changed. At such close range, a direct hit would be devastating, especially given the type disadvantage.
"Too late… Thunder!"
Golden lightning erupted, completely engulfing Lapras. As the electricity surged through its body, Lapras struggled violently, attempting to escape, but the paralysis prevented it from moving.
"Damn it… I was careless. I didn't expect him to use the terrain like that to boost Pikachu's speed. At this distance, being hit by Thunder guarantees paralysis."
Pryce frowned. On his own battlefield, he had been outmaneuvered instead.
"Lapras, use Water Pulse."
After enduring the Thunder, Lapras showed visible burn marks. Pryce chose a wide-range attack to prevent Pikachu from closing in again.
A sphere of water condensed in front of Lapras's mouth, then burst outward, forming massive surging waves that spread across nearly half the battlefield.
"Trying to keep Pikachu away from the paralyzed Lapras… smart, but not enough. Pikachu, jump into the pool!"
Ash's eyes sharpened as he instantly found a counter.
"Pika!" Without hesitation, Pikachu leapt into the central pool.
"What… such quick execution?" Pryce was genuinely surprised. The waves had already begun to cover the battlefield. If Pikachu had hesitated for even a moment, it would have been caught.
This level of trust between Ash and Pikachu was absolute.
"Lapras, into the water… then use Ice Beam."
Lapras dove into the pool. Moments later, a beam of freezing energy shot out, sealing the surface of the water with thick ice.
In an instant, the pool was completely frozen over.
Pikachu was now trapped beneath the ice, cut off from oxygen.
Even without further attacks, time alone would decide the outcome.
"How about it? A devil is still a devil in the end. You should just forfeit. Your Pikachu is trapped underwater without air, it won't last long," Pryce said confidently, as if victory was already in his grasp.
"Hmph… old man, my Pikachu isn't as weak as you think," Ash Ketchum replied with a cold sneer.
The moment his voice fell, the entire battlefield changed.
The frozen surface of the pool suddenly began to tremble. Cracks spread rapidly across the ice, splintering outward like a spiderweb.
"What's going on… why is this happening?" Pryce's expression shifted. Both Pokémon were underwater, yet something was clearly breaking the ice from below.
"Eight Gates… Sixth Gate, open."
A faint smile appeared on Ash's face.
In the next instant, the ice exploded.
Pikachu burst out from beneath the frozen surface, its body surrounded by blazing golden energy. Its fur stood on end, crackling with electricity, its expression fierce and intense, like a warrior pushed beyond its limits.
"What?!" Pryce exclaimed in shock.
But it didn't end there.
Pikachu seemed to hover in midair, its small fists moving at blinding speed. Each punch struck the air itself, producing bursts of sparks and lightning with every motion.
"Go… Thunder Peacock!"
Ash's voice rang out with excitement. The technique, originally derived from the Eight Gates, had transformed under Pikachu's power, combining flames and lightning into a devastating assault.
"Pika… pika pika pika pika!"
Pikachu's punches accelerated further, becoming completely invisible to the naked eye. In front of it, a blazing mass of lightning and fire condensed into the shape of a radiant peacock.
Then it surged forward.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
The Thunder Peacock slammed into the frozen battlefield, unleashing a relentless barrage of explosive impacts that shook the entire arena.