Chapter 217: Scorching Sands!
2024-05-15 Author: Samsung Charmander (Author Name)
"Pika pika."
Just as Blaine had guessed, the tail of the spinning Pikachu in mid-air suddenly flared with a brilliant light, as if it were using a move.
"Bzzzt..."
The sound of an electric current crackled. The light on Pikachu's tail abruptly changed to a dazzling golden-yellow, pulsing with electricity.
It condensed a golden orb of energy at the tip of its tail. Before it even landed, Pikachu flipped over and violently flung the golden orb toward Rapidash.
"What!"
The golden light reflected off Blaine's sunglasses, stinging his eyes.
The orb of light even changed shape in mid-air, suddenly unfurling into a large net of electricity, three to four meters wide, that descended to completely envelop Rapidash.
Rapidash had been on high alert for an approaching Iron Tail, not expecting it to suddenly turn into an inescapable net. It was caught squarely before it could react.
"Bzzzt-bzzzt-bzzzt—"
Before Rapidash could struggle, the moment the golden net touched its skin, electricity instantly erupted and coursed over it, crackling across its body.
Electro Web!
This was the signature move of Ash's Metapod. As the big brother of the team and a natural with Electric-type moves, Pikachu had of course managed to copy it after all this time.
Not only did it deal damage, but the electric net could also restrict the opponent's movements, making it an incredibly versatile move.
A vicious grin suddenly spread across Ash's face as he shouted, "Pikachu, follow up with another Thunderbolt!"
Electro Web wouldn't hold forever. In a situation like this, a normal person might just watch foolishly, but Ash was different. He had to seize the opportunity to kick his opponent while it was down.
"Pika, CHU!"
With a furious cry from Pikachu, golden electricity burst from its cheeks, shot into the sky, and transformed into a surging serpent of lightning, its power immense!
Pikachu wasn't a Normal-type, nor was it a Steel-type. Defend against Quick Attack? Guard against Iron Tail? Blaine's plan made Ash laugh. Did he really think an electric mouse's lightning was just for show?
"FWOOSH!"
The moment the Thunderbolt made contact with the Electro Web, it instantly detonated. The golden electrical energy became incredibly violent, yet it was contained by the web, unable to disperse.
When the energy could no longer be contained, it finally triggered a tremendously powerful explosion!
"BOOM!"
Smoke and dust rose everywhere, and sparks of electricity shot straight up from the volcano's crater. Even the magma beneath the rock seemed to churn more violently.
"Has the outcome been decided?"
This was the question on everyone's mind.
Soon, the smoke from the explosion cleared, and the restraints of the Electro Web had vanished.
"Heeigh-hee-hee!"
A loud neigh echoed as a flaming steed stood tall amidst the ruins.
Its body was covered in wounds from the electric explosion, which were clearly not light. Even the horn on its forehead was dusted with ash, but its proud gaze remained unchanged. Its fiery mane still danced as it stared intently at Pikachu, its eyes burning with a scorching heat.
This time, however, a blue light symbolizing a stat reduction fell upon Rapidash.
Electro Web had the effect of lowering Speed.
The Speed that Rapidash had just boosted with Flame Charge was lowered again, but its expression didn't change in the slightest.
For horse-like Pokémon, other attributes might not be exceptional, but toughness was a must.
Rapidash possessed far greater stamina and willpower than most other Pokémon.
"Pika..."
Faced with such blazing fighting spirit, Pikachu broke into a cold sweat, its expression turning grim.
If Pokémon of the horse family had all sorts of advantages, then Pokémon of the mouse family were the exact opposite, full of weaknesses. When they encountered trouble, they were prone to backing down.
This was an innate trait of the electric mouse family, not something Pikachu was faking.
"In that case, let's try out that move I recently learned from the Galar Region."
A cold glint suddenly flashed across Blaine's sunglasses. He had learned this move from a TM he got from a friend.
It was a very special move. It wasn't a Fire-type, yet it could produce a similar effect.
This move was a bit like the Scald that Ash's Wartortle had used earlier.
His Rapidash had also just learned it, which was precisely why he had said, "What a coincidence," before the battle began.
Blaine threw a punch and formally called out the move's name.
"Rapidash, use Scorching Sands!"
"Heeigh-hee-hee!"
Rapidash let out a loud cry, then raised its two front hooves. An incredibly hot, heavy, and strange energy had already condensed upon them, like a combination of two types.
"CLANG! CLANG!"
As Rapidash's front hooves stomped down heavily, the entire arena suddenly began to shake.
However, this tremor was entirely different from the seismic waves created by brute force earlier. Instead, it felt as if something was erupting from underground, making a "shaa-shaa" sound.
"RUMBLE-RUMBLE-RUMBLE!"
The answer was revealed.
The next second, ochre-colored quicksand erupted wildly from the ground beneath Rapidash's feet, surging forth like a wave. It contained no moisture, however; it was a solid mass of flowing sand.
"Ssss..."
The quicksand was even giving off an unnerving white steam. It was clearly scorching hot sand!
"BOOM! BOOM!"
Rapidash commanded this tide of hot sand, which surged toward Pikachu like a massive, rolling wave!
"Pikachu!"
Ash and Pikachu, who had never seen such a move, were startled. Ash cursed inwardly, *Why is it the Galar Region again? They're always coming up with these flashy new moves.*
For example, the Grassy Glide his Venusaur loved to use. Or the Misty Explosion his Butterfree accidentally learned. Both were moves from the Galar Region.
But one thing was certain: none of these moves were simple!
"Pika..."
Not daring to be careless, Pikachu immediately leaped three feet into the air. The wave of scorching sand rolled past and covered the ground beneath it just a half-second later.
"Whoosh... whoosh... whoosh..."
Soon, the hot sand completely covered the Cinnabar training ground, turning the rock-type field into a sandy one.
"A pity your Pikachu can't fly."
Blaine sneered at the sight. What was the use of jumping so high? If it couldn't fly, it would have to land eventually, and right now, every inch of the arena was covered in his hot sand.
This move, Scorching Sands, might look like Muddy Water or Surf, but the actual source of damage wasn't from the impact of the sand. The key was for the opponent to be burned by stepping on the hot sand.
"Rumble..."
Suddenly, something strange happened.
As Blaine finished his sentence, the entire Volcano Cinnabar Gym trembled slightly. The magma below churned even more violently, and its level seemed to rise by half a meter.
"Oh no, Mr. Blaine, you've broken a taboo! You can't say the words 'can't fly' in the volcano's crater!" Brock, the referee, hurriedly reminded him. "Although this is just a superstition, judging by what just happened, I think the Volcano God might actually exist."
Unexpectedly, just as Brock finished speaking, the volcano trembled again. The magma rose another half-meter, its proximity raising the temperature of the entire arena by another degree.
"Idiot, you just said 'can't fly' too!" Misty shouted from behind.
"Rumble..."
Magma level +1.
Ash: "..."
*Why does it feel like I'm the only sane person here today?*
He shook his head. Right now, he had no time to deal with this nonsense. Some Volcano God daring to interfere with his battle? If the Volcano God emerged from the magma right now, Ash would shove it right back in on the spot.
He looked ahead, his expression grave. Blaine was right. Pikachu couldn't fly; it would have to return to the ground sooner or later.
And Rapidash wasn't attacking. Instead, it was keeping its distance, observing Pikachu, seemingly waiting for it to land.
(end of chapter)