Blue had clearly been lost in this forest for quite a while, too.
Ash and the group had spent two extra days in Donphan Valley for special training, yet they still caught up to him here.
Blue had come to the Johto Region before their group, but he was stubborn and insisted he'd just caught several Pokémon in this forest, admitting he'd become unknowingly obsessed while here.
Ash pursed his lips—Does he really think anyone would buy that?
With Blue's Hoothoot leading the way, plus Ash's Aura helping to locate Ghost Pokémon, the four quickly made their way out of the confusing forest and arrived at East Gate Town.
Since it was already night, Ash and Blue decided to rest at the Pokémon Center and battle first thing the next morning.
So, on the following morning:
"Let's begin the match between Ash and Blue! Each is limited to using just one Pokémon—battle start!"
"Go, my darling—Blastoise!"
"It's you, Charizard!"
Blastoise looked especially imposing; it was Blue's starter Pokémon, and he had raised it exceptionally well.
To be fair, Blue was arrogant and showy, but he truly had some real skill.
But now, Charizard's presence was just as fierce!
"Your Charizard seems to have become even stronger! But you can't make up for the disadvantage in terms of type!" Blue, for once, paid a compliment. "Blastoise, use Hydro Pump!"
Twin torrents of water blasted from the cannons on Blastoise's shoulders.
"Charizard, dodge it and get in close!"
A Water-type move would be super effective against Charizard—if it landed, it'd be over.
But Ash stayed steady; as the Bond Value kept rising, his synergy with Charizard grew tighter.
Now freed from the Macho Brace, Charizard had found a new sense of speed.
The instant the Hydro Pump shot out, Charizard ducked low and glided in at ground level, evading the attack and closing in on Blastoise.
"Dragon Claw!"
A turquoise Dragon Claw swept upward, sending Blastoise's huge, heavy body flying.
"What?!"
Blue stared in disbelief at the sight, but his reaction was quick.
"Blastoise, Rapid Spin!"
Blastoise spun at high speed, landing solidly on the ground.
"Not bad at all!" *2
Ash and Blue both blurted out praise for each other in unison.
"Charizard, Flamethrower!"
This time, Ash and Charizard took the initiative. Fire-type moves weren't great against Blastoise, but they still did something.
"Use Rapid Spin again!"
Blue really had trained Blastoise well—its spinning movement whipped up a whirlwind that blew away Charizard's flames.
But at that instant, Ash and Charizard attacked again!
Blue quickly caught on, "Darn it, Ash, you really do have some dirty tricks up your sleeve!"
The ineffective Flamethrower was clearly just a distraction for him and Blastoise!
"Use Dragon Claw!"
But this time, Charizard wasn't able to pull off Dragon Claw! That meant Ash missed his chance to strike.
"What a shame…" Misty watching from the sidelines sighed, then stood and shouted, "Ash, Charizard, you can do it!"
Seeing Charizard staring at its claws in confusion, Ash chuckled, "Charizard, do your best next time!"
"Charizard!"
Blue and Blastoise had recovered their momentum. "Darn it, Ash, are you treating me like your sparring partner?"
Charizard's Dragon Claw had really surprised Blue. But when he realized it was a newly learned move, Blue instantly figured out Ash's plan and fumed.
"Haha, Blue, don't be mad!" Since Blue had guessed, Ash admitted it without hesitation.
He and Blue had that kind of friendship.
Having a great sparring partner—of course Ash wouldn't let the chance slip by!
"Charizard, go all out! Flamethrower, once more!"
"Hmph, that trick won't work twice on me. Blastoise, meet it with Hydro Pump!"
Pillar of fire and gushing water collided at the center, creating thick steam that filled the battlefield.
"Blastoise, Skull Bash!"
"Charizard, use Dragon Claw!"
Within the obscuring mist, both trainers ordered their Pokémon to close the distance.
"Charizard!"
A cry of pain from within the mist—it was Charizard!
"Ash, the flame on your Charizard's tail is like a guiding light! Blastoise, Hydro Pump!" Blue laughed confidently, feeling certain of victory.
But even after he gave the order, there was no Hydro Pump firing out of the mist.
"What's going on?"
Blue didn't notice, but Ash was quietly smiling. Blue thought Ash couldn't see through the mist either.
He had no idea that Ash's Aura let him maintain awareness of everything. Blue trying to counter Flamethrower with Hydro Pump had, in fact, been exactly what Ash predicted.
Blue was far too proud to just be Ash's sparring partner.
As the steam slowly cleared, Charizard was clutching its stomach, panting and clearly injured.
But Blastoise had collapsed on the ground, unable to battle.
"Blastoise!" Blue gasped, but quickly called it back, "Return! You did great!"
"Blastoise is unable to battle. Charizard wins, so the victor is—Ash!"
Brock, acting as referee, declared the showdown between rivals concluded, at least for now.
"Ash, you really have gotten stronger!" Blue stood in front of Ash, reaching out his hand. "Let's save our final showdown for the Johto League. I need to keep getting stronger—you can't catch up to me that easily!"
Like Ash, Blue knew how to accept the outcome of a battle.
"This time I won—and next time, I'll win again!" Ash smiled, shaking Blue's hand.
Charizard: 195/255