Chapter 107: Ash vs. Misty
The Round of 32 match was in full swing. After Ryan finished his Group E match, he and the other two arrived at Group B, just in time for Ash's match against Misty.
After finding Brock, Ryan and the other two sat down. He glanced at the three Team Rocket members working as snack vendors, hoping they wouldn't cause trouble, or else he wouldn't mind throwing them out.
"It's about to start," Brock said.
Ryan and the others also focused on the match. Misty sent out her Politoed, while Ash sent out Kingler first.
"Politoed, Bubble Beam!" Misty took the initiative.
"Kingler, block it with Crabhammer, then strike the water!" Ash shouted.
Politoed immediately used Bubble Beam at Kingler, whose massive claw glowed white, blocking the Bubble Beam. Then the claw slammed down hard on the water. The energy from Crabhammer's attack formed a shockwave that traveled across the surface and hit Politoed, sending it flying.
"Oh, Crabhammer is a Water-type move. It focuses Water energy on the claw for offense and defense, greatly reducing the damage from the Bubble Beam. Quite a strategy, Ash," Ryan said, stroking his chin. His eyes lit up at Ash's performance.
"Indeed. Ash has truly grown tremendously since the Indigo League," Brock said.
Ruby had already taken out her notebook, meticulously taking notes. A trainer like that deserved a record.
"Politoed, Hypnosis!" Misty gritted her teeth.
"Jump into the water to avoid it," Ash said.
Politoed's Hypnosis was activated, and Kingler dove into the water to avoid it. Then, with Ash's command, Hyper Beam struck Politoed from the water, instantly knocking it out.
Ryan nodded and said, "He's definitely grown a lot. He's not just rushing forward like before, he's also learned to take advantage of the battlefield."
"Come back, Politoed," Misty said as she recalled Politoed. "Thank you for your hard work. Now, it's time to go, Psyduck!"
"Quack." A dazed Psyduck appeared on the field. Ash said solemnly, "It's Psyduck, then. Kingler, Stomp!"
Ryan looked at Ash's serious expression and asked Brock, "Brock, why is Ash so nervous?"
"Because Misty taught Psyduck to swim," Brock said seriously.
Ryan shuddered and sighed, "Ash, you're on your own."
"Learned to swim?" Rosa asked, confused. "What do you mean?"
Ruby looked at Ryan curiously. Ryan explained, "Misty's Psyduck has enormous potential, especially its psychic powers. It's normally a landlubber who can't swim, but when it gets a severe headache, it can unleash a powerful burst of psychic energy. I've seen it, and it was powerful enough to break free from Mewtwo's psychic restraints."
Rosa and Ruby gasped. Although they had never seen Mewtwo, they had often heard Ryan mention it and knew it was a young legendary Pokémon. The fact that it could break free from the legendary's psychic control was possible because Mewtwo wasn't exerting its full strength, but it also showed Psyduck's talent.
"But Misty is really something. Teaching a landlubber to swim is truly impressive," Ryan said.
In the arena, Psyduck used Confusion to pin Kingler in mid-air, then slammed it repeatedly onto the rock platform, forcing Kingler into a humiliating defeat.
Ash then recalled Kingler and sent out his Feraligatr. Ash shouted, "Feraligatr, Crunch!"
"Psyduck, Confusion!" Misty called out.
Feraligatr lunged at Psyduck, its jaws condensing with dark energy. Psyduck used Confusion to try to stop Feraligatr, but Feraligatr's Crunch was a Dark-type attack. The Dark energy released from it interfered with Psyduck's psychic powers, and the Crunch slammed directly into Psyduck, inflicting severe damage.
Psyduck struggled desperately in Feraligatr's jaws, but it underestimated Feraligatr's bite force and remained firmly locked in place, preventing Psyduck from escaping.
"Psyduck!" Misty cried out in pain.
Hearing Misty's cry, Psyduck's gaze sharpened, and a glow of evolution emanated from it.
"Evolved?!" Ruby exclaimed in surprise.
Ryan and the others were also shocked. Psyduck had evolved!
After evolving into Golduck, its stats were significantly enhanced. Golduck fired a Hydro Pump at Feraligatr. Feraligatr, in pain, let go of Golduck. Golduck dove into the water, away from Feraligatr, then emerged and landed on another stone platform.
Golduck is a Pokémon with duck-like features. After evolving, its body turned blue. It had a red gem on its forehead, its eyes became sharper and more focused, its bill narrowed and pointed, and its body became more streamlined. Its limbs became slender, its hands had three fingers with webbed digits, and its feet had similar webbing. The webbed appendages were cream-colored, and it had grown small claws. Its tail had also grown significantly longer and more powerful.
"Psyduck, no, Golduck! Great job! Another Hydro Pump!" Misty shouted.
"Don't lose, let's use our Hydro Pump too!" Ash shouted.
The two Hydro Pumps collided, sending a shower of water everywhere. However, Golduck's Hydro Pump was slightly more powerful. After all, Feraligatr relied on physical attacks and was undoubtedly inferior to Golduck in special attacks.
"Aqua Jet!" Ash shouted, clearly realizing this.
Water instantly enveloped Feraligatr, then propelled it forward at breakneck speed, breaking through the Hydro Pump.
Seeing Feraligatr reach Golduck's rock platform, Ryan shook his head and said, "Checkmate, the outcome is decided."
Brock and the others sighed, knowing the outcome would soon be revealed.
As expected, after Feraligatr successfully reached the platform, Ash shouted, "Feraligatr, final Crunch! Finish it!"
"No! Golduck, get out of the way!" Misty realized her mistake.
But a mistake is a mistake, and it sealed the outcome. Golduck had already been wounded by Feraligatr's Crunch, so how could it have dodged in such a short time? It was caught in Feraligatr's jaws once more, a vicious bite that completely knocked out Golduck.
"Golduck is unable to battle, so this round goes to Ash!" the referee declared impartially.
"Thank you for your hard work, Golduck," Misty said as she recalled her Golduck. "Even though I lost, your evolution is the best gift you've ever given me!"
Ryan stood up and said, "Let's go. I've seen how much Ash has grown. He'll probably not lose in the next match. See you in the finals."
Brock looked at the three departing figures and smiled, "It seems Ash's growth has motivated Ryan. Although Ash is no match for Ryan right now, at Ash's growth rate, he'll soon catch up and possibly even surpass him."
As Brock had said, Ash's growth had indeed motivated Ryan, but not in the way Brock had imagined. After learning about even stronger realms from the system, Ryan no longer held himself in high esteem. Acknowledging one's own weaknesses allows one to become even stronger!
(End of Chapter)
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