"What a terrifying Hydro Pump!"
Ash shot up from his seat in excitement, his fists clenched tight and his expression a tangled mix of emotions.
"Damn it, that guy Yozora…"
Ash could hardly believe what he was seeing. Yozora already had a powerful Charmander and Pidgeotto—yet now he revealed a Shiny Psyduck that seemed even stronger!
At that thought, Ash felt the gap between himself and Yozora widening with each passing moment, leaving a bitter taste in his heart.
If he knew the three Pokémon Yozora hadn't yet revealed were just as extraordinary… who knew what kind of despair he would feel?
"Yeah, that Psyduck is really strong!" Misty gasped beside him. She didn't leap to her feet like Ash, but her shock was no less intense.
Water is super effective against Rock. Super effective against Ground as well.
Since Geodude was both Rock and Ground type, Water attacks dealt quadruple damage—an effect so powerful it was "super effective" beyond words!
But effectiveness was only a multiplier, not the base damage itself.
Generally, the higher the base power, the more terrifying the multiplier became. But if the base power was zero, then no matter if it was multiplied four, ten, or even a thousand times—it would still deal nothing.
In other words… if Psyduck's Hydro Pump couldn't break through Geodude's natural defense, then even quadruple damage would amount to nothing!
Yet the Hydro Pump just now… its destructive force was clear to the naked eye!
Even without type advantage, that Hydro Pump looked strong enough to heavily injure Geodude. With the quadruple multiplier added in, the result was devastating!
"That Psyduck's level is probably even higher than I thought," Misty thought in awe. "And the fact it can already wield Hydro Pump so proficiently while still a Psyduck… its natural talent must be incredible! Even Golduck has trouble mastering that move!"
Her eyes shone as she stared unblinking at Psyduck, utterly captivated despite the fact it wasn't hers. The admiration in her heart couldn't be stopped.
On the battlefield—
After a long moment of stunned silence, Brock finally came back to his senses. Retrieving Geodude into its Poké Ball, he declared, "Yozora, your strength has far surpassed my expectations. But as a Gym Leader, it is my duty to stand as an obstacle before challengers, like a mountain barring their path forward!"
"Come, Yozora—show me your true power! Go, Onix!" Fired up by Yozora's overwhelming strength, Brock's own fighting spirit blazed to life.
With a flash of white light, a colossal Onix emerged.
Its massive body carried a natural sense of pressure, looming over the battlefield.
Before such a giant, Psyduck looked tiny, almost ant-like.
And yet—Psyduck showed no fear. Its bearing even carried the dignity of a general.
Pokémon: Onix
Type: Rock + Ground
Level: Senior Level – Early Stage
Potential: Elite Level
Notes: Brock's main Pokémon, raised by his side since childhood.
Through the system, Yozora quickly confirmed that Onix was also at Senior Level, just like Geodude earlier.
But he could feel the difference at once—Onix's aura was far stronger than Geodude's.
Even at the same level, every Pokémon had its strengths and weaknesses. Compared to Geodude, Onix boasted superior strength and defense, though Geodude had the edge in speed and mobility.
"Onix is massive, a huge target, making it nearly impossible to dodge… Attack, Psyduck—Hydro Pump!" Yozora smiled faintly as he gave the order.
"Psy–duck!"
Psyduck let out a sharp cry, unleashing a torrent of high-pressure water like a cannon straight at Onix's head.
The giant rock snake had no chance to evade. It raised its tail to block, its only means of shielding its vital head.
But even so, the Hydro Pump slammed into it with overwhelming power. Sweat poured down Onix's rocky face as its breathing turned labored.
"Onix!" Brock's heart shook at the sight.
Yozora was right—Onix's size made it an easy target. But precisely because of its long history of enduring attacks, Onix's body was tempered like iron, with formidable defense.
Even so… Psyduck's Hydro Pump had still left it battered!
The fact was undeniable: this Psyduck's strength had exceeded its level by far.
Geodude had been taken out in one hit, and though Onix remained standing, the damage it had suffered was immense. Brock was running out of options.
"Don't give in, Onix! Use Tackle!"
He made his decision instantly. Even if defeat was certain, at the very least he wanted Psyduck taken down with him.
"Roooar!"
At Brock's command, Onix crashed forward, smashing aside the stones beneath its body as it lunged with terrifying momentum straight at Psyduck.
"Hmph, do you think I'll let you succeed?" Yozora sneered, seeing through Brock's intent at once.
"Psyduck, use Psychic!"
The giant serpent charged with unstoppable force. Yozora could have ended it with another Hydro Pump—but if he did, Onix's massive body would collapse under its own inertia, crushing Psyduck beneath it.
That was something Yozora could not allow.
As a trainer, he had to think of his Pokémon's safety, not just victory. Strategy wasn't about trading blow for blow—it was about winning cleanly while minimizing harm.
Otherwise, always fighting "injury for injury, life for life"… might work once or twice, but over time his Pokémon would grow resentful, no matter how loyal.
Paul in the original anime was like that. His Pokémon were gentle enough to endure it—but if it had been Charizard with its fiery temper, Paul might've been torn apart long ago.
Psychic!
Psyduck's eyes shone a brilliant blue, brimming with intimidating force.
An invisible power swept outward, engulfing Onix's entire body.
In the very next instant—
Onix's rampaging charge came to an abrupt halt, its massive frame frozen in mid-motion!
Sweat streamed down its face, its body trembling violently as if shackled by invisible chains. No matter how it struggled, it couldn't move an inch.
"What?!"
The entire arena gasped in shock.
(End of Chapter)