Facing Lorelei once again, Ash's first Pokémon was still Charizard. The scene of Lorelei's defeat in their last battle was still vivid, and now Charizard was no longer the same. Ash wanted to reclaim victory for Charizard's previous loss!
This time, Lorelei sat out Cloyster. This Pokémon was different from Glaceon; it was one of Lorelei's bona fide main Pokémon!
Through Ash's Eye of Insight, he could see that Cloyster's level had reached Champion-Intermediate. This should be considered the weakest tier among Lorelei's Pokémon, but even so, the excellent training of this Cloyster was undeniable.
All of its stats had been trained to the limit of its potential, with attack reaching S-rank, both defenses and hp reaching A-rank, and the rest being B-rank.
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Normally, Pokémon's general stats are around B-rank. Reaching A-rank indicates that its stats are already surpassing the limits of its current level, and if it reaches S-rank, it means its stats far exceed the upper limit of its current level.
The external grading of Pokémon levels is generally based on stats between C and B. If a Pokémon can reach A-rank, it cannot simply be measured by its level.
The reason Ash's Pokémon can repeatedly challenge higher-level opponents, besides Aura, is primarily because the stats of Ash's Pokémon are generally above A-rank.
An Ordinary level Pokémon with all S-rank stats can even contend with a typical Advanced Level Pokémon without using any special means.
This is the cross-level combat ability brought by stats.
"It's Charizard, as expected? I was wondering what Pokémon you would use besides that one, Ash, and after thinking it through, it could only be Charizard," Lorelei said, not surprised by Ash sending out Charizard.
The previous narrow defeat must have been unforgettable for Ash. It's perfectly normal to want to win back what you lost, so this time, besides the Pokémon that was already decided, the other Pokémon was most likely Charizard.
"Yes, Miss Lorelei, my Charizard has been looking forward to battling you again. This time, we won't lose!" Ash exclaimed, clenching his fists.
"Can Ash win?" In the audience behind Ash, in the row closest to him, sat Misty and Serena. As contestants, it was no problem to arrange two seats for their friends and family, even in the closest proximity.
From this position, the two could clearly see the situation on the field. The tense atmosphere between the two sides seemed to freeze the air, and Serena couldn't help but worry about Ash.
Serena had also watched Ash and Lorelei's previous duel. That match was almost won. Now Ash was stronger than before, but—the Aura of the Pokémon Lorelei sent out was clearly different from that Glaceon.
Serena couldn't tell how strong Lorelei's Cloyster was, she only knew that this Pokémon felt much more terrifying than Glaceon, and it looked like a tough fight.
"Ash will win. He won't stumble in the same place twice!" Even though Lorelei was Misty's idol, in this duel, Misty remained steadfastly on Ash's side.
She believed that Ash wouldn't stumble in the same place twice; this time, Ash would definitely win!
"—Yes, Ash will win! Go, Ash!" Seeing Misty's unreserved trust in Ash, Serena nodded firmly after a few seconds of hesitation, then loudly cheered Ash on.
"Charizard, did you hear that? We can't lose this time! If we lose again, you won't be able to hold your head high in the team!" Ash looked intently at Charizard on the field, his eyes burning with fierce flames.
Charizard roared, orange-red flames rising from its tail, and the wild heat dispelled the chill that Cloyster's appearance had brought.
"Let's go, Charizard! Aura—resides in my heart!" Ash closed his eyes and whispered softly. A surging power was transmitted to Charizard through an invisible connection. The flames on Charizard's back instantly burned even more fiercely, and its Aura surged wildly, finally settling at—Champion-Novice in Lorelei's astonished gaze!
"Champion-level? It was Elite just now. Is it using Ash's ability? That's really insane; it can even directly boost an Elite-level Pokémon by a whole major stage?" Lorelei murmured, her voice filled with unconcealed shock.
She, of course, knew that Ash had an ability that could suddenly boost a Pokémon's strength. That power, called Aura, could give a Pokémon an extremely terrifying boost in a short period, usually by one major stage.
Back when Charizard was Gym Leader Level, it used this power to surge to Elite Four Level, almost taking down Glaceon.
But she hadn't expected Ash's power to even elevate an Elite Four Level Pokémon to Champion-level. Elite Four and Champion are worlds apart! Ash's ability was a bit too monstrous.
Moreover, Ash's Charizard had improved very quickly. It was already Elite Four Level now. Less than a month ago, Charizard seemed to be at Gym Peak. From Gym Peak to Elite Four Level in a month—
This speed wasn't just fast; it was unparalleled!
Gym to Elite is a hurdle, Elite to Champion is almost as difficult as a carp leaping over the dragon gate, and Champion to God-level is like a mortal ascending to the heavens.
Every level jump is not easy. To go from Gym Leader Level to Elite Four Level, generally, with good Pokémon talent and excellent Trainer potential, it takes half a year to a year. The fastest Trainer to break through to Elite Four in history should be Cynthia; she already had Elite Four Level Pokémon when she started her journey.
However, Cynthia started training Pokémon when she was ten. While having a team of Elite Four Level Pokémon in five years is astonishing, it's far from shocking. Ash cultivating an Elite Four Level Pokémon in seven months, with his other Pokémon also close to Elite Four Level, that's truly shocking!
Getting sidetracked—originally, an Elite Four Level Charizard encountering a Champion-Intermediate Cloyster would likely be instantly defeated. But now that Charizard has been boosted to Champion-Novice, it has the qualifications to contend with Cloyster.
"Miss Lorelei, here I come! Charizard, Flamethrower—!!!"
"Roar—!" Charizard took a deep breath, and the next second, it spewed out raging, scorching flames! The flames refracted into a magnificent rainbow of colors under the sunlight, dazzling and brilliant!
Right off the bat, it was a Flamethrower empowered by Sacred Fire! Facing Lorelei, who, despite being an Elite, had strength comparable to a Champion, Ash and Charizard dared not be negligent in the slightest. They went all out from the start, holding nothing back!
A transparent shield silently enveloped the entire arena. Mewtwo, from its Poké Ball, had already secretly exerted its power, protecting the surrounding audience. Otherwise, this Champion-level Sacred Fire Flamethrower alone would be enough to melt the audience seats directly, and even the audience's clothes would turn to Ash in the scorching fire element!
This was the power of a Champion, and even more, the terror of a God-level Pokémon. Even without a direct hit, it could cause terrifying destructive impact to the surroundings!
"Cloyster, Hydro Pump!" Lorelei's expression hardened, and she immediately commanded Cloyster.
"Spa!" From Cloyster's twin shells, a thick jet of water suddenly erupted! The surging water collided violently with the scorching rainbow flames, instantly creating a deafening roar!
"Boom—!" Countless steam billowed up from the field, instantly shrouding the entire arena in a white haze, completely obscuring the situation inside from the surrounding audience!
"Move collision!!!" Allen's shout cut through the clamor. "Both sides' powerful attacks violently clashed in the center of the field, stirring up a sky full of steam! The situation on the field is now elusive; which side will gain the upper hand?!"
In fact, at this moment, both Allen and the surrounding audience felt a bit strange. Why was the erupted steam confined tightly to the field? Such dense steam, logically, should spread throughout the entire arena.
But now, the steam only existed within the field. No matter how dense it became, not a single wisp leaked out, as if it were tightly clutched by an invisible giant hand.
Moreover, such a terrifying collision caused the entire field to shake continuously, yet the impact within the field didn't leak out at all. What was going on?
Before the audience and commentator Allen could finish pondering, Charizard and Cloyster on the field had already collided again.
"Charizard, use Dragon Claw!" Both Ash and Charizard preferred close-quarters combat over being a ranged attacker; they enjoyed the feeling of direct impact.
"Roar!" Charizard flapped its wings, creating a violent hurricane. The storm instantly blew away the steam, allowing the audience to see the scene on the field.
In a blink, Charizard appeared in front of Cloyster, its Dragon Claw already unleashed before the steam completely dissipated!
In the mist, Lorelei's vision was obscured, but for both Ash and Charizard, that level of obstruction was as good as none. With Aura, no hiding place could escape their sight, so Charizard was able to seize the initiative first!
"Withdraw!" Although Lorelei was hampered by the mist, she reacted instantly based on her years of battle experience.
"Spa!" Cloyster's hard shells abruptly closed, their surface gleaming with a chilling light, making its already tough exterior even more impenetrable.
The Dragon Claw, with a whooshing sound, slammed heavily onto Cloyster's outer shell!
"Clang—!"
The massive clang, like metal striking metal, made the air tremble. Cloyster was knocked back repeatedly by the immense force, and a faint, subtle crack even appeared on its shell surface!
The steam was completely dispersed by the hurricane, and the battle situation on the field clearly came into view of the audience, who instantly erupted in thunderous gasps!
"Oh my! Ash's Charizard actually took the lead! Elite Four Lorelei's Cloyster, even after using Withdraw, was still cracked by Ash's Charizard! What an incredibly powerful attack!" Allen shouted as if he had gone mad. Facing a Champion-level opponent, Ash actually managed to gain the upper hand first—this was incredibly unbelievable!
Don't be fooled by Ash's previous exhibition match where he fought Lorelei to a standstill. At that time, Lorelei's Glaceon was not her main Pokémon. But now, Lorelei's Cloyster is a genuine main Pokémon, and it also has the Water-type advantage over Charizard.
Under these circumstances, Ash actually seized the initiative first? It was simply unbelievable and insane!
"Such powerful offensive strength! For Charizard to have such powerful force, I really want to know how you trained it, Ash!" Lorelei also exclaimed without reservation.
Charizard, as a Pokémon, has outstanding talent in special attack, while its physical attack is relatively weaker. Therefore, most Charizard are used as special attackers, and Charizard focused on physical attacks are a rare minority.
However, Ash not only trained his Charizard to focus on physical attack but also did so exceptionally well. Even Cloyster's defense after using Withdraw couldn't withstand its non-STAB Dragon Claw, which was simply inconceivable.
"Hehe, my Charizard loves close quarters attacks the most! This time, we won't lose again, Miss Lorelei! Charizard, Fire Punch!" Ash continued to have Charizard launch a fierce assault!
"Roar—!" Charizard's right fist suddenly burst into raging flames, the scorching fire illuminating its sharp eyes. Its solid fist, with a whooshing sound, slammed towards Cloyster!
Lorelei's eyes sharpened. Unfazed by the situation, she calmly commanded, "Cloyster, Protect!"
"Buzz—!"
A faint blue transparent barrier instantly unfolded in front of Cloyster, like a solidified air shield, firmly blocking the path of the Fire Punch!
Charizard's flame-burning fist slammed into the barrier, "Boom—!" Amidst the deafening roar, the scorching flames were firmly blocked, and the violent energy exploded along the barrier's edge, scattering into a sky full of sparks!
Charizard felt a heavy recoil from its fist, its body involuntarily stepping back half a pace, and its flame-burning fist was also repelled.
"Use Shell Blade!" The moment Charizard's attack was blocked, Lorelei had Cloyster counterattack.
A sharp blade made of water appeared on Cloyster's two shells.
"Spa—!" Cloyster's twin shells snapped shut, and the water blades, carrying a whooshing sound, streaked towards the recoiling Charizard like two azure lightning bolts!
"Thunder Punch!!" Seeing the water blades rapidly approaching, a glint flashed in Ash's eyes, and then he coldly commanded.
The next instant, shimmering golden lightning covered Charizard's fist and burst forth!
"Sizzle"