As the commands were issued from both sides, the two Pokemon began to gather their respective skills.
Dragonite let out a thunderous growl, flapping all the wings on its head and back in a nearly frenzied manner.
Its four wings stirred the air, creating a massive storm with a diameter of dozens of meters.
The ceiling of the gym had long been opened, and the high-altitude airflow was engulfed by the storm, forming a funnel-shaped terrifying vortex.
The debris at the edge of the field was swept into the wind, and the ripples on the barrier vibrated violently, emitting a low hum.
"Whoooa——!"
Dragonite infused all the remaining power within its body into this attack.
The storm, like a roaring giant dragon, surged towards Altaria in mid-air.
Altaria raised its neck, and a pink light sphere larger than any before began to form in its mouth.
The light sphere emitted a dazzling glow, dyeing the surrounding air a pale pink.
The full burst of Moonblast was almost beyond Altaria's limits!
In the next second, Moonblast transformed into a pink torrent, colliding head-on with the sweeping storm.
The two forces clashed fiercely in mid-air.
The storm furiously ripped at Moonblast's energy, scattering pink light in the vortex.
Moonblast also desperately eroded the interior of the storm, trying to dismantle the emerald wind pillar from its center.
The air emitted an unbearable explosive sound, with shockwaves spreading outwards, hitting the barrier and casting dense ripples.
Both Pokemon were exhausting their last ounce of strength.
Dragonite's four wings flapped slower and slower, each flap feeling like moving a mountain.
The Moonblast in Altaria's mouth flickered on and off, ready to extinguish at any moment.
Eventually, the pink light broke free from the storm, rushing towards Dragonite.
At that moment, Dragonite was still controlling the storm's power, but... she had almost no energy left, relying on instinct to stay aloft.
Therefore, even if she could see the incoming trajectory of Moonblast clearly, despite its slower attack speed than typical skills, she had little strength to dodge.
The pink light rapidly enlarged in Dragonite's amber pupils.
"Bang!"
Moonblast slammed solidly into Dragonite's chest.
Dragonite's massive body plummeted from the sky like a golden meteor, crashing heavily into the center of the field.
The ground was smashed into a large pit, debris splattering, and dust rising to the sky.
Simultaneously, the storm in the air lost control at the moment Dragonite fell.
The raging wind pillar exploded, enveloping the equally exhausted Altaria, tossing her to the field's edge like a torn leaf.
Altaria couldn't even utter a scream before she hit the barrier, sliding down its transparent surface and collapsing on the ground.
The dust gradually dispersed.
Dragonite lay in the pit's center, eyes closed tightly, scales on her chest shattered, and a large patch of white feathers burned black.
Altaria lay at the edge of the barrier, her fluffy feathers in disarray, elegant wings drooped powerlessly to the ground.
Both Pokemon simultaneously lost their fighting ability.
This result shocked everyone; both Pokemon lost their combat capability again?!
Once in a battle could be considered coincidental, but now it's happened twice.
This battle was truly magical!
After a moment of silence, both sides took out their Pokeballs and recalled their Pokemon.
"You worked hard, Dragonite, you did well, next time we'll surely do better."
Ash smiled, comforting Dragonite in the Pokeball. As a first battle, being able to fight evenly with the opponent exceeded Ash's expectations.
In terms of combat aptitude, battle experience, Dragonite was far behind Ash's other Pokemon.
After all, since she was captured as a Dragonair, she hadn't fought in a proper battle; all the fights were internal.
Even with his command and cooperation, she indeed couldn't compare to other Pokemon.
Overcoming a large level and a small level, being able to go down together with the opponent, Dragonite definitely could feel proud.
On the other side, Clair also comforted her Pokemon, feeling a sense of defeat.
Before meeting Ash today, she was quite confident in her command level.
She felt she might not catch up with her cousin but should be very close.
Her current commanding level was definitely comparable to a Champion Trainer.
However, after two battles, her champion dreams were shattered.
What Champion Trainer... being continuously leveled-up fought twice, and both all went down together.
Even with stronger Pokemon, being fought like this, it was enough to show the gap between trainers.
She was indeed outclassed!
However... if the opponent was a seasoned champion like Cynthia or Lance, even if outclassed, she could accept.
But the opponent was just a boy not yet sixteen, several years younger than her!
With a debut less than a year, not only did his Pokemon's strength match up, but even his training levels far exceeded his current age.
He was simply a monster!
The rumors about Ash circulating before, truly weren't wrong, the Kanto Superstar, the new era's most likely trainer to challenge Leon, talent far surpassing Leon's genius...
She used to think these were just media hype, but now, it seems it was her who wasn't seeing reality clearly.
Clair took a deep breath, putting away all negative emotions.
The battle isn't over yet, she can't give up here!
"The next one is the final battle, Miss Clair, let's fight without regrets!"
Ash took out his last Pokeball and said to Clair with a smile.
Clair looked at the opponent's smile, and for a moment was a bit dazed. He... seems to genuinely enjoy Pokemon battles, not just for winning or losing.
"Alright... let's do this, the final match. I'll use my strongest Pokemon to show my respect for you!"
As Clair finished speaking, she took out her last Pokeball and threw it onto the field.
"Bang!"
A flash of light, and a Pokemon as blue as a long snake appeared on the field—Dragonair!
Is this Clair's strongest Pokemon?
Ash was briefly stunned when he saw Dragonair, but once he saw Dragonair's information, even he was a bit taken aback.
Dragonair... Champion Junior Level?
Really? Clair trained a Dragonair to Champion Junior Level and it hasn't evolved yet?
Off to the side, Lance saw Dragonair, and a gleam of admiration flashed across his eyes: "Well done, Clair, it seems you've finally found your path."
Hearing Lance's praise, a smile appeared on Clair's lips: "Brother Lance, I said, even without evolution, relying on Dragonair's form, I can stand at the world's peak! Dragonair and I will prove that our path isn't wrong!"
Lance nodded: "Indeed, you and Dragonair have taken a completely different path, let me see your and Dragonair's battle style."
Training Dragonair to Champion Level without evolving it is already an incredibly difficult feat.
One might even say it's practically impossible.
But Clair, through her hard work and Dragonair's talent, made what seemed impossible possible!
Brock, standing nearby, also commented: "The previous intel said Miss Clair's strongest Pokemon was Elite Peak, but unexpectedly didn't specify which Pokemon. I thought it would be Dragonite, turns out Miss Clair trained Dragonair to Elite Peak? Remarkable!"
"Not Elite Peak, it's Champion Level, that Dragonair is Champion Junior Level, Brock," Ash reminded from the field.
Brock: ...
Ash's words almost made Brock and Misty freeze on the spot.
A Champion-level Dragonair? This one isn't some ordinary person!
Not just anyone can train a Dragonair to Champion Level!
Whether people like to admit it or not, it's very hard for Pokemon that haven't evolved to reach the pinnacle level.
Not to mention a quasi-god Pokemon.
For Clair to reach this stage, talent, hard work, and opportunities are all indispensable.
If she hadn't met Ash, Clair's achievements might have shocked Brock and the others for a very long time...
But honestly speaking, compared to Ash, Clair's achievements could only be likened to fireflies competing with the moon.
"Your turn, Ash, send out your last Pokemon," Clair's voice was full of confidence.
Although Ash's two Pokemon fought her Pokemon to a draw, it also exposed a weakness of Ash's.
And that's that he doesn't have truly powerful Pokemon of high level.
Two Pokemon, one Professional Level, one Gym Level, in the hands of a trainer who hasn't been traveling for even a year, are indeed impressive.
But to challenge Blackthorn Gym with just that, it's still not enough.
Ash being able to tell her Dragonair is Champion Level surprised Clair a bit.
The ability to detect a Pokemon's level without battling is usually something only Champion Trainers can do, Ash's trainer level is undoubtedly high.
But... a trainer's level can quickly improve with talent, whereas Pokemon cannot.
Even the most talented Pokemon face a barrier in strength, unlike a brain suddenly becoming enlightened.
How much can Pokemon be trained in a year's time? A Gym-level Dragonite would already be surprising.
As for the rumors of beating Lorelei before... maybe because Lorelei wasn't serious, and Ash caught her off guard with those techniques that enhance Pokemon power.
If it were a real fight, Clair doesn't believe Ash could beat Lorelei with just those few Pokemon.
He couldn't possibly have a Champion-level Pokemon, could he?
Well, come on...
"It's decided then, Gardevoir!" Ash threw out his last Pokemon.
A flash of light, and Gardevoir, with blue hair and a white dress, appeared on the field, exuding a graceful and gentle aura.
But beneath that aura, there was a strength that was hard to fathom.
Lance saw Gardevoir, and a shock flashed in his eyes again, even Cynthia's beautiful eyes widened slightly.
Champion... a genuine Champion level!
This isn't power achieved through special means or MEGA Evolution; it had already reached Champion level by itself!
Ash already possesses a true Champion-level Pokemon?
He's only fifteen years old!
Training a Champion-level Pokemon at fifteen, that can't be described with just the word 'genius'.
It's simply... monstrous!
"Shana~" Gardevoir slightly lifted her beautiful eyes and took a look at the Dragonair levitating in mid-air.
With just one look, Dragonair seemed to feel a mental pressure, causing its body to curl up a little.
This beautiful Pokemon... is stronger than her!
Clair didn't notice this detail, while being amazed by Gardevoir's beauty, she also marveled at Ash's luck.
"A shiny Gardevoir, plus the quasi-god Dragonite from earlier, and the Greninja capable of mysterious evolution... Ash, you really have many rare Pokemon around you!"
"Haha, just lucky," Ash waved his hand and replied with a light laugh.
What he said about luck was not modest, it was truly explosive luck!
Others go to great lengths to find rare Pokemon, while for him, they all swarm right to him.
Which Trainer can just meet Pokemon with Double S Potential while walking on the road?
Only Ash has such treatment.
Since he started his journey, not one of the Pokemon he has was actively sought out by him.
Under the circumstance of capturing them by chance, he's managed to collect a bunch of Pokemon with monster-level talent.
"But having rare Pokemon isn't enough to win battles; since you know my Dragonair is Champion Level, your Gardevoir shouldn't be too weak, right?"
"Don't worry, Gym Leader Clair, it'll definitely be exciting for you."
"Is that so? Then I'll look forward to it."
After saying that, the field fell silent for a moment. Clair looked at Ash, Ash looked at Clair, their eyes locking intensely, and finally, it was Clair who couldn't hold back and said, "Aren't you going to use that move?"
Ash: ?
"What move?"
"That move that enhances your Pokemon's power, the one where you have blue light glowing all around you." Clair couldn't quite identify Aura Power and had to describe the scene of Ash using it.
She hadn't attacked because she was waiting for Ash to strengthen his Pokemon.
Otherwise, if his Pokemon was knocked out in one hit, wouldn't that defeat the purpose of the battle?
Ash wore a puzzled expression upon hearing this.
"Ah... um, Miss Clair, you might be misunderstanding something, my Gardevoir... doesn't need to use that kind of power."
Clair: ...
What does that mean? What do you mean it doesn't need to use that kind of power?
Are you saying your Gardevoir can defeat my Champion-level Dragonair with its own strength?
Ridiculous!!
"I've given you a chance, Ash, if the battle ends quickly, don't blame me."
Clair said thusly.
From the stands, Lance had already covered his eyes, unable to bear watching.
Girl, stop talking, I can't afford to lose face like this!
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