From Clair's perspective, the harsh words she let slip now seemed utterly embarrassing to Lance.
That Gardevoir is undoubtedly at Champion level!
From what he could sense, that Gardevoir seemed even slightly stronger than Clair's Dragonair.
This made Clair's statements look even more foolish.
On the other side, Clair, unaware of all this, began preparing to command Dragonair after her bold words.
Since the other party didn't accept her goodwill, there was no need to pander to them.
After defeating Ash, he would know how ridiculous his actions are now!
Clair hesitated no more and waved her delicate hand forward, "Dragonair, use Hydro Pump!"
The azure Dragonair raised its head and roared, a massive azure water sphere forming in its mouth.
Although the opponent's strength should be less than Dragonair's, being a Fairy Type means Dragon Type moves have no effect on it.
The enormous water sphere carried the pressure of a Champion level, transforming into a terrifying water column as it roared toward Gardevoir.
As it passed through the air, it carved a twisted trace in its wake.
The force of this attack was even fiercer than Altaria's previous Moonblast.
In the center of the arena, facing the incoming Hydro Pump, Gardevoir didn't move an inch.
She merely raised one hand slightly, and a transparent light wall appeared in front of her.
"Boom!"
The Hydro Pump smashed solidly into the light wall, spraying water everywhere, but not leaving a single crack.
The light wall stood firm as a rock, effortlessly fending off a Champion level attack.
Clair's smile froze on her face.
Was that... Light Screen?
When was it used? Ash obviously didn't give any command.
Moreover... even Light Screen should only halve the power of special attacks, so how could it completely block Hydro Pump?
At that moment, Clair began sensing something was wrong.
To instantly release a Light Screen that could block a Champion level Hydro Pump, this Gardevoir's strength... could it already be at Champion level?
Gardevoir's slender fingers gently plucked the air, and the light wall shattered into countless light particles.
Then, she extended both hands, conjuring a pale pink ball of light in front of her—Moonblast.
A Fairy Type move used on the Dragon Type Dragonair, extremely effective!
The light ball wasn't large in size, but the energy contained within was condensed to the extreme.
As Moonblast whistled past, Dragonair promptly dodged sideways, narrowly avoiding a critical hit, but Moonblast still grazed its body and exploded, sending its massive body flying backward.
"Screech!"
In just one move, the Dragonair, trained to Champion Junior level, had already suffered a considerable loss.
Clair's breath hitched. Something was off.
The power of that Moonblast just now was far beyond her expectation.
She instinctively focused her senses to perceive Gardevoir's aura, and the moment she did, she froze in place.
"Cham... Champion Intermediate?"
Her voice trembled a little.
She initially thought that even if Ash's Gardevoir was at Champion level, it would at most be on par with her Dragonair, at Champion Junior level.
But now she felt clearly the power contained in that elegant aura was a whole minor grade higher than her Dragonair!
Champion Intermediate!
A young man who hadn't been active for even a year was holding a genuine Champion Intermediate Pokemon!
What a joke!!!
A trainer who hasn't even been around for a year managed to train a Champion Intermediate Pokemon?
This couldn't just be given by someone else because of connections!!
However, the synergy shown between Gardevoir and Ash, as well as Ash's pride as a trainer, all indicated that this Gardevoir wasn't a gift from someone else but raised by Ash himself.
This couldn't simply be described as good luck, as whose sheer luck could cultivate a Champion Intermediate Pokemon!
Cynthia watched all this, feeling a sense of anticipation; Ash always exceeded her expectations!
The last time battling Ash, his Pikachu was only at Elite level, barely able to contend with her Togekiss through many strategies.
But now, Ash already had a Champion Intermediate Pokemon in his hands.
Putting aside other Pokemon, just this Gardevoir was enough to stand on the same stage as her Togekiss.
Without using any external aids.
If Ash used that move that boosts a Pokemon, or let Gardevoir undergo MEGA Evolution, in terms of strength, her Togekiss might not even match Gardevoir.
At this rate of growth, by the time of the Eight Great Masters, Ash might truly cultivate an entire team of Champion-level Pokemon.
By then, even without relying on that special power, Ash could compete on the same stage as Champions.
'You've grown, Ash, I look forward to the day we face each other in the Eight Great Masters.'
Cynthia's beautiful eyes were filled with anticipation, looking forward to a thrilling six-on-six battle with Ash under the spotlight.
Lance was equally shocked; the power Ash's Gardevoir unleashed was beyond his expectations.
Plus, with Gardevoir restraining Dragon Types with her Fairy Type, his cousin was bound to be utterly defeated in this match.
Dawn blinked, somewhat confused; previously in battles between Ash and Clair, both sides were evenly matched.
Even Ash has to take a back seat.
Why is it that now Clair has sent out her ace Pokemon, Ash is feeling much more at ease?
Could it be that Ash's ace is much stronger than Miss Clair's?
They're about the same age, right? How could he train such a powerful Pokemon!
...
"Dragonair, Outrage!"
At this point, there's no meaning in retreating, Clair resolutely commands Dragonair to use the strongest Dragon Attribute move, Outrage!
A crimson Dragon Type flame suddenly erupts around Dragonair, it's a reckless force.
Seeing this, Ash slightly furrows his brow, but soon relaxes.
Outrage is a Dragon Attribute move, naturally ineffective against a Fairy Type like Gardevoir. But Clair's use of Outrage was never meant to attack Gardevoir, but to enhance Dragonair!
Clair takes a deep breath and then swiftly swings her right hand down.
"Extreme Speed!"
Empowered by Outrage, Dragonair suddenly vanishes in the air.
Pure explosive force tears open a rift in the air; at this moment no one can catch Dragonair's form.
The next instant, she appears in front of Gardevoir, but Gardevoir's eyes remain calm, as if not surprised at all by the opponent's appearance.
"Iron Tail!" Clair's next command rings out at this moment.
Dragonair's tail rises high, a silver metallic luster at the tip condensing into a frigid arc.
Dragon Type moves are ineffective against Fairy Types like Gardevoir, Clair knew this from the start.
Her strategy was clear — use Outrage to push Dragonair's physical capabilities to the limit, then use Extreme Speed to block off opponent's evasion, finally using the Steel Type Iron Tail to secure victory.
However, attacking in such a manner carries great risk, using three skills in one go, one of which causes you to lose rationality like Outrage.
If she can't take down the opponent quickly, she's destined to lose this match.
But it doesn't matter, as long as this Iron Tail hits the opponent…
A full-force Champion Junior Level outburst, paired with Outrage's boost, the power of this hit once it hits Gardevoir, with Gardevoir's frail defense, would surely suffer heavy damage!
Iron Tail slices the air, producing a piercing whine, aimed fiercely at Gardevoir's slender figure.
Good, she can't defend herself in time…
Just as Clair was thinking that, Gardevoir raised its delicate arm, its palm like a willow leaf catching that silver arc filled with destructive aura!
"Bang——!"
Iron Tail slammed squarely into Gardevoir's palm.
Shockwaves madly spread outward from the impact point, pebbles on the arena lifted into the air, the ground cracking like a web extending in all directions.
The ground under Gardevoir's feet suddenly collapsed into a circular pit, the shattered stones bounced up and then fell, dust shot skyward.
Yet, Gardevoir remained unmoved.
That slender arm seeming fragile enough to break, firmly held Dragonair's full-force Iron Tail.
Not even her body was swayed in the slightest, only her dress fluttered from the dispersing shockwave.
An expression of shock flashed across Dragonair's crimson pupils—how is this possible?!!
Clair's breath hitched.
One hand… just with one hand, she blocked the triple attack of Outrage, Extreme Speed, Iron Tail?!
This isn't right!
Gardevoir should be specialized in special attacks, in physical attack and bodily defense she's supposed to be very weak!
Even if the opponent's at Champion Intermediate Level, it shouldn't be possible to block Dragonair's various skill combo attack with a single hand without using any moves!
Not just Clair, even Lance and Cynthia watching had their pupils tightly contracted.
This scene was simply too shocking for many, Gardevoir's delicate form, actually managed to catch such terrifying attack with bare hands.
Even the ground Gardevoir was standing on has collapsed, yet she didn't move.
Just how did Ash train Gardevoir? Violent Queen?
On the field, Gardevoir tilted her head slightly, glancing at Dragonair close at hand, those orange beautiful eyes full of tranquility, seemingly not surprised at all by this result.
"Gardevoir, Moonblast!"
The moment Ash spoke, her other hand raised, a faint pink light ball quietly condensing in the palm.
The distance close enough that Dragonair could even see the energy ripples circulating across the surface of the light ball.
Dragonair's pupils abruptly contracted, at such distance being hit by Fairy Type move, that would be extremely dangerous.
She hurriedly tried to withdraw, but at this moment, Gardevoir's hand holding her tail clenched tightly, her tail being gripped firmly by Gardevoir, unable to break free from the entire body!
The exaggerated force, just like two mountains clamping her tail, completely unable to escape.
"Dragonair——!"
Clair's shout hadn't even dropped, Gardevoir pushed the pink energy ball against Dragonair's chest, detonating it fiercely!
A point-blank explosion, with no space to evade and no room for defense.
The light from Moonblast expanded and exploded at the center of the arena, swallowing Dragonair entirely.
A pink light column shot toward the sky, illuminating the gym's upper air.
The scattering shockwaves were blocked by surrounding barriers, obscuring everyone's view.
The explosion's pillar lasted nearly ten seconds, then a blue figure flew out of the light, like a broken kite across the air, heavily landing on the arena's edge.
Dragonair lay on the cracked ground, the crimson glow of Outrage completely gone.
Her eyes were tightly closed, her tail drooped powerlessly among the rubble, having lost the fighting ability.
No need to say more, Dragonair had indeed lost her ability to battle.
On the other side, Gardevoir gracefully lowers her arm, gently dusting off her dress, shaking away the dirt clinging to it.
She didn't seem like she came to battle, but more like participating in a performance.
This was a show solely belonging to Gardevoir, this performance left everyone not understanding, stunned in awe.
They've seen Champion Intermediate Level Pokemon like Cynthia, Lance, Clair.
But such abnormal Champion Intermediate Level, this was their first time seeing.
Since when did Gardevoir's physical strength become exaggerated to such a degree?
Dragonair may be Champion Junior, but she used Outrage!
In Outrage state, the entire strength of Dragonair receives a boost, although not comparable to Champion Intermediate, it's not something a frail Gardevoir could hold with one hand, right!
It would be more feasible to switch to a power-type Champion Intermediate Pokemon!
Clair remained silent for a long while, finally took out Dragonair's Pokeball with trembling hands, and withdrew Dragonair.
"Ash, you won."
From beginning to end, Clair didn't raise her face, she feared that once she lifted, Ash would see her flushed red face.
Because she recalled her own boastful words before the battle…
'Aren't you using that move?'
'I gave you the chance, Ash, if the battle ends in an instant, you can't blame me.'
Recalling these lines made her wish she could find a crevice to crawl into.
This time the boomerang returned far too quickly, in just less than three minutes, Dragonair had lost fighting capability.
The battle indeed ended in an instant, but it wasn't her defeating the opponent, it was Ash who ended her!
Ash's Gardevoir and the Pokemon he sent out previously, the disparity in strength can be said to be worlds apart.
No wonder Ash didn't use moves that enhance strength, it wasn't arrogance, it wasn't pride, but truly unnecessary.
"Eh… Miss Clair, are you alright?" Ash for the first time felt not happy with the victory, but wondered if he had overdone it.
A move instantly defeating the opponent's ace Pokemon, seems indeed lacking respect for the opponent.
And besides, this in front of Mr. Lance and Miss Cynthia, undoubtedly making Clair lose more face.
'Had I known, I would have used Aura to tell Gardevoir to hold back a few more rounds.'
Ash thought with a bit of frustration.
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