"Incredible, to have the upper hand despite being at a disadvantage in level!"
"That's Whitney, the Gym Leader! I can't even count how many opponents that Kangaskhan has defeated. Could it really be suppressed one day?!"
"Come on, that's Ash. Do you know who Ash is?"
"Who?"
"The Champion of the Quartz Conference, the Trainer who defeated Elite Lorelei! Elite Lorelei of the Kanto region reads as 'Elite' but writes as 'Champion.' Now do you understand the value of Ash?"
Thanks to some well-informed audience members, the people around gained a new understanding of Ash.
Although Ash is famous, not everyone in the world recognizes him. But now, everyone present knows Ash.
Being able to watch a battle of this level of Trainer without even buying a ticket is definitely hitting the jackpot!
...
"Kangaskhan, use Crunch!" Facing the opponent's aggressive attack, Whitney remained calm and continued to direct.
Kangaskhan swiftly turned its head, opening its massive mouth, with sharp teeth gleaming with a dark light, lunging toward Heracross!
"Heracross, Detect!" A sharp gleam flashed in Heracross's eyes, and it instinctively dodged Kangaskhan's attack.
"Now, use Brick Break!" Heracross raised its right arm high, the edge of its hand glowing white, like a sharp battle axe, slashing fiercely at Kangaskhan's shoulder!
Kangaskhan was caught in a state similar to having just used Sucker Punch and couldn't react to Heracross's attack at all.
"Bang!!!"
Brick Break landed solidly on Kangaskhan's shoulder, the white light exploding with a dull thud!
Kangaskhan let out a painful cry, its massive body stumbling sideways by a couple of steps, leaving a visible bruise on its shoulder.
It was super effective!
Fighting Type Move has a restraining effect on Normal Type Pokemon, coupled with Heracross's full-force strike, even with a level difference, it still inflicted considerable damage on Kangaskhan.
"Kangaskhan, Headbutt!"
Kangaskhan steadied itself, a fierce glow flashing in its eyes, its strong neck exerting force, and its head shooting toward Heracross like a cannonball!
"Dodge!"
This time the distance between the two was very close, making it extremely difficult for Heracross to dodge, especially since Heracross had just used a move.
Although the real world is not turn-based, using a move inevitably comes with lag, which can only be overcome after leveling up and training.
Currently, Heracross clearly couldn't achieve that.
"Bang!!!"
Kangaskhan's head struck Heracross's chest solidly!
The force of this hit was astonishingly strong, sending Heracross's tens of kilograms of body flying like a baseball struck by a bat!
"Hera!!"
Heracross rolled several times in the air, its wings flapping frantically, trying to stabilize itself, but the impact from the Headbutt was too strong.
In the end, it couldn't completely dissipate the force, landing heavily on the ground, and skidding several meters before stopping.
The audience roared with awe.
"What an impressive Headbutt! The impact of this move is undeniably strong!"
"Whitney isn't backing down either. We Goldenrod City people have faith that our Gym Leader won't lose to a visiting Trainer, no matter how 'little' or 'great' Ash is. Whitney will knock them all down!"
"..."
Whitney's counterattack clearly thrilled the surrounding audience. Although they had learned that Ash was a celebrity,
if they had to choose sides, they'd still stand by Whitney. After all, they're Goldenrod City citizens!
"Heracross, are you okay?" Ash asked with concern.
"Hera..." Heracross struggled to get up from the ground, shaking its dizzy head, with a noticeable crack on the shell of its chest.
This hit took almost half of its Physical Strength away.
The level gap was apparent. Despite Heracross's outstanding performance, easily defeating Kangaskhan wasn't going to be simple.
"Still standing? Impressive!" Whitney's eyes revealed a hint of admiration. "But, it won't be that easy from here on out! Kangaskhan, use Giga Impact!"
Kangaskhan let out a low growl, its massive body leaping high, crashing down on Heracross like a small mountain!
The shadow eclipsed, Heracross looked up to see Kangaskhan's gigantic figure overshadowing the ceiling lights, pouncing down with the force of Giga Impact!
If this hit landed, given Heracross's current state, it would certainly be dire!
Yet Ash didn't instruct Heracross to dodge.
"Heracross, use Endure!"
Endure — a move that allows a Pokemon to withstand a fatal attack and cling on with 1 point of Physical Strength.
Heracross clenched its teeth, determination flashing in its eyes, planting its feet firmly on the ground.
"Boom!!!"
Kangaskhan's body fell heavily onto Heracross, shaking the entire battle field with that hit. The ground caved in with a visible crater, stones scattering!
Amidst the lingering dust, everyone held their breath.
"Heracross!" Serena couldn't help but call out.
As the dust gradually cleared, Heracross still stood at the center of the crater, covered in scars but refusing to fall!
The effect of Endure allowed it to weather the blow forcibly!