"Now, Heracross, use Counter!" Ash's voice exploded across the field!
Counter — this skill can double the physical attack damage inflicted by the opponent and bounce it back!
The damage that Heracross just endured will now be converted entirely into Heracross's attack power!
Heracross's body suddenly tensed, and a visible wave of energy erupted from within him!
With unparalleled force, the fist struck Kangaskhan, sending its massive body flying as if hit by a heavy hammer!
"Kangaskhan!" Whitney's voice was full of shock.
Kangaskhan rolled twice in the air and landed heavily on the ground, sliding several meters before coming to a stop, letting out a painful groan.
The damage from this hit was even more terrifying than the previous Brick Break!
Counter doubled the damage from Giga Impact; even if Kangaskhan had a higher level and stronger defense, this level of retaliation was still capable of inflicting terrifying damage!
Whitney gritted her teeth, she never expected Ash to have such a trick up his sleeve.
"Kangaskhan, can you still fight?" Whitney asked.
Kangaskhan let out a low growl, shakily standing up, though its physical strength was nearly depleted, its eyes showed no sign of retreat.
"Alright! The last blow will decide the victory!" Whitney clenched her fist, "Kangaskhan, use Giga Impact!"
She hadn't anticipated that Kangaskhan, which held a level advantage, would be forced to this extent, now needing to unleash a decisive blow against Heracross!
Otherwise, if this continues, Heracross, equipped with Detect and Endure, might maneuver to defeat Kangaskhan.
The battle must be swift and decisive!
Kangaskhan's body was enveloped in white light, transforming into a meteor, charging towards Heracross with the momentum to destroy everything!
If this hit lands, victory will be decided!
"Heracross, use Close Combat!" Ash's voice rang out simultaneously.
He didn't bother with any more tricks, if you wanted to settle with one decisive blow, then let's use one decisive blow!
Heracross's only S-Class ability value was attack, in terms of attack, he wouldn't lose to Kangaskhan!
Heracross's wings flapped sharply, his body infused with Fighting Type energy, before launching out fiercely!
"Boom—!!
A deafening explosion shattered across the field, with shockwaves dispersing in all directions, raising clouds of dust!
Within the explosion's center, Kangaskhan continued to pour its energy outwards, while Heracross's fists left afterimages, and his expression grew fiercer!
This was his first battle for Ash, he had reasons why he couldn't afford to lose!
On the other side, Kangaskhan felt the same; every fight had reasons he couldn't afford to lose, she needed to win every battle for her trainer!
The roars from both sides resonated in the center of the field, triggering a secondary explosion!
The violent shockwave spread again, causing the audience to close their eyes, shielding their faces with their arms.
Even Whitney couldn't help but shield her face, whereas Ash stood tall and straight, eyes fixed on the inside of the haze.
After a moment, Ash's lips curled into a pleased smile: "Thank you, Heracross."
As Ash whispered this, the commotion on the field gradually settled, with the smoke slowly dissipating.
On the field, Heracross and Kangaskhan were both lying down, unmoving.
Heracross's carapace was shattered, wings drooping helplessly, eyes closed, with no strength left.
Kangaskhan lay nearby as well, bruises covering its body, breathing faintly, with its massive frame unable to rise.
The referee blinked for a moment before rushing over to check.
"Kangaskhan is unable to battle! Heracross is unable to battle! Both are unable to battle!"
Silence filled the stadium.
A moment later, the audience erupted into applause and cheers.
"That was amazing!"
"Both fell at the same time! That's so dramatic!"
"Ash's Heracross is so strong, able to tie with Whitney's Kangaskhan!"
"Strictly speaking, Ash still won this match, right? Managing a draw despite the level disadvantage is a notch above, isn't it?"
"Do you seriously think level has anything to do with winning? I'm a newbie trainer and if I went three seconds against a Champion's Pokemon, does that count as winning?"
"Exactly, a draw is a draw, saying it's a notch above. Are you an Ash fanboy?"
"..."
The discussion buzzed while Ash and Whitney retrieved their Pokemon.
"Thank you, Heracross, you did a great job."
"Rest well Kangaskhan, your partner will handle the rest."
Comforting Pokemon that lost their ability to battle is something all seasoned trainers would do, unlike a certain trainer yesterday who said nothing after his Pokemon's defeat.
"I didn't expect your Heracross to push my Kangaskhan to this extent." Whitney looked at Ash, her eyes full of fighting spirit, "But the battle is far from over!"
"My second Pokemon is this one, go Clefable!" Whitney retrieved a Pokeball from her belt and threw it high.
With a flash of light, a pink Fairy-Type Pokemon appeared on the field. Clefable was significantly larger than a typical Clefairy, its ears were long and pointed, and its small wings flapped gently on its back; its rotund body appearing both cute and enigmatically mysterious.
She stood with hands on hips, a radiant smile on her face, appearing as a very gentle Pokemon.
Clefable, a Fairy-Type Pokemon, although this Pokemon was considered a Normal Type several years ago.
Until one day, Fairy-Type energy appeared in the Pokemon Realm, and the Fairy-Type power within some Pokemon was awakened, Clefable being one of them.
So it's quite reasonable for a Gym Leader specializing in Normal Types to have a Clefable.
But... a Fairy-Type Clefable is somewhat disadvantageous against the Pokemon Ash plans to send next.
However, without hesitation, Ash threw out the Pokeball he had prepared long ago.
"It's decided, Annihilape!"
A figure gradually emerged from the light.
It was a robust primate Pokemon, its body covered in dense gray-black fur, its arms as thick as steel columns, a face bearing a naturally imposing expression, resembling a Pokemon straight out of Hell.
In stark contrast to the cute and gentle Clefable.
"What... what kind of Pokemon is that?"
"Never seen it before! What's its type? Fighting Type?"
"Such a dark aura, but really cool!"
The audience was in an uproar, everyone widened their eyes, eager to identify the never-before-seen Pokemon.
Whitney was also stunned, observing Annihilape's appearance closely, feeling it appeared somewhat familiar but unable to pinpoint where she had seen it.
"Ash, what Pokemon is this..." Whitney couldn't resist asking.
"Annihilape." Ash wiped his nose with an air of pride, "He's the evolved form of Primeape."
"Primeape's evolution?!" Whitney's voice suddenly increased, her beautiful eyes round, "Primeape can evolve further?!"
Whitney's shock was understandable; in the entire Pokemon Realm's understanding, the final evolutionary form of Primeape was Primeape itself, with no records of further evolution.
"Currently, I'm the only one in the world with Annihilape." Ash added, "He appeared a few times in the Quartz Conference matches, and evolved during that time, but perhaps since he hasn't appeared for a while, many people have forgotten."
"However, Professor Oak will soon release information about Annihilape and the evolution method, then Annihilape's fame will be known to the public."
Although Professor Oak had recorded research on Annihilape, he had yet to publish details about Annihilape and its evolution method, so even if one used a Pokedex, they couldn't retrieve information on Annihilape.
Meanwhile, thanks to Ash's reminder, Whitney finally recalled where she had seen Annihilape, on the footage of the Quartz Conference!