The moment Infernape launched forward, Electivire's entire body crackled with violent electricity.
In the next instant, Brick Break was unleashed!
Two Pokémon who both specialized in close-combat techniques collided head-on!
Although Electivire was not a Fighting-type, its physical combat ability was no joke.
And with the level difference between the two, their raw power was evenly matched.
A brutal close-quarters brawl erupted.
"Infernape, Fire Punch!"
"Electivire, Thunder Punch!"
Fists slammed together again and again as flames and lightning exploded in midair.
The two of them looked like professional martial artists locked in a life-or-death duel.
Seeing both sides rapidly losing stamina, Aiden Flint knew he couldn't keep trading blows.
"Infernape—Flare Blitz!"
"Electivire—Thunder!"
A massive bolt of lightning crashed down from the sky at the same moment that blazing flames engulfed Infernape's body.
With a ferocious roar, Infernape charged straight through the lightning.
Blue, red, and yellow light wrapped around its body as thunder and fire collided, and Infernape smashed directly into Electivire!
BOOM!
When the dust settled, both Pokémon lay on the ground, motionless.
"Electivire and Infernape have both lost the ability to battle. Please send out your next Pokémon!"
Infernape had taken down two of Gary's Pokémon by itself, despite being lower in level.
That alone was already extraordinary.
After trading one Pokémon for two of Gary's main forces, Aiden released his next Poké Ball.
Gary sent out his next Pokémon as well.
It was Nidoking.
Nidoking was powerful, but against Milotic, and with the double type disadvantage, it didn't last long.
"Ding! Milotic defeated Nidoking, gaining 735 EXP. Level increased—current level: Lv55!"
At the end of the first half, Aiden had only lost one Pokémon, yet had defeated three of Gary's, most of them key battlers.
At this stage, Tyson, Gary, Harrison, and Paul were all extremely close in strength.
Who would win in a clash between them came down to matchups and luck.
"Just as expected from someone who beat Ash before. Aiden, you really are strong."
Even after losing the first half, Gary wasn't discouraged at all—his fighting spirit was burning brighter than ever.
After all, he was currently a researcher, not a Trainer chasing the title of Pokémon Master.
"You're not bad either. You really are Ash's lifelong rival."
Both of them turned to look at Ash at the same time.
Ash wasn't very strong right now—but both of them believed he would become a true Pokémon Master someday.
As the second half began, Gary immediately sent out Umbreon.
Level 55. Gold-grade potential. One of Gary's strongest aces.
Aiden originally considered using Umbreon or Glaceon himself, but their levels were too low.
So he sent out Aerodactyl instead.
Right now, only Sceptile, Pidgeot, Milotic, and Aerodactyl were above level 50 on Aiden's team.
"Umbreon, Dark Pulse!"
"Aerodactyl, Stone Edge!"
Umbreon's dark energy blasted forward and struck Aerodactyl first.
Snarling in pain, Aerodactyl retaliated as countless jagged stones rained down from the sky.
Even with Umbreon's speed, it couldn't dodge everything.
The moment Umbreon was staggered, Aerodactyl rushed in with Steel Wing, smashing Umbreon away.
"Umbreon, don't give up! Bite it—Crunch!"
Umbreon leaped into the air, clamping its jaws onto Aerodactyl's wings and climbing onto its back.
Ash was so excited he nearly jumped—this was one of his own tactics!
"Umbreon—Giga Impact!"
"Aerodactyl—shake it off! Hyper Beam!"
Umbreon clung tightly as it charged its power.
BOOM!
Aerodactyl was slammed downward—but in the same instant, Hyper Beam fired point-blank, blasting Umbreon away.
When both hit the ground, Umbreon was completely knocked out.
Aerodactyl, protected by its Rock-type resilience, was still standing.
"Come back, Umbreon. Now it's up to you—Blastoise!"
Gary's ace appeared, and its terrifying stats appeared before Aiden's eyes.
"Ding! Blastoise's current stats:"
Pokémon: Blastoise
Level: 58
Ability: Torrent
Type: Water
Potential: Gold
Moves: Withdraw, Hydro Cannon, Water Pulse, Aqua Tail, Aura Sphere, Aqua Ring, Crunch…
Level 58.
Only one level below Norman's Slaking—already on the threshold of Elite Four level.
No wonder Harrison had lost.
"Blastoise—Hydro Cannon!"
"Aerodactyl—Hyper Beam!"
This time, Aerodactyl was too slow.
Blastoise's massive water cannon struck first, smashing Aerodactyl out of the sky.
Aerodactyl lost its ability to battle.
The final stage of the championship had truly begun.
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