Power-Up Punch?
When Red heard that move come out of Ash's mouth, the usually expressionless Red almost lost his composure.
He couldn't help glancing at Ash.
Seeing the serious expression on Ash's face, Red stayed silent for a moment. With impressive self-control, he held back the question he wanted to ask.
Originally, he thought that someone dressed almost exactly like him—and who owned such a powerful Froakie—might have some unique strategy.
But now…
Why did this guy feel like a rookie who had just started his journey?
Although Red himself had only been traveling for a little over a month, in his mind one month was already past the beginner stage.
BOOM!
Power-Up Punch hit Crobat.
It wasn't very effective…
"Froa!"
Froakie angrily turned back and glared at Ash.
Only now did it remember that Fighting-type moves were four-times resisted by Poison/Flying types.
And Ash had actually told it to attack Crobat with a Fighting move.
Especially with Charmeleon nearby watching with a strange expression—Froakie felt incredibly embarrassed.
Froakie's Attack rose.
Froakie's friendship decreased!
Ash: "???"
Ignoring Froakie's weak attack for the moment, Charmeleon's Thunder Punch was a real super-effective hit.
The moment it landed—
It was super effective!
More importantly, sparks of electricity flickered across Crobat's wings.
Crobat occasionally twitched, its expression stiffening.
It was paralyzed.
"Damn it!"
Seeing Crobat paralyzed, the blue-haired Team Rocket officer clenched his fists.
Although his Crobat was clearly higher level than the two kids' Pokémon, those kids were incredibly troublesome.
Especially that expressionless kid…
What the hell?
Was that guy really a rookie trainer?
If Red heard that thought, he would probably reply:
"An experienced trainer with one month of experience."
Anyway—
If Crobat hadn't been paralyzed, this battle could still continue.
But now that it was paralyzed…
Even if he didn't want to admit it, the blue-haired man knew he might not be able to deal with these two kids.
Could he switch Pokémon?
He still had Houndoom.
Technically he could use it.
But…
He glanced at Ash's Froakie.
Even though the kid seemed a bit dumb—using Power-Up Punch against Crobat—his Froakie was clearly strong.
And it happened to be Water-type.
Even if the kid was an idiot, he surely knew to use Water moves against Fire Pokémon.
If Houndoom took even one Water attack—
Just one Water Pulse—
He felt his Houndoom might be half-dead.
And that expressionless kid beside him was watching carefully.
If he sent Houndoom out now, it might just become experience points.
As for the Rocket grunts beside him…
He glanced back at them.
Then immediately looked away.
Forget it.
Sending them in would only give the enemy more experience.
So he quietly moved his hand toward a Poké Ball.
No choice.
If he couldn't think of a strategy—
He'd just have to fight through it.
"Crobat, use Haze!"
"Crobat!"
Crobat forced itself to release thick fog.
"Next, use Whirlwind!"
"Crobat!"
"Don't give it the chance! Froakie, use Quick Attack!"
"…Dragon Tail."
Ash and Red immediately gave commands, not allowing Crobat another chance.
Because of paralysis, Crobat's already decent speed dropped significantly.
For Froakie—who specialized in speed—this made things easy.
Froakie dashed straight through the fog.
Even without sight, it didn't matter.
Listening and sensing positions was basic skill for a swordsman.
"Froa!"
Froakie stabbed its blade into Crobat's wing.
The pain prevented Crobat from using its move.
At that moment—
Charmeleon burst out of the fog.
Its tail glowed white.
Spinning its body—
BAM!
Charmeleon smashed its tail into Crobat's head.
"Crobat!"
Crobat cried out in pain.
Swirls appeared in its eyes.
Then it turned into a beam of light and returned to the Poké Ball.
Another Poké Ball opened.
A lean and fierce Houndoom appeared.
"Damn it!"
Apollo's expression changed.
The situation had become extremely unfavorable.
Even though Houndoom's level was similar to Crobat's, its Fire/Dark typing wasn't advantageous here.
Given the skill these kids had shown—
He had no confidence he could win.
Just then—
They heard movement behind Team Rocket.
A grunt rushed up to Apollo and whispered:
"Lord Apollo, the Moon Stones have all been collected."
His voice was already very quiet.
But Ash and Red both had sharp hearing.
Their eyes narrowed simultaneously.
Apollo noticed it too.
And suddenly—
These two kids looked very similar.
Even though they didn't actually look alike.
"Collected already? Excellent!"
Apollo smiled.
"In that case, there's no need to stay here any longer."
"We're leaving."
"…Trying to run?"
"No way!"
Ash and Red spoke in perfect unison.
At the same moment—
They stepped forward.
"Froakie, use Smack Down!"
"…Fire Blast."
"Froa!"
First—
Froakie swung its blade upward, releasing a crescent-shaped slash.
Then—
Charmeleon fired blazing flames that merged with the slash.
The white blade turned orange-red.
The arc extended outward.
It looked like a nine-headed dragon roaring fire.
Combined Technique — Nine-Headed Dragon Flash!
"WHAT THE—?!"
Apollo's face twisted.
How did these two kids suddenly become so terrifying?!
"Houndoom, use Overheat!"
"Hooound!"
Like a gatekeeper of hell, Houndoom showed no fear.
For its master—
It would give everything.
Red energy gathered in its mouth.
Its body glowed bright red.
Then—
BOOM!
A massive red energy sphere blasted toward the incoming flames.
BOOOOOOM!!
The explosion felt like dozens of kilograms of explosives detonating.
Wind and dust swept through the cave.
Everyone raised their arms to shield their faces.
When the wind weakened—
Apollo's furious voice echoed.
"You damn brats!"
"You just wait! I won't let you go next time!"
"Don't run!"
Ash tried to chase them immediately.
But after taking one step—
His body suddenly felt weak.
Red experienced the same thing.
"What's going on? Why am I suddenly so tired?"
"…"
Red stayed calm, but confusion flashed in his eyes.
His physical condition was usually excellent.
He almost never felt tired.
Yet now—
Even their Pokemonlooked exhausted.
Though not as severely.
Why?
Red quickly thought back to their combined attack.
He had done double battles before.
But never had he seen a combination attack like that.
It was as if the moves had fused into an entirely new technique.
Why did that happen?
The answer seemed simple.
First—
Rule himself out.
Red was just a normal person.
Which left only one possibility.
He looked at Ash.
He remembered how their commands had synchronized perfectly.
Although Red seemed cold, he wasn't truly emotionless.
Inside him burned a deep passion for battle.
Most of the time he kept that passion buried.
But just now—
It almost burst out.
So…
Was this caused by him?
Red looked at Ash.
Ash was grinning foolishly.
Red hesitated.
Maybe…
It was just something that happened accidentally.
🔥 Want to Read Ahead? Unlock 60+ Extra Chapters Right Now!
Support the story and get early access to unreleased chapters on Patreon.
👉 Join here: https://www.patreon.com/pikachu614
⭐ 300 Power Stones = 1 Extra Chapter Release!
Join Patreon and stay far ahead of the story!