"Pika—"

Pikachu stood upright and leaped into the air, electricity surging from its cheeks and gradually spreading across its entire body.

"Chuu!!"

Bathed in dazzling lightning, Pikachu unleashed its Thunderbolt, striking directly at Blastoise who had raised its cannons!

Brilliant electric currents streaked across the sky.

"Blas!"

Blastoise, in its Torrent state, glared fiercely as its two cannons gathered deep purple energy waves.

Boom!!

The two energy waves merged into one, forming a pale green dragon silhouette with flapping wings that roared as it dove toward the dazzling Thunderbolt!

Kaboom!!

The Thunderbolt was instantly devoured by the roaring Dragon Pulse, creating shockwaves and smoke.

Within the smoke, radiant lights intertwined as the Dragon Pulse continued its charge toward Pikachu still mid-air! Thɪs chapter is updatᴇd by Nove1Fire.net

Bang!!

"Pika!"

The pale green dragon silhouette exploded instantly, and Pikachu, with no room to dodge, was sent flying backward in disarray.

A series of question marks flooded the live stream chat.

"You call this Dragon Pulse?"

"Dragon Pulse can block projectiles too!?"

"Understandable, it's Blastoise's innate enhancement effect!"

Teacher Lu felt complicated.

This move... this move is Hanzo's ultimate—

Dragon, devour my enemy!

Witnessing this overwhelmingly powerful Dragon Pulse, Aogen, as a high-level Aura Guardian, also wore a complicated expression.

Teacher Lu's Blastoise undoubtedly possessed champion-level strength.

Even Infernape under 'Blaze' would find it difficult to shake Blastoise.

Perhaps... only that Lucario could stand a chance!

As the smoke gradually dissipated, a badly injured Pikachu lay in the charred battlefield.

"Pika..." Pikachu struggled to stand up, electricity crackling from its cheeks!

At the spectator stands, A-Jin exclaimed in surprise, "How does Ash's Pikachu have such a thick HP bar?"

Marshal looked awkward: "My Raichu... also lost... don't ask."

A-Jin blinked, then retorted: "Raichu... lost to Pikachu?"

Marshal: "...Yeah."

A-Jin slapped his shoulder and burst into laughter: "o(*≧▽≦)ツ You're something else, Marshal!"

Marshal: "..."

"Trainers from Pallet Town have a tradition of excelling at raising Pikachus," Bruno clasped his hands, lowering his massive frame as he solemnly stated, "That Pikachu indeed has something special."

Amid the lingering smoke, Pikachu lay motionless, and Lu Ye looked at the referee.

The referee looked confused.

Teacher Lu felt speechless.

What are you waiting for? Hurry up and wave the flag to declare the opponent's loss!

Ash shouted: "Pikachu—!!"

"Pika..." Pikachu opened its dazed eyes, stood up again, then declared firmly: "Pika!"

The referee glanced at Lu Ye, blew his whistle, and waved the flag: "The match continues!"

Lu Ye: "..."

Seems Ash's 'Revival Shout' works fine—the problem is me not finishing the job!

"Blastoise," Lu Ye commanded, "Use Water Gun!"

"Blas!" Blastoise's eyes gleamed as it raised its twin cannons, unleashing a torrential water blast with a deafening "Boom!"

The live stream chat exploded with "23333" comments.

"Teacher Lu calling Water Spout a Water Gun is shameless!"

"Is this Pikachu wearing a Focus Sash? 1 HP and still kicking?"

"Fights like a bear and tiger, sparing no regard for its own life!"

Seeing the incoming 'Water Gun,' Ash had a flash of inspiration and shouted:

"Pikachu, dodge with Quick Attack!"

"Pika!" Pikachu transformed into a streak of white light, nimbly evading the water blast and charging rapidly toward Blastoise.

"Blas?" Blastoise looked puzzled, slightly raising its fist before lowering it again.

Teacher Lu's expression was complicated.

If I let this punch land, Ash's anime series might just end right here!

"Now's the chance!" Ash yelled. "Jump onto Blastoise's shell and hide between its cannons!"

"Pika!" Pikachu agilely scrambled onto Blastoise's back, causing Blastoise to tilt its head slightly.

Teacher Lu froze momentarily.

Doesn't this scene feel familiar?

Pikachu, didn't you use this same tactic against the Dragonite in the Orange Islands?!

"Ash's surprise tactic succeeds!" the commentator shouted. "Pikachu has successfully landed on Blastoise's shell!"

"Pikachu, use Iron Tail now!" Ash ordered.

"Pika!" Pikachu's tail gleamed with a sharp metallic sheen as it swung down fiercely.

Thud!

The Iron Tail struck Blastoise's shell, leaving only a shallow scratch.

"Uh..." Even the commentator was stunned. "The effect... doesn't seem ideal!"

The live stream audience was in tears.

"Stop scraping, Pikachu, just stop!"

"Is this exfoliation for Blastoise?"

"Almost broke through its defense!"

"The level difference is too big... but Pikachu's courage is commendable!"

Lu Ye needed to shake Pikachu off. "Withdraw into your shell and spin!"

Both actions were part of Blastoise's natural abilities, not moves that boosted physical defense or cleared hazards.

"Blas..." Blastoise retracted into its shell and dropped to the ground.

Pikachu, standing on the now smooth shell, lost its balance immediately, wobbling unsteadily. "Pika?"

"Hit the shell directly with Thunderbolt!" Ash shouted.

"Pika—" Pikachu began charging up, but Blastoise started spinning rapidly, forcing Pikachu to cling tightly to the shell's edge to avoid being flung off.

"Fire Water Gun at the ground," Lu Ye commanded.

Blastoise's head emerged from its shell as its twin cannons unleashed powerful water jets.

Boom!!

The two mighty water blasts propelled Blastoise into the air, sending Pikachu tumbling down.

"Lu Ye's Blastoise," the commentator gasped, "It's... it's flying!"

The audience erupted in shock as they watched the airborne Blastoise.

"That's a move The Girl specializes in," Xiao Yin remarked.

"Given Blastoise's Water Spout power... it might be even more suited for this than her Squirtle," The Girl observed, looking up with a complicated expression.

"Pika—" Pikachu landed unsteadily and struggled to stand.

Blastoise's Water Gun had ceased, and its head and limbs retracted into its shell as the massive form blocked the sunlight, crashing down from above!

Ash: "Pikachu, dodge now!"

"Pika?" Pikachu looked up blankly—the descending shell left no room to evade!

Boom!!

Dust billowed!

The shell smashed into the ground, cracking the battlefield, and Pikachu lay beneath it, eyes swirled in defeat.

"Pikachu is unable to battle!" The referee waved his flag.

The stream chat flooded with question marks.

"Teacher Lu, why does your Blastoise know Fly?"

"Nonsense, this is clearly a High Jump Kick!"

"If this landed on a Gardevoir, the stream would've been banned!"

Blastoise shifted its shell and slowly stood up;

Ash rushed forward to pick up the unconscious Pikachu, saying:

"You did great, Pikachu~"

"Pika~" Pikachu weakly responded in its dazed state.

On the big screen, four of Ash's Poké Balls had dimmed, while Lu Ye had sent out four Pokémon without losing a single point.

Seeing that Teacher Lu wasn't recalling Blastoise, the audience buzzed with excitement.

"Is Blastoise going to sweep all four!?"

"Showing the junior what true strength looks like!"

The commentator announced: "Ash still has two Pokémon remaining, while Lu Ye chooses to continue with Blastoise!"

On the big screen, four of Ash's Poké Balls, including Pikachu's, had dimmed.

Lu Ye closed his eyes briefly, considering Ash's remaining lineup.

Assuming a full-power team, one of them should be Charizard.

Greninja hasn't joined yet in Kalos... so what's the other one?

Pidgeot, Muk... or Krabby?

"I'm pretty good at dealing with Krabby," Teacher Lu mused.

"Gengarrr~" Haunter suddenly emerged from the shadows, tugging at Lu Ye's pant leg to signal Ash's next move.

Lu Ye looked over and widened his eyes in surprise.

"Lucario?"

Standing before Ash was a majestic Lucario with blue-black markings. It opened its red eyes, glanced at Lu Ye, and—rare for it—smiled.

"Master Lu Ye, it's been a while," Lucario's telepathic voice echoed.

Teacher Lu observed Lucario, then Ash's determined gaze, and realized: "Ash invited you?"

Lucario nodded solemnly. "Additionally... I wish to challenge you properly this time, Master Lu Ye!"

Ash had formed a bond with the Lucario from Cameron Palace.

Just as Latios followed Darkrai, Ash had also invited Lucario to join his team.

Lu Ye rubbed his chin.

Does that mean I can call old friends to help me battle too?

...Nah. Lu Ye shook his head.

Ultimately, this Sinnoh League is a summit I must conquer myself!

"Ash has sent out Lucario!" the commentator exclaimed. "This is his first appearance with this Pokémon in the Lily of the Valley Conference!"

The audience studied this Lucario with curiosity.

As a symbol of loyalty and bravery, Lucario had always been beloved.

Cynthia, who also raised one, watched Ash's silent Lucario with a gleam in her eyes.

"Ash... gained the recognition of such a powerful Pokémon?"

"Its aura is impressive... but it's not truly Ash's own strength," Flint frowned. "I wonder if he can command it properly."

The live stream had already exploded.

From Ash's previous performances, his skill already far surpassed typical competitors.

Even against Darkrai, with Lucario on his team, Ash might stand a chance!

"Go Ash~~!" Delia cheered for her son.

Ash's aura synchronized with Lucario's, and Lucario's red eyes burned with fighting spirit as it growled: "Luc!"

Teacher Lu's aura also resonated with Blastoise.

The intensity of their Aura made Lucario inwardly startled.

In just one year, their power had progressed astonishingly!

"Let's go... Lucario!" Ash shouted.

"Luc!" Lucario nodded in response.

"Blas..." Blastoise stared intently at Lucario, recalling when they had once saved the Tree of Beginning together.

Back then, Lucario's strength had seemed untouchable.

Now—

A drop of sweat rolled down Blastoise's forehead. "Blas..."

Why does it feel like Lucario has gotten even stronger?

The more one understands, the more one realizes their own limitations—this was the root of Blastoise's cautious nature.

On the battlefield, Lucario and Blastoise stood facing each other, eyes sharp.

The referee's flag suddenly swung down.

"Battle begin!"

...