“Kabooey!”

Mega Blastoise’s eyes glowed crimson as its cannon and the barrels on its arms simultaneously fired three streams of water, merging into a thick water cannon that thundered toward Charizard! Follow current novᴇls on Nove1Fire.net

The crowd around the stadium tensed.

“You actually call that a high-pressure water cannon? I believe you!”

“Teacher Lu, how can your Blastoise hit three times in one turn?!”

“If Mega Blastoise hits three times in one turn, then a Gigantamax Blastoise must hit thirty-one times in one turn!”

Ash: “Charizard, fly high!”

“Roar!” Charizard flapped its wings and soared straight into the clouds.

The water blast slammed into the ground, sending stones flying. The cannon adjusted its aim relentlessly, firing again at Charizard!

In Charizard’s eyes flashed a hint of caution as it swung its wings, slashing out with sharp Air Slashes.

Blades clashed with the water streams with a loud ‘bang,’ scattering mist everywhere!

“Roar!” Charizard’s claws glinted fiercely as it struck the weakened water stream, slicing it clean in two!

“An impressive display!” the commentator shouted. “Ash’s Charizard sliced through the water… the water gun!”

On the live stream, a flood of comments appeared.

“You mean water cannon, right?!”

“How can it even be cut like that?!”

“This Charizard is something else!”

Ash clenched his fist. “Go, Charizard!”

“Roar!!”

At that moment, Charizard roared fiercely and dove from the sky, charging straight at Blastoise.

All tactics turned upside down—this was Ash’s strongest secret move.

Green’s brow furrowed slightly, almost imperceptibly, then he paused.

“Aim at Charizard,” Lu Ye ordered. “Use full power Water Gun!”

The black cannon targeted the diving Charizard.

A decisive charged shot burst forth, sweeping out a powerful stream of water from the barrel with a loud ‘boom!’

Charizard curled a smirk, its sharp gaze merging with Ash’s.

“Now,” Ash shouted, “use Exhaust!”

Exhaust cancels Charizard’s own type attributes and also negates type advantage effects.

The impact of Charizard crashing down from the sky combined with Exhaust’s explosion would be brutal—even for Blastoise!

“A rare performance,” Green said with pursed lips, nodding.

“Roar!!”

Charizard’s body erupted into blazing flames, like a meteor falling from the heavens, crashing headlong into the surging water column!

Boom!

The collision erupted into an explosion.

The crowd’s expressions grew tense.

Sizzling—

Through the rising white mist, Charizard’s sharp eyes burst forth as it flapped its wings and charged again at Blastoise!

“Catch it, then throw it out!” Lu Ye’s eyes narrowed.

Aura’s tracking ability clearly showed its effect at this moment.

“Kabooey!” Blastoise’s crimson eyes locked tightly onto the diving Charizard, one arm suddenly extending like an iron clamp!

The audience gasped.

“What?!”

“You can catch it too?!”

“James, no, James!!”

Bang!!

A fist covered in water punched through Charizard’s blazing flames, firmly grabbing its neck. Blastoise, with immense strength, swung and threw it!

“Use Water Gun!” Lu Ye commanded.

“Roar!” Charizard was flung awkwardly midair, shaking its head clear before barely flapping its wings.

The surging water column crashed into Charizard’s back with a loud explosion!

Amid the rising smoke, the arena fell into a quiet gasp.

“Is it over, over already?”

“Flawless and smooth!”

“Instant explosion, finishing the knockout!”

Teacher Lu was less optimistic. The Power of Transcendence sensed Charizard’s fiercely burning fighting spirit.

From the dispersing smoke, the battered Charizard hovered in the air, eyes fierce, slightly moving its neck. “Roar!”

The stands trembled.

“You brought a Charizard with Blaze!”

“Blaze—that’s an inherited family Blaze!”

“Ash’s Charizard: Playing casually against babies, but striking heavy to win the championship!”

“Charizard—” Ash tipped his cap and shouted, “Hold onto Blastoise!!”

“Roar!!”

Charizard exploded with incredible speed, diving as a streak of white light to Mega Blastoise’s front, claws gripping its shoulders.

Lu Ye frowned slightly and sensed through the Power of Transcendence:

‘Ease up, use Liquidation.’

Ash, as usual, was reckless.

Teacher Lu’s eyes flickered.

But perhaps this guidance was better than outright knockout...

A heavy punch struck Charizard’s face up close.

Bang!

Charizard’s tail flames blazed fiercely, tightly holding onto Blastoise’s shoulders. “Roar…”

Charizard without any type attributes forcefully endured the heavy punch, eyes burning with orange flames!

“Charizard!” Ash clenched his fist and shouted, “Earthquake Toss!!”

“Roar!!” Charizard roared angrily, clutching Blastoise, flapping wings upward!

The crowd all looked up, eyes full of astonishment.

“Is Charizard holding Blastoise?!”

“No, from what I see, Blastoise is holding Charizard!”

“Roar!!”

Charizard roared fiercely, clutching Blastoise, both crashing headfirst toward the ground.

The scene shocked all the spectators;

the chat exploded with messages of disbelief.

“So…”

Cynthia looked at Lu Ye in the center of the arena, smiling gracefully.

Though strict in words… in the end, she still let Ash off lightly.

This teacher had his own unique kindness toward Pokémon and trainers.

Lu Ye gazed up at the two Pokémon falling from the sky.

Glancing at Ash’s earnest face out of the corner of his eye, Teacher Lu began to worry about his medical expenses.

“Blastoise,” Lu Ye ordered, “withdraw into your shell!”

Boom!!

Both Pokémon crashed down simultaneously, the ground cracking open a large pit with spiderweb-like fractures.

Lucian, responsible for arena repairs, shuddered.

Why am I always the one working overtime?! (;

´༎ຶД༎ຶ`)

As the dust settled, the deep gray shell of Blastoise lay in the center of the pit, and Charizard was covered in wounds.

“Roar…” Charizard panted heavily, the flames on its tail flickering dimly, staring intently at the shell.

Blastoise slowly peeked out from the shell. Amid rising white light, its Mega form gradually faded.

“Kabooey…” After four battles, Blastoise looked calm, fine cracks and scratches appeared on its shell.

It looked straight into Charizard’s sharp eyes and nodded slightly. “Kabooey…”

“Roar…” Charizard’s mouth curled into a fierce smile, exhaling two streams of smoke from its nostrils.

Boom!!

Then, Charizard collapsed, full of pride and arrogance.

The stadium fell into a deathly silence.

“Shh…”

Only Teacher Lu’s gums ached, and Ash’s face gradually broke into a smile.

“The champion of this Lily of the Valley Conference has been decided.”

The referee waved a flag: “He is—”

Suddenly, the crowd erupted with cheers, uncontrollable enthusiasm surging.

“Teacher Lu!!!”

“Blastoise is awesome!!”

“Strong, durable, and able to counter waves—how could there be such a cool shell-breaking cutie?!”

Ash helped the half-conscious Charizard up. “See, Charizard?”

“We broke apart Mega Blastoise’s form!”

Ash carried Charizard on one shoulder, punching the air with a grin, eyes focused.

“Next time, and the time after that—since we haven’t won yet, we’ll just keep getting stronger!!”

“Roar…”

Charizard opened its eyes and glared at Ash, a flame briefly burning Ash to a crisp before it quickly turned away:

“Roar!”

Lu Ye stood amid the cheering stadium, fireworks bursting in the sky behind him, standing shoulder to shoulder with Blastoise.

Looking at Ash, who supported Charizard with a bright, unclouded smile, Lu Ye’s heart stirred.

Pokémon battles were like this... there would always be wins and losses, and lingering regrets.

Those who kept striving and fighting were often the trainers closest to failure.

This path was undoubtedly harsh.

But.

If you avoid the end, you avoid the beginning altogether.

Lu Ye stared at Ash, their eyes meeting and slowly revealing smiles.

“You’ve grown, Ash.”

Ash shivered, suppressing his frustration rising inside. He only sniffled twice and nodded firmly:

“Yeah!”

“Go meet your championship, very soon.”

Lu Ye looked up at the rising fireworks. This Lily of the Valley Conference was drawing to a close, and the sacred flame symbolizing the trainer spirit burned fiercely.

“The future… ultimately belongs to you all.” Lu Ye said with a smile.

Ash took a deep breath, tipped his cap, wiped tears from his eyes with the back of his hand, and looked ahead with burning determination.

“I will definitely, definitely become a Pokémon Master!”

“Pikapi!” Pikachu jumped onto Ash’s shoulder, affectionately rubbing against his cheek.

Teacher Lu was momentarily stunned.

Wow, you just revived to full health!?

That’s Pikachu for you!!

**

“Kabooey…ヾ(⌐■_■)”

Blastoise handed a few Revival Roots, herbs that restore near-death status, toward Ash.

“For me?” Ash asked in surprise, pointing at himself.

“Kabooey.” Blastoise nodded slightly and turned away.

A nod of approval from the big shot!

Ash stared blankly at Blastoise’s back, his eyes burning with fighting spirit, grinning.

Continuing… marching toward the conference championship!

The award ceremony began.

Cynthia presented the trophy and champion medal to the winner.

Fireworks dazzled, and cheers boiled over.

Cynthia, in a black coat, smiled gently as she hung the medal around Lu Ye’s lowered neck.

“What did you just say to Ash?” she asked softly, breath fragrant as orchid.

“Some encouraging words, telling him not to lose heart—”

Lu Ye smiled helplessly: “But his mindset is very good;

it felt like I was just talking too much.”

Cynthia shrugged slightly, stepping back playfully. Lu Ye’s gaze lingered on her delicate earlobes.

She kept a normal expression, handed the trophy to Lu Ye with a warm smile, eyes curving softly.

Then she turned to the camera, her expression noble and elegant.

Lu Ye saw the delicate snow-white neck beneath her long blonde hair and blushed faintly.

“Look here, meow~!” Meowth disguised as a reporter held a camera.

“Please take a commemorative photo with the conference champion and Pokémon!” James held a reflector board.

Musashi, holding a microphone, laughed, “If you make an autograph photo, it will definitely sell well, hoho!”

You’ve all said what you want!

But it’s all business among friends anyway...

Lu Ye cleared his throat and glanced at Cynthia.

She stepped aside, tilting her head lightly, signaling this was private time.

As for Ash, he was happily chatting with Infernape, Sceptile, Snorlax...

Lu Ye deeply realized Ash’s unmatchable perseverance—uh... and arm strength.

But for now, it was his own championship moment.

“Everyone, come out!” Lu Ye threw out a Poké Ball.

Eight Pokémon appeared. Rotom wailed miserably, “Rotom didn’t get to appear, Roto~!”

“You’ll handle the livestream...” Lu Ye comforted, “Next time, definitely next time!”

Arcanine, with flowing mane and heroic bearing, stood at the back confidently, raising its head: “Awoo!”

Blastoise had somehow picked up sunglasses and calmly put them on after inspection: “Kabooey…ヾ(⌐■_■)”

Sylveon held Lu Ye’s arm, beside them stood a shy Larvitar and an excited Togepi.

The MVP of this Lily of the Valley Conference would be decided between Blastoise and Sirfetch’d.

Teacher Lu stroked his chin, glancing at the sweating Blastoise.

Blastoise seemed very afraid of revealing its true strength...

Lu Ye’s mood was complicated, but in the end, he awarded the MVP to the greatly improved Ducklett.

“Keep up the hard work!” Lu Ye said to Sirfetch’d standing center stage with sword and shield. “This is encouragement for you!”

“Gah! (´థ౪థ)σ”

This MVP, no thanks, Ducklett~!

“Look here—say ‘give Meowth coins~ meow!’” Meowth squinted one eye, holding a camera.

Lu Ye: “What kind of weird line is that?!”

“Hurry, look at the camera!” Meowth flustered, “I already set a timer, meow!”

Haunter hid in the shadows and, just as the shutter clicked, flicked its tongue at Teacher Lu.

“Gengarrr! (⁎˃ꌂ˂⁎)”

…