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he knowes pokemon more than i know _Chapter_420_en
Chapter 420
Chapter 415: All-Out Battle! Vs. Incineroar!
May 15, 2024 Author: Samsung Charmander (Author Name)
"Wartortle is unable to battle! Empoleon is the winner!"
The Referee hesitated for a long moment before announcing his decision. *Is this turtle taking a dive?* he wondered. *It actually managed to fool a ten-year veteran referee like me.*
"..."
Ash, a dazed look on his face, recalled Wartortle to its Poké Ball like a robot, completely baffled.
*That's not right. The giant, golden Aqua Tail in the preliminary match was effective. Its power was explosive. This time, the build-up was even bigger than before, so how could there be no effect at all?*
*That's it?*
In the arena, quite a few gamblers had already started cursing Ash and Wartortle. The most hated thing to encounter in a battle is a fixed match, and they had all bet on—
"Wait, I bet on the Masked Man."
"That's right, I didn't bet on Ash at all."
"Misunderstanding cleared. Wartortle is humanity's best friend."
"Ash is a good guy after all."
The pre-match odds were lopsided, and no one had chosen to place their bets on Ash. This situation was beneficial for everyone.
"But... is this really not a fixed match?"
This was the doubt in everyone's heart.
Meanwhile, Red, sitting in a section of the audience stand, couldn't help but shake his head, a look of "I knew it" on his face.
"It seems this Bond Power isn't so easy to master."
Bond Power superimposes the willpower of the Trainer and the Pokémon, achieving the effect of temporarily increasing the Pokémon's combat power.
At a higher level of Bond Power, Wartortle's body energy is raised to an extremely high degree. Its body becomes as scorching hot as an oven's heating element, and the terrifying, high-temperature golden glow on its surface, along with the billowing white steam, were the best proof.
And Aqua Tail is a Water-type move.
This was equivalent to pouring water directly into an oven heated to several hundred degrees; the liquid water was naturally vaporized in an instant, and the energy was exhausted along with it.
This move was different from the previous Scald. For others, it's 100-degree energy matched with 100-degree water—a perfect combination.
But your 1000-degree energy paired with 100-degree water was the stupidest combination possible. Whether you could even unleash the move depended purely on control and luck.
It was a matter of whether you could complete the attack before the energy was fully vaporized. For example, during the previous preliminary match, it happened to strike at the perfect midpoint when the water hadn't yet evaporated, and the move landed just right.
But with this attack, the timing was too late. The water had already evaporated, and the energy dissipated along with it.
It was like building up a full charge only to have no energy left, ultimately just launching a move similar to Slam that crashed into Steel Wing. A Normal-type move against a Steel-type is no different from taking a dive.
"Oh! The Director just told me they captured some precious battle footage," Announcer Jia quickly announced from the stage.
Immediately after, a replay appeared on the main screen showing Wartortle descending from the sky, wielding its giant, golden Aqua Tail. Its aura was as terrifying as a demon god's, making everyone shudder. All the spectators, including Ash and the Masked Man, instinctively raised their heads to watch intently.
In slow motion, the golden light on the Aqua Tail grew increasingly brilliant, reaching a dazzling radiance. Finally, the frame froze at the critical point just before the tail was about to hit Steel Wing.
Astoundingly, once the surrounding white mist cleared, the golden energy and the water on its tail had completely vanished. It was just an unremarkable Slam.
"Wartle!"
What followed was Wartortle lunging forward, only to be sent flying back several meters before collapsing to the ground, just like it was taking a dive.
The scene unfolded as smoothly as a fixed match, as if Wartortle had intentionally dissipated all its energy at the last moment.
Ash: "..."
The Masked Man: "..."
Ash's expression darkened. He quickly signaled for the next round to begin. If this was investigated as a fixed match, he'd have a hard time explaining it.
Besides, his Wartortle had been reckless in its youth, having been part of a gang for a few years and even had a criminal record with Officer Jenny. It was a certified delinquent turtle, which could easily be used to stir up trouble about its character.
Although the Masked Man was also curious about this move and wished he could study it on the spot, he had to suppress his curiosity and continue the battle.
"Return, Empoleon."
Surprisingly, Empoleon's health was still in the green, yet the Masked Man chose to recall it. He then took out his third Poké Ball.
Seeing this, Ash rallied his spirits and also took out his third Poké Ball.
"I choose you!"
The two once again sent out their third Pokémon simultaneously.
"Roooar!!"
A powerful dragon roar suddenly erupted. Charizard's magnificent form appeared before Ash. The moment it appeared, it shot a ball of flame into the sky, its presence radiating power, reigniting the atmosphere in the arena that had just been so awkward.
As his third choice, Ash decided to send out the third Pokémon listed in his Pokédex.
"GRAAAWR!!"
But before the boy and the dragon could make a move, a furious tiger's roar burst from the other side of the arena. It boomed like thunder, its sound instantly overpowering Charizard's roar and startling everyone in the arena, who couldn't help but cover their ears.
A red-and-black, tiger-headed humanoid Pokémon now stood before the Masked Man. It struck a grappling pose, its expression fierce. Its whole body seemed to smolder with terrifying black flames, and the fiery belt around its waist roiled with tangible golden fire.
Incineroar!
This was the Masked Man's true ace.
"*Hiss...*"
"*Roar...*"
That terrifying aura made both Ash and Charizard instinctively take half a step back, beads of sweat forming on their brows. A blue light, indicating a stat decrease, flashed over Charizard.
Incineroar's ability, Intimidate, had successfully lowered Charizard's Attack by one level.
"*Hiss...* What terrifying pressure..."
Witnessing this, Ash couldn't help but marvel inwardly.
Only by being here in person could one feel the terrifying, oppressive presence of this Incineroar. Even though Charizard was slightly larger, he felt an inkling of an unbeatable sensation.
This feeling was on a completely different level from the previous Venusaur or Empoleon.
"Charizard!!"
Ash immediately took a wide step forward and bellowed, both to rally Charizard's spirits and to bolster his own courage.
To have a head-on battle against the Masked Man and his Incineroar—this was something Ash had fantasized about ever since he participated in the P1 Grand Prix in Celadon City. Now that his fantasy was becoming a reality, he was so excited he couldn't stop his body from trembling. The fiery battle intent in his eyes was no less intense than that of the two Fire-type Pokémon on the field.
"Participants, let the battle begin!!"
As the Referee's voice fell, Ash was the first to act, raising one arm high.
"Charizard, take flight!!"
Charizard had wings, an advantage its opponent lacked. Taking to the sky was a must.
"Roar!"
Charizard nodded, immediately spreading its two wide, fiery-red wings. It stomped its hind legs on the ground, preparing to launch itself into the air.
"Incineroar, use Fake Out!"
The Masked Man's command came a half-second later, but Incineroar was faster. With just a few powerful strides, it had already dashed in front of its target. Just as Charizard was about to take off, Incineroar raised its hands and clapped them together sharply.
*CLAP!*
The crisp clapping sound directly interrupted Charizard's take-off, freezing it in place.
(end of chapter)
May 15, 2024 Author: Samsung Charmander (Author Name)
"Wartortle is unable to battle! Empoleon is the winner!"
The Referee hesitated for a long moment before announcing his decision. *Is this turtle taking a dive?* he wondered. *It actually managed to fool a ten-year veteran referee like me.*
"..."
Ash, a dazed look on his face, recalled Wartortle to its Poké Ball like a robot, completely baffled.
*That's not right. The giant, golden Aqua Tail in the preliminary match was effective. Its power was explosive. This time, the build-up was even bigger than before, so how could there be no effect at all?*
*That's it?*
In the arena, quite a few gamblers had already started cursing Ash and Wartortle. The most hated thing to encounter in a battle is a fixed match, and they had all bet on—
"Wait, I bet on the Masked Man."
"That's right, I didn't bet on Ash at all."
"Misunderstanding cleared. Wartortle is humanity's best friend."
"Ash is a good guy after all."
The pre-match odds were lopsided, and no one had chosen to place their bets on Ash. This situation was beneficial for everyone.
"But... is this really not a fixed match?"
This was the doubt in everyone's heart.
Meanwhile, Red, sitting in a section of the audience stand, couldn't help but shake his head, a look of "I knew it" on his face.
"It seems this Bond Power isn't so easy to master."
Bond Power superimposes the willpower of the Trainer and the Pokémon, achieving the effect of temporarily increasing the Pokémon's combat power.
At a higher level of Bond Power, Wartortle's body energy is raised to an extremely high degree. Its body becomes as scorching hot as an oven's heating element, and the terrifying, high-temperature golden glow on its surface, along with the billowing white steam, were the best proof.
And Aqua Tail is a Water-type move.
This was equivalent to pouring water directly into an oven heated to several hundred degrees; the liquid water was naturally vaporized in an instant, and the energy was exhausted along with it.
This move was different from the previous Scald. For others, it's 100-degree energy matched with 100-degree water—a perfect combination.
But your 1000-degree energy paired with 100-degree water was the stupidest combination possible. Whether you could even unleash the move depended purely on control and luck.
It was a matter of whether you could complete the attack before the energy was fully vaporized. For example, during the previous preliminary match, it happened to strike at the perfect midpoint when the water hadn't yet evaporated, and the move landed just right.
But with this attack, the timing was too late. The water had already evaporated, and the energy dissipated along with it.
It was like building up a full charge only to have no energy left, ultimately just launching a move similar to Slam that crashed into Steel Wing. A Normal-type move against a Steel-type is no different from taking a dive.
"Oh! The Director just told me they captured some precious battle footage," Announcer Jia quickly announced from the stage.
Immediately after, a replay appeared on the main screen showing Wartortle descending from the sky, wielding its giant, golden Aqua Tail. Its aura was as terrifying as a demon god's, making everyone shudder. All the spectators, including Ash and the Masked Man, instinctively raised their heads to watch intently.
In slow motion, the golden light on the Aqua Tail grew increasingly brilliant, reaching a dazzling radiance. Finally, the frame froze at the critical point just before the tail was about to hit Steel Wing.
Astoundingly, once the surrounding white mist cleared, the golden energy and the water on its tail had completely vanished. It was just an unremarkable Slam.
"Wartle!"
What followed was Wartortle lunging forward, only to be sent flying back several meters before collapsing to the ground, just like it was taking a dive.
The scene unfolded as smoothly as a fixed match, as if Wartortle had intentionally dissipated all its energy at the last moment.
Ash: "..."
The Masked Man: "..."
Ash's expression darkened. He quickly signaled for the next round to begin. If this was investigated as a fixed match, he'd have a hard time explaining it.
Besides, his Wartortle had been reckless in its youth, having been part of a gang for a few years and even had a criminal record with Officer Jenny. It was a certified delinquent turtle, which could easily be used to stir up trouble about its character.
Although the Masked Man was also curious about this move and wished he could study it on the spot, he had to suppress his curiosity and continue the battle.
"Return, Empoleon."
Surprisingly, Empoleon's health was still in the green, yet the Masked Man chose to recall it. He then took out his third Poké Ball.
Seeing this, Ash rallied his spirits and also took out his third Poké Ball.
"I choose you!"
The two once again sent out their third Pokémon simultaneously.
"Roooar!!"
A powerful dragon roar suddenly erupted. Charizard's magnificent form appeared before Ash. The moment it appeared, it shot a ball of flame into the sky, its presence radiating power, reigniting the atmosphere in the arena that had just been so awkward.
As his third choice, Ash decided to send out the third Pokémon listed in his Pokédex.
"GRAAAWR!!"
But before the boy and the dragon could make a move, a furious tiger's roar burst from the other side of the arena. It boomed like thunder, its sound instantly overpowering Charizard's roar and startling everyone in the arena, who couldn't help but cover their ears.
A red-and-black, tiger-headed humanoid Pokémon now stood before the Masked Man. It struck a grappling pose, its expression fierce. Its whole body seemed to smolder with terrifying black flames, and the fiery belt around its waist roiled with tangible golden fire.
Incineroar!
This was the Masked Man's true ace.
"*Hiss...*"
"*Roar...*"
That terrifying aura made both Ash and Charizard instinctively take half a step back, beads of sweat forming on their brows. A blue light, indicating a stat decrease, flashed over Charizard.
Incineroar's ability, Intimidate, had successfully lowered Charizard's Attack by one level.
"*Hiss...* What terrifying pressure..."
Witnessing this, Ash couldn't help but marvel inwardly.
Only by being here in person could one feel the terrifying, oppressive presence of this Incineroar. Even though Charizard was slightly larger, he felt an inkling of an unbeatable sensation.
This feeling was on a completely different level from the previous Venusaur or Empoleon.
"Charizard!!"
Ash immediately took a wide step forward and bellowed, both to rally Charizard's spirits and to bolster his own courage.
To have a head-on battle against the Masked Man and his Incineroar—this was something Ash had fantasized about ever since he participated in the P1 Grand Prix in Celadon City. Now that his fantasy was becoming a reality, he was so excited he couldn't stop his body from trembling. The fiery battle intent in his eyes was no less intense than that of the two Fire-type Pokémon on the field.
"Participants, let the battle begin!!"
As the Referee's voice fell, Ash was the first to act, raising one arm high.
"Charizard, take flight!!"
Charizard had wings, an advantage its opponent lacked. Taking to the sky was a must.
"Roar!"
Charizard nodded, immediately spreading its two wide, fiery-red wings. It stomped its hind legs on the ground, preparing to launch itself into the air.
"Incineroar, use Fake Out!"
The Masked Man's command came a half-second later, but Incineroar was faster. With just a few powerful strides, it had already dashed in front of its target. Just as Charizard was about to take off, Incineroar raised its hands and clapped them together sharply.
*CLAP!*
The crisp clapping sound directly interrupted Charizard's take-off, freezing it in place.
(end of chapter)
