Chapter 237: Utility Bird vs. Articuno!
2024-05-15 Author: Samsung Charmander
"Tch, this kid almost found me out."
Pidgeotto's heart sank. Its pupils flickered over to Ash, but its expression remained unchanged, maintaining the look of a silly, hot-blooded utility bird that simply followed commands.
It seemed that taming a wild human was quite difficult. I can't be too hasty.
With the movements of a ground-dwelling chicken, Pidgeotto landed directly in front of Ash. Its eagle eyes swept over the Articuno before it, ready for battle, presenting itself in a tamed state.
"Ash, the Ice-type is a disadvantage for Pidgeotto!"
"And the Level difference between the two Pokémon is too great. This is just cannon fodder."
Brock and Misty shouted their reminders from outside the solid ice.
"It's okay!"
Ash, however, was fearless, focusing all his attention on the divine bird of ice and snow before him.
He was very fond of a saying from Brother Red.
"Battling against a type disadvantage is what truly shows a trainer's full strength."
With enough Willpower, a type disadvantage is actually an advantage!
Red: "?"
Red, who had just taken out a popcorn combo in the Soul Space, froze. When had he ever said something so foolish?
"Pidgeotto, they all think you're a cannon fodder bird, but as long as we believe in ourselves, we're invincible!" Ash declared, his blood boiling with passion.
"Pidgeoo!!"
Pidgeotto cried out. Its Willpower was not weak. Even facing Articuno, it showed little fear. Instead, it moved forward, walking right up to Articuno.
Before this massive ice-blue bird, Pidgeotto's frame seemed rather miniature.
Articuno stood nearly three meters tall, while Pidgeotto was just over a meter.
"Reee~~"
Articuno looked down from its great height, its proud gaze condescendingly fixed on Pidgeotto. It made no move, its expression disdainful, stopping just short of ignoring it completely.
It swept its wings, signaling that Pidgeotto was free to attack.
"Hmph, how dare it look down on us!"
Ash and Pidgeotto were instantly enraged, temporarily setting aside their secret schemes to tame each other and aiming their united hostility at the target.
"Pidgeotto, use Sand Attack!"
"Pidgeo!"
Pidgeotto spun on the spot, its claws digging furiously into the rocky ground, instantly kicking up clouds of sand and dust, all of which flew toward Articuno's face.
If it was such a noble legendary bird, then the first thing to do was to throw dirt in its face and take it down a peg.
"Reee~~"
However, Articuno barely moved. Its deep red eyes narrowed, and a faint protective film of ice seemed to materialize over its body, easily blocking the flying sand.
"So strong..." Watching the sand fall back to the ground, Ash's expression turned grim.
This kind of power was somewhat similar to the Magmar he had battled a few days ago, which could also condense a layer of magma armor around its body.
This was a high-level technique that could only be used by Pokémon with an exceptionally deep understanding of their own type.
"Damn it, then let's try this move! Pidgeotto, use Gust!!"
Undiscouraged, Pidgeotto flapped its wings several times in succession. A powerful gale immediately erupted from between its wings, carrying the dust and sand it had just kicked up. The two combined to form a small sandstorm.
"This move again?"
A smirk played on Brock's lips on the sidelines, as if he recalled something.
Back when Ash was still a newcomer challenging the Pewter Gym, he had used this same move. It had successfully obscured its vision and increased Geodude's defense, which then resulted in his Pidgeotto knocking itself out by crashing headfirst into Geodude.
Speaking of which, why not just learn Sandstorm?
Given how bizarre that Pidgeotto was, Brock wouldn't be the least bit surprised if it had learned Sheer Cold by now.
Well, to say he wouldn't be surprised was a bit of a stretch; Sheer Cold was still too absurd. But Sandstorm shouldn't be too difficult.
"A Sandstorm is a Rock-type attack, so it will definitely have an effect!" This was Ash's thought, his expression resolute.
"Reee~"
Yet, faced with the impending sandstorm, this Articuno remained unperturbed. It flapped one of its wings, and the seemingly fierce sandstorm was instantly torn open. A powerful gust of wind shot out, and the sand and dust vanished, leaving the cave clear once more.
That wasn't even a move.
"The Level gap is too big..."
"This Articuno's strength is even greater than the Zapdos from last time..."
Ash brushed the dirt from his face, his battle intent not diminishing but instead rising steadily. However, since the Level gap was so vast...
"Pidgeotto, use Work Up!!"
"Pidgeoo!!"
Pidgeotto cried out, painting a grand picture for itself of a future where it had tamed Ash and was leading him into battle. A wave of satisfaction washed over it, and the red light of a stat increase descended upon it.
Work Up involved giving oneself a psychological suggestion to raise one's own Physical and Special Attack.
Articuno didn't interrupt, remaining on the platform of ice pillars like a brooding hen. Its expression was devoid of any fluctuation. It even looked like it wanted to laugh.
Is that all?
This posture infuriated Pidgeotto, and it was about to charge forward.
"Calm down, Pidgeotto, don't fall for its taunt!"
Ash quickly reminded it. With such a huge Level difference, the preparatory buffs were essential.
"Pidgeotto, use Agility again!!" he commanded.
Pidgeotto's figure danced in mid-air, its body suddenly feeling much lighter as its speed surged by thirty percent.
Even so, Ash's expression didn't improve in the slightest, instead growing deeper.
"Remember, Pidgeotto, that one move we stole from Brother Red must be used with caution..."
"Pidgeoo!"
Ash nodded. Since all preparations were complete, it was time to attack again.
"Pidgeotto, get close to the target, use Steel Wing!!"
With a flap of its wings, Pidgeotto soared upwards. Boosted by Agility, its body transformed into a rapidly advancing brown arrow, its sides glinting with a menacing metallic luster.
The Steel-type is super-effective against the Ice-type. Even with a Level difference, it would definitely be effective.
"Shreee!!"
Articuno finally decided to act. With a wave of its wing, a white mist appeared in front of its ice-blue wings. It instantly pulled the moisture from the air, condensing it into solid ice rocks.
"Swish, swish, swish!!"
Dozens of solid ice stones shot out, their speed as fast as a phantom!
"Pidgeoo!!"
Pidgeotto's expression instantly turned to panic.
Despite being boosted by Agility and attacking first, these dozens of ice-shard rocks were faster, striking at Pidgeotto's abdomen from cunning angles.
"Thwack-thwack-thwack!!"
Pidgeotto had no time to react. Its body was hit squarely by a succession of ice shards. The Steel Wing faltered, and a cloud of sand and dust exploded in mid-air.
Super Effective!!
Breaking through the sand and dust, Pidgeotto hadn't been defeated in one hit, but its injuries were not light.
"Beep. Ice Shard, a priority move. Though its power is low, it allows the user to strike first," the Pokédex provided a timely prompt.
Ice Shard was similar to moves like Quick Attack and Aqua Jet. No matter how fast the opponent was, it could still hit the target first.
Generally, priority moves don't have much power, with the exception of moves like Grassy Glide which requires Grassy Terrain as a prerequisite. However, the Ice Shard that Articuno had just used was like Stone Edge; its power was truly not weak.
"Pidgeotto, are you okay?"
"Pidgeoo!!"
Its morale restored, Pidgeotto circled in mid-air once more, assuming an offensive stance.
(end of chapter)