Chapter 62: A 6v6 Battle with Ash
"Snorlax, Rest, then Sleep Talk!" Ash called out.
Snorlax instantly fell asleep, snoring loudly while unconsciously launching an attack, dealing significant damage to Beedrill.
Today was Ash's first day back after winning the Orange League championship, and having claimed the victory, Ash was feeling confident. He approached Ryan to challenge him to a 6v6 battle. Ryan, eager to test Ash's improved strength, agreed. The battle that followed exceeded expectations. Ryan's first Pokémon was Beedrill, while Ash led with Snorlax.
Watching the powerful Snorlax in action, Ryan nodded inwardly: Ash had truly grown a lot—his strength hadn't been reset to zero like in the anime.
Ash's Snorlax was a top-tier powerhouse, with the Thick Fat ability, making it incredibly tanky and effective against Beedrill's attacks. Ryan frowned and commanded, "Beedrill, Drill Run!"
Beedrill's twin stingers glowed white as they forcefully stabbed into Snorlax's stomach. Snorlax grimaced in its sleep, clearly taking considerable damage.
"Snorlax, Sleep Talk," Ash said, staying focused on the battle.
Snorlax muttered in its sleep, then suddenly stood up and charged forward with tremendous force, slamming into the airborne Beedrill.
"Body Slam? Lucky hit, but Beedrill, use Protect, then finish with Fell Stinger," Ryan commanded.
Beedrill was instantly surrounded by a protective light barrier, blocking the Body Slam. Then, its twin stingers pierced Snorlax's stomach, the critical hit instantly sending it crashing to the ground, unable to continue fighting.
"Come back, Snorlax," Ash said, recalling his Pokémon. "Ryan, you're still as strong as ever. Go, Bulbasaur!"
"Greninja, you're up," Ryan responded.
"Vine Whip!" Ash called out.
Greninja closed its eyes and dodged sideways. The bond phenomenon activated at full power, and Ryan's consciousness merged with Greninja's senses.
"I don't believe it! Bulbasaur, Razor Leaf!" Ash shouted.
Without needing verbal commands, Greninja closed its eyes, its legs exploding with incredible speed, rolling and leaping to avoid most of the Razor Leaf attack, though it was still clipped by two or three leaves.
"Let's finish this, Cut!" Ryan commanded.
Greninja assumed an iaido stance. Ash, sensing danger, shouted, "Use Vine Whip to stop it, Bulbasaur!"
But it was too late. Greninja drew a water blade from its back, slashing through Bulbasaur at lightning speed. The water blade was resheathed and dissipated, causing Bulbasaur to collapse helplessly, its extended vine whips falling limply.
"So fast, I couldn't even track it! Muk, please!" Ash said, recalling Bulbasaur and sending out Muk.
"Gyarados, you're up," Ryan sent out his sea serpent.
Gyarados roared and emerged. Looking at the sludge-like Muk, it said with disdain, "After all, I've battled legendary Pokémon before. This opponent seems a bit too easy."
Ryan sensed Gyarados's arrogant attitude and frowned, saying, "Gyarados, don't be careless. Never underestimate any Pokémon. Your mindset disappoints me."
Gyarados shuddered, its expression becoming serious. Ever since learning that Mewtwo was a legendary Pokémon, all of Ryan's team had treated him with reverence and admiration. After all, Ryan had promised them that they could reach legendary status. Every Pokémon yearned to become legendary, and as long as there was even a glimmer of hope, they would strive for it.
"Thanks, Ryan. We'll have to give it our all too! Muk, Sludge Bomb!" Ash called out.
Muk swung its arms, sending two balls of purple sludge flying at Gyarados. Ryan's eyes narrowed as he commanded, "Take flight to dodge, then Hydro Pump!"
Gyarados immediately took to the air to avoid Muk's Sludge Bomb, then unleashed a powerful stream of water from its mouth, washing over Muk.
Ash scratched his head and asked, "Gyarados can fly?"
"Gyarados is a Water/Flying-type, what do you think?" Ryan said with mild irritation.
"Oh, right! Muk, use Sludge Wave!" Ash commanded.
"Aqua Tail will handle it."
Muk unleashed a wave of purple sludge from its body at Gyarados, who responded by whipping a powerful stream of water from its tail toward Muk. Aqua Tail shattered the Sludge Wave and slammed into Muk, knocking it out.
"Kingler, please!" Ash immediately sent out Kingler to replace Muk.
"Nidoking, let's go," Ryan said. "Ash, the gap between us is still significant. Although you've made progress, I haven't been standing still either. Keep working hard! Nidoking, Horn Attack!"
"Don't underestimate me! I've been training hard too! Kingler, Bubble Beam!" Ash responded.
Kingler, seeing Nidoking charging toward it, sprayed countless white foam bubbles from its mouth onto the ground. As Nidoking stepped on the foam, its footing slipped and it fell flat, then was pulled toward Kingler by the slippery surface.
"Perfect opportunity! Kingler, Guillotine!" Ash shouted.
Kingler swung its massive claw and clamped it firmly around Nidoking's head. A one-hit KO! Nidoking was instantly defeated.
"Yes! Finally took one down!" Ash exclaimed happily.
"Nice work," Ryan smiled and recalled Nidoking, handing it to his Chansey for recovery. Then, seriously, he said, "Ash, your strategy is definitely worth learning from. So, I need to get more serious. Pheromosa, I'm counting on you."
Pheromosa gracefully leaped in front of Kingler and proudly gestured for it to come forward.
"Huh? A Pokémon I've never seen before!" Ash immediately pulled out his Pokédex, which showed no information.
"This is Pheromosa. I caught it in the Alola region. It's not native to Alola, but a Pokémon from Ultra Space. So, no data has been released yet," Ryan explained.
"Awesome! I want to go to Alola too! But the battle must continue. Kingler, Bubble Beam!" Ash said.
"Think I'll fall for the same trick twice? Pheromosa, Feint, then High Jump Kick!" Ryan commanded.
Pheromosa rushed forward, instantly reaching Kingler and striking it with a feint attack. Then, before it could react, a devastating knee strike slammed into its body, instantly defeating it.
"Whoa! How is it so fast?!" Ash exclaimed in amazement. His eyes couldn't keep up with Pheromosa's speed, leaving him completely unable to defend.
"Pikachu, please!" Ash said. "Quick Attack!"
"Pika pika!" Pikachu shouted confidently, then transformed into a streak of light and slammed into Pheromosa.
"U-turn, time to switch out," Ryan said.
Pheromosa and Pikachu collided, then immediately transformed into a red beam of light and returned to its Ultra Ball. Charizard then emerged from its Poké Ball and stared down Ash's Pikachu.
"Flare Blitz!" Ryan shouted.
"Pikachu, dodge with Quick Attack, then Thunderbolt!" Ash called out.
Charizard transformed into a massive fireball and accelerated rapidly toward Pikachu. Pikachu immediately dodged Charizard's Flare Blitz with Quick Attack, then, without losing momentum, erupted with high-voltage electricity and struck Charizard.
"Oh? Wild Charge? Let's counter with Flamethrower!" Ryan shouted.
Charizard's Flamethrower hit the still-charging Pikachu and sent it flying. Ash worriedly picked up Pikachu. Ryan gestured to his Chansey, and the Chansey carried Pikachu away for recovery.
"Are we still doing the final match?" Ryan asked. He had gained a good understanding of Ash's growth. "The final battle should feature your Charizard, right?"
"Of course!" Ash said, then sent out his Charizard.
The two Charizard faced each other and began an epic clash!
The Kanto arc is complete, and the Johto arc begins next. Thank you all for your support! The journey continues as Ryan prepares for new challenges in the Johto region, where even greater trials await both him and his ever-growing team of Pokémon.
(End of Chapter)
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