"So strong… That Typhlosion isn't just powerful, its speed is like lightning itself…" From the sidelines, Brock's face was tense, his voice filled with awe.
How could Yozora possibly deal with such a monstrous Typhlosion?
"This is exactly the time for Golduck to shine!" Misty exclaimed excitedly.
And Yozora didn't disappoint her. The moment his Aegislash was defeated, he immediately sent out Golduck.
"Golduck! Yozora chooses Golduck to face Typhlosion! An excellent decision—Water trumps Fire and resists Fire as well. On paper, Golduck has the overwhelming advantage!" the announcer shouted enthusiastically.
Golduck, however, simply removed his sunglasses and stood firm, ready for battle.
"Rain Dance, Golduck!" Yozora commanded as the battle resumed.
Golduck tilted back his head and let out a cry. Dark clouds gathered, and rain began to pour in sheets.
Cold rain drenched the battlefield, instantly cooling the air by several degrees. Typhlosion didn't falter under the downpour, but the fiery mane on its back, usually blazing like a scarf of flames, shrank noticeably.
Typhlosion's level and physical strength were both formidable, so it wasn't going to be weakened easily by just a rain shower. But in this weather, Fire-type attacks were cut to half power.
Which meant that Typhlosion's pride—its Flamethrower—was suddenly far less threatening.
"Incredible! Golduck's Rain Dance was so fast, it instantly called down a storm!" the announcer cried, voice filled with exaggerated excitement.
Even Leiming, standing soaked in the rain, frowned slightly.
He had traveled for many years and had seen Pokémon with naturally quick Rain Dance before—like Pelipper and Politoed.
But even within those species, only a fraction of individuals possessed that rare gift.
As for Golduck? He had never heard of one with such an ability.
"The world is full of wonders… Looks like that Golduck isn't just shiny—it has some unique powers as well," Leiming muttered to himself with a small smirk. "But just because my Typhlosion's Fire power is suppressed doesn't mean it can't fight. Who says it only knows Fire-type moves?"
"Typhlosion, Wild Charge!" Leiming suddenly roared.
BOOM!
With a deafening crack, Typhlosion dropped to all fours as lightning burst from its entire body.
Wild Charge—a high-power Electric-type rush attack. Dangerous for the opponent, but damaging to the user as well.
"RAAAHH!" Typhlosion bellowed, electricity sparking wildly across its fur. Then it lunged forward like living lightning, barreling straight toward Golduck.
"Not good!" Ash, Brock, and Misty all cried out in alarm from the stands.
None of them had expected Typhlosion to know an Electric-type move. Electricity against Water—it was super effective.
If Golduck was hit, the damage would be devastating.
But Yozora and Golduck stood calm and unflinching.
Electric trumps Water, true. Against an ordinary Golduck, this would be disastrous. Against one of equal or higher level, it would be nearly impossible to endure.
But Yozora's Golduck was different.
This Golduck had Volt Absorb.
"Unbelievable! Wild Charge—Typhlosion is moving so fast, Golduck doesn't even have time to react!" the announcer cried.
Golduck's calm, almost contemptuous look was mistaken by the crowd as being paralyzed by Typhlosion's speed.
But in the blink of an eye, before everyone's eyes, Typhlosion slammed into Golduck.
CRACK!
Golduck was sent skidding backward, electricity crackling violently across its body.
To the audience, it looked like a devastating hit. But in reality…
Golduck's Volt Absorb ability instantly drained most of the electricity, restoring its stamina instead of crippling it. It only took minor recoil damage from the physical impact itself.
Given Golduck's high level and solid constitution, that tiny bit of damage was practically nothing.
"What…?!" Leiming froze, his eyes wide.
By all logic, one Wild Charge should have one-shot Golduck—instantly. With Typhlosion's superior level, strength, and a super effective strike, how could it not be a knockout?
Yet Golduck stood tall, having only taken a scratch.
"Perfect. Golduck—Hydro Pump!" Yozora's voice rang out with a sharp grin.
Golduck opened its beak wide and unleashed a roaring torrent of pressurized water that slammed directly into Typhlosion.
With the rain boosting Water-type attacks by fifty percent, plus the natural type advantage, the damage was devastating—multiplied several times over.
The Hydro Pump hit point-blank.
"Golduck's Hydro Pump connects cleanly! That looked painful!" the announcer shouted.
Typhlosion was blasted backward, rolling and tumbling through the mud before finally collapsing in the rain, unable to rise.
"Typhlosion is unable to battle—Golduck wins!" the referee declared.
The stadium erupted in cheers.
With Typhlosion's fall, Leiming had now lost three Pokémon in a row. The match paused for intermission.
As he recalled his mud-stained Typhlosion, rain dripping from his hair and clothes, Leiming's face was as dark as the storm above.
"A cross-tier knockout…"
He was shaken to his core. That Golduck had just leapt tiers to crush Typhlosion in a single exchange. Even with the rain helping, its sheer strength was terrifying.
Anyone who knew what it was would recognize it as merely a Golduck.
But to the unknowing, it could have easily been mistaken for a legendary beast.
Inside the rest area, Leiming accepted a towel from the staff and wiped his face roughly, though his body was still soaked through.
There was no time, and no mood, for a shower.
His mind was sharper than ever, replaying every second of the battle.
"That Golduck… it's a total freak. Not only does it have the rare Rain Dance talent… but as a Water-type, it doesn't even fear Electricity."
He thought back to the moment of impact—Typhlosion's Wild Charge, sparks exploding, crashing into Golduck.
And yet, Golduck had only taken the physical blow. The electricity itself—it had swallowed, absorbed, and turned into power…
…
…
(End of Chapter)