Flames burst from the bell and shot toward Torracat, who slapped them back with his paw, redirecting them straight at Incineroar.
The flames took the shape of a massive, fiery kanji for "big."
However!
Just when it seemed like victory was assured—
Incineroar crossed his arms before his chest, claws glowing, and with one savage swing, he tore the flames apart!
"Ash, my Incineroar has fought three-on-one battles inside the Battle Royal Dome countless times.
An attack of this level won't fool him.
Incineroar's defense has no blind spots!"
Professor Kukui's sharp gaze locked on Ash, eyes practically asking:
"So, Ash—what are you going to do now?"
It wasn't just Kukui.
Everyone watching fixed their eyes on Ash as well.
Rationally, most people had bet on Kukui.
But emotionally… They still wanted to see what miracle Ash and Torracat could pull off.
[Cynthia: Ash, don't let me down.]
[Flint: It's hopeless. Fire-types rely on explosive power, and Flamethrower is already one of the strongest fire moves. If even that couldn't scratch Incineroar, I don't see how Torracat could win.]
Flint's comment echoed everyone's logical conclusion.
They hoped for Ash's victory, but in reality—they knew it was impossible.
Unless… he switched Pokémon.
But Torracat wasn't even thinking of retreating.
What now?
Would Ash just throw this battle away?
On the battlefield—
"Ash, Torracat, I'll admit—you've grown a lot.
But it's not enough. To beat me and Incineroar, you'll need much more.
Now, witness true flames—use Blast Burn!"
…
It's over.
That was the thought everyone had at once.
Blast Burn.
The ultimate fire-type move, a true signature technique of final-stage starters.
Its destructive power even surpasses Burn Up.
Only a fully evolved starter at peak condition could even learn it.
And its sheer might… terrifying.
There was no way Torracat could withstand it.
At Kukui's command, Incineroar spread his arms wide, exposing the fiery belt around his waist.
From it, flames began to condense—so hot that the battlefield itself turned crimson.
Then—
A blazing orb erupted outward, burning like a miniature sun, as if to consume everything.
The scene was so apocalyptic that some people felt it was the end of the world.
This… was Blast Burn!
How could Torracat possibly survive?
Run?
Impossible.
The battlefield wasn't big enough—the flames already covered most of it.
Even the Champions and Elite Four members watching the live broadcast were forced to think:
If I were Ash… how would I counter this?
But they couldn't.
It was unwinnable.
Torracat vs. Blast Burn.
A 0% chance.
And yet—Ash always does the impossible.
"Torracat! It's time to show them our spirit—take it head-on!"
The audience: ???
Ash, are you trying to kill your Torracat?
This was pure madness!
"Torracat!"
With no hesitation, Torracat sprinted forward, then leapt straight into the heart of Blast Burn.
Many viewers shut their eyes.
They couldn't bear to watch.
To them, Torracat was finished.
Maybe even fatally injured.
But then—
"Ding-ling-ling…"
A soft chime echoed through the inferno.
Where did that bell sound come from?
Everyone's eyes flew open—
Only to see something even more shocking.
Torracat leapt into the flames, and—
Blast Burn stopped.
The fiery orb began shrinking, being absorbed.
And with each pulse, the chime grew faster, louder.
The source?
The small bell hanging from Torracat's neck!
It was… sucking in the fire!
Absorbing all of Blast Burn into itself!
What in the world—?!
[Steven: Does anyone know what that bell on Torracat's neck is? Some kind of held item?]
[Flint: No idea. I don't even have a Torracat—how would I know?]
[Steven: Cynthia, can I punch him?]
[Cynthia: Go ahead.]
[Professor Kukui: No… that bell isn't an item. It's something Torracat was born with.
But… as far as I know, no Torracat's bell has ever done something like this.]
[Sabrina: So basically… Ash is special. Just like me. Interesting. No wonder we became friends—you're just as much a freak as I am.]
Sabrina smiled faintly at the sight.
She didn't care about who won or lost.
She only cared about Ash.
All her life, she thought she was a freak, unlike any human.
But now, it seemed Ash was the same.
It was destiny.
Back on the field—
Even Kukui himself was stunned.
As Alola's professor, no one knew the region's starters better than he did.
Torracat wasn't supposed to have the ability Flash Fire.
Yet here it was… doing the impossible.
He had already prepared to claim victory.
But this? This shattered everything.
This wasn't science anymore.
Ash—your Torracat isn't even legal!
(Ash: I swear I'm not hacking! I just… found him on the road!)
After swallowing Blast Burn, Torracat landed heavily on the ground.
The bell around his neck now glowed, wreathed in crimson flame.
But then—
A pained look crossed Torracat's face.
Kukui finally exhaled in relief.
"Ash, your ideas really are outrageous. But you've forgotten—this Blast Burn came from my Incineroar.
It's not something you can absorb so easily."
The bell trembled, smoke seeping out.
Torracat had reached his limit.
His body couldn't take in more.
"Meow…"
Torracat turned to glance at his Trainer.
Ash immediately understood.
With a deep breath, he recalled Torracat into his Poké Ball—despite Torracat's unwilling gaze.
"Looks like Torracat's reached his limit," Kukui remarked.
"Not necessarily," Ash shot back. "He just needs to rest. He's still ready for a rematch with Incineroar!"
Kukui chuckled.
"Ha… what an amusing little guy."
Next—
Ash threw out his second Poké Ball.
Red light burst forth, revealing his next partner.
This time—it was a dog.
An orange-and-white wolf landed on the field.
It was none other than Ash's Lycanroc—Dusk Form!
[Professor Kukui: A Lycanroc I've never seen before…? Besides Midday and Midnight forms, does Lycanroc really have a third form?]
[Gladion: So cool! Mom, I want one!]
[Professor Burnet: Ash, you keep surprising me. First Torracat with a mysterious bell… and now a third form of Lycanroc? I can't wait to see your Alola journey!]
[Ash: I'll definitely go!]
Ash clenched his fist.
With each new reveal, he was more excited for his future Pokémon.
They were just like him—unyielding, full of spirit!
On the battlefield—
Dusk Lycanroc looked more canine than its other forms, standing on all fours with a fluffy mane of brown fur around its neck.
It looked so huggable!
But this was no time for hugs.
Kukui kept Incineroar on the field.
Ash wasted no time.
"Lycanroc, Accelerock!"
Lycanroc dashed forward in a burst of speed, his body glowing white.
Normally, Accelerock wasn't very strong.
But—
Incineroar was still recovering from Blast Burn's recoil!
It was free damage.
And Lycanroc's ability, Tough Claws, boosted the power even further.
Combined with Incineroar's weakness to Rock moves—
This was the perfect strike.
The crash sent Incineroar staggering.
But that was enough for him to shake off the recoil and recover.
"Lycanroc, Stone Edge!" Ash commanded.
Lycanroc slammed his paws into the ground, eyes flashing red.
Jagged stones burst upward, glowing blue, hurtling toward Incineroar!
"Block it with Darkest Lariat!" Kukui countered.
Incineroar spun, cloaked in fiery energy, smashing the stones apart.
But as said before—
Incineroar's weakness was speed.
His attack couldn't catch Lycanroc!
"Finish it—use Counterattack Fang!"
Lycanroc darted in, seizing a shard of stone in his jaws, and slashed across Incineroar's arm.
It was like a beast's blade.
Even though Incineroar had buffed his body, the Rock-type blow cut deep.
His arm went numb instantly.
Kukui had no choice but to recall Incineroar.
"Impressive. I didn't think Lycanroc would be this strong. Ash, you've grown faster than I expected."
[Professor Burnet: Incredible. He even used the Midday form's move Accelerock—this Lycanroc is more powerful than I imagined.]
[Professor Kukui: I've got it! Legend says… besides Midday and Midnight, Lycanroc has a third form—the Dusk Form!]
[Professor Oak: So, in the future, Ash even contributes to research? That's truly gratifying.]
The audience's impression of Ash changed yet again.
Not just a Trainer—
He was a Pokémon Collector of rarities!
Back on the field—
Kukui sent out his second Pokémon.
A dark-blue body armored with metallic edges, and atop its head—a golden crown.
It was none other than Empoleon—the Water/Steel Emperor Pokémon!
And with both types hitting Rock super-effectively—
Lycanroc was at a double disadvantage.
Normally, any sensible Trainer would switch.
But this was Ash.
His most famous title?
The Master of Type Disadvantage Battles!
So of course—
He kept Lycanroc in.
Kukui smirked.
Children will be children.
Ash was only 14.
Hot-headed, reckless—it was natural.
Then he'd just have to teach him the lesson:
Never fight at a disadvantage.
But before Kukui could even command—
Ash's voice rang out first.
"Lycanroc! Don't stop—use Stone Edge again!"
"Lycanroc!"
Kukui: ???
Do you just not care about type matchups at all?!
Lycanroc slammed the ground again, jagged stones erupting toward Empoleon.
"Ash, you underestimate me. A double weakness—and you still dare to attack head-on? Just like you."
Ash blinked.
"Wait… it's a double weakness? I didn't know that!"
Kukui: "…"
"Empoleon, Metal Claw! Cut through the stones!"
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