Chapter 60: A 6v6 Battle with Ash
"Snorlax, use Rest, then Snore," Ash commanded.
Snorlax instantly collapsed and fell asleep, then began snoring thunderously, inflicting significant damage on Beedrill.
Today was Ash's first day back, and having just become a Champion, he was feeling confident and immediately came to challenge Ron to a full 6v6 battle. Ron also wanted to test Ash's current strength and agreed. That brought them to the current scene—Ron sent out Beedrill as the lead, and Ash chose Snorlax.
Seeing the power behind Snore, Ron nodded slightly to himself. Ash had truly grown—his strength hadn't reset this time.
Ash's Snorlax had top-tier potential and the Thick Fat ability, making it extremely tanky and particularly effective against Beedrill. Ron frowned and said, "Beedrill, Brick Break."
Beedrill's twin needles glowed white and struck Snorlax's belly hard. Even in its sleep, Snorlax frowned in pain, clearly taking significant damage.
"Snorlax, use Sleep Talk," Ash called, taking a gamble.
Snorlax mumbled in its sleep, then suddenly stood up and launched into a powerful charge, targeting Beedrill in the air.
"Giga Impact, huh? Pretty lucky. Beedrill, Protect, then finish it with Brick Break," Ron ordered.
Beedrill quickly shielded itself with a protective barrier, blocking the Giga Impact. Then, its glowing twin needles pierced into Snorlax's belly again. Snorlax instantly collapsed, losing the ability to battle.
"Come back, Snorlax." Ash returned his Pokémon and said, "You're still so strong, Ron. Let's go, Bulbasaur!"
"Greninja, you're up," Ron replied.
"Vine Whip!" Ash commanded.
Greninja closed its eyes and sidestepped, evading gracefully. The power of their bond surged—Ron substituted Greninja's sight with his own.
"I don't believe this. Bulbasaur, Razor Leaf!" Ash shouted.
Without a word, Greninja moved with incredible speed, weaving between the leaves, though it still got hit by two or three.
"Finish it. Night Slash," Ron commanded.
Greninja assumed a blade-drawing stance. Sensing danger, Ash quickly said, "Block it with Vine Whip, Bulbasaur!"
But it was already too late. The energy blade at Greninja's waist flashed out at extreme speed, slashing through Bulbasaur. The blade vanished as it returned to its sheath, and Bulbasaur collapsed, its newly extended vines falling limply to the ground.
"So fast… I couldn't even track it. Muk, I'm counting on you," Ash said, returning Bulbasaur and sending out Muk.
"Gyarados, your turn," Ron called.
Gyarados roared as it leapt into the air. It stared at the slimy, sluggish Muk with disdain. I've fought legendary Pokémon—this is child's play.
...Speechless.
Legendary Pokémon.
I've fought them.
Sensing Gyarados's arrogant mindset, Ron frowned and said, "Gyarados, don't get cocky. Never underestimate any opponent. That attitude disappoints me."
Gyarados flinched and focused up. Ever since they learned Mewtwo was a legendary, all of Ron's Pokémon had begun revering him even more. Ron had promised to help them reach the realm of legendaries, and none of them wanted to miss that chance. As long as there was hope, they would strive for it.
"Thanks, Ron. We'll give it everything we've got! Muk, use Sludge Bomb!" Ash commanded.
Muk hurled two globs of purple sludge at Gyarados. Ron's eyes narrowed. "Ascend and dodge. Then use Hydro Pump!"
Gyarados soared into the air, evading the Sludge Bombs, then unleashed a powerful stream of water from its mouth, blasting Muk.
Ash scratched his head. "Gyarados can fly?"
"Gyarados is Water and Flying-type. What do you think?" Ron replied bluntly.
"Oh, I see. Muk, use Sludge Wave!" Ash called.
"Aqua Tail to finish it."
Muk launched a wave of toxic sludge, but Gyarados whipped up a torrent with its tail, smashing through the sludge and slamming Muk, knocking it out.
"Kingler, your turn." Ash sent out Kingler and returned Muk.
"Nidoking, go," Ron said. "Ash, the gap between us is still big. You've grown, but I haven't stood still either. Keep working harder. Nidoking, Horn Attack!"
"Don't look down on me! I've been working hard too! Kingler, Bubble!" Ash shouted.
Kingler blasted white bubbles toward the charging Nidoking. As soon as Nidoking stepped on them, he slipped and crashed face-first into the ground, then slid helplessly toward Kingler.
"Now's our chance! Kingler, Guillotine!" Ash yelled.
Kingler clamped its massive claw down on Nidoking's head—one-hit KO! Nidoking was defeated.
"Yes! Finally knocked one out!" Ash cheered.
"Not bad at all." Ron smiled, recalled Nidoking, and had two Blissey tend to him. Then he said seriously, "Ash, your technique really is something I can learn from. So I'll get serious now. Pheromosa, go."
Pheromosa gracefully leapt forward, facing Kingler. With a haughty flick of her hand, she motioned for Kingler to come at her.
"Whoa! A Pokémon I've never seen before!" Ash immediately pulled out his Pokédex, but it returned no data.
"This is Pheromosa. I caught her in Alola, but she's not native there—she's from another dimension. That's why there's no data yet. Let's go," Ron explained.
"That's so cool. I really want to visit Alola! But the battle's still on. Kingler, Bubble!" Ash commanded.
"You think the same move will work twice? Pheromosa, Feint Attack, then High Jump Kick," Ron said.
Pheromosa dashed in and instantly appeared before Kingler, kicking it skyward. Before Kingler could react, a flying knee slammed into it, knocking it out in one shot.
"So...so fast! How is it that fast?!" Ash was stunned—his eyes couldn't keep up with Pheromosa at all.
"Pikachu, I'm counting on you! Quick Attack!"
"Pika!" Pikachu cried confidently as it turned into a blur, dashing toward Pheromosa.
"U-turn. Time to switch," Ron ordered.
Pheromosa collided with Pikachu, then immediately returned to her Ultra Ball in a beam of red light. In her place, Charizard emerged from its Poké Ball, facing off against Pikachu.
"Flare Blitz!" Ron shouted.
"Pikachu, dodge with Quick Attack, then Thunderbolt!" Ash commanded.
Charizard became a blazing comet and charged at Pikachu. Pikachu dodged with Quick Attack and immediately countered with a high-voltage blast toward Charizard.
"Oh? Wild Charge, huh? Flamethrower to counter it!" Ron shouted.
Charizard blasted a Flamethrower at the not-yet-recovered Pikachu, knocking it out instantly. Ash rushed forward to hold Pikachu. Ron motioned to the Blissey, and they quickly carried Pikachu away for healing.
"Want to finish the last round?" Ron asked. He had seen Ash's growth and suspected the final round would be Charizard versus Charizard.
"Of course!" Ash replied, then sent out his Charizard.
The two Charizards clashed midair—the final showdown had begun!