Splash! Splash!
Before long, after receiving Ash's Aura-powered summons, Valor the Magikarp came rocketing back toward shore from the open sea.
The moment it spotted the Goldeen already released by the young man in beachwear, its eyes immediately lit up with fighting spirit.
"Wow! There's a battle!"
"Someone's battling over there! Let's go watch!"
"It's Ash!"
"Someone's challenging Ash! Hurry!"
"Whoa! It's really Ash, and he's accepting the challenge!"
"That's Ash's shiny Magikarp!"
"I couldn't get a ticket to the Water Pokémon Beauty Contest a few days ago and had to watch it on TV. This is my first time seeing it in person!"
"Look at those golden scales!"
"They're sparkling in the sunlight!"
"It's so beautiful!"
"Yeah, seriously!"
As more people recognized Ash, the crowd around the shallow-water battlefield rapidly expanded.
After all, Ash had already attracted plenty of attention simply by walking hand-in-hand with Misty and Clarissa.
Now that a Pokémon battle was about to begin, even more tourists, local residents, and Trainers gathered around to watch.
Before the battle officially started, Ash used the system to inspect Goldeen's information.
"System, scan Goldeen's data."
Ding! Scanning. Please wait...
Goldeen
Level: LV.24
Type: Water
Nature: Confident
Ability: Water Veil
Potential: Green
Moves:
Proficient (1/1000):
Tail Whip
Water Pulse
Horn Attack
Poison Jab
Skilled (1/500):
Peck
Agility
Novice (1/100):
Flail
Goldeen had reached Level 24.
Although it was three levels higher than Ash's Magikarp, that advantage was nearly meaningless in Ash's eyes.
Every Pokémon under his care had been meticulously trained.
Not only were they capable of dominating opponents of the same level, but challenging stronger opponents was practically routine for them.
Aside from its level advantage, Goldeen's stats were fairly average.
Its move pool wasn't particularly deep.
Its moveset lacked synergy.
Overall, it posed very little threat.
"Misty, why don't you be the referee for this match?"
"I'll go buy drinks for everyone."
Clarissa volunteered with a smile.
"Sure."
"I'll referee."
Misty happily accepted.
Once both sides had their Pokémon ready, she stepped forward and announced:
"This battle will be one-on-one."
"The match ends when one Pokémon loses the ability to battle or when a Trainer voluntarily concedes."
After briefly explaining the rules, she raised her hand.
"Battle begin!"
"Ash! Go!"
"Come on, Ash!"
"Ash! Go!"
Cheers immediately erupted from the surrounding crowd.
Meanwhile, Ash casually gestured toward his opponent.
"You can attack first."
The beach-clad young man knew Ash was incredibly strong and didn't waste the opportunity.
"Then I won't hold back!"
"Goldeen, use Horn Attack!"
"Goldeen!"
The fish Pokémon immediately shot forward.
Its tail swished powerfully through the water as it charged toward Magikarp at high speed.
Since he had voluntarily surrendered the initiative, Ash waited until Goldeen began its attack before issuing a command.
"Valor, don't meet it head-on."
"Dodge sideways and use Tackle!"
Splash!
Years of intense training.
Countless real battles near the river mouth outside Pallet Town.
Those experiences had forged Magikarp's combat instincts.
And among all its moves, Tackle had long since reached an exceptionally high level of mastery.
Upon receiving Ash's order, Valor immediately began weaving left and right through the water.
Its movements appeared casual and unpredictable.
Yet beneath that seemingly relaxed exterior, every muscle in its body was coiled tight.
Every nerve was focused.
Every instinct was locked onto Goldeen.
Meanwhile, Goldeen lowered its head and accelerated.
The sharp horn on its forehead sliced through the water like a spear.
Combined with Horn Attack's built-in momentum boost, its speed became astonishing.
Then—
Just as Goldeen closed the final distance.
Just as its horn was about to strike Magikarp—
Valor moved.
Whoosh!
A sudden sideways dodge.
Goldeen's attack pierced nothing but water.
Before it could react—
Magikarp launched its counterattack.
Tackle!
BANG!
"Goldeeeen!"
Like a speeding vehicle being struck broadside, Goldeen was violently knocked off balance.
Its body flipped sideways and skidded across the water's surface.
A painful cry escaped its mouth.
"Valor, keep attacking!"
"Use continuous Tackles!"
Ash immediately pressed the advantage.
After all, Valor was already lower level than its opponent.
And in public battles, it could only openly use Tackle and Splash.
Since he'd already given away the first move, there was no reason to hold back further.
Whoosh—BANG!
Whoosh—BANG!
Whoosh—BANG!
Whoosh—BANG!
Within the shallow waters of the beach, Valor transformed into a golden blur.
Its Mastered-level Tackle exploded with incredible speed.
Like a runaway bumper car.
Like a golden torpedo.
Like lightning darting across the sea.
It repeatedly slammed into Goldeen from every angle.
After suffering the first Tackle and losing its balance, Goldeen never managed to regain control.
Faced with Valor's relentless assault, it became little more than a moving target.
Each time it tried to recover—
Another collision arrived.
Each time it tried to retaliate—
Another impact sent it tumbling.
Watching his Goldeen being battered helplessly, the young Trainer's face became increasingly anxious.
"Goldeen!"
"Use Flail!"
After multiple failed attempts to dodge and counterattack, he finally ordered Goldeen to use its newest move.
Flail.
A move whose power increased dramatically as the user's condition worsened.
The lower the remaining stamina.
The more pain endured.
The greater its destructive force became.
After enduring so many consecutive Tackles, Goldeen was already bruised, frustrated, and filled with anger.
Under those conditions—
The move that it had only recently learned.
The move it could barely use consistently.
Actually activated successfully.
However—
As a true master of Pokémon moves who spent countless hours studying battle mechanics and Pokémon knowledge, Ash instantly understood what was happening.
The moment he saw Goldeen successfully activate Flail—
His expression sharpened.
And before Valor could launch another reckless charge, he immediately issued a new command.
Stopping the next attack before Goldeen's desperate counterstrike could land.