"You come back too, Pikachu!"
Ash recalled Pikachu as well. Despite the type advantage, Pikachu had performed exceptionally well, completely dominating Hoothoot. However, in reality, Pikachu was superior to that Hoothoot in both type and level, so the result wasn't surprising.
"Eh? Ash recalled Pikachu?" Misty was a bit puzzled by Ash's move. Shouldn't he press the advantage?
If this were the old Ash, that would certainly be the case; he might have even hoped to sweep the opponent's three Flying types with Pikachu alone. But the current Ash was no longer the same person!
"I don't know, Misty. Ash has grown so much lately!" Brock was starting to feel that even as two Gym Leaders, the two of them were struggling to keep up with Ash's pace.
"Recalling it?" Falkner also didn't understand Ash's strategy, but he remained focused. "Fine, then I'll use you next. Show them the power of bird Pokémon!"
Leaping from Falkner's Poké Ball was a three-headed ostrich Pokémon. Dodrio!
This Pokémon couldn't fly!
While the three of them were wondering about this, Falkner answered their unspoken question. "To me, Dodrio is the starting point for bird Pokémon. Its heart's desire to one day fly into the sky is exactly the same as mine."
Hearing this explanation, Ash couldn't help but twitch his mouth. Brother, that's a bit of a stretch.
Dodrio evolved that way on purpose, giving up flight to develop powerful legs and incredible running speed. Desiring to fly one day? Don't just make up backstories, okay?
"I choose you, Snorlax!"
Snorlax appeared from the Poké Ball, its heavy body crashing down with such force that the entire high-rise building seemed to shake. The sturdy battlefield even formed a depression beneath its feet.
"What?" Falkner gritted his teeth. Snorlax was a difficult opponent to handle. All the moves his Dodrio knew were physical attacks, which would deal almost no significant damage to Snorlax.
"If that's how it is... Dodrio, use Agility!" Falkner ordered.
Dodrio's figure suddenly accelerated. It had been well-trained by Falkner and was naturally a Pokémon that excelled in running speed. It could be said that Falkner utilized its strengths perfectly.
However, Ash's Snorlax was a flexible and agile tank!
"Spin in place!"
The massive body spun around the moment Dodrio attacked. Ash's command was timed with absolute precision. Dodrio's attack was knocked off course by the rotation and swept away by Snorlax's enormous frame.
"The weight difference is just too great!" Seeing this, Brock smiled. From the moment Snorlax took the field, this battle had become a matter of weight suppression!
"Dammit! Dodrio, use Drill Peck!"
This was Dodrio's finishing move, possessing high attack power and involving all three heads attacking simultaneously.
But Ash and Snorlax didn't even care. "Drill Peck isn't flexible enough. Snorlax, grab it!"
Snorlax reached out as if it were picking up a fallen berry and pulled the charging Dodrio into a tight embrace.
"Oh no!" Falkner cried out in alarm.
Sure enough, Dodrio let out a pained shriek. Although Snorlax hadn't used any specific skills yet, the sheer power of its massive body was enough; simply being hugged by Snorlax caused Dodrio's bones to creak and groan.
"I surrender! Ash, let go of Dodrio!"
Falkner decisively chose to yield. Seeing this, Ash ordered Snorlax to release Dodrio.
"Come back, Dodrio!"
Snorlax had won and turned toward Ash with a cheerful smile.
"Alright, I'll give you your treat once the battle is over. For now, come back!"
Almost all of Ash's exchange points had been spent on system-produced Snorlax feed. The results were significant, however; as a system product, every feeding slightly increased Snorlax's friendship level. By now, Snorlax's friendship had reached 150/255.
Ash felt those exchange points were well spent!
Seeing this, Brock and Misty also understood. Today, Ash intended to treat his battle with Falkner as a series of one-on-ones. This showed high confidence in his Pokémon, and such a battle was incredibly honorable!
"Ash's next one should be Charizard!"
Sure enough, the final round!
Falkner and Ash threw their Poké Balls almost simultaneously.
"Ash, you're definitely strong, but this last one won't be defeated so easily! Fly, Pidgeot!"
"I will become even stronger! Stronger! Stronger! I choose you, Charizard!"
Pidgeot spread its wings and soared. According to the Pokédex, this Pokémon could reach a top flight speed of Mach 2. The strength of the original "regional bird" was not to be underestimated!
However, Charizard was not to be outdone. It also spread its wings and rose high, confronting Pidgeot in mid-air.
"Charizard, show Pidgeot the results of your special training!"
When it came to speed, the current Charizard had made massive progress! Hearing Ash's command, Charizard gave a confident grin. Since its evolution, Charizard had looked down on the previous Ash,
believing a novice trainer couldn't provide the power it craved. But in the Orange Islands, it had been moved by Ash's sincerity and began to respond to his orders.
And now, Charizard had completely acknowledged Ash, even becoming awestruck; he was certain this trainer could bring it true power!
With a burning desire for strength, Charizard looked at the Pidgeot before it. With a beat of its wings, it shot forward like a rocket.
"He dares to compete with Pidgeot in flight speed!" Falkner's face paled. Such a direct confrontation moved him. "Pidgeot, don't lose!"
Pidgeot's figure vanished in an instant, easily evading Charizard's dive. However, Ash's Aura Power had already locked onto Pidgeot's position.
"Charizard, use Flamethrower behind you!"
Charizard did not hesitate. In fact, it had sensed the wind blowing behind it. A scorching pillar of fire erupted, engulfing Pidgeot the moment it appeared!
"How can this be!"
Falkner could hardly believe his eyes. Pidgeot's high speed had been met with a heavy injury in a single exchange! But the fact remained: Pidgeot was badly hurt, and its speed was no longer what it was.
"Charizard, use Dragon Claw!"
The Dragon Claw skill was already mastered to perfection. Charizard's figure suddenly appeared before the slowed Pidgeot, and with one strike of its claw, it slammed Pidgeot toward the ground!
"Pidgeot is unable to battle! Charizard wins! Therefore, the victor is the challenger from Pallet Town, Ash!"
Snorlax Friendship: 155/255
Charizard Friendship: 200/255
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