"Gengar is unable to battle, Ash's Gengar wins!" The referee Maggie stared in a daze for a moment before raising his hand to announce loudly.
"Heh heh, if you want to fight me, you'll have to train for 800 more years, youngster!" Gengar crossed its arms over its chest with a smug smile on its face.
After being a professor at the research institute for so long, did they really think he couldn't fight?
Defeating a rookie? That's a piece of cake!
Ash shook his head helplessly, "Alright Gengar, stop showing off. Being two levels higher than your opponent, winning easily is the natural outcome. If you lost, that would really be a problem."
A Champion Intermediate Level against an Elite Four Peak, it's even stricter than a father disciplining his son; they aren't even in the same league.
Unless the opponent has something out of the ordinary, like his Pikachu, possessing ability values that surpass the current level, or using a special system like MEGA Evolution to enhance.
Otherwise, the possibility of an Elite Four Peak defeating a Champion Intermediate Level — is zero.
Morty was silent for a moment, then withdrew Gengar back into its Pokeball, looking down at the Pokeball in his hand with a wry smile.
"I finally understand why Lord Ho-Oh chose you." He looked up, his previously scrutinizing gaze towards Ash replaced by genuine recognition, "Your strength is worthy of the title of the Rainbow Hero."
"Thank you for your compliment. Now for the final battle, bring out your last Pokemon, Gym Leader Morty," Ash said with a smile.
Morty's strength is definitely stronger than Whitney's, but for this battle, he also left out two of his main forces, Venusaur and Gengar.
These two Pokemon are among the top six in his team, and bringing them to battle Morty shows how much he values Morty.
The last person to make him value an opponent like this was Brandon.
However, compared to Brandon's strength, Morty's still quite far behind...
Morty was silent for a moment, took a deep breath.
He didn't reach for a Pokeball from his waist, but instead reached into his jacket, pulling out an antique style whistle.
The whistle was a deep dark-gold all over, with intricate Thunder patterns etched on its surface, glinting with a cold glimmer in the gym's lighting.
An indescribable ancient aura emanated from the whistle, as if this small whistle carried centuries of history.
Misty, Serena, and Brock looked at each other, eyes full of confusion.
What is that?
Ash was also stunned. Before he could ask, Morty already brought the whistle to his lips, puffed up his cheeks and blew hard.
"Wooooooo------"
A strange sound wave reverberated from the whistle. The sound wasn't sharp or harsh, but carried a kind of distant ancient rhythm, like ancient thunder murmuring in the clouds.
The sound waves penetrated the gym's walls, penetrated the vermilion torii gate, penetrated the ancient stone-paved streets of Ecruteak City, spreading in all directions.
The whole gym lapsed into temporary silence.
Maggie and the students all stared wide-eyed, completely at a loss about what their Gym Leader was doing.
Ten seconds.
Just ten seconds later, a clap of thunder exploded outside the gym.
The thunder didn't come from the sky but from the ground, approaching rapidly, its speed astounding everyone.
Immediately after, a golden figure, like lightning slicing through space, carrying an overwhelming force of thunder, leapt into the gym's door, landing steadily in the center of the battle arena.
The Thunder Light dispersed, revealing the true form of the newcomer to everyone.
It was a Pokemon resembling a Sabretooth Tiger, its size a whole round larger than the usual feline Pokemon.
Its entire body was covered in thick golden fur, slightly bristling in the air. Its back draped with a layer of dark purple thundercloud-like mane, its edges sparkling with tiny arcs of electricity, like a flowing cloak of thunder.
Icy blue hoof rings encircled its ankles, and every step it took on the ground would stir a faint electromagnetic ripple.
Most striking were its eyes. They were scarlet vertical pupils, with tumultuous thunderclouds swirling deep within the irises, seemingly able to shred any prying gaze to pieces.
An overwhelming pressure exuded from its body, pure and domineering, the thunderous aura belonging to one of the legendary Three Holy Beasts!
The air in the gym seemed to congeal at that moment, the students holding their breath, not daring to breathe aloud.
"Ra... Raikou?!" Misty exclaimed, her eyes wide open.
One of the Three Holy Beasts, the Master of Thunder, one of the three messengers under Lord Ho-Oh — Raikou!
Why did it appear here? And from its demeanor, it seemed to have some kind of connection with Morty!
Brock and Serena were equally stunned, their eyes darting between Raikou and Morty, unable to speak for a moment.
"This is my third Pokemon," Morty put down the whistle, his voice calm yet tinged with undisguised excitement, "And also my true trump card against you — Raikou."
The entire audience was in an uproar.
The students were all flushed with excitement; they only knew their Gym Leader was strong but never knew Morty could summon the legendary Three Holy Beasts to fight for him!
Ash looked at the majestic golden thunder tiger, a flash of realization in his eyes, he finally understood why Morty would say 'fifty-fifty', and also why Morty knew about his connection with Raikou.
"Not long ago, Raikou found me." Morty's voice echoed in the silent Gym, his gaze on Ash, mixed with complex emotions, "He told me that Lord Ho-Oh has chosen a Rainbow Hero, and that Rainbow Hero is about to come to Ecruteak Gym."
Ash didn't speak, he just listened quietly.
"He said that he would conduct a second trial for that Rainbow Hero," Morty continued, "because he already knew that Suicune was defeated by you."
"Suicune was defeated?!" Maggie couldn't help but exclaim out loud, and the other students also gasped in surprise.
One of the legendary Three Holy Beasts had actually been defeated by a boy who was only a few years older than them?
"Yes, Suicune was defeated." Morty nodded, his eyes also filled with an indescribable complexity, "but Raikou believes that the battle didn't showcase Suicune's full strength because it fought independently without relying on a Trainer."
"So this time, he has decided to find a Trainer as his temporary partner to increase the difficulty of the trial, and the person he chose is me."
A sense of undisguised excitement and thrill filled Morty's voice.
For their family, which has guarded the Bell Tower for generations, being able to partner with one of the Three Holy Beasts, even temporarily, is an unparalleled honor.
"Before you arrived, Raikou had been resting near Ecruteak City, he gave me this whistle. As long as I blow it, no matter how far away, he will come," Morty gripped the dark golden whistle in his hand, eyes fixed on Ash, "to give you a second trial."
As soon as he finished speaking, Morty's voice suddenly rose, mixed with a trace of unwillingness but also some resignation.
"To be honest, when I heard from Raikou that Lord Ho-Oh's chosen Rainbow Hero was a fifteen-year-old boy who had only just started out less than a year ago, I couldn't accept it."
His fist clenched tightly, his knuckles going slightly white from the pressure.
"Our family has guarded the Bell Tower for generations, day after day, year after year, waiting for a whole thousand years!"
"Yet Lord Ho-Oh never appeared, never responded to our prayers."
"Why? Why could a fifteen-year-old boy, an outsider with no ties to the Bell Tower, be chosen by Lord Ho-Oh to become the Rainbow Hero?"
Morty's voice echoed throughout the Gym, carrying emotions that had been repressed for a long time. The students stood silent, never having seen their Gym Leader lose control like this.
"But now, I understand."
Morty took a deep breath, and his clenched fist slowly loosened.
He raised his head, looking at Ash with a gaze that had shed its reluctance and doubt, replaced by genuine recognition and even a hint of respect.
"Through those two battles just now, I've come to fully understand that you are worthy of the title Rainbow Hero—your talent, your skill, your bond with your Pokemon... all of this is enough to prove that Lord Ho-Oh's judgment is not wrong."
He paused, his voice becoming solemn.
"Next is the final trial. I will be Raikou's Trainer and fight against you!"
The entire venue fell into dead silence once more.
The students stared wide-eyed, their gaze shifting between their Gym Leader and the imposing golden Raikou, too shocked to speak.
It was truly... truly exhilarating!!
To be able to witness such a level of battle today feels like a blessing from three lifetimes!!
In the audience seats, Misty held Togepi tightly, her emerald eyes full of worry.
"Ash..." she whispered softly.
Although she had absolute faith in Ash, this time the opponent was, after all, a legendary Holy Beast.
The last time Ash's Pikachu defeated Suicune, it was because Suicune had no Trainer directing it, and the battle relied entirely on its instincts.
But this time is different; Raikou has Morty as its Elite Four Level Trainer partner, its combat power is definitely not something a lone Suicune can match.
Serena also clenched her fist, her pretty face full of tension.
Though she believed in Ash, who wouldn't be worried facing a legendary Pokemon?
"Don't worry." Brock's voice sounded in their ears, carrying a hint of certainty, "Last time against Suicune was a one-on-one, Pikachu won, but it was a hard fight. But this time, it's three against one."
He raised three fingers, the corners of his mouth slightly upturned.
"Whether it's Venusaur or Gengar, they both have Champion Level strength, and Ash's third Pokemon hasn't even been sent out yet, you can relax!"
Misty and Serena exchanged a glance, finally showing a hint of relief in their eyes.
Yes, Ash isn't fighting alone; it's not one-on-one this time, but according to the rules.
Though Pikachu has been acting a bit strange lately, and Charizard has been sent back to the Charicific Valley, Ash still has Gardevoir!
Ash will surely win!
Ash stared directly at the imposing golden Raikou, eyes blazing with fighting spirit: "Interesting, the second trial, huh? I accept!"
He took out the Pokeball and recalled Gengar: "Great job, Gengar, have a good rest, now it's up to your partner."
Then, he looked down at the small yellow figure by his feet.
"Pikachu, for the final battle, it's decided that you're the one!"
"Pika Pika!" Pikachu nodded vigorously, golden sparks flickering on its cheek sacs, eyes showing no trace of fear, only a battle ready eagerness.
It was him who fought against Suicune last time, and it's him again this time. If he wins this battle, he could name himself a slayer of the Three Holy Beasts.
Ash removed his red and white hat from his head, crouched down, and firmly placed it on Pikachu's head.
The moment the hat settled, Pikachu's aura suddenly changed, golden electricity surging from Pikachu's body—a phenomenon of a massive power boost.
Partner form, activated.
Ash formed a strange hand seal in front of him, azure Aura light flowing from his body, forming an invisible bridge that fused with the Aura inside Pikachu.
Aura Fusion, activated!
To face Raikou, Ash was going all out this time!
This Raikou's level was evident the moment it appeared—Champion Advanced Level.
In terms of level, Raikou was equal to Brandon's Three Divine Pillars, but Pikachu's strength now was far lower than it had been against Brandon's Three Divine Pillars.
Due to Transformation, Pikachu's level dropped to Junior Elite Four Level, and it was only the day before yesterday that he returned to Mid-Elite Four Level, still a long way from the Elite Four Peak.
Going against Raikou with this level would undoubtedly be wishful thinking, even with the partner form it wouldn't be enough.
Thus, Ash decided to go all out!
Although sending Gardevoir would work too, as fellow Electric Type Pokemon, Pikachu definitely wanted to have this battle, so in the end, Ash let Pikachu take on this final match.
[Type: Pikachu (Third Transformation) Partner Form]
[Gender: Male]
[Attribute: Electric Type]
[Level: Elite Four Advanced Level (Mid-Elite Four Level)]
[Ability: Static]
[Held Item: Light Ball]
[Skills: Thunderbolt, Volt Tackle, Thunder, Electric Terrain…]
[Six-dimensional Ability: Physical Attack SS (S+), Special Attack SS (S+), Defense S (A+), Special Defense S (A+), Physical Strength S+ (S), Speed SS (S+)]
Why is Pikachu's reincarnation ability considered so OP? Because its ability values can break through to the limits that a normal Pokemon can achieve due to Transformation!
And on top of this overpowered ability, add in an overpowered form—that's a monster among monsters!
Double S in both attacks, double S in speed, combined with all S's in other abilities, and add in the Aura Fusion with Ash and Pikachu…
Now, the one who should be feeling fear is that Raikou over there!
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