At this moment, both sides on the battlefield were attacking relentlessly.
Yet strangely, both strategies were based on attrition.
Ash and Pikachu relied on their speed advantage, firing off instant Thunder Shock attacks again and again to chip away at Heatmor's HP.
Meanwhile, Caldor and Heatmor—fully aware that Fire Lash could no longer hit Pikachu reliably—continued attacking without hesitation, deliberately draining Pikachu's stamina.
If Heatmor's HP was worn down, Caldor would lose.
But if Pikachu's stamina ran out first, Ash would lose just as surely.
Both sides firmly believed that they could outlast the other.
Thus, the battlefield became strangely quiet despite the chaos.
Flaming whips cracked through the air with explosive snaps, while bolts of lightning flashed repeatedly.
Yet the battle had fallen into an odd stalemate.
Across the field, Caldor looked completely confident.
But Ash wore a faint smile as well.
…
"Pika~!"
"Skraaa!"
"CRACK!"
"ZZT!"
The tug-of-war continued.
Pikachu was constantly forced to dodge and run as Heatmor's flaming whips drove it across the battlefield, steadily draining its stamina.
But Pikachu's counterattacks were relentless.
It fired Thunder Shock like a basic attack, again and again.
Though Thunder Shock was only a basic electric move, the sheer volume of attacks began to add up.
Heatmor, standing in place like a target, saw its HP steadily decline.
…
"How is this possible?"
Caldor frowned deeply.
"A Pikachu's base HP is only a pitiful 35."
"Even if it's been specially trained for endurance, Pikachu has terrible growth potential in stamina."
"There's no way it should be this durable."
Nearly ten minutes had passed in this stalemate.
Heatmor was now panting heavily from repeatedly using Fire Lash, its body covered in injuries from the continuous Thunder Shock strikes.
Meanwhile—
Ash's Pikachu was only slightly out of breath.
Finally, Caldor realized something was wrong.
He didn't know why Pikachu's stamina was so incredible, but one thing had become obvious:
His exhaustion strategy had failed.
If the stalemate continued—
Pikachu might still have stamina left.
But Heatmor definitely wouldn't last much longer.
"Heatmor is far stronger than Pikachu…"
Caldor muttered quietly.
"At the start, I should've forced a direct clash instead of allowing this battle of attrition."
"That kid misled me with Pikachu's supposed stamina weakness."
"He tricked me into abandoning my advantage and attacking his strength instead."
"I've fallen right into his trap."
Looking at Heatmor—panting, battered, and exhausted— Caldor finally understood.
He glanced deeply at Ash.
Then suddenly—
The old craftsman smiled approvingly.
…
"Kid… impressive calculation."
"If this dragged on any longer, I might really have lost to you."
"But this farce ends right now."
"Heatmor may be low on stamina…"
"But defeating your little pet is still more than possible."
Then Caldor shouted with booming authority:
"Heatmor! Use Fire Spin across the entire field!"
"SKRAAA!"
…
Heatmor roared loudly on the battlefield.
From its pipe-like snout erupted a torrent of blazing flames.
The previously stagnant air suddenly filled with waves of scorching heat.
Seeing Caldor abandon the stalemate strategy, Ash showed no surprise at all.
Heatmor's explosive attack had already been part of his calculations.
And he had prepared a counter long ago.
…
"Pikachu—use Rain Dance!"
Ash swept his arm forward and shouted with equal intensity.
"Pika!"
Without hesitation, Pikachu followed the command.
Ignoring the wildfire spreading across the battlefield, it opened its mouth and launched a misty orb of water into the sky.
"BOOM—!"
The water orb burst silently.
Instantly—
Dark clouds gathered overhead.
Low thunder rumbled across the sky like war drums.
…
Heatmor's Fire Spin spread flames across the field.
But the oppressive tension in the sky didn't last long.
"CRACK—!"
A brilliant flash of lightning streaked through the clouds.
Then—
"Pitter… patter…"
Rain began to fall.
"Hissss…"
White steam rose everywhere.
Although the raging fire wasn't completely extinguished, the spreading flames quickly began shrinking.
Fire Spin ultimately failed to deal any damage to Pikachu.
Heatmor's sudden offensive burst had been perfectly neutralized.
And before Caldor could launch another move—
Ash struck first.
…
"Pikachu—show them the results of your training!"
"Use Surf!"
Ash pointed forward and shouted with overwhelming momentum.
"PIKA!"
The moment the command was given, Pikachu acted.
Water vapor rapidly gathered across the battlefield.
Suddenly—
A towering wave rose from the ground.
Standing atop the roaring surge like a surfer, Pikachu rode the massive wave straight toward Heatmor.
"RUMBLE—!"
"CRASH—!"
"WHOOSH—!"
Seeing a tidal wave as tall as a city wall rushing toward Heatmor—
Caldor's expression finally changed.
He never expected Pikachu to possess a Water-type move capable of countering Heatmor so perfectly.
Even more shocking—
Ash and Pikachu had deliberately withheld this move earlier, even during their most dangerous moments.
Their patience had been terrifying.
…
"Heatmor! Use our ultimate move!"
"Inferno!!"
Faced with the incoming tidal wave, Caldor refused to retreat.
He shouted fiercely, ordering Heatmor to unleash its strongest attack.
"SKRAAA!"
Heatmor's eyes burned with blazing fire.
Steam and smoke burst from its exhaust-like tail.
With a furious roar, Heatmor slammed its arms onto the ground.
The earth trembled.
From the point beneath Heatmor, shockwaves spread outward.
Cracks tore across the battlefield.
From those fissures—
Molten magma erupted.
Blazing lava surged upward, accompanied by bursts of fiery hellfire from deep underground.
On one side—
Molten magma and raging flames.
On the other—
A tidal wave towering like a fortress wall.
Above them—
Thunderclouds roared as rain poured down.
…
"BOOOOOM!!!"
At that moment, the battlefield resembled a clash between ancient titans.
Like the legendary conflict between Groudon, lord of the land, and Kyogre, ruler of the seas—
The tidal wave collided with the lava inferno.
"Hissssss—!"
Massive plumes of steam shot skyward as water and magma violently collided.
But the earlier prolonged stalemate had taken its toll.
Heatmor's stamina was nearly depleted.
Its body was riddled with injuries.
Earlier, it could have completely suppressed Pikachu in direct combat.
But now—
Rain Dance + Surf vs. Inferno
The two attacks ended in a stalemate.
And strategically—
Ash had already won.
Even though Heatmor hadn't fallen yet, it was now a spent force.
Pikachu, on the other hand, was still in far better condition.
Heatmor couldn't catch Pikachu's speed.
It was paralyzed from Thunder Wave.
And with Rain Dance + Surf active—
Whether Heatmor used Fire Lash, Fire Spin, or Inferno, none of them could effectively threaten Pikachu anymore.
Meanwhile—
Ash and Pikachu could freely decide whether to engage directly or continue dragging Heatmor into an exhaustion battle.
With low stamina and worsening injuries, Heatmor still technically held the higher level advantage.
But the initiative of the battle had now completely shifted—
Into Ash and Pikachu's hands.
--------------
T/N:
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