From being suppressed and forced into a disadvantage—
To gradually seizing the initiative without anyone realizing it—
And now cornering the opponent completely.
The scales of victory had clearly begun tipping toward Ash.
Across the battlefield, the old craftsman's expression grew increasingly unpleasant. In fact, ever since Ash and Pikachu began their counterattack and revealed the combination of Rain Dance + Surf, Caldor's expression had never recovered.
Although he wasn't a professional Pokémon Trainer—and had even chosen the path of a craftsman because his Trainer talent wasn't exceptional—
Heatmor was still his ace Pokémon.
It was his most reliable partner in forging equipment and crafting items.
For decades, day after day, Heatmor had refined its mastery over flames until it became second nature. Through steady accumulation of experience, its strength had gradually reached the Gym-level tier.
Today's battle was meant to be a test.
Caldor had never imagined that the boy in front of him could actually win.
From beginning to end, the only thing he had wondered was:
How long could this young Trainer hold out?
After all—
His opponent was just a child barely six years old.
…
At the start of the battle, he and Heatmor had indeed completely suppressed Ash and Pikachu.
One strike of Fire Lash had forced Pikachu into a desperate scramble.
But not long afterward—
Once Pikachu revealed its incredible speed—
Heatmor's Fire Lash could no longer touch it.
Then Caldor attempted to exhaust Pikachu's stamina.
But Pikachu's endurance turned out to be far greater than he had expected.
In the end, not only had he wasted his overwhelming advantage—
But when Ash finally unleashed the Rain Dance + Surf combination that directly countered Heatmor—
The initiative of the entire battle shifted completely.
Looking at Heatmor—now covered in wounds and panting heavily— Caldor couldn't help feeling both frustrated and depressed.
…
"Pikachu—keep moving and use Wish twice in a row!"
With Heatmor already cornered, Ash chose not to immediately finish the fight with a decisive move.
Instead, to ensure absolute safety, he ordered Pikachu to recover stamina.
"Pika—!"
On the battlefield, Pikachu continued running nimbly while gathering the last of its remaining energy and activating Wish twice.
Although Wish had a one-turn delay before taking effect, each use restored half of the user's maximum stamina.
Using it twice in succession meant Pikachu would recover to full health.
"Hiss…"
Caldor sucked in a sharp breath.
"So this kid's Pikachu actually knows a recovery move…"
"And yet he deliberately held it back all this time—dragging me into a ten-minute war of attrition…"
"This brat really…"
The frustration in Caldor's expression deepened.
But he knew he couldn't just stand by.
If Pikachu recovered to full health—
Then his side would lose for sure.
"Heatmor—charge in and use Slash!"
Caldor shouted loudly.
"SKRAAA!"
Heatmor, who had been leaning forward with both hands on its knees while gasping for breath, suddenly sprang into action.
For the first time since the battle began, it left its original position and sprinted toward Pikachu.
Although it had been paralyzed by Thunder Wave, Heatmor had spent the entire battle standing still with relaxed muscles.
Now, as it suddenly burst into a run, the paralysis did not immediately trigger.
"SWISH—!"
Heatmor's claws sliced through the air.
Those sharp blades seemed capable of tearing the air itself into ragged shreds.
…
"Pikachu—dodge with Quick Attack!"
Ash remained perfectly calm.
Since he hadn't used Will Empowerment to enhance Pikachu's strength earlier, the level gap between the two Pokémon still existed.
Heatmor was currently at a disadvantage because its stamina was nearly depleted and its condition was far worse than Pikachu's.
But its attack power was still terrifying.
If Pikachu took a direct hit—
It would likely be gravely injured or even knocked out instantly.
Pikachu's advantage had always depended on avoiding direct clashes.
Now that Heatmor was charging in, Ash naturally had no intention of recklessly confronting it head-on.
…
"Pika!"
With a powerful push from its hind legs, Pikachu exploded forward in a burst of speed.
In an instant, it widened the distance between itself and Heatmor.
But just as Pikachu escaped—
"SKRAAA!!!"
Heatmor suddenly screamed.
Golden sparks burst across its orange-striped crimson body.
Its muscles spasmed violently.
Its limbs went numb.
With a pained cry, Heatmor collapsed to its knees.
"Heatmor!!"
Caldor shouted anxiously from across the field.
Ash watched coldly.
Heatmor had been forced to stop its pursuit.
Meanwhile, Pikachu—now safely at a distance—suddenly had a miniature night sky appear above its head.
"Whoosh—!"
Within that tiny starry sky, two shooting stars chased each other in graceful arcs.
A mysterious power descended onto Pikachu.
Brilliant green life energy surged from deep within its body.
If Ash could see a health bar—
He would notice that Pikachu's nearly empty stamina was rapidly refilling.
Critical red.
Warning yellow.
Healthy green.
In just a single breath—
Pikachu returned to full stamina.
…
"This kid…"
Caldor stared at Ash across the battlefield.
The boy's calm composure made his frustration deepen even further.
Such exceptional tactical thinking and battle awareness—
Just what kind of family could produce a genius like this?
…
Ash, of course, had no idea what Caldor was thinking.
With Pikachu fully restored, he immediately launched the final offensive.
"Although we could defeat you in our current state…"
Ash said calmly.
"But out of respect for a senior like you—"
"Let me show you our full strength."
He raised his voice.
"Pikachu—prepare for battle!"
Ash shouted with explosive momentum.
At the same time, he activated the secret technique of the Viridian Blessing.
Will Empowerment.
The Viridian Power within his body—already at Level 41—surged violently.
Ash extended his hand.
Following the 9:1 energy ratio, streams of dark crimson energy poured into Pikachu's body.
The moment the power entered Pikachu—
Its pale yellow fur began glowing with a faint crimson aura.
Its presence rose sharply.
The pressure on the battlefield intensified.
Soon—
Both Caldor and Heatmor could feel a suffocating sense of oppression.
[Pokémon: Pikachu]
Level: LV.63 (Duration: 1 minute 36 seconds)
Type: Electric
Nature: Timid
Ability: Static, Lightning Rod
HP: 100
Attack: 100
Defense: 100
Sp. Atk: 100
Sp. Def: 100
Speed: 100
Total: 600
Potential:Gold (0.57%)
Favored by the world's fortune, bearing miraculous power beyond imagination.
Moves (Copyable)
Mastered (1/5000):
Thunder Shock, Electro Ball, Spark, Thunder Wave, Thunderbolt, Iron Tail, Wish, Light Screen, Reflect, Quick Attack, Double Team, Agility
Proficient (1/1000):
Play Nice, Sweet Kiss, Nuzzle, Tail Whip, Nasty Plot, Baby-Doll Eyes, Growl, Feint, Slam, Discharge
Skilled (1/500):
Rain Dance, Surf
Novice (1/100):
—
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