Ash paid little attention to the chatter among the surrounding wild Pokémon. His love for Pokémon had always been sincere, it had been so in the past, remained so in the present, and would continue into the future. But that did not mean his affection for other Pokémon would ever surpass the care he gave to his own team. That was something that would never change.
After finishing treating Krabby with his Viridian Power's Healing Grace, the battle between Feebas and Goldeen officially began in the arena formed over the sea.
"Goldeen!" With a sharp cry full of fighting spirit, Goldeen made the first move.
Unlike Krabby earlier, Goldeen did not rush in recklessly. As a female Pokémon, it showed far more composure, opening with a control move instead. A ripple spread across the water as it unleashed Supersonic.
"Blub…" Feebas immediately tensed. The water trembled beneath it, and with a swift flick of its tail, it struck the surface and launched itself upward, using Splash to evade.
Its movement mirrored Magikarp's earlier maneuver perfectly.
As its body rose into the air, Feebas stretched gracefully, its dull exterior shimmering for a moment before activating Safeguard. Though it could not directly see Goldeen's move set like Ash could, it recognized Supersonic's purpose and acted decisively to protect itself from status effects.
"Goldeen!" Seeing Feebas not only dodge its attack but also activate a dazzling protective aura that made its scales glow with a dreamlike brilliance, Goldeen felt both anger and jealousy surge within it.
Without hesitation, it flicked its elegant tail and surged forward. The sharp horn on its forehead gleamed like a spearhead as it thrust straight toward the descending Feebas. It was using its signature move, Horn Attack.
Faced with the incoming strike, Feebas remained calm even as it fell from the air. It opened its mouth and fired a Water Gun, a move it had already trained to Mastered proficiency.
With a loud impact, the Water Gun struck first, intercepting Goldeen's charge before it could land.
"Goldeen!" The hit forced Goldeen back, its body crashing into the water with a splash.
Feebas pressed the advantage immediately. Before Goldeen could recover, another Water Gun shot forward in quick succession.
Another direct hit.
Though both Pokémon were at the same level, the gap in move proficiency was overwhelming. Feebas's Water Gun, refined to perfection, had minimal energy cost and near-instant activation speed, turning it into a relentless barrage. Each shot struck like a precise spear of water, forcing Goldeen backward again and again.
Desperate, Goldeen gathered its resolve. Enduring another hit head-on, it unleashed Supersonic once more in retaliation.
But Feebas had already prepared for this. Protected by Safeguard, it was completely immune to the confusion effect.
Goldeen's eyes lit up for a brief moment when it saw the attack connect, but that hope vanished almost instantly when Feebas remained clear-minded and fired yet another Water Gun.
The next impact landed squarely.
Pain spread through Goldeen's body, its carefully maintained smooth scales stinging sharply. It still could not understand why its Supersonic had failed.
But Feebas had no intention of explaining.
Under Ash's training, it had long learned to never lose focus during battle. And beyond that, it harbored its own grievances. Goldeen had often mocked it in the past, sneering at its appearance and belittling it whenever they crossed paths. Goldeen believed Feebas had only become strong by sheer luck after being chosen by Ash.
That resentment had built up over time.
Now that it finally had the chance, Feebas would not hold back.
Water Gun after Water Gun fired in rapid succession. Though the move itself was basic and Goldeen, as a Water-type, resisted some of the damage, the sheer volume of attacks made up for it.
One shot might not be enough, but ten would be. Or a hundred.
With its mastery, Feebas could use Water Gun like a continuous stream of basic attacks, maintaining relentless pressure. Goldeen was driven back repeatedly, unable to mount any effective counterattack.
Its jealousy remained, but its pride was crumbling with every hit it took.
Even if it refused to accept how the once pitiful Feebas had become so strong in just two months, reality was undeniable.
"Goldeen…" Knowing it could not win, Goldeen gathered its last strength and unleashed Water Pulse in a final desperate attempt.
But Feebas could use the same move.
The two Water Pulses collided in the center of the battlefield, erupting into a powerful explosion that sent waves crashing outward across the sea.
For a moment, the waters churned violently.
Then, after nearly a minute, calm returned.
Feebas did not need to attack again.
Goldeen, already at its limit, had been caught in the aftermath of the explosion. It floated there, unconscious, its battle spirit extinguished.
A notification echoed in Ash's mind.
Defeated LV.15 Goldeen. Experience gained plus 240.
"Lumina, bring Goldeen over for treatment. Valor, get ready to take the field again," Ash said.
"Splash!" Magikarp responded eagerly, swapping places with Feebas as it carried the defeated Goldeen back.
With renewed determination, Magikarp entered the battlefield once more, its eyes shining with fighting spirit.
--------------
T/N:
Access Advance Chapters on my
P@treon: [email protected]/PokePals