Happiny's evolution was dramatic.
Its height jumped from 0.6m to 1.1m, and its weight increased from 24.4 kg to 34.6 kg.
Thankfully, Ash's Pikachu wasn't an ordinary one—otherwise, it really wouldn't have been able to hold up the newly evolved Chansey.
"Lucky~"
Pikachu could still hold it…
But Chansey itself had already reached its absolute limit—both physically and mentally.
The moment the evolution finished, before it could even feel joy, Chansey's eyes rolled back. Its body went limp and slipped out of Pikachu's arms.
Fortunately, Clarissa reacted instantly.
"Referee, I forfeit! Chansey, come back!"
As she conceded, she quickly recalled Chansey into its Poké Ball.
"BOOOOM!!"
"ROOOAR!!"
Ash's side lost a Pokémon first—
But the "Shimoya Brothers" didn't even have time to celebrate.
Pikachu had already summoned a third massive wave.
It slammed directly into Onix.
Already pushed to its limit, Onix let out a final, agonized roar as it was struck—
And collapsed.
Unable to battle.
"Blue side's Chansey has forfeited. Red side's Onix has lost the ability to battle. The match continues!" the referee declared, slightly behind the fast pace of the fight.
With one Pokémon down on each side—
This "2 vs 1" double battle had now become a 1 vs 1 showdown.
…
The commentator's voice rose with excitement:
"Incredible! What a match!"
"At the start, the Shimoya Brothers had a clear plan—Onix would trap Pikachu with Sand Tomb, while Crobat quickly eliminated the weaker Happiny!"
"But what they didn't expect was—Ash's Pikachu actually knows Surf!"
"Facing a Ground-type opponent, Pikachu should've been at a disadvantage—yet in an instant, it flipped the entire battle around!"
"Onix, a Rock/Ground Pokémon, thought it was safe from Electric attacks… but Pikachu completely broke expectations with a Water-type move!"
"Truly worthy of Ash's Pokémon! While helping others through his Skill Shop, he clearly hasn't neglected training his own team!"
"On the split battlefield—'Pikachu vs Onix'—Pikachu has completely seized control!"
"Meanwhile, 'Happiny vs Crobat'—Crobat had the clear advantage in level and strength. But thanks to Pikachu's pressure, Happiny was able to endure!"
"Crobat's mission was to defeat Happiny quickly and support Onix—while Happiny's job became the same as Onix's at the start: stall!"
"And incredibly—it succeeded!"
"Even after being poisoned by Toxic, Happiny endured through sheer stamina and Heal Pulse!"
"At the critical moment—it evolved into Chansey!"
"Although it fainted immediately after, it bought Pikachu the crucial time needed—!"
"And that final Surf…!"
"Onix couldn't dodge, Crobat couldn't assist in time—after taking three Surf attacks, the four-times Water-weak Onix has fallen!"
…
"Now it's one-for-one!"
"Only Pikachu and Crobat remain on the field!"
"Crobat is Poison/Flying-type—against Electric-type Pikachu, it is at a type disadvantage."
"However, Crobat is fully evolved and has aerial mobility. Whether attacking or dodging, it still holds certain advantages!"
"So who will win… remains to be seen!"
…
The crowd erupted.
"PIKACHU!! PIKACHU!!"
"ASH!! ASH!!"
"KEIZAWA!! KEIZAWA!!"
Cheers thundered like a storm across the arena.
Though Keizawa had his supporters—
The overwhelming majority roared for Ash.
…
Keizawa's heart pounded.
Excitement. Pressure. Adrenaline.
But across the field—
Ash remained completely calm.
Fully immersed.
Chansey had fallen.
But Onix had fallen too.
Now—
Only Pikachu and Crobat remained.
A duel.
The commentator's analysis was accurate—but Ash already knew the outcome.
"Level advantage—LV.40."
"Type advantage—Electric."
"Held item—Light Ball boosting attack power."
"Legend-tier base stats."
"A complete moveset."
"And my training…"
Ash's eyes gleamed with confidence.
"My Pikachu can challenge Gym-level and even quasi-Elite opponents."
"A mere LV.37 Crobat? That's easy."
He looked forward, voice steady yet burning with intent:
"Pikachu… let them see your power."
"Pika Pika! "
On the other side, Keizawa snapped back to focus.
His partner was gone.
And unlike Ash, he no longer had a second pillar to rely on.
Because from the start—
The real threat had never been Clarissa.
It had always been Ash.
Now—
That truth stood undeniable.
As Pikachu stepped forward—
Keizawa felt it clearly.
The pressure.
The battle's final act had begun.
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T/N:
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