The atmosphere at Indigo Stadium reached an unprecedented boiling point that day. Golden sunlight spilled into every corner, the stands were a sea of people, colorful flags fluttered in the breeze, and the cheers of the audience rose and fell like a tsunami.
The throne of the Indigo League champion was only a single step away for the final two trainers standing there.
Ash Ketchum stood at the exit of the players' tunnel, taking a deep breath and feeling the searing battle intent and expectation within the arena.
Pikachu stood on his shoulder, giving a sharp "Pika!" cry. Small electrical sparks danced on its cheeks, and its eyes were filled with determination.
"The moment is finally here, Pikachu." Ash lightly stroked Pikachu's chin, his gaze piercing through the shadows of the tunnel to fall upon the figure standing equally tall on the opposite side.
His opponent in the finals was a woman dressed in a familiar nurse's uniformNurse Joy.
But this Nurse Joy was different from any he had seen at a Pokémon Center. She wore a pair of rimless glasses, her gaze was sharp and calm, and she radiated an intellectual aura that felt like a scholar combined with the powerful presence unique to a high-level trainer.
This Nurse Joy was the very same individual who had secured second place in the Pokémon Licensing Exam, trailing only Ash's own outstanding performance.
She did not serve at a local Pokémon Center; instead, she was a "Combat Medic" who focused on the research of combining Pokémon battle theory with clinical recovery.
"Ash Ketchum of Pallet Town, I can finally face you on the stage of actual combat." Nurse Joy pushed up her glasses, her voice gentle yet carrying a weight that could not be ignored. "The written exams and simulations of the Licensing Exam are, after all, not as satisfying as a duel with real steel."
Ash stepped forward to face her across the field, a confident smile playing on his lips. "I've been looking forward to this too, Nurse Joy. Your theoretical knowledge is impeccable, but I wonder if your practical command is just as brilliant. My goal is the championship; I won't stop here."
"Very well." Nurse Joy nodded slightly. "I'm sure you've done your research on me. My ace, Blissey, is already prepared. It will show you that the power of healing can also be transformed into the sturdiest barrier and the sharpest spear."
The referee signaled for both sides to take their positions. The entire stadium fell silent instantly, leaving only the sound of the flags snapping in the wind.
"The Indigo League finals will now begin! Ash Ketchum of Pallet Town versus Joy of the Pokémon Nursing Academy! The rules are a six on six Full Battle. The match ends when all of one side's Pokémon are unable to battle! Now, please send out your first Pokémon simultaneously!"
"Primeape, I choose you!" Ash was the first to throw his Poké Ball, intending to seize the initiative with the aggressive offense of a Fighting type.
"Show them your elegance, Jynx." Nurse Joy sent out the Psychic and Ice type, Jynx.
In terms of type advantages, Fighting types were strong against Ice, but Psychic types held the advantage over Fighting. The situation was subtle.
"Primeape, use Karate Chop!" Ash launched the first attack.
"Jynx, use Confusion to restrain it!" Nurse Joy responded calmly.
A blue light flashed in Jynx's eyes, and invisible Psychic energy instantly bound the charging Primeape.
However, Ash's Primeape had undergone guidance from Master Bruno and had developed a certain resistance to Psychic interference. It roared, its muscles bulging as it forcibly broke free from the shackles of Confusion. Its hand surged forward like a blade, carrying a sharp wind as it cleaved toward Jynx!
"Now, Jynx, use Lovely Kiss!" Nurse Joy changed tactics instantly.
Jynx puckered its lips, sending a flying kiss straight at Primeape. Primeape couldn't dodge in time and was immediately plunged into a state of confusion. It began to attack wildly, even turning around to strike itself with a Cross Chop.
"Oh no! Primeape, snap out of it!" Ash shouted anxiously.
"Jynx, don't give it a chance. Use Confusion repeatedly!"
Under the double blow of its own confusion and Jynx's Psychic energy, Primeape fought back tenaciously but ultimately collapsed under the final wave of Jynx's Confusion.
"Primeape is unable to battle. Jynx wins!"
The opening was unfavorable. Ash took a deep breath and recalled Primeape. "You worked hard. Get some rest."
He looked at Nurse Joy, his expression becoming more solemn. Her command was calm and efficient, and she was skilled at utilizing status changes. She was a formidable opponent.
"Second one, I choose you, Magneton!"
A Shiny Magneton levitated onto the field. Its dual Steel and Electric typing gave it excellent resistance to both Psychic and Ice type moves.
"Jynx, use Shadow Ball!"
"Magneton, dodge it with Magnet Rise, then use Flash Cannon!"
Magneton nimbly avoided the orb of dark energy. Its body gleamed with a metallic luster as it fired a searing beam of Steel energy. The hit was direct and super effective! Jynx wailed and fell, unable to rise.
"Jynx is unable to battle. Magneton wins!"
Nurse Joy calmly recalled Jynx. "Well done. Next up is this oneWigglytuff!"
The Normal and Fairy type Wigglytuff appeared, a harmless smile on its face.
"Magneton, keep using Flash Cannon!"
"Wigglytuff, Disarming Voice!"
The melodic sound waves collided with the Steel beam, canceling each other out.
While the Fairy type Disarming Voice wasn't very effective against Magneton, it succeeded in disrupting its offensive rhythm.
"Wigglytuff, use Rollout!"
Wigglytuff curled into a ball and began rolling across the field at high speeds, making it difficult to track.
"Magneton, use Thunder Wave to restrict its speed!"
Thunder Wave was unleashed, but Wigglytuff's rolling trajectory was erratic, and it barely managed to dodge. As the move continued over time, its power grew greater and greater.
"Now, Wigglytuff, use Tackle!"
Seizing the gap while Magneton was recovering from the Thunder Wave, Wigglytuff suddenly accelerated and slammed hard into its opponent.
Although Steel types resist Normal type moves, the accumulated power from several rounds of Rollout still caused considerable damage.
"Magneton, use Thunderbolt point-blank!"
At such close range, Thunderbolt was impossible to dodge.
A golden snake of electricity instantly swallowed Wigglytuff. The effect was excellent!
"Wigglytuff is unable to battle. Magneton wins!"
Ash had won two rounds in a row, but Magneton was panting heavily from the impact of Rollout and the continuous combat.
Nurse Joy remained unflustered and sent out her third Pokémon. "Go, Miltank!"
It was another gentle-looking Pokémon, but Ash knew well how difficult Miltank could be as a tank and a disruptor. Its Milk Drink move provided powerful recovery.
"Magneton, come back." Ash chose to preserve its strength. "Muk, I choose you!"
The Dark-type Muk entered the stage, perfectly resisting Miltank's Normal type attacks.
"Miltank, use Rollout!"
"Muk, use Sludge!"
Foul-smelling sludge collided with the rolling Miltank, and both took damage. Muk's Sticky Hold ability prevented its items from being knocked off.
"Miltank, Milk Drink!"
A light flashed across Miltank's body, and its health was instantly restored by more than half.
"We can't let it keep recovering! Muk, use Poison Gas!"
A purple poisonous mist spread out. Miltank accidentally inhaled it and fell into a poisoned state.
"Now use Disable to seal its Milk Drink!"
An eerie light flashed in Muk's eyes. Miltank suddenly found itself unable to use Milk Drink anymore.
Nurse Joy frowned slightly. "Even so... Miltank, give it everything you've got with a modified Body Slam!"
Carrying a heavy momentum, Miltank lunged toward Muk. Muk didn't dodge, taking the hit head-on. Its body swayed, but it held its ground thanks to its outstanding durability.
Meanwhile, the damage from the poison continued to drain Miltank's stamina.
"Let's end this, Muk! Final Sludge Bomb!"
A concentrated ball of Poison energy exploded against Miltank. Already at its limit, the Miltank finally collapsed.
"Miltank is unable to battle. Muk wins!"
The first half of the match ended with Ash leading 3-1. But both he and Nurse Joy knew that the true test had only just begun.
In Nurse Joy's hands, she still held her ultimate aceBlisseyalong with two other unknown Pokémon.
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