Chapter 307: Chapter 307: The Power of Blastoise
Although being approached by an opponent might seem like a disadvantage, Ash understood that both sides were evenly matched.
Allowing Gary's Blastoise to close the distance wasn't necessarily unacceptable.
Ash commanded his Blastoise to fire Water Pulse twice in quick succession, countering Gary's Dragon Pulse.
However, Gary's Blastoise had already crossed the battlefield during the exchange, following the dissipated Dragon Pulse.
It appeared right in front of Ash's Blastoise, spinning furiously as it launched into Rapid Spin!
Ash's Blastoise, having just used Water Pulse twice, had no time to react. It braced itself, but the force of the collision sent it skidding backward. Its heavy legs carved deep grooves into the ground as it struggled to maintain its footing.
"Dragon Pulse!" Gary capitalised on the opportunity, giving a swift command. His strategy became clear—he had brought Blastoise in close to ensure Ash's Blastoise couldn't use two Water Pulses in time to counter.
The twin cannons on Gary's Blastoise glowed with a vivid purple-blue light as energy surged through them.
The Dragon Pulse roared to life, manifesting into a massive spectral dragon that lunged forward, claws bared and jaws wide.
"Hydro Pump!" Ash reacted quickly, ordering his Blastoise to retaliate with full force. Even at close range, the sheer power of Hydro Pump couldn't be ignored.
However, the earlier impact from Rapid Spin had left Ash's Blastoise off-balance. Its aim wavered slightly, and the timing of its attack faltered. The energy from Hydro Pump began to build, but Gary's Dragon Pulse reached first.
The spectral dragon surged forward, engulfing Ash's Blastoise completely. Its jaws snapped shut around the shell, lifting the heavy Pokémon into the air before slamming it into the ground with devastating force.
"Boom!"
The ground trembled as purple-blue energy erupted in a violent shockwave, leaving behind a circular crater nearly three meters wide. At the center lay Ash's Blastoise, unconscious and unable to continue the fight.
"Ash's Blastoise is unable to battle! Gary's Blastoise is the winner!" the referee declared loudly.
"We did it!" the commentator exclaimed, his voice filled with excitement. "Gary's Blastoise has turned the tide by defeating Ash's Blastoise in an incredible display of power!"
Gary exhaled deeply, a satisfied smile spreading across his face. "Great job, Blastoise," he said quietly. His Pokémon had met his expectations and more.
Ash returned Blastoise to its Poké Ball, his expression calm but focused. This loss had caught him off guard, especially since Gary's Blastoise had hidden its ability to use Dragon Pulse.
"When strength is evenly matched, knowing your opponent's capabilities becomes even more important," Ash muttered to himself. But he wasn't discouraged. "It's not over yet."
Adjusting his cap, Ash stepped forward. "Venusaur, it's your turn!" He threw his next Poké Ball into the air.
The white light expanded onto the battlefield, revealing Venusaur's massive form. The Grass-type Pokémon roared deeply, its sharp eyes locking onto Gary's Blastoise.
"Ash has chosen Venusaur as his next Pokémon! With its Grass typing, Venusaur has a clear advantage over Gary's Water-type Blastoise. Will Gary switch out, or will he stay and fight?" the commentator speculated.
Many in the audience expected Gary to recall his Blastoise and send out a different Pokémon to counter Venusaur. Even Ash believed this would be the case.
However, Gary remained calm, crossing his arms as he made no move to withdraw his Blastoise.
Ash frowned. "If something seems off, there's always a trick," he thought, his expression hardening.
He suspected that Gary's Blastoise had another hidden move, one capable of countering Venusaur's advantage.
Determined not to be caught off guard again, Ash quickly formulated a plan. "Venusaur, use Leech Seed!"
Venusaur roared in acknowledgment, channeling Grass-type energy into its large flower. A small seed formed at the flower's center before being launched toward Gary's Blastoise.
Gary smirked, recognizing Ash's strategy. "Blastoise, Rapid Spin!"
Blastoise tucked into its shell and spun at high speed. The incoming Leech Seed bounced harmlessly off its rotating body.
Rapid Spin didn't just increase the user's speed; it also nullified moves like Leech Seed or field hazards such as Spikes and Stealth Rock. Gary had anticipated Ash's strategy and countered it effortlessly.
"Now, Sunny Day!" Ash called out, using Gary's reliance on Rapid Spin to his advantage.
As Blastoise continued spinning, Venusaur unleashed a pale golden sphere of energy into the sky.
The orb exploded above the battlefield, spreading intense Fire-type energy. The sunlight grew stronger, and the temperature on the field rose dramatically.
The commentator's voice rose in excitement. "Ash has changed the weather with Sunny Day! This could turn the battle in his favour!"
Gary's confident expression faltered as he realised his mistake. In his overconfidence from the earlier victory, he had overlooked Ash's plan to manipulate the weather.
Under the effects of Sunny Day, the power of Water-type moves was halved, while Fire-type moves gained a significant boost. More importantly, Venusaur's abilities would shine in this environment.
If Venusaur had the Chlorophyll ability, its speed would double under the sun. Even more crucially, Sunny Day allowed Venusaur to use Solar Beam without needing to charge.
Gary clenched his fists, realizing that his earlier momentum had led to complacency. The battle was far from over, and Ash was ready to reclaim control.
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