Chapter 281: The Final Qualifying Round – The Ice Arena

Ash had chosen Beedrill for the battle, surprising the crowd. They had expected him to send out an Ice-Type Pokémon or even his adaptable Blastoise in this frigid setting. 

The commentators quickly discussed this surprising choice.

"Ash has chosen Beedrill for this battle—a Pokémon we haven't seen him use in the qualifiers so far. 

It's surprising he didn't pick an Ice-Type or Blastoise, which would have a strong advantage in this environment." 

The commentator analysed Ash's decision as the audience buzzed with excitement.

"Meanwhile, we know, Samurai is a Trainer who specialises in Bug-Types. 

His Butterfree has already performed well in previous rounds, so we're in for an interesting match-up here," the commentator added.

"Will Ash be able to continue his winning streak, or will Samurai's skill with Bug-Types turn the tide in his favor?"

As the commentator spoke, Ash's eyes focused on the details of Samurai's Pokémon, Butterfree, which appeared in his field of vision.

Butterfree

Type: Bug, Flying

Category: Butterfly Pokémon

Ability: Compound Eyes

Hidden Ability: Tinted Lens

Compound Eyes: This ability enhances accuracy, helping Butterfree land attacks more reliably.

Strength: Silver Level

With the referee's shout, "Let the battle begin!" the match officially started.

"Beedrill, Pin Missile!" Ash called. Instead of attacking with full power, he wanted to test Butterfree's defences, mindful of Butterfree's Flying-Type advantage over Beedrill.

"Bee!" Beedrill's twin stingers gleamed as it harnessed Bug-Type energy, forming a series of tea-green, needle-like projectiles that shot toward Butterfree.

The Samurai Trainer smirked, his confidence unwavering. "That won't faze my Butterfree! Butterfree, use Gust!"

Butterfree's wings beat fiercely, gathering Flying-Type energy as gusts of wind formed in front of it. 

The air currents intercepted the Pin Missile, dispersing the energy projectiles in midair and forcing Beedrill back.

Despite Beedrill's power, the Gust attack's Attribute advantage nullified the effectiveness of its initial assault.

"Agility, dodge and close in on Butterfree!" Ash ordered swiftly, his eyes narrowing with determination.

"Beeee!" Beedrill's body glowed with a pinkish-purple Psychic energy, momentarily surging before dissipating as it was absorbed. 

In an instant, Beedrill became a blur, rapidly dodging Gust's reach and darting towards Butterfree with blinding speed.

"So fast!" Samurai muttered, his eyes widening at Beedrill's acceleration. 

But quickly regaining his composure, he called, "Butterfree, use Psybeam!"

Psychic energy gathered between the antennae on Butterfree's head, forming a multicoloured beam that shot toward Beedrill with remarkable accuracy, thanks to its Compound Eyes.

However, Beedrill's speed wasn't just about moving in a straight line. Under Ash's training, it had developed the reflexes to sidestep attacks independently, even without direct commands. 

With a sharp, mid-air pivot, Beedrill avoided Psybeam by sliding sideways and continued its rapid approach toward Butterfree.

The Samurai Trainer had clearly not expected such agile manoeuvres. 

By the time he processed Beedrill's actions, the insect was already upon Butterfree, who hadn't even registered its arrival.

"Poison Jab!" Ash's voice carried across the arena.

Poison energy swirled around Beedrill's stingers, turning them a deep, glowing purple. With a powerful thrust, Beedrill struck Butterfree directly in the abdomen.

Bang! A forceful impact sent Butterfree flying back more than ten metres. 

It stabilized in mid-air but immediately showed signs of the Poison status effect as a telltale purple aura flickered around it.

The Samurai Trainer's expression changed to alarm. "No… Butterfree's been poisoned!"

The Poison status put Butterfree at a significant disadvantage, especially given its naturally limited endurance.

"We have no time to waste, Butterfree! Use Air Slash with all your strength!" Samurai's voice was laced with urgency.

Butterfree struggled, clearly affected by the poison, but managed to gather the energy needed to execute the move. 

Despite its discomfort, it launched a high-speed, sky-blue energy blade directly toward Beedrill, the air around it whistling from the force of the attack.

But as the Air Slash flew, more purple bubbles surfaced around Butterfree, draining its strength. Each passing moment in the Poison condition was taking its toll.

"Beedrill, Agility! Charge through!" Ash shouted, his confidence in Beedrill's agility unwavering. 

He knew it could dodge the incoming attack while continuing to close in on Butterfree.

"Bee-!" Beedrill surged forward once again, its speed visibly increasing as it dodged the Air Slash in an instant. 

In no time, it was within striking range of Butterfree, who was only a few meters away.

"Poison Jab!" Ash ordered as Beedrill reached its target.

The Poison energy flared up again around Beedrill's stingers as it delivered a decisive blow to Butterfree. 

The impact bypassed its defences, triggering Beedrill's Sniper ability with a critical hit that sent Butterfree hurtling out of bounds. 

It nearly collided with the audience barrier before landing on the ground, sliding several metres before coming to a stop.

"Butterfree is unable to battle! Beedrill wins!" the referee announced.

"Butterfree!" Samurai's pupils shrank as he recalled Butterfree back into its Poké Ball, his expression tense as he looked back at Ash and his victorious Beedrill.

"As expected from Ash, who swept through three opponents in the last three days…" 

Samurai muttered to himself, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. He could feel the weight of Ash's skill pressing down on him.

"But… I won't give up!" he declared, clenching his fist as he reached for his next Poké Ball. 

With a look of determination, he tossed it forward, shouting, "Scyther, it's your turn! Show Beedrill no mercy!"

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