Chapter 295: Aerodactyl Goes to Battle
The referee's voice boomed as the five-minute break concluded. Without hesitation, Ritchie stepped forward, determination etched on his face.
"Geese, it's up to you!" Ritchie called out, releasing his fourth Pokémon, Wartortle.
The small yet resolute Water-type stood its ground, though its body betrayed traces of nervousness.
It was now Ritchie's turn to lead the battle, and he was determined to regain lost ground.
Having already used his three strongest Pokémon, Ritchie's remaining team consisted of Pokémon at the Bronze level.
It was a reality that might have broken his spirit earlier, but his recent surge of resolve pushed those thoughts aside. If he was going to lose, he would ensure it was a match to remember.
Across the battlefield, Ash adjusted the brim of his cap and smirked. "Sorry, Ritchie. But this is the game," he said as he threw a Poké Ball high into the air. "Aerodactyl, let's show them what you've got!"
A flash of white light erupted, and with a deafening roar, Aerodactyl burst into the arena, its immense wingspan casting a shadow over the battlefield.
The ancient predator exuded an intimidating aura, its gaze scanning the crowd like a ruler surveying its kingdom.
The stadium fell silent, stunned by Aerodactyl's majestic presence. Even the commentator was momentarily speechless before exclaiming,
"An Aerodactyl?! Ash has sent out Aerodactyl! This is unprecedented in the Indigo Plateau Conference!"
Aerodactyl was a Pokémon rarely seen in tournaments, let alone one of such obvious power.
Its gym-level strength was evident in its posture and the fierce energy radiating from its frame.
Trainers in the audience whispered in awe—this was a Pokémon usually wielded by legends like Lance.
Yet here was Ash, a Poké Ball-level Trainer, commanding one with absolute confidence.
Ritchie clenched his fists. The pressure of Aerodactyl's presence threatened to overwhelm him, but he gritted his teeth and pushed forward. "Geese, let's show them what we can do! Use Water Pulse!"
Wartortle, though visibly shaken, obeyed its trainer's command. It began gathering Water-type energy, forming a spiraling orb.
Yet the pressure exerted by Aerodactyl's Pressure ability made the process slower and more taxing, sapping Wartortle's stamina.
Ash seized the opportunity. "Aerodactyl, use Agility, then follow up with Thunder Fang!"
Aerodactyl let out a thunderous cry, its body glowing with a pink-purple energy as it vanished from its position.
The crowd gasped as the ancient predator reappeared high above Wartortle, closing the gap with breathtaking speed.
Wartortle fired its Water Pulse in desperation, but Aerodactyl nimbly dodged the attack, soaring in a sharp arc before descending with lightning crackling in its jaws.
"Boom!" The impact was catastrophic. Thunder and light enveloped Wartortle as Aerodactyl's Thunder Fang struck true.
When the energy dissipated, Wartortle lay motionless, charred and unconscious.
"Wartortle is unable to battle! Aerodactyl wins!" the referee announced, his voice cutting through the awestruck silence.
The crowd erupted in cheers as the commentator praised Aerodactyl's display of dominance.
"Such speed! Such power! Aerodactyl has exceeded expectations and completely overwhelmed its opponent!"
Ritchie recalled Wartortle, his expression stoic but tinged with a bitter smile.
"You've trained them well, Ash," he muttered under his breath. Determined not to give up, he sent out his fifth Pokémon, a Pikachu named Ren.
Despite Pikachu's advantage in type, the power disparity was glaring. Pikachu managed a Thunderbolt, but the attack barely fazed Aerodactyl.
In response, Aerodactyl launched a decisive Crunch, its razor-sharp fangs clamping down with enough force to end the match instantly. Pikachu fell, defeated in a single blow.
Ritchie's last Pokémon was his Pidgeot, Suoying. While Pidgeot had the advantage of aerial mobility, Aerodactyl's overwhelming speed and agility nullified it.
Despite a valiant effort, Pidgeot succumbed after a grueling two-minute battle, ending the match.
"Pidgeot is unable to battle! Aerodactyl wins! Since Ritchie has no remaining Pokémon, the winner of this match is Ash!" the referee declared, raising his flag toward Ash's side.
The crowd erupted into a thunderous ovation, cheering for Ash's tactical brilliance and Aerodactyl's stunning power.
As Aerodactyl descended next to Ash, its proud demeanor was slightly undercut by Pikachu climbing onto its head, waving its tiny paws in playful triumph.
The scene drew laughter from the audience, who marveled at how such a fierce Pokémon could coexist peacefully with Pikachu.
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The match raised the stakes. If this is Ash's level now, what challenges await him in the semi-finals?
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