Chapter 55: Pidgeotto Enters the Fray

"Not good!" Ash's voice echoed through the gym. His concentration wavered as Screech reverberated in the arena, disorienting both him and his Pokémon, Beedrill.

Brock didn't hesitate. "Onix, Bind!" he commanded sharply.

Onix roared, its massive body coiling and lashing out with incredible speed. Beedrill, still reeling from the disorienting Screech, was caught mid-flight. The enormous Rock Snake Pokémon constricted its prey with unrelenting force, wrapping around Beedrill and pinning it down.

"Beeee!" Beedrill cried out in agony, struggling in vain against Onix's overwhelming strength.

"Ash, return Beedrill!" Misty shouted from the sidelines, her voice tinged with concern. As a challenger, Ash could recall his Pokémon and avoid further harm.

Ash hesitated, his hand hovering over Beedrill's Poké Ball. His determination wavered, but his gaze hardened. "No," he thought. "This battle is about giving everything we've got." His decision wasn't out of stubbornness; he wanted Beedrill to fight until the very end, just like a Gym Leader's Pokémon.

Beedrill seemed to sense Ash's resolve. Despite the pain, a spark of understanding flickered in its eyes. Its wings buzzed faintly, and a sudden surge of energy coursed through its body.

A crimson aura enveloped Beedrill as its latent Rage ability activated. Fueled by the adrenaline of battle, its attack power surged. With a burst of strength, Beedrill broke free from Onix's Bind, the unexpected force momentarily dislodging Onix's tail.

"What?!" Brock's astonishment was evident. The spectators gasped, unable to believe Beedrill had escaped.

Ash's initial joy was short-lived. The sudden exertion had pushed Beedrill beyond its limits. The Bug-Type Pokémon collapsed, completely exhausted, and lay motionless on the battlefield.

"Beedrill is unable to battle. Onix wins!" the referee declared.

Ash retrieved Beedrill's Poké Ball, his voice filled with gratitude. "Thank you, Beedrill. You gave it your all." He glanced at the Poké Ball in his hand, vowing silently to honor Beedrill's effort.

Brock remained silent, shaken by Beedrill's display of willpower. He had always seen battles as routine gym challenges, but Ash's unwavering determination was beginning to inspire something deeper within him.

Ash looked up, his confidence unshaken. "Next up is you, Pidgeotto!" He tossed the Poké Ball high, releasing his second Pokémon.

"Pidgeooo!" Pidgeotto emerged with a sharp cry, its wings outstretched as it soared gracefully above the battlefield. It glared down at Onix, undeterred by its opponent's massive size.

Brock smirked. Onix, a Rock- and Ground-Type Pokémon, had a clear advantage over the Flying-Type Pidgeotto. But he couldn't ignore Ash's ability to turn the tide of battle.

"Pidgeotto, use Sand Attack!" Ash called out.

Pidgeotto beat its wings, stirring up a whirlwind of dust and sand. The particles swirled toward Onix, aiming to obscure its vision.

"Onix, counter with Rock Slide!" Brock shouted.

Unfazed by the sandstorm, Onix roared and summoned Rock-Type energy. Massive boulders materialized in the air, hovering ominously before crashing down toward Pidgeotto.

"Quick Attack to dodge and close in on Onix!" Ash instructed.

"Pidgeoooo!" Pidgeotto's body glowed with a white aura as it sped through the battlefield, weaving nimbly between the falling rocks. Its movements were precise, evading each boulder by mere inches.

"So, you're trying to get close again," Brock muttered, recognizing Ash's strategy. "Onix, use Screech!"

The Rock Snake Pokémon unleashed a piercing cry, its soundwaves rippling across the battlefield. The attack was enough to temporarily halt Pidgeotto's advance, lowering its defense in the process.

"Stay strong, Pidgeotto! Keep going!" Ash shouted, his voice cutting through the cacophony.

Despite the disorienting effects of Screech, Pidgeotto pushed forward, its wings glowing faintly with determination.

"Onix, Bind again!" Brock ordered, hoping to replicate his earlier success.

Onix lunged, its tail coiling around to ensnare Pidgeotto.

"Now, Gust!" Ash countered.

At the last second, Pidgeotto flapped its wings with all its might, creating a powerful whirlwind that disrupted Onix's movement. The sudden gust forced Onix to recoil, giving Pidgeotto the chance to gain altitude.

"Not bad," Brock admitted, a small smile forming. "But let's see how you handle this. Onix, Dragon Breath!"

Onix opened its mouth, releasing a wave of cyan energy that surged toward Pidgeotto.

"Dodge it and use Quick Attack again!" Ash commanded.

Pidgeotto darted through the air, narrowly evading the Dragon Breath. The attack struck the ground, leaving a smoking crater in its wake.

"Keep up the pressure, Pidgeotto! Wing Attack!"

Pidgeotto's wings glowed as it swooped down, aiming directly for Onix's head. The attack landed with a loud crack, causing Onix to flinch.

"Don't let it recover! Use Gust again!"

Pidgeotto created another powerful whirlwind, further disorienting Onix. The massive Pokémon struggled to maintain its balance, its size now working against it.

"Onix, hang in there! Use Rock Throw!" Brock shouted.

Onix summoned smaller rocks this time, hurling them toward Pidgeotto in rapid succession.

"Quick Attack, one more time!" Ash responded.

Pidgeotto weaved through the barrage of rocks with incredible speed, closing the gap between itself and Onix once more.

"This is it, Pidgeotto! Wing Attack!"

With a final burst of energy, Pidgeotto delivered a decisive strike, its glowing wings slamming into Onix's head. The force of the attack caused Onix to collapse onto the ground with a loud thud.

The gym fell silent for a moment as the dust settled.

"Onix is unable to battle! Pidgeotto wins!" the referee announced, breaking the tension.

Ash clenched his fist, a triumphant smile on his face. "You did it, Pidgeotto! Great work!"

Pidgeotto let out a victorious cry, circling the battlefield before landing next to Ash.

Brock recalled Onix, a contemplative expression on his face. "You're impressive, Ash. You and your Pokémon don't just fight—you connect with them. That's something I've rarely seen."

Ash grinned, adjusting his cap. "That's how we battle. Together."

The crowd erupted into cheers, their excitement palpable. Despite the odds, Ash had proven his mettle once again.

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