After brief tactical discussions, the three determined their respective battle targets.
Pikachu would face the slow-moving Omastar, using hit-and-run tactics to achieve victory.
Venusaur would face the agile Kabutops, using powerful attacks to suppress it.
And Nidoking would face the strongest Zapdos, using its type advantage to delay Zapdos's offense.
Although the three's tactical arrangements seemed clever, in the face of true strength, they were nothing more than armchair strategizing.
"Pikachu, use Agility, then Iron Tail!" Ash commanded.
Pikachu quickly became a blur, appearing behind Omastar within moments, swinging its silver-glowing steel tail forcefully.
"BANG!"
Pikachu's Iron Tail precisely hit Omastar's body but found that its shell was extremely hard, unable to cause effective damage.
"Use Bind followed by Crunch!" Red said calmly.
Omastar quickly extended countless tentacles, wrapping around Pikachu's body and binding it in place so it couldn't move, then extending several tentacles to forcibly drag Pikachu in front of itself.
Under Pikachu's terrified gaze, Omastar opened its massive maw, sharp teeth seemingly capable of delivering a fatal blow. As a carnivorous Pokémon from ancient times, it completely emanated terrifying killing intent.
"This is bad! Venusaur, quickly use Power Whip to rescue Pikachu!"
Venusaur's eight vines intertwined together, forming a thick green vine. Venusaur controlled the vine to forcefully knock back Kabutops, who was trying to intercept, then swung it toward Omastar's position.
"Use Rollout while carrying Pikachu."
Omastar didn't give up its plan to attack Pikachu but followed Red's command and changed its attack method.
Omastar, curled into a sphere, carried Pikachu as it rolled back and forth on the ground, continuously draining Pikachu's stamina.
"Pika!"
Pikachu, being scraped back and forth on the ground, cried out in pain, trying to break free from Omastar's binding tentacle, but found it completely useless.
"Venusaur, quickly block Kabutops's sneak attack!"
Dazzling blade light flashed into Leaf's eyes, and only then did she discover that Kabutops had quietly appeared behind Venusaur, like a killer about to successfully hunt its prey.
Purple light covered its scythes as Kabutops used materialized psychic blades to slash Venusaur's body, having used Psycho Cut to hit its vital point.
"Venusaur!"
Venusaur cried out in pain as Kabutops's Psycho Cut continued to damage its body.
"Kabutops and Omastar were partners who cooperated with each other in ancient times. Their coordination and support abilities are much more terrifying than you think," Red explained.
Finally, the exhausted Pikachu was hit by Omastar's direct multi-hit Water Gun, losing its ability to battle.
"Pikachu is unable to battle!" Professor Oak announced.
"Don't worry, Ash. This battle was just because Zapdos countered your Pikachu too much. Your strength has already improved considerably."
Seeing Ash's dejected expression, Red quickly comforted him.
"It's okay, big brother. I'm just regretting not sending out Charizard earlier," Ash said helplessly, regretting his initial decision.
Originally, Ash had wanted to send out Charizard, but seeing Pikachu's excited gaze, Ash decided to have Pikachu battle instead. This was also Ash's kindness toward his Pokémon.
Gary wanted to complain but held back, since it indeed wasn't Pikachu's fault.
"Venusaur, hang in there! Since Kabutops is right next to you, quickly use Petal Blizzard!"
Leaf commanded without panicking at the current predicament, giving the most correct instruction.
"Venusaur!"
Venusaur stomped the ground forcefully, releasing countless sharp petals from its body. The petal storm trapped Kabutops's entire body, tormenting it repeatedly.
Seeing this, the nearby Omastar immediately extended countless tentacles using Pin Missile, helping Kabutops reduce some of the Petal Blizzard's power.
Seeing Omastar come to its aid, Kabutops's scythes on both arms glowed white, using Slash to break free from the Petal Blizzard's restraint.
Just as Kabutops and Omastar were preparing to simultaneously attack Venusaur, Leaf actively raised her right hand, declaring her surrender.
"A wise decision," Red nodded.
At this moment, Venusaur's stamina was already depleted. Continuing to fight would only further harm its body.
Leaf, who cared for Venusaur, naturally wouldn't let such a thing happen and decisively chose to surrender.
"Venusaur loses the will to battle," Professor Oak announced, looking at Leaf with approval, noticing that she had really grown a lot through this journey, no longer the naive and innocent girl she once was.
"This really is an awkward scene," Gary said self-deprecatingly.
At this moment, Nidoking faced three opponents: Zapdos with storm clouds covering the sky above, the panting Kabutops in front, and the restless Omastar behind.
"Kabutops, Omastar, you can come back and rest now," Red said leisurely.
Upon hearing Red's command, Kabutops and Omastar showed no resistance, turning to come to Red's side to rest and reorganize.
"Thanks, Red," Gary said gratefully, not expecting Red to be so considerate of his feelings.
Nidoking was immune to Electric-type moves, while Zapdos could similarly avoid Ground-type moves.
"Zapdos, use Drill Peck!"
"Nidoking, use Horn Drill!"
Zapdos flapped its massive wings, diving directly toward Nidoking's direction, its sharp rotating beak seemingly able to pierce through anything.
"Roar!"
Nidoking roared, raising its steel drill-like poisonous horn, taking steps to charge at the diving Zapdos.
"BANG!"
Nidoking's entire body was knocked back by Zapdos head-on. Its legs firmly planted on the ground, but it could only continuously scrape deep marks in the soil.
"Zapdos's strength is so terrifying..." Misty said in shock.
"That's natural. Zapdos's strength can rival Red's original team. It's not an existence to be underestimated."
Professor Oak slowly explained.
"Nidoking, use Stone Edge at close range!"
Sharp stone blades floated around Nidoking, striking Zapdos's body within moments.
Zapdos winced in pain, then blue flames covered its entire body as it used Brave Bird at close range.
As the stone blades continued to hit, the blue flames on Zapdos's body became more and more intense, devouring Nidoking's entire body within moments.
"BOOM!"
The grassland where Nidoking stood was instantly leveled. Nidoking, which had suffered severe impact, swayed its body and finally slowly collapsed to the ground under its struggling gaze.
"Nidoking is unable to battle! Therefore, the winner of this match is Red!"
Professor Oak announced the final result of the battle. Seeing Gary's slightly dejected expression, he couldn't help but sigh.
Fortunately, the three understood Red's terrifying strength, and after a while they recovered their usual confidence. At least they weren't swept by Zapdos alone, so the three weren't too dejected.
At this time, two Pokémon were flying toward Professor Oak's research lab.
Among them, a deep blue-purple Butterfree was unusually excited, with tears flowing from its eyes.
The nearby pink Butterfree, seeing this, immediately came to Butterfree's side and wiped away the tears from the corner of its eyes.