Professor Kukui had anticipated Ash's move.
"Lucario, don't give Lycanroc a chance—use Close Combat!"
"Lucario!"
In a flash, Lucario became a streak of blue lightning, cutting across the battlefield in the blink of an eye.
It was already within striking distance.
Lycanroc's pupils shrank, its emerald eyes shifting to a fierce crimson.
"Lycanroc, block it with Stone Edge!"
"Lycanroc!""
With a roar, Lycanroc slammed its paws to the ground.
The freshly repaired battlefield cracked apart once again, sending jagged blue stones shooting skyward.
But against Close Combat, a Fighting-type move with a base power of 120…
the rocks were nothing.
Lucario smashed through them one by one, fists shattering stone as though they were paper.
It was a brutal display of type advantage.
Ash's eyes widened. He realized—
Lycanroc and Lucario were simply not on the same level.
The situation was dire.
"Lycanroc, go on the offensive! Use Accelerock!"
It was Ash's only choice.
As the last stone shattered, Lycanroc dashed forward, its body glowing with white light, crashing headlong at Lucario.
But… the outcome was clear.
Lucario was too much of a natural counter.
At that instant—
"Lycanroc, Counter!"
Ash saw his chance.
If Lycanroc could endure Lucario's Close Combat,
it could turn the damage back double.
[Bruno: That's the Ash I know! Finding hope even in a hopeless fight. Not bad!]
[Korrina: Incredible! That Lucario's even stronger than mine!]
[Cynthia: But Counter only works if you survive the blow. Can Lycanroc withstand Lucario's Close Combat?]
The chat fell silent.
Coming from Cynthia—a Lucario Trainer herself—her words carried weight.
Could Lycanroc endure?
…
On screen—
Lucario's knee slammed into Lycanroc's gut.
The Rock-type coughed blood, the blow striking its weakest point.
The crowd gasped.
"Lycanroc, hang in there!"
Under countless cheers, Lycanroc staggered back to its feet.
Its eyes blazed.
"Counter!" Ash roared.
"Lycanroc!"
Trainer and Pokémon cried as one.
Lycanroc charged forward again—
but Lucario stood calm, unshaken, Aura steady as a master monk.
"Lucario, Dragon Pulse—finish this!"
Professor Kukui's hand pointed forward.
"Sorry, Ash. This point is mine."
The chat erupted in confusion.
A Lucario… with Dragon Pulse?
But Lucario crossed its arms, then thrust them forward.
Rainbow energy surged forth, coalescing into a roaring dragon.
The beam engulfed Lycanroc before it could strike.
The battle was over.
Victory went to Professor Professor Kukui.
Even as it fainted, Lycanroc's body still bore the posture of Counter.
Fighting until the end.
Ash recalled it gently.
"You did great, Lycanroc. Leave the rest to your teammates."
The score tied: 3–3.
Ash had an exhausted Incineroar, a fresh Pikachu, and… Naganadel.
[Mustard: Cynthia called it. Lucario's a mixed attacker—melee or ranged, Lycanroc had no edge. Ash's wolf fought bravely though.]
[Bruno: Shame it isn't a Fighting-type. That spirit… I'd have recruited it myself.]
[Lance: Coming from the man with an Onix, now you're eyeing Incineroar and Lycanroc too?]
[Bruno: And you call yourself Dragon Master with half your team just Flying-types!]
The two Champions squabbled as always, but the crowd admired Lycanroc's spirit.
Ash saw himself in it—unyielding, fearless before stronger foes.
Brock murmured beside him, serious for once.
"Ash, that Rock-hard spirit… I want a Lycanroc of my own."
Ash nearly tripped.
"Brock! Don't say weird stuff now!"
…
On screen—
Pikachu pawed the ground eagerly.
"Pikachu!"
Surely now was its turn.
But Ash ignored its pleading eyes.
Instead, he pulled out an Ultra Ball.
"Let's go, Naganadel!"
A burst of rainbow light—
and the venomous dragon appeared.
"Naganadel!"
The snake-like roar echoed across the arena,
sending chills down every spine.
"What is that?!"
"It looks terrifying!"
[Lusamine: !!! An Ultra Beast! And an Ultra Ball to capture it?! Impossible!]
[Faba: No… Does this mean Professor Kukui's research was right all along? No! I refuse to believe it!]
[Caitlin: What's going on? What makes this Pokémon so special?]
[Professor Burnet: I'll explain. Naganadel isn't truly a Pokémon. It's an Ultra Beast—lifeforms from another world.]
[Professor Rowan: Incredible. Alola really is a hidden treasure. Not only Z-Moves, but Ultra Beasts as well.]
[Professor Burnet: Don't be mistaken! Ultra Beasts are unstable, often violent, even bloodthirsty. Ash's Naganadel must have a unique bond with him—that's the only reason it listens.]
The ordinary viewers didn't fully grasp the implications.
All they cared about was—
Was this creature strong?
…
On screen—
Naganadel glared at Lucario.
Lucario's calm demeanor shifted—its fighting spirit ignited.
Unlike the wild Ultra Beasts it had battled before,
this one obeyed a Trainer.
That made it even more dangerous.
The clash began—
"Lucario, Extreme Speed!"
"Naganadel, X-Scissor!"
Both Trainers commanded at once.
Lucario blurred, wrapped in pale green light.
Naganadel's stinger glowed, slashing with venomous energy.
The two danced across the battlefield, speed against speed.
"Close Combat!"
"Naganadel, dodge!"
Too late.
Professor Kukui had read the opening.
Lucario leapt high, its kick slamming into Naganadel's abdomen.
The Ultra Beast reeled back, but held firm.
Unlike Lycanroc, it wasn't weak to Fighting.
Its body was tough—tough enough to endure.
Still, the pain was real.
Ash warned, "Naganadel, watch its speed!"
"Hiss!"
The Ultra Beast nodded.
Professor Kukui smirked. "My Lucario's impressive, isn't it? Ash, why don't you catch one yourself? Lucario once told me—your Aura is special."
Ash's eyes softened.
"My bond with Lucario is destined. In time, I'll have my own."
For a moment, he glimpsed something—
a vision of the past, a connection across centuries.
But now was not the time for dreams.
The battle raged on.
"Naganadel, Dragon Pulse!"
"Lucario, Dragon Pulse too!"
As if rehearsed, both Trainers shouted in unison.
Rainbow energy coalesced in Lucario's palms,
while Naganadel's stinger flared, gathering the same light.
Two dragons formed, roaring through the sky,
colliding in a thunderous explosion.
The shockwave tore across the arena,
visible even to those far beyond.
Such power—
few Dragon-types could unleash a Dragon Pulse of this magnitude.
But Naganadel was a Dragon.
Of course it could.
[Lance: Incredible… Such a Dragon Pulse proves its lineage runs deep.]
[Raihan: So, Master Lance, you're planning to catch one for yourself?]
[Lance: If I had the chance, I would.]
[Lorelei: Oh please. Don't pretend it's about lineage. You just want those wings.]
[Lance: Lies! Slander! I value its Dragon bloodline!]
[Lorelei: Do you even believe that yourself?]
The chat burst into laughter.
…
On screen—
As the energy faded,
Naganadel hovered in the sky,
Lucario standing firm like an unshakable mountain.
Their battle Auras clashed, equal and fierce.
Both now recognized the other—
a worthy opponent.
"Naganadel, Sludge Bomb!"
Ash broke the stalemate.
From above, Naganadel fired black sludge down upon Lucario.
But Professor Kukui only shook his head.
"Ash… you forgot your type chart again, didn't you? Poison doesn't affect Steel!"
Lucario swatted the sludge aside effortlessly.
Ash scratched his head sheepishly.
"Ah—right, I forgot…"
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