"Boom!!" The powerful Aura Sphere struck Blastoise's back directly with a loud tremor, causing Blastoise to let out a pained howl as it was sent flying, rolling and tearing, bringing its Water Pulse attack to an abrupt halt.
Gary's face turned grim. It wasn't that Blastoise's Water Pulse had beaten Lucario's Aura Sphere; rather, Lucario had willingly held back to create a sense of complacency in Blastoise.
As for how Lucario appeared behind Blastoise, Gary was unsure. It was as if it had used Teleport, but since when could Lucario learn Teleport?
But then again, this was Ash's Lucario, and with Ash, anything seemed possible. Whatever astonishing event occurred around Ash always seemed a bit plausible because it was Ash.
There was no time for shock now. Blastoise had been hit by the Aura Sphere, and even with its sturdy defense, it had suffered considerable damage.
"Blastoise, use Water Pulse again!" Gary thought for a moment and chose to employ Water Pulse again. With the Mega Launcher enhancement, Water Pulse's power reached the level of an advanced skill, and it had a rapid burst. It seemed the only way to hit Lucario was with this move.
"Ka-meh!" Blastoise positioned its cannons at Lucario, releasing a powerful stream of water once more, aimed directly at Lucario's face.
"Again, Aura Sphere!" Seeing Gary still trying to use Water Pulse against Lucario, Ash did not hold back, confronting Blastoise with another Aura Sphere.
Lucario vanished once more from the spot. This time, the Water Pulse didn't even touch afterimages and fell into the void. The next second, Lucario appeared behind Blastoise, with an Aura Sphere already formed in its hands.
Now Gary was one hundred percent certain; Lucario was definitely using Teleport. So, Lucario could now use Teleport—no more hiding its overpowered abilities!
But Gary had always suspected as much and had a counter-strategy: "Now, use Protect!"
"Ka-meh!" Blastoise halted its Water Pulse instantly and a vivid green barrier appeared around it.
"Bang!!" The Aura Sphere collided with the barrier without causing any damage, and Lucario was propelled into the air by the blast's recoil.
"Great, use Rain Dance!" Seeing Lucario exposed, Gary didn't attack Lucario but chose to alter the weather!
In rain, Blastoise's attacks became more ferocious, and the rainy environment was optimal for Blastoise while moderately hampering Lucario's movements and assaults.
No matter the cost, this rainy condition had to be initialized!
"Ka-meh!" With a cry from Blastoise, the sky filled with clouds. After spinning several times in the air, Lucario finally halted, descending to the ground.
With the rainy weather setting in, it was unrealistic to stop the opponent's rain. So, Ash opted to attack once more: "Lucario, Mach Punch!"
Although Mach Punch was weaker than Aura Sphere, its speed was a level higher. As Lucario touched down, it dashed out, leaving a series of afterimages in the air, and instantaneously reached Blastoise, delivering a powerful punch!
"Bang!!" A heavy sound echoed across the field, and Blastoise's face showed pain, but its Rain Dance continued unabated, as rain began to drizzle from the dense clouds overhead.
Lucario's assault had just begun. After the first punch, Lucario frantically swung its fists, repeatedly striking Blastoise's shell.
Blastoise's expression grew more agonized as its body was continuously pushed back, lacking any strength to fight back.
"Blastoise, use Iron Defense!" Seeing Blastoise's pained expression, Gary clenched his fists tight. The scene reminded him of when Pidgeot couldn't counter Annihilape's Outrage, but this battle was different.
The opponent's attacks weren't enough to stop Blastoise from using any moves.
Following Gary's command, Blastoise endured the pain and used Iron Defense, its body radiating a metallic sheen, becoming significantly tougher.
After its MEGA Evolution, Blastoise already possessed solid defense; now, with Iron Defense, it was like a steel fortress, nearly impossible for regular attacks to breach.
The Mach Punch that initially inflicted some pain on Blastoise now dealt negligible damage, and its pained expression eased.
"Aura Sphere!" Iron Defense only enhanced defense, so Ash chose the special attack-focused Aura Sphere to continue his assault.
His Lucario was adept both physically and specially, being proficient in both types of attacks.
Since you strengthened one side of your defense, I'll attack the other!
Lucario abruptly halted its Mach Punch, forming an Aura Sphere in both hands before pressing them against Blastoise's rigid shell!