Pitter-patter!
Rain fell from the dense clouds that had formed inside the arena, blanketing the entire battlefield.
If "Learned" level Rain Dance could only summon a light drizzle, then the current "Proficient" level Rain Dance brought down a steady moderate rain that quickly soaked the entire field.
Although he'd successfully used Rain Dance, Caster wasn't entirely satisfied. He thought to himself: "When I get back to Kanto, I definitely need to fish up a Poliwag with the Swift Swim ability to train."
Because manually creating rain still felt a bit lacking, and it wasted an attack opportunity.
"So Pichu's Flash was covering for Gyarados's Rain Dance."
"This Gyarados really is something. To complete Rain Dance in such a short time, and not just light rain, but moderate rain.
Based on my experience, moderate rain boosts Water-type moves noticeably more than light rain. Next up, this Gyarados is probably going on the offensive!"
"Rain does boost Water-type moves, but with Ampharos on the other side, I feel like this is digging their own grave. After all, in the rain, Thunder becomes impossible to dodge."
"I'm guessing that Pichu's ability is Lightning Rod, which can nullify all Electric-type moves targeting it."
"So what if it's Lightning Rod? That Pichu is so small, its electric sacs have limited capacity. Can it really handle Ampharos's attacks? Won't it just overload and burst?"
The many trainers present were veterans with rich battle experience. Beyond what was happening on the surface, they could see the hidden implications beneath.
Before the crowd's discussion had even died down, Electric-type energy surged from Ampharos, connecting with the rain clouds. A massive bolt of lightning crashed down from above, aimed directly at Gyarados.
It was the Electric-type ultimate move: Thunder!
At the same time, multiple shadow copies manifested around Granbull as it charged toward Pichu, making it impossible to tell which was real.
Granbull itself was wreathed in white light, its eyes full of madness.
Like a rabid dog, it lunged at the cute little Pichu beside Gyarados.
The Normal-type ultimate move: Double-Edge!
Trixie was trying to defeat both of Caster's Pokémon simultaneously, winning with overwhelming force.
But just then, an unexpected change occurred on the field.
The massive lightning bolt originally aimed at Gyarados seemed to be mysteriously guided, directly changing direction to strike Pichu instead.
BOOM!
The thunder hit Pichu, electric arcs crackling and sizzling in all directions.
"So it is Lightning Rod! The question is whether this Pichu can handle Ampharos's Thunder attack.
If it can, then Ampharos is basically done for. If it can't, then Pichu is basically done for."
Everyone focused on Pichu, speculating about the possible outcome.
Unfortunately, Pichu was shrouded in lightning, the dazzling light making it impossible to see clearly.
"Bulu~"
Granbull, which had been ready to take out Pichu in one hit, quickly changed direction, redirecting its target to Gyarados beside it.
That terrifying lightning would paralyze it too if it got close!
"ROAAR~"
Seeing Granbull charging straight at it, especially with those characteristic gaping jaws, dead memories began attacking Gyarados, triggering its wild ferocity.
Big-mouthed Pokémon were what it hated most!
Water suddenly surged around its body as Gyarados erupted with terrifying momentum, charging straight at Granbull.
CRASH!
The two power-type Pokémon collided.
They were evenly matched, neither giving an inch.
And just then, the lightning enveloping Pichu finally began to dissipate.
Pichu's electric sacs continuously sparked, but there were no scorch marks on its body. Instead, its eyes shone brightly, its face full of excitement.
Little Pichu even licked its lips!
Whoosh!
A flash of light passed, and little Pichu's aura began climbing steadily.
"That Pichu actually absorbed all of Ampharos's Thunder energy! It's so small, how can its electric sac storage capacity be so large?"
With the outcome settled, many people in the crowd couldn't help but cry out in surprise.
"That Pichu has been trained very well. Plus, its Lightning Rod ability should have been specially developed, which is why it can handle Ampharos's Thunder attack."
At that moment, a young man in a blue shirt named Jon spoke up. The crowd quickly made way for him.
He looked at Caster with intense curiosity in his eyes, and behind him, his Rapidash was restless, as if it too wanted to battle Caster.
"This Caster really has some skills. I thought only his Gyarados was strong, but that Pichu, which usually seems completely lacking in combat power, has actually been trained so exceptionally well."
Wyatt's eyes also gleamed as he thought: "No wonder Clair treated him as an honored guest."
"With this, Ampharos is basically done for!"
"Yeah, Trixie's in trouble!"
"No wonder Wyatt brought him here. He really does have skills."
With the situation reversed, the crowd's sentiment began to shift.
"Not bad at all, little Pichu!"
Caster smiled, unsurprised by this development.
Although Pichu was small, it had consumed three ability candies, so its ability development far exceeded those of its kind. Naturally, it wasn't intimidated by Ampharos's attacks.
Not far away, Gyarados and Granbull fought to a draw, both knocked back several steps by the recoil.
"Pi~"
Pichu seized the opportunity to call down lightning. The massive electric column was actually thicker than Ampharos's had been.
Electric-type move: Thunder!
This was precisely when Granbull's old strength was spent, but new strength hadn't yet formed. The terrifying thunder caught it completely off guard.
"Bulu~"
Granbull was engulfed in lightning, its face showing pain.
Seeing this, Gyarados quickly sprayed cold water from its mouth, trying to knock Granbull down.
But Trixie obviously wouldn't let that happen, quickly ordering Ampharos to intervene: "Dragon Pulse!"
Dragon Pulse and Chilling Water collided and exploded, the moves canceling each other out.
Even so, Granbull's body was charred black, panting continuously.
"Gyarados, Waterfall!"
"Pichu, Helping Hand!"
Caster didn't want to give his opponent any breathing room, directly choosing to have both Pokémon combine their ultimate moves.
"ROAAR~"
Water surged around Gyarados again as it charged at Granbull with unstoppable momentum.
"Pi~"
Pichu leaped onto Gyarados's head, pressing both hands against it as energy continuously gathered and flowed in.
BOOM!
Helping Hand succeeded. The assisted Gyarados's aura surged again, and the water waves formed by Waterfall became even more powerful, like raging tides crashing against the shore, capable of smashing even boulders to dust.
"Bulu~"
The horrified Granbull tried to use Protect, but the hastily formed protective barrier couldn't hold at all.
Because this was the real world. Neither Pokémon abilities nor moves were absolute or invincible. In many cases, whether they could take effect depended on the power difference between the two sides.
You couldn't expect an Ekans to intimidate Mewtwo, just like you couldn't expect a Caterpie's String Shot to restrain Rayquaza.
Because the power gap was too vast!
After a miserable cry, Granbull, already low on stamina, was sent flying out of the arena, its body embedded in the arena wall.
As for its eyes, they had long since turned into spirals, clearly having lost its ability to battle.
STAB bonus [Water-type], rain weather, and Helping Hand. These three factors combined, forget a weakened Granbull, even a full-health Granbull probably couldn't withstand it.
"ROAAR~"
Having successfully claimed first blood, Gyarados's Moxie ability was finally triggered. Its aura began climbing again, as if injected with adrenaline.
It was like a vicious dragon stirring up wind and clouds, its gaze fierce and brutal, making people afraid to meet its eyes.
And when its gaze fixed on Ampharos, Ampharos was intimidated by its momentum, a bead of cold sweat immediately forming on its forehead.