"Is this also part of your strategy, Gym Leader Red ?"
Faced with Reis's question, Red shook his head.
"No."
"I'm basically taking a hands-off approach with Ash."
"So honestly, I'm just as curious to see what kind of tactics he comes up with."
Reis looked at Red in confusion.
Clearly—
He didn't understand what it meant to have a natural battle instinct.
Meanwhile—
Paul, standing across from Ash, had no idea what was going on.
Seeing Ash send out a Pikachu against him—
He felt insulted.
Anger surged immediately.
"Fine! Losing to him is one thing…"
"But you? You're looking down on me too?!"
"You're Ash, right? I'll remember you."
Ash scratched his head, confused.
"I already sent out Pikachu… why is he still so angry?"
Clearly—
Filling in knowledge gaps didn't improve his emotional intelligence.
"Razor Leaf!"
"Thunderbolt!"
Another direct clash of moves.
But this time—
With both type disadvantage and level gap—
Pikachu was suppressed.
(Level 20 vs. Grotle Level 25)
Pikachu rolled and leapt—
Barely dodging Razor Leaf.
Even so, some of its golden fur was sliced off.
"Quick Attack!"
Since ranged attacks weren't working—
Ash immediately switched to close combat.
Watching Pikachu turn into a streak of lightning—
Paul made a decisive call.
"Grotle! Hold your ground!"
Grotle closed its eyes—
Relying on its massive body and high physical defense—
It tanked the hit.
Then—
It opened its eyes.
"Vine Whip—grab it!"
Two vines shot out from its back.
But—
Ash didn't retreat.
Instead—
He spotted an opportunity instantly.
"Don't panic, Pikachu!"
"Jump onto Grotle's back—that's its blind spot!"
Pikachu charged forward instead of retreating—
Leaping onto Grotle's back and flattening itself.
The vines completely missed.
Everyone watching—
Paul, Reis, Gary, Misty, Meowth—
Was stunned.
"What kind of battle logic is that?!"
Red twitched slightly.
"…Yes. That's exactly it."
"Stay there—Thunderbolt!"
Ash waved his hand.
Pikachu unleashed electricity point-blank.
Lightning crackled—
Grotle roared in pain.
Even though Grotle was a Grass-type—
The swamp battlefield had high moisture—
Amplifying Pikachu's damage.
Paul gritted his teeth.
"So this is why you chose Pikachu in a swamp field?"
Ash scratched his head again.
"No?"
"I just felt like this was the right move… so I did it."
"Didn't expect it to actually work."
That answer—
Nearly broke Paul.
"...That's not how Pokémon battles are supposed to work!"
At this stage—
Paul hadn't yet developed his later composure.
Ash's unp Red ictable style—
Was shaking him badly.
"Grotle! Shake it off with everything you've got!"
Grotle struggled—
Enduring the electricity—
And finally threw Pikachu off.
Pikachu flipped mid-air and landed smoothly—
Breathing briefly before recovering.
Grotle, however—
Dropped to one knee, covered in burn marks.
Ash didn't give it any time.
"Go again—Quick Attack!"
Paul's expression darkened.
"Grotle! Use vines to form a net—block it!"
He no longer dared let Pikachu get close.
But that decision—
Backfi Red .
After blocking the attack—
Sparks suddenly flickered across Grotle's body.
After multiple close contacts—
Pikachu's ability triggered .
Static.
[Static: 30% chance to paralyze the opponent upon contact]
Paul's heart sank.
He knew—
This match was over.
Sure enough—
Ash launched a relentless assault.
Thunderbolt.
Thunder.
Continuous pressure.
Soon—
Black smoke rose from Grotle's body.
It collapsed—
Unable to battle.
"Ash wins!"
...
"I lost… again…"
After two consecutive defeats—
Paul stared at his hands, momentarily lost.
At that moment—
Reis stepped forward as the older brother.
"Don't worry, Paul!"
"Defeat is only temporary!"
"Watch me win it back for us!"
His gaze locked onto Red .
Red stood up—
Ready to battle.
But just then—
A Pokémon suddenly burst into the Gym.
"Dragonite?!"
Everyone's eyes widened in shock.
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