The thunderstorm formed by 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt swallowed Gigantamax Milotic's massive body at a terrifying speed, erupting in a blinding flash that nearly seared everyone's eyes.
Everyone instinctively shut their eyes, afraid the light, far brighter than a high-intensity flashbang, would blind them.
Fortunately, most of 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt's power had gone into clashing against Milotic's G-Max Stream and pouring onto its body. The wavering Energy Barrier ultimately did not shatter.
Boom!!
Once the aftershock subsided, a distinctly audible explosion rang out. Milotic's enormous body began shrinking continuously before finally returning to its original form.
With a bang, Milotic's smoking, charred body collapsed onto the devastated Battle Arena.
"Milotic is Out of Battle—"
The referee waved his flag, pointing toward Ash and the heavily panting Pikachu.
"Pikachu has won this battle!"
"Please send out your next Pokémon, Trainer Su Hao!"
Finally.
On the massive screen hanging above Spikemuth Arena, one of the six Poké Ball-backed portrait slots beneath Su Hao's image finally dimmed.
As if venting the anxiety they had endured all this time, Ash's friends, family, and cheering squad let out sighs of relief while waving their flags and shouting with all their might.
In the living room of a Pokémon Daycare somewhere in the Sinnoh region.
Paul, who had been on edge, seemed to deflate. Rarely letting his guard down, he slumped back against the sofa and exhaled a stale breath.
At least they had finally gone from zero to one.
With this precedent, things would get easier from here... or maybe not.
Remembering the livestream replays he had repeatedly watched late into the night some time ago, Paul's brow furrowed once more. His naturally fierce-looking triangular eyes flashed with an indescribable hint of worry.
10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt, his ultimate move, had already been used. If he had