Confrontation Before Parting - Part One

Iron Defense!

At Gary's command, a flash of white light swiftly gleamed over Shiny Metagross's body. With the enhancement from Iron Defense, Shiny Metagross's Defense rose dramatically.

Next, Gyro Ball!

While Ash was still stunned, Gary continued directing Shiny Metagross to attack.

Upon receiving Gary's command, Shiny Metagross quickly curled into a spinning ball and charged toward Pikachu.

This is bad! Pikachu, use Quick Attack to dodge!

Ash heard Gary's attack command and, caught off guard, hurriedly shouted at Pikachu.

The protagonist's luck really was absurd. At Ash's command, Pikachu used the miraculous move Dodge—at the critical moment, it used Quick Attack and evaded the strike.

That's so underhanded, Ash! Attacking while someone's distracted!

After seeing Pikachu dodge, Ash first let out a relieved breath, then glared furiously at Gary across from him, voicing his displeasure.

Who told you to space out during a battle? This is just a lesson from yours truly.

Gary paid no mind to Ash's glare. Instead, he spread his hands, looking utterly unconcerned.

What an awful guy! Ash gritted his teeth as he watched Gary's expressionless face.

Pikachu, we have to show that Gary guy what we're made of! Provoked by Gary's taunt, Ash immediately grew angry and directed Pikachu to attack.

Pikachu, use Quick Attack! Charge in!

At Gary's command, Pikachu braced itself on all fours, then rapidly broke into a run with its tiny legs. Like a streak of white lightning, it charged toward Gary's Shiny Metagross.

Metagross, use Iron Defense again!

Before Ash's Pikachu's attack could arrive, Shiny Metagross used Iron Defense once more, further boosting its Defense.

Great chance, Pikachu, use Iron Tail! Seeing that Pikachu had closed in on Shiny Metagross, Ash did not hesitate and immediately shouted his command.

After receiving Ash's command, Pikachu leaped into the air at once, performed a three-hundred-and-sixty-degree flip, and swung its tail, gleaming with a metallic sheen, toward Shiny Metagross.

Block it! Faced with this attack, Gary did not call for any defensive move or evasive maneuver. He merely spoke those three words.

What?

Although Ash did not understand what Gary meant at first, the next sight left him utterly shocked.

After taking Pikachu's Iron Tail head-on, Gary's Shiny Metagross only took a slight step back. It had not suffered any damage at all.

How is that possible? Ash stared at the scene before him in disbelief.

Don't you know? Iron Defense raises a Pokémon's Defense. My Metagross has been strengthened by Iron Defense twice, so its Defense has improved by far more than just one level! Seeing Ash's astonished expression, Gary, both his friend and rival, kindly offered an explanation.

So that's how it is!

After hearing Gary's explanation, Ash put on an enlightened expression, though it was hard to say whether he had truly understood.

In any case, Gary did not care about that, because his next wave of attacks had already begun.

Metagross, Meteor Mash!

One of Shiny Metagross's arms was immediately wrapped in milky-white energy, which formed into a fist and smashed heavily into the nearby Pikachu.

Unable to dodge in time, Pikachu was immediately sent flying.

Good, Press the Advantage! Use Flash Cannon!

With a sweep of Gary's hand, energy instantly gathered around Shiny Metagross. It then transformed into a beam of light that shot toward where Pikachu had fallen.

This is bad! Pikachu, dodge quickly!

Although Ash shouted with all his might, Pikachu had yet to get back up and had no way to evade in time.

The final result came as no surprise. After being struck by Shiny Metagross's Flash Cannon, Pikachu collapsed completely and lost its Combat Ability.

Pikachu is Unable to Battle. Metagross wins! Seeing this, Tracey immediately announced the result.

Pikachu, come back and rest!

Although Ash was deeply worried about Pikachu, the battle had to continue. After handing it over to Professor Oak, who was watching from the side, he returned to the battlefield.

Next up, Snorlax!

Having lost one Pokémon first, Ash thought for a moment before taking out another Poké Ball and throwing it. Soon, a burly Snorlax appeared opposite Metagross.

Snorlax, we have to avenge Pikachu! As soon as Snorlax entered the field, Ash began encouraging it.

Snorlax! Snorlax gave a deep cry in response, indicating that it would handle it.

Pokémon: Snorlax

Type: Normal

Ability: Thick Fat

Gender: Male

Level: Level 58

Aptitude: Champion

Moves: Tackle, Defense Curl, Focus Punch, Fire Punch, Rest, Sleep Talk, Body Slam, Heavy Slam, Hammer Arm, Brick Break, Hyper Beam...

Snorlax? After looking over Ash's Snorlax's information, Gary quietly became more alert. He knew how strong Ash's Snorlax was, and he would not allow himself to make another mistake.

Snorlax, use Hammer Arm!

In the Second Round, Ash once again took the initiative and launched the first attack.

The moment Ash finished speaking, Snorlax charged toward Shiny Metagross while swinging a fist wrapped in white light.

Watching the ground tremble beneath Snorlax's charge, Gary understood the force behind this attack. He had no intention of taking it head-on, so he gave his next command.

Metagross, use Agility!

Using Agility, Shiny Metagross quickly left its original position before Snorlax's attack arrived, dodging its Hammer Arm.

After Snorlax's attack missed, Shiny Metagross appeared behind it.

Bullet Punch!

The moment Shiny Metagross appeared, Gary's next command followed.

After using Bullet Punch, Shiny Metagross's punching speed increased severalfold. Its fists, swift as bullets, continuously struck Snorlax's body.

Those punches, fast as the wind and swift as thunder, relentlessly battered Snorlax, leaving it unable to fight back for the moment.

Next, Hammer Arm!

With its final punch, Shiny Metagross followed Gary's command and unleashed a full-power Hammer Arm, forcing Snorlax back several steps.

Snorlax! Seeing this, Ash could only cry out worriedly.