A flash of light gleamed in Iron Valiant's hand as he charged straight at Pikachu.
Pikachu's little face filled with alarm. Faced with the slash of Iron Valiant's blade, he leaped into the air and barely avoided the attack.
But Iron Valiant's assault had yet to stop. He continued slashing at Pikachu again and again.
Pikachu kept retreating until he had nowhere left to go, then whipped out an Iron Tail, striking Iron Valiant's blade.
"Huh?"
Lu Ze froze for a moment.
Iron Valiant froze as well.
Pikachu had actually knocked Iron Valiant back?
How had he managed that?
Before Lu Ze and Iron Valiant could figure it out, Pikachu charged forward again.
Thunderbolt struck Iron Valiant directly, while Iron Tail spun through the air and came crashing down.
Iron Valiant crossed his arms. Though he blocked Pikachu's Iron Tail, the tremendous force still drove him to one knee.
"This is ridiculous..."
Lu Ze sighed helplessly. Pikachu's sudden burst of power had completely suppressed Iron Valiant.
Even though he had been at a disadvantage just moments ago.
"Great job, Pikachu!"
Ash excitedly pumped his fist. "Pikachu, encore—Thunderbolt!"
With a sweeping gesture from Ash, Pikachu leaped into the air again and unleashed Thunderbolt at Iron Valiant.
"Iron Valiant, use Thunderbolt too!" Lu Ze commanded after seeing Pikachu's move.
Iron Valiant nodded and released Thunderbolt at the same time.
Two golden streams of electricity collided in midair.
This time, however, there was no explosion. Instead, the attacks began pushing against each other as though locked in a contest of strength.
One moment, Pikachu's Thunderbolt was forced back; the next, Iron Valiant's Thunderbolt was pushed back.
Both Pokémon were straining with all their might, and for a time, neither could gain the upper hand.
Lu Ze pursed his lips helplessly. This was after