[Metal Burst].
The move let a Pokémon return the damage it took to its opponent many times over.
It did not hit back as hard as Counter or Mirror Coat, but it worked against both physical and special attacks, and Steel-type moves had no blind spots.
A Z-Move built on Thunderbolt—Gigavolt Havoc?
It could reflect that too!
Without the spread effect Pikachu had deliberately trained into the move, he took the full force of his own attack, then suffered even more damage on top of it.
That steady, efficient buildup of damage knocked the yellow-furred mouse out on the spot.
The blinding light faded.
"Pika... chu."
Pikachu lay on his back, eyes turned to spirals.
Ash hurried over and scooped up his partner. "Pikachu, are you okay?"
"Pika..."
Pikachu cracked his eyes open and managed a faint smile.
Ash breathed a sigh of relief.
He looked up at Aggron, which had returned to its usual form a short distance away. Its breathing was even and its expression calm, as though it had just come out for a picnic.
Only the uneven, scorched black mark around its chest proved it had been in a battle.
"Baimu and his Pokémon are so strong... Don't you think, Pikachu?"
Ash's eyes shone with admiration and excitement.
One defeat was nowhere near enough to break a boy who had weathered so much. And backing down from a powerful opponent had never been his style.
"Pika~"
Even weakened, Pikachu agreed.
They were partners who truly lived by the creed of getting back up after every defeat.
Professor Kukui raised a hand. "Pikachu is Unable to Battle! Aggron wins!"
Clap, clap, clap!
Applause rang out.
The spectators showed their appreciation, clapping hard.
Sophocles and the Togedemaru in his arms both breathed a sigh of relief.
"It's finally