Hammerlocke Stadium.
As Wild Charge and Flare Blitz collided,
a deafening explosion swept through the stadium.
Scorching shock waves and scattered currents
lit up the faces of the spectators in the front rows.
Both Pokémon were hurled out of the heart of the explosion, their bodies covered in blackened wounds and crackling arcs of electricity.
They were trading blow for blow, heedless of the damage.
"Cross Chop!"
The moment Electivire landed, he crossed his arms and brought them slashing down toward Infernape!
Ash called out clearly, "Close Combat!"
Infernape's fists, feet, elbows, and knees became countless afterimages as he furiously clashed with Electivire's Cross Chop!
Thud, thud, thud, thud, thud-
Bam, bam, bam, bam-
The sounds of bodies colliding rang out like a raging storm.
"Come on, Electivire!"
"Don't give up, Infernape!"
The two Pokémon engaged in a brutal close-quarters brawl, pouring all their strength into every collision.
They abandoned most of their defenses to push their attacks to the limit, wounds rapidly accumulating on both their bodies.
For a long while, neither Roland nor Ash gave any commands. They simply clenched their fists and watched the frenzied exchange on the field.
Until one of Infernape's punches struck Electivire and drove him back...
"Earthquake!"
Only then did Roland change tactics.
Electivire suddenly raised his foot and stamped down hard!
Violent seismic waves erupted outward from him. At such close range, Infernape had almost no chance to dodge!
"Fire Blast!"
So Ash chose to answer offense with offense.
In the instant before the seismic waves reached him,
Infernape opened his mouth and spat out a star-shaped burst of fire,
blasting Electivire at point-blank range!
He also took the full brunt of Earthquake.
Boom- Fire Blast exploded against Electivire's chest, sending him flying backward.
Meanwhile, Earthquake's impact violently flung Infernape into the