Chapter 224: Floatzel and Monferno Step Up!

Words : 907 Updated : Oct 16th, 2025

"Then go, my first Pokémon—this opening spot is yours!" Fantina spun gracefully in a dance-like twirl, tossing her Poké Ball into the air. A Gengar emerged in a flash. "Whoa, Fantina has a Gengar too! It looks just like Ash's, doesn't it?" Dawn blinked, squinting at the field. She honestly couldn't spot any difference. "Floatzel, you're up first!" Fantina's Gengar was level 45—considered above average for a Gym Leader. "Ash, bring it on!" Fantina grinned, striking another elegant pose. "Then I won't hold back. Floatzel, Whirlpool!" "Floatzel!" A swirling vortex of water burst forth from Floatzel. Fantina didn't take her eyes off it for a second. "Very nice, Ash! Gengar, use Agility to dodge!" Even while commanding, Fantina danced—her arms slicing the air in elegant rhythm. Gengar zipped around the field with incredible speed, evading the spiraling vortex. But Ash's true aim wasn't the Whirlpool. "Now—Ice Beam!" Crack! Floatzel launched a freezing blast—right into the Whirlpool! The swirling water froze midair and dropped like a glittering ice boulder—an "avalanche" falling directly onto Gengar! It blocked Gengar's and Fantina's line of sight. "Trying to obstruct our vision? Gengar, Shadow Punch—break it apart!" Gengar's fists smashed through the icy structure. But that was just what Ash wanted. "Floatzel! Use Aqua Jet—Cyclone Mode!" "Floatzel!" Floatzel's Aqua Jet surged outward—but the direction was wild, seemingly aimless. Yet every trajectory slowly tightened toward one target—Gengar. The key? As the ice block shattered, the Typhoon-style Aqua Jet released countless razor-sharp ice shards hidden in the impact! "Gengar, use Agility—now!" Fantina gasped. She'd been outplayed! Gengar tried to vanish in a blur again, but the field was now full of sharp ice debris—there was nowhere safe to dash! The Aqua Jets crisscrossed, forming a watery cage—trapping Gengar. Gengar took hit after hit from both the swirling jets and the frozen shrapnel. When Floatzel finally stopped, Gengar plummeted to the ground with a thud. "Gengar is unable to battle! Floatzel wins!" Ding! [Congratulations, host! Floatzel has defeated Gengar. Rewards incoming...] Ash's system chimed again. Floatzel had gained a lot of levels in the previous world, and Ash was letting it adjust gradually—so he hadn't activated EXP Share. "Impressive as always, Ash! I didn't expect such a versatile Aqua Jet—' Cyclone Mode' was brilliant. But! What will you do about this Pokémon?" Fantina twirled, eyes gleaming with anticipation. Over in the stands, watching secretly, Barry's fists clenched. "What the heck?! Why is Fantina praising this guy?!" Fantina tossed her next Poké Ball. "You're up next—Mismagius!" "Floatzel, return!" Ash withdrew Floatzel. Mismagius was definitely a tricky Pokémon to deal with. But to Ash, type or trick didn't matter. He always had a counter ready. "I choose you—Monferno!" "Mon-ferno!" "No way... That Monferno—could it be that Chimchar from Paul?!" Barry couldn't hold it in anymore—he moved to the viewing area, eyes wide. He remembered now! During the Hearthome Tag Battle Tournament, he'd seen Ash and Paul—and that very Chimchar! He had a lot to say about this. But the next battle had already begun. "Monferno, Flamethrower!" "Mismagius, use Psybeam!" Flames and psychic energy collided midair—sparks flying everywhere! Monferno's flame proved a bit stronger, slightly burning Mismagius. "Oh, no worries~ Mismagius, spin and use Magical Leaf!" Fantina loved combining battling with beauty. Her Mismagius spun like a ballerina, casting out a storm of glowing green Magical Leaves. The leaves chased Monferno like homing blades, sharp and elegant. "Monferno! Wrap yourself in Flame Wheel using Fire Spin!" Fire swirled into a vortex, then cloaked Monferno's body—double-layered flames igniting around him. The Magical Leaves struck the flames and were instantly reduced to ash. By the time they touched the inner Flame Wheel, they were completely neutralized! "Waaah!" Mismagius cried out—it had taken a direct hit from Monferno's fiery charge! And worse, it had been burned. Only then did Fantina realize—Monferno's Fire Spin wasn't just a shield. It had inflicted status damage too. A two-in-one combo! Too terrifying! Fantina's heart raced. This kid didn't just battle—he used combo techniques! Yes—combo moves! From Floatzel's Whirlpool + Ice Beam + Aqua Jet Typhoon... To Monferno's Fire Spin + Flame Wheel... Ash was stringing attacks together like a master strategist. "Mismagius, Psywave! Knock Monferno back!" Waves of psychic energy rippled across the battlefield, flinging Monferno away for a brief moment. Fantina finally felt a sliver of pride—finally, a clean hit! But then... The burn status flared—Mismagius flinched in pain. And before it could recover, Monferno was already airborne, unleashing another blazing Flamethrower! "Mismagius is unable to battle! Monferno wins!" The referee raised a flag. Ding! [Congratulations, host! Monferno has defeated Mismagius! 10,000 Battle EXP awarded!] Ash still hadn't used EXP Share or Experience Multiplier Card. His current plan was to let his newly caught Sinnoh Pokémon get used to intense battles first. "No~ Ash, you're just too amazing! I haven't faced someone like you in ages!" Fantina twirled dramatically again, dancing even while disappointed. She recalled her Mismagius and smiled genuinely. On the other side, Ash retrieved Monferno and reached for his third Poké Ball. Inside... was Grotle. Fantina mirrored his actions. Her final Pokémon? A Drifblim—balloon-like, but full of haunting mystery. The final round was about to begin. -------------- T/N: Access Advance Chapters on my P@treon: [email protected]/PokePals

Chapter 224: Floatzel and Monferno Step Up!

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