Chapter 64: Pikachu Enters the Pike!

As Ash commanded Ice Beam , a flicker of realization crossed Lucy's face. She immediately understood that this was part of Ash's strategy. Yet, she didn't flinch. Why should she? For Lucy, battles were all about pressing forward with relentless offense. In her mind, defense was a concept for trainers who lacked the confidence to attack head-on. Lucy, known as the Queen of the Battle Pike, lived and breathed the philosophy: "The Best Defense is a Good Offense!" Her every move, even Coil, was designed to augment her assault. For her, it wasn't about stalling or evading; it was about ensuring her Pokémon could hit harder and faster. "Seviper, use Flamethrower!" she called out confidently. Ash raised an eyebrow. Instead of countering or dodging Ice Beam, she was directly retaliating with Flamethrower! Was she betting on a lucky outcome? "She's hoping for a burn," Ash murmured, quickly piecing together her intent. In an instant, Ice Beam and Flamethrower collided, both hitting their marks. Seviper froze solid, encased in a shimmering layer of ice. However, Lucy's gamble paid off as Feraligatr recoiled, steam rising from its scales—it was burned! Lucy smirked. "That's just how I battle. All-out attack!" From the stands, Scott leaned toward Misty and May. "This is classic Lucy. Her battle strategy is offense in its purest form. Defense doesn't exist in her dictionary." While Misty and May nodded in understanding, Brock was completely entranced. "Miss Lucy, your skills in battle are as dazzling as your beauty!" Brock declared, standing dramatically. "In the dictionary of my love life, there's only offense and no defense either. Let us unite to form the ultimate couple of love and strategy, Miss Lucy!" Misty and May groaned in unison, covering their faces in embarrassment. Lucy, blushing slightly at Brock's outburst, tried to ignore him. "Seviper, use Flamethrower to melt the ice!" The battle resumed with renewed vigor. While Seviper thawed itself out with Flamethrower, the burn inflicted on Feraligatr continued to sap its strength. It was a precarious situation for Ash. "Seviper, Poison Tail! Go all out!" Lucy commanded. "Feraligatr, use Slash to counter!" Ash responded swiftly. The two Pokémon collided in the middle of the battlefield, their attacks striking simultaneously. Sparks flew as the force of their clash echoed through the arena. "Seviper, another Poison Tail!" "Dodge it, Feraligatr! Use Hydro Pump!" Feraligatr managed to evade Seviper's strike and retaliated with a powerful stream of water. Despite its level disadvantage, Feraligatr's determination shone through. After a grueling exchange of blows, Seviper finally faltered. The referee raised his flag. "Seviper is unable to battle! Feraligatr wins!" Ash exhaled a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. Feraligatr had barely managed to pull through, its exhaustion evident. From the sidelines, Misty clasped her hands together, her concern evident. "That was so close! I can't believe how much Ash struggled. The Queen of the Battle Pike is no joke!" May nodded thoughtfully. "It's because Seviper's level was much higher than Feraligatr's. Winning even by a narrow margin was a huge accomplishment. I wonder how strong her next Pokémon will be." Lucy smiled as she retrieved Seviper's Pokéball. "You did great, Seviper. Rest now. Let's show them what real beauty looks like!" She threw her next Pokéball into the battlefield, revealing a Milotic. The crowd gasped in awe. Milotic, renowned for its elegance, seemed to radiate an almost divine beauty. Even Misty, a Water Pokémon enthusiast, couldn't help but gush. "It's gorgeous! I wish I had one!" Misty exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with admiration. Ash, however, remained focused. "Her second Pokémon is Milotic. Better check its stats before making a move." While Ash scanned Milotic with his Pokédex, Pikachu tugged at his pant leg. "Pika-Pika!" The electric mouse was practically bouncing with excitement, eager to enter the fray. Ash smiled, recalling Feraligatr. "Alright, Pikachu, it's your turn!" Pikachu leapt onto the field with a determined cry, sparks crackling from its cheeks. Lucy glanced at Milotic and grinned. "Let's show them how strong you are." Ash quickly analyzed Milotic's capabilities. It had learned Coil, a move that could drastically boost its stats. Without a counter like Haze, dealing with Coil would be a challenge. "Milotic's level is 58," Ash noted. "That's higher than Pikachu's, but we've got an edge. Pikachu, let's start strong! Use Thunderbolt!" "Pika-chu!" Pikachu unleashed a powerful surge of electricity, the arena lighting up with a blinding flash. Lucy narrowed her eyes. In the original storyline, she had Milotic endure Pikachu's Thunderbolt before counterattacking. But this time, would she follow the same strategy? "Milotic, brace yourself and prepare to retaliate!" Lucy commanded, confirming her decision to trust in Milotic's resilience. The battle was far from over, and the next clash promised to be even more intense. -------------- T/N: Access 30 Chapters in Advance on my P@treon: [email protected]/PokePals