Chapter 65: The Gold Symbol of Luck!

Lucy, sticking to her original strategy, commanded her Milotic to endure Pikachu's Thunderbolt. She aimed to ensure her first move could land directly on Pikachu, setting the stage for her usual powerful attacks. However, Lucy was unaware that Ash's Pikachu was no ordinary Pokémon. Having fused with the Light Ball, Pikachu's Electric-type power had reached staggering heights, far beyond the norm. "Miloooo..." Milotic let out a pained cry, its graceful composure cracking under the intense attack. Lucy's heart sank as her expression stiffened, her brows knitting together. She hadn't anticipated Pikachu's Electric moves to be so overwhelming—this was something she had never faced before. Even when battling formidable Electric-types like Electivire, Milotic had always held its ground as long as the opponent's level wasn't significantly higher. This time, however, Lucy realized she had underestimated Ash's Pikachu. Her strategy had faltered, and she needed to adapt quickly. "So, this path won't work... I'll just have to find another!" Lucy declared firmly, her voice steady despite the situation. "Milotic, use the rocks to avoid Pikachu's Thunderbolt and execute Coil!" "Pikachu, counter with Iron Tail! Strike the water surface with full power!" Ash commanded confidently. Using a Water-type Pokémon in a water-filled arena against an Electric-type was a high-risk gamble. The advantage of the terrain could shift at any moment, depending on the moves used. Lucy, a skilled battler, had never faced an opponent who turned the battlefield against her like this. Typically, Lucy excelled at exploiting the environment to her advantage, leveraging Milotic's beauty and resilience for both offense and defense. But now, Ash was using her tactics against her, pushing her into unfamiliar territory. Milotic avoided Thunderbolt and used Coil to enhance its attack, defense, and accuracy. However, the effort left it open to Pikachu's next move. Splash! Pikachu's Iron Tail slammed into the water, sending waves rippling across the battlefield. The surface became saturated, covering nearly the entire arena with water. Lucy's composed demeanor wavered as she realized the precarious position she was in. The scenario reminded Ash of his earlier battle where Seviper faced Feraligatr. Back then, the water had become a liability, amplifying Ice Beam's effectiveness. Now, Ash sought to recreate a similar situation, but this time to channel electricity across the soaked ground. Lucy clenched her fists, refusing to concede. She was well aware of the danger but remained determined to fight back. "Ash, you're as formidable as they say. No wonder you cleared the first three Battle Frontier facilities. But don't think I'll go down without a fight! Milotic, use Twister on the ground and blow away the water!" Ash's eyes gleamed sharply—this was the opportunity he had been waiting for. "Pikachu, now! Rush in and use Thunder!" Thunder, an attack far more powerful than Thunderbolt, would deal devastating damage if it hit Milotic directly. Lucy realized the risk but had no choice—Milotic needed to clear the water or risk losing outright. Milotic summoned its strength, enduring Thunder as it unleashed a powerful Twister. The winds scattered the water across the arena, but the damage from Thunder was undeniable. "Milotic!" Lucy called out, her voice filled with concern. Though weakened, Milotic still managed to counter with a Dragon Tail, striking Pikachu with its boosted attack power. Pikachu staggered slightly but quickly recovered, its determination unwavering. "Impressive, Lucy," Ash praised. "Even after taking a direct Thunder, your Milotic still landed a solid hit. But I'm sorry, this match is mine. Pikachu, use Thunder again!" "I won't lose so easily!" Lucy declared fiercely. "Milotic, use Disarming Voice, then follow up with Recover!" Recover was a lifeline for Milotic, allowing it to restore half its health in an instant. If the move succeeded, Lucy could turn the tide of the battle. But Ash wasn't about to let that happen. "Pikachu, aim Thunder directly at the water!" "Pika~CHU!" Pikachu unleashed another Thunder, this time targeting the residual water on the ground. The attack caused an explosive reaction, sending water splashing high into the air. Milotic's body was drenched by the surge, interrupting its Disarming Voice. However, Recover managed to activate, restoring a portion of its strength. Unfortunately for Lucy, the renewed strength was offset by the relentless Thunder, leaving Milotic in dire straits. Before Lucy could react, Pikachu had already closed the distance. "Pikachu, now! Volt Tackle!" Ash commanded. "Milotic, block it with Dragon Tail!" Lucy countered desperately. Despite Milotic's efforts, the soaked battlefield amplified the damage from Volt Tackle. The electric energy surged through Milotic, overwhelming it completely. In the end, Milotic collapsed gracefully onto the ground, unable to continue the battle. "Milotic is unable to battle! Pikachu is the winner! The victor of this match is challenger Ash!" the referee declared loudly. As the announcement echoed through the arena, a system notification rang in Ash's mind. "Ding! Congratulations, host! Pikachu has defeated Milotic, earning 18,000 battle experience points!" "Use a 5x Experience Boost Card!" "Ding! 5x Experience Boost Card activated. Pikachu gains 90,000 experience points and levels up!" Level 56! Level 57! Level 58! Pikachu's levels soared, rising from 55 to 58 in a single battle. Lucy approached Ash with a composed smile despite her defeat. "Ash, congratulations. Your strength and strategy have earned my respect. As a token of your victory, here is the Luck Symbol Badge—it's yours." Ash accepted the badge gratefully, his excitement evident. Another victory, another step closer to his ultimate goal. -------------- T/N: Access 30 Chapters in Advance on my P@treon: [email protected]/PokePals