Chapter 32: Amber vs Articuno (III)

Don't forget to drop some power stones!

*****

"You weren't kidding when you said it was going to be cold, Professor.", Ash said, seeing his breaths escape from his mouth.

"It might only get colder from here, so if you want to take some steps further, you can.", Professor Oak suggested.

"And miss the clash of two strong Pokemon, Gramps? As if.", Gary retorted.

Hearing that, Ricky smiled seeing Amber's Blizzard cancel out Articuno's Hurricane. Ricky didn't have to worry about Blizzard missing or not. While under Snow Warning, Blizzard always landed!

But the same could be said for Articuno. Hurricane's accuracy wasn't the greatest. In normal circumstances, that was. Amber currently had her evasion dropped. That meant moves could land more easily on her. And guess what? Hurricane was almost guaranteed to hit every single time now. That was why Ricky countered with a powerful Blizzard. It blasted snow all around them, and successfully cancelled the two attacks out.

It created a snowy blanket of mist around them, obscuring some vision. Ricky didn't remain idle, and used his next move.

"Amber, use this snowy landscape and hide yourself. Use Mist.", Ricky said.

"Nine.", Amber said, responding to Ricky's next move. More ice energy unleashed from her body. A white mist suddenly formed, making Amber almost appear in an illusion, cloaking her entire body altogether. Thanks to the ongoing blizzard, she was able to completely hide away!

"Take to the skies, Krystal.", Violet declared.

FLAP!

With a domineering flap of its wings, it blew more of the ongoing blizzard in all directions. Ash knew this time not to be up close, and was able to dodge at becoming another snowman.

But just from Articuno flapping its wings alone, the wind generated from it was plenty. Amber could already be seen again. Ricky just stared in awe at the majestic Pokemon before him.

'Legendary Pokemon really are on another level...', Ricky thought to himself. Still, he didn't back down. Amber was waiting. Because that icy mist surrounded her, she could no longer receive any debuffs for a period of time. This went hand-in-hand with Snow Warning. Mist will wear off shortly after the Snow Warning.

But now, Articuno took advantage of it being a Flying-type Pokemon. Its large body was now many feet into the air, looking downward. It made Amber seem small in comparison.

"That's one way to do it.", Ricky mused. It was as if his mom was saying, "There's nowhere left to run."

"Ice Beam now, Krystal.", Violet said her next move.

"Then I'll change it up. It doesn't matter if Articuno is a Flying-type or not. You're not the only one with a dual-type Pokemon.", Ricky responded back in a resolute tone. "Amber, use Moonblast.", Ricky declared.

"Ninetales!", Amber said, responding to Ricky. She still had the mist surrounding her body, but unlike before where she released icy-blue energy, her body changed drastically. It became mystical, unleashing a rainbow-colored ball over her mouth. It behaved very similarly to a move called Aura Sphere, but this move was called Moonblast. It wouldn't be introduced until the Fairy-type was revealed.

But here in this Pokemon World, all known Pokemon have already been encountered. There might be more unknown out there, but this included knowing the Fairy-type. Amber already knows quite a few Fairy-type moves. Moonblast being one of them. It was one of the strongest moves out there! Fairy Pokemon borrowed the power of the moon itself to use this move. Even though it was daytime, that didn't mean the moon didn't exist. It just wasn't out to say hello.

In response to the large and colorful sphere made up of Fairy energy, blue and rigid energy formed over Articuno's mouth. It was very jagged. Wooosh!

Screeching sounds struck everyone's ears as a long and dense beam of ice shot directly at the fox Pokemon down below. It didn't stay in one single line. It went all over the place as it swiftly made its way to Amber. As for Amber, she launched the large Moonblast, shooting right at Articuno.

The two attacks met head-on, creating another deafening blow around them. BANGGG!

This time, it knocked up actual dust in the air, making the battle field even more hazy.

Just like that, Ricky successfully cancelled out a second attack launched by a legendary Pokemon! Even Violet mused the sight, seeing how powerful her son's Pokemon was.

"Looks like you weren't slouching during the time you studied abroad. Powerful moves tend to cancel each other out, unless one was weak to another. We don't have that going on here. Fairy-type Pokemon aren't weak to a lot of typings, but you got Ice to make up for those weaknesses.", Violet explained.

"Yeah. Having an Ice and Fairy-type is much riskier than just having a pure Fairy type. They're prone to being weak to more types.", Ricky responded.

"That's right. As such, you should also expect moves like this. Krystal, dive downward and strike Amber with Steel Wing. Use all you got!", Violet exclaimed.

Ricky immediately frowned hearing that. If that Steel Wing connects...

Amber was weak to quite a few types, as a result of her being a dual-type Pokemon. As Ricky just said right now, they're prone to taking a lot more super-effective hits to other Pokemon. But that also meant they had access to a wider range of moves!

Ricky didn't want to hear the word "Steel", as that would most certainly spell doom for Amber if Articuno connects with that attack. Granted, Articuno's base Attack isn't the highest, but a move's power isn't anything to scoff at. Being Ice and Fairy, Amber was significantly weak to Steel moves. Ricky didn't want to take any risks here.

Ricky saw Articuno screech again and poise its wings upward. Articuno then took aim, holding still in the skies. Flapping its wings together, gray energy began to condense around Articuno's wings. No longer were they icy-blue in color, but now a sleek and firm silver. Articuno's wings now looked much deadlier.

Ricky wanted to use Disable, but Articuno was too fast. Steel Wing was already done and ready to go. Disable was a pretty unique move to where it disabled a Pokemon's use of a move. If a trainer reacted quick enough, they could disable a Pokemon's move before it was completed, otherwise they would have to wait until after the Pokemon finished using it.

"Amber, let's change up the pace. Take this moment to use Wonder Room, then brace for impact with your own Steel move. Use Iron Tail in succession!", Ricky exclaimed.

As if entering the digital space of a computer, the energy in the air turned weird. Phantom pixels began to merge, mostly being purple in color. They didn't stay around, but the change still took place.

Wonder Room wasn't widely used compared to other moves. It was very situational.

But in this instance, Ricky decided to use it. Initially, Alolan Ninetales had more special defense. But when Wonder Room is used, it swaps its Defense and Special Defense around. Meaning, Amber should now have higher Defense! The change might not be much, but it's the best chance he has to try and block the incoming Steel Wing.

It wasn't over there. Once Wonder Room was enacted, Amber unleashed the same silvery-gray energy Articuno used moments before. And Amber wasn't a Vulpix any longer. It didn't cloak just one tail with the Steel-type energy. All nine tails were suddenly sleek and silver, appearing very strong and sturdy.

Articuno flapped its wings, creating a fierce blast of wind, and went in straight for a nose-dive. It took aim right at Amber. As for Amber, she braced herself, and stood her ground. Once Articuno was around halfway downward, Amber used her hindlegs, and initiated a jump!

Schnggggg!

Everyone wanted to cover their ears again, once the sound of metal striking against each other struck their surroundings. It was quite ear-piercing, to say the least.

"Come on, Amber. You can do it!", Ricky urged Amber on, not wanting her to be on the losing end.

"I appreciate the effort Ricky, but it's time to end this. Strike Amber with everything you got.", Violet declared with a cold gaze.

"Schreeee!", Articuno responded. It continued its dive downward. It only had its momentum stopped for a brief period. 

"Nine...", Amber tried to say, struggling to keep up with the pressure she was facing head on. Articuno didn't stop. She soon found herself getting pushed back, still in the middle of the air. Articuno's speed kept getting faster and faster. It was then everyone saw the ground get blasted and torn to shreds, making it a pile-dive. BANG!

"Amber...", Ricky uttered, bearing witness to how strong a legendary Pokemon's strength is. It really was on another level. Articuno came out of that unscathed, and the silvery-glow around its wings vanished entirely. Articuno could now be seen flapping in place, still in the sky. Amber, on the other hand, wasn't looking too good.

That blast into the ground knocked up a lot of dust, causing those watching to cough. Once the dust started to settle, they waved their hands around to get a clearer picture.

Amber could now be seen on her other side, eyes sticking upward. Wonder Room, Snow Warning, and Mist all ended right then and there. That could only mean one thing.

"Amber is unable to battle. The victor goes to Violet and Krystal!", Professor Oak declared, seeing stars spin around Amber's eyes.

Violet simply smiled, acting as if she expected this result. She didn't even give Ricky a chance to use his new Z-Ring!