Chapter 76: Crushing Battle

"Then... Pikachu, it's up to you!" Ash declared confidently, pointing to the electric mouse at his feet. With the attribute advantage he had, he was determined to capitalize on it. 

"Pikapika—!" Pikachu's eyes sparkled with excitement as he nodded eagerly, leaping onto one of the floating boards in the pool-like battle arena. 

The venue was still reminiscent of the water ballet stage, but now it featured a sprawling pool of about 100 meters long and 50 meters wide, with various floating boards interspersed throughout.

This setup ensured that Pokémon unable to swim could still participate in the battle. 

Sakura observed intently as Ash prepared for the fight. "It's definitely Pikachu..." she murmured, anxiously chewing her lip.

She couldn't gauge Pikachu's strength, but the pressure was evident—her confidence in Seaking was wavering with the presence of such a formidable opponent.

"Battle - start!" The referee shouted, raising his hand to kick off the challenge.

"Pikachu, Thunderbolt!" Ash commanded, a forceful directive that left no room for hesitation.

Understanding the power of Electric-type moves in a water setting, he aimed to take advantage of the aquatic battlefield to strike effectively.

"Pika, Pika—Chu!" Pikachu let loose a surge of energy, the air crackling as a brilliant bolt of lightning shot forth from his body, lancing across the water toward Seaking.

"What…?!" Sakura and her sisters gasped in astonishment, realizing that Ash hadn't needed to move closer.

The attack's range was incredible, far exceeding what they thought was possible even for elite Pokémon. 

The stunning power erupted violently upon contact. The waters rumbled and roiled, lit up by the dazzling electrical discharge.

For a few heart-stopping moments, the audience could only see the silhouette of Seaking engulfed in the blinding light of the Thunderbolt.

"Goldfish—!" The cry of Seaking was muffled under the electric roar, but it soon fell silent as the light faded, revealing the defeated Pokémon lying still on the water's surface, steam rising lazily from its slick body.

"Seaking lost its ability to fight!" the referee announced, his voice startled after witnessing the rapid turnover of events. Regaining composure, he declared, "Pikachu wins!"

"Good… amazing…" The three sisters stared in shock at Ash and Pikachu.

The swift fall of Seaking highlighted a strength they had never before seen in a challenger, not even in the most battle-hardened Pokémon they had encountered.

Moments later, Sakura shook herself free from her stupor and recalled Seaking, preparing to send in her second Pokémon, Cloyster.

"I guess we just have to keep going…" she muttered, attempting to maintain her composure despite the reality of the situation.

The round shape of Cloyster emerged from its Poké Ball, defensive and ready, its sturdy shell glinting under the arena lights.

"Even if Cloyster has a better defensive capability, it won't hold up against Pikachu's strength," Misty murmured to Brock, whose anticipation was palpable.

"Cloyster, use Ice Beam!" Sakura called, hoping to strike first.

But Ash was ready. "Pikachu, Thunderbolt again!" he commanded with unwavering confidence.

In an instant, a sharp beam of ice shot toward Pikachu, but it was no match for the onslaught of electricity. The two attacks collided, but Thunderbolt surged mesmerically brighter and broke through the icy projectile.

"Cloyster won't last long against this!" Brock noted, eyes widening as he knew what was coming.

"Cloyster, brace yourself!" Sakura shouted, but it was too late. 

The Thunderbolt struck Cloyster directly, the powerful electricity crashing through its defenses. It flailed briefly, caught in the overwhelming power, before collapsing in defeat.

"Cloyster lost the ability to fight! The winner of the match is Ash!" The referee quickly chimed in, noting the dramatic end to the battle.

The crowd erupted in murmurs, astonished by the sheer speed of the match. Just barely two and a half minutes had elapsed from start to finish, marking it as one of the shortest Gym challenges in history.

Sakura and her sisters looked downcast, struggling to comprehend the outcome. "Is our strength really that bad…?" Violet voiced, disappointment clear in her tone.

Despite the unfortunate reality, Brock and Misty had witnessed Pikachu's prowess before, and they understood the scale of Ash's growth. Misty met Ash's eyes, a mixture of pride and concern flitting across her face.

"It's not that you're weak. My Pikachu is just too strong!" Ash shrugged lightheartedly, recalling Pikachu to his shoulder.

He grinned widely, likely expecting cheers for his impressive performance, but instead received incredulous stares.

The three sisters shared glances that conveyed an unspoken bond—their own confidence battered but rising diligently in the face of defeat. In the world of Pokémon, it wasn't always about winning; self-improvement and adaptability were just as vital.

Sakura exhaled, reaching for the drop-shaped Cascade Badge she was supposed to award Ash. "You've proven your strength. This is for you. We can trust that Misty will be safe with you." She handed over the badge, her expression earnest.

"Sister Sakura, what are you talking about?" Misty protested, her cheeks alight with embarrassment.

"Isn't it true?" Violet teased, smiling slyly.

"I think it's quite reasonable!" Brock added, nodding enthusiastically. "What if I end up calling you brother-in-law one day?"

"Absolutely not!" The three sisters reacted simultaneously, their voices harmonious yet forceful as they managed to shock Brock into silence.

Ash chuckled, enjoying the light-hearted banter. As the giggles subsided and the atmosphere returned to normalcy, an unshakeable bond of recognition took root.

Despite the battle being overwhelming in speed and strength, it highlighted their respective journeys. For Ash, it was another victory that propelled him closer toward his ambitions. For the Cerulean sisters, it was a wake-up call to the realities of competitive battling.

Together, they learned that every challenge, whether in victory or defeat, served to strengthen the ties they shared, transforming their individual stories into a powerful collective journey.

___________

Adios