Chapter 212: Evolve, Wartortle!

BANG!

The moment of impact sent Wartortle's shell spinning through the air. The force of the attack launched the shell nearly ten meters away before it bounced across the rocky battlefield, rolling several times before finally coming to a stop.

A tense silence filled the air.

Misty gasped. "Wartortle!"

Even Brock's expression darkened. "That hit was powerful… Can it still fight?"

For a moment, there was no movement—

And then—

Wartortle pushed itself up, panting but standing tall.

Despite being battered and bruised, despite its blurry vision and aching body, it refused to fall.

Ash clenched his fists. "You're incredible, Wartortle…"

Blaine adjusted his sunglasses, raising an eyebrow in genuine surprise.

"He still hasn't gone down?" he muttered.

Based on Wartortle's condition, even a simple Quick Attack should've been enough to end it. But here it was—still standing.

Then realization dawned on him.

"Ah… Withdraw."

Blaine smirked, understanding now. Wartortle's previous move—Withdraw—had increased its defense, softening the impact.

"Impressive thinking, but this battle isn't over yet," Blaine said, folding his arms. "Let's see how long you can hold out! Ninetales, attack with all your strength! Use Flamethrower!"

"Nine—tales!"

Ninetales roared, its crimson eyes flashing. The Fire-type energy built rapidly in its mouth, a scorching inferno taking shape.

And then—

WHOOSH!

A massive flame dragon burst forward, its fiery body twisting through the air, charging straight for Wartortle!

A Desperate Dodge!

"Wartortle, dodge!" Ash shouted.

But even as he gave the command, his heart pounded.

Wartortle was exhausted. In top condition, it could have avoided the attack. But now? The odds weren't in their favor.

Everything depended on Wartortle itself.

The blue turtle Pokémon narrowed its eyes, gritting its teeth in determination.

The intense heat blazed toward it.

And then—

Wartortle rolled to the side at the last second!

The flames barely missed, scorching the ground where it had been standing moments ago!

A New Strategy!

Ash's face lit up with hope.

"Now! Use Water Pulse!"

"Cami—!"

Though Wartortle was exhausted, something stirred inside it. A hidden strength—a fierce determination ignited by the battle.

Its body glowed faintly with dark blue energy—Torrent was activating.

The power of water surged through its veins!

But—there was a problem.

The battlefield's intense heat was making it difficult for Wartortle to charge the Water Pulse fast enough.

Ninetales, meanwhile, had already finished its attack cooldown.

Blaine didn't hesitate. "Ninetales, use Flamethrower again!"

"Nine—!"

WHOOSH!

A second, even hotter Flamethrower roared toward Wartortle!

This time, there was no chance to dodge.

"Wartortle, don't fire Water Pulse at Ninetales—"

Ash's mind raced.

And then, an idea struck him.

"Use Water Pulse on yourself! Then use Rapid Spin!"

A Surprising Counterattack!

Wartortle didn't hesitate.

Instead of throwing the water ball at Ninetales, it tossed it into the air above itself!

At the same time—

Wartortle retracted into its shell and began spinning rapidly!

The water ball hit the spinning shell—

And instead of dispersing, it was pulled into the rotation, swirling around like a raging whirlpool!

A Whirlpool of Power!

The battlefield fell silent.

Brock's eyes widened. "He's fusing Water Pulse and Rapid Spin…"

Misty gasped. "That's— That's almost like Aqua Jet!"

Ash grinned. "Let's go, Wartortle! Charge forward!"

The spinning Wartortle, now encased in a vortex of swirling water, shot toward Ninetales!

A Clash of Fire and Water!

BOOM!

The spinning water vortex slammed into Flamethrower head-on.

The flames clashed with the rushing water, creating an explosion of steam that filled the entire underground battlefield!

"Did it work?!" Misty called out, shielding her eyes from the heat.

For a few moments, no one could see what had happened.

Then—

A blue shell shot out from the steam—heading straight for Ninetales!

"Now, Wartortle—break through!"

BAM!

Wartortle slammed into Ninetales' chest!

The Fire-type stumbled backward, knocked off balance by the sheer force of the hit.

Blaine's sunglasses slid down his nose as he watched in disbelief.

"That attack… actually worked?!"

Something is Changing…

Ash grinned, pumping his fist. "Alright, Wartortle! You did it!"

But then—

Something strange happened.

A bright light suddenly enveloped Wartortle's entire body!

Misty and Brock's jaws dropped.

"Wait… is that—?!"

Ash's eyes widened. "No way…!"

The glow intensified, completely covering Wartortle's form.

Then, slowly—it began to change.

Its body grew larger. Its limbs became stronger. Its shell expanded, gaining two powerful water cannons on its back.

And then—

With a powerful roar, the light shattered!

Standing in Wartortle's place was—

Blastoise!

Blastoise Joins the Battle!

Ash's heart pounded in his chest.

"Blastoise… you evolved!"

The newly evolved Blastoise glanced at its own body, flexing its powerful arms.

Then, with a smirk, it raised its two massive water cannons—ready for battle.

Blaine chuckled, pushing his sunglasses back up. "Well, well… Looks like this just got interesting."

Ash grinned. "Let's finish this!"

The battle was far from over.

But now, Ash wasn't just fighting with Wartortle.

He had Blastoise by his side.