Chapter 105: Ash VS Misty

Chapter 105: Ash VS Misty

The Top 32 matches were in full swing. After Ron finished his match in Group E, the three of them headed to Group B just in time to catch Ash's match against Misty.

After finding Brock, Ron and the others sat down. Ron glanced at Team Rocket, who were selling fast food, hoping they wouldn't cause trouble. Otherwise, he wouldn't mind throwing them out.

"It's starting," Brock said.

Ron and the others focused on the battle. Misty sent out her Poliwhirl (Poliwhirl), while Ash's first Pokémon was Kingler.

"Poliwhirl, Bubble Beam!" Misty commanded.

"Kingler, use Crabhammer to block it, then hit the water!" Ash shouted.

Poliwhirl immediately fired Bubble Beam at Kingler, but Kingler's large claw glowed white and blocked the attack. Then, with a powerful swing, it struck the water's surface, sending an energy wave that hit Poliwhirl and knocked it into the air.

"Oh, Crabhammer is a Water-type move, allowing Kingler to gather Water-type energy in its claws for defense. That significantly reduces the damage from Bubble Beam. Not bad, Ash," Ron said, rubbing his chin, his eyes lighting up at Ash's performance.

"Indeed. Compared to the Indigo League, Ash has improved at an incredible pace," Brock added.

Ruby had already taken out his notebook and was diligently recording. A trainer like this was worth noting.

"Poliwhirl, use Hypnosis!" Misty said through gritted teeth.

"Jump into the water to dodge!" Ash instructed.

As Poliwhirl used Hypnosis, Kingler leaped into the water, avoiding the attack. Then, following Ash's command, it unleashed a Hyper Beam from behind Poliwhirl, hitting it directly and rendering it unable to battle.

Ron nodded and said, "He's definitely grown a lot. He doesn't just charge ahead recklessly anymore; he's learned to use the battlefield to his advantage."

"Return, Poliwhirl," Misty said as she recalled her Pokémon. "You did well. Now, go, Psyduck!"

"Psy..." Psyduck appeared on the field, looking as clueless as ever.

Ash tensed up. "As expected, it's Psyduck. Kingler, Stomp it!"

Seeing Ash's serious expression, Ron turned to Brock. "Brock, why is Ash so nervous?"

"Because Misty taught Psyduck how to swim," Brock said seriously.

Ron shuddered and sighed. "Ash, you're on your own."

"It learned to swim?" May asked, confused. "What does that mean?"

Ruby also looked at Ron curiously. Ron explained, "Misty's Psyduck has immense potential, especially in Psychic power. Normally, it's a land-dwelling duck that can't swim, but if it gets a severe headache, it unleashes powerful psychic abilities. I once saw it break free from Mewtwo's Psychic hold."

May and Ruby gasped. They had never seen Mewtwo, but they had heard Ron mention it often. It was a young Legendary Pokémon. The fact that Psyduck could escape its Psychic grasp—even if Mewtwo wasn't using its full strength—spoke volumes about Psyduck's potential.

"Misty sure is ruthless, making a land duck learn to swim. That's terrifying," Ron said.

On the battlefield, Psyduck used Confusion, lifting Kingler into the air and repeatedly smashing it onto the rocky platform. Kingler was defeated in utter humiliation.

Ash recalled Kingler and sent out his Feraligatr. "Feraligatr, Crunch!"

"Psyduck, use Confusion!" Misty commanded.

Feraligatr lunged at Psyduck, dark energy forming around its massive jaws. Psyduck tried to hold it back with Confusion, but Crunch was a Dark-type move. The Dark energy disrupted Psyduck's Psychic attack, and Feraligatr's bite inflicted massive damage.

Psyduck struggled desperately, but it underestimated Feraligatr's jaw strength. It was trapped in Feraligatr's grip, unable to escape.

"Psyduck!" Misty called out in distress.

Hearing Misty's voice, Psyduck's eyes suddenly sharpened. A glow of evolution enveloped its body.

"It evolved?!" Ruby exclaimed in shock.

Ron and the others were equally stunned. Psyduck had evolved into Golduck!

Now a blue Golduck, its stats had significantly increased. It fired a Hydro Pump at Feraligatr's face, forcing it to release its grip. Golduck then dived into the water and emerged onto another rock platform.

Golduck retained its duck-like appearance but had become blue. A red gem adorned its forehead, its eyes had become sharper, and its beak was narrower and pointed. Four spiky protrusions extended from its head. Its limbs had elongated, with three webbed fingers on each hand and four toes on each foot, one pointing backward. Its webbing was now white, as were its newly grown claws. Its tail had also lengthened significantly.

"Golduck, well done! Use Hydro Pump again!" Misty commanded.

"Don't lose! Use Hydro Pump too!" Ash countered.

The two Hydro Pumps clashed, sending water splashing everywhere. However, Golduck's was slightly stronger. Feraligatr relied on physical attacks, making its Special Attack inferior to Golduck's.

"Aqua Jet!" Ash shouted, realizing the disadvantage.

Water surrounded Feraligatr as it sped through the air, dodging Hydro Pump and heading straight for Golduck.

As Feraligatr landed on Golduck's rock platform, Ron shook his head. "Checkmate. The match is decided."

Brock and the others sighed, knowing what was coming next.

As expected, once Feraligatr reached Golduck, Ash called out, "Feraligatr, finish it with Crunch!"

"No! Golduck, dodge!" Misty realized her mistake too late.

But a mistake was a mistake. Golduck, already heavily injured from Crunch earlier, couldn't react in time. Feraligatr clamped down on it hard, sealing its defeat.

"Golduck is unable to battle! The winner is Ash!" the referee announced.

"Thank you, Golduck," Misty said as she recalled it. "Even though we lost, your evolution is the best reward I could ask for."

Ron stood up. "Let's go. I've seen Ash's growth. He probably won't lose again until the finals. We'll meet him there."

Brock watched the three of them leave and smiled. "Looks like Ash's growth has motivated Ron too. While Ash isn't at Ron's level yet, at this rate, he'll catch up soon—maybe even surpass him."

Just as Brock said, Ash's progress had indeed motivated Ron. But not in the way Brock imagined. From what Ron had learned from the system, he now understood that there were even greater heights to reach. He wouldn't become arrogant. Knowing his own weakness was the key to becoming even stronger!