Chapter 214: Chapter 214: Strike Badge
Chapter 214: Strike Badge
After clashing five times, Heracross shook its head and created some distance from Poliwrath.
Seeing this, Ash pulled out his key stone and shouted: "Heracross, MEGA Evolution!"
Whoosh!
A flash of evolution light shimmered, and Mega Heracross appeared before everyone.
"Super Evolution, huh? No wonder you were so confident, Ash. Poliwrath, get pumped up, use Close Combat!"
Chuck knew a little about MEGA Evolution. After all, a rookie Trainer had used it recently at the neighboring Kanto Indigo Plateau Conference. As a Gym Leader, if he didn’t pay attention to it, he would look ignorant if someone challenged him using it.
"Heracross, we’ll use Close Combat too!"
Watching Poliwrath abandon defense and charge forward, Ash had no choice but to face it head-on. Both sides were already injured, and dodging was definitely not an option.
The two Pokémon engaged in close-quarters combat, their horn and fists clashing repeatedly in a passionate display. Despite the boost from Mega Evolution, there was still a significant gap between Heracross and Poliwrath. However, because the Belly Drum move had side effects, Poliwrath’s stamina was gradually failing, so at first glance, they seemed evenly matched.
Chuck watched this scene with teary eyes and shouted excitedly: "This is true, hot-blooded fighting! Poliwrath, show your spirit, you absolutely cannot lose! Final attack, Aura Sphere!"
Poliwrath placed its hands in front of its chest, gathering energy to form a massive spherical energy orb, then flexed its right arm and charged toward Heracross.
Aura Sphere was powerful, but it had a chance to miss. However, the chance of missing when Poliwrath charged in like this was infinitely close to zero.
"Heracross, use Aerial Ace!"
Watching the incoming Poliwrath, Heracross flew up to meet it. At the moment of contact, it suddenly burst into super speed, circling from the side to behind Poliwrath. It thrust its huge horn forward. Poliwrath reacted quickly, forcing its body to twist and fire the Aura Sphere.
Boom!
After the explosion, the referee raised the flag in their hand. "Poliwrath and Heracross are both unable to battle. Please send out your next Pokémon."
"Return, Heracross, get some good rest now. Lucario, I’m counting on you!"
Ash recalled Heracross and sent out Lucario.
"Lucario!"
The yellow dog appeared, radiating the Aura of an Elite.
"Go, Machamp!"
Chuck sent out his other ace as promised, a Machamp with explosive muscles.
[Pokémon: Machamp]
[Type: Fighting]
[Gender: Male]
[Level: Elite Beginner]
[Ability: Guts (If afflicted with a status condition, Guts activates, and Attack increases)]
[Potential: Elite]
[Moves: Blast Punch, Double Hit, Stomp, Rock Slide, Focus Energy, Circle Throw, Seismic Toss, Foresight, Karate Chop...]
"Lucario, Power-Up Punch."
Lucario swung its fist at Machamp.
"Machamp, catch its fist and use Circle Throw."
Machamp’s eyes narrowed, and with lightning speed, it grabbed one of Lucario’s arms, preparing for a shoulder throw.
Lucario, having been thrown over Machamp’s head, twisted its body and landed directly on Machamp.
During this time, Lucario had mastered the martial arts Ash taught it, and its fighting techniques were not something a muscle-head like Machamp could compare to.
Lucario rode on Machamp and unleashed a flurry of Wing Chun-style chain punches to the face, leaving Machamp seeing stars while its four arms flailed around trying to shake it off.
However, Lucario’s stance was incredibly solid, and even with all its strength, Machamp couldn’t pull it off.
Chuck reacted quickly and shouted: "Machamp, if you can’t shake it off, grab it and smash it into the ground!"
Hearing this, Machamp understood Chuck’s idea instantly, grabbing Lucario and wanting to throw it backward violently.
Lucario didn’t even need Ash’s reminder. It stomped its foot, a massive force making Machamp’s footing sink, and it nearly fell forward due to instability.
Lucario seized the chance to jump off Machamp’s back to the ground, then grabbed Machamp’s top two arms and gave it a powerful shoulder throw.
Machamp slammed heavily into the ground, feeling as if its body was about to fall apart.
Seeing Machamp wince in pain, Chuck asked: "Machamp, are you okay?"
Machamp pushed itself off the ground and shook its head, indicating it was fine.
"Good, Machamp, use Rollout to find an opening and lock Lucario down."
Machamp formed a sphere and rolled toward Lucario.
"Lucario, use Double Team."
"Lucario!"
Lucario used the move, and suddenly over a dozen images of Lucario appeared on the field.
"Machamp, it doesn’t matter how many clones it has, only one is real. Just roll over them and you’ll find it."
Chuck was quite confident in Machamp’s Rollout.
Any Lucario clone that Machamp’s Rollout touched vanished into thin air instantly.
"Lucario, let me see if your Aura has improved. Aura Sphere!" Ash said.
"Lucario!"
Lucario nodded heavily, gathering energy with both hands, and in the blink of an eye, condensed an Aura Sphere the size of a washbasin. The Aura Sphere grew larger and larger; when only three clones remained, the diameter of the Aura Sphere exceeded half a meter.
As Machamp approached, the Aura Sphere was thrust forward.
Boom!
Machamp’s Rollout was countered, and its body was blown away more than two meters.
Chuck’s heart tightened, and he shouted: "Machamp, hold on!"
Hearing this rallying cry, Machamp forced itself to stand up.
"Very good, Machamp, final attack, Blast Punch!"
Although Chuck knew Machamp was at the end of its rope, he knew his Pokémon’s temperament perfectly well as a Trainer. If he forfeited now, Machamp would definitely be angry. It was better to go out in a blaze of glory, even if it meant falling in the middle of an attack.
"Lucario, final attack, Drain Punch!"
Watching the incoming Machamp, Lucario took the Blast Punch head-on with its fist, then bent its knee and thrust it upward, completely ending the match.
"Machamp is unable to battle. The winner of this match is the challenger, Ash!" the referee announced, raising the flag.
"Ash, this is the Strike Badge; it belongs to you now. Both of your Pokémon are very strong in fighting techniques, especially Lucario’s close-quarters combat skills. Without a doubt, you are an excellent Trainer." Chuck was very satisfied with this battle.
Hearing this praise made Ash a little embarrassed. "Mr. Chuck, thank you for the compliment."
Learning that Ash’s group was not in a hurry to leave, Chuck enthusiastically invited Ash and the others to stay for the night. Of course, Chuck had a motive for doing this; he wanted to know how Ash trained his Fighting-type Pokémon.
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