Pikachu looked to the left, electricity coursing through its body, ready to launch a Thunder Shock.
However, Scizor was faster, and its red pincers attacked continuously, blasting Pikachu. Pikachu was knocked back, and the Thunder Shock was deflected, smashing into the rock nearby.
"Too light..." Gary thought that Scizor could defeat Pikachu with Bullet Punch, but Pikachu was too light and was knocked back by the attack.
Pikachu, being agile, used its tail to support itself as it landed, avoiding fall damage.
Gary observed Pikachu and noted that it wasn't seriously injured. It seemed Ash's Pikachu had higher stats than an ordinary Pikachu.
"Pikachu, Thunderbolt!" Ash ordered.
Pikachu quickly fired a Thunderbolt, and the attack was released at a very fast speed. Before Gary could react, the Thunderbolt had already reached Scizor.
Scizor attempted to dodge but was a step too slow and got hit by the Thunderbolt. Because the venue was made of rock, it couldn't conduct electricity into the ground, so Scizor took the full brunt of Pikachu's Thunderbolt.
"Lunge!" Gary ordered.
Swish! Scizor quickly pounced on Pikachu, and Pikachu used Quick Attack to counter. The two collided, and with a bang, Pikachu was knocked back.
Pikachu stood up with difficulty. Its condition was poor, and the Lunge had caused significant damage.
"Finish Pikachu with X-Scissor!" Gary ordered.
"Zha...!" Follow current novels on 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡~𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢~𝙣𝙚𝙩
Scizor prepared to move but found itself unable to. A strong sense of paralysis affected its joints, preventing it from exerting force.
"Scizor didn't follow Gary's order. What's happening?" the host asked in surprise.
The audience became tense. Many had bet on Gary to win, and if he lost a Pokémon, they might face losses.
Gary realized that Scizor was paralyzed. Ash's Pikachu had the Static ability, which Gary hadn't anticipated affecting his Scizor.
"Pikachu, use Thunder!" Ash seized the opportunity and commanded Pikachu to use its strongest electric move.
"Pika... Chu!" Pikachu unleashed a thunderous attack, striking Scizor instantly.
Steel-type Pokémon can conduct electricity easily. Even though electric moves don't typically counter steel types, they can still damage the flesh inside the steel armor, causing significant harm.
Gary hadn't expected this and couldn't switch Pokémon.
Switching Pokémon isn't unlimited. Each duel allows one switch. Since Alakazam was switched earlier, Gary couldn't replace Scizor unless Pikachu was defeated.
"Scizor, use Lunge!" Gary ordered.
Since he couldn't switch, he decided to continue attacking.
Scizor, enduring the paralysis, lunged at Pikachu. Due to the paralysis, Scizor's movements were slow. Pikachu jumped to avoid Scizor's Lunge and countered with Thunder.
Paralysis affects reaction and speed, which is critical in battle.
"Scizor, use Leer!" Gary accepted the situation and aimed to lower Pikachu's defense, aiding his next Pokémon.
"Pikachu, Thunderbolt!" Ash didn't hold back, and Pikachu used its powerful Thunderbolt.
Scizor cried out in pain, then lost consciousness and fell backward.
"Scizor has lost its ability to fight, Pikachu wins!" the referee announced.
"Amazing! Ash's Pikachu defeated Scizor. This marks the first time Gary has lost a Pokémon since participating in the Silver Conference," the host commented.
"Darn, my victory is gone, and so is my youth!"
"Gary, why didn't you switch to a stronger Pokémon? The Tyranitar you used in the Indigo Plateau Conference made me lose money."
"Do you think Ash can beat Gary?"
"What are you thinking? This is a full-team battle. Look closely. Ash has two defeated Pokémon, while Gary has only one. And how can Pikachu be not defeated when it's seriously injured?" Although many have suffered losses, the audience still believes Gary will win.
"I made a wrong decision. Come back and rest." Gary had hoped Scizor could push through, but it was paralyzed by Pikachu and lost the battle.
"The next step is up to you!" Gary threw a Poké Ball.
Electivire with a tiger pattern appeared.
[LV60 Electivire/Champion]
"Gary sent out Electivire, a very strong Electric-type Pokémon. Is Gary setting up an electric showdown?"
Ash saw Electivire and immediately said, "Pikachu, come back and rest."
Pikachu quickly ran out of the field and returned to Ash.
Having seen Gary's Electivire before, Ash knew it wasn't afraid of electric moves, so he chose to recall Pikachu.
"Bulbasaur, please." Ash threw a Poké Ball.
[LV53 Bulbasaur/Elite]
"Bulba! Bulba!!" Bulbasaur saw Gary and shouted, eager to avenge its loss at the Indigo Plateau Conference.
"Although your Bulbasaur is good, if it doesn't evolve, it's not a match for my Electivire," Gary said.
"My Bulbasaur is very strong even without evolving, it doesn't matter," Ash retorted.
"Then try this move, Electivire, Thunder!" Gary ordered.
"Wow!" The tentacles on Electivire's head emitted golden lightning, and a thunderous attack shot out, quickly hitting Bulbasaur.
"Bulba..." Bulbasaur was forced to endure the Thunder. Even with high resistance to Electric-type moves, Bulbasaur still took some damage.
"If you evolve into Venusaur, you could take less damage," Gary said.
Bulbasaur looked dissatisfied.
"Bulbasaur, let Gary see your strength, use Razor Leaf," Ash ordered.