The intense noise from Snorlax's battle cries not only affected Medicham but also everyone nearby.
"What a powerful noise!" Brock exclaimed, his voice barely audible over the uproar. "Ash's strategy to use Snorlax's incredible endurance in a battle of attrition is brilliant. No wonder he's been using moves like Defense Curl to raise its defenses early on. And with the Sleep and Sleep Talk combo, not to mention Belly Drum to maximize attack power—it's remarkable!" He struggled to cover his ears, though the booming echoes made it nearly impossible to block out completely.
Beside him, Misty, May, and Scott pressed their hands tightly over their ears, grimacing against the onslaught of sound. The other fighters in the dojo, spectators eagerly watching the intense showdown, did the same. Some tried to shield themselves with their jackets, while others simply flinched, wincing at each deafening cry.
However, not everyone succumbed to the noise. Greta and Ash stood unfazed amidst the chaos.
Greta, a seasoned and disciplined fighter, relied on her training to withstand the discomfort. Using special breathing techniques she had honed over years of martial arts, she minimized the impact of the sound. "Control your breathing, control your focus," she whispered to herself, her calm demeanor unwavering.
Ash, on the other hand, relied on sheer determination and resilience. His own bond with Snorlax fueled his ability to endure, as he was wholly immersed in the battle. To Ash, the noise wasn't a distraction but a declaration of their teamwork and resolve.
Then it happened: Snorlax woke up!
Its eyes snapped open, and a fiery determination burned within them. Two rounds of rest had done wonders for its stamina, restoring much of the energy it had sacrificed earlier with Belly Drum. The timing couldn't have been more perfect; Snorlax was now free from the recharge delay of its devastating Hyper Beam, and it was ready to strike again.
Ash grinned, recognizing the perfect opportunity. "Snorlax, keep up the sound attack and show them your power with Rollout!"
"Snor-laaaax!" Snorlax roared, its voice reverberating through the dojo like an earthquake. Without hesitation, it curled into a massive, rolling sphere of momentum and power, launching itself at Medicham with astonishing speed.
"Medicham, quickly get out of the way and use Foresight!" Greta commanded, her voice sharp and urgent.
Medicham immediately tried to leap to the side, but the pain from its injured knee—the result of the failed High Jump Kick earlier—slowed its movements. Despite its best efforts, the sharp sting of its injury was too much to overcome.
"Medicham!" Greta's eyes widened in alarm as the inevitable unfolded before her.
Snorlax's Rollout struck Medicham with thunderous force, sending it hurtling across the dojo. The impact was so strong that the walls themselves seemed to shudder under the weight of Medicham's crash. Dust and debris fell from the ceiling as Medicham slumped to the ground, completely knocked out.
The referee stepped forward, raising his hand to signal the end of the match. "Medicham is unable to battle! Snorlax wins, making the challenger, Ash from Pallet Town, the victor!"
A brief silence hung in the air as the announcement sank in, followed by an eruption of cheers. Ash had won!
"Snorlax!" Snorlax bellowed triumphantly, unrolling from its spherical form and leaping toward Ash in excitement. Its massive frame loomed over the young trainer, and for a moment, Ash's eyes widened in alarm. With Snorlax's boosted power from Belly Drum, even a playful hug could be overwhelming.
But Snorlax surprised everyone with its gentleness. Instead of crashing into Ash, it scooped him up carefully and placed him on its broad shoulder. The crowd roared with approval as Snorlax raised its arm in victory, proudly celebrating its triumph alongside its trainer.
Ash couldn't help but laugh, patting Snorlax's head. "You were amazing, Snorlax! I couldn't have done it without you."
Greta approached them, a gracious smile on her face despite her defeat. "Congratulations, Ash," she said warmly. "Your strategy was brilliant, and your Snorlax's endurance and strength are truly remarkable. To know moves like Belly Drum and Rollout speaks to its incredible potential—and to your skill as a trainer."
She held out a gleaming gold badge, shaped like a pair of strong, flexed arms. "This is the Gold Guts Symbol, awarded to those who conquer my Battle Arena."
Ash accepted the badge with both hands, his expression glowing with pride. "This is the Symbol of Guts," he declared, holding it up high for everyone to see. "It represents the teamwork and determination of me and my Pokémon."
"Pika Pika!" Pikachu cheered from Ash's shoulder, its voice filled with joy.
"Chamo, Combusken!" May's Combusken added, sharing in the excitement. Get full chapters from N0v3l.Fiɾe.net
"Snor-laaaax!" Snorlax bellowed again, raising Ash even higher on its shoulder as if to proclaim their victory to the world.
"That was an incredible battle, Ash!" Scott exclaimed, clapping enthusiastically. "Your strength and strategy really shine through. It's no surprise you've made such progress in the Battle Frontier."
Greta nodded in agreement. "Your next challenge will be at the Battle Dome, where you'll face Tucker. He's a famous Pokémon Battle Star from Kanto, known for his dramatic double battles. It'll be a different kind of challenge, but I'm sure you're up for it."
Ash's thoughts briefly turned to the Battle Dome and the fierce competition that awaited him. He pictured Tucker, a performer as much as a trainer, dazzling the crowd with his charisma and skill. Then his mind wandered further, recalling another performer—a beautiful, talented girl who had chosen a different path as a Pokémon Coordinator. For a moment, he wondered how she was doing and what new heights she might have reached in her contests.
But Ash quickly snapped back to the present, his gaze returning to his team and the crowd cheering around him. "We'll take on whatever comes next!" he declared, his voice full of determination. "Right, guys?"
The excitement in the dojo was palpable as Ash and his Pokémon celebrated another hard-earned victory, ready to face the next challenge in their journey.
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