Floatzel's Inflatable Sac!
Ash had already been planning how to fully utilize its inflatable neck sac.
The sac around Floatzel's neck could inflate by inhaling air, forming a cushion that could block or even deflect enemy attacks.
"Floatzel, let's begin!"
"Bu-ha!"
At Ash's command, Floatzel began to inhale.
As it did, the sac around its neck began to swell.
"Roar!"
Steelix sensed something was wrong. Its steel body tightened the Bind attack even harder!
But for some reason, the more force Steelix used, the more powerless it felt—like its strength just couldn't reach Bui Floatzel zel!
All its power… was being absorbed by the inflated sac!
"Well done, Floatzel! Use the gap created by the sac to break free—Aqua Tail!"
"Flo-wu!"
Using the opening created by its buoyant sac, Floatzel broke free in a single motion.
Its tail transformed into a gleaming blade of water—like a slicing torrent—striking Steelix with a fierce whack!
"Raarghh..."
Steelix howled in pain.
"How interesting! This is truly fascinating! The purpose of Gym Leaders is to draw out the challenger's full potential. Ash, you're impressive. But I won't give up so easily—Steelix, use Iron Tail!"
Byron could hardly believe it. He had been more surprised today than in the entire past year combined.
This boy Ash—no wonder he defeated Byron's own son, Roark He definitely had skills.
"You underestimated Floatzel's inflatable sac. Floatzel, bounce back that Iron Tail!"
!!!
Steelix's Iron Tail slammed downward toward Floatzel like a meteor!
But Floatzel didn't dodge. It stood its ground—eyes locked on Steelix in pure defiance.
Its inflatable sac swelled once more!
Boom!
The massive steel tail struck Floatzel dead-on.
But it was completely absorbed by the inflated sac!
Redirecting force with minimum effort— using softness to overcome hardness!
The ground beneath Floatzel cracked from the redirected force!
All of Steelix's power had been absorbed and transferred through the sac into the ground!
"Now go—Hydro Pump!"
"Bu-ha!"
With a flick of its arms, Floatzel shook off Steelix's Iron Tail, and the sac around its neck deflated back to normal.
In the next moment, a powerful Hydro Pump blasted forth—
Slamming directly into Steelix's steel-plated skull!
BOOM-KA!
The heavy behemoth collapsed onto the battlefield, smashing a large boulder to pieces!
"Steelix is unable to battle! Floatzel wins!"
Ding! [Congratulations, Host! Floatzel has defeated Steelix and earned 12,500 battle experience points!]
Even without using a Critical Experience Multiplier Card, Floatzel still leveled up!
From level 56 to 57!
That was a level 53 Steelix— Pseudo-Elite Four level!
And Floatzel didn't even break a sweat taking it down.
"Bu-ha!"
After its victory, Floatzel was absolutely pumped with excitement.
"Amazing! Ash wins another round with ease! That inflatable sac of Floatzel's is incredible—even a powerful Iron Tail attack couldn't get through!"
"Piplup-pi!"
Dawn was full of admiration.
Even her Piplup, as a fellow Water-type Pokémon, stared at Floatzel in awe—wondering if it could ever become that strong someday.
Byron recalled his Steelix.
He was a seasoned Gym Leader with formidable strength—but today's challenger was clearly on another level.
"Hahaha! Now this is the kind of spirited and skilled Trainer the Pokémon League needs! Then let's go—final round! Go, Bastiodon!"
"To beat my Bastiodon, Ash, you'll have to earn that Mine Badge!"
"Bashhhh!"
Bastiodon let out a deep roar, its shield-like face radiating defiance.
"Come back and rest, Floatzel. Your inflatable sac really shined today."
Ash nodded with satisfaction. Floatzel's greatest unique trait was indeed that inflatable sac.
As Floatzel returned, it high-fived Monferno before heading back.
The two Pokémon sat together to watch the third battle unfold.
Ash pulled out his third Poké Ball—
Lucario.
Byron's Bastiodon was level 55.
Ash's Lucario had just reached level 50.
The level gap was real, but Lucario's Fighting type was quadruple super-effective against Bastiodon.
"You're up, Lucario! I choose you!"
"Luca~rio!"
Lucario!
"Looks like another powerful partner! But Bastiodon's defense is top-tier!"
Byron grinned, clearly confident in his Bastiodon's unbreakable defenses.
"Aura Sphere!"
"Flash Cannon!"
BOOM!
The two attacks collided mid-air in a spectacular explosion!
Byron smiled confidently—his Bastiodon's ranged attacks weren't weak either.
"What?!"
Before he could even give his next command, a second Aura Sphere burst from the smoke—slamming directly into Bastiodon!
It turned out the initial explosion was caused when Aura Sphere pierced through Flash Cannon—shattering it entirely!
Lucario's fighting-type energy had been boosted by one of Ash's special items.
So that "explosion" was actually Aura Sphere tearing through Flash Cannon like paper!
"Bastiodon, adjust your stance!"
"Charge in, Lucario—Extreme Speed!"
"Lu-ca!"
SWOOSH!
Everyone except Ash was speechless.
So fast—unbelievably fast!
The explosion smoke hadn't even cleared when—
A blue streak flashed past the smoke.
Lucario had already closed the gap to the still-off-balance Bastiodon!
One blue paw gently pressed against Bastiodon's shield-like forehead.
It was Lucario.
The sheer speed of its approach left trails of smoke swirling around its body.
As the smoke slowly cleared—
Extreme Speed, the ultimate acceleration technique.
Ash and Lucario had repurposed it as a gap-closing movement tool.
"Force Palm!"
HUMMMM!
Fast—unthinkably fast!
So fast that even Byron, Roark acting as referee, and the spectators Dawn and Anabel—none of them could react in time!
Lucario's Force Palm activated!
All of its power concentrated into that single paw.
Though it looked like a soft tap to Bastiodon's face—
It struck like a mountain collapsing!
Bastiodon's massive, heavy body was launched into the air!
"Bashhhh...!"
BOOM!
CRASH!
SMASH!
Bastiodon smashed through three massive rocks before collapsing in a heap of rubble.
No sound came from beneath the stone debris.
Despite being lower-leveled, Lucario had dominated the entire match!
This was the power of Lucario—the one who inherited the Will of Aura!
A completely one-sided battle!
The Mine Badge—Ash's sixth badge—was in the bag!
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