"What?"
"Such a massive thundercloud... can that Meltan really control it?"
Seeing the gigantic storm clouds filled with lightning above, everyone was stunned; even Lucas Silver showed a look of surprise.
"For the mythical Pokémon Meltan, Electric-type energy is nothing less than its source of life — its vital energy."
Ethan looked up at Meltan, now enveloped by the clouds, and nodded with satisfaction. Normally, Meltan moves by generating an electrical field around its body, so saying that electricity was its life energy wasn't an exaggeration at all.
Under normal circumstances, Meltan absorbs metals solely to convert them into Electric-type energy. Because of that, after studying Magnemite's training methods, Ethan decided to apply the same techniques to his own Meltan.
And the most important part of a Magnemite's training was — without question — electric charging. So Ethan also tried "charging" Meltan with electricity.
The result was astonishing: even when bathed in electric currents, Meltan showed not the slightest discomfort; on the contrary, it seemed to enjoy it — as if it were taking a soothing bath.
Furthermore, its resistance to Electric-type moves was incredibly high. Even attacks that should have been super effective barely affected it; Meltan simply absorbed them without moving an inch.
That's why, seeing it surrounded by storm clouds, Ethan wasn't surprised in the least. After all, Meltan was a mythical Pokémon!
That amount of electricity couldn't possibly harm it.
"Meltan, use Thunderbolt!"
Seeing the lightning dancing within the clouds, Ethan's eyes gleamed.
BOOM!
A deafening crash shook the air, and a massive bolt of lightning struck down from the sky.
Although Meltan couldn't learn the move Thunder, at that moment, with the help of the storm, it executed Thunderbolt with the same devastating effect.
"Ludicolo, use Hydro Pump!"
Derek Ashford's expression shifted as he quickly gave the command.
BOOM!
In midair, the powerful lightning bolt clashed head-on with the Hydro Pump.
After a few seconds of struggle, another bolt descended from the clouds, merging with the first. The two fused bolts of lightning completely overpowered the water attack, driving it back down until they engulfed Ludicolo entirely.
BOOM!
Ludicolo's body was wrapped in electricity. The ground beneath its feet cracked open, and arcs of lightning bounced wildly, leaving behind craters and fissures that spread like a web.
BOOM!
With another thunderous roar, Ludicolo barely managed to endure the attack, its body charred and covered in soot.
But a moment later, yet another bolt struck from the sky, enveloping it again.
BOOM!
BOOM!
BOOM!
One after another, lightning bolts rained down from the clouds, turning the battlefield into utter devastation. Finally, after enduring that relentless storm of thunderbolts, Ludicolo fell to the ground, completely defeated.
"Ludicolo is unable to continue battling! Meltan is the winner!"
After the referee's announcement, Derek could only recall his Ludicolo, his face full of frustration.
His Ludicolo was the core of his team — the one meant to control the weather. He had planned to use the rain to give his team the upper hand... But in the end, it only gave the advantage to his opponent!
"How is it possible for that Meltan to control lightning of such magnitude? This is insane!"
Looking at the small Meltan joyfully playing among the electric clouds, Derek's face darkened, disbelief filling his eyes.
Meanwhile, Ethan watched Meltan frolicking inside the storm, his gaze turning thoughtful. Could he take advantage of that ability?
Maybe he could develop a rain-focused team... it wasn't a bad idea. But Pokémon with the Drizzle ability were all under the League's control.
Even if one somehow managed to obtain one by luck, special authorization was required to use it — a troublesome process.
So, if he wanted to form a rain-based team, he'd have to find a Pokémon capable of using Rain Dance. He just needed to find out if his Slowking could learn it.
As Ethan pondered, the clouds gradually began to dissipate. The dark sky brightened once more, and the warm sunlight returned to shine upon the battlefield.
"Phew... looks like the rain's over."
"Then it's time for the last one... Go, Feraligatr!"
Seeing the storm fade away, Derek breathed a sigh of relief and threw his Poké Ball, summoning his mighty Feraligatr.
"I'll strike first! Meltan, use Thunderbolt!"
As soon as Feraligatr appeared, Ethan gave the order.
BOOM!
An electric current surged through Meltan's body before crashing violently down from above.
But without the aid of the storm clouds, the attack had lost much of its power, and Feraligatr managed to counter it easily with a single Hydro Pump.
BOOM!
BOOM!
BOOM!
As the clash continued, Meltan unleashed one electric discharge after another, while Feraligatr retaliated with jets of water — the two locked in a long-range duel.
"This won't work... Meltan already used up a lot of its electric energy earlier."
Watching the back-and-forth exchange, Ethan frowned. A battle of attrition wasn't his style.
"In that case..."
"Meltan, use the spear!"
His eyes gleamed as he shouted the command.
"Zzzt!"
Upon hearing its trainer, Meltan let out an excited chirp.
Its liquid body began to twist, transforming into a shining silver spear. With the move Harden, its metallic surface solidified, gleaming like a sharpened weapon.
Then, Meltan spun in midair, aimed its "spear tip" straight at Feraligatr, and dove downward at full speed.
"Damn it—what kind of move is that, a spear!?"
Derek cursed at the sight and quickly shouted, "Feraligatr, use Hydro Pump!"
BOOM!
The Hydro Pump blasted upward, while Meltan plunged down like a projectile.
The impact was fierce, but the spear-shaped Meltan pierced through the torrent of water and continued its descent straight toward Feraligatr.
"Ice Punch!"
Seeing Meltan break through the attack, Feraligatr gathered icy energy into its fists and swung at the Meltan emerging from the water.
(End of chapter)