"For the final move, use Ice Fang!" As Ash's voice echoed, an intense chill enveloped Crystal Onix, its previously transparent fangs now encased in a thick layer of frosty crystal. Icy blue mist poured from the fangs, causing the surrounding air to turn white due to the extreme cold, and a thin layer of frost formed on the ground.
At this moment, Onix struggled to lift its head from the severe pain of Iron Tail, barely able to muster the strength to rise, and was completely unable to mount any defense. Crystal Onix precisely lowered its head, its ice-crystal fangs fiercely biting into Onix's cracked body.
"Crunch!" The crisp sound of gnawing resounded on the field as the icy chill surged crazily into Onix's body through the fangs, sapping its last strength.
The once struggling Onix finally collapsed powerlessly, and as its massive body fell to the ground with a loud thud, it marked Ash's victory in this battle once again.
Up to this point, Yuji had three Pokémon that lost their ability to battle, while Ash's Pokémon were basically still in peak condition. The three Pokémon he sent out not only defeated their opponents independently but also remained unharmed.
The toughest battle, however, was the first one against Ditto. If Ash hadn't used strategy to render Ditto's moves ineffective, Lapras might have actually fallen at Ditto's hands.
But in the end, Lapras still secured the victory.
"With three Pokémon incapacitated on Yuji's side, we will now proceed to a halftime break. The arena will be changed, so please wait momentarily!" As the host's words concluded, the battle was already halfway through.
Ash and Yuji both returned to their respective player seats, and the arena started to slowly lower. In less than ten seconds, a new arena had appeared.
Unlike the previous arena, this one featured a sand terrain, a surface made not of hard rock and ground but soft sand, which could hinder movement for heavyweight opponents due to the softness of the terrain.
"You're amazing, Ash! The opponent is the head Trainer of the Orange Archipelago, and you've defeated three of his Pokémon without losing a single one!" Serena said, her eyes sparkling with admiration.
Seeing Ash's terrifying battle power against a Legendary Beast was more distant for Serena, as those battles were beyond comprehension.
The divine battles were a whole different level as they could destroy worlds, appearing unlike human battles.
Conversely, this current battle was more realistic to Serena, showcasing Ash's trainer skills.
"Haha, I'm pretty good too, you know. I'm the Champion of the Quartz Conference... But Yuji hasn't gone all out yet. Being the head Trainer of the Orange Archipelago, he shouldn't only have Pokémon at Professional Level. He must have Gym Level main contenders, so perhaps the first half was Yuji's way of probing me."
Ash did not become arrogant despite his three victories. He thought that the head Trainer of the Orange Archipelago couldn't be as simple as it appeared. So far, the Pokémon sent out included two at Elite Peak and one at Professional Junior Level.
Honestly, those Pokémon hardly deserved Yuji's position.
Ignoring Yuji's long-absent trump cards, Ash believed Yuji's regular main Pokémon should be at Professional to Gym Level; yet the first half fielded even lower than Elite Level... worse than some Gym Leaders in Kanto.
It's unclear whether it's due to dealing mostly with low-level opponents or other reasons that Yuji habitually didn't use his true strength.
Now with three Pokémon down, Yuji should send out his true main contenders next.
"Were those not Yuji's full strength just now?" Serena tilted her head, asking puzzled.
"Probably not. Misty had Elite Level Pokémon when she first started, so Yuji, at his level, shouldn't only have those kinds of Pokémon," Ash confirmed.
Beside them, Misty rolled her eyes. What did he mean by even she had Elite Level Pokémon when first starting... Are Elite Level Pokémon a dime a dozen? They're properly upper mid-tier Pokémon!
However, she knew Ash wasn't belittling Elite Level Pokémon, nor her. It's just that Yuji, standing atop the Orange Archipelago, shouldn't have his main Pokémon be merely Elite Level.
It's like saying the Elite Four of Kanto only had Gym Level main Pokémon. Is that realistic?
Although small, the Orange Archipelago counts as a region, despite being smaller. Being at the top of one region equates to Champion Level in other regions.
Therefore, the first three Pokémon Yuji sent out must not be his main contenders.
"That's really impressive. When can I become such a skilled Trainer..." Serena muttered with some envy.
"You'll get there one day, after all, you're considered half my disciple." Ash patted Serena's head, then took the water Misty handed him and drank it.
"Thanks, Misty, I should be playing now." Ash passed the cup back to Misty.
"Mm, good luck!" Misty smiled and nodded in encouragement.
"Good luck, Ash!" Serena subtly touched where Ash had patted and then joined Misty in encouraging Ash.
...
"Thanks for waiting, everyone. The halftime break is over, and the second half of the match officially begins. After a few minutes of rest and adjustment, both Yuji and Ash should have calmed from the heated state just now. Will Yuji reverse the outcome, or will Ash win all the way through?!"
With the host's enthusiastic voice, Ash and Yuji stood on the podium. Ash maintained his spirited demeanor with a hint of a smile, while Yuji had calmed down, seemingly recovered from his earlier rush.
"Ash, I know it sounds somewhat arrogant, but if you send out the same level of Pokémon as before, they might be defeated by just one of mine!" Yuji advised Ash while picking up a Pokeball.
"Are you finally going all out, Mr. Yuji!"
Ash's words left Yuji momentarily stunned. So Ash knew Yuji hadn't used his full strength? Then, the earlier Pokémon wouldn't be the main contenders either, used like his to feel the opponent out?
Given Ash's performance at the Quartz Conference, it seemed plausible... Interesting!
"Then for my fourth Pokémon... Go, Electivire!!"
"Bam!" The Pokeball exploded in the center of the field, and the black-and-white Electivire appeared. This was the latest evolution of Electabuzz, found in Sinnoh. Yuji's Electivire must have evolved shortly after this evolution was discovered.
Though called the latest, two months have passed, and those with access to an Electirizer would choose to evolve their Electabuzz into Electivire, enhancing Electabuzz in all aspects!
"Electivire, huh... Then I'll use this. It's decided, you're up, Infernape!!" Ash thought for a moment, then chose a Pokeball from his waist and tossed it. With a flash, a monkey-like Pokemon with flames flickering atop its head appeared.