"Roarrr…!"
The two Pokémon took the field.
Wrench's Chesnaught immediately hammered both fists against its chest before throwing its arms wide and unleashing a deafening roar.
Combined with its tall, powerful frame and armor-like covering of spines, the display instantly sent its battle aura soaring.
"Boom~!"
"Grrrnnngh!!"
But Probopass was no less imposing.
With its enormous weight and bulky frame—averaging 1.4 meters in height and weighing a staggering 340 kilograms—the heavy Pokémon slammed onto the battlefield hard enough to make the ground tremble.
Accompanied by Probopass's deep, muffled growl, it gave off the overwhelming presence of an immovable mountain.
"Wikstrom…! Wikstrom…!!"
"Wikstrom…!!"
"Wikstrom…!!"
"Wrench…! Wrench…!!"
"…"
"…"
With both Pokémon now on the field, their intense, gunpowder-charged auras clashed head-on, sending the spectators into a frenzy.
Most of the cheers were naturally directed toward Wikstrom, but Wrench was also a fairly well-known professional Trainer in Lumiose City. He had his own fans, spectators, friends, and supporters in the audience shouting encouragement for him.
For a moment, the entire stadium was filled with an electric atmosphere.
"System, scan the data on the Chesnaught and Probopass on the field."
At the back of the waiting area, Ash stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows, watching the battle and issuing the command to his system.
[Ding! Scanning. Please wait…]
[Pokémon: Chesnaught]
Level: LV.49 — Elite Peak
Type: Grass, Fighting
Ability: Bulletproof
~
[Pokémon: Probopass]
Level: LV.72 — Early Elite Four
Type: Rock, Steel
Ability: Magnet Pull
Mental Will: Will to Protect
(Note: HP +15%, Attack +5%, Defense +15%, Special Attack +5%, Special Defense +15%, Speed +5%)
The system quickly completed its scan.
The data panels for the Chesnaught and Probopass on the battlefield appeared before Ash.
There was nothing particularly outstanding about Chesnaught itself.
At LV.49, an Elite Peak Pokémon, it would only rank somewhere around the second or third tier among Ash's own Pokémon.
The only thing that caught Ash's attention was Chesnaught's Ability.
Wrench's Chesnaught didn't possess the usual Ability, Overgrow, which allowed a Pokémon to unleash greater power when its HP was low.
Instead, it possessed the comparatively rare Hidden Ability, Bulletproof.
Bulletproof granted immunity against attacks involving balls and bombs.
If Chesnaught were struck by moves such as Ice Ball, Gyro Ball, Magnet Bomb, Seed Bomb, Aura Sphere, Focus Blast, and similar attacks, it could completely negate their damage.
There was no denying that it was an exceptionally powerful Ability.
But even with such an Ability, Wrench's Chesnaught was still hopelessly outmatched by Wikstrom's Probopass.
Probopass was LV.72—an early Elite Four-level Pokémon.
When an Elite-level Pokémon faced an Elite Four-level Pokémon, there was practically no chance of victory.
Even if the former possessed Mega Evolution—or even something like Ash's Will Empowerment—it would still have virtually no hope of defeating an Elite Four-level Probopass.
Fortunately, this was merely an exhibition match meant for friendly exchange.
Even if Wrench and Chesnaught ultimately lost, Ash believed Wikstrom wouldn't allow them to be defeated in a humiliating manner.
"So it really is the Will to Protect…"
Seeing the Mental Will displayed on Probopass's status panel, Ash couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
Just as he had expected.
"Begin the battle!!"
While Ash was still reflecting on what he had seen, the referee on the battlefield confirmed that both sides were ready.
He raised one hand and loudly announced the start of the match.
"Chesnaught, use Pin Missile!"
Knowing full well that he was no match for Wikstrom, Wrench had never expected to actually win.
For him, as long as he could display as much of his strength as possible, that would already be enough.
Therefore, at the very beginning of the battle, Wrench chose to seize the initiative and ordered Chesnaught to attack first.
"Roar~!"
"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh…!"
Upon receiving the command, Chesnaught answered with a roar.
It slightly hunched its shoulders and lowered its body, while the spines covering its armored back instantly shot forward like a barrage of arrows, streaking toward Probopass on the opposite side of the field.
Given Probopass's level, its Rock and Steel typing, its outstanding defensive physique and resistances, and the enhancements granted by its Will to Protect, even if Probopass simply stood there and allowed Chesnaught to attack, Chesnaught probably wouldn't be able to inflict the slightest injury.
But this was an exhibition match.
When it was time to hold back, one had to hold back.
And when it was time to put on a show, one had to put on a show.
Having Probopass simply stand there and endure the attack without even bothering to dodge would be far too disrespectful.
Out of consideration for his opponent, the moment he saw Chesnaught's Pin Missile coming toward them, Wikstrom immediately gave Probopass a defensive command.
"Probopass, use Iron Defense!!"
"Grrrnnngh~!"
Probopass let out a deep cry.
In an instant, its massive body began to shine with a brilliant silver-gray metallic sheen.
Its defensive power surged rapidly.
"Clang, clang, clang…!"
The barrage of spines struck Probopass one after another.
Yet when the attack finally ended, not even the slightest mark had been left behind.
"…"
Ash narrowed his eyes slightly as he watched from the waiting room.
"Probopass, it's our turn to counterattack. Use Tackle!!"
"Grrrnnngh~!"
After receiving Wikstrom's command, Probopass let out another deep cry.
The next instant, its enormous body began to tremble violently.
A dazzling white radiance erupted across its surface.
Then, like a meteor hurtling from the heavens, Probopass suddenly shot forward and slammed straight toward Chesnaught.
"Not good!"
Wrench's expression changed dramatically when he saw this.
He hurriedly ordered Chesnaught to defend itself.
"Chesnaught, use Spiky Shield!!"
"Roarrr…!"
Chesnaught immediately responded.
It lowered its body, and the spines covering its armored shell instantly became even sharper and more menacing.
But Probopass possessed a Steel-type body.
It wasn't afraid of Chesnaught's Grass-type Spiky Shield.
"BOOM!!"
Just as Chesnaught crouched down and pointed its spiked armor toward the incoming attack, Probopass came crashing toward it like a falling meteor.
The collision sent Chesnaught flying backward.
However, Chesnaught was extremely quick to react.
The moment it was knocked into the air, it curled its body inward, rolling itself into a compact ball like a pangolin curling up for protection.
By reducing its exposed surface area as much as possible, it minimized the damage caused by the impact.
"Don't let it escape, Probopass! Use Magnet Bomb and keep attacking!"
Wikstrom's voice rang across the battlefield.
Aside from having Probopass restrain itself before the match began, he wasn't planning to hold back too much during the actual exchange.
After all, this was still a battle.
Even though it was an exhibition match, he intended to give his opponent a genuine taste of what an Elite Four-level battle was like.