Chapter 1423

Bang bang!

Gengui was flung away by the vines, its round, plump body highly elastic, bouncing twice before landing face-up, completely motionless.

In the big screen, it appeared with its gaping mouth spewing smoke, its eyes replaced by dark circles.

"Heng ga..."

"Li duo!"

Roserade let out a muffled groan, and orange-red flames flickered across its body.

Clearly, the ghost fire Gengui spat out last had successfully hit its opponent, inflicting a burn status on Roserade.

Deng Pei entered the field, confirmed it was correct, and raised his hand: "Gengui has lost battle capability! Roserade wins!"

Ding!

Another dimmed icon appeared below Ash's avatar!

The audience seats buzzed with noise; this match ended faster than expected, possibly because the Pokémon weren't at full condition.

Hep wondered: "Why not use Gigantamax?"

He not only knew Gengui could Gigantamax, but also knew it was because it drank Gigantamax Soup.

So why wasn't it used?

In the backyard of the Oak Research Institute, the Pokémon were worried and anxious.

Huazi's mood remained very steady, lightly patting his hands as he laughed: "Everyone! Don't panic! Ash still has two partners! Nanchuyoubings hasn't even appeared yet!"

Yeah!

And Nanchuyoubing!

The Pokémon instantly thought of this Pokémon.

Among the partners Ash caught this year, Nanchuyoubing is absolutely the most reassuring and reliable one!

Go!

Nanchuyoubing!

Inside the Miyan Gym, the entire environment grew tense with the escalating situation, countless eyes projected into the battlefield, staring at the stern-faced boy.

"Thank you, Gengui."

After recalling Gengui, Ash slightly adjusted his baseball cap; excessive nervousness made his scalp itch.

He then caught a Poké Ball falling into his hand.

His gaze shifted between Pikachu and the Poké Ball.

"Pika!"

Pikachu suddenly spoke, looking at him with determined eyes and smiling: "Pika~chiu!"

Pikachu volunteered eagerly!

Ash's eyes twitched slightly: "Good! Just decided—it's you! Pikachu!"

In critical moments, the original partner will support the collapsing mansion!

Pikachu entered the field swiftly, its small, delicate body leaping across the uneven terrain.

"Pi! Pika-chiu!"

"It's actually Pikachu?"

Zhulan, slightly surprised, raised her hand and recalled the burned Roserade.

The host shouted: "Zhulan player switches again! Which of her remaining two Pokémon will she send out?"

Countless spectators leaned forward, most believing Zhulan would choose Landorus, relying on a Ground-type Pokémon to counter Ash's Electric-type Pikachu.

However.

"Unleash the Wave Guide! Lucario!"

Bang!

Blue light burst forth, Lucario's agile body landed steadily.

Its pair of dark red eyes gleamed with sharpness, its body surrounded by thick Wave Guide energy; as its paws pushed off the ground, dust and debris floated up, as if an invisible aura surrounded it.

Compared to Ash's "puppy," Zhulan's Lucario is undoubtedly a more refined old hound.

It also recently gained the ability for Mega Evolution, and is currently the only one capable of Z-Evolution; will Zhulan let it Mega Evolve?

Bai Guang is very much looking forward to her choice.

In the original storyline, the system was limited to using only one form; Zhulan's choice was Gigantamaxing Pokébass, which was then defeated by Mega Lucario.

"Is it also Lucario?"

Ash's face turned solemn: "Be careful, Pikachu! Flash!"

"Pi!"

Pikachu's hind legs kicked hard, its entire body instantly wrapped in dazzling white light, resembling a streaking golden lightning bolt, so fast it nearly produced a sharp sonic boom.

Zhulan's eyes narrowed slightly, and she immediately issued the command: "Lucario, Bullet Punch!"

"Roar!"

The high-pitched Lucario sprang into action, fists clenched with metallic sheen attached, charging forward to meet the speeding Pikachu, its punches tearing the air, forming fine air waves!

Bang!

The fist afterimage and electric afterimage collided violently, a shockwave erupted from their center, sending dust and smoke flying, stones scattering!

"Pika!"

Pikachu's small body was instantly blown away by the punch force, tracing an arc in midair before landing nimbly on the ground.

Lucario on the opposite side was similarly shaken, sliding back several meters, its paws leaving shallow marks on the ground, but its overall posture remained steady.

"God Speed!"

"Ah—!"

It launched a counterattack instantly, its form suddenly turning into a pale blue afterimage, nearly blinking before it closed in on Pikachu!

"So fast!"

Ash cried out in shock, shouting quickly: "Electric Net!"

Zhu Lan's Lucario is much faster than his Lucario, even after Mega Evolution it doesn't fall short!

"Pika—ka!"

Pikachu reacted extremely quickly; when Lucario lunged to within two meters, it fiercely leapt back and spun its body, its tail whipping rapidly in the air, stirring up golden currents that instantly wove into a massive electric net, blocking ahead.

Zhu Lan: "Dodge!"

"Ah—!"

Lucario's form shot upward violently, relying on the ultimate speed of Extreme Speed, it barely slipped through the crackling electric net.

Hiss!!

The electric net slammed heavily onto the ground, current spreading instantly, the ground smoking white from the electricity, pebbles trembling slightly in the current.

And Lucario, taking advantage of its airborne momentum, continued pursuing the retreating Pikachu.

Bang!

Extreme Speed struck suddenly, Pikachu, unable to dodge in time, was flung out again. Yet facing Lucario's swift and fierce assault, it still landed firmly, gritting its teeth, fighting spirit high, "Pika!"

The host shouted: "Lucario has displayed astonishing speed! How will Ash respond?"

As the words fell, Ash already spoke: "Thunderbolt!"

"Pika——"

Pikachu leapt up, its paws lightly tapping its electric cheeks, dazzling lightning flashing across its surface, blinding golden thunderbolts bursting forth instantly, "Chu—!!"

Crack!

Violent current condensed into thick lightning, shooting straight toward Lucario!

Where the lightning passed, the air was scorched into a slight twist, immense electrical pressure sweeping the arena, golden light illuminating the entire field, momentum terrifying!

Zhu Lan remained composed: "Earthquake!"

"Ah—!"

Lucario slammed both fists heavily into the ground, overwhelming fist force penetrating underground, the uneven ground violently trembling, jagged cracks spreading from beneath its feet.

Deep underground, it seemed as if a slumbering beast had awakened, accompanied by violent tremors like a roar, visible shockwaves dragging dust and smoke, even lifting airborne debris, all spreading wildly outward!

In an instant, the ground shockwave collided head-on with the incoming Thunderbolt!

Boom——!!

Golden current and turbid shockwave tore at each other, annihilating, sky-full of electric fragments and stone shards flying everywhere, a massive shockwave whipping up a gale, sweeping across the entire battlefield.

"Pika..."

Pikachu was shaken by the shockwave, its form unsteady, nearly blown away again, fortunately it had lowered its body.

Even so, its ears pressed tightly against its back, as if the air wave wanted to flatten it into a thin "mouse biscuit."

The opposing Lucario fared no better, raising both arms to block the air wave while its body trembled slightly, like a slender branch swaying in wind and rain.

Zhu Lan's calm expression flickered slightly: "Impressive Thunderbolt."

Despite facing a type-advantage attack, it was completely neutralized—though Lucario's own type isn't Ground...

Looks like warm-up time is over!

Under everyone's gaze, she pulled out a lipstick, "Come on! Powerful and beautiful—this is our Aura! Mega Evolution!"

"Ah—!"

Lucario placed both fists at its sides, the Super Stone hidden at its neck and the Key Stone on the lipstick resonating intensely, even more brilliant blue-gold lightning linking them.

The host shouted loudly: "It's here! Mega Evolution! Zhu Lan chose the same as Ash—wait!"

He let out a cry of astonishment, only because Lucario's Mega Evolution form was completely different from Ash's Lucario!

"This is—"

Ash was similarly drawn by the opponent's transformation and the surging Aura in the air, his eyes wide open.

Pikachu's wary claws tensed.

Between breaths, Mega Lucario Z had completed its transformation, the fur at the back of its head hanging down like twin tails, its entire body in blue-gray-black three colors, chest fur like golden wheat stalks.

And compared to another Mega Lucario, the bone spurs on the backs of its hands and feet are shield-shaped. This also shows its change isn't focused on destructive power, but leans more toward transformation.

However, the amplification of Aura is so exaggerated it's practically visible to the naked eye!

To Ash, the dense Aura almost formed a viscous liquid on the surface of Mega Lucario Z's body.

"Ugh..."

Mega Lucario Z let out a low groan, the Aura large yet exceptionally gentle, like flowing water continuously turning.

The entire arena erupted in an uproar!

A different Mega Lucario!

The host shouted: "A new Mega Evolution! Lucario's second Mega Evolution!"

Just like the Mega Garchomp Z shown earlier in the battle against Baimu, Zhu Lan has once again used a new Mega Evolution!

Baimu in the preparation room smiled, "Really used it after all! Got something!"

Rather than giving Garchomp a Mega slot, it's more like giving it Gigantamax?

On the battlefield, Ash unwilling to wait, directly ordered: "Pikachu! Electric Net!"

"Pika!"

Pikachu leapt up and swung its long tail, the massive electric net instantly forming, aimed at Mega Lucario Z and covering it!

"Move it aside."

Zhulan raised her hand.

Mega Lucario Z raised its right arm, the aura swirling around its body spreading out evenly like a shield.

The electric net descended from above, yet as if isolated by air it failed to bind Mega Lucario Z, and was instead rebounded by its surging aura.

Ash: "Nani!?"

Aura actually has this kind of usage!

Zhulan: "Extreme Speed!"

"Roar!"

Mega Lucario Z let out an angry roar, its body shooting forth like an arrow leaving the bowstring; its already swift speed now so fast it blurred vision, turning into a nearly transparent pale blue afterimage that instantly appeared before Pikachu.

Ash anxiously opened his mouth, but before his voice could come out, Pikachu had already been knocked flying!

Bang!

"Pika—"

Pikachu shrieked in pain, its soft body crashing heavily to the ground, rolling several times in a row until covered in mud, making Ash frantic with worry, "Pikachu!"

Fortunately, Pikachu was strangely durable in official matches; having avoided being taken down by Destiny Bond with the Rock Monster, it managed to stand up, enduring the pain to look at its completely changed opponent.

"Pika..."

Between gasps, it could even smile.

Hearing Pikachu's voice, Ash immediately felt much more at ease, "Good! Again! Thunderbolt!"

"Pika!"

Pikachu lightly patted its cheek, and ultra-high-voltage golden lightning instantly gushed from its electric sacs, thicker than any previous time, blasting toward Mega Lucario Z charging in again with Extreme Speed!

Boom!

The current tore through the air in a blink; the sprinting Mega Lucario Z dodged to the side with extreme speed, its movement nearly like a flash.

However, Pikachu's Thunderbolt could turn corners, striking at its back!

"Roar!?"

Mega Lucario Z sensed the turning lightning through aura and instinctively turned its head, making the white light coiling around itself collide with the electricity.

Aura also joined in at this moment, becoming a kind of powerful protective force.

Boom!

The current suddenly surged skyward, forming a magnificent lightning giant tree, and also causing Mega Lucario Z's figure to stagnate.

The power of Thunderbolt was too strong; even its aura defense could not avoid penetration, fine currents locking its body tight.

Ash continued to shout: "Go! Iron Tail!"

"Pika—"

Pikachu charged forward bravely, its lightning-shaped tail clad in steel radiance, forming an indestructible sharp blade.

Mega Lucario Z broke free of the lightning binding and turned to meet the charging Pikachu.

Zhulan: "Close combat!"

"Roar!"

It roared, fists condensing incomparably fierce brownish-red radiance, launching a close-range fierce attack at the leaping, spinning Pikachu; every punch precise and ruthless, fist force wrapped in flame-like Fighting-type energy, causing the air to continuously explode with sound!

Bang bang bang!

Heavy fists struck continuously, Iron Tail kept slashing.

The airborne Pikachu could actually perfectly parry Mega Lucario Z's close combat, making one involuntarily stare in astonishment.

Baimu rested his chin on his fist, thinking Zhulan really could hold back.

Compared to physical attack, Mega Lucario Z clearly excelled more at special attack; this point he had discerned when he first saw this Pokemon.

But so far, all the moves it used were physical attacks; it hadn't even used Aura Sphere once.

Is this preparing to screw over Pikachu?

Amidst his thoughts, the two Pokemon below each retreated backward.

The dust-covered, rather bedraggled Pikachu panted heavily; Mega Lucario Z was the same. After the two faced each other, Ash suddenly spoke:

"Return! Pikachu!"

"Pika!"

Pikachu leapt back to Ash's side without hesitation.

Seeing this, Zhulan didn't stop it either; after exchanging a look with Mega Lucario, she quickly recalled it.

Seemingly not intending to let it continue fighting.

The two tacitly threw their balls.

"I'm counting on you! Farfetch'd!"

"Dance in the heavens! Garchomp!"

Bang bang!

Light shone; Farfetch'd holding a leek sword and leek shield landed in the field, its handsome eyes exceptionally sharp, its posture tall and straight like a knight about to step onto a battlefield.

Opposite it was Zhulan's ace Garchomp.

The announcer shouted: "Both players' final Pokemon have appeared! They are Farfetch'd and Garchomp!!"