Chapter 56: Ash vs Huo La (1)

"Oh, it's Ash. You're also at Zheng Hui's lighthouse?" On the video call, Professor Oak was eating tofu, and when he saw Ash on the screen, his tone carried a hint of emotion, "I didn't expect you two to run into each other here."

"Professor Oak!" Ash rushed to the screen, his voice urgent, "I just captured a Kingler and have already sent it to you. Did you receive it?"

"Received, received." Professor Oak waved his hand, the camera panned to three transparent breeding tanks beside him, "There— the largest one was sent over by Huo La, its body sturdy and its claws look powerful; the middle one belongs to Xiao Mao, average but a quality specimen; as for the smallest one…"

He paused, then helplessly glanced at the tank, "It's that 'underdeveloped' one of yours, skinny as a bone like you, placed with the other two it looks like three generations of ancestors standing in a line."

Ash stared at the noticeably smaller Kingler on the screen, his cheeks slightly flushed, yet he stubbornly said, "It's just not grown yet! Once it grows, it'll be awesome!"

"Alright, alright, not grown." Professor Oak laughed dismissively, then added, "But seriously, for your first Pokemon transmission to be such a specimen is quite rare. At least having it is better than none; I'll take good care of it. By the way, a side note—Xiao Mao has already captured forty‑five Pokemon, you better step up!"

"F‑forty‑five?!" Ash's eyes widened instantly, his gripping hands tightened.

Among the trainers who set out at the same time, Xiao Mao has always been the "must‑not‑lose" target in his mind; hearing that the other side has already caught so many, he can't help feeling a bit rattled.

"Don't worry, you're not the lowest," Professor Oak saw this and added a comforting remark, "You at least have seven Pokemon now; even counting the Kingler Huo La just sent, it's only six."

"Heh, Professor Oak, there's no need to point that out," a familiar voice came from behind Ash; he turned to see Huo La leaning against the doorframe, holding a plate of freshly baked Berries.

Seeing Huo La on the screen, Professor Oak's eyes flickered, and he quickly waved, "Oh? Huo La's here too! You youngsters chat; I still have research unfinished, so I'm hanging up now!"

Before the words finished, without waiting for a response, the video call was abruptly cut off.

Ash stared at the blackened screen, his shoulders slumping in dejection—first stung by Xiao Mao's numbers, then pricked by his own Kingler's size, his mood was low.

Huo La stepped forward, handing him the Berries, "Don't hang your head low; you've been tired all day, have something to eat and rest. By the way, I have something to tell you."

"What is it?" Ash lifted his head, his gaze still a bit listless.

"Tomorrow morning, I want to have a battle with you," Huo La said, looking at him seriously, "Using the Pokemon we have right now, let's have a proper match."

Hearing the word "battle," Ash's eyes instantly lit up, the earlier dejection vanished, he sprang to his feet, clenching his fist, "Alright! It's a deal! I will definitely win!"

"Then we'll see," Huo La smiled, turned toward the dining hall, "Eat first; Xiao Gang made seafood soup, it'll get cold if you don't eat—if you're too weak to battle tomorrow and lose, don't make excuses."

"I won't lose!" Ash immediately followed, still babbling about tomorrow's battle lineup, his earlier disappointment already replaced by anticipation of the fight.

————

The next morning, just as dawn broke, Ash finished the last spoonful of porridge, then grabbed Huo La's wrist, "Huo La! Quick! Let's go battle on the beach!"

Huo La helplessly bit into the meat bun in his hand, his other hand still holding an unfinished baozi, stumbling a couple of steps as he was pulled, "Don't rush, I haven't finished eating…"

"The battle is urgent! We can eat after we finish!" Ash's eyes were full of fighting spirit, giving Huo La no chance to delay.

Beside them, Zheng Hui had already changed clothes, holding a record board, looking ready for battle.

He was also curious: one was Ash, whom Professor Oak constantly praised and full of potential; the other was Huo La, who could articulate the "Super Ancient Pokemon" theory and impressed him—this duel between the two might reveal many insights.

Seeing the three heading toward the beach, Xiao Gang, Xiao Xia, and Lilian also set down their bowls and followed out.

The group soon arrived at the beach; the waves had just receded, and the damp sand served as the battlefield, adding a touch of uncertainty to the fight.

Zheng Hui stepped into the center of the arena, cleared his throat, "The rules for this battle—V4 Dan Da, no limit on move usage; the match ends when one side's Pokemon all lose the ability to fight, no items allowed, okay?"

"No problem!" Ash and Huo La replied in unison.

Huo La only had five Pokemon on hand; the V4 Dan Da was his own suggested format, since with one Pokemon he wanted to keep it in peak condition for any sudden situation.

Ash abruptly flipped his hat brim to the back of his head, struck his signature cool pose, and tossed a Pokeball from his waist, "Go, Charmander! It's decided, you're it!"

"Roar!" A flash of Red Light, the orange‑red Charmander landed steadily, the flame on its tail burning brightly, its gaze sharp on the opponent, even its breath tinged with battle intent—clearly, it sensed Ash's anticipation.

"Going straight for Charmander?" Huo La glanced at the Charmander, noting its tensed muscles and bright flame, seeing that Ash had raised it well.

He didn't open the system to view Charmander's data—this being his first battle against Ash, he wanted to rely on his own judgment rather than data. Of course, he wouldn't hard‑charge against type like Ash; he would still seize any type advantage.

Huo La slowly tossed his own Pokeball, "Then, it's decided, Nidoqueen!"

"Nido!" The massive blue Nidoqueen landed, its limbs firmly on the sand, the spikes on its back glimmering faintly, its gaze steady and powerful.

After obtaining the Moon Stone, Huo La evolved Nidorina into Nidoqueen; as a Poison + Ground type Pokemon, it can't counter Charmander's Fire Type but also isn't countered by it. This choice is both safe and lets him see how Ash will respond.

Ash looked at the opposing Nidoqueen, not panicking but getting more excited, "It's Nidoqueen! No problem! Charmander, let's go! Use Ember first!"

"Roar!" Charmander opened its mouth, spitting a stream of scorching Ember toward Nidoqueen.

Huo La calmly responded, "Nidoqueen, use Dig!"

Nidoqueen immediately crouched; the receding sand was unusually soft, its forelegs swiftly digging, and in an instant it burrowed underground, the Ember striking the empty ground, leaving only a few charred marks.

Ash saw this and shouted, "Charmander, watch the ground! When Nidoqueen emerges, use Flame Fang to bite it!"

On the beach only the vigilant little Fire Dragon's body Shadow remained, along with the distant sound of waves crashing against the rocks.