"Piplup, I'm sorry! Are you okay?"
Piplup's eyes were swirling in dizziness as it lay in Dawn's arms, weakly chirping, "Pip… Piplup…"
"Bui! Bui!"
Buizel turned its attention back to the group, then raised its hand and pointed at Zoey, beckoning her over.
This river had been its training ground for a long time.
Whenever trainers came here to fish, Buizel would take it as an opportunity to test its strength, battling against any Pokémon they sent out—and winning every time.
As proof of its victories, it would take their fishing rods as trophies, just like Gym Badges or Contest Ribbons.
At this point, its nest was filled with rods it had collected over countless battles.
Earlier, when it spotted three trainers fishing here, it instinctively rushed over, ready to prove itself once again.
"What? You mean you want to battle me next?"
Zoey was briefly stunned by Buizel pointing at her, but she quickly regained her composure.
Such a strong Buizel—of course, she was interested in capturing it!
While it was an unspoken rule that the person who reeled in a Pokémon had the first right to battle, Dawn had already lost. At this point, it was fair game.
"Bui! Bui!"
Buizel nodded, a confident smirk on its face, as if challenging her outright.
"Zoey, it's all yours now!"
Dawn cheered her on, and Zoey nodded eagerly.
"Alright then, Buizel! I'll be your next opponent! Go, Glameow!"
"Meow~!"
Zoey threw her Poké Ball, and in a flash of light, Glameow landed gracefully on the ground. The moment it appeared, it used its tail as a springboard to leap into the air.
"Glameow, use Shadow Claw!"
Glameow's claws glowed with a dark purple energy as it dove at Buizel.
"Bui! Bui!"
However, Buizel effortlessly dodged with swift movements.
"So fast! This Buizel really is strong!"
"We'll need to end this quickly!"
Dawn and Anabel commented from the sidelines, impressed by Buizel's speed.
Seeing its attack miss, Buizel flicked its tail, launching two Sonic Booms in quick succession!
"Glameow, block it with Fury Swipes!"
Glameow's claws extended, slashing rapidly through the air, successfully deflecting the Sonic Booms.
But Buizel was already preparing another move—Hydro Pump!
"Jump again, Glameow!"
Glameow used its tail to spring upward once more, leaping high above the battlefield.
Buizel's eyes gleamed with excitement. It bent its legs and launched itself into the air as well—higher than Glameow!
"Bui! Bui!"
Water enveloped its entire body—it was using Aqua Jet!
"Glameow, counter with Shadow Claw!"
One above, one below—both Pokémon clashed in midair.
However, Buizel had the higher ground.
Even with Glameow's Shadow Claw, the impact of Aqua Jet was overwhelming!
"Meow!"
Glameow's attack was shattered, and the force of the Aqua Jet sent it crashing to the ground.
Buizel landed, a confident grin on its face, as water once again began swirling around its body.
"Wait, Buizel!"
Zoey realized Glameow was too injured to continue. The high-altitude impact combined with Buizel's Aqua Jet had left it too weak to fight.
But Buizel wasn't the type to hold back.
Without hesitation, it launched another Aqua Jet, delivering the finishing blow.
"Bui! Bui!"
Glameow collapsed, unable to battle.
Buizel, victorious once again, turned its attention to Ash and Pikachu, raising its hand and motioning for them to step forward.
It wanted to fight Pikachu next.
"Alright, looks like it's my turn now. But Pikachu wouldn't be a fair match. You should battle this one instead—go, Electabuzz!"
"Elec-Buzz!"
With a powerful roar, Electabuzz emerged from its Poké Ball.
Ash had brought it over from Professor Oak's lab for this exact kind of battle.
Like Buizel, Electabuzz was a fierce fighter, always eager for battle.
"Buizel, you can tell, right? My Electabuzz isn't as high-leveled as you, but do you think you can still defeat it?"
Electabuzz was at Level 33, while Buizel had already surpassed Level 40.
But a great trainer could bring out the full potential of their Pokémon, even when at a disadvantage.
"Bui!"
Buizel narrowed its eyes.
It didn't like being underestimated!
Fine then—if Ash thought this battle would be one-sided, it would just have to prove him wrong!
Buizel leaped high into the air, its tail flicking—it was preparing to launch Sonic Boom again!
"You won't get the chance! Electabuzz, hit it with Thunder!"
"Elec… BUZZ!"
Electricity crackled between Electabuzz's twin antennae before a powerful bolt of lightning surged upward!
Sonic Boom was completely obliterated—the gap in power was undeniable.
"Bui!!!"
The Thunder attack struck Buizel directly, sending it crashing into the river.
That speed… That precision…
Buizel had fought countless trainers, but none had ever launched such a swift and overwhelming counterattack before!
"Bui! Bui!"
Refusing to give in, Buizel propelled itself out of the water using Aqua Jet, hurtling toward Electabuzz at full speed!
"You want a head-on clash? Then let's do it! Electabuzz, Thunder Punch!"
Electabuzz clenched its fist, electricity surging around it.
Even before they collided, sparks crackled in the air.
BOOM!
Aqua Jet and Thunder Punch clashed, causing a powerful explosion!
Both Pokémon were pushed back by the force of the impact.
But suddenly—Buizel's body tensed up.
A numbing sensation spread through its muscles.
Electabuzz's Static ability had kicked in—Buizel was paralyzed!
"You still want to keep going? We'll battle as long as you want, but by now, you should understand the difference between us. So what do you say—will you join us?"
Buizel gritted its teeth, forcing itself to stay upright.
Even though Electabuzz was at a lower level, it had completely overpowered it.
And Ash's Pikachu… Buizel could feel it.
Pikachu was on a whole other level.
"Bui!"
At last, Buizel admitted defeat.
It had met a trainer truly worthy of its strength.
"Alright then—Poké Ball, go!"
Ash tossed a Heal Ball, enveloping Buizel in a bright light.
The ball landed on the ground, shaking twice before coming to a stop with a ding!
Buizel was caught!
"Yes! I caught Buizel!"
"Pika-Pikachu!"
"Electabuzz!"
Pikachu and Electabuzz both cheered, thrilled with the victory.
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