Chapter 369: Chapter 51: The Shortcomings of Snorlax
Snorlax's movements left Rudy in utter disbelief. A Pokémon known for its bulk and sluggish demeanor executing such a sharp turn was almost unimaginable.
Even Alakazam was stunned. The randomness of Teleport's reappearance had always been its safeguard, but when it saw Snorlax pivot toward it with surprising speed, it froze for a critical moment.
"Move, Alakazam!" Rudy shouted urgently, his voice filled with alarm.
Snorlax, sensing the opening, capitalized on the moment. The hulking Pokémon pushed off the ground with an explosive burst of energy, propelling itself toward Alakazam.
In an impressive display of coordination, Snorlax twisted on its right foot, converting the inertia of its sprint into a spinning motion.
With its massive frame, it delivered a crushing punch straight at its opponent.
"Bang!"
The impact created a shockwave so intense that it was visible to the naked eye.
The ground beneath Snorlax cracked under the sheer force, and the sound reverberated throughout the arena.
Alakazam was launched like a cannonball, unconscious before it even hit the ground.
The psychic Pokémon flew nearly a hundred meters, hurtling past Rudy with such force that it ruffled his hair and clothes.
The audience collectively gasped as Alakazam's limp body skidded to a halt just shy of the island's edge.
The referee, momentarily stunned like everyone else, quickly announced, "Alakazam is unable to battle! Snorlax wins!"
Rudy stood motionless, his wide eyes darting between Alakazam and Snorlax. The sheer display of power had shaken him to his core.
Slowly, he returned Alakazam to its Pokéball, his hands trembling.
The crowd buzzed with awe and disbelief, while Ash observed Snorlax proudly.
"As expected of the inheritor of Obelisk's power," Ash muttered. "Snorlax's strength has grown even further since the last battle."
This wasn't the same Snorlax he had initially caught. Through the influence of its inheritance, Snorlax had transformed into a powerhouse capable of rivaling gym- and even league-level Pokémon.
Rudy's initial shock gave way to admiration. "Your strength is incredible," he admitted, his gaze shifting to Ash. Rather than despair, Rudy's defeat fueled his determination.
"Let's keep going!" Rudy declared, releasing his next Pokémon.
This time, it was Exeggutor, the Grass/Psychic Pokémon. Rudy's Pokémon weren't just strong; they were uniquely trained.
As a lover of music and dance, Rudy had incorporated rhythmic training into his regimen, giving his Pokémon unparalleled agility.
The battle resumed, and Exeggutor demonstrated its dexterity, weaving through Snorlax's attacks with remarkable grace.
It even managed to land several counterattacks, impressing both Ash and the spectators.
However, Snorlax quickly adapted to Exeggutor's rhythm. The enormous Pokémon's flexibility defied expectations yet again, allowing it to time its movements perfectly.
When the opportunity arose, Snorlax delivered a devastating blow, knocking Exeggutor out in one strike.
"Exeggutor is unable to battle! Snorlax wins again!" the referee announced.
Rudy, though impressed by Snorlax's raw power, noticed a pattern. Despite its strength, Snorlax's reliance on contact moves and limited speed presented a clear weakness.
Ash, too, recognized this. Watching Snorlax narrowly avoid defeat during the early moments of the battle, he realized the importance of speed.
While Snorlax's Divine Fist Crush could cover large areas and didn't require precise targeting, its high energy consumption made it impractical for regular use.
"For Snorlax, speed is critical," Ash thought. "No matter how strong it is, if it can't hit its target, it's all for nothing."
Unfortunately, Snorlax's nature and role as a tank limited its ability to learn speed-focused moves.
But Ash wasn't without options. His thoughts drifted toward a potential inherited move—Instant Coax, which could compensate for Snorlax's lack of agility.
Rudy sent out his last Pokémon: Electabuzz, a Pokémon that had undergone the same rigorous dance training as Exeggutor but with even greater precision and endurance.
Electabuzz's speed and accuracy put Snorlax on the defensive. It landed several attacks, gradually wearing Snorlax down.
The crowd watched with bated breath as the battle seemed to tip in Rudy's favor.
But Ash and Snorlax weren't finished. Observing Electabuzz's movements carefully, Ash devised a plan.
He instructed Snorlax to feign a weakness, baiting Electabuzz into a reckless attack. The gamble paid off.
As Electabuzz closed in, Snorlax countered with a powerful strike, securing its third victory.
"Electabuzz is unable to battle! Snorlax wins!" the referee declared. "The winner of this match is challenger Ash!"
Rudy returned Electabuzz to its Pokéball, a satisfied smile on his face. "Thank you, Mr. Ash. Battling you has shown me how much I need to grow."
Ash stepped forward, shaking Rudy's hand. "I learned a lot too. You've got incredible talent, Rudy."
Rudy handed over the Spike-Shell Badge, a beautifully designed emblem resembling a spiny shell with a gemstone at its center.
"You've earned this," Rudy said sincerely. "And please, just call me Rudy."
Ash chuckled. "Only if you call me Ash."
The two Trainers exchanged smiles. Though their paths were different, Ash saw great potential in Rudy.
In the original timeline, Rudy had chosen to stay on Trovita Island to care for his sister. But Ash hoped this talented Trainer would one day step onto the world stage.
For now, both Trainers had gained valuable insights, and the crowd cheered for the thrilling match they had just witnessed.
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