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The smoke from the explosion cleared, but it momentarily obstructed Ash's view. He narrowed his eyes, focusing intently ahead as the scene began to unfold.
As the smoke dissipated further, Muk's silhouette emerged. Ash's eyes glinted as he immediately issued a command.
"Axew, use Dragon Claw!"
"Axew!"
Axew leaped forward without hesitation, his gaze locked on Muk through the clearing haze. His claws gleamed with a bright green energy, transforming into sharp, glowing blades as he charged straight at Muk.
Swoosh!
The Dragon Claw attack struck Muk, leaving a visible mark on its gooey form. The claws dug into Muk's body, piercing through its amorphous shape.
"Muk!"
Surprisingly, Muk didn't seem fazed. Its expression remained eerily neutral, and its soft, sludge-like body began to ripple and absorb Axew's claws. The goo shifted, trying to envelop Axew's attack.
"Get out of there, Axew!" Ash ordered, a hint of urgency in his voice.
Axew swiftly pulled back, retreating just as Muk's body shifted ominously. Physical attacks seemed ineffective, their force negated by Muk's gelatinous structure.
Ash frowned. "This isn't going to work with brute force," he muttered.
As Axew withdrew, more Muk began to appear from the shadows, closing in. The group of Muk clearly intended to use their numbers to assert dominance—it was a territorial standoff.
"Pikachu, Thunderbolt!" Ash called, his voice resolute.
"Pika... CHU!"
Pikachu sprang into the air, unleashing a powerful surge of electricity. Bolts of thunder crackled and rained down, striking several Grimer in their path.
The Grimer were paralyzed, their movements slowed by the searing electricity. However, Muk wasn't deterred. It retaliated, launching a Sludge Bomb aimed directly at Axew.
"Dodge it, Axew!" Ash shouted.
Axew jumped back, narrowly avoiding the toxic projectile. But before he could land, two Grimer lunged from either side, their attacks coordinated despite Pikachu and the others trying to hold the line.
Ash clenched his fists. Despite their best efforts, the sheer number of opponents was overwhelming. A stream of black sludge spiraled toward Axew, leaving Ash scrambling for a new strategy to protect his partner.
After Axew landed, it frantically dodged another incoming attack. While it avoided the first blow, it failed to evade a second assault and was struck squarely in the face by a stream of mud. The mud blinded Axew, blocking its vision entirely.
"Axew!"
Ash's expression tightened as he watched, his mind racing for a strategy. But Muk was relentless. It didn't allow Ash or Axew a moment to recover, surging forward with a massive leap. Muk's body soared high into the air, flinging clumps of sludge before descending rapidly.
"Body Slam? Axew, dodge!" Ash yelled urgently.
Axew, still wiping at its eyes, tried to follow Ash's command but was disoriented, unable to discern where to move. Muk's attack came from above, leaving Axew vulnerable.
"Pika!"
Pikachu darted forward to assist but was intercepted by the surrounding Grimer, their numbers creating a formidable blockade.
Before Axew could react, Muk's massive body crashed down, its weight slamming into Axew. Muk's gelatinous form spread out on impact, completely enveloping Axew in its slimy mass.
Muk's body flattened against the ground, sealing all gaps and pinning Axew beneath it. Not only was Axew trapped, but Muk's oppressive form was also cutting off its air supply.
"Axew!" Ash shouted, his voice filled with concern as he clenched his fists.
There was no response from Axew, who was completely buried under Muk's suffocating weight. Ash reached for his Poké Balls, ready to summon another Pokémon for help. But just as he moved to throw one, he froze, his gaze snapping back to Muk with surprise.
Boom!
A faint ray of light burst out from the ground beneath Muk's body, piercing through a tiny gap. Though the light was dim and barely visible due to Muk's mass, its sudden appearance caused Muk to flinch in alarm.
"Muk!"
Muk's expression contorted, its confidence shaken as the light began to grow brighter, a clear sign that Axew was far from defeated.
It was clear that something extraordinary was happening. Muk's body, previously pressing down against the ground, began to rise as a powerful force pushed it upward. The gap widened, and the light emanating from beneath grew brighter, capturing everyone's attention.
Fraxure!
A deep, resonant cry erupted from under Muk. With a surge of incredible strength, Muk's body was lifted higher and higher. The light finally dissipated, revealing a towering figure standing triumphantly on the battlefield.
Brock and the others watched in awe. "Could it be… evolution?"
Their question was answered as the radiant glow faded completely, revealing Fraxure, Axew's evolved form. The newly evolved Pokémon gripped Muk with both clawed hands, effortlessly hoisting its opponent overhead.
Fraxure stood significantly taller than Axew, its body now adorned with striking features. Its upper body was covered in scales, dull yellow in color, resembling a protective cloak. Its arms shared the same hue, ending in three sharp, formidable claws that were far longer and more intimidating than Axew's previous ones.
Though Fraxure's typical coloration included red highlights, this Pokémon was unique—it was Ash's Shiny Fraxure. The claws were a brilliant blue, matching the vibrant blue markings on its tail and abdomen. Fraxure's lower body was a mix of gray and black, and its tail tip, originally red, now gleamed blue.
The most striking feature was its elongated tusks, which jutted outward from its jaw. Their ends, also blue, resembled the sleek wings of an airplane, giving Fraxure a powerful, aerodynamic appearance.
"Fraxure!" Ash called out, his voice filled with pride. His intense training had honed Axew's strength, and now that strength had reached new heights in its evolved form.
"Fraxure!" Fraxure growled, its voice deeper and more commanding.
Its eyes flashed, glowing with determination. As everyone watched, Fraxure's mouth opened, and a pulsating blue energy began forming within its abdomen, the telltale sign of an impending Dragon Rage.
Yet, Fraxure didn't unleash the attack. Instead, it remained motionless, holding Muk high above its head. Its gaze remained sharp, almost calculating. There was something deliberate in Fraxure's actions, as if it had a plan beyond raw power.