"Tsk."
Seeing this, Paul couldn't help but click his tongue.
This situation should have happened to Electrike, but he didn't expect Ash to not have Pikachu use Thunderbolt until now, instead taking advantage of Electrike's Thunderbolt.
"Barrier!"
Although the current situation is not what Paul wanted, it is still barely within his control.
As long as he blocks this high-voltage electric shock, there will still be a chance to counterattack later.
"Keep using Thunderbolt like that!"
"Hmm?!"
Again, unexpectedly, even though he issued the Barrier command very late, Ash seemed to have anticipated his actions in advance, and almost said Thunderbolt at the same time he said Barrier.
"pika~qi!!"
A Spark hit the green Barrier erected by Electrike before the Thunderbolt, and the Barrier, which could only defend against one attack, instantly shattered into particles upon being hit by Thunderbolt.
In Electrike's incredulous gaze, Pikachu had already arrived in front of it, and the Thunderbolt, enhanced by its own Thunderbolt, hit its body without reservation.
"el!"
After a scream, Electrike's body flew backward from the impact of the Thunderbolt.
But, Ash knew that a single Thunderbolt wouldn't be enough to end the battle, so he immediately planned to press the attack.
"Charge in and use Thunderbolt!"
Clearly, Thunderbolt is a long-range attack, but for some reason, Ash had Pikachu chase after the location where Electrike was flying.
Could it be because he wanted to maximize the damage by using Thunderbolt at close range?
"...Light Screen!"
After a brief hesitation, Paul decided to have Electrike use Light Screen.
Originally, Light Screen was supposed to be Electrike's trump card, a surprise move, but now, under the immense pressure of battling Ash, he decided to have Electrike use Light Screen to tide things over.
I mean, if he couldn't make it through this round, there wouldn't be a next round.
This kind of forced choice is what Paul hates most in battles, because once he makes such a choice, it means he has nowhere else to go.
Also, that's what Ash wants to see.
Seeing the distance between Pikachu and Electrike getting closer and closer, and Pikachu's Thunderbolt power being mostly blocked by Light Screen, Ash finally spoke again: "Quick Attack and then use Iron Tail!"
"? Brick Break!"
"pi~ka!"
"el?"
The passive side in a battle often moves a step slower than the opponent, and that's the case right now.
Although Paul barely reacted to and followed Ash's commands, the Electrike, being in a passive state, couldn't continue to complete Paul's instructions.
Light Screen was activated in an emergency, and now the Electrike hasn't even been able to steady itself.
As Pikachu approached instantly with Quick Attack and then dropped Iron Tail, although Electrike instinctively raised its right arm to block, the power of Iron Tail was doubled with the boost of Quick Attack.
Iron Tail landed on Electrike's raised right arm, then bounced it away without stopping, and then struck Electrike's head.
"el!"
The Iron Tail empowered by Quick Attack left Electrike with no ability to defend.
After letting out a scream, Electrike fell straight to the ground, unable to get up again.
Paul watched the fallen Electrike in silence for a moment, then closed his eyes and recalled it.
"Still a little short, huh."
Paul murmured, looking at the Poké Ball in his hand, seemingly without any regret for losing the match.
"Good job, Pikachu."
Ash also came to Pikachu's side, squatting down and encouraging it while stroking its head.
Watching the interaction between Ash and Pikachu, Paul didn't sneer as he had before, but his tone wasn't much better than before.
"I admit, your command ability is strong, but the key to deciding this battle is still the quality of the Pokémon.
Compared to Electrike, your Pikachu is much faster in reacting when executing commands.
This is a difference in experience.
The next battle will be mine."
Paul's calm tone seemed to just be stating a fact, but in
Dawn's eyes, this was just being stubborn.
But, since Ash had al him triumphantly, as if she was the one who won the match.
The battle came to an end.
After seeing Professor Rowan and the others walking towards them, Paul left without saying goodbye, and it's unknown what he was thinking.
"Is it over? It seems you won this battle."
Professor Rowan looked at Paul, who left without a word, and Dawn, who had a happy face, and probably guessed the outcome of the match.
"Although Paul has a cold personality, it must be said that he has remarkable talent in Pokémon battles.
Since you two are going to participate in this Pokémon League competition, you should become good rivals."
How is that possible? These two people's personalities are completely incompatible.
Dawn silently complained in her heart.
Dawn didn't dare to say these words in front of Professor Rowan.
Although Professor Rowan noticed that Dawn's expression was a bit strange, he didn't ask further.
Anyway, it wasn't the first day that his personality didn't mesh well with young people.
Professor Rowan was very self-aware in this regard.
"Well, also, it's getting late today.
Just stay here for the night.
As a thank you for your help, tonight I will have the person in charge of cooking treat you well."
"Really?!"
"Great!"
"I'm really looking forward to it..."
Hearing that there would be another feast tonight, Ash and the others' moods also became high.
Dawn, in particular, seemed to have forgotten the bad mood Paul had put her in earlier; now, she was only thinking about what delicious food Professor Rowan would prepare for them tonight.
"Well then, let's go."
After Professor Rowan finished speaking, he turned and walked towards the Pokémon Lab.
Ash and the others exchanged glances and followed.
As night fell, Ash and Dawn's first day of travel in the Sinnoh region came to a perfect end.