A jolt of panic washed over Ash as he watched Beedrill struggle against the massive Onix.
The towering rock snake was moving swiftly, preparing to ensnare Beedrill in a vice-like grip.
"This isn't good!" he muttered under his breath, feeling his heart race in response to the unfolding crisis.
Without wasting a moment, Brock barked his command decisively. "Now, Onix, use Bind!"
With a powerful roar that rattled the ground beneath them, Onix swung its massive tail, wrapping around Beedrill with unyielding strength.
"Bee—!" Beedrill cried out in pain, squirming futilely against the constriction. The pressure was overwhelming; Onix's raw strength far surpassed Beedrill's.
From the sidelines, Misty watched anxiously, her eyes wide in concern.
"Ash, quickly call back Beedrill!" she shouted, eager to remind him of his right as a challenger to recall his Pokémon before it took even more damage.
Ash hesitated, caught in a tug-of-war between his instincts as a trainer and the pain his Pokémon was experiencing.
He respected the rules of the battle and the integrity it demanded, but seeing Beedrill suffer made his heart ache.
However, he wasn't willing to throw in the towel just yet; he wanted to fight until the bitter end.
His eyes burned with determination as he declared, "No, Beedrill can still fight!"
Even with Onix's relentless grip tightening around it, something flickered in Beedrill's eyes—a fierce will to keep going, as if it drew on Ash's own resolve.
The Pokémon focused all its energy, fueled by the unwavering spirit radiating from its trainer.
Suddenly, a spark ignited within Beedrill. "Rage!" Ash shouted, recognizing the move as a potential turning point in the battle.
As rage coursed through Beedrill, it gathered its strength and broke free from Onix's Bind, its determination fueling a stunning comeback.
Beedrill unleashed an astonishing surge of energy, a vivid crimson glow enveloping its body.
Fueled by adrenaline and sheer willpower, it shook off the massive tail that had been constricting it, astonishing both Brock and Ash.
"What?!" Brock exclaimed, taken aback by the incredible display of resilience. He had never expected Beedrill to rally like this under such dire circumstances.
But the relief was short-lived. Although Beedrill had managed to free itself, it collapsed to the ground, clearly drained from the exertion.
"Beedrill is unable to battle! Onix wins!" the referee announced, noting the aftermath of the struggle.
"Thank you, Beedrill…" Ash said softly, recalling his Pokémon with a heavy heart. "You did amazing."
He took a moment to appreciate the immense effort Beedrill had put into the battle, knowing it had fought valiantly until the very end.
Brock stood in silence, his expression contemplative. Beedrill's refusal to give up struck a chord within him, igniting a flicker of inspiration deep inside.
The spirit Ash and his Pokémon embodied was something he couldn't help but admire.
"Can I… be like Beedrill, chasing my dreams with relentless determination?" he mused internally.
Resolute, Ash took a deep breath, adjusting his cap with renewed confidence before calling forth his next Pokémon.
"Next up, it's you, Pidgeotto!" He tossed the Poké Ball onto the battlefield, releasing his elegant Flying-type Pokémon with a flourish.
"Pi———!" Pidgeotto screeched, soaring high above Onix. The high-pitched cry resonated through the arena, rekindling Ash's confidence as it took a bold stance against the colossal snake.
On paper, Pidgeotto found itself at a disadvantage given Onix's immense size and type advantage.
But Ash knew all too well that it was a grave mistake to underestimate the potential of his Pokémon. "Pidgeotto, use Sand Attack!"
With a swift flap of its wings, Pidgeotto stirred up a frenzy of dust and debris, generating a cloud that swirled around Onix, obscuring its vision and leaving the massive Pokémon momentarily disoriented.
"Onix, use Rock Slide!" Brock commanded without hesitation, unfazed by the distraction. He had trained with Onix for years and was well-versed in its combat instincts.
"Roarrr!" Onix roared defiantly, undeterred by the swirling dust that clouded its vision.
Despite the assault on its senses, it gathered its energy and launched a massive barrage of stones downward, aiming to crush Pidgeotto beneath the weight of the falling boulders.
"Pidgeotto, use Quick Attack! Dodge and close the distance!" Ash shouted, his voice calm yet urgent.
He knew they had to seize the initiative before Onix could land a hit.
The sound of falling boulders filled the air as Pidgeotto, cloaked in Normal-type energy, darted through the tumult of debris.
Pidgeotto zipped beneath the descending rocks, narrowly evading them. Its remarkable agility enabled it to stay safe, each high-speed maneuver bringing it closer to Onix.
Feeling the pressure mount, Brock quickly countered. "Onix, use Screech!"
"Roarrr———!" Onix emitted a bone-chilling roar, sending oppressive sound waves crashing toward Pidgeotto.
The force of the sound surged forward, colliding with Pidgeotto and forcing it to momentarily falter. The energy surged through the arena like thunder, filling the air with tension.
Ash's heart raced as he felt a momentary pang of fear for Pidgeotto, witnessing its hesitation. But he was ready for it. "Don't let up, Pidgeotto! Keep going!"
Pidgeotto shook off the lingering effects of the attack, its movements a bit slower due to the reduction in defenses.
The stakes of the battle were incredibly high, but Ash firmly believed that with strategy and heart, they could find a way to win this fight together.
As Pidgeotto propelled itself forward, Ash's confidence surged. They had faced countless challenges before, and together, they were ready to overcome this trial, just as Beedrill had.
The battle raged on, and Ash's determination burned ever brighter with each passing moment.
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Sayo nara~~