"What? Can you persist?!" Brock exclaimed, taken aback by Pidgeotto's seemingly unyielding spirit.
He hadn't expected Screech to have so little effect on the Flying-type Pokémon. Yet, he quickly reassessed the situation.
Even if Pidgeotto got close, he knew Onix's defense was formidable and the type resistance meant it wouldn't be easily overcome.
Pidgeotto, undeterred by Onix's massive size, charged forward with determination and collided into the rock snake.
"Bang!"
The impact echoed through the arena, causing Onix to lean back slightly, though the blow hardly inflicted any real damage. The Rock-type energy absorbed much of the impact from Pidgeotto's Normal-type moves.
Brock didn't waste a moment. "Onix, use Smack Down!"
The command came swiftly, knowing that although Pidgeotto had the advantage of speed, it could still be hit if Brock capitalized on the opportunity.
With a deafening roar, Onix swung its tail, whipping it towards Pidgeotto with surprising speed.
"Pidgeotto, Quick Attack! Dodge the attack, then use Wing Attack!" Ash commanded, keenly aware that Pidgeotto's agility could turn the tide of this battle.
"Bi———!" Pidgeotto called out, darting forward with a burst of speed. It expertly avoided the sweeping tail by a mere inches, circling behind Onix.
Without delay, it launched into a Wing Attack, its wings charged with energy as it dove at the massive rock snake.
"Bang!" The impact of Wing Attack was greater than Quick Attack, forcing Onix to stagger forward slightly, though it quickly regained its balance.
Pidgeotto's attacks were accumulating, but Brock was already strategizing his next move.
"Onix, Rock Polish!" Brock commanded, realizing his Pokémon needed to increase its agility to match the relentless assaults from Pidgeotto. The Rock-type energy surged around Onix as it began to shine, its massive body becoming smoother and its speed boosted significantly.
As Onix's speed doubled, Ash watched nervously. "This isn't good…" he muttered, recognizing that the increased speed greatly reduced Pidgeotto's advantage in evasion.
"Use Smack Down!" Brock shouted confidently. Onix swung its tail again, now faster than before, aiming decisively for Pidgeotto.
"Pidgeotto, use all your Quick Attacks to dodge!" Ash urged, understanding that Pidgeotto could not afford to get hit by Onix's strengthened assaults.
Pidgeotto darted left and right, using Quick Attack to narrowly evade the tail's destructive force. However, as Onix continued the barrage, Brock began to feel more in control.
Pidgeotto was continuously forced to dodge, with no opportunity to launch a counterattack.
"Have you given up yet?" Brock taunted, noticing Ash's determination. He was focused, watching Ash closely as the young trainer refused to relent.
Ash observed the battle intently, noting that while Pidgeotto was growing tired, it seemed to be adapting to Onix's movements.
The Feathered Pokémon had begun to anticipate the attacks, and the grace of its dodges was improving, becoming more economical in its movements.
Ash noticed Pidgeotto's Quick Attacks were becoming more fluid, and the timing was getting sharper.
"Maybe… I can let Pidgeotto try my idea…" Ash thought, formulating a new strategy. If Pidgeotto could exploit its growing familiarity with Onix's attack patterns, there might be a chance to seize victory.
"Pidegeotto, continue to maintain Quick Attack! After dodging, use Wing Attack!" Ash called out, and Pidgeotto flinched slightly at first.
But then it understood what Ash was asking and prepared for the next exchange.
As Onix unleashed another Smack Down, Pidgeotto took to the sky, deftly evading its tail.
This time, it maintained its momentum and triggered the energy of its wings, making them larger and gliding faster.
In an instant, Pidgeotto aimed sharply, using the enhanced speed from Quick Attack to launch itself towards Onix.
It zipped past and, without missing a beat, turned and crashed into the side of Onix's head with a powerful Wing Attack.
"Bang!" The force of the clash was palpable, creating a shockwave that rippled across the battlefield.
Onix was struck so hard that it was actually lifted off its sturdy base, retreating three or four meters before bracing itself to recover.
Gasps filled the arena; the unexpected power from Pidgeotto had astonished everyone, including Brock. "What just happened?!"
He was momentarily dumbfounded, realizing that Ash had tapped into something powerful within Pidgeotto.
Ash could hardly believe what he saw.
"That's it, Pidgeotto! Keep it up!" he encouraged, excitement coursing through him. It wasn't just about speed anymore; they were using strategy and evolving their approach on the fly.
The audience erupted with cheers, Misty and Pikachu both expressing their joy at Pidgeotto's newfound confidence and strength.
Ash had ignited something in Pidgeotto; he could sense it too. They were together in this battle, and every strike was fueled not just by power but by the bond they shared.
"Keep pressing forward, Pidgeotto! You can do this!" Ash shouted, ready to guide his Pokémon through the next phase of the fight against Onix. It was far from over, but Ash now felt a spark of hope illuminating the path ahead.
_________________
Adios