Scizor stood firm against the fierce wind, its sturdy frame enduring the force of Pidgeot's Gust.
Though its energy was drained by the attack, Scizor didn't retreat a single step, withstanding the move while simultaneously strengthening itself with Sword Dance.
Ash couldn't help but admire Lizzy's decisive tactics.
Her strategy was clear, marking her as a worthy competitor who had earned her way to the tournament. She was no ordinary Trainer.
"Alright, Scizor! Let's show everyone that Ash isn't the only one who knows how to use Agility! Close in and use Slash!"
Lizzy shouted with determination as the wind died down. She instructed Scizor to switch from defense to offense, pushing forward.
"Scizor!" Scizor roared, its Psychic energy surging as it activated Agility, blurring out of sight before reappearing mid-air, dashing straight at Pidgeot.
Ash observed Scizor's strategy, noticing Lizzy's switch to Agility instead of a quick Bullet Punch.
Though slightly surprised, he quickly adjusted. He knew Scizor's strength was no match for Pidgeot if he could keep his distance.
"Pidgeot, Quick Attack! Widen the gap, then switch to Heat Wave!" Ash commanded calmly.
In recent weeks, he had focused on training his team not only to boost their power but to learn new techniques.
He knew this would keep even the most prepared opponents on edge.
In response, Pidgeot launched forward with blinding speed, leaving a shimmering light trail as it widened the gap from Scizor.
Moving swiftly, it then halted, turned to face Scizor, and started flapping its wings to unleash a devastating Heat Wave.
"Heat Wave?!" Lizzy gasped in shock.
She'd expected Ash to keep his distance but never imagined Pidgeot had learned a Fire-type move—one that dealt significant damage to her Bug- and Steel-type Scizor. Startled, she shouted, "Scizor, get out of the way!"
However, Scizor, already locked in its high-speed charge, couldn't stop quickly enough.
Driven by momentum, it surged forward, right into the scorching waves of Pidgeot's Heat Wave.
The flames enveloped Scizor, inflicting immense damage.
As the blaze dissipated, Scizor's strength was almost entirely drained, and it fell limply to the ground.
Ash saw the opportunity and didn't hesitate. "Pidgeot, Quick Attack again! Follow up with Wing Attack!"
With an assertive screech, Pidgeot swooped downward, wings glowing with blue energy as it closed in.
Scizor, weakened from the Heat Wave, struggled to rise but could barely muster the energy to defend.
Pidgeot reached its target with perfect timing, striking Scizor with its Wing Attack, sending it crashing to the ground.
Scizor skidded across the arena floor, leaving a long, jagged trail before finally coming to a stop.
The referee quickly raised a flag. "Scizor is unable to battle! Pidgeot wins!"
The crowd erupted in cheers, astonished by Ash's swift victory.
The match had barely begun, yet Ash's Pidgeot had defeated Lizzy's powerful Scizor in under two minutes.
Fans were left stunned by the sheer force and skill of his Pokémon.
"An unexpected turn of events! It seems that Ash's Pidgeot has mastered Heat Wave, a move unknown to Lizzy! That critical piece of information caught her completely off guard!"
The commentator's excitement echoed throughout the stadium, further energizing the crowd.
Lizzy sighed, visibly disappointed as she recalled Scizor.
Her Trump Card had been swiftly taken down, and her remaining Pokémon—though powerful—faced an uphill battle.
Nevertheless, she wasn't ready to concede just yet.
"Vileplume, you're up!" Lizzy declared, sending her second Pokémon into the fray.
Vileplume, Gloom's evolved form and a Grass- and Poison-type, appeared on the field.
Though Pidgeot's Flying-type attacks held the advantage, Lizzy was determined to keep fighting. She quickly commanded, "Vileplume, use Sunny Day!"
With a bright flash, Vileplume summoned a blazing sun overhead.
Its Ability, Chlorophyll, doubled its speed in the sunlight, bringing it nearly to Pidgeot's level.
But Pidgeot had the advantage in speed-based moves, and Ash wasn't about to let this opportunity slip.
He called for Heat Wave once more, and Vileplume—despite its best efforts to dodge—was engulfed in flames and defeated, just like Scizor.
Undeterred, Lizzy sent out three more of her elite Pokémon: Venomoth, Beedrill, and Victreebel.
Yet, despite their best efforts, they only managed to slightly tire Pidgeot.
Each was swiftly outmaneuvered and taken down, their attacks unable to make contact as Pidgeot outpaced and outclassed them.
By this point, Pidgeot's confidence was soaring, feeding off the fervor of the crowd's cheers as they sensed something historic unfolding.
Ash's supporters erupted into louder chants, exhilarated by the possibility of seeing him achieve a "one-through-six" victory.
The commentator was just as animated, shouting into the microphone, "Incredible! Ash and his Pidgeot might just set a record here today—a clean sweep in the main event! Since the founding of the Indigo Plateau Conference, no one has ever achieved this feat.
Even the Elite Four have never taken down six Pokémon without switching once!"
Back on the field, Lizzy's face had turned pale.
She realized that she was on the brink of becoming the first Trainer in tournament history to lose all six Pokémon to a single opponent.
The pressure felt crushing, and she struggled to keep her composure.
Meanwhile, Ash hesitated. Pidgeot had expended considerable energy, and his other Pokémon waited eagerly on the sidelines.
Logically, he could switch and preserve Pidgeot's stamina, and no one would question his decision.
Yet, a part of him wanted to give Pidgeot the honor of finishing what it had started.
Ash glanced at Lizzy from across the battlefield, noticing the anxiety in her expression. She was a skilled Trainer who'd made it this far with hard work and determination. He didn't want to discourage her to the point of affecting her future as a Trainer.
In a show of sportsmanship, he reached for Pidgeot's Poké Ball.
Just as Lizzy prepared to send out her final Pokémon,
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