Lizzy tossed her last Poké Ball, releasing her final Pokémon—one of her trump cards, Exeggutor.
As she did, she noticed Ash's hand move, and her expression suddenly shifted.
"No!" Lizzy called out, attempting to stop him.
Ash, in mid-motion to recall Pidgeot, froze as he heard her voice. He looked over in surprise.
"As a Trainer... I don't need charity!" Lizzy's gaze was fierce, unwavering.
She understood Ash's intentions. He wanted to spare her the shame of a complete loss by taking Pidgeot out of the fight.
However, as a Trainer, Lizzy's pride and self-respect surged. Yes, she could end up with an embarrassing one-on-six defeat.
People would talk, some even admire her grit. But she was determined to face defeat on her own terms.
The crowd, unable to hear their exchange, remained rowdy, oblivious to the struggle unfolding on the field.
But a few sharp-eyed spectators noted Ash's sudden hesitation and sensed something unusual.
The commentator quickly pieced things together. "Ash... he's considering mercy. But Lizzy doesn't want it. She's insisting on going down fighting.
Such resilience!" The crowd buzzed with admiration for both Trainers, as they each embodied their beliefs to the fullest.
Ash took in Lizzy's determination, then nodded in understanding.
He lowered his Poké Ball and committed to fighting full-force, giving Lizzy the honorable defeat she deserved.
"Exeggutor, use your strongest Psyshock on Pidgeot!" Lizzy commanded, her voice steady and full of resolve. She was done with holding back.
"Pidgeot, secret skill—Aerial Ace! And follow it with Hurricane!" Ash called, determined to give his all in this final clash.
With a fierce cry, Pidgeot split into three after-images, each channelling an intense Flying-type energy. The air vibrated with his power.
His Dual Wingbeats flapped as three tornadoes, each towering nearly a hundred meters high, spiraled into existence.
The crowd gasped, shielding themselves from the gale-force winds, while those watching on TV gaped in astonishment. Pidgeot wasn't just using Hurricane—he was creating three of them at once.
The commentator's voice cracked with excitement. "Three Hurricanes... at the same time! Pidgeot's power is truly on another level!"
Lizzy's eyes widened. "Is this...your true strength?" she murmured, her gaze fixed on Ash. She realized, without regret, that she hadn't lost unfairly. Ash deserved this victory.
The triple Hurricanes merged into a single monstrous vortex, slamming into Exeggutor's Psyshock and effortlessly overpowering it.
The fused tornado unleashed a force akin to a natural disaster, ripping through the arena with a terrifying intensity.
When the winds finally subsided, the battlefield lay in ruins, marked by jagged cracks from the storm's fury. Exeggutor lay motionless, fainted on the ground.
"Exeggutor is unable to battle! Pidgeot wins!" announced the referee, catching his breath. "With Lizzy's six Pokémon defeated, the winner of this match is...Ash!"
For a moment, the Indigo Stadium was silent, as if everyone was processing what they'd witnessed.
Then, as one, the crowd erupted in a frenzy, their cheers filling the air with deafening excitement.
"Unbelievable! Truly astounding!" the commentator raved, holding his head as if to contain his own amazement.
"No Pokémon has ever executed three Hurricanes simultaneously. This Pidgeot... has rewritten history today!"
Meanwhile, other competitors looked on with a mix of awe and anxiety. Some clenched their fists, pondering strategies, while others acknowledged the sheer power gap.
Lizzy took a breath, composing herself as she recalled her Exeggutor. She approached Ash, her expression softened. "Congratulations," she said, reaching out her hand.
"...I'm sorry," Ash replied quietly, with a hint of remorse in his voice.
"No need to apologize," she reassured him, smiling. Despite her loss, she was grateful to have faced such a worthy opponent. "Just promise me one thing—win this tournament. I'll be cheering for you."
With that, she gave him a small, determined fist-pump before leaving the field, carrying her pride intact.
As Lizzy departed, Ash took a deep breath and joined Pidgeot and Pikachu in basking in the crowd's roaring applause.
Among the spectators, Gary observed intently, his arms crossed in contemplation. While he appeared composed, the tension in his grip revealed his unease.
Ash had demonstrated astonishing strength, and Gary couldn't help but feel a pang of doubt.
But he quickly shook off the feeling. "No matter how strong you get, Ash... I won't back down," he muttered before turning to leave, more determined than ever.
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