Both attacks shot towards their rival, causing an impressive clash. Neither of them wanted to give in to the other and they maintained their attacks as best they could, Muk did not want to disappoint his trainer, while Squirtle not only wanted the same as Muk, but also wanted to show how strong she was, to show the results of her training because she did not want to be left behind with respect to the rest of Ash's Pokémon. All of them were extremely strong and powerful and when she checked it herself, she felt a little inferior, but Ash encouraged her and helped her become stronger, increasing her strength considerably, so she didn't want to disappoint him, she wanted him to see how strong she had become.
"Interesting, it looks like you were right, your Squirtle is strong even for a first evolution, I admit I was wrong, but... it's not enough" - Koga said.
"What do you mean?" – I asked curiously.
Both Pokémon seemed tied, in fact, it seemed that Squirtle was slowly gaining more advantage, so the question is: What was Koga referring to?
"I'll let you see it instead of explaining it to you. Muk, it's time to stop holding back" - Koga said.
As if he suddenly got a power up typical of an anime protagonist, Muk's attack became much more powerful and gradually began to gain even more advantage.
"Was he still saving so much strength?" – I asked in amazement.
"We just wanted to check if you were right or if you were just bragging off, but now that it looks like you were right, you should learn something valuable" - Koga said.
"What?" – I asked curiously.
"Never ever give up on a battle, no matter how weak you see the opponent, you should never underestimate him/her because it could be surprising. I hope this lesson will serve you for the future" – Koga said.
"Damn it, Squirtle, retreat and try to dodge it!" – I exclaimed.
Koga is right, I underestimated my opponent because I believed that, with my training, Squirtle would be able to defeat Muk. But after all, this is not a video game where gym leaders are programmed to use certain attacks and to have a certain level. This is real life, where the concept of levels does not exist, so, no matter how much you train, it is possible that there is always someone superior to you. That is why you should never trust yourself in a battle, you should never believe that you have won the battle before you battle and in that sense I was wrong.
"It's too late for that" - Koga said.
The next instant, Squirtle was hit by Muk's attack sending her flying and causing her to crash into a nearby wall.
"Squirtle!" – I exclaimed.
I quickly ran to see if she had hurt herself, but...
"Squirtle" – Squirtle said.
Before arriving, I could see Squirtle stand up, but with great difficulty.
"Squirtle, you've done well, but it's time for you to go back..." – I tried to say.
I had already taken out the Pokéball to return her to her Pokéball so that she could rest, but I was completely rejected by her as it stared at me; as if it were saying: "I haven't lost yet!"
"But it's impossible, look at you, you're in a very bad state and I don't want you to suffer anymore" – I said.
Squirtle was touched by her trainer's feelings, but she still didn't want to give up, because if she did, it would show that she was indeed her trainer's weakest Pokémon and she didn't want it to be that way. She wanted to be strong.
"You don't have to prove anything to me. I already know that you are strong and I don't need you to be tough to show me, besides, a defeat is nothing, we will train harder and next time we will win" – I said.
She was pretty badly injured and it was impossible for her to win, but even with those words, Squirtle refused to go back to her Pokéball.
"Squir!" - exclaimed Squirtle.
I saw in her eyes a fervent desire to fight, not to give up and to prove what she was worth and I must say that it moved me, but... was I really going to let my Pokémon suffer? I also didn't want to hurt her pride by forcing her to return by force, so I could only do one thing.
"A single move. If after the next move you get hurt, it's over: Do you understand me?" – I said seriously.
Squirtle nodded, after all, she didn't think she could withstand a single more attack.
"Well, let's go on. Squirtle, use Hydro Pump!" – I exclaimed.
If she wanted to prove her worth and power, I would grant her wish at least once..
"Muk, use Gunk Shot again!" – Koga exclaimed.
Again, the two attacks collided, however, Squirtle's tiredness seemed too obvious and she was losing quickly.
"Your Pokémon was too weak to continue battle! Don't you know that you shouldn't force a Pokémon to battle if it can't take it anymore?" – Koga said seriously.
"You're the one who doesn't understand!" – I said.
"What?" – Koga said in surprise.
"I know she's in bad shape, but I also want to respect her opinion and give her a chance to show her strength. It's not a matter of being a bad person or being cruel to your Pokémon, but it's a matter of trust and I... I trust her from the bottom of my heart!" – I exclaimed.
Hearing those words was the last straw, and suddenly, Squirtle's body began to glow brightly, a glow so intense that we all had to look away. In fact, even both attacks ceased, leaving the entire place silent.
"She's evolving!" – Koga exclaimed.
Incredibly, Squirtle had answer to her trainer's trust and all of it resulted in an increase in strength, an increase in the desire to want to prove her worth, to prove to her trainer that she was equal to or stronger than any of his Pokémon, to show her affection for him. Sll those feelings made Squirtle evolve. That was all she needed to reach the next level.
Squirtle gradually changed her appearance, until, a few seconds later, the light disappeared, revealing a Wartotle.
"You have evolved, you are the best!" – I exclaimed.
Hahaha, my Squirtle has finally evolved and I'm finally closer to having the team that will participate in the Pokémon League! Pikachu, Lopunny, Charizard, Blastoise, Venusaur, Crystal Onyx (Maybe a Crystal Steelix), Mew and Butterfree, an extremely powerful and balanced team, a flying and fire type, a poison and plant type, a water type, an electric type, an Ice and Water type, a normal type and a flying and bug type. I think it's pretty well balanced, although I think I'd need a Ground-type Pokémon, Dragon type and a fairy type. That would be perfect.
"Tortle" – said Wartotle.
She was also proud of the strength she had achieved, moreover, she now not only felt stronger, but also more confident.
But if you think that was already incredible, the best was yet to happen, because due to the large amount of damage she received as a Squirtle, even having evolved she has not miraculously recovered, but it did activate a dormant power in her.
"You may have evolved and it's amazing, but it's not enough to beat us!" – Koga exclaimed with emotion.
Now he was really excited, yes, this was just the battle he had been waiting for!
"We'll see!" – I said.
"Tortle!" – Wartotle exclaimed.
Suddenly, a blue aura enveloped Wartotle making even I could feel that amazing increase in power.
"She has activated her ability because of the damage she took earlier!" – Koga said.
That's right, because of all the damage accumulated, Wartotle had activated her ability: "Torrent", an ability that increases her water-type attacks when she is about to weaken.
"Still, it's still not enough. Muk, use Gunk Shot and don't hold back your strength this time!" – Koga exclaimed.
"We too, Wartotle use Hydro Pump at full power and let's show our power!" – I exclaimed.
Both attacks began to collide for the third time, however, this time the difference in power was too obvious. Previously, Muk had easily defeated Squirtle, but now evolved and with her ability activated, Muk had nothing to do against such a force and, after a few seconds, Wartotle's attack hit him fully and sent him flying against the wall.