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"Rai! Raichu!"
With a flash of white light from the PokeBall, a Raichu crackling with electricity appeared on the field. Sparks continuously overflowed from the two electric sacs on its cheeks—it was clearly raring to go.
Liam glanced at the Raichu now standing on the battlefield, then at the PokeBall in his hand. With a soft sigh, he reached out to put it back.
"Hey! What are you hesitating for? Is it because the Pokémon in your PokeBall is at a type disadvantage against my Raichu? You want to switch it out? Go ahead! I won't mind at all—no matter what Pokémon you bring out, I'm going to give you a serious beatdown! I'll avenge my junior Meimei and the loss she suffered this morning on the Ice Field!"
The girl across from him looked at Liam's hesitation with a scornful expression. Though young, she had a big attitude and scoffed disdainfully at him.
Only then did Liam realize this girl was connected to the Grass-type trainer from earlier that morning.
He looked once more at the PokeBall in his hand and considered the girl's words. In the end, he sighed with mild frustration and didn't switch. Instead, he threw the PokeBall onto the field.
Thud!!
"ROAR!!"
With a thunk, the PokeBall burst open, and his sturdy Nidoking leapt out, slamming down hard onto the grass. It tilted its head back and let out a thunderous roar.
"...You're cheating!"
The girl's arrogant expression froze the moment she saw Nidoking. Her face stiffened in disbelief. After a brief pause, she shouted at Liam in a flustered rage.
"Hey hey hey! When did I cheat? After you sent out Raichu, I actually thought it'd be unfair to keep using Nidoking—so I was going to switch. But you wouldn't let me! How is this my fault? So unreasonable! Right, little buddy?"
Liam looked exasperated, clearly not seeing himself at fault, and turned to the Larvitar on his shoulder.
"Lar? Lar.. Larvitar!"
Startled by Liam's question, Larvitar blinked, then quickly nodded with a cheerful chirp—clearly, whatever Liam said was right in its eyes.
"Why you—!"
"Both Pokémon are on the field! Battle on Grass Field #4 officially begins!"
Before the girl could retort, the referee cut in. Her cheeks flushed red from the interruption, puffed up like a steamed bun in frustration. Fuming, she shouted at Raichu.
"Raichu! Even if Electric moves don't work, we won't lose! Charge in! Quick Attack!"
"Rai!!"
At her command, Raichu dropped to all fours. Its chubby body turned into a bolt of electricity as it sped toward Nidoking.
Due to Raichu's larger size after evolution, it wasn't particularly fast—so Liam didn't rush to issue a command. Only when Raichu was right on top of Nidoking did he shout: "Nidoking, Earth Power!"
"Nido!"
Nidoking stomped hard on the ground. Ripples of golden energy surged outward. Raichu, caught mid-charge and unable to dodge, was struck head-on. It cried out in pain and was flung into the air.
Earth Power—a Ground-type move—was devastatingly effective against the Electric-type Raichu.
"Raichu! Use Double-Edge! Hang in there!"
Seeing Raichu hurtling through the air, the girl quickly called out. Raichu winced through the pain and forced its eyes open. Its long tail whipped out, wrapping around Nidoking's neck.
Using the momentum, Raichu swung like a pendulum and landed back on the ground, immediately springing back to create distance.
"Huh! Not bad. So Double-Edge can be used like that? I learned something. You've got some skill. Alright then—try this on for size! Nidoking, Flamethrower!"
Liam raised an eyebrow at her creative tactic. A grin tugged at his lips—his interest piqued. He called out more seriously this time.
"Nido!"
Annoyed at being grabbed by the throat, Nidoking's eyes gleamed with menace. With a roar, it opened its jaws and unleashed a thick stream of blazing flames.
"What?! Raichu, dodge it—quick!"
"Rai!"
The girl hadn't expected Flamethrower at all. Alarmed, she shouted a command, and Raichu hastily dropped and rolled across the grass, just barely evading the torrent of fire.
"Raai rai!!"
Realizing it had avoided damage, Raichu puffed out its chest proudly and stood with arms akimbo, looking smug.
"Raichu! Watch out!!"
"Rai?"
"Nido!"
While Raichu was basking in its moment of glory, it failed to notice Nidoking gathering energy. At the girl's frantic warning, a golden beam of energy burst from Nidoking's mouth, sweeping across the field and charring the grass as it blasted into Raichu's side. With a massive explosion, Raichu was hurled into the air and crashed down hard—unmoving.
"That was a good Hyper Beam..."
"Raichu!"
"Raichu is unable to battle! Red-side Trainer, please send out your next Pokémon!"
The referee and the girl rushed over. After a quick check, the referee confirmed Raichu's condition and returned to the field to announce the result.
"You did great. Have a good rest, Raichu."
The girl gently consoled Raichu with a soft smile before recalling it into its PokeBall. Her face then turned stormy as she returned to her side of the field, pulled out another PokeBall, and wordlessly hurled it forward.
"Poli!!"
With another flash, a Poliwrath appeared, muscles bulging, white gloves on its hands, and the spiral pattern on its chest glowing. It glared menacingly at Nidoking.
"Green-side Trainer, would you like to switch Pokémon?"
Seeing Poliwrath take the field, the referee turned to Liam.
"No need."
Liam shook his head firmly.
"Very well—battle continues!"
The referee didn't press further and signaled for the match to resume.
"Hmph! You only won because of a type advantage! Poliwrath, go! Close the distance and use Hydro Pump! Full power!"
"Poli!!"
At her command, Poliwrath charged toward Nidoking. As it got close, a massive torrent of water shot out from the center of its spiral-patterned chest.
"Nidoking! Flamethrower!"
"Nido!"
Facing the incoming Hydro Pump, Nidoking opened its mouth and fired a Flamethrower. The two attacks collided with a violent hiss, and thick steam quickly engulfed the field.
"No! We've lost sight of him! Poliwrath, get out of there now!"
The girl called out anxiously, her view completely obscured.
"Poli!!"
Poliwrath responded immediately, turning to leave the misty zone—but just as it turned, two powerful arms wrapped around it. Struggling and groaning in pain, Poliwrath tried to break free.
"Poli.. Poliwrath!"
"It's a bit late to retreat now, don't you think? Nidoking, Thunderbolt!"
"Nido!!"
Through the thick mist, Liam's command rang out. Nidoking's eyes sparked, and with a low growl, golden lightning surged from its body.
The electricity engulfed both itself and Poliwrath in a blinding display, arcs of lightning blasting through the mist and leaving scorched marks across the rocky arena.
"Poliwrath!!"
The girl watched in stunned disbelief as electricity tore through the steam, unable to believe what she was seeing.
As the lightning faded, the mist cleared—revealing Nidoking standing tall, gripping a limp Poliwrath.
Thud.
"NIDO!!"
With a mighty roar, Nidoking tossed the unconscious Poliwrath to the girl's feet and turned to bellow at the sky.
"Poliwrath is unable to battle! Red-side Trainer, please send out your third Pokémon."
The referee glanced at the charred Poliwrath and issued the ruling without pause.
"Hey, to be honest—you must know you're not my match. Rather than let your Pokémon take more damage, I think it'd be better for you to forfeit now."
Liam looked at the shaken girl and frowned slightly before addressing her directly.
"...Return, Poliwrath. I'm sorry I let you get hurt this badly..."
"You don't need to say anything! I'm not giving up! You're really strong—but I won't back down that easily! Now I'll show you my strongest partner! Together, we'll fight at our full strength!"
The girl recalled Poliwrath, shook out her short wine-red hair, and stared at Liam with steely determination. She pulled out one last PokeBall and hurled it forward with all her might.
"Come on out—Blastoise!"