Sinnoh Journey

Chapter 55 - Solid Strategies

Byron was somewhat surprised by Kyra's call for a close range attack. Had she somehow predicted him to assume a long range call and called for the opposite? Or was it just luck?

"We can still use that. Bronzor, use Gyro Ball to stop Empoleon's momentum," Byron said. The defensive attack wouldn't be anywhere near as effective without proper time to set up, but it was at least something.

Bronzor followed its trainer's call and span to try and stop the worst of Empoleon's momentum. The fast spin from Gyro Ball intended not only to put a stop to Empoleon's Aqua Jet, but also to inflict as much damage as possible. Since Bronzor was fairly slow compared to Empoleon, Gyro Ball would do even more damage and Byron was counting on that.

The attack Bronzor was meant to be stopping never came however. Bronzor was confused as to what was taking so long.

A big mistake.

"Now Empoleon!" Kyra called, she had been waiting for Bronzor to let its guard down. Gyro Ball was a dangerous attack on such a slow pokémon, something Kyra wasn't going to take the risk of it hitting.

Empoleon had been circling below Bronzor as he built up Aqua Jet's power, the rain further boosting Empoleon's attacking power. He directed his attack upwards and hit Bronzor hard, flinging it across the field and leaving it unable to battle.

Byron was beyond surprised by Kyra's strategy. A call for Aqua Jet over a Special Water Type attack was questionable to begin with due to Steel Types usually having a higher Physical Defense. But using the rain to her advantage when it could have very easily proven to be a hindrance was another curious play. Kyra was no ordinary trainer, never before had he faced a trainer who battled with such risky strategies. He really needed to up his game.

"Thanks Bronzor, you did your best, return," Byron thanked, returning Bronzor to his pokéball.

Although it seemed Bronzor had been of minimal success, it had in reality helped Byron gauge how he would play out the rest of the battle. From Kyra's use of Aqua Jet against Bronzor, Byron could guess that Kyra most likely ran a Physical move set for Empoleon. With that information, Byron knew who his next pokémon out would be.

"You may have taken Bronzor out easily, but you'll have much more difficulty this time. Steelix, come on out," Byron commented, sending out his Steelix.

Steelix was much bigger than Kyra had expected, she hadn't seen Nate's Steelix apart from in training on the boat, but now standing in a battle against it, she saw its true towering size.

"We're going to have to be careful here Empoleon, Steelix are really Physically defensive. I might switch you out here depending on what kind of set Byron runs," Kyra warned.

She was left completely stumped as to how to deal with Steelix. Empoleon was running a Physical set, as was Gliscor. The only Special attack she had at her disposal was Gabite's Flamethrower, but he had very little practice in using it since he had only started trying to learn it this morning.

Empoleon didn't mind being switched out for the time being, he had already one-up Barry as far as he could see. He knew that Gliscor and Gabite would ultimately have more chance against Steelix.

Kyra returned Empoleon to his pokéball and sent out Gabite; hoping that he would be able to get enough power into using Flamethrower. Gabite could see Kyra was worrying, he wasn't going to let his trainer's worries become a reality.

"Let's get rid of this rain, use Sandstorm!" Both trainer's called, taking each other by surprise.

The viscious Sandstorm raged as the two pokémon unleashed their power. Within seconds, the battle field was practically impossible to see. Both trainer's were now reliant on their pokémon now, they had no say in accuracy or strategy anymore.