Pokémon: Chronicles of Freedom (200 - 398)

Chapter 222: Crushing Faces

However, it couldn't be denied that this Raichu truly lacked battle experience. As a Pokémon capable of storing electricity in its body, using electric abilities should only require activating internal electric energy.

But this Raichu took a full three seconds to concentrate its electric energy, something that would normally be unacceptable in a battle, as no Pokémon would allow that much prep time.

Finally, Raichu managed to charge its Thunderbolt move to full power. A powerful stream of high-voltage current emerged from its body, striking directly at Slowpoke.

At that moment, Slowpoke also awoke from its Meditative state, and its round eyes began to shine with an intense blue glow of psychic energy.

Never before in battle had it had so much time to meditate, and now it felt its body was filled with psychic energy.

"Slowpoke, use Protect!" Cain ordered coldly.

Just as the words left his mouth, Slowpoke responded instantly. Cain's command came late, right as Raichu's attack was about to hit, but the synchronization between the trainer and his Pokémon was perfect.

Slowpoke created a protective barrier just in time to block the attack.

Raichu's Thunderbolt move, with all its intensity, collided with the barrier from Protect, kicking up a cloud of dust. The electricity struck with such force that most of the crowd thought the attack had reached Slowpoke undefended.

"Slowpoke, Confusion! Then use Teleport to get close and finish it with Bulldoze," Cain calmly ordered.

Before the others could react, Slowpoke was already in action. With a flash from its eyes, it unleashed a powerful psychic wave that struck Raichu's mind directly, leaving it dazed.

Raichu, stumbling, couldn't avoid being reached by Slowpoke, who had used Teleport to appear right next to it.

Slowpoke raised its front paws, charged with ground energy, and slammed them down hard on Raichu's face. The ground cracked from the impact, sinking Raichu into it.

"Raichu!" Takaya instinctively shouted, but it was useless.

"Again!" Cain ordered.

Slowpoke raised its front paws once more, now with more precision, and slammed them into Raichu's face again. The cracks in the ground deepened, and Raichu was completely defeated.

With Raichu out of combat, Slowpoke looked to Cain for new orders. Cain shook his head, understanding that Slowpoke wanted to know if it should finish off the opponent's Pokémon. But Cain decided it wasn't necessary, given the situation.

This was Slowpoke's first time participating in a formal battle like this, and it was still adjusting to the differences between wild and regulated fights.

Understanding its trainer's decision, Slowpoke looked disdainfully at Takuya Imamura, who was still stunned. Then, with a dismissive gesture, it used its psychic power to retrieve its Poké Ball and the three League cards that were on the referee's table, bringing them to Cain's side.

It was then that the referee, who seemed to be in shock, finally raised the flag signaling victory for Cain and declared, "The winner is Slowpoke!"

The crowd, still surprised, could barely believe what had just happened. They knew Slowpoke had a small chance of winning, but they never imagined it would defeat Raichu so overwhelmingly and in such little time.

It was a quick, decisive victory!

Many wondered how a Raichu, who supposedly had the advantage, could be defeated so easily.

But a few understood the reason: Slowpoke wasn't only stronger in terms of skill and physical condition, but Cain had also prepared Slowpoke with a Ground-type move, Bulldoze, which was doubly effective against Electric-types like Raichu.

Cain had trained Slowpoke to counter Electric-type Pokémon, knowing that they would face such opponents at some point. And although Slowpoke hadn't fully mastered the move, it only meant that it needed to use it twice instead of once to defeat Raichu.

Taking the Poké Ball and the cards Slowpoke brought him, Cain ignored Takuya Imamura's expression and calmly pocketed his prize. As he did, he couldn't help but think about how easy it had been to make money off a fool like him.

If only more like him would come along...

However, after this battle, it's likely that those who had their eyes on Slowpoke might start reconsidering their plans.

(End of Chapter)