This combination looks very effective, as Slowking would indeed be in serious danger if hit by an electromagnetic cannon.
However, Roxanne overlooked one crucial detail—Nosepass is a Rock-type Pokemon. While it has decent Electric-type move proficiency, the energy gathering process for its powerful electromagnetic cannon attack is still somewhat slow.
This delay might not be noticeable against most opponents, but against a Slowking capable of Teleport, the difference is significant.
"Slowking, Teleport!"
Sure enough, as soon as the Hydro Pump attack concluded, Aoki immediately issued a new command upon hearing Roxanne's order.
The Hydro Pump struck true!
The Zap cannon blasted into the empty space where Slowking had stood moments before.
While lock-on techniques can improve accuracy, Slowking's Teleport leaves no visible movement trail. Nosepass's targeting system couldn't adjust in time to track Slowking's sudden displacement.
The Zap cannon crashed harmlessly into the ground.
Meanwhile, the supercharged Hydro Pump, boosted by Slowking's Psychic abilities, dealt significant damage.
Seeing her strategy fail, Roxanne's expression tightened.
This was the inherent weakness of purely academic training.
"Slowking, use Hydro Pump again!" Aoki commanded, knowing full well that hesitation in battle could be fatal.
To her credit, Roxanne recovered quickly. "Nosepass, Discharge—wide area!"
Yellow currents surged across Nosepass's body before erupting outward in wild arcs, lashing the battlefield like electrified serpents.
Slowking's Hydro Pump weakened as it passed through the electrified air, its force diminished by the time it struck Nosepass.
But Roxanne's plan wasn't just defense—by saturating the field with electrical energy, she ensured that Slowking wouldn't escape the next attack so easily.
"Nosepass, Lock-On! Zap Cannon!" Chapters first released on noveⅼfire.net
This time, she didn't bother masking her strategy—she intended to overwhelm Slowking with sheer speed.
"Slowking, rapid Hydro Pump volley!"
Aoki, however, had no intention of letting his strongest ranged attacker falter. Three consecutive Hydro Pumps were the maximum output Slowking could sustain with its Psychic support.
Nosepass's Zap cannon fired much faster this time, and with the shortened distance, Slowking couldn't evade with Teleport.
Roxanne's brief moment of triumph faded as the Zap cannon struck—only for Slowking to emerge unscathed behind a shimmering barrier.
The attack dissipated harmlessly against Protect.
"It doesn't matter—Protect can't be used consecutively! Nosepass, just—"
Before she could finish, Nosepass collapsed under the relentless Hydro Pump barrage, unable to withstand the assault.
"You assumed your next attack would land," Aoki remarked, "but you underestimated Slowking's offensive power and the type advantage Water holds over Rock. Nosepass may wield Electric moves, but it's not an Electric-type."
Roxanne exhaled sharply, recalling her fallen Pokemon. "I overlooked Slowking's sheer firepower. Fine then—go, Kabutops!"
Aoki's eyes gleamed with interest.
He had once encountered a swarm of them in the underground lakes near Verdanturf Town. He'd even considered capturing one for his rain team as a physical sweeper.
He hadn't expected Roxanne to have one.
As a Water/Rock-type, Kabutops could resist Slowking's Hydro Pumps to some degree.
The system scanned Kabutops's data:
Pokemon: Kabutops (Light Blue)
Ability: Battle Armor
Egg Moves: Bubble Beam, Confuse Ray, Screech
Basic Moves: Slash, Night Slash, Feint, Scratch, Harden, Leech Life, Absorb, Mud Shot, Sand Attack, Protect, Water Pulse, Mega Drain
Learnt Moves: Water Pulse, Iron Defense, Snore, Stealth Rock, Earth Power
TM Moves: Protect, Grass Knot, Rock Tomb, Scald, Rock Polish, Stone Edge, X-Scissor, Surf
Kabutops was an ancient Pokemon—whether Roxanne had captured it wild or revived it from a fossil like Steven, Aoki didn't know.
But while Kabutops's typing gave it resistance, a level 42 Kabutops wouldn't last long against Slowking's relentless assault.
Steven, watching from the referee's stand, sighed. Roxanne was fixated on type matchups, ignoring raw power.
Still, Aoki wasn't about to sweep Roxanne outright—humiliating Steven's cousin would be awkward.
He recalled Slowking. "Alright, Floette, your turn."
The tiny Fairy-type hopped from Aoki's chest, using its flower like a parachute to drift gracefully to the ground.
Both Steven and Roxanne stared in surprise—neither had seen this Pokemon before.
Roxanne frantically searched her mental database but came up empty.
Aoki smirked. "This is Floette, a newly discovered species from the Kalos region. Don't underestimate her just because she's small."