Join my p@treon for more chapters
[email protected]/Tempest_29
"The Green Valley Gym Challenge is starting now! The Gym Trainer, Keaton, will face the challenger, Chris. Both sides can use six Pokémon, and the battle will end when four of them lose their ability to fight," the referee announced.
"Now, both trainers, send out your first Pokémon!"
Chris and Master Keaton raised their hands simultaneously and threw out their first Poké Balls.
Master Keaton's first Pokémon was Arcanine.
With a powerful build standing over two meters tall, its orange fur was adorned with bold black stripes, complemented by a flowing flaxen mane. When it ran, it moved with the speed of a hurricane.
"Roar!!!" Arcanine let out a thunderous cry.
Its Intimidate Ability activated.
Chris's first Pokémon was Greninja, which resisted Intimidate, reducing its physical attack by one level. At this level, the initial attack reduction would halve its power!
However, this wasn't a major concern. Greninja excelled in special attacks rather than physical ones.
This situation was well within Chris's expectations.
Before challenging Master Keaton, Chris had studied the Pokémon lineup the Gym Leader commonly used. It was a well-known strategy for Arcanine to lead with Intimidate.
The referee confirmed both Pokémon were ready, raised his hand, and declared, "Battle begin!"
"Arcanine, Extreme Speed!"
"Greninja, Surf!" Chris and Master Keaton commanded at the same time.
Chris remained on high alert—against a Gym Leader of Master Keaton's caliber, if he lost momentum early, his opponent could seize control before he even had a chance to strike.
Master Keaton wasn't underestimating Chris either. Since Master Vladimir had acknowledged his skill, it meant Chris was formidable. The Gym Leader chose to go all-out from the very start.
Arcanine's massive frame moved with astonishing speed. The moment its claws touched the ground, its form blurred, resembling a streak of orange fire—a blazing Extreme Speed.
In an instant, it was in front of Greninja, ready to strike with its claws.
But just as the attack was about to land, another Greninja materialized in front of the real one, intercepting Arcanine's Extreme Speed!
Boom! A dull explosion echoed, followed by a burst of white smoke.
With expert timing, Greninja had used Substitute to absorb the attack.
Immediately after, it struck the ground, summoning a massive seven-meter-high wave.
This was Surf, a powerful Water-type move with an impressive base power of 140! Read full story at 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹•𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑒•𝙣𝙚𝙩
"Return!" Master Keaton swiftly recalled Arcanine.
A Water-type move of this magnitude would devastate a pure Fire-type like Arcanine. Gambling on its endurance was too risky—continuing the battle might mean Greninja's relentless offense would overwhelm it.
Master Keaton threw another Poké Ball, sending out Poliwrath.
Poliwrath took the brunt of Surf.
However, just moments after the wave engulfed it, a sudden explosion erupted within the water.
Two figures shot skyward amidst the surging waves—Greninja and Poliwrath were engaged in a head-on clash!
Chris's eyes narrowed. Master Keaton's battle prowess was no joke.
Chris had instructed Greninja to use Aqua Jet while hidden within Surf, planning an ambush from within the rushing waters.
But Master Keaton, a seasoned trainer with vast battle experience, had read the situation perfectly. The moment Poliwrath endured Surf, it immediately counterattacked, resulting in the two Pokémon colliding mid-wave.
Chris smirked. His Surf was no ordinary attack—it would generate Whirlpool upon impact!
Poliwrath wasn't just enduring the attack—it was trying to break free from the Whirlpool's grasp!
Even though Surf dealt only half damage to Water-types, it still packed a hefty 70 base power. Combined with Greninja's high Special Attack and Whirlpool's lingering effect, Poliwrath was in a dangerous position.
To be able to withstand Surf and Whirlpool so easily and counterattack immediately… unless—
Chris frowned, suddenly forming a theory.
"Double Team, Water Shuriken!" he commanded.
Greninja's figure flickered in mid-air, and in an instant, five identical Greninja clones surrounded him. All at once, they hurled Water Shuriken at Poliwrath.
A flurry of Water Shuriken filled the sky, all homing in on Poliwrath.
"Double Slap!" Master Keaton countered without hesitation.
Poliwrath swung its arms with precision, slapping away the incoming Water Shuriken in mid-air. It struck exactly five times—each hit deflecting a shuriken aimed at its true body.
Chris's eyes narrowed.
This Poliwrath had completely read his attack.
That's right—Poliwrath was one of the rare Pokémon born with an innate ability to sense and control its surroundings with precision.
"Focus Blast!" Master Keaton called out.
As Poliwrath began its descent from mid-air, it pulled its hands toward its chest, gathering a swirling mass of white energy. In the next moment, the concentrated energy burst forward, a radiant sphere hurtling toward all six Greninja forms.
"Protect!" Chris shouted urgently.
Greninja immediately tucked its limbs in, crossing its arms in defense.
Protect shattered on impact—the sheer force of Focus Blast overwhelmed it. Though the move was weakened by the shield, the residual energy still struck Greninja, sending it flying backward.
Even with reduced damage, Focus Blast was a Fighting-type attack—meaning it dealt double damage to Greninja, a Dark-type Pokémon.
Master Keaton raised his hand, his voice firm and commanding. "Water Pledge!"
This, in his eyes, was the finishing blow.
As Poliwrath landed back into the water, it thrust its fist downward. The ground beneath it cracked open, unleashing a massive column of water the size of a millstone, surging forward with a deafening roar—aimed directly at Greninja's predicted landing point!
Master Keaton wasn't about to give Chris a chance to recover.
In mid-air, Greninja tumbled backward. It was in a dire situation—it didn't have enough energy to use Substitute, nor did it have a foothold to maneuver. With no way to change its trajectory, it could only watch as Water Pledge rushed toward it, completely vulnerable.
Chris took a deep breath. There was one thing he wasn't entirely sure about—but at this moment, he had no choice but to take the gamble.
"Greninja, use Role Play!"