Chapter 8: The Final Battle with Sakura

However...

Xia You looked up at the ceiling; this battle was not without its advantages.

Through the bright glass dome, the sun was clearly visible, radiating gentle daylight.

Today was still a clear and sunny day...

“Let’s begin!” Iris commanded loudly. “Kingler, use Water Gun!”

A strong jet of water shot out from Kingler’s mouth, heading straight for Bulbasaur.

“Bulbasaur, dodge and use Vine Whip!”

Hearing the command, Bulbasaur leapt to the side to avoid the attack, and from the bud on its back, two vines shot out, lashing toward Kingler.

Iris shouted, “Kingler, dive into the water!”

In the next moment, Kingler plunged underwater, and the vines struck the water’s surface, only splashing water up.

Seeing this, Iris smiled. “One in the water, one on land—it’s hard to gain the upper hand attacking each other like this. Looks like we need a different tactic. Kingler, climb onto the rock!”

“Oh?” Xia You raised an eyebrow in mild surprise. “Giving up the home advantage—is that really wise?”

Iris was confident. “Unlike Goldeen, Kingler is still strong even on land! Kingler, use Leer!”

Kingler’s four legs moved swiftly as it crawled sideways up the rock. Its dull eyes suddenly glowed red, locking onto Bulbasaur.

Is it trying to weaken Bulbasaur through fear?

Xia You remained calm. “Bulbasaur, don’t be affected. Use Growth!”

Bulbasaur’s body emitted a faint green glow—this move boosts the user’s attack power. Moreover, because it was sunny, the abundant sunlight would further enhance the move’s power.

Seeing the opportunity, Iris’s eyes brightened. “Kingler, quickly use Water Gun!”

With no time to dodge, the Water Gun hit Bulbasaur directly. Although Leer had weakened Bulbasaur’s defense, water attacks against grass types deal half damage, so even the hit did not cause significant harm.

“Bulbasaur, it’s our turn now! Use Tackle!”

Aware of the attack’s strength, Iris called out cautiously, “Kingler, harden yourself quickly!”

At her words, before Bulbasaur’s charge, Kingler’s body shimmered with a gloss, and even at a glance, it was clear Kingler had become more solid and sleek.

With a thud, Kingler took a solid hit and stepped back.

“Now’s your chance, Kingler! Use Crab Claw!”

Kingler stretched forward and clamped its large claw tightly around Bulbasaur’s neck.

Bulbasaur cried out in pain. Since Crab Claw is a normal-type move, it’s not weakened by grass or poison attributes. Combined with Leer, it could inflict considerable damage.

But Xia You was not about to give up.

“Bulbasaur, use Vine Whip!”

The vines rose high and struck down heavily, each hit dealing substantial damage.

After several strikes, Kingler could no longer endure the pain and reluctantly retreated, putting distance between itself and Bulbasaur.

“Now it’s our turn!” Xia You commanded. “Bulbasaur, use Leech Seed!”

From the bud, a tiny seed shot out and attached itself to Kingler. The leech seed quickly sprouted vines that wrapped tightly around Kingler.

Seeing the situation worsening, Iris tried one last resistance. “Kingler, hurry back into the water!”

Thinking of fleeing now? Too late!

“Bulbasaur, finish it! Use Vine Whip!”

Two vines swiftly lashed at Kingler, striking it hard. Besides the double damage due to type advantage, the leech seed glowed faintly green, draining Kingler’s remaining strength.

This time, Kingler finally collapsed onto the rock.

“I lost,” Iris sighed, and with a flash of blue light, recalled Kingler into its Poké Ball.

Now, only Sakura remained.

Sakura’s expression was grave as she slowly stepped to the trainer’s command area.

“You’re really strong, but we’re not about to give up so easily. Come out, my Pokémon—Seel!”

As she opened the Poké Ball, a grayish-white Pokémon resembling a sea lion appeared in the pool.

This Pokémon had a protrusion on its head, teeth that curled upward at the corners of its mouth, and a split tail—similar to the ordinary Seel of the previous generation.

Pokédex entry: “Seel, the Sea Lion Pokémon, lives among icebergs. It uses the sharp protrusion on its head to break through ice and swim freely. Its thick skin allows it to move freely even at minus 40 degrees Celsius.”

“Come back, Bulbasaur.”

Xia You recalled Bulbasaur and sent out her last Pokémon—and ace—Ralts.

“Ralts, it’s up to you!”

Ralts let out a soft cry and instantly teleported onto a rock in the pool.

It watched Seel, its eyes sparkling beneath its fringe, and its body skin had subtly changed.

“Is that Ralts?” Sakura immediately grew fond of the cute Pokémon. “So adorable! Is it from another region?”

“That’s right,” Xia You nodded and kindly warned, “Miss Sakura, be careful. It’s a Psychic and Fairy type, so it’s quite tricky.”

“What a gentle and handsome man,” Sakura smiled warmly, then gave her command. “But I won’t go easy just because of that. Seel, use Aqua Jet!”

Aqua Jet envelops the user in water and charges at the opponent with greater power than Water Gun. That Seel could use this move showed it was at a fairly high level.

“Ralts, dodge it!”

In the next second, Ralts vanished from its spot, easily avoiding the attack.

“Psychic-type Pokémon are really troublesome,” Sakura shook her head and said, “In that case, let’s restrict its power first. Seel, use Icy Wind!”

A fierce icy wind erupted from Seel’s mouth, engulfing Ralts and a large surrounding area. The attack’s power dropped the battlefield’s temperature below freezing, even forming a thick layer of ice on the water’s surface!

Though Ralts used Teleport to dodge the area attack again, the icy environment inevitably slowed its speed considerably.