9. The Tempered Fighting Consciousness
Join my Patreon for 40 more chapters and earlier updates for all members( For free members too):
patreon.com/Tempest_29
100 power stones=1bonus chapter
3 reviews=1bonus chapter
Check out my other novel Pokemon: A different ash (Also in patreon )
"Huh? Brother Chris, when did you catch Torchic?" Trevor asked, stunned.
Chris didn't answer, his eyes fixed on Froakie and Torchic.
He still wasn't sure about Froakie's individual stats, but its battle skills and abilities were undeniably impressive. Even if the individual values weren't extraordinary, Froakie clearly had potential.
As for making Froakie one of his main Pokémon, Chris knew he'd have to wait until he caught it.
Feeling the intense gaze, Froakie turned to face Torchic and immediately launched an attack!
Plucking the bubbles from its neck, Froakie hurled one like a dart. At the same time, it pushed off its hind legs and charged forward.
"Ember!" Chris commanded.
Torchic had already gathered a large amount of Ember in its beak and, upon hearing the order, released it in a fiery blast.
The stream of Ember pierced through the Bubble Froakie had thrown, forcing it to dodge.
But Froakie was quick, closing in on Torchic. With a glowing white palm, it aimed a direct hit, ready to defeat Torchic just like it had bested Elekid before!
"Dodge!" Chris called out.
Torchic swiftly dodged, leaning to the side and barely avoiding Froakie's attack.
It seemed like a close call, but in reality, Torchic was in full control.
The two Pokémon passed each other, then turned to face off again.
"Fro-kie!" Froakie looked serious now, sensing that this Torchic was nothing like the weak opponents it had fought earlier.
When experts clash, it's easy to tell.
Torchic was a true rival!
Chris observed Froakie, but held off on giving another command. The truth was, Torchic couldn't attack immediately.
Torchic was slower than Froakie—significantly so.
This was an inherent difference between their species.
The reason Torchic had managed to dodge Froakie's close-range attack was thanks to its finely honed battle instincts and exceptional control over its body, developed through countless battles.
Chris's handheld experience gave him more than just an edge in money and talented Pokémon—it also provided a frightening bonus in battle experience.
The battles Torchic had fought in the handheld game translated into real-world combat readiness.
In real-life battles, a lot of time is spent seeking out opponents, and even if trainers spend all day in dangerous areas, they might only manage a few dozen battles from dawn till dusk.
But in the handheld game, Torchic could fight over 60 battles in a single hour.
By the end of the day, it could have fought 600 battles, with healing at the Pokémon Center in between to avoid injuries.
Though the handheld battles were often against weaker rivals, the constant stream of attacks and evasions had sharpened Torchic's battle awareness to a fine edge.
This was something that most Pokémon couldn't match!
Torchic is the first, but it won't be the last. Every Pokémon Chris trains will be battle-hardened. No, they'll be terrifying fighters who have experienced countless battles.
This is why, even though Torchic is slower than Froakie, it can dodge Froakie's attacks with such speed.
However, dodging alone won't win the battle. Chris was waiting, waiting for Torchic's Speed Boost Ability to kick in and make it faster than Froakie.
"Focus Energy," Chris commanded. If there's no opportunity to attack, then it's time to prepare.
"Chick!" Torchic gave a soft cry as its whole body tensed, energy surging through it, causing even its feathers to stand on end.
Froakie launched another attack, springing forward with its powerful hind legs. This time, though, it was more cautious, closing the gap but not rushing in. Once it was close enough, it fired a Bubble Beam.
Water-type moves were perfect for battling a Fire-type like Torchic.
"Ember!" Chris called out. If Torchic had one advantage over Froakie, it was in its special attack power.
The dazzling Bubble Beam collided with the scorching Ember mid-air, resulting in a small explosion. Water and fire met, creating a thick mist that quickly spread across the battlefield.
Suddenly, Froakie darted out of the fog with a precise Pound attack.
It was the same tactic used against Elekid—but Torchic wasn't fooled.
Without waiting for Chris's command, Torchic's battle instincts took over, and it dodged on its own.
But Froakie wasn't done. After missing with its right hand, it immediately followed up with its left. When that missed, it came back with the right again.
If Froakie's moves were smoother, Chris would have thought it had learned Double Slap.
Torchic continued to dodge, now faster and with greater ease. In the games, Speed Boost increased speed each round, but in reality, it was a continuous linear boost!
"It's almost time," Chris thought, before giving the decisive command. "Tackle!"
After dodging another Pound, Torchic stopped and launched itself forward like a cannonball, slamming into Froakie.
"Boom!" Froakie was sent flying backward over three meters. It dug in with its strong hind legs to stop its momentum, teeth gritted, and charged forward again with another Pound.
"Good endurance and determination," Chris noted with satisfaction. "Dodge! Then Tackle!"
Torchic effortlessly dodged Froakie's attack, following up with another Tackle. Now that it had surpassed Froakie in speed, Torchic could dominate with its heightened battle awareness.
This time, Froakie couldn't stop in time and crashed into a nearby tree.
It fell to the ground, still capable of fighting, but just barely. It supported itself with one hand, clearly exhausted.
Not only had Torchic's Tackles worn it down, but the constant exertion was draining Froakie's energy.
Froakie was at its limit.
It was time to capture it.
Chris grabbed a Poké Ball and threw it. "Go, Poké Ball!"
Join my Patreon for 40 more chapters and earlier updates for all members( For free members too):
patreon.com/Tempest_29
100 power stones=1bonus chapter
3 reviews=1bonus chapter