Chapter 108: Serperior’s Strength

Emboar's determination was far from fragile. It wouldn't be so easily overwhelmed by Machamp's Dynamic Punch confusion effect.

During their battle strategy discussions, Klein had already planned for Emboar to feign weakness, making Machamp believe it was overwhelming its opponent—until the perfect moment arrived for a decisive counterattack.

Now, on the battlefield, Emboar's electric-fire energy surged as it struggled to endure Machamp's relentless onslaught. Its stamina was already nearly drained after taking several heavy hits, each one forcing it back.

Inside her Poké Ball, Serperior watched with worried eyes.

She knew that Emboar favored close combat. However, against a brutal, relentless fighter like Machamp, it was completely suppressed. There was no way to counterattack—unless it used that one move.

Machamp continued its relentless assault, its four arms swinging wildly.

Emboar's arms were beginning to tremble from the pain. Every attack shook its very core, forcing it back step by step.

"What an absolutely ferocious offense!"

Emboar could barely breathe under the sheer weight of the pressure.

At that moment, Machamp suddenly took a step back, then launched itself forward, using the recoil to slam both fists forward with all its might—intending to end the battle in one devastating blow!

"Now! Head Smash!"

Both Klein and Rosa simultaneously locked eyes, their thoughts aligned.

Hearing Rosa's command, Emboar's eyes burned with resolve.

A roaring inferno exploded from its body—but this time, it wasn't a mere attack.

Emboar compressed all of its remaining strength into its massive skull, launching itself forward like a meteor crashing to Earth!

Head Smash was a move that dealt tremendous damage at the cost of hurting the user in return—a true all-or-nothing gamble.

At point-blank range, Emboar's skull clashed with Machamp's four fists, releasing a shockwave that shook the entire arena!

When the dust settled—both Pokémon collapsed at the same time.

The battle ended in a draw.

For Rosa's first official Gym match in years, she had fought brilliantly, forcing a veteran Gym Leader into a double knockout.

Watching from the sidelines, Klein nodded approvingly.

"She was able to recognize the right moment and give the command instantly… Rosa's talent as a Trainer is as sharp as ever."

Meanwhile, Shirley's expression hardened.

She hadn't expected Rosa to adapt so quickly.

The fiery, reckless battle style Rosa displayed was something rarely seen among female Trainers. Most female Trainers preferred graceful, ranged combat, favoring tactics that kept their Pokémon at a safe distance.

But Rosa?

She fought like a warrior.

Like Klein himself.

Even Koko was taken aback, her earlier assumptions shaken.

"Could it be… that Emboar originally belonged to Klein?"

While she had no way of confirming it, her instincts told her she was right.

"That Emboar… it doesn't behave like a typical Starter Pokémon."

Even Queen Irene, observing from above, perked up slightly.

"That wasn't Blaze… that was Reckless!"

Reckless was Emboar's Hidden Ability, which significantly boosted recoil-based moves like Head Smash.

Klein, Rosa, and Hugh had each received special variants of the Unova Starters, as part of an experimental research project testing non-traditional Starter Pokémon abilities.

Thus, Rosa's Emboar had Reckless, while Klein's Samurott had Shell Armor, and Hugh's Serperior had Contrary—all Hidden Abilities instead of the usual Blaze, Torrent, or Overgrow.

This enhanced Emboar's power tremendously—and was the reason Head Smash had been so devastating.

But now, the final round was about to begin.

Shirley couldn't afford to lose.

She tossed out her second Poké Ball.

Lucario appeared on the battlefield.

Rosa responded instantly.

"Go, Serperior!"

A long, elegant serpentine Pokémon slithered onto the field, its emerald-green scales gleaming under the light.

Unlike its pre-evolutions, Serperior had no limbs, but its tail was lined with three sharp leaves—and its yellow markings resembled royal insignias.

Most striking of all were its deep crimson eyes, radiating an air of calm confidence.

Serperior's majestic presence immediately caught Queen Irene's attention.

"This Pokémon's design is absolutely fitting for royalty!"

However, Rosa's Serperior was not in a good mood.

Her eyes narrowed at Lucario, a dangerous glint flashing within.

She was furious that Emboar had fallen in battle.

Even Lucario, a seasoned fighter, instinctively stepped back upon meeting Serperior's glare.

"Lucario, Ice Punch!"

Serperior had a severe type disadvantage against Lucario's Ice-type attack.

Lucario lunged forward, its fist coated in frost, aiming straight for Serperior's side.

But Rosa was already prepared.

"Leaf Storm!"

A massive whirlwind of razor-sharp leaves erupted from Serperior's body, spiraling into a violent tornado.

Even Lucario, with its resistance to Grass-type moves, was forced several steps back by the sheer force of the attack.

Shirley furrowed her brows.

"Using Leaf Storm so early? This girl doesn't understand tactics at all."

Leaf Storm was incredibly powerful, but it had a major drawback—it drastically lowered Special Attack after every use.

In a long battle, this would cripple Serperior's offensive power.

"What a rookie mistake."

"Lucario, keep using Ice Punch!"

Shirley commanded Lucario to press forward through the storm.

But Rosa's next words sent a chill down her spine.

"Serperior, use Leaf Storm again!"

Lucario charged in once more, but Serperior unleashed another devastating Leaf Storm.

Shirley's eyes widened in shock.

"Why would she keep using it—"

Then, Klein spoke up, his voice carrying a hint of amusement.

"Such arrogance… she made a fatal mistake."

Irene's face darkened.

"I even hinted at it earlier… and she still didn't realize."

Shirley had failed to recognize—

This was no ordinary Serperior.

It had Contrary.

Instead of lowering Special Attack, Leaf Storm sharpened it further.

Each time Serperior used the move, its power only grew stronger.

Lucario was now rushing straight into a death trap.

Queen Ilene sighed in exasperation.

"This foolish girl… she just doomed herself."

(End of Chapter)