Battle Against Wallace

"Um, ahem, to be honest, although I want to open a Water-type gym, I actually only have one Water-type Pokémon." Aoki couldn't help coughing.

A little embarrassing.

Hearing Aoki's words, Matsuda and Wallace were speechless.

What's going on here? Someone with only one Water-type Pokémon wants to open a Water-type gym?

Will challengers only be allowed to use one Pokémon in battle?

"For now, I only have one that can battle, but I've been raising more Water-type Pokémon. I just applied for access to Hoenn's Three Royal Starters yesterday, specifically Mudkip. Once the gym construction is complete, I'll head over to Professor Birch to pick it up." Aoki said.

Anyway, the gym hasn't even started being built yet, so Aoki doesn't need to rush.

"That's fine. Then let's have a one-on-one battle. Show off your grace!" Wallace stood up, waving one hand dramatically. If this were in his own gym or on the stage of a Contest, it would certainly draw cheers.

"Then I'll be the referee for now." Matsuda smiled as he stood up.

"Well, since you're both so interested." Aoki said, smiling.

The three of them randomly found an open space outside. There was no battlefield here, and Aoki wasn't willing to let them enter his backyard.

There were many Water-type Pokémon in the Kanto region. If Matsuda asked, Aoki would have a hard time explaining.

Fortunately, neither of them minded.

"I'm sending this one! Go, Charlie." Wallace brushed his hair back and tossed a Pokéball.

A Walrein appeared in the field.

Wallace liked naming his Pokémon, giving each of them a unique name to strengthen their bond.

Walrein was one of Wallace's signature Pokémon.

Of course, he was most famous for his Milotic, but Aoki figured Wallace's Milotic was too strong. It wouldn't be a fair match right now.

Even if he wanted to battle it, he would likely be crushed. Wallace probably considered this as well.

The system activated, scanning Walrein's data.

Pokémon: Walrein (Cyan)

Gender: Male

Level: 41

Type: Ice/Water

Ability: Thick Fat

Held Item: None

Egg Moves: Water Sport, Water Pulse, Aqua Ring, Rollout

Basic Moves: Swagger, Round, Powder Snow, Roar, Water Gun, Defense Curl, Encore, Ice Ball, Brine, Aurora Beam, Body Slam, Rest, Snore, Hail

Taught Moves: Icy Wind, Aqua Tail, Crunch

TM Moves: Protect, Hidden Power (Fire), Ice Beam, Blizzard, Surf, Rain Dance

This Walrein was impressive in both aptitude and level. It hadn't yet evolved into its final form, meaning it still had room to grow.

Since Wallace considered it one of his main Pokémon, it was quite strong.

Aoki tossed his Pokéball, summoning Slowking.

"Slowking?!" Wallace and Matsuda both exclaimed when they saw the Pokémon.

As someone skilled in Water-type Pokémon, Wallace recognized it even though it was native to Kanto and Johto.

Not to mention Matsuda, the future Elite and champion of the Johto region.

The two were surprised, but they didn't lose their composure.

"I must say, Aoki, your Slowking is so elegant! It fully embodies an aristocratic presence, worthy of being the king of the Slowpoke line!" Wallace praised.

He admired Slowking's regal demeanor.

Aoki grinned.

"The battle begins!" Matsuda announced as the referee, officially starting the match.

"Slowking, use Calm Mind."

A glow of intelligence flickered in Slowking's eyes.

"Charlie, use Aqua Ring!"

Wallace gave his command to Walrein.

In terms of level, Walrein had the advantage. After all, a Level 40+ Pokémon could be considered an Elite-level Pokémon.

It was difficult for a Pokémon to reach the Elite level without a high enough aptitude.

Only Pokémon with red-tier potential could reliably reach that stage.

But Slowking wasn't without a chance.

Walrein's Ice- and Water-type attacks would deal reduced damage to the Water/Psychic-type Slowking.

And Slowking was best at using Psychic-type moves, which would at least deal neutral damage to Walrein.

That's why Aoki had Slowking use Calm Mind first—to boost its Psychic moves power.

"Charlie, use Rollout!"

Slowking needed more time to finish using Nasty Plot, while Walrein's Aqua Ring activated quickly.

Walrein curled into a ball and rolled toward Slowking.

If Rollout landed, its power would increase with each consecutive hit. The downside was that it had to be used continuously, making it hard to stop.

But there wasn't much choice—Walrein's Water and Ice moves would have little effect on Slowking.

"Slowking, Teleport!"

Just as Walrein rolled in, Slowking finished its boost, and Aoki commanded an escape.

"Speed up!"

However, Wallace wasn't so easy to fool. Even if it wasn't a Water-type move, Walrein had trained in all of its abilities.

Walrein received the order, accelerating as it collided with Slowking just before the teleportation could complete.

Aoki's expression changed.

So fast!

As expected from Wallace.

"Slowking, keep using Teleport to create distance, then use Hydro Pump with Confusion!"

Slowking, knocked back by Walrein, quickly repositioned itself across the battlefield.

Normally, Walrein wasn't fast, but Rollout helped compensate for its speed weakness.

After teleporting, Slowking fired a Hydro Pump from its mouth. Its psychic power enveloped the water, shaping it into a spear-like projectile. The combination of Hydro Pump and Psychic allowed for a homing attack.

But Walrein made no effort to dodge. The Hydro Pump struck it directly.

Boom!

Walrein's momentum slowed.

"Slowking, use Psychic!"

Walrein's Rollout still hadn't ended, so Aoki followed up quickly.

"Charlie, charge forward with Rollout, then use Body Slam!" Wallace countered.

A black sphere of psychic energy formed around Slowking as it launched its attack at the rolling Walrein.

It struck its target, dealing significant damage, but it wasn't enough to stop Walrein's advance.