Chapter 15: Art is—An Explosion!

After a quick glance at Iono's lineup, Aiden already had a basic understanding of her strategy.

Kilowattrel, Electivire, Bellibolt, Electrode, Luxray, and Mismagius.

"A Gym Leader's standard single-type team setup—but then again, I'm in no position to judge others."

Iono's team had an extremely high overall speed stat. Facing his relatively sluggish Steel-type squad, it was clear she would prioritize speed and fast attacks.

In the Pokémon world, each type had its own unique characteristics.

Electric types were known for their speed.

Though there might be a few slow Electric Pokémon, their overall speed stat was exceptionally high.

The saying went, "The fastest strike is the one that can't be blocked," and one particular Electric League Trainer that took speed to new heights was a prime example.

Although Electric types didn't have an advantage over Steel types, Steel types did resist Electric moves.

Looking purely at the type matchup, Aiden was at a slight disadvantage.

"But it's not a big issue."

Aiden nodded, quickly deciding on his starting Pokémon.

Once inside the battlefield, both Trainers simultaneously tossed out their Poké Balls.

On Aiden's side, the sharp-eyed, silver-plated Skarmory took the lead once again.

On Iono's side, a black-and-gold flying bird hovered, sparks flashing from the electric sac beneath its beak as it breathed.

[Using Skarmory against an Electric-type Gym Leader? 2head move streamer?]

[You're not planning to throw the match, are you? Don't be a simp, you're a man with dreams of reaching Master Ball rank!]

[Understandable Iono's my adorable waifu~]

[Nah this one's gone further than simp, someone go wake this guy up]

"Skarmory, Spikes."

Aiden ignored the chat, which had already gone off-topic, and decisively issued his command.

Though Skarmory had performed admirably before, this time it clearly wouldn't have much room to shine.

Rather than holding back until the end, it was better to use it early to contribute to the team.

As a sacrificial piece, laying down two layers of spikes would be considered a success.

Skarmory spread its wings, preparing to deliver a little gift to the opponent's field while Kilowattrel mirrored its action.

"Kilowattrel, Tailwind!"

Hearing the cute loli voice giving commands, Aiden raised an eyebrow.

"You think my strategy is too formulaic? Iono's approach is even more predictable than mine."

"Given my team's obvious inability to outspeed hers, why is she wasting time letting me set another layer of spikes…?"

"Is this really happening?"

Aiden wasn't about to pass up such a generous opportunity. After setting Stealth Rock, he immediately commanded Skarmory to lay down another layer of Spikes.

As the Spikes scattered, Kilowattrel's attack arrived simultaneously.

"Electro Ball!"

Kilowattrel, swift as lightning, charged a terrifying burst of voltage, hitting Skarmory with pinpoint accuracy and producing a crisp crackling sound.

It was well-known that Skarmory was an excellent physical wall.

But against an Electric-type Pokémon specializing in energy-based attacks and resisting Steel types, its durability seemed questionable… right?

Questionable, perhaps, but still sufficient.

At the moment the move landed, Skarmory's HP bar nearly emptied completely.

Yet it didn't fall.

"The Sturdy ability is quite useful in battle, especially for a spike-setting tool like Skarmory."

Aiden nodded.

At the same time, based on the damage from that Electro Ball, he roughly deduced this Kilowattrel's configuration.

If Skarmory hadn't survived thanks to Sturdy, it would've owed two lives—it definitely had the Wind Power ability.

Kilowattrel's exclusive ability activated when hit by wind-based moves or when Tailwind was used on its side, entering a charging state.

Tailwind alone boosted Electro Ball's power, and after charging, the next Electric-type move's damage doubled.

This explained why Iono chose to start with Tailwind.

However, since Skarmory's HP bar was cleared either way, the overflow damage didn't matter much.

Even though Skarmory survived thanks to Sturdy, it couldn't do much against Kilowattrel. After laying down another layer of Spikes, it honorably completed its mission.

[Though it laid quite a few spikes, Skarmory just gave itself up like that—I feel like this will come back to haunt you, streamer…]

[Battles between Gym Leaders are so much more exciting. The previous one-sided stomps felt like the streamer wasn't even thinking.]

[Ouch, losing the first point hurts. It feels like we're going to lose!]

"Tailwind, huh…"

After murmuring to himself, Aiden confidently sent out his next main Pokémon.

An ancient, low-key Bronzong, its surface marked by the passage of time.

"Domain Expansion—"

"Trick Room, activate!"

The moment Bronzong appeared, it unleashed a Psychic field under Aiden's command.

A peculiar psychic space spread outward from it, gradually enveloping the entire battlefield.

Kilowattrel, preparing to repeat its earlier Electro Ball, was soon enveloped by the psychic force. Its speed plummeted to an unimaginable level.

As a seasoned battler, how could Aiden not know the weaknesses of his own team?

But because of moves like Trick Room, being slow wasn't necessarily a disadvantage in battle.

Within the wondrous Trick Room, the effects of speed were reversed.

Kilowattrel, previously so fast it left only afterimages, now struggled to move even an inch.

Conversely, the sluggish Bronzong became significantly faster.

Even if it couldn't dodge Electro Ball, it could tank the hit with its sturdy build and retaliate with a quick Rock Slide.

Though Bronzong's power was average, the double effectiveness made it sting—

At least Aiden was confident Kilowattrel couldn't withstand a second hit.

Misfortune struck twice.

Due to the conflicting effects of Tailwind and Trick Room, Iono's initiative advantage naturally shifted to her opponent.

At this point, Iono knew she had only one choice.

Force a trade!

She couldn't let Bronzong activate Trick Room again—it posed too great a threat to her team!

"Kilowattrel, Electro Ball!"

"Bronzong, Rock Slide!"

Both commands were issued simultaneously.

Bronzong struck first with Rock Slide, countless boulders raining down onto Kilowattrel's defenseless body.

Even as it sustained heavy damage, Kilowattrel stubbornly charged its final Electro Ball.

Each side took a hit, and the exchange left neither in good shape.

Kilowattrel plummeted from the sky, unable to continue battling; Bronzong remained standing in the center of Trick Room, though its HP bar was nearly depleted.

The battle was brutal.

[To think of countering Tailwind with Trick Room, 5 head move?]

[The score is tied 1:1. With Bronzong so low, considering the Spikes Skarmory laid down, it's pretty evenly matched, right?]

[This is intense! This is the kind of battle I wanted to see—let's go another fifty rounds!]

The battle between the two Gym Leaders clearly drew significant attention. Watching the flood of comments, Aiden couldn't help but grin ear to ear.

Of course, it wasn't meaningless data that made him happy.

Just thinking about the move he was about to make, Aiden wanted to laugh out loud right then and there.

But he couldn't—not yet. He had to stay absolutely focused.

Until he confirmed Iono's next Pokémon.

Aiden's eyes were glued to the screen, waiting for her next move.

"It's decided—you're up, Bellibolt!"

As Iono's command rang out, Aiden's smile grew even brighter.

If Pokémon battles were an art form…

Then today's artistic theme was—

"Explosion!"

------------------------------------------------------

Double Chapters Chapters Ahead: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow

There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)