radicalducati Chapter 268 The Sinnoh Champion's Guidance Battle
Chapter 268 The Sinnoh Champion's Guidance Battle
Passion is often the stage for disillusionment.
For those who harbor dreams, this world always seems a bit too cruel. Some dreams will never come true, and some storms will overwhelmingly destroy the budding of aspirations.
"Roserad, 'Grass Slide'."
The seemingly menacing monster had no time to dodge and was sent flying into the distant forest by a green light.
Zhu Lan did not refuse the challenge from her research assistant, Neil. Coincidentally, the forest in front of the Forest Mansion had been cleared into an open space, and the two began their coaching match on this overgrown ruin.
Officer Jenny and Venetian stood by the field, watching with interest as the two distanced themselves from each other on the forest ruins.
Inside, Professor Medan and Zina, separated by the hazy windows, were also watching the game outside.
No one was to act as referee for this match, because the outcome was a foregone conclusion.
"Is the second Pokémon they sent out a Fang Cage? Well then, let's respond with a Grass-type move!"
Zhu Lan pointed to her subordinates and gave them instructions.
"Magic Leaf!"
The move, deliberately released a beat later, was launched first. The blue-glowing leaves were like sharp throwing knives, cutting through the opponent's "Grass Blender" which was released using the terrain advantage, and pushing the gaping-mouthed fang cage out of the arena.
Neil's enthusiastic expression became a little strained at this point, and after much hesitation, he finally decided on the third Pokémon to be sent out.
Cynthia was puzzled when she saw the Pokémon her opponent had sent out... Why was even the Snowcap Pokémon, which hadn't evolved yet, being sent out?
Moreover, the snow-hat monster showed an obviously unnatural nervous expression after releasing the ball, which indicates that Neil had only recently captured it.
The opponent's goal is probably to inflict some damage on Roseradore with a genuine preemptive strike.
With a soft sigh, the Sinnoh Champion calmly directed Roserade, which danced among the branches and leaves—
“Roserede, Pin Missile.” Then she added quietly, “Be careful not to actually hit it…”
Neil, of course, completely missed his opponent's tacit instructions. Just as Cynthia had predicted, he frantically directed the Snow Hat Monster to launch a preemptive attack with "Ice Shards".
Unfortunately, if the opportunity to strike first is missed when the command is given, its speed advantage will be greatly reduced.
A small blizzard of "ice pebbles" finally blew out of the Snow Hat Monster's mouth, but it was instantly engulfed by a barrage of "firing missiles".
With a whoosh, four "Pin Missiles" flew past Snowcap Monster's snow-white hat, accompanied by a terrifying gust of wind. The "Ice Shards" that managed to pass through the barrage of projectiles completely missed Roseradore, which was standing still, and disappeared into the distant forest with a huge deviation.
The snow-hatted monster fainted from fright.
Cynthia's commands were concise and clear, but each move she executed inevitably sent one of Neil's Pokémon out of the arena.
After Snowcap, the opponent has sent out a new Pokémon. Seeing the Pokémon the opponent will send out next, the Sinnoh Champion became slightly more interested.
Cynthia patiently waited for the opponent to make the first move before directing Roserade to retaliate.
"Use 'Cotton Spore' towards the sky."
Large fluffy clumps flew out from the red and blue bouquets, drifting into the air as Roseradore danced, and taking advantage of the wind, they entangled the wind-borne ball that flew high in the sky trying to avoid its opponent's attack.
Actually, when facing Neil's Windball, Cynthia originally had the intention of experimenting with the move.
After all, that was also the trump card that Fire-type Champion Bigleaf pulled out in the previous championship. Although it only hit thin air when it fought against him, it is still very necessary for the Sinnoh Champion, who must face challenges from all sides at all times, to store several tactical options in his mind.
However, it seems a bit too much to try out new moves in a match with such a significant skill gap.
"Cotton Spore" is merely a harassing move that significantly reduces the opponent's speed; it has no offensive capabilities. However, the opponent's Tayrule is simply too weak in Pokémon battles, unable to withstand even such a move.
After several unsuccessful attempts to dodge in the air, the wind-borne ball was completely wrapped in white cotton wool, losing its ability to continue "flying" and forced to make a miserable, headfirst landing outside the field.
"If you have any other Pokémon, send them out too. Hmm... it'll be good to test their teamwork."
The difference in strength between a Sinnoh champion and an amateur trainer, between a champion-level Pokémon and a Pokémon that has not undergone professional training, is simply too great.
Helpless, Zhu Lan made up an excuse and suggested this to Neil.
The research assistant, who dreamed of becoming a trainer, looked somewhat embarrassed. However, Neil wasn't surprised by the situation itself.
This is the strength of a champion. If he were to be easily overwhelmed by Pokémon trained by amateurs, it would seem unreal.
With this thought in mind, Neil finally calmed down a bit. He gritted his teeth and sent out the last two Pokémon he had.
It's an octopus bucket and a grass-bound noblewoman, the latter wearing a pink garbage raincoat.
"Octopus Bucket, use the 'Octopus Bucket Cannon'! Grass Lady, 'Raster Cannon'!"
"The momentum is not bad. However, this match should end here."
Facing the two imposing beams of light, Zhu Lan casually raised her hand, her long, radiant golden hair swaying behind her—
Roserade, "Falling Petals!"
As Zhu Lan gave the command, the felled trees around them trembled violently. Countless red, blue, and white petals burst forth from between the leaves, like a blizzard of petals, instantly shattering the attacks of the Octopus Bucket and the Grass Lady, and then launching an even more ferocious, indiscriminate physical attack in all directions.
Fragrant blossoms fall in disarray, a hundred flowers bloom in a dazzling display.
And so, the battle ended.
Without the need for a referee's ruling, everyone accepted the final result as a matter of course.
"Thank you for your guidance, Bamboo Orchid Champion."
Neil took the Poké Ball and retrieved his two Pokémon from the petals. They were actually not injured at all; they had just been knocked unconscious by the aura of the move.
The research assistant bowed deeply to Zhu Lan and sincerely remarked—
"Your Roserade is really powerful."
"Perhaps, but the power of Pokémon doesn't mean everything. The profession of trainer exists to prove this point."
“I will become stronger together with Mighty and the others!” Neil said confidently and resolutely.
"After battling you, Champion Cynthia, I finally understand the gap between myself and a true powerhouse. My abilities as a trainer still have many shortcomings, but now that I have a deep understanding of my own deficiencies, it will be much easier to make changes now that I have found the right direction."
Zhu Lan remained noncommittal, sensing that Neil still hadn't fully grasped her meaning.
The other party seems to be using a traditional, data-driven approach, separating Pokémon abilities and trainer skills into two separate areas of experience that need to be accumulated. They believe that as long as each is trained to the maximum level, one can naturally become a powerful Pokémon trainer...
Gently touching Roseredo's white, rose-like hair beside her, Cynthia was unsure what to do.
Actually, she wasn't entirely satisfied with Neil's performance in battles. This amateur trainer seemed to rely too much on Pokémon's abilities.
Despite having limited energy as a Pokémon trainer, he continued to capture Pokémon, which resulted in him being unable to train each Pokémon to its full potential and using all moves haltingly.
Neil's performance in battles also showed that he actually lacked an understanding of Pokémon knowledge. His understanding of battles was limited to type matchups and countering each move, and he never thought about combining Pokémon's characteristics, abilities, and held items to assist in battle.
More importantly, although he challenged Zhu Lan, he didn't really have much of a desire to win. Instead, it seemed more like he initiated the battle to experience a dignified defeat. No matter how many times such training matches are held, it will never lead to real improvement.
If Neil's ideas are allowed to continue to escalate, he might go down the wrong path of treating his partner Pokémon roughly in the future.
However, at this point, it's best to choose the positive aspects to say.
"Hmm... For an amateur trainer, your performance is not bad. You're probably good enough to pass two or three gym tests," Zhu Lan praised with practiced platitudes.
"It's easy to imagine that, in addition to your work as a research assistant, you must have devoted a great deal of time to capturing, raising, and training all sorts of Pokémon, which is remarkable. Your Pokémon have also responded to your feelings in battle, which I think is a very rare emotional bond."
The Sinnoh champion turned his back, intentionally or unintentionally striking a very enigmatic pose—
"All life encounters other life, and then something is born. Becoming a professional Pokémon trainer is not an easy path. Even if you can't become that kind of strong one, I hope you can cherish the fate of meeting your Pokémon partner."
Neil's assistant looked like he had learned a great deal, his face full of admiration.
It's unclear whether he, as Professor Mei Dan's research assistant, truly understood the implicit admonition in her words...