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he knowes pokemon more than i know _Chapter_1092_en
Chapter 201
Chapter 1082: Stalling Game, vs. Slaking!!
2024-05-15 by Samsung Charmander (Author Name)
"Is Dad using his number two Slaking?"
Max pushed up his glasses, having recognized the Pokémon in front of Norman.
Norman had two Slakings in total. One possessed the solid combat power of an Elite Four's Pokémon and was his absolute ace.
The second Slaking, however, was a step below, serving as the guarding ace of the Petalburg Gym.
The difference between them was the ruff of white fur around their necks. The number one Slaking was older, and its white beard had a faint grayish tint. But this one just had a tuft of pure white fur.
After all, for a Gym Battle, Norman obviously wouldn't send out an Elite Four-level Slaking.
But this one's level was undoubtedly much higher than the Vigoroth from the previous battle.
"Grovyle versus Slaking, let the battle begin!"
As Max's words fell, Grovyle was the first to act.
*Swoosh!*
Its body didn't move, but its mouth acted first. The twig held in the corner of its mouth shot forward in an exceptionally cool-looking motion.
This action made Max's eyes light up instantly.
*Indeed, I should have chosen Grovyle!*
*Pfft!*
But this number two Slaking simply let the wooden splinter hit it, losing 1 HP.
Its thick layer of fat, while not providing the damage reduction against Ice and Fire-types like Venusaur's, already granted it an extremely impressive physical defense.
"In that case, use Leaf Blade!" Grovyle understood. It threw its arms wide, and scythes of green light extended from the backs of its hands. Tapping its feet on the floor—*da da da*—it dashed forward!
"Use Arm Hammer!"
Norman, for his part, resumed his cool stance with his arms crossed, commanding in a deep voice.
"Roar!"
Slaking let out a low roar as its small mountain-like body actually stood up this time.
Its two thick arms were covered in a dazzling white light, its muscles bulging with a force visible to the naked eye.
Grovyle paid it no mind, leaping high into the air and bringing its Leaf Blade straight down!
*BOOM!!*
Leaf Blade clashed with Arm Hammer, but after a stalemate of less than a few seconds, Grovyle's entire body was sent flying backward.
The leaf blade on the back of its hand was shattered back into its original thin-leaf form.
This was an overwhelming difference in power!
"What ferocious force!"
Even Ash couldn't help but feel his scalp tingle, his face even feeling the gust of air from Slaking's punch.
But his eyes were shining brightly as he quickly shouted:
"Now! Use Leaf Blade again!"
Grovyle understood perfectly. After being sent flying, it used the momentum to push off the surrounding wall and launch itself forward again.
*Swoosh!!*
The green light of the Leaf Blade flashed, cutting through the air, leaving only a stunningly sharp afterimage of the blade.
This time, Grovyle's Leaf Blade struck Slaking squarely on the chest, leaving a clear mark.
The latter, however, neither dodged nor flinched, lazily lying on its side on the ground, maintaining a pose with one hand propping up its face.
Slaking's ability, Truant. It uses a move one turn, and on the next, it's forced into an immobile, loafing state.
This meant that no matter what move it used, it would be followed by a stiffening debuff like that of Hyper Beam.
This was the information Ash had seen when he used his Pokédex earlier.
Slaking possessed stats that were on par with a Legendary Pokémon... no, it wasn't just similar to the likes of Articuno. Some even estimated it had power rivaling that of an ancient deity.
But perhaps because it was just an ordinary Pokémon that had obtained such a powerful physique, Slaking had to bear the huge price of the Truant ability.
And this Truant was incurable.
Countless trainers had tried to eliminate Slaking's Truant ability, but all ended in failure.
It was as if it were an absolute rule of this world: as long as it's a Slaking, it will have Truant.
"I wonder if that Role Play move from before had any effect?"
Ash couldn't help but mutter.
That Spinda had used the Role Play move to copy and replace Combusken's Speed Boost ability.
If Slaking could also switch to the Speed Boost ability...
*Hiss.* His scalp tingled at the thought.
The battle continued.
"Grovyle, use Agility!"
Ash changed his attack strategy this time.
This Slaking's level was much higher than Grovyle's. A head-on clash was the worst possible strategy.
Hit-and-run tactics, a cooldown strategy, was undoubtedly the best way out.
Seeing this, Norman remained unhurried in his commands, as if he were already accustomed to such counters.
"Use Amnesia!"
Slaking lay on the ground and tilted its head slightly...
The next moment, a strange light flashed, causing Slaking's Special Defense to receive a significant increase.
When it came to a contest of patience, his Slaking had never lost to anyone!
"Now! Use Leaf Blade!"
Seizing his opponent's opening, Ash quickly went on the attack again.
Right now, Grovyle's strongest move was Leaf Blade... and this move also had a high chance of landing a critical hit.
Even against a thick-skinned Slaking, two critical hits would still leave it on its last legs.
*Swoosh!!*
Grovyle's blade flashed as it slashed forward.
*Dash!*
After landing the blow, Grovyle didn't get greedy, quickly retreating to maintain a safe distance.
Unfortunately, neither of those two Leaf Blades resulted in a critical hit.
"In that case, Slaking, use Slack Off!"
Norman suddenly called out.
"Wuaah~"
Slaking lazily flopped onto the ground, let out a yawn, and its eyes grew sleepy.
A faint green light then appeared on its body, even erasing the scar left by the Leaf Blade.
The move Slack Off: The user does nothing for one turn in exchange for recovering a certain amount of HP.
The Pokédex automatically reported.
It was waiting at ease for its foe to tire, unperturbed by any aggression.
"So that's his plan...?"
Now, even Ash's expression turned grim.
If he could consistently chip away at its health, it would be troublesome but ultimately winnable.
But now his opponent also had a move to restore its health...
After all that effort of attrition combat, a single Slack Off recovered more health than he had dealt.
By the time Grovyle was exhausted, it would be his defeat.
In essence, it was a top-tier Miltank.
"Looks like this is going to be a stalling game..."
Brock, who was watching from the side, couldn't help but sigh.
One side was agile and versatile, while the other was practically unkillable... The ones being tortured the most were undoubtedly them, the spectators.
"Use Ice Punch!"
With the Truant ability's effect over, the fully recovered Slaking chose to go on the offensive this time.
Its small mountain-like, heavy body charged forward, making the floor tremble. It swung its massive fist, which was now covered in an icy-blue, cold mist.
"!"
Even from a distance, Grovyle couldn't help but shiver.
A punch like that would leave it either knocked out or crippled!
(end of chapter)
2024-05-15 by Samsung Charmander (Author Name)
"Is Dad using his number two Slaking?"
Max pushed up his glasses, having recognized the Pokémon in front of Norman.
Norman had two Slakings in total. One possessed the solid combat power of an Elite Four's Pokémon and was his absolute ace.
The second Slaking, however, was a step below, serving as the guarding ace of the Petalburg Gym.
The difference between them was the ruff of white fur around their necks. The number one Slaking was older, and its white beard had a faint grayish tint. But this one just had a tuft of pure white fur.
After all, for a Gym Battle, Norman obviously wouldn't send out an Elite Four-level Slaking.
But this one's level was undoubtedly much higher than the Vigoroth from the previous battle.
"Grovyle versus Slaking, let the battle begin!"
As Max's words fell, Grovyle was the first to act.
*Swoosh!*
Its body didn't move, but its mouth acted first. The twig held in the corner of its mouth shot forward in an exceptionally cool-looking motion.
This action made Max's eyes light up instantly.
*Indeed, I should have chosen Grovyle!*
*Pfft!*
But this number two Slaking simply let the wooden splinter hit it, losing 1 HP.
Its thick layer of fat, while not providing the damage reduction against Ice and Fire-types like Venusaur's, already granted it an extremely impressive physical defense.
"In that case, use Leaf Blade!" Grovyle understood. It threw its arms wide, and scythes of green light extended from the backs of its hands. Tapping its feet on the floor—*da da da*—it dashed forward!
"Use Arm Hammer!"
Norman, for his part, resumed his cool stance with his arms crossed, commanding in a deep voice.
"Roar!"
Slaking let out a low roar as its small mountain-like body actually stood up this time.
Its two thick arms were covered in a dazzling white light, its muscles bulging with a force visible to the naked eye.
Grovyle paid it no mind, leaping high into the air and bringing its Leaf Blade straight down!
*BOOM!!*
Leaf Blade clashed with Arm Hammer, but after a stalemate of less than a few seconds, Grovyle's entire body was sent flying backward.
The leaf blade on the back of its hand was shattered back into its original thin-leaf form.
This was an overwhelming difference in power!
"What ferocious force!"
Even Ash couldn't help but feel his scalp tingle, his face even feeling the gust of air from Slaking's punch.
But his eyes were shining brightly as he quickly shouted:
"Now! Use Leaf Blade again!"
Grovyle understood perfectly. After being sent flying, it used the momentum to push off the surrounding wall and launch itself forward again.
*Swoosh!!*
The green light of the Leaf Blade flashed, cutting through the air, leaving only a stunningly sharp afterimage of the blade.
This time, Grovyle's Leaf Blade struck Slaking squarely on the chest, leaving a clear mark.
The latter, however, neither dodged nor flinched, lazily lying on its side on the ground, maintaining a pose with one hand propping up its face.
Slaking's ability, Truant. It uses a move one turn, and on the next, it's forced into an immobile, loafing state.
This meant that no matter what move it used, it would be followed by a stiffening debuff like that of Hyper Beam.
This was the information Ash had seen when he used his Pokédex earlier.
Slaking possessed stats that were on par with a Legendary Pokémon... no, it wasn't just similar to the likes of Articuno. Some even estimated it had power rivaling that of an ancient deity.
But perhaps because it was just an ordinary Pokémon that had obtained such a powerful physique, Slaking had to bear the huge price of the Truant ability.
And this Truant was incurable.
Countless trainers had tried to eliminate Slaking's Truant ability, but all ended in failure.
It was as if it were an absolute rule of this world: as long as it's a Slaking, it will have Truant.
"I wonder if that Role Play move from before had any effect?"
Ash couldn't help but mutter.
That Spinda had used the Role Play move to copy and replace Combusken's Speed Boost ability.
If Slaking could also switch to the Speed Boost ability...
*Hiss.* His scalp tingled at the thought.
The battle continued.
"Grovyle, use Agility!"
Ash changed his attack strategy this time.
This Slaking's level was much higher than Grovyle's. A head-on clash was the worst possible strategy.
Hit-and-run tactics, a cooldown strategy, was undoubtedly the best way out.
Seeing this, Norman remained unhurried in his commands, as if he were already accustomed to such counters.
"Use Amnesia!"
Slaking lay on the ground and tilted its head slightly...
The next moment, a strange light flashed, causing Slaking's Special Defense to receive a significant increase.
When it came to a contest of patience, his Slaking had never lost to anyone!
"Now! Use Leaf Blade!"
Seizing his opponent's opening, Ash quickly went on the attack again.
Right now, Grovyle's strongest move was Leaf Blade... and this move also had a high chance of landing a critical hit.
Even against a thick-skinned Slaking, two critical hits would still leave it on its last legs.
*Swoosh!!*
Grovyle's blade flashed as it slashed forward.
*Dash!*
After landing the blow, Grovyle didn't get greedy, quickly retreating to maintain a safe distance.
Unfortunately, neither of those two Leaf Blades resulted in a critical hit.
"In that case, Slaking, use Slack Off!"
Norman suddenly called out.
"Wuaah~"
Slaking lazily flopped onto the ground, let out a yawn, and its eyes grew sleepy.
A faint green light then appeared on its body, even erasing the scar left by the Leaf Blade.
The move Slack Off: The user does nothing for one turn in exchange for recovering a certain amount of HP.
The Pokédex automatically reported.
It was waiting at ease for its foe to tire, unperturbed by any aggression.
"So that's his plan...?"
Now, even Ash's expression turned grim.
If he could consistently chip away at its health, it would be troublesome but ultimately winnable.
But now his opponent also had a move to restore its health...
After all that effort of attrition combat, a single Slack Off recovered more health than he had dealt.
By the time Grovyle was exhausted, it would be his defeat.
In essence, it was a top-tier Miltank.
"Looks like this is going to be a stalling game..."
Brock, who was watching from the side, couldn't help but sigh.
One side was agile and versatile, while the other was practically unkillable... The ones being tortured the most were undoubtedly them, the spectators.
"Use Ice Punch!"
With the Truant ability's effect over, the fully recovered Slaking chose to go on the offensive this time.
Its small mountain-like, heavy body charged forward, making the floor tremble. It swung its massive fist, which was now covered in an icy-blue, cold mist.
"!"
Even from a distance, Grovyle couldn't help but shiver.
A punch like that would leave it either knocked out or crippled!
(end of chapter)
