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he knowes pokemon more than i know _Chapter_442_en
Chapter 442
Chapter 437: Island God, Tapu Lele
After a moment of contemplation, the Masked Man gave his answer.
"I choose 1v1!"
He might deny it, but he was a specialist through and through.
Aside from Incineroar, there was one other Pokémon he had yet to reveal, one whose strength was only slightly inferior to Incineroar's. The rest, however, were not particularly strong.
Of course, the island god was not his Pokémon and was not counted among them.
A 6v6 was a guaranteed loss, and he had no intention of unseating Lance to become the new Elite Four member.
The Masked Man only wanted to battle, to experience the gap between himself and a true powerhouse and find his path forward. Defeating him would naturally be the best outcome.
In a 3v3, the chances of victory were also very low.
But a 1v1... that was his only option with a chance to defeat Champion Lance!
However, this once again drew sounds of dissatisfaction from the arena. They didn't care who won or lost; the match at least had to be long enough to be worth the price of admission. A 1v1 wasn't even enough to enjoy a meal over.
"Oh~ A wise choice."
Hearing this, Referee President Charles Goodshow revealed a smile.
With more Pokémon, the margin for error increases, but in a 1v1, there's always a chance to overwhelm an opponent.
Of course, he didn't think the Masked Man could win, even in a 1v1.
"This Elite Four Challenge will be a 1v1 battle. The match ends when one side's Pokémon is unable to battle. Now, will both trainers please send out your Pokémon!"
As President Charles Goodshow's voice fell, Lance, the one being challenged, did not hesitate and threw a Poké Ball forward.
"Bang!"
A flash of red light revealed a brownish-yellow, dragon-like Pokémon. Its body was over two meters tall and somewhat stout, but its head was adorably cute. On its back was a pair of small wings that seemed disproportionate to its body.
"Aooargh!!"
Upon appearing, it let out a great cry to the sky. The mighty dragon's roar carried a heavy pressure, and the superior aura of a great dragon instantly enveloped the entire arena. Its presence was so powerful that it rivaled the mascot Moltres dozing in the brazier on the high platform.
This domineering dragon roar was somewhat at odds with its appearance.
Dragonite, Champion Lance's signature Pokémon!
"As expected of Dragonite, so cool!"
"Tear them apart, my precious dragon!"
Seeing the pride of their hometown, the audience, composed mostly of local residents, erupted in thunderous applause. Even Ash and his friends started eating their popcorn faster.
A 1v1 was too short to properly enjoy with a meal. Since they couldn't change the circumstances, they could only change themselves and try to eat faster.
Dragonite was an old acquaintance of Ash's. He'd call it the ultimate technician for its massage-like moves. He even had a mysterious bond with that one Dragonite who was drawing two salaries from both the Pokémon League and Team Rocket. Perhaps if they met again someday, they would travel together.
But he had never seen a Dragonite in a serious battle.
"So it is Dragonite, just as I thought."
Seeing this, the Masked Man took a deep breath, indicating this was all part of the plan. He then slowly took a Poké Ball from his waist and threw it forward.
"I'm counting on you, my partner!!"
"Bang!"
A flash of red light, and a pink Pokémon appeared in the arena.
A figure about a meter tall hovered in mid-air. Its body was black, but its face was impishly cute, resembling that of a human girl. Two long strands of pink hair fell in front of its head, while the back of its head had bobbed pink hair.
Its body was housed within a pink, oval-shaped shell, with only its upper half exposed. The pink shell was engraved with special patterns that had the exotic flair of the Alola Region.
"Lele~~ Lele~~"
The moment it appeared, this Pokémon drifted casually around the arena, staring with wide eyes, curiously observing its surroundings. It then chuckled to itself, and its playfully cute, girlish demeanor instantly attracted countless 'mom' and 'dad' fans.
"Damn, that's way too cute!!"
Blue's and Misty's eyes turned completely into stars, wishing they could pull it into an embrace and dote on it.
Having never seen this Pokémon before, Blue subconsciously pulled out her Pokedex and pointed it.
"Beep. Tapu Lele, a legendary Pokémon. It is the guardian deity of Akala Island in the Alola Region. Innocent, cheerful, and cute, it is a kind Pokémon. As it flies, it scatters pink light clusters that have the wondrous effect of healing a Pokémon's injuries."
Her Pokedex gave a standard introduction.
It was precisely thanks to these peculiar pink light clusters that Incineroar, after a terrifying battle that went beyond the ultimate state, could be full of life and energy again the very next day.
"Tsk, that feels weirdly off. Let me scan it too."
This standard introduction made Ash frown. He, too, pulled out his Pokedex to scan it.
The fan immediately whirred to life, spinning intensely, and the scanning response time was far longer than Blue's Pokedex, which made his frown deepen.
"Beep. Tapu Lele, a pink-on-the-outside-black-on-the-inside Pokémon. Fairy and Psychic-type. It appears kind on the surface but is actually malicious, enjoying using its great strength to toy with others and have them in the palm of its hand."
The Pokedex doesn't lie.
This made everyone shiver as they once again looked at the innocent, girlish Pokémon in the arena.
As expected. Pink means demonic.
In the arena, Lance glanced sideways. It was the first time he had seen such a Pokémon. The dense fairy aura and divine presence made Lance sniff, feeling a bit unsettled.
"Did he come prepared...?"
His title as the strongest Dragon-type Elite Four member was known throughout the world. It was perfectly logical for a challenger to specifically pick a Fairy-type Pokémon with a type advantage.
But Lance wasn't afraid of this. He swept his cape and struck a cool pose. Neither a Fairy-type nor a legendary Pokémon could cause the slightest ripple in his composure.
"Aooargh!!"
His Dragonite instantly entered a battle stance, raising its draconic claws. Its dragon eyes narrowed, and its once-cutesy face now looked incredibly sharp.
"Elite Four Challenge, 1v1, let the battle begin!"
After speaking, President Charles Goodshow quickly backed away. With the strongest Champion on one side and a legendary Pokémon on the other, a battle like this was best watched from a distance.
"Lele!"
The battle began, but seeing that the curious baby island god was still looking around everywhere, the Masked Man hurriedly called out to remind it.
Tapu Lele finally stopped playing around and returned its attention to the arena, its gaze falling upon the brown giant dragon before it.
"Lele~"
To be honest, she had beaten several such dragons to death with her bare hands. This was no big deal.
But seeing the Masked Man's serious expression, she had to get serious too. She abruptly raised both arms, and her body immediately erupted in a pinkish-purple light.
The next second, the entire arena was covered in the pinkish-purple light. It seemed to carry some kind of strange energy, and to the audience, it was as if a pink filter had been cast over everything.
This was Tapu Lele's ability—Psychic Surge. Upon entering the battle, it changed the field into a Psychic Terrain.
Lance paid it no mind and ordered, "Dragonite, use Extreme Speed!"
Hearing this, the Masked Man's eyes lit up, and he ordered in a low voice, "Ignore it, use Skill Swap!"
The next second, Dragonite's body shone with a brilliant azure light. With a flap of its wings, its massive body charged forward.
Tapu Lele, however, waved its arm, and a strange pink energy once again lit up, splitting into two beams that shot toward the approaching Dragonite and itself.
"Lele~"
After this action, Tapu Lele swayed its pink shell, nimbly dodging the formidable Extreme Speed completely. This left Dragonite stunned after it stopped, looking at its own hands in confusion.
Extreme Speed... failed?
In the past, one hit from its Extreme Speed would leave most fodder either defeated or on its last legs. Why did it fail today?
"In Psychic Terrain, priority moves are nullified."
The Masked Man reminded him smugly. "Right now, Extreme Speed is equivalent to a Take Down. The power is still there, but its terrifying speed is gone. The move is nothing to be afraid of anymore."
"Lele~"
At this moment, a crystalline light suddenly began to shine around Tapu Lele's body, as if a layer of scales had appeared out of nowhere, causing it to poke its own shell curiously.
"Oh, is that the Multiscale ability? Not bad."
Seeing this, the Masked Man smiled smugly once again.
(end of chapter)
After a moment of contemplation, the Masked Man gave his answer.
"I choose 1v1!"
He might deny it, but he was a specialist through and through.
Aside from Incineroar, there was one other Pokémon he had yet to reveal, one whose strength was only slightly inferior to Incineroar's. The rest, however, were not particularly strong.
Of course, the island god was not his Pokémon and was not counted among them.
A 6v6 was a guaranteed loss, and he had no intention of unseating Lance to become the new Elite Four member.
The Masked Man only wanted to battle, to experience the gap between himself and a true powerhouse and find his path forward. Defeating him would naturally be the best outcome.
In a 3v3, the chances of victory were also very low.
But a 1v1... that was his only option with a chance to defeat Champion Lance!
However, this once again drew sounds of dissatisfaction from the arena. They didn't care who won or lost; the match at least had to be long enough to be worth the price of admission. A 1v1 wasn't even enough to enjoy a meal over.
"Oh~ A wise choice."
Hearing this, Referee President Charles Goodshow revealed a smile.
With more Pokémon, the margin for error increases, but in a 1v1, there's always a chance to overwhelm an opponent.
Of course, he didn't think the Masked Man could win, even in a 1v1.
"This Elite Four Challenge will be a 1v1 battle. The match ends when one side's Pokémon is unable to battle. Now, will both trainers please send out your Pokémon!"
As President Charles Goodshow's voice fell, Lance, the one being challenged, did not hesitate and threw a Poké Ball forward.
"Bang!"
A flash of red light revealed a brownish-yellow, dragon-like Pokémon. Its body was over two meters tall and somewhat stout, but its head was adorably cute. On its back was a pair of small wings that seemed disproportionate to its body.
"Aooargh!!"
Upon appearing, it let out a great cry to the sky. The mighty dragon's roar carried a heavy pressure, and the superior aura of a great dragon instantly enveloped the entire arena. Its presence was so powerful that it rivaled the mascot Moltres dozing in the brazier on the high platform.
This domineering dragon roar was somewhat at odds with its appearance.
Dragonite, Champion Lance's signature Pokémon!
"As expected of Dragonite, so cool!"
"Tear them apart, my precious dragon!"
Seeing the pride of their hometown, the audience, composed mostly of local residents, erupted in thunderous applause. Even Ash and his friends started eating their popcorn faster.
A 1v1 was too short to properly enjoy with a meal. Since they couldn't change the circumstances, they could only change themselves and try to eat faster.
Dragonite was an old acquaintance of Ash's. He'd call it the ultimate technician for its massage-like moves. He even had a mysterious bond with that one Dragonite who was drawing two salaries from both the Pokémon League and Team Rocket. Perhaps if they met again someday, they would travel together.
But he had never seen a Dragonite in a serious battle.
"So it is Dragonite, just as I thought."
Seeing this, the Masked Man took a deep breath, indicating this was all part of the plan. He then slowly took a Poké Ball from his waist and threw it forward.
"I'm counting on you, my partner!!"
"Bang!"
A flash of red light, and a pink Pokémon appeared in the arena.
A figure about a meter tall hovered in mid-air. Its body was black, but its face was impishly cute, resembling that of a human girl. Two long strands of pink hair fell in front of its head, while the back of its head had bobbed pink hair.
Its body was housed within a pink, oval-shaped shell, with only its upper half exposed. The pink shell was engraved with special patterns that had the exotic flair of the Alola Region.
"Lele~~ Lele~~"
The moment it appeared, this Pokémon drifted casually around the arena, staring with wide eyes, curiously observing its surroundings. It then chuckled to itself, and its playfully cute, girlish demeanor instantly attracted countless 'mom' and 'dad' fans.
"Damn, that's way too cute!!"
Blue's and Misty's eyes turned completely into stars, wishing they could pull it into an embrace and dote on it.
Having never seen this Pokémon before, Blue subconsciously pulled out her Pokedex and pointed it.
"Beep. Tapu Lele, a legendary Pokémon. It is the guardian deity of Akala Island in the Alola Region. Innocent, cheerful, and cute, it is a kind Pokémon. As it flies, it scatters pink light clusters that have the wondrous effect of healing a Pokémon's injuries."
Her Pokedex gave a standard introduction.
It was precisely thanks to these peculiar pink light clusters that Incineroar, after a terrifying battle that went beyond the ultimate state, could be full of life and energy again the very next day.
"Tsk, that feels weirdly off. Let me scan it too."
This standard introduction made Ash frown. He, too, pulled out his Pokedex to scan it.
The fan immediately whirred to life, spinning intensely, and the scanning response time was far longer than Blue's Pokedex, which made his frown deepen.
"Beep. Tapu Lele, a pink-on-the-outside-black-on-the-inside Pokémon. Fairy and Psychic-type. It appears kind on the surface but is actually malicious, enjoying using its great strength to toy with others and have them in the palm of its hand."
The Pokedex doesn't lie.
This made everyone shiver as they once again looked at the innocent, girlish Pokémon in the arena.
As expected. Pink means demonic.
In the arena, Lance glanced sideways. It was the first time he had seen such a Pokémon. The dense fairy aura and divine presence made Lance sniff, feeling a bit unsettled.
"Did he come prepared...?"
His title as the strongest Dragon-type Elite Four member was known throughout the world. It was perfectly logical for a challenger to specifically pick a Fairy-type Pokémon with a type advantage.
But Lance wasn't afraid of this. He swept his cape and struck a cool pose. Neither a Fairy-type nor a legendary Pokémon could cause the slightest ripple in his composure.
"Aooargh!!"
His Dragonite instantly entered a battle stance, raising its draconic claws. Its dragon eyes narrowed, and its once-cutesy face now looked incredibly sharp.
"Elite Four Challenge, 1v1, let the battle begin!"
After speaking, President Charles Goodshow quickly backed away. With the strongest Champion on one side and a legendary Pokémon on the other, a battle like this was best watched from a distance.
"Lele!"
The battle began, but seeing that the curious baby island god was still looking around everywhere, the Masked Man hurriedly called out to remind it.
Tapu Lele finally stopped playing around and returned its attention to the arena, its gaze falling upon the brown giant dragon before it.
"Lele~"
To be honest, she had beaten several such dragons to death with her bare hands. This was no big deal.
But seeing the Masked Man's serious expression, she had to get serious too. She abruptly raised both arms, and her body immediately erupted in a pinkish-purple light.
The next second, the entire arena was covered in the pinkish-purple light. It seemed to carry some kind of strange energy, and to the audience, it was as if a pink filter had been cast over everything.
This was Tapu Lele's ability—Psychic Surge. Upon entering the battle, it changed the field into a Psychic Terrain.
Lance paid it no mind and ordered, "Dragonite, use Extreme Speed!"
Hearing this, the Masked Man's eyes lit up, and he ordered in a low voice, "Ignore it, use Skill Swap!"
The next second, Dragonite's body shone with a brilliant azure light. With a flap of its wings, its massive body charged forward.
Tapu Lele, however, waved its arm, and a strange pink energy once again lit up, splitting into two beams that shot toward the approaching Dragonite and itself.
"Lele~"
After this action, Tapu Lele swayed its pink shell, nimbly dodging the formidable Extreme Speed completely. This left Dragonite stunned after it stopped, looking at its own hands in confusion.
Extreme Speed... failed?
In the past, one hit from its Extreme Speed would leave most fodder either defeated or on its last legs. Why did it fail today?
"In Psychic Terrain, priority moves are nullified."
The Masked Man reminded him smugly. "Right now, Extreme Speed is equivalent to a Take Down. The power is still there, but its terrifying speed is gone. The move is nothing to be afraid of anymore."
"Lele~"
At this moment, a crystalline light suddenly began to shine around Tapu Lele's body, as if a layer of scales had appeared out of nowhere, causing it to poke its own shell curiously.
"Oh, is that the Multiscale ability? Not bad."
Seeing this, the Masked Man smiled smugly once again.
(end of chapter)
