Besides gaining access to Shellder's moves, Slowking had learned five new moves of its own when it evolved.
[Shadow Ball: A Ghost-type move. The user hurls a shadowy blob at the target. It has a 20% chance to lower the target's Special Defense by one stage.]
[Earthquake: A Ground-type move. The user sets off an earthquake that strikes all adjacent Pokémon. It deals double damage to a Pokémon using Dig.]
[Foul Play: A physical Dark-type move. The user turns the target's strength against it, calculating damage with the target's Attack stat.]
[Rock Tomb: A Rock-type move. The user hurls rocks at the target, dealing damage and lowering its Speed by one stage.]
[Drain Punch: A Fighting-type move. The user punches the target and restores HP equal to half the damage dealt.]
They were all useful moves. Four of them were physical attacks, though, and Slowking's Attack wasn't impressive. It was actually rather weak.
Caster didn't see that as a problem!
There was a TM in his fishing space that he'd been itching to use.
"Slowking, let me teach you a new move!"
Caster grinned, activated the Belly Drum TM, and transferred its knowledge into Slowking.
"Slow..."
Slowking narrowed its eyes as it absorbed the new knowledge. A moment later, its face lit up.
It had been a fragile mage that specialized in special attacks. With Belly Drum, it could become a battle mage, fighting with both physical and special attacks. It no longer had an obvious gap in its offense.
"Trainer, when's our next match?"
Slowking's eyes shone.
With psychic power surging through it and an enormous range of moves at its disposal, it could barely contain its excitement. "I can't wait to get out there and crush the competition."
"The semifinals are tomorrow, and the final is in three days. Even after the Indigo League Conference ends, there are still the regional exchange matches."
Caster walked over and patted its shoulder with a smile. "Don't worry. We've got plenty of matches left, and you'll have plenty of chances to show what you can do."
Slowking tested its new strength in the mountains for a while before returning with Caster to the competitors' village on the Indigo Plateau.
In the village lobby, Caster found a staff member and updated his Pokémon's registration information. Then he headed back to his room at a leisurely pace.
He was looking forward to the coming matches just as much as Slowking was.
The night passed without incident.
The next morning, the Indigo League Conference semifinals began as scheduled.
"Welcome, everyone, to the Indigo League Conference! Our semifinal match is about to begin!"
The commentator's excited voice rang out over the speakers, but the crowd's response was lukewarm.
"And please give a warm round of applause to our guest, Lorelei of the Indigo League's Elite Four!"
A beautiful woman with long pink hair appeared on the big screen.
The stadium erupted.
"Lorelei! Oh my god, Lorelei's here today!"
"Wow, her smile is so sweet. Mom, I'm in love!"
"Marry me, Lorelei! I love you!"
Countless male fans shouted wildly, each wave of cheers louder than the last.
Lorelei was the most popular member of Kanto's Elite Four, and she had an enormous following throughout the Pokémon world, too.
She rose from her seat on the raised platform, bowed to the camera, then waved to the spectators around the stadium.
The commentator went on to introduce President Charles Goodshow, the white-bearded old man seated on the platform in the center of the venue. His reception was considerably less enthusiastic.
Goodshow rubbed his nose and shook his head with a rueful smile at the young woman beside him. "You're as popular as ever, Lorelei."
"You're too kind."
Having finished greeting the crowd, Lorelei sat back down with a demure air.
She wasn't much of a conversationalist, so Goodshow made small talk to keep an awkward silence from settling in.
For all Lorelei's youth and beauty, he preferred the company of Agatha, the oldest of the Elite Four. They were of the same generation and had known each other for years, so they had more to talk about.
With the guests introduced, the two competitors emerged from their tunnels.
Gary and Caster were both handsome young men, which certainly helped make them popular among the final four.
"Go, go, Gary! Gary's the best!"
In the stands, Gary's girlfriends launched into a high-kicking cheer routine, drawing plenty of attention from the people nearby.
Their ample busts and long, slender legs made quite a sight.
Caster had no shortage of support, either. Far more female fans had come to cheer him on of their own accord, and his male fans outnumbered them.
His livestream was just as lively.
The moment his Rotom Phone caught Gary's girlfriends on camera, comments flooded the screen.
"Who's that guy? How does he have so many girlfriends?"
"You don't know Gary Oak? He's Professor Oak's grandson. Young, rich, and handsome. Of course he's got girlfriends. And he's a strong Trainer, too. He made the Indigo League semifinals in his first year on the road. He's going places."
"Damn it, did he have to get everything? Screw that guy!"
"Caster, beat Gary Oak and steal his girlfriends!"
Caster and Gary had taken their positions on opposite sides of the battlefield.
"Caster, I've been waiting a long time for this."
Gary's gaze was unwavering.
Caster smiled. "I take it you've got a solid plan?"
"Solid?"
Gary shook his head. "I wouldn't go that far, but I've got a few ideas."
Caster's weakness was that he had so few Pokémon. His opponents were bound to prepare specifically for them.
Gary had so many that Caster couldn't even guess which ones he'd brought to this match.
Still, strength was the deciding factor in a Pokémon battle. Tactics could only help so much.
With Gyarados and Slowking on his side, Caster wasn't worried at all!
In the stands, Ash and his friends sat among the crowd, with Professor Samuel Oak and Delia Ketchum beside them.
"Go, Caster! Go, Gary!"
Ash considered both of them worthy rivals, so he cheered for them equally.
The tension was building before the match. Curious, Delia asked, "Who do you think will win? Caster or Gary?"
"Gary's done well to get this far. But if he wants to go any further, he may need to work harder."
Professor Oak folded his arms.
Gary might be his grandson, but Oak was an accomplished Trainer with a sharp eye.
He knew there was a clear gap between Gary and Caster.
"Each Trainer may use six Pokémon! There will be an intermission once either side has three Pokémon unable to battle."
The referee stepped forward as the two Trainers took their places on the command platforms. "Both Trainers, get ready!"
Caster and Gary exchanged a look across the field. Each took out a Poké Ball and threw it.
"Go, Dragonair!"
As usual, Caster led with Dragonair, one of his team's two rain setters.
Gary had clearly anticipated that choice.
His own lead was Kingdra, a Pokémon that resembled a seahorse with dragon horns on its head.
"Droo!"
Dragonair gave a cry in midair. The orbs on its body began to glow as a mysterious aura spread around it.
But Caster called out, "Dragonair, hold on!"
"Droo?"
Puzzled, Dragonair obeyed. It stopped summoning the storm clouds and hovered in place.
Across the field, Gary looked startled for a moment. Then a small smile crept onto his face.
That's Caster for you, he thought. One look at Kingdra, and you've already figured out my plan?