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Lucas brought Volkner and Flint to the battlefield. Looking at Volkner, who closely resembled the Fourth Hokage, Lucas asked, "So, do you want to choose a 3v3 or a 6v6 battle?"
Volkner thought for a moment and then said, "Let's do 3v3."
Lucas nodded. "No problem."
After saying that, Lucas looked at the Luxray walking out of the Breeding House. "I'll be relying on you next."
Luxray nodded slightly.
"The rule is that I will only use one Pokémon. As long as you defeat Luxray, you win."
Lucas briefly introduced the rules.
Volkner frowned. He was, after all, the strongest Gym Leader in the Sinnoh League. Even Cynthia couldn't guarantee she could sweep him without losing a single Pokémon. Was Lucas really that confident?
"Alright,"
Volkner agreed.
Since Gengar was not around, Flint acted as the referee.
The first Pokémon Volkner sent out was also a Luxray.
Looking at the Luxray standing before Lucas, Flint couldn't help but think: Is Lucas using an Electric-type Pokémon to face an Electric-type Gym Leader? As expected of Lucas, he's so confident.
The battle between Volkner, the Sunyshore City Gym Leader who specialized in speed, and Lucas, the owner of the Twinleaf Town Breeding House, officially began.
"Wild Charge!"
"Wild Charge!"
Both Luxray, their bodies wrapped in lightning, slammed into each other.
Since the Breeding House's Luxray had received Raikou's blessing, the destructive power of its lightning was much stronger than that of Volkner's Luxray.
(From here on, Volkner's Luxray will be referred to as the little Luxray.)
Luxray stood in the center of the field, roaring at the little Luxray as it was knocked back.
"Luxray, follow up with Psychic Fangs."
Transforming into a bolt of lightning, Luxray caught up with the retreating little Luxray. Opening its mouth, it bit down hard with giant teeth condensed from psychic power.
"Supercell Slam!"
Wincing from the pain, the little Luxray stabilized itself. It then channeled the electricity within its body, pressing down on the nearby Luxray with all its lightning.
Luxray was knocked back a distance by the little Luxray.
Shaking off the residual electricity left by the little Luxray, Luxray stuck out its pink tongue and licked its lips.
Not bad, that had some kick.
Luxray's body began to tremble slightly.
Oh my god, guys, it's finally my turn to battle! Finally, there's a day where I get to beat up the opponent instead of being the one getting thrashed!
Initially, Luxray would train in the backyard with Dash and the others, but later it just started running over to lie down and sleep next to Lucas.
It definitely wasn't because it was lazy, but because staying by Lucas's side allowed it to escape the extra training from Dash and the others.
Lickitung was fine, as they didn't train it that hard. The main issue was those Miltank and Gogoat, who dragged it into "bullfights" all day, ramming into each other. Their bodies were like solid rock and they didn't seem to feel any pain. On the other hand, it felt like its own body was going to fall apart from all the collisions every day.
Today, it finally had the chance to enjoy a real battle, rather than that purely physical clashing.
Looking at Luxray, who hadn't taken much damage, Volkner frowned slightly.
What a powerful Luxray...
His own Luxray had actually lost to Lucas's Luxray in terms of raw power.
Meanwhile, Lucas looked at Volkner's Luxray and fell into thought.
Supercell Slam... if I remember correctly, isn't that a move that only appeared in the ninth generation, the Scarlet and Violet era?
To think Volkner's Luxray actually learned it?
A physical Electric-type move with 100 power, even higher than the 90-power Wild Charge. It seems incredibly fitting for Luxray.
I wonder if the Luxray from my Breeding House can learn it.
Unknowingly, Lucas had long since started referring to the Pokémon staying at the Breeding House as the Breeding House's Pokémon.
"I need to find an opportunity to copy that move first,"
Lucas thought to himself, and then pointed his finger.
"Luxray, Wild Charge."
Covered in terrifying lightning, Luxray charged straight at the little Luxray.
"Luxray, Volt Switch!"
The little Luxray summoned a bolt of lightning, then quickly retreated back into its Poké Ball.
In a flash of red light, Raichu appeared on the field, taking Luxray's full-power Wild Charge head-on.
"Chu!"
Raichu was sent flying, crashing heavily onto the field in front of Volkner, kicking up a cloud of dust.
Looking at the charred, unconscious Raichu, Volkner was momentarily stunned.
Flint, who was acting as the referee, also froze in shock.
An Electric-type Raichu lost consciousness immediately after taking a single Wild Charge?
He looked at the Luxray in front of Lucas and swallowed hard.
Oh my god, how does Lucas raise Electric-type Pokémon so incredibly well?
Recalling Raichu, Volkner looked at Lucas and said, "Now I finally understand why you were able to defeat Champion Cynthia."
Lucas grinned calmly and replied, "Actually, strictly speaking, Luxray isn't even one of our Breeding House's main team members."
Volkner: "..."
I know which ones your main Pokémon are... but you don't have to say it out loud so bluntly just to embarrass me, do you?!
Volkner threw a Poké Ball. With a flash of red light, Jolteon appeared on the field.
"Jolteon, Hyper Voice!"
Lucas grinned. Just as I guessed.
"Throat Chop!"
Enduring the pain of the Hyper Voice attack, Luxray unleashed Throat Chop on Jolteon.
Hit by Throat Chop, Jolteon opened its mouth to cry out in pain, but it couldn't hear any sound coming out.
Seeing this, Flint couldn't help but worry for Volkner.
The effect of Throat Chop prevented the affected Pokémon from using sound-based moves for two turns. Jolteon could no longer use Hyper Voice or Disarming Voice, and its Electric-type moves would be resisted by Luxray.
Volkner, what are you going to do now...
Volkner decisively recalled Jolteon and sent Luxray back out.
The little Luxray entered the field, Intimidating Luxray, only to be bitten hard on the neck by Luxray's Psychic Fangs.
"Lux!"
The little Luxray's eyes widened, and it collapsed right there.
It had lost consciousness.
Was Lucas just now... predicting that Volkner would switch?
Looking at Luxray, who had defeated the little Luxray with a single Psychic Fangs, Lucas couldn't help but stand tall with hands on his hips in his mind.
So what if you Intimidated me twice? Do you even understand the sheer strength of the Breeding House's Luxray!
Volkner recalled Luxray and sent Jolteon out once more.
Only one turn had passed since it was recalled into its Poké Ball.
So when it entered the field and opened its mouth to make a sound, the pain from Throat Chop instantly filled its throat in the next second.
Jolteon: ???
What? Two turns haven't passed yet?
Electric-type versus Electric-type, and you couldn't even last two turns? You didn't just get one-shotted, did you?!
Jolteon was full of resentment, feeling like an Elite who had been dragged out to work overtime during their day off.
"Jolteon, Thunder!"
Jolteon lowered its body, the Electric-type energy within it surging wildly.
Dark clouds gathered overhead.
Thunder crashed down, but it veered off course.
Volkner: "Dammit!"
Flint: "What a pity..."
Lucas looked up, then commanded, "Use the power of that Thunder to power up Wild Charge!"
Seeing the missed Thunder, Luxray actively drew it in, letting it strike its own body. Gritting its teeth, it wrapped itself in the lightning from Thunder along with its own electricity, slamming toward Jolteon.
"Lux!"
Luxray let out a roar.
Jolteon watched the charging Luxray in terror.
"Avoid it!"
With a whoosh, Jolteon zipped away from Luxray.
Watching Jolteon use its speed advantage to kite it, Luxray, under Lucas's command, slammed the remaining energy from Jolteon's Thunder into the ground. The powerful electricity blasted giant rocks out of the earth, sending them flying in all directions.
"This is..."
Seeing Luxray standing amidst the flying rocks, Flint recognized this as the tactic Paul had used during the Lily of the Valley Conference. Its purpose was to seal off fast Pokémon, restricting their space to move.
"Psychic Fangs!"
"Use the rocks to keep your distance!"
Jolteon leaped nimbly across the rocks. Just as it seemed to have distanced itself from the center of the field and was about to breathe a sigh of relief, it saw Luxray leap out from behind the very last rock.
"Vee..."
Jolteon's vision went black, and it lost consciousness.
Looking at the scarred Luxray, Lucas couldn't help but whisper, "Is this move really not feasible?"
Earlier, Lucas had let Luxray actively take a Thunder that had missed its mark, aiming to replicate the move where Ash had imbued Swellow with Thunder, but it hadn't succeeded.
"How did Ash succeed back then? And Swellow is a Flying-type Pokémon—"
Lucas shook his head, then asked the nearby Lilligant to heal the few Pokémon.
"Congratulations, you have successfully passed the assessment."
Lucas reached out to shake hands with Volkner, congratulating him on successfully passing the Gym assessment.
"But seriously, don't you think you should start taking Gym challenges seriously?" Lucas looked at Volkner and said.
Volkner currently just leaves the badges at the entrance of the Gym, letting whoever wants one just take it themselves.
"Dealing with those Gym challengers won't make me any stronger."
Volkner said indifferently.
"Setting aside responsibility, Volkner, don't you feel that your desire for victory has diminished significantly?"
Volkner looked at Lucas with a puzzled expression, and Lucas paused for a moment before continuing, "Your attitude towards battling has changed—"
"Looking at you now, I don't see the same desire for victory in your eyes that I see in Flint's—"
"Those who cannot treat every battle properly and look down on other Trainers will only be left further and further behind by others."
"Volkner, have you noticed that the gap between you and Flint is actually growing larger and larger?"
After finishing, Lucas stopped, "Think about it carefully."
Afterwards, he looked at Flint, "You, now, immediately, right away, go back to the League for me. If you go missing for no reason again, next time you want to eat something delicious, go find another shop yourself; don't come to the Breeding House."
Flint, who had originally intended to comfort Volkner, let out a wail upon hearing Lucas's words.
"No— Lucas— how are we supposed to get through the painful work hours without the snacks you send us!"
"You still know you need to work? Look at Lucian, he's almost dying from overwork, and you're not going back to help."
Lucas spoke up for Lucian.
Of course, the main reason was that he wanted to manage the Sinnoh League well for his girlfriend, and he couldn't let Cynthia be so tired every day.
Lucian: Actually, that's not the case.
Of course, it was definitely not because Lucas couldn't stand Flint being more relaxed than him that he wanted him to go back to work.
It was definitely not for this reason; Lucas was still very magnanimous.
"Lucian said you all work hard, and since we are all good friends, I've never charged you a cent for the snacks and other delicacies I've sent you, aside from the shipping costs. How do you have the nerve to run around everywhere?"
Flint scratched his afro embarrassedly, "Isn't this to train myself—"
"How about I spar with you? The kind where we fight to the death?"
Just as Lucas finished this sentence, an exceptionally large Machamp appeared behind him, standing quietly behind Lucas and staring at Flint.
The expression seemed to say: How about it? Want to have a battle?
Flint swallowed hard, grinned, and said, "Don't worry, I'll go back to the League today, work hard, and improve every day."
Lucas nodded with satisfaction, "In light of your sincerity, you can go back to the League after eating. Then you can go into the kitchen and pick out some food you like to take with you; take as much as you can."
Flint: !! Woohoo~ This wave, we're taking off!
Caught up in his happiness, he had already forgotten what he had wanted to do just a moment ago.
"But one thing: don't waste food, otherwise you know the consequences."
Lucas said with narrowed eyes.
Flint shook his head frantically, "Don't worry, I'm not that kind of person."
Lucas sneered.
If he hadn't seen Flint being besieged by the Pokémon at the Breeding House for wasting food, he might have believed those words.
"Let's go, back to the Breeding House to eat."
"Flint— I've decided."
"What *hic*—"
Flint hiccuped, turned his head to look at his friend, and asked curiously.
"I'm prepared to go back and properly manage the Gym, to rediscover the desire for victory in battles."
Volkner said.
Flint looked at the yellow-haired Volkner, his thoughts involuntarily returning to childhood, when Volkner had said the same thing to him.
He said: "Flint, just you wait, I will definitely become an Elite, the strongest Trainer in the Sinnoh region!"
But now, he had become an Elite, while Volkner remained stuck as a Gym Leader.
Everyone was saying that he had the strength of an Elite in the Sinnoh region, and Flint knew he truly did.
But he just couldn't bring it out.
An Elite— but each region only has four Elites— which one of those who became an Elite would be mediocre—
"I'll be waiting for you, Volkner, waiting for you to defeat me."
After Flint finished speaking, he hiccuped again.
"Can you finish hiccuping before you speak next time? This really ruins the atmosphere, you know?"
"What can I do, *hic*~ but I'm really *hic* so full *hic*~~ ah."
Volkner: —
"Forget it, I'll let you be arrogant for a while. When the time comes, I'll step over your head and defeat Champion Cynthia, and Lucas too."
"Let's hope so. Right now, I just hope you don't get beaten until you cry~ *hic*—"
"Are you ever going to finish?"
"I don't want to either *hic*~"
"Jolteon, use Thunder!"
"You guy, I kindly comforted you, and you return kindness with enmity *hic*~ Flareon, Fire Blast! *hic*—"
"*hic*~"
Inside the Breeding House, Lucas had just lain down when he received a call from Nina.
"Hello, Sister Nina, what's wrong?"
Lucas was biting on the straw of an iced berry soda, took a lovely sip, and let out a fizzy burp.
"You guy, you're slacking off again."
Nina looked at Lucas, who was lying on the armchair drinking soda, looking like a salted fish, and rolled her eyes as she said.
"That is pure slander; I just finished a Gym assessment."
Lucas took a big sip of soda, feeling the cold sensation in his mouth, and then said: "I'm absolutely exhausted."
"Don't be exhausted, I need your help here."
Before Lucas could finish, Nina interrupted him, her expression somewhat serious as she spoke.
Looking at the serious-faced Nina, Lucas sat up straight, "What's wrong?"
"I am currently at Striaton Academy in the Unova region. It's about a Pokémon problem. Do you have time to come over?"
"Many Pokémon in the academy have become very strange. Some have lost their vitality, while others have become incredibly irritable. Currently, the academy is looking for the problem, but I thought since you are so knowledgeable about Pokémon, I wanted to ask if you know why this is happening and if you have time to come over."
Hearing Nina's words, Lucas first asked Nina to point the screen at a few of the Pokémon, then briefly analyzed the situation.
"It shouldn't be a big problem. It might be that there are some external factors nearby, like weather or something, affecting them. Don't worry. Do you remember the steps for brewing herbal medicine that you learned at the Breeding House? Follow what I say, find all the herbal medicine I told you about, then brew the herbal medicine to calm them down first. I'll head over now."
Nina nodded, "Okay, but is it that serious? Does it require you to come over personally?"
"I'm only doing this to put your mind at ease."
Lucas said with a smile: "Wait for me, I'll be there soon."
After hanging up, Lilligant looked at Lucas.
"Lilli."
If you want to skip work, just say so; don't make up so many excuses.
"Then do you want to go or not?"
"Lilli."
I'll call Gothitelle right now and tell her to come back, then I'll pack our clothes.
After saying this, Lilligant ran to the counter to make the call, and after finishing the call, she ran upstairs to pack clothes for Lucas.
We can go traveling again~
The Breeding House is wonderful, but occasionally, when there is time, one still needs to go out and see the different scenery outside.