Chapter 274: Snorlax's Fierce Assault
"Red's Snorlax is as terrifying as ever," Professor Oak sighed, genuinely shocked that Nidoqueen—with its impressive physique—had been knocked backward in a single devastating blow, barely managing to retain its footing.
After all, Professor Oak rarely encountered Snorlax specimens actively engaged in rigorous training regimens. Only Red's Snorlax possessed such remarkable dedication to physical conditioning, inspiring genuine amazement from the veteran researcher. He'd initially dismissed Red's claims about Snorlax's workout routine as mere jokes, only to be completely vindicated when he witnessed the creature performing push-ups in the garden with disciplined determination.
The more complicated matter, however, involved Snorlax's astronomical appetite—approximately double that of typical Snorlax specimens. Fortunately, Professor Oak's financial resources allowed him to comfortably accommodate this extraordinary dietary demand without concern.
Because Snorlax maintained its rigorous routine of exercising, eating substantial meals after workouts, and sleeping afterward, the creature's external fat composition hadn't decreased dramatically—appearing relatively similar to other Snorlax at first glance. Yet the dense, powerful muscles concealed beneath that thick layer of fat could defeat ordinary Snorlax specimens in mere moments, their fundamental strength disparity overwhelming.
"Indeed. Heavy Slam's destructive power is entirely determined by the user's body weight," Gary observed calmly, withdrawing a detailed notebook from his pocket. He carefully used a pencil to cross Snorlax's name from a comprehensive list he'd been maintaining. "Clearly, Snorlax just displayed the move at absolute maximum power."
"Gary, what is that?" Professor Oak asked beside him, genuinely puzzled by his grandson's systematic notation.
"Grandpa, this represents my battle intelligence gathered for the match against Red in several days," Gary explained with slight exasperation. He briefly summarized his strategic analysis.
Based on a comprehensive analysis of Red's first four tournament rounds, Gary had observed that Red rarely deployed the same Pokémon repeatedly—suggesting Snorlax might not appear in future confrontations. Consequently, Gary had methodically crossed the creature's name from his prepared list.
Of course, this represented Gary's personal speculation regarding Red's complete lineup and couldn't be treated as absolute certainty. Red possessed numerous capable Pokémon, and strategic variety remained a defining characteristic of his battling philosophy.
Leaf stood nearby, paying minimal attention to Gary and Professor Oak's analytical discussion. Instead, she maintained serious focus on Red and Sundae's unfolding match—though predominantly watching the visibly nervous Sundae with undisguised satisfaction.
"Although I can't become this girl's direct opponent, witnessing her struggle genuinely satisfies me," Leaf admitted excitedly, unable to suppress her upturned lips despite the competitive nature of her observation.
The trio beside her simultaneously chose silence, deliberately avoiding engaging with this particular sentiment.
"Absolutely worthy of Lord Red's meticulously trained Snorlax! With merely one Heavy Slam, contestant Sundae's Nidoqueen could barely withstand the assault! Can Nidoqueen successfully endure Snorlax's relentless onslaught in subsequent exchanges?!" the announcer proclaimed excitedly.
"Senior Sundae, do your absolute best!" students from Pokémon Technical Academy cheered from the stands.
Compared to Red's surrounding fan club's overwhelming numbers, their support seemed inexplicably isolated and disadvantaged.
"Upperclassman, should we perhaps..." a junior student from the academy ventured timidly, clearly afraid of shouting too loudly and potentially attracting hostile reactions from Red's passionate supporters.
"Don't worry... probably," the upperclassman replied uncertainly.
"Nidoqueen, use Ice Beam!" Sundae commanded with determination.
To effectively withstand Snorlax's brutal assault, Sundae formulated a strategic approach: she'd have Nidoqueen unleash Ice Beam to freeze Snorlax's mobility, securing considerably more favorable battlefield conditions.
Nidoqueen ahead, gradually parted its mouth, immediately releasing freezing Ice Beam energy directly toward Snorlax's massive body.
Red issued no dodging command—such a maneuver proved completely unnecessary.
Snorlax confidently remained in place with its chest prominently puffed outward, completely disregarding the incoming Ice Beam with obvious indifference.
The glacial energy struck Snorlax's body with a sharp crystalline sound. Just as Sundae and Nidoqueen believed their attack had finally connected effectively, they watched in stunned horror as Snorlax casually yawned without apparent concern, seeming to regard Ice Beam's power as trivially insufficient for properly cooling down the massive creature.
"It's the Thick Fat ability," Sundae murmured comprehensively, immediately recognizing Snorlax's defensive capability. The Thick Fat ability reduced both Ice-type and Fire-type move effectiveness by half—a perfect counter to her current strategy.
"No wonder Nidoqueen's Ice Beam produced such minimal impact."
Under Sundae and Nidoqueen's increasingly shocked gazes, Snorlax casually crushed the partially formed ice with deliberate movements, then comfortably inserted the crystalline fragments directly into its mouth. The creature began chewing thoughtfully, as though savoring the frozen water, tasting it as if it were a delicacy.
"This cannot possibly be happening," Sundae complained powerlessly, her confidence visibly shaken by Snorlax's mocking dismissal of her assault.
"Snorlax, use Ice Punch," Red commanded decisively while Sundae and Nidoqueen remained momentarily disoriented.
Upon hearing Red's instruction, Snorlax immediately took heavy, deliberate steps, charging fiercely across the battlefield before Nidoqueen. It raised its right fist, now emanating penetrating cold air, preparing to unleash Ice Punch directly toward its opponent.
"Nidoqueen, quickly deploy Stone Edge!" Seeing Snorlax's ferocious advance, Sundae shouted desperately.
Sharp stone blades materialized and floated around Nidoqueen's position. Under the Poison-type's concentrated control, they rapidly streaked toward the charging Snorlax with devastating velocity.
"Destroy them," Red stated calmly without elaboration.
Observing the incoming sharp stone projectiles, Snorlax demonstrated complete confidence, refusing to dodge with obvious disdain. Instead, it raised its ice-powered right fist defiantly, meeting Stone Edge directly with Ice Punch's overwhelming force.
After effortlessly eliminating the stone blade barrage, Snorlax continued its relentless charge, reaching Nidoqueen before delivering a massive Ice Punch directly to its body. The impact force proved so severe it drove Nidoqueen backward multiple steps, the Poison-type struggling desperately to maintain its footing against the devastating momentum.
The pained Nidoqueen panted heavily, its muscles straining visibly as it fought to shatter the expanding frozen areas coating its body, regarding Snorlax ahead with increasingly strained desperation evident in its expression.
"Such overwhelming strength!" Sundae gasped fearfully, genuinely shocked that her carefully trained Nidoqueen appeared so vulnerable before Red's powerhouse. The disparity in raw physical capability proved undeniable and increasingly demoralizing.
"Roar—" Nidoqueen's furious cry erupted across the arena, the creature thoroughly enraged by such overwhelming disrespect. It erupted with spectacular momentum, immediately condensing a brilliant Focus Blast between both palms before hurling the concentrated energy projectile directly toward Snorlax.
"Hammer Arm," Red commanded with characteristic composure.
Snorlax suddenly elevated its right arm with tremendous power, its appendage radiating brilliant white light as it swung outward forcefully. The massive fist intercepted Nidoqueen's Focus Blast directly, then crushed the concentrated energy projectile completely with a decisive squeeze, leaving only scattered residual energy particles dissipating within Snorlax's palm.
"Absolutely worthy of Lord Red's meticulously trained Snorlax! Using merely Hammer Arm, it completely nullified Nidoqueen's Focus Blast offensive capability! Truly extraordinary display of overwhelming superiority!" the announcer proclaimed incredulously.
"Snorlax, use High Horsepower," Red commanded with measured authority.
Upon hearing Red's instruction, Snorlax began continuously rubbing its sturdy feet against the battlefield surface with deliberate, rhythmic motions. After properly adjusting its battle state and gathering maximum energy reserves, it immediately charged toward Nidoqueen with concentrated determination, summoning all its tremendous strength for the devastating ground-type assault.