"It doesn't matter. Against a Water-type Psyduck, I won't be using any Fire-type moves either," Derrick said with a faint smile.
Since that was the case, Emboar's strength in the pouring rain would be… almost meaningless.
Or rather, not quite meaningless—just slightly diminished!
"Emboar, use Brick Break!" Derrick commanded, immediately unleashing his signature Fighting-type move.
On the battlefield, Emboar instantly gathered its energy, channeling its chi into its palm. Even under the heavy rain, its right hand emitted a dazzling white glow.
Then, with a powerful stride, Emboar lunged forward, swinging its palm directly at Psyduck.
Emboar's natural speed wasn't remarkable, but its level was so high that, compared to Psyduck, even its moderate speed felt fast.
However…
Observing Emboar's approach, Yozora merely sneered and calmly said, "Glide, Psyduck!"
"Whoosh—"
As Emboar charged forward, Psyduck seemed to put on a pair of invisible ice skates. In a flash, it slid aside, instantly creating a wide gap between itself and Emboar.
Emboar froze mid-strike, its raised palm still ready for Brick Break, utterly baffled in the rain.
"So fast!!" Derrick's eyes went wide, disbelief written all over his face.
It wasn't just Derrick.
At that moment, Ritchie, Sherry, the host, and the entire audience were all dumbfounded.
They had seen Yozora use Psyduck in previous matches. Psyduck's speed was decent, but never this blindingly fast!
Could it be…?
The captain and Sherry exchanged glances. Could this Psyduck have an innate ability to accelerate in the rain?
If that were true… then this Psyduck was truly a chosen one!
"Well done, Psyduck," Yozora said with a satisfied smile, watching Psyduck's performance.
The heavy rain hadn't significantly weakened Emboar—but it had massively empowered Psyduck!
Especially its speed.
Its Swift Swim ability doubled its speed in rain! Double speed—that was a terrifying concept…
Psyduck was small but already naturally fast. Doubling its speed in the rain… now, it had become almost frighteningly quick.
Even though Psyduck was only a mid-tier Elite Pokémon, its current burst of speed might rival even Commander-tier Pokémon!
"Psyduck, use Hydro Pump to wear it down!" Yozora commanded.
Swift Swim.
Psyduck moved as if on skates, effortlessly gliding across the battlefield.
It repeatedly darted past Emboar, launching Hydro Pumps that struck with considerable force…
Then, in an instant, it would slide far away again, leaving Emboar completely unable to react.
In just three or five seconds, Psyduck hit Emboar with eight Hydro Pumps in succession!
Due to the huge level difference, a single Hydro Pump couldn't seriously harm Emboar… but after eight consecutive hits, even Emboar began to falter, glaring furiously and gasping for breath.
"Yes! Excellent! That Psyduck is amazing!"
"Indeed! Such a tiny Pokémon dealt massive damage to Derrick's ace!"
"Psyduck is invincible!"
"No, I still prefer Golduck. That's true elegance!"
"…"
"Go, Psyduck! Charge! Take down Emboar!"
Despite its small frame, Psyduck faced the larger, stronger Emboar without any disadvantage—on the contrary, it had the upper hand.
For a while, the audience cheered overwhelmingly for Psyduck.
"In this heavy rain, Psyduck's speed is unbelievable! Emboar can't keep up… Is it about to be defeated?" the host's worried voice echoed, causing Derrick to frown deeply.
He had certainly experienced defeat before.
Many times, in fact.
He knew that against the truly strong trainers, the Elite Four, he wasn't even close to being a match…
Yet Yozora was just a newcomer—a young trainer who had only recently debuted.
"Even though he's new, his strength is impressive… If Emboar hadn't known that move, I might have really lost!" Derrick thought, then shouted, "Emboar, use Earthquake!"
Each Pokémon expressed the same move differently, depending on its physique and technique.
Take Earthquake, for example: a Graveler would often leap and use its weight to shake the ground.
Emboar, however, simply roared, sending a white shockwave rippling across the battlefield like a seismic wave.
"Boom…"
The attack instantly sent Psyduck flying, its eyes rolling back as it crashed heavily to the ground.
"Psyduck is unable to battle!" the referee announced coldly, silencing the crowd that had been cheering for Psyduck.
The formidable Emboar had knocked out Psyduck in a single strike, leaving the match's outcome hanging in uncertainty.
"All right! Now, both Yozora and Derrick have only their final Pokémon left! The cruise tournament is reaching its climax—let's see who prevails!" the host cried excitedly.
Yozora recalled Psyduck and sent out Charmeleon.
Against the mighty Emboar, Psyduck had done more than enough. Its level was far lower, yet it had caused significant wear and tear.
Yozora was extremely satisfied, now leaving everything to Charmeleon.
"The battle of the fiery titans we've all been waiting for!" the host exclaimed as the two proud figures faced each other.
In the pouring rain, Charmeleon and Emboar stood tall, seemingly unaffected.
Charmeleon, in particular, wasn't hindered at all; its blue flame flickered higher with vitality, slightly boosting its overall strength.
Emboar, while also unaffected by the rain, had already lost at least half its stamina due to Psyduck's relentless assault. Its outward demeanor remained calm, but Yozora could clearly sense its aura had weakened.
…
…
(Author note: The tournament is almost over. Can anyone guess which Pokémon egg it is? Correct guesses get an extra chapter…(TL: I Will Too, 2 ch))
(End of Chapter)