[The streamer is this greedy? Work Up already?]
[I think the streamer's fine here. The other side used Rest, which heals, but it takes time. Striking while they're asleep and buffing up is totally reasonable.]
"This move will put Abra to sleep, yes, but I wouldn't use it so casually if I didn't have a follow-up."
Fumika glanced at the stream, saw chat leaning toward Grey, and chuckled. "So! Abra, use Sleep Talk!"
"zZ…"
The sleeping Abra floated up, its wounds knitting as it rested.
It opened its mouth and mumbled something unintelligible.
But the psychic power around Abra suddenly surged.
In an instant, a torrent of psychic force poured out, condensing into solid chunks in the air—
one block after another of mental force locked onto Riolu and, under Abra's control, blasted forth!
Another Psyshock!
Swish, swish, swish!
The Psyshock came in hard and fast!
In a blink it was already over Riolu's head!
Right then, Riolu had just finished pumping itself up.
Red light flared—power swelling. It felt terrifyingly strong!
As if any foe that stood before it would either be crushed or forced to flee!
And that Psyshock bearing down overhead? Nothing but a small obstacle in the way of its dominion!
"Good. Keep that momentum! Find the gap between moves—Quick Attack!"
Grey took a slow half-step, aura rippling out like water.
In a flash, Riolu suddenly felt everything around it slow down.
Even the raging Psyshock looked riddled with openings in its sight!
"Rio?!"
Enthralled by the visual shift, Riolu's eyes darted, scanning for the optimal line.
It found the opening fast—
to the left.
A gap just big enough for its body yawned open, as if baiting it to slip through.
"Rio!"
Riolu's speed spiked. A white flash streaked across the dojo!
Whoosh!
Spectators only felt that it was too fast to follow—no one even saw what happened.
"Abra! Sleep Talk again!"
Fumika, a psychic herself, was razor-sharp. Seeing Riolu dart left, she barked for Abra to respond—twice in a row!
"zZ…"
Abra drifted softly, the mumbling returning.
With Fumika's help, its form turned translucent.
Teleport!
"Luck's that good?" Grey frowned.
Triggering the exact move you want twice in a row—who does that?
Still, it only dragged things out.
Grey's tone rang like steel: "Turn—its landing point is twenty meters out at two o'clock. This time, Metal Claw!"
Fumika: ???
Aura sight is that busted?!
She clicked her tongue. Switching Pokémon was out of the question now; all she could do was hope Abra woke up in time.
Riolu wheeled around without losing speed. Twin claws flared silver—sharp as blades!
Sure enough—
Abra appeared exactly where Grey had called—
and close. Riolu's claws were inches away!
"Ab—!"
Abra snapped awake, a psychic burst flaring in front of it to block Riolu from closing in.
Those Metal Claws missed by a hair.
Grey nodded. "Nice psychic control. But your sustain… needs work."
"What do you mean?" Fumika asked, baffled.
But rather than stew, she shouted right after, just in case the longer it dragged, the worse it got:
"Abra, push harder!"
Grey's mouth curled. "Bullet Punch!"
"Rio!"
Riolu's fists hammered forward, each hit far heavier than before.
Wind cracked as punches slammed again and again into the telekinetic barrier, thudding dully.
After only three strikes—an audible crack!
Riolu only got faster, the impact stronger—like a squall drumming rain across Abra's face!
Thud, thud, thud!
Abra was blown back!
"Follow through! Quick Attack!"
Grey called again.
"Abra, Confusion!"
This time, it didn't matter what Fumika yelled—Abra couldn't answer in time.
Riolu stamped forward, exploding to a speed even faster than the tumbling Abra.
Seconds later, Riolu slammed into it mid-air, ramming it into the wall for a second hit!
Bang!
Abra dropped, unable to continue.
Bumiao raised the flag. "Abra is unable to battle. Challenger, please send out your next Pokémon."
[Got it now—this match is just whose cheat is stronger, huh?]
[Excuse me, how do you use your abilities that smoothly?]
"How to use your ability? Well, you need the right mindset. Don't let the power sway your mood—treat it like any other thing, with a calm heart."
Watching the barrage of comments flying by, Grey answered crisply, "Of course, if you want coaching on control, DM me anytime—and remember to hit follow~"
[Thanks, I'll trouble you later. (Activated: membership, "Star Guardian," and "Governor")]
[Boss, you're crazy!]
[Boss what are you doing—dropping all three pricey monthlies at once?!]
[Waaah, is Grey getting sugar-sponsored by the Boss now?]
"???"
Grey was just as lost.
He'd only said 'hit follow'—how did that turn into unlocking that many paid tiers?!
Damn—definitely the Boss!
"Thanks to 'Sleeping Beauty' for subscribing to membership, Star Guardian, and Governor! I'll DM you after the match—tell me whatever you need."
He couldn't hide the smile. Real money—who wouldn't like that?
Fumika, startled by the gift animation on stream, snapped back to herself and drew a second Poké Ball.
"Smoochum, I'm counting on you!"
The ball hit the floor and popped—out came a Pokémon with a big head, golden hair, pink skin, and thick lips, looking like a little girl.
[Pokémon: Smoochum]
[Type: Ice + Psychic]
[Level: 15]
[Ability: Forewarn]
[Moves: Pound, Lick, Powder Snow, Copycat, Confusion.]
Against a Riolu with Steel-type moves, as long as it could close the gap, the win rate was still pretty high.
Plus, it was still riding the boost from Work Up—three moves might be all it needed to take Smoochum down.
Grey narrowed his eyes at Fumika's easy smile, not sure what the psychic was plotting.
Second round—challenger still had priority.
Fumika drew a deep breath. Blue light bloomed in her eyes.
Smoochum raised one arm with preternatural calm, tiny snowflakes answering its call—
silent command.
//Check out my P@tre0n for 20 extra chapters on all my fanfics //[email protected]/Razeil0810