Grey lifted his eyes and tapped the air. "Rock Smash."
Rock Smash—an ordinary-looking move.
The League lists a base power of only 40, the kind of thing you use to clear a small rock on the road.
But now, Grey had Farfetch'd throw it into Croconaw's incoming Ice Punch.
Silver blinked, clearly not expecting it.
"Let's go!"
Croconaw roared and threw the last Ice Punch; the passing wind crystallized into jagged ice spurs, aiming to crush the backpedaling Farfetch'd.
"Quaa!"
White light burst from Farfetch'd's wings, Fighting-type energy gathering at the tips into a heavy brown glow.
It didn't retreat—instead it met the frigid fist head-on!
BOOM!
Ice Punch and Rock Smash collided midair, countless ice shards spraying like buckshot.
The shockwave blasted both Pokémon back; a shallow dent appeared in the center of the field.
[What kind of busted Farfetch'd is that? Is this just how other regions roll?]
[I asked my Farfetch'd. Says that's fake—Kanto Farfetch'd don't do that, okay.]
[My review: evolve first, then come back.]
"So strong… as expected of Leader Grey's Farfetch'd…"
Feeling the gust tug his clothes, Silver raised an arm to shield his eyes. The sheer force of that "basic" Rock Smash left him reeling.
Even disarmed, Farfetch'd had turned a simple move into raw power.
And even up close, his Croconaw hadn't gained an inch.
Compared to when it was holding the leek, this Farfetch'd looked more like it had entered a second stage.
But the leek is the weapon—how was the body this strong?
Terrifying. Absolutely terrifying.
"Silver, I did say Croconaw's close-range power is still a bit short versus Farfetch'd."
Grey smiled lightly. "Galarian Farfetch'd focus more on their own strength—that's why they lug around a leek bigger than themselves."
[Any Galar folks confirm? Is Grey right?]
[I'm Bea, Stow-on-Side Gym Leader. Grey's right. Unlike the Farfetch'd most trainers see, Galarian Farfetch'd are stockier—and they have a unique evolution.]
[Huh? Farfetch'd has an evolution? Dead-duck, evolve right now!!]
[Dang, Galar Farfetch'd got it good. Strong and it evolves?]
With a local Gym Leader weighing in, Farfetch'd trainers across the stream collectively wailed.
Not everyone's Giovanni—most people raised Farfetch'd for fun.
But hearing that a regional form could evolve? Yeah, that stung.
Same species—why can theirs evolve?
A chorus of Farfetch'd lamentations followed.
Should've hatched one in Galar. What good is complaining now!
Back on the field—
Croconaw staggered back, heavy feet scraping pale ice tracks across the floor.
A dusky blue sheen crawled over its hide—Rock Smash's effect was unraveling its defenses.
Croconaw's Defense fell!
Farfetch'd folded its wings.
It tapped a webbed tip through an unfrozen puddle; the edge in its gaze didn't dull at all.
"Let's go…" (Damn it. That duck's body is on par with mine…)
Croconaw dug claws into the floor, came to a stop, then squared up again.
They were even—so why was he still losing?
He'd even snatched the leek; the plan should've been perfect.
He just hadn't accounted for Farfetch'd's raw physique.
Plans, meet reality.
Silver eyed the droplets ticking off Farfetch'd's wingtip—his gaze sharpened, fingertips tensing.
"Croconaw, Aqua Jet again!"
"Let's go!"
Croconaw kicked off; a rush of water blew from under its feet and wrapped its whole body.
It became a racing torrent, spraying water in its wake.
Arcs of droplets traced the air; the gap between the two was vanishing fast!
"Oh? Aqua Jet again?"
Seeing the same call as before, Grey knew Silver had cooked up a new layer.
His eyes flicked to the water beading on Farfetch'd's wings.
That was the hinge of the tactic.
"Nice concept." Grey tapped his temple, his voice dropping. "But still short."
At that instant, ripples of energy pulsed from Farfetch'd's wingtip—water on the feathers flashed to vapor under the Fighting aura's vibration.
"Brick Break!"
Just as the torrent-wrapped Croconaw reached Farfetch'd—
Farfetch'd raised its right wing like a battle-axe—and chopped down with mountain-splitting force!
K-THUNK!
The moment Croconaw's brow met the Brick Break, a dull crack rang out.
Silver shouted through the mist, "Now—Ice Punch, full power!"
"Let's go!"
Croconaw's left fist blazed cold. With Aqua Jet still on, thick ice armor sheathed the whole arm.
Ice energy spiraled at the knuckles; even stray droplets froze midair into tiny icicles.
One last haymaker, thrown to end it, slammed for Farfetch'd's chest and gut!
"Quaa!"
Cold light filled Farfetch'd's eyes; the Fighting aura along the wing-edge detonated.
Before the ice gathered on Croconaw's fist could fully release, the Brick Break smashed it to pieces!
KABOOM!!!
Croconaw slammed to the ground; shards of the ice gauntlet flew in all directions.
The chill bleeding from its fist flickered like dying fireflies and vanished.
Its twitching claws scratched a few faint white lines—and then stilled…
Farfetch'd folded its wings and stood. A few crystalline flakes drifted from the tips.
Elegant—no more words needed.
[Wait, why is Croconaw suddenly unable to fight? Where's the caster desk—help!]
[It was a critical hit.]
[Huh? How do you know it was a crit?]
[Dude, you get punched in the forehead, you seeing stars or not?]
"Thinking up Aqua Jet into contact, then freezing with Ice Punch on touch, was solid."
Arms folded, Grey broke it down:
"But you forgot one thing."
"And that is…"
"For most Pokémon, the head is an absolute weak point."
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