Pokémon: Chronicles of Freedom-Chapter 641 - 640: Cain and Floette’s First Battle

This strategy seemed quite good. After all, if Slowking were truly hit by the Zap Cannon move, it would be quite dangerous.

But Roxanne had clearly overlooked something: while Nosepass is a Rock-type Pokémon and has good control over Electric-type moves, the energy buildup required to launch a powerful move like Zap Cannon is a bit slow.

This might not be obvious with other Pokémon, but for Slowking, who can use the move Teleport instantly, the difference was significant.

"Slowking, Teleport!"

As expected, after Roxanne commanded Nosepass to launch Zap Cannon, Cain listened carefully and issued a new instruction.

Boom!

The Water Gun hit its mark!

Boom!

Zap Cannon struck the spot where Slowking had stood moments earlier.

Although Lock-On increases accuracy, it only works if the opponent moves conventionally. Since Slowking's Teleport leaves no visible trace, Nosepass couldn't track its trajectory.

Zap Cannon missed.

However, the Water Gun move, enhanced by Psychic energy, struck Nosepass and dealt considerable damage.

Seeing her strategy fail, Roxanne's expression changed slightly.

That's the weakness of the academic approach.

"Slowking, keep using Psychic Water Gun!" Cain continued to give commands. Now was not the time for mercy; in a battle, maintaining full power was necessary.

As a good student, Roxanne quickly recovered from her initial failure. "Nosepass, Discharge!"

Following the command, Nosepass began emitting large amounts of yellow electric currents. Under its control, they spread through the air, forming snake-like patterns that danced in every direction.

Slowking's Psychic Water Gun attack was gradually weakened by these electric currents. By the time it reached Nosepass, it had lost much of its power.

However, Roxanne's intention was clear: stopping Slowking's attack was just part of the plan. Even though the electric currents dissipated, the density of electrical energy in the air had noticeably increased.

If Slowking dodged the first attack because Nosepass was slow to launch Zap Cannon, this time Nosepass would accelerate the process, leaving Slowking no chance to escape.

"Nosepass, Lock-On and then Zap Cannon!"

This time, Roxanne didn't hide her strategy and issued the attack command directly.

"Slowking, keep using Psychic Water Gun!"

Slowking was Cain's most powerful long-range attacker at the moment, so he couldn't settle for just a couple of attacks.

Three consecutive Water Gun shots were the most Slowking could unleash with the help of its psychic powers.

This time, Nosepass launched Zap Cannon much faster. With the reduced distance between them, Slowking could no longer use Teleport to evade.

"Protect!"

Seeing that Zap Cannon was about to hit Slowking, Roxanne felt a moment of joy. But then she heard Cain's command and was left perplexed.

Boom!

This time, Slowking didn't dodge, but the Zap Cannon move was blocked by Protect.

When the electric currents disappeared, Slowking remained completely unharmed.

"No matter, Protect can only be used once. Nosepass..." Roxanne tried to reassure herself, but at that moment, she saw Nosepass collapse, unable to withstand the third Psychic Water Gun from Slowking.

"Maybe your next attack would have worked," Cain said, "but you forgot about Slowking's attack power, in addition to the Water-type advantage against a Rock-type Pokémon."

"Even though Nosepass can use Electric-type moves, it's still not an Electric-type Pokémon," Cain added.

In truth, Roxanne's strategy wasn't bad.

Although her initial approach was somewhat rigid, using Discharge to increase the electrical energy in the air was a good tactic. Her ability to adapt quickly was commendable, but she underestimated Slowking's attack power.

A single Water Gun had left Nosepass in bad shape, and three in a row were impossible to endure.

"Ugh... I really underestimated Slowking's attack power," Roxanne said as she recalled Nosepass into its Pokéball. "In that case, it's your turn, Kabutops!"

Seeing this Pokémon enter the battlefield, Cain's eyes lit up.

Kabutops!

Cain had seen a group of Kabutops at the underground lake in the mountains behind Leafy Town and had planned to capture one for his rain team when he got stronger.

He hadn't expected Roxanne to have a Kabutops as well.

As a Water- and Rock-type Pokémon, Kabutops could resist some of Slowking's Water-type attacks.

Cain's system quickly scanned Kabutops' data.

Pokémon: Kabutops (Light Blue)

Gender: Male

Level: 42

Type: Rock + Water

Ability: Battle Armor

Held Item: None

Egg Moves: Bubble Beam, Confuse Ray, Screech

Basic Moves: Slash, Night Slash, Feint, Scratch, Harden, Absorb, Leer, Mud Shot, Sand Attack, Endure, Aqua Jet, Mega Drain

Learned Moves: Liquidation, Iron Defense, Snore, Stealth Rock, Earth Power

TM Moves: Protect, Hidden Power (Grass), Smack Down, Scald, Rock Polish, Stone Edge, X-Scissor, Surf

Kabutops is also a fossil Pokémon. It wasn't clear whether Roxanne had caught it directly or, like Steven, revived it from a fossil.

However, even though Kabutops is a Water- and Rock-type and can resist some of Slowking's attacks, at only level 42, it wouldn't stand up to Slowking's powerful Psychic attacks.

After all, Slowking's strength lies in its Psychic abilities.

From his judge's seat, Steven sighed slightly. Roxanne continued to make the mistake of overvaluing type advantages.

Types are important, but a Pokémon's combat capabilities also need attention.

Fortunately, Cain had no intention of completely crushing Steven's cousin. It would be awkward if he made her cry.

Cain recalled Slowking and looked at the Floette nestled against his chest. "Floette, it's your turn this time."

Floette was very small, especially after trading her large flower for a smaller one.

It leaped out of Cain's pocket, using its flower as a parachute, slowly descending to the ground.

Steven and Roxanne stared in surprise as a flower from Cain's chest transformed into a Pokémon, especially since neither of them was familiar with this species.

Roxanne, in particular, checked all her notes but couldn't find any information on this Pokémon.

Seeing their puzzled expressions, Cain smiled. "This is Floette, a Pokémon newly discovered by the League in the Kalos region. Don't underestimate her small size."

(End of Chapter)