Chapter 98: A Clash with Silver
"Happiny, the final Egg Bomb!" Ryan called out.
He pulled an Energy Ball from his pocket and threw it at the opponent's Azumarill. With a bang, Azumarill was blown away, unable to battle.
"Azumarill!" The boy on the other side hugged Azumarill with a distressed look, apologized to Ryan, and hurried to the Pokémon Center.
"Ah," Rosa yawned, expressing her boredom.
Ruby, who was also grooming several of her Pokémon, said, "Ryan, you're really energetic. The opponent's strength wasn't that great at all. Is it necessary to take it so seriously?"
Ryan smiled and said, "I usually go for a speed-attack build, but it's nice to try a defensive build for a change. Having more battle styles broadens your horizons, right?"
He patted Happiny and the nearby Wobbuffet and said, "You did a great job."
Happiny and Wobbuffet smiled, and Happiny radiated white light. Ryan nodded and grinned, "The friendship is finally maxed out."
The white light dissipated, revealing a plump Chansey. Chansey had a large, egg-shaped body, pink on top and white on the bottom. Its head had curled hair-like growths, and small wings where its arms joined its body. Chansey's tail had disappeared after evolving. Just like before, it had a pouch on its stomach, containing an egg.
"Oh, you evolved into Chansey. It seems you've done a good job raising Pokémon. Want to battle me?" a red-haired boy approached, accompanied by a Sneasel.
Ryan nodded and said, "Sure. What format?"
"Let's have a double battle," the red-haired boy said.
"Okay, then I'll use Wobbuffet and Beedrill," Ryan said, unleashing his shiny Beedrill.
"Beedrill," the boy muttered. "Then I'll go with Sneasel and Crobat."
Sneasel and Crobat appeared on the field, facing off against Wobbuffet and Beedrill. Rosa curled her lips and muttered softly, "Even the shiny Beedrill is out! Looks like another sweep."
Ruby, unconcerned, pulled out a notebook and began writing. This notebook was where Ruby recorded Ryan's battle patterns and strategies. Most of the information was about Ryan, but there were others, like Wallace and Lance, whom Ruby also studied. Using this method, Ruby's strength grew day by day.
Ryan released his other Pokémon and said, "Everyone, take a break. Lunch will be ready soon."
The Pokémon nodded in agreement and dispersed, each going about their own business. But a closer look revealed that each Pokémon had tensed their muscles, their gaze fixed on their surroundings.
Rosa yawned again, but her free hand had already reached for her Serperior's Poké Ball.
Ryan smiled, "You attack first."
"Okay. Sneasel, Ice Punch! Crobat, Wing Attack!" the boy shouted.
"Wobbuffet, counter with Mirror Coat. Beedrill, use Agility, then Poison Jab," Ryan said calmly.
Sneasel and Crobat rushed towards Ryan's Pokémon. Wobbuffet used Shadow Tag to prevent the two Pokémon from switching out. Sneasel and Crobat had no choice but to attack Wobbuffet, only to be sent flying by Wobbuffet's Mirror Coat. Beedrill, however, accelerated with Agility, its stinger aimed at the boy's chest, stopping just short of piercing his clothes.
"Checkmate," Ryan said calmly. "Team Rocket, you guys really are persistent."
"Oh. How did you figure me out?" the red-haired boy asked. "We shouldn't have met before, and I'm not wearing Team Rocket clothes."
Ryan smiled. He couldn't possibly say he recognized this boy from the games. Ever since Ryan met Gold and Kris, he had been wondering if Silver also existed. This boy was Silver, Giovanni's son.
Seeing Silver's expression remain unchanged despite the Beedrill's threat, Ryan sighed and said, "I've met Giovanni. You two look alike."
"So that's how," Silver said calmly. "But you said checkmate? It's a little premature."
As soon as he finished speaking, a Sandslash burst from the ground, knocking Beedrill back, then positioned itself in front of Silver. Silver said calmly, "Ryan, you're strong. And I know your story. Join Team Rocket. A talent like you shouldn't be wasted under the League's thumb."
"Although I'm a little annoyed with the League, to stoop so low as to join Team Rocket? You really underestimate me!" Ryan said calmly. "Besides, if I say checkmate, then it's checkmate!"
Pheromosa transformed into a flash of white light and, with a High Jump Kick, knocked Sandslash down. Then, with a series of kicks, it sent Sandslash flying. Just as it was about to capture Silver, he fell directly into a pit. A Garchomp carried Silver underground, disappearing beneath the surface.
"Proton," Ryan said through gritted teeth. He hadn't expected Proton to show up, this time using underground tactics like a Dugtrio, putting Ryan at a disadvantage once again.
"I didn't expect Team Rocket to stop threatening you and start recruiting you," Rosa said, walking over and returning the Poké Ball she was holding to her belt.
"Not necessarily," Ruby said, putting away her notes. "They were clearly still hoping to kidnap Ryan to get Mewtwo's location, but once they realized that wasn't going to work, they immediately switched to recruiting him. And with Proton backing him up, this young man is very calculating. He'll strike and retreat without overstaying his welcome. He'll definitely be a serious threat to the League in the future."
Ryan packed up and prepared to make lunch. While chopping vegetables, he said, "I was really careless this time. I didn't expect them to use underground tunnels. I'll be ready for them next time."
Zeraora nudged Ryan listlessly. Ryan said helplessly, "Lunch will be ready soon. Besides, it's no use looking at me like that. I can't generate electricity. Go find the others and let them give you a Thunderbolt."
Ryan helplessly watched as Zeraora ran off to other Pokémon to "borrow power," feeling a sense of concern. Zeraora was a mythical Pokémon, but it lacked organs to store and generate electricity, leaving it constantly needing external power sources.
Zeraora was constantly running low on power, making its signature move, Plasma Fists, essential. It not only converted the opponent's Normal-type moves into Electric-type ones to restore health through Volt Absorb, but also harvested static electricity from opponents to replenish its own energy.
Watching Zeraora, refreshed after "borrowing power," Ryan removed the Electirizer he had given it. It seemed useless after all.
The Electirizer is a device that stores enormous amounts of electrical energy and is crucial for Electabuzz to evolve into Electivire. He had won several in his recent gacha pulls. He had thought it would solve Zeraora's power shortage, but it seemed to be incompatible.
"I'll just have to go there and see what's available. If it's really possible, carrying one of these might solve Zeraora's power issues," Ryan murmured.
After preparing a hearty lunch and enjoying a delicious meal, Ryan and his companions set off again, heading towards their next destination.
(End of Chapter)
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