Pokémon: Chronicles of Freedom-Chapter 623 - 622: Draco Meteor and Trick Room

As the gym leader, Cain would not attack first.

Only the challenger, Cynthia, could make the first move, according to the predetermined rules for gym challenges.

"Garchomp, use Sandstorm!" Cynthia ordered, signaling the start of the battle.

Cynthia's Garchomp possesses the Sand Veil ability, which increases its evasion in a sandstorm, indirectly boosting its mobility.

Starting with Sandstorm was a strategy perfectly aligned with Garchomp's strengths. From the very beginning, Cynthia was giving it her all.

"Slowking, use Rain Dance!" Cain responded to Cynthia's command.

He had already battled Shuichi's sandstorm team on Mythical Island, so Slowking knew how to act. Upon receiving Cain's order, it immediately began summoning rain.

To counteract the weather, you need to change it. Sandstorm not only enhanced Garchomp's combat abilities but also dealt continuous damage to any Pokémon that wasn't Rock, Ground, or Steel type.

Just as Garchomp started raising sand, small clouds appeared in the gym, brought forth by Slowking's Rain Dance.

But unlike Shuichi's Graveler, which was easily countered by Slowking, Cynthia's Garchomp was in a completely different league.

Due to the abundant moisture in the gym, Slowking's Rain Dance and Garchomp's Sandstorm canceled each other out.

Neither weather move prevailed.

Cynthia showed no expression of surprise, but the fact that Cain had been able to neutralize the sandstorm so quickly made her respect him even more.

Although Cain was better known as a breeder, his skill as a gym leader wasn't the result of connections or relationships; it was because he truly had remarkable abilities.

"In that case, Garchomp, use Sand Attack and then close in with Dragon Claw!" Cynthia ordered, swiftly adjusting her strategy.

This showcased the vast difference between Cynthia and Shuichi.

When Shuichi lost his weather advantage, he ran out of ideas. However, Cynthia, with her extensive battle experience, immediately shifted her focus to close combat.

After all, Garchomp's greatest strength lies in its physical attack, and its speed is phenomenal.

With a swift swipe of its claw, Garchomp threw sand toward Slowking before propelling itself rapidly forward, charging with Dragon Claw.

"Slowking, envelop yourself with Water Pulse, use Teleport, and then attack with Psychic!" Cain commanded, issuing his orders just in time.

The connection between Slowking and Cain needed no explanation. Seeing the sand approach, Slowking didn't attempt to dodge but instead surrounded itself with a blue sphere of water.

The sand lost its effectiveness upon contact with the water barrier, and Slowking activated Teleport just as Garchomp closed in.

Cynthia smiled slightly.

"He fell for it."

"Speed up!" Cynthia commanded.

As if anticipating Slowking's move, Garchomp, upon hearing the order, pushed its legs with full force, accelerating drastically. Just as Slowking was about to teleport, Garchomp reached it.

However, Slowking managed to vanish at the very last moment, though not without sustaining a scratch on its arm from Garchomp's Dragon Claw.

Although the wound wasn't deep, it was clear the attack had landed.

Had it not been for the enhancement of Slowking's psychic abilities due to Mew's blood, it would have taken the full brunt of the attack.

Slowking's psychic abilities were unparalleled.

A direct hit from Garchomp would have been devastating for Slowking.

Against such a high-level physical attacker, Slowking had to fight evasively.

After teleporting and gaining some distance from Garchomp, Slowking quickly conjured black psychic energy spheres.

Controlled by Slowking, six black spheres aligned in an arrow formation and were fired toward Garchomp at high speed.

Cynthia hadn't expected her tried-and-true strategy to be less effective against Slowking.

Seeing Slowking, despite its injury, respond with a counterattack, Cynthia issued another command: "Garchomp, use Stone Edge!"

If dodging wasn't an option, then both Pokémon would take a hit.

Sharp rocks began to erupt from the ground beneath Slowking.

Boom!

Bang!

Almost simultaneously, Slowking's Psychic attack hit Garchomp, while Garchomp's Stone Edge struck Slowking.

Both Pokémon felt the pain at the same time.

Although Slowking's psychic attack was effective, Garchomp didn't seem too injured. On the other hand, Slowking had sustained another wound and was beginning to look more fatigued.

Seeing the distance between Slowking and Garchomp grow too wide, Cynthia changed tactics once more: "Garchomp, Draco Meteor!"

She was using one of the most powerful Dragon-type moves. Cynthia had decided to face Slowking head-on.

But Cain didn't want a direct confrontation with Garchomp, whose physical strength was clearly superior.

Cain already had a strategy in mind, one he had devised long ago but hadn't had the chance to use due to his previous battles being either team-based or survival-oriented.

Now, with Garchomp as his opponent, it was the perfect time to test it.

"Slowking, use Trick Room!"

Cain had taught Slowking the move Trick Room a long time ago, but the right opportunity to use it had never arisen.

Though it had never been used in battle, Slowking had practiced it extensively.

Following Cain's command, a transparent dark pink box appeared, quickly expanding to envelop both Garchomp and Slowking.

The effect of Trick Room was to reverse the speeds within that psychic dimension.

This meant that in this space, the slower Pokémon would become the fastest, while the fastest would see their speed drastically reduced.

Given the speed difference between Slowking and Garchomp, thanks to Trick Room's effect, Slowking would now be much faster than Garchomp.

Just as Garchomp was about to unleash Draco Meteor, it felt its body become heavier. However, without receiving new orders from Cynthia, it continued charging its move.

Garchomp launched a compressed energy ball toward the gym's ceiling.

Draco Meteor was ready.

(End of Chapter)