Chapter 164: Chapter 164: Reinforcements
"Blastoise, use Focus Blast!"
Against the dual Water/Dark-type Sharpedo, five types are advantageous, including the Fighting-type move Focus Blast, which Blastoise unleashed with precision.
"Foolishness. Sharpedo, charge in and kill at will," Jaxson sneered, issuing his command from atop a Seaking that served as his mount.
Sharpedo surged forward with Surf, the dark energy of Dark Pulse obliterating Blastoise's initial attack.
This time, however, Quint refused to let Blastoise retreat. Instead, he commanded it to confront the enemy head-on.
Any further retreat would allow Sharpedo's Surf to engulf the entire ship. While Trainers with Water Pokémon might survive, the defenseless passengers would be left floating in the ocean, easy prey for the relentless Sharpedo.
"Reckless. Sharpedo, Aqua Jet into Crunch!"
Sharpedo became a jet-black blur, combining Aqua Jet, Pursuit, and Crunch into a devastating sequence. The sheer ferocity of its charge left the opposing Trainers frozen in fear. Even their Pokémon flinched, unable to muster the will to fight.
"Blastoise, fire off Double Hydro Cannon!"
On the ocean's surface, surrounded by abundant Water-type energy, Blastoise rapidly charged its dual cannons. Twin torrents spiraled like dragons, streaking toward Sharpedo.
The attacks collided, sending water flying in all directions, but Sharpedo's ferocity shattered Blastoise's offensive.
"Blastoise, Protect!"
Quint's voice rang out. Blastoise drew upon its remaining strength, summoning a vibrant green shield of protective energy.
As Sharpedo's crushing momentum struck, cracks began to spiderweb across Blastoise's Protect.
The barrier shattered with a deafening crash. Sharpedo lunged forward, fangs cloaked in Dark energy from Crunch, aiming directly at Blastoise's head.
Blastoise retracted its head into its shell just in time, narrowly avoiding the lethal attack.
"Sharpedo, bite down on its shell and toss it into the air! Hydro Pump!"
Jaxson's command was swift and merciless. Sharpedo clamped onto Blastoise's shell and hurled it skyward before unleashing a powerful Hydro Pump.
"Blastoise, counter with another Double Hydro Cannon!"
Struggling to stabilize in midair, Blastoise fired its twin cannons once more. Yet, the clash ended with Sharpedo's attack overpowering it. The weakened Blastoise was sent flying into the distance.
"Sharpedo, finish them all off now. Let's see if anyone dares to stand in my way," Jaxson declared with a sadistic grin.
The thought of the impending screams of despair filled him with twisted satisfaction.
"Kirlia, Teleport and Ally Switch!"
Just as Sharpedo prepared to charge, a wave of psychic energy enveloped it. In an instant, Kirlia appeared in Sharpedo's place.
Ignoring the strain of such an intense exchange, Kirlia immediately vanished with Teleport, narrowly avoiding retaliation.
"Kirlia? So, it was you who set my pirate ship ablaze. How amusing," Jaxson muttered, watching Kirlia disappear.
"Attack now—everyone at once!"
Quint's roar snapped everyone to attention. Trainers and sailors, jolted from their daze, ordered their Pokémon to launch a coordinated assault.
Though chaotic, the collective attacks gathered considerable momentum.
Jaxson, unfazed, simply watched. Sharpedo, wreathed in darkness, intercepted the barrage with a surge of energy. An orange-yellow beam—Hyper Beam—erupted from its maw, obliterating the combined attack.
The return of Sharpedo left the defenders demoralized. Quint's Blastoise was gravely injured, and the rest of the Pokémon were too drained to mount an effective resistance.
"Now, who will save you? Sharpedo, Crunch!"
The strain of consecutive Ally Switches had taken its toll on Kirlia. Exhausted, it could no longer repeat the feat.
Quint, understanding this, steeled himself for a final stand.
Just as Sharpedo gathered energy for its next attack, Kirlia reappeared, swapping positions with Sharpedo once more. Moving at blinding speed, it used Teleport to evade again, leaving Jaxson stunned.
Quint shouted for another combined assault, and this time the Trainers were quicker to respond.
Meanwhile, Sharpedo, furious from being displaced again, raced back with even greater ferocity. Jaxson, now visibly shaken, released his remaining Pokémon in a desperate attempt to shield himself.
A wall of green light—Protect—rose from his Pokémon, a testament to the pride of an Elite Four Trainer. But Sharpedo's relentless power shattered the barrier, scattering Jaiichiro's defenses.
The battle reached a critical moment. Hidden nearby, Ron used his Fighting Aura to restore Kirlia's strength as quickly as possible.
However, the strain of the earlier maneuvers left Kirlia unable to act immediately.
Seeing no other option, Quint braced himself for a sacrificial defense, only for a massive ice wall to materialize, halting Sharpedo's charge.
Both Jaxsono and Quint stared in disbelief.
"Can't I just kill in peace!?" Jaxson roared in frustration.
"And can't I die with dignity!?" Quake retorted bitterly.
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