Pokémon: Chronicles of Freedom

The abilities Poison Heal and Toxic Boost activated simultaneously.

Breloom and Zangoose began to get excited.

However, Breloom was excited because it felt good, while Zangoose endured the pain.

But both achieved the same result: the combat strength of the two Pokémon increased!

At this moment, Slowking's attack reached Breloom.

Black psychic energy spheres launched directly toward Breloom's head.

Immediately after, Sneasel, moving at high speed, also appeared in front of Breloom. Its two claws gleamed with a metallic sheen and were wrapped in a thin layer of ice crystals.

It was clearly a combination of the moves Ice Punch and Metal Claw.

However, Sneasel had not yet fully mastered this combined move, so only a thin layer of ice crystals covered Metal Claw, and the Ice-type energy was not very dense.

But in terms of destructive power, it was definitely stronger than a simple Ice Punch.

Imagine this: one is just a punch, though imbued with Ice-type energy, it can only attack the surface.

The other uses Metal Claw covered with Ice-type energy, and once the attack inflicts damage, the Ice energy can invade the opponent's interior, causing significantly greater damage.

Simply put, Sneasel could not yet use it proficiently, so the effect was not as prominent.

As a Grass and Fighting-type Pokémon, Breloom showed no signs of panic in the face of Sneasel's swift advance, raising both hands in a defensive posture in front of its chest.

But things were not as simple as it thought.

The black psychic energy spheres from Slowking struck Breloom's head directly.

The strong psychic impact caused Breloom's body to stiffen momentarily, as Psychic-type attacks are quite effective against Fighting types.

Taking this opportunity, Sneasel dodged Breloom's defensive hands and directly attacked its body with Ice Claw.

At the same time as causing damage, it launched Breloom into the air.

Boom!

Then, Honchkrow, flying in, took just a little longer as its Sky Attack move required some preparation. So, even though it was the first to strike, it arrived last.

With quadruple Flying-type damage, plus the power of Sky Attack, if it managed to hit Breloom, it would be an instant defeat!

Even with Poison Heal's effect, it wouldn't matter, as this would exceed Breloom's endurance capacity.

But Keiji clearly wouldn't let Honchkrow attack Breloom so easily.

Regaining his composure, he quickly ordered: "Zangoose, use Thunder Punch on Honchkrow!"

Zangoose, not far from Breloom, heard Keiji's command and reacted immediately.

Quickly, it gathered Electric-type energy in its claw, and a lightning-filled claw appeared almost instantly.

Since Breloom is quadruple weak to Flying types, Keiji had obviously encountered Flying-type Pokémon effective against Breloom before. Both Breloom and Zangoose had learned Thunder Punch, clearly to counter Flying types.

Zangoose demonstrated considerable mastery of the Thunder Punch move. In an instant, it could concentrate electricity, and its execution speed was no slower than that of a standard Electric-type Pokémon.

Blocking the path in front of Breloom, Zangoose's cold eyes locked on the approaching Honchkrow.

The pain from the poisoning sharpened its focus, and the fury in its heart continued to build.

However, Cain had also prepared for this. Skorupi, arriving slightly behind, intercepted Zangoose just before Honchkrow could attack.

Since Poison-type moves would enhance Zangoose's attack power, Skorupi could only use Bug-type moves.

Bug Bite!

Both pincers simultaneously targeted Zangoose's electrically charged claw. Zangoose tried to dodge but was pushed back several meters by Skorupi's momentum. In the ensuing chaos, Skorupi managed to clamp the Thunder Punch move with one of its pincers.

In the next second, Skorupi's large mouth filled with Bug-type energy, and it bit Zangoose.

Seeing Skorupi trying to block Zangoose, Keiji's face darkened. Although Skorupi seemed well-trained, in terms of strength, it was still far below Zangoose.

Now that Skorupi had directly interposed to stop Zangoose, it would be eliminated first!

"Zangoose, forget Honchkrow—use Brick Break on Skorupi! Let it see the difference in power between you!" Keiji, frowning, continued. As for Breloom, it still had a defensive move.

"Breloom, use Protect—block this attack!"

Zangoose, hearing this, shot a cold glance. Facing the strong Skorupi, it had been irritated for a while. If it weren't for its trainer asking it to block Honchkrow's attack, it wouldn't have been caught and restrained this way.

Zangoose used its other claw to directly attack Skorupi's head.

The Fighting-type move, Brick Break.

But to be honest, Skorupi wasn't really afraid of Fighting-type attacks, as it was quadruple resistant to them.

This demonstrated the importance of a trainer's knowledge in battle. Keiji knew little about Sinnoh-region Skorupi, while Cain was thoroughly familiar with Breloom's Poison Heal ability and Zangoose's Toxic Boost.

Know yourself and your opponent.

Only then could you ensure consistent victories.

Boom!

Almost simultaneously, Honchkrow's Sky Attack collided with Breloom's Protect barrier, neutralizing the attack.

Poison Heal continued its effect, and the wounds caused by Sneasel's Ice Claw were slowly healing.

With just a bit more time, the damage caused by Sneasel would be fully healed.

Meanwhile, Zangoose's Brick Break move struck Skorupi.

The ground cracked, showcasing Zangoose's attack power.

After Toxic Boost activated, Zangoose's attack power had increased even further.

When the dust settled, Skorupi was still clutching one of Zangoose's claws with one of its pincers, while the other intercepted Zangoose's Brick Break move.

Skorupi's other four legs were deeply embedded in the ground.

A trace of green blood slowly dripped from its mouth.

Clearly, although Zangoose's Fighting-type attack was resisted quadruple-fold, the Toxic Boost effect still packed a significant punch.

Skorupi and Zangoose had a massive level difference—a full twelve levels.

Yet, Skorupi's trembling pincers still firmly gripped Zangoose's claws. Though injured, it hadn't forgotten Cain's command to restrain Zangoose.

Skorupi's tail, the only undamaged part, lashed furiously, attacking Zangoose's body. Even without poison, stingers of that size were still quite painful when piercing flesh!

Boom!

(End of chapter)