Pokemon: With Title System

Chapter 98: Swampert vs. Graveler

"Graveler, use Stomping Tantrum!"

Graveler leaped into the air and then landed heavily, repeatedly stomping the ground and sending tremors through the battlefield.

Swampert reacted instantly. Ignoring the shockwaves, it launched another Water Pulse at Graveler.

Graveler had no intention of taking the hit head-on. It quickly rolled to the side again as Brock gave his next command without hesitation.

"Use Rock Slide!"

Graveler swung its four arms, sending a barrage of stones crashing down toward Swampert like a rainstorm.

Graveler had a natural advantage when using Rock Slide, making its attacks particularly dense and powerful.

However, Asahi's counter was just as straightforward.

"Use Surf!"

Asahi had been training Swampert to master Surf ever since its days as a Marshtomp in Blueport. Now, it could execute the move effortlessly.

Swampert took a deep breath and unleashed a massive wave from its mouth.

The tidal surge easily washed away the incoming rocks, sending sprays of water into the air.

Swampert then rode the wave, which continued surging toward Graveler.

Splash!

Although the wave only covered half of the battlefield, it completely cut off Graveler's escape routes.

For a Rock/Ground-type Pokémon, this was lethal.

"Dig? No, that won't work… the water would just flood the tunnel."

Realizing that evasion was impossible, Brock made a split-second decision.

"Graveler, use Protect!"

Hearing the command, Graveler spread its four arms wide and conjured a translucent, spherical energy shield around itself.

Boom!

The wave crashed against the barrier but failed to break through.

Swampert, still riding the water, immediately followed up with a Rock Smash.

However, the Protect shield only flickered slightly and remained intact.

"He blocked it!"

On the sidelines, Ash let out a relieved sigh.

When Asahi had commanded Surf, he genuinely thought Brock was about to lose.

Luckily, Brock had used Protect in time.

"Don't celebrate just yet." Gary crossed his arms. "Just watch—Asahi is about to win."

He had absolute faith in Asahi's victory!

…

Water from the wave trickled off the battlefield, some soaking into the ground while the rest drained through the gutters.

Swampert, completely unfazed by the failed attack, suddenly leaped into the air and burrowed into the ground.

Due to the water-soaked battlefield, the terrain had turned muddy—perfect for Swampert's movements.

"So that was his real plan!?"

Brock rarely battled Pokémon from the Hoenn region. Seeing Swampert glide effortlessly through the mud, he realized that the Surf attack had a secondary purpose.

He considered commanding Graveler to use Rock Tomb to block Swampert's movement.

But it was too late.

In the muddy terrain, Swampert moved as if it were swimming, effortlessly dodging Graveler's attacks.

Graveler, on the other hand, struggled immensely.

Not only was it unable to use its usual rolling techniques, but even basic movement had become difficult.

Asahi gave Graveler no time to react.

With a flick of his hand, he commanded, "Finish it—Water Pulse!"

A blast of water shot forward, landing a direct hit on Graveler.

With its quadruple weakness to Water and its prior damage, Graveler could no longer fight.

Ash watched in astonishment and turned to Gary. "Gary, you predicted this?"

"O-Of course!"

Gary's voice wavered slightly.

Truthfully, he had just been hyping up Asahi on instinct—he hadn't expected him to win so quickly.

…Wait.

From the outcome, his prediction was 100% accurate!

Didn't that mean his judgment was spot-on?

With that realization, any trace of doubt vanished. Gary straightened his posture, his confidence fully restored.

…

Back on the battlefield, the second round had begun.

Asahi still had Swampert, while Brock, after recalling his defeated Graveler, sent out his next Pokémon—Rhyhorn.

"Not Onix, but Rhyhorn?"

Asahi had expected Brock to send out his signature Onix, but instead, he chose Rhyhorn.

As one of the few Rock-type Pokémon in Kanto outside of fossil Pokémon, Rhyhorn and its evolution, Rhydon, had impressive offensive and defensive stats.

However, their weaknesses in Special Defense and Speed were glaring.

As soon as it entered the battlefield, Rhyhorn attempted to charge at Swampert.

But…

As its hooves sank into the muddy ground, Brock could only sigh.

Asahi's strategy of altering the terrain was proving to be a major headache.

At this point, Brock had no choice but to press on!

"Rhyhorn, use Earthquake!"

Under Brock's command, Rhyhorn stomped heavily on the ground. As muddy water splashed everywhere, shockwaves spread outward in rippling waves from Rhyhorn's position.

Facing this Earthquake attack, Swampert had no choice but to leap out of the mud to avoid taking damage.

However, Rhyhorn's Earthquake didn't last long.

The soft, waterlogged ground couldn't support Rhyhorn's massive weight for prolonged stomping.

In just a short moment, Rhyhorn's legs had already started sinking into the mud, forcing it to stop and pull itself free.

As soon as Swampert landed, it seized the opportunity and used Surf once again.

But this time, Brock didn't choose to use Protect.

Graveler's earlier defeat had proven that while Protect could block an attack temporarily, it wouldn't change the disadvantaged situation—it would only prolong the inevitable.

So Brock decisively opted for a different strategy.

"Rhyhorn, use Sandstorm!"

As the tidal wave surged toward it, Rhyhorn followed its trainer's command without hesitation and summoned a sandstorm.

Whoosh—

A whirlwind of sand, infused with Rock-type energy, engulfed the battlefield, but the cost was Rhyhorn being swallowed by the oncoming wave.

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