Pokémon: My Titles Know No Limits! [98]

"Graveler, use [Stomping Tantrum]!"

Graveler leaped into the air before slamming down forcefully, repeatedly stomping the ground and sending shockwaves rippling across the battlefield.

Marshtomp reacted swiftly, pushing forward against the tremors and launching a [Water Pulse] straight at Graveler.

Graveler had no intention of taking the attack head-on. Rolling swiftly to the side, it dodged, and Brock wasted no time issuing his next command:

"[Rock Throw]!"

Graveler swung its four arms and hurled a barrage of stones at Marshtomp like a rainstorm of rock.

When it came to using [Rock Throw], Graveler had a natural advantage.

But August had a simple, yet brutally effective, response.

"Use [Surf]!"

Back in Lampurchi, August had been training his Mudkip to master this move. Now, after evolving into Marshtomp, it had no trouble executing it.

Marshtomp took a deep breath, then unleashed a massive wave of water from its mouth, forming a small tidal surge.

The incoming rocks were instantly swept up and scattered, creating bursts of water as they sank.

Standing atop the wave, Marshtomp rode it forward, the surge rushing toward Graveler.

SPLASH!

Although the wave only covered part of the battlefield, it left Graveler with almost no room to escape—a deadly situation for a Rock/Ground-type Pokémon.

"Dig? No, the water would flood the hole…"

There was no way to avoid this.

After a brief hesitation, Brock made his call.

"Graveler, use [Protect]!"

Following Brock’s command, Graveler spread its four arms wide, summoning a translucent, dome-like barrier around itself just as the wave crashed down.

BANG!

The torrent slammed into the protective shield but failed to break through.

Marshtomp, still standing atop the water, immediately followed up with [Rock Smash] against the glowing barrier.

But Graveler’s [Protect] only flickered slightly, remaining steadfast.

"It blocked it!"

On the sidelines, Ash let out a sigh of relief.

The moment August had ordered [Surf], Ash was convinced Brock was done for.

Thankfully, Brock had managed to hold on with [Protect].

"Don’t celebrate too soon," Gary said, crossing his arms. "Just watch—August is about to win this battle."

He had absolute faith in August’s victory.

As the water flowed around the battlefield, part of it drained through the floor’s grates while the rest soaked into the terrain.

Marshtomp showed no disappointment that its attack hadn’t landed. Instead, with a swift movement, it dove into the softened ground.

The soaked battlefield had turned into a muddy terrain—perfect conditions for Marshtomp.

"So that’s what he was planning!?"

Brock hadn’t battled many Trainers from the Hoenn region, and seeing Marshtomp glide effortlessly through the mud made him realize the true purpose behind that Surf attack.

He wanted to order Graveler to use rocks to block Marshtomp’s movement.

But it was too late.

Now submerged in the softened terrain, Marshtomp avoided all of Graveler’s attacks with ease.

Meanwhile, Graveler—being part Rock-type—was struggling.

Not only was its usual rolling maneuver useless, but even moving around had become difficult.

August didn’t give Graveler any time to recover.

"Finish it, [Water Pulse]!"

A concentrated blast of water struck Graveler dead-on.

With a quadruple type weakness and its stamina already drained from previous attacks, Graveler collapsed, unable to battle.

Ash stared at the scene and turned to Gary. "Gary, did you predict that?"

"O-Of course!"

Gary’s voice wavered slightly.

He had just been hyping August up without thinking—he never expected the battle to be over so quickly.

But…

Looking at the result, his prediction had been completely accurate.

Didn’t that just prove his sharp instincts?

With that realization, his momentary doubt vanished, and he stood up straighter with renewed confidence.

By now, the second round of the match had begun.

August was still using Marshtomp, while Brock, after recalling Graveler, sent out a Rhyhorn.

"Not Onix, but Rhyhorn?"

August had assumed Brock would go with his signature Onix, but instead, he chose Rhyhorn.

As one of the few Rock-type Pokémon native to Kanto—aside from Fossil Pokémon—Rhyhorn and its evolution, Rhydon, boasted impressive attack and defense stats.

However, their Special Defense, Special Attack, and Speed were major weaknesses.

The moment it entered the battlefield, Rhyhorn attempted to charge at Marshtomp.

But…

Its hooves instantly sank into the mud.

Brock let out a sigh.

August’s terrain manipulation was proving to be a massive headache.

Rhyhorn was already his best option.

If he had chosen Onix instead, the moment it got wet and its joints clogged with mud, the battle would be even worse.

This Gym evaluation really isn’t going to be easy…

Still, Brock had no choice but to push forward.

"Rhyhorn, use [Earthquake]!"

Following Brock’s command, Rhyhorn stomped down hard.

Mud and water splashed up as shockwaves rippled outward from the impact, shaking the entire battlefield.

Seeing the incoming tremors, Marshtomp had no choice but to leap into the air to avoid the attack.

Fortunately, the [Earthquake] didn’t last long.

The waterlogged ground was too soft to support Rhyhorn’s heavy frame for extended stomping.

Within moments, its legs had already started sinking, forcing it to stop and pull itself out of the mud.

The moment Marshtomp landed, August seized the opportunity.

"Use [Surf] again!"

However, this time, Brock didn’t opt for [Protect].

Graveler’s defeat had already proven that [Protect] could only buy time—it didn’t change the losing position.

Instead, Brock chose a different strategy.

"Rhyhorn, use [Sandstorm]!"

As the tidal wave surged forward, Rhyhorn—without hesitation—unleashed a sandstorm.

A fierce gust of rock-infused sand swept across the battlefield, filling the air just as the wave crashed down, engulfing Rhyhorn completely.

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This is a fan translation of 人在实教，一之濑你会后悔的 by 作者：白良. All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!