Team Rocket’s Second-in-Command! [387]

“Garchomp, behind you!” Luo Yuan called, issuing a preemptive command.

Garchomp, despite sensing no immediate threat from behind, trusted Luo Yuan implicitly. Without hesitation, it swung its arm backward in a wide slash.

Dragon Claw!

Garchomp’s claws sliced through the air, leaving a shimmering afterimage.

Bang!

Claydol, having just teleported behind Garchomp, was struck squarely by the attack.

The row of red eyes on Claydol’s head widened in shock, though that shock quickly morphed into pain.

Garchomp’s Dragon Claw, amplified by Swords Dance, was not an attack to be taken lightly.

The force of the blow sent Claydol’s massive body reeling through the air.

But Steven’s Pokémon wasn’t one to back down so easily.

Shaking off the pain midair, Claydol retaliated.

“Psybeam!”

A kaleidoscope of radiant light erupted from Claydol, swirling around it as it spun like a glowing disco ball. The Psybeam engulfed Garchomp, catching it in the attack’s radius.

Though the Psybeam caused damage, Luo Yuan’s psychic link shielded Garchomp from its disorienting effects.

“Garchomp, keep moving!”

Responding instantly, Garchomp charged forward.

Its legs powered it into a sprint, accelerating to a speed that left Claydol unable to track it with the naked eye.

As Garchomp raced ahead, the fins on its back and arms cut through the air, forming extensions of razor-sharp wind blades.

Swish!

To the onlookers, it was a blur.

In the blink of an eye, Garchomp’s slash left a deep gash across Claydol’s body.

Steven frowned, recognizing the problem. If he didn’t neutralize Garchomp’s overwhelming speed, Claydol would remain on the defensive.

“Claydol, use Trick Room!”

A unique energy radiated from Claydol, expanding outward and enveloping the battlefield.

Trick Room, a move that reversed the natural flow of speed, now shifted the advantage away from Garchomp.

Luo Yuan, familiar with this tactic from his time battling Tapu Koko in Alola, couldn’t help but grimace. Having his own strategy used against him was a bitter pill to swallow.

Caught within the Trick Room, Garchomp’s incredible speed vanished as if a slow-motion button had been pressed.

Steven seized the opportunity.

“Claydol, Power Split!”

Claydol’s eyes glowed red as it initiated the move.

A mysterious force balanced the strength of both Pokémon, redistributing their power equally.

The effects of Swords Dance were instantly nullified, with Garchomp’s attack stat reduced and Claydol’s boosted significantly.

“Extrasensory!”

Claydol unleashed an invisible wave of psychic energy, striking Garchomp, which was now sluggish and unaccustomed to its reduced speed.

“...”

Taking hit after hit, Luo Yuan felt a wave of frustration.

Steven, with your usual stoic demeanor, I never expected you to be this irritating with your tactics!

But, he admitted to himself, this was the kind of strategy befitting a Champion.

With Trick Room still active, Garchomp’s speed disadvantage persisted.

Realizing that Garchomp couldn’t rely on speed-based harassment anymore, Luo Yuan adjusted his strategy.

“Garchomp, Dragon Pulse!”

Garchomp roared, gathering a sphere of golden energy in its mouth before firing it toward Claydol.

Claydol shifted to the side, narrowly dodging the energy sphere. The attack exploded against the ground, sending a shockwave that rattled Claydol’s levitating body.

But Luo Yuan wasn’t finished.

“Rock Slide!”

Garchomp stomped the ground, causing large chunks of rock to erupt upward. With a powerful swipe of its arm, the stones shattered into a barrage of smaller fragments, raining down on Claydol.

Unable to dodge this time, Claydol braced itself.

Buzz!

Claydol’s psychic aura flared to life, suspending the falling debris in midair.

Then, with a flick of its energy, it turned the fragments back toward Garchomp.

Luo Yuan, anticipating this move, had already prepared his counter.

“Dig!”

Garchomp dove underground just as the rocks were hurled back. The debris hit empty space, kicking up a cloud of dust.

Claydol hovered midair, its many eyes scanning the battlefield for any sign of Garchomp’s emergence.

Time ticked by, and the tension in the arena thickened.

Steven frowned, trying to decipher Luo Yuan’s plan.

Just as he was about to command Claydol to set up Calm Mind, the ground beneath them stirred.

Garchomp burst forth, its eyes blazing with a fierce glint as it launched itself toward the floating Claydol.

Joseph Stone smirked at the sight.

“What a reckless move,” he muttered. “Under Trick Room’s effects, this attack...”

But his words trailed off as he noticed something.

Trick Room’s energy field began to waver before dissipating entirely.

The move’s duration had ended!

In a heartbeat, Garchomp regained its full speed, its movements shifting from sluggish to lightning-fast.

The abrupt acceleration caught everyone off guard, including Claydol.

One moment, Garchomp was clearly visible; the next, it became a blur.

Claydol’s many eyes darted wildly, unable to keep track of Garchomp’s now-unpredictable movement.

All it could see was a flash of motion before...

---

This is a fan translation of 我，火箭队二把手！ by 落唯 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!