Elf: Re-employment of retired champion of Padiya

Chapter 752 Arcanine VS Garchomp, Cynthia's Shock!

It was a Pokémon whose entire body was covered in sharp scales, with jagged spikes, a streamlined dragon tail, and bullet-shaped skeletal structures on both sides of its head.

—Garuda is the further evolution of the Garchomp that Guava previously sent out in the gym battle!

Cynthia is also the ace up her sleeve as the Sinnoh League champion!
The Garchomp that appeared had a scarlet light in its eyes, and its cold and terrifying giant scythes cut through the cold mist, letting out a roar that shook the sky!
"Awooo—!!"

The loud noise startled the previously lazy Houndoom, causing it to jolt up and jerk its head.

Holy crap, what's going on?!

At this moment, Houndoom's instincts were frantically warning it to flee the area immediately.

That Garchomp is definitely a top-tier predator!
Just being in the same area with the other makes Houndoom's heart pound wildly.

It wasn't excitement, but fear.

This terrifying aura was something Houndoom had never felt even from Xeno'jiiva and the others.

Although there is a reason why Röntgen cats don't show their fangs to their farm companions.

However, this did not prevent Houndoom from immediately realizing that this Garchomp was definitely not a match for it.

Houndoom turned its gaze to Cynthia, who was also caught in the sonic boom caused by Garchomp's roar.

The other person remained completely still amidst the shockwave, letting the shockwave blow through their long golden hair, one hand on their hip, their face radiating composure and calmness.

This woman is no ordinary person.

Houndoom made its judgment based on its experience, then turned its head to look at Arcanine, who was stunned with a bright red "Danger" sign above its head, and shook its head helplessly.

Now, even a god couldn't save Growlithe.

You crashed into it yourself, so there's nothing I can do to save you. Good luck to you.

But no matter what, Arcanine is most likely going to get a beating.

In fact, Arcanine is in a real panic right now.

It originally thought that Cyndaquil was just a small Calamit, and that it, the great Arcanine, could easily show its majestic figure, subdue the opponent, and make the opponent prostrate itself in defeat to accept its "reward".

But the Garchomp standing in front of Arcanine now posed a strong threat to it just by being there.

The Gyrocopter's fur stood on end instinctively, almost bristling.

It's a powerful enemy!

"Ugh——!"

Arcanine let out a low growl, and sparks flickered between the folds of its fur.

do not care!
Moltres said that none of them are cowards, and no matter how strong the opponent is, they will charge in first!

Arcanine was not careless at all and went all out from the start. Patterns like flowing lava quietly appeared between its fur.

A very long time has passed since it evolved.

Under Luo Mu's conscious nurturing, it naturally transformed the power that had been activated at that time into its own possession.

Activation can now be completed without the "help" of Victini.

It can be a single dog by itself!
—Flash Charge!
Arcanine shook its fur, its entire body enveloped in scorching flames, and intense flames shot into the sky, spreading outwards in a wave of intense heat.

Houndoom silently took a few steps back.

Even it had to admit that although Arcanine was silly, its strength was indeed far superior to its own.

At least it wouldn't even consider challenging Garchomp.

From the perspective of a wild Pokémon, the best choice is not to charge in, but to run away or surrender.

After all, if you get injured there, you might be challenged by your underlings, and if you lose, you'll be expelled from the tribe in the wild. Although running away is shameful, it's very useful.

Therefore, Houndoom is completely unable to resonate with Arcanine's idea of ​​charging in recklessly without considering the consequences.

However, it's still quite happy to be able to watch a show.

Houndoom grinned, revealing a dense array of sharp teeth, as if it were smiling.

After a brief moment of preparation, Arcanine slammed its forepaws into the ground, and its massive body pounced on Garchomp like a tiger descending a mountain!

The intense energy fluctuations and temperature were so powerful that even Garchomp was moved.

So it raised the sickle-like fins on its arms, and a shimmering green light appeared, spreading all the way to its sharp white single-toed bony claws, forming a pair of huge green sickles!

Zhu Lan snapped her fingers: "Head-on, Dragon Claw!"

She could have easily made Garchomp, a Ground-type Pokémon that can fly, take flight to dodge Arcanine's Flare Blitz.

But Zhu Lan did not do that.

It wasn't just that she understood Garchomp's pride prevented it from choosing to "escape" from its enemies, especially those weaker than itself.

Cynthia also wanted to observe Arcanine's power closely through a head-on confrontation.

To her, an archaeologist, Growlithe was like a living fossil.

Even Arcanine's every move can give Cynthia a glimpse into the ancient Sinnoh.

Her interest in Arcanines is second only to ice cream and desserts!
In the blink of an eye, Arcanine pounced on Garchomp, its massive body engulfed in terrifying flames as it pressed down on them.

Faintly, Garchomp's nose also caught a whiff of sulfur from a volcanic crater.

"Kah!"

Just as Arcanine charged in, Garchomp crossed its arms and stood horizontally in front of itself.

next moment.

As a tremendous force came, Garchomp felt the intense heat rushing towards it and its body sank slightly.

Garchomp's composed expression underwent a slight change.

This force is—

Garchomp instinctively adjusted its stance, its constantly swaying tail resting on the ground to provide it with balance.

Cynthia, keenly aware of Garchomp's reaction, also furrowed her brows.

For Garchomp to react like this, I might have underestimated Arcanine?
This Arcanine seems to be comparable to the main Pokémon of the Sinnoh Elite Four that I know.

As expected of Luo Mu.

Even for ancient Pokémons that have become extinct in modern times, he can find the best methods for breeding them.

If Cynthia had encountered Arcanine on her own first, she might not have trained it as well as Luo Mu.

That's why Zhu Lan believes she has to take the challenge seriously.

Whether facing a novice trainer, a Pokémon challenging her to a battle without a trainer's guidance, or an opponent she acknowledges.

—Bamboo and orchid will give it their all!
"Bite the land shark!"

Zhu Lan gave a low shout, her usually gentle and mild voice now carrying an indescribable sense of oppression.

Arcanine was initially pleased with itself for suppressing Garchomp.

It may look impressive, but it's all show and no substance!

Could it be that I've become stronger without even realizing it?

The moment the thought flashed through Arcanine's mind, Cynthia's voice entered Garchomp's auditory system.

Its previously nonchalant expression suddenly changed, and its eyes instantly became sharp, just like those of Usagi-chan.

Garchomp stopped focusing on defense and started using its full power. This put Arcanine in a difficult position.

It could only watch helplessly as the Garchomp, which it had just "suppressed," suddenly swung its arms, unleashing a tremendous force that it could hardly resist.

Before the wind dog could react, it found the scenery around it rushing past.

—It was knocked away by Garchomp!
"."

Although Arcanine is silly, it's not stupid when it comes to fighting.

It only managed to stop its backward momentum after it stretched out its front and hind paws and firmly inserted them into the soil, carving a long furrow in the ground.

Amidst the swirling dust, Arcanine stared in shock at Garchomp.

It then realized that the other party didn't seem to have used its full strength at all.

Damn it, I was too smug!

"After using Flame Blitz, there was no sign of being affected by the move's backlash. Could it be 'Solid Head' or some other ability with a similar effect?"

Zhu Lan, always composed, stroked her chin, delighted with her discovery, while her mouth uttered commands without holding back.

"Descend, stars of the sky, meteor shower!"

"Awooo—!!"

Garchomp opened its jaws, which were full of sharp teeth, and the energy fluctuations of the dragon attribute quickly gathered in its mouth. Then, it turned into a ball of deep purple light that shot into the sky and then exploded with a bang.

Bang!
In an instant.

Countless deep purple energy orbs, resembling meteorites, fell like petals scattered by a celestial maiden, exuding a terrifying aura. Just from the energy waves surrounding each orb, one could tell that being hit would at least result in serious injury!
Is Arcanine willing to give up just like that?

Of course it didn't want to!

It has faced opponents stronger than itself before.

In Arcanine's eyes, both Luxray and Swampert are far stronger than the Garchomp in front of him.

Given this, what else does it need to worry about?

Just do it and it’s done!
"Ouch——!"

The Arcanine let out a loud roar, and a powerful aura began to gather, with thick, brownish-yellow light waves transforming into a swirling vortex above its head.

Bang-!
With a dull thud, the Growlithe, carrying a visible surge of air, charged forward with the terrifying momentum of a hundred-ton king!
Meteor shower?
It's just a speed bump!

Eat its double-edged hammer!

"interesting--"

Watching Arcanine dash through the meteor shower with unstoppable momentum, Cynthia's eyes were filled with intense interest.

"Then, it's time to declare the battle over."

"Stir up the earth, Garchomp, earthquake—!"

"I lost."

Luo Mu opened his closed eyes, and the Brilliant King beside him also voluntarily cut off the sharing of vision.

The heterochromatic Zygarde Core wagged its tail and happily hopped away.

Having been used as a surveillance camera for so long, it's tired of it. It'd better find a high spot to sunbathe. The farm ground is covered in icy fog right now, which it doesn't really like.

But before the core of the ziggeld left, it still looked out the window towards a certain direction of the farm.

As a legendary Pokémon capable of controlling the earth, the tremor of the ground just now naturally did not escape its notice.

The power of that "earthquake" attack was so great that even it had to take notice.

Humans are indeed a force to be reckoned with.

"Uluru~"

Zygarde Core wagged its tail and left.

After watching Zygarde Core leave, Luo Mu turned to Raicrown and asked, "Raicrown, what do you think?"

"Growlithe?"

The Crowned King asked the question knowingly, for it had just used the monitoring capabilities of the Zygarde cells to take in most of the farm without needing to use its mental powers.

So it and the Shepherd stayed at home and watched from afar the battle between Arcanine and Garchomp.

After a few seconds of contemplation, Calyrex said, "Arcanine's loss was inevitable; that Garchomp was very strong."

"I remember you said she was the champion of that league, right?"

"Yes, even among the champions, Zhu Lan should still be one of the top performers."

Luo Mu nodded in agreement.

Putting aside why Arcanine, that silly dog, went looking for trouble, just as Calyrex said, the fact that it managed to go toe-to-toe with Garchomp for a few rounds while fighting alone is already quite impressive.

Besides, it wasn't exactly a complete defeat.
Recalling what he had just seen, Luo Mu's lips curled up slightly.

On the other side, in front of the farm's main gate.

Zhu Lan had no idea that Luo Mu had been watching her entire battle with Arcanine.

After accepting the pile of treasure chests that Arcanine had dug up and buried, she turned her gaze to the other party.

Arcanine was already nearly killed by Garchomp's Earthquake, let alone in its later state when it had to engage in close combat with Garchomp.

Even though it tried to stall with "super speed", it couldn't stop the fact that it was beaten up by Garchomp.

At this moment, it was lying pitifully on the ground, its fur matted and covered in mud, with most of its tongue hanging out. It looked extremely pathetic.

"You did a very good job."

After exiting the serious battle mode, Zhu Lan's voice became as gentle as before.

Instead of immediately enjoying her spoils, she skillfully picked up the special healing potion she carried with her and sprayed it on the spots on Arcanine that had been hit by Garchomp, giving it a simple treatment.

Next, she threw out another Poké Ball, summoned her Milotic, and cleaned the tangled fur on the somewhat reluctant Arcanine.

Houndoom squatted to the side watching, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

Despite being such a strong trainer, how can he be so gentle and meticulous about such trivial matters?

To be honest, the various traits that Cynthia exhibited were somewhat unexpected by Houndoom.

After Cynthia treated Arcanine's injuries, she also indulged her own selfish desires by touching and groping the "living fossil" a few times.

She had just wiped the few drops of sweat from her forehead when she noticed that the Garchomp, which had been waiting quietly, was standing beside her, extending its arms.

"What's wrong, Garchomp?"

Cynthia's gentle voice carried a hint of doubt, but the moment her gaze fell on Garchomp's arms, the words she was about to say caught in her throat, and her pupils contracted slightly in shock.

The sturdy dragon scales on Garchomp's arm, which were perfectly attached to its skin, looked as if they had been scorched by some high-temperature object, appearing half charred and half melted.

"This is... a burn?"

Lancea frowned her beautiful eyebrows and carefully lifted Garchomp's arm.

Garchomp was no longer as wild as it had been in previous battles, but instead became very docile, allowing Cynthia to take its place.

After carefully observing the Garchomp's arm scales two or three more times and confirming that there were indeed quite severe burns, she subconsciously looked at the husky Arcanine behind her, who was panting with its tongue hanging out.

—This means that Arcanine's Flare Blitz actually broke through Garchomp's defense with its extremely high temperature, causing it significant damage.

(End of this chapter)