Pokémon: I picked up a reborn Eevee at the start of the game

Although the Volcano moth is only two years old in physiological age, its energy intensity has already caught up with the main force, reaching the level of the Elite Four, and its growth rate is exaggeratedly incredible.

This level of ability can serve as a litmus test for Gladgio, a strong contender for the Alola Championship.

The elf that appeared in front of Gladion was a large dog with scarlet eyes, red fur, a hunched body, and standing on its hind legs—a Night Form Lycanroc.

Of course, it could also be Zoroark disguised as a Lycan.

Xia Chen actually hoped it was the latter, because Rock-type moves deal four times the damage of Volcarona, a Volcarona dual-type Pokémon.

With a quick scan using his Aura Force, Xia Chen detected the energy intensity of this Pokémon: it was Elite Four level, seemingly a formidable opponent to Volcarona.

"Vulcan moth, insect chirp!"

Xia Chen took the initiative.

The reason for not using Volcarona's more proficient Fire-type moves was to test whether this Lycanroc was genuine.

If it is indeed Lycanroc, Fire-type moves will deal significantly less damage to it. If it is Zoroark, Bug-type moves will be twice as effective against Dark-type Pokémon.

No matter how you look at it, it's the better solution.

"Rockhound, Rock Rush!"

Gladion's counter-attack allowed Lycanroc to unleash a preemptive move.

Rock Slam, Lycanroc's signature move, is equivalent to Quick Attack (a Rock-type move).

Although the damage is low, it is still a genuine Rock-type move, and even with a four-fold super weakness, it can still deal a lot of damage to Volcarona, which has low durability.

Even more threatening is its ability to allow the slow Lycanroc to get close to Volcarona in a very short time, and then unleash a more powerful attack.

Pale yellow rock-type energy appeared beneath the feet of the Lycanroc, and in the next instant, its hunched figure suddenly leaped out like a dark red lightning bolt.

Xia Chen's expression hardened; he could now unleash his signature move, Rock Charge...

Tsk, it really is a mane rock werewolf.

…………

Although the Night Wolf was slow, driven by the special energy of its Rock Rush move, it rushed straight to the Volcano Moth at an extremely fast speed.

The fire moth remained unfazed, still gathering energy in preparation for releasing its chirping sound.

Chi-

The Lycanroc's sharp claws slashed diagonally across Volcano's body like blades, rock-type energy seeping into its body through its claws, causing the latter to let out a muffled groan.

The Rock-type moves are effective against Volcarona because, with a 4x multiplier, Rock Slam can also deliver the effect of Ultimate Impact.

Watching this scene, Xia Chen raised an eyebrow slightly. Judging from the explosive speed at the moment of takeoff and the impressive attack power, the training of this mane rock wolf was already excellent.

"Sharp Stone Attack!"

The speed of the charge was so fast that Gladion had already chosen to pursue before Volcarona could even release its chirping.

This time it's not a minor skirmish like Rock Slam, but a Rock Spike attack with damage so high it's practically a Rock-type move!

As a result, the mane-like werewolf, still in the state of rock-rushing inertia, once again gathered energy, and a rumbling sound emanated from underground.

This guy's fighting style is pretty brutal.

Xia Chen sighed inwardly. Despite being a slow Dark Rock Werewolf, it managed to launch a standard fast attack at the start.

However, my Volcano is not so easy to deal with!

Just as the Lycanroc unleashed its Stone Strike, a piercing insect chirp spread outwards in ripples beneath the Volcano's three pairs of wings flapping rapidly.

The first to be affected were naturally the mane rock werewolves that had just approached them.

Like an earthquake, the closer you are to the epicenter, the greater the damage caused by insect chirping.

The mane-like werewolf, who was almost in direct contact with the epicenter, frowned amidst the ear-piercing chirping of insects, and its cold, blood-red eyes revealed unbearable pain.

His body stiffened instinctively, and the sharp rock blade that was about to break through the ground suddenly got stuck.

In that split second, the Volcano Moth quickly adjusted its angle and flew to a higher place, narrowly missing the pale blue sharp stone that rose from the ground.

Gladion reacted swiftly, decisively commanding, "Use the sharp stones as stepping stones to charge up the rock!"

He understood perfectly well the predicament of the Lycanroc: if it couldn't overwhelm Volcano with a relentless offensive, it would face a fierce counterattack from its opponent.

The biggest advantage of Lycanroc is its cheap yet powerful Rock Smash!

Seeing the mane-wielding werewolf charging upwards along the sharp rocks like a mad dog, Xia Chen quickly responded, "Flame Vortex!"

…………

A vortex of flames?

Lillie, who was nominally a referee but actually just watching from the sidelines, was somewhat puzzled.

Why did the teacher use a Flame Vortex, which is not very powerful to begin with and is resisted twice as much by the Rock-type Lycanroc?

Wouldn't it be better to continue using the insect chirping sound?

But she knew that Xia Chen must have his reasons for giving such instructions, and she, who was already focused, watched the fire moth's every move even more intently.

With a gentle flap of its wings, the fire moth unleashed a torrent of intense flames that seemed to magically appear from the air.

Its speed was so great that even the Rock Rush were ashamed of themselves.

It's fair to say that Volcarona using Fire-type moves and not using Fire-type moves are completely different Pokémon.

The surging flames immediately began to encircle the fire moth's body in clockwise circles, forming an oval sphere resembling a cocoon.

Driven by the energy of the surging rocks, the mane-like werewolf couldn't stop and plunged headfirst into a high-temperature cocoon surrounded by flames.

Gladgio's expression changed.

Although Lycanroc, a Rock-type Pokémon, is resistant to Fire-type moves, and Dusknoir is quite tanky, each attack can still inflict damage at least twice.

More importantly, Volcarona, fighting on its home turf inside the Fire Cocoon, can definitely gain a higher power boost to Fire-type moves than it does under Sunny Day!

It is foreseeable that Xia Chen will not allow the mane rock werewolf to escape from the fire cocoon so easily.

"Lycannon, use Rock Surge to break out!"

Gladion couldn't care less about anything else at this moment and directly commanded the mane rock werewolf to get away from the sea of ​​fire first.

Xia Chen smiled slightly and did not stop him.

Use the rock-breaking technique to burst out of the flame vortex?

He couldn't be happier than this kind of energy-wasting behavior that disrupted the offensive rhythm, as it undoubtedly ruined the momentum of the Lycan's initial three attacks.

Gladion realized this quickly after subconsciously commanding the mane-wielding werewolf to break free of the fire cocoon.

He wanted to get Lycanroc to switch to Rock Slide or continue with Rock Block, but the speed of the Rock Slide was too fast. By the time he reacted, Lycanroc had already broken out of the vortex of fire.

At this moment, Xia Chen calmly commanded, "Vulcan Moth, Heat Wave!"

Within the fiery cocoon, as dazzling as the sun, the Volcano moth flaps its wings at high frequency.

then.

The wind rises, the fire falls.

call--

With a strong gust of wind, the fire cocoon burst open instantly. The mane rock werewolf that had just broken out of the vortex of flames felt an intensely hot energy shock coming from behind and was instantly knocked to the ground by this energy.

This was only the first wave of the attack using the combination of fire vortex and hot air.

Then, countless sparks and fires, large and small, were propelled by the wind and hurtled vertically toward the mane rock werewolf on the ground!

Chapter 498 Master Math, Physics, and Chemistry, and You Won't Fear Pokémon Battles

Scorching flames rained down from mid-air, and beneath the fiery red sky, the fire moth in the flames resembled a blazing sun.

Gladio stared at the scene, slightly lost in thought.

Before the battle, he had imagined what kind of opponent he would face, but Xia Chen's strength still exceeded his expectations.

The idea of ​​using a Volcarona that has only been tamed... no, less than two years old, to suppress a much stronger Lycanroc that has a fourfold advantage over it is simply a fantasy!

But what was happening on the battlefield was now vividly presented to Gladio.

From God's perspective, this might just be a minor misjudgment that led to a poor decision, but it is precisely in these details that the difference between top trainers is most evident.

The chemical reaction produced by the seamless combination of the flame vortex and the hot air allowed the Volcano to perfectly turn its disadvantage into an advantage.

For Grazio, the good news is that his opponent's advantage is not that great.

Nighthound itself has high durability and tankiness, plus the Rock-type Lycanroc has double the fire resistance.

So although the mane rock werewolf looks rather miserable right now, with its whole body covered in charred black fur, it is far from being at its wit's end.

However, it wasn't a pleasant experience either.

Without time to regret his recent reverse rock rush, Gladion mustered his spirits and commanded, "Rock Wolfman, dig!"

He desperately needs to carve out a space to survive amidst the fierce onslaught of the Volcano Moth. Protecting himself is too conservative, so digging a hole is naturally the best option.

After all, the giant fluttering moth doesn't have the Earthquake move in its skill pool.

However, this is not the only way to deal with defensive tactics like digging.

"Vulcan moth, butterfly dance."

Xia Chen, who had taken the lead from Gladion, waited patiently until the Lycanroc had actually burrowed underground before directing the Volcano to strengthen itself.

Bathed in golden light, the fire moths fluttered and danced, leaping about in a mysterious and wondrous manner.

It is foreseeable that once Volcarona stops moving, it will receive a boost in Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed.

Gladion remained calm. It was expected that his opponent would take advantage of the gap when Lycanroc was digging to strengthen itself; this was an unavoidable exchange.

Rather, it's more accurate to say that any trainer with a little experience would do the same thing in this situation; it's practically a standard practice in Pokémon battles.

There is no way to break this pattern unless you are much stronger than your opponent and can deliver a fatal blow before they complete their enhancement.

The roughly equal Lycanroc and Volcarona are naturally not included in this list.

Therefore, at the same time that Lycanroc bursts out of the ground, Volcarona is also about to complete its enhancement.

…………