Your Pokémon are all pretty strong...
Satoru calmly watched the scene unfold.
While Ceruledge couldn't compare to Armarouge, it was quite strong defensively, with seven resistances and two immunities.
With its tricky Fire/Ghost typing, only his Froakie's Water Pulse was super effective against it.
More importantly, Satoru could see Ceruledge's armor cracking. Its Hidden Ability, like Armarouge's, was Weak Armor.
Weak Armor: If a Pokémon with this Ability is hit by a physical move, its Defense is lowered by one stage, but its Speed is sharply raised.
Its speed was now likely far beyond Raichu's.
"Nuzzle." At this extremely close range, Satoru unhesitatingly used his tried-and-true move.
Since you've already boosted your speed, I'll just paralyze you.
"Rai~" Raichu nuzzled Ceruledge. In that instant, Ceruledge felt the paralyzing touch. Its body began to stiffen, its movements becoming sluggish, but the armor on its body shattered even more, and its speed sharply increased.
"Sobu..."
Nuzzle was also a physical move.
I miss you, Thunder Wave!
Satoru mentally apologized for his previous disrespect towards Thunder Wave.
"Ceruledge, use Bitter Blade now."
The distance between the two Pokémon was practically nonexistent. If Raichu was hit at this range, it would be all over.
"Surround it with Electroweb!"
Ceruledge's body ignited with pale blue flames, its Bitter Blade in hand as it launched a fierce attack on Raichu. Raichu quickly used Electroweb.
The net formed a barrier in the air, interfering with Ceruledge's attack and causing it to miss its target, but it still managed to send Raichu flying.
"Now, Thunderbolt!"
"Flare Blitz, charge through!"
At this moment, Kagura Hikari's emotions clearly became agitated.
Ceruledge was poised to attack, its body erupting in pale blue flames that burned fiercely, instantly incinerating the Electroweb Raichu had laid down.
The electric threads of the net evaporated in the flames, turning into scattered ions in the air.
"SOBU—!!"
Riding the momentum of the flames, it charged forward, wreathed in fire.
"RAICHU—!"
Raichu's body was instantly enveloped in electricity, thousands of golden bolts erupting from within as it rushed forward.
But Ceruledge charged through the raging Thunderbolt. The two powerful forces collided violently, creating a massive shockwave.
Both Pokémon were knocked down by the powerful force, collapsing to the ground.
Seeing this, neither trainer was too surprised. They took out their Poké Balls and recalled their Pokémon.
The battle had ignited the fighting spirit in both of them.
So strong, just too strong!
[Satoru-baby, this is getting tricky. Go for it!]
It's fine.
We will win!
Satoru's eyes flashed as he took out his Poké Ball.
"Thwackey, this battle is yours!"
"Mr. Bear, I'm counting on you."
Appearing on the field were Thwackey and Beartic. At this moment, Beartic was still paralyzed and had difficulty moving.
Ice is super effective against Grass, but the opponent was paralyzed. This battle was unpredictable.
"Thwackey, use Grassy Glide to close the distance first."
Hearing this, Thwackey charged towards Beartic as if it were gliding across the ground.
With Grassy Glide, its speed was comparable to Quick Attack.
"Icicle Spear... Mr. Bear, don't let it get close."
Suddenly, a dozen eerie blue icicles appeared around Beartic's body.
But before they could be fired, Thwackey had already reached it with Grassy Glide. Its two drumsticks struck out, creating a piercing sound.
"Acrobatics!"
"Pachi!" Thwackey's body was enveloped in a faint white light. Before Beartic could react, it used a full-power Acrobatics, hitting Beartic on the chin.
"Continuous Acrobatics."
"Mr. Bear, endure this blow and use a full-power Ice Punch."
"Pachi!"
Just as Thwackey was about to launch another Acrobatics, Beartic's Ice Punch came swiftly, aiming for its body. The chilling energy of the Ice Punch instantly struck Thwackey.
"Pachi..."
Instantly, Thwackey's body was hit with a massive chilling impact, sent flying by Beartic's power, and lost its ability to battle.
2x super effective + Beartic's 130 Attack stat. Thwackey was saying, "I couldn't take that even with ten lives."
Seriously? You couldn't give me one paralysis proc?
Seeing this, Satoru couldn't help but feel he had terrible luck. In all the times paralysis could have triggered in this battle, it hadn't happened once. At most, it had a speed-lowering effect.
"Come back, Thwackey. You did great."
Satoru recalled Thwackey, not knowing what to say.
The Pokémon aren't the problem. The problem is my luck.
It's time for a trip to Kalos or Galar to improve my luck.
The next Pokémon is the last one... Froakie, I believe in our bond.
"Froakie, I choose you!"
Satoru's fighting spirit ignited. He threw the Poké Ball with force, and Froakie appeared on the field, letting out a spirited cry.
"KEROKERO!"
"Water Pulse!"
With his words, Froakie leaped up and threw out a Water Pulse.
"Froakie... In that case, Mr. Bear, use Rain Dance."
Hikari calmly assessed the battle. Beartic closed its eyes and summoned a rolling drizzle. Raindrops filled the air, falling steadily and gradually covering the field.
Instantly, the Water Pulse hit Beartic. Taking this damage, the already low-HP Beartic couldn't take it and collapsed.
"Rain Dance?"
Satoru blinked, confused.
"Satoru... I was preparing for myself. Because from a long time ago, I've wanted to defeat you."
Hikari coldly recalled her Beartic.
She suddenly started talking a lot.
So you know me too?!
Furiko, save me!
[Satoru-baby, you should reply, "I've also been interested in your black stockings for a long time."]
Being weird again, aren't you!
[Just kidding. A serious reply would be to not provoke Anon. She might just give you an elbow strike.]
[And it's also so you don't get the hatchet ending in the future.]
Forget it, I'm not counting on you... But what is Hikari talking about...
Satoru felt very awkward.
I don't want this kind of drama! I want a Pokémon battle!
I just want to battle you. Why are you suddenly telling me this stuff!
Anyway... I should probably encourage her a bit.
"That's nice."
Satoru nodded lightly, a forced smile on his face, not knowing what to say.
"Ah..."
"Thanks. This is the first time you've praised me in a battle..."
Seeing this, a blush appeared on Hikari's face, like a blooming flower. She seemed to shyly lower her head, and even the motion of taking out her Poké Ball slowed down.
"Whoa, the snow is melting."
"Is this the charm of the Red Cap Demon King? I'm about to turn gay."
It managed to get the shipping hearts of the audience going, except for one person.
"Sylveon, I understand Soyo-san's feelings now."
"Veon? (Huh?)"
At this moment, Anon's fists were clenched.
She really wanted to punch that woman right now.
We humans are capable of mutual understanding!
Don't be so intimate with my boyfriend in front of me, okay?
Feeling the pain of being NTR'd, even the extroverted Anon found it hard to bear this sorrow.
The two's conversation continued.
"So... I want to win against you."
Hikari said with a serious expression. Satoru stiffly nodded.
"Mhm, that's great."
Why is she so talkative all of a sudden...
With that, Hikari threw out her final Poké Ball.
"This is the last Pokémon I caught in Galar. Drizzile, prepare for battle!"
Appearing on the field was the middle evolution of the Galar region's Water-type starter, Drizzile.
"Jime."
Satoru's face was calm, without much reaction. In fact, he was relieved. If it was a Drizzile, it would be much easier to deal with.
"Drizzile, dual-wield Water Gun."
But Hikari gave the command with agitation.
Drizzile raised its hands, making a gun gesture. Water energy gathered at its fingertips, and with its movements, jets of water shot out, heading straight for Froakie.