"Huh? That trainer who used a Pidgeotto... must be a rookie, right?"
"Looks just like Ash Ketchum, hasn't even learned the type chart properly."
Ethan Black laughed. Of course, it could also be that the trainer just wanted to get up on stage and experience a battle... he was simply unlucky to run into the trainer called Electric Beast.
After the first challenger's defeat, a second one quickly stepped up and began the battle.
This time, the chosen Pokémon was a Raticate, but it clearly wasn't a match for an Electabuzz. After taking two Thunderbolt attacks, it also collapsed in the arena.
It was obvious that ring leaders had to face consecutive battles, so keeping up a streak of ten wins in a row was a very demanding test.
However, after watching several matches, Ethan Black noticed something:
The strength of the ring leaders wasn't as terrifying as he had imagined. Ranked by levels, they probably barely reached the strength of an intermediate-level trainer. Although, of course, he himself wasn't sure just how strong a trainer of that rank really was.
"If it's Electric-type Pokémon, maybe Sandshrew can take them on..."
Ethan Black pondered for a moment and then decided not to hesitate any longer. He went to the counter and paid the 100 Pokédollar entry fee.
Soon, after the next four challengers were also defeated, it was his turn!
"Go, Sandshrew!"
From his side of the field, Ethan Black threw the Poké Ball and released his partner.
"A Ground-type?"
Seeing Ethan Black's Sandshrew, the leader nicknamed Electric Beast showed interest. This challenger seemed different from the impulsive youngsters before... he came prepared.
Although he relaxed a little when he saw it was only a Sandshrew and not a Sandslash or an Onix—much tougher opponents.
Besides, this Sandshrew looked a bit skinny. An opponent like that seemed much easier to handle.
"Another one just here to fill space? A skinny little green Sandshrew?"
"Even if it's Ground-type and immune to Electric moves, it doesn't look like a match for an Electabuzz."
In the stands, the crowd began chattering with excitement, but no one had faith in Sandshrew.
Even though it had been eating and training well lately, it still looked a bit smaller than others of its kind.
"The ring leader has chosen Electabuzz, and the challenger has sent out Sandshrew. The battle begins now!"
"The challenger attacks first!" announced the referee as both sides stood ready.
"Alright then, let's go! Sandshrew, use Rollout!"
Hearing the order, Sandshrew used Defense Curl to ball up and boost its defense. Then it rolled into a tight sphere and quickly charged toward Electabuzz.
It was a strategy Ethan Black had planned: using Defense Curl before Rollout to boost both damage and defense.
"Rollout, huh?"
"Electabuzz, dodge it with Quick Attack!"
Electric Beast narrowed his eyes. He had faced many Geodudes before, so he was very familiar with Rollout.
Following the order, Electabuzz's back gleamed white and it sped forward. At that moment, Sandshrew was already upon it, about to collide, but Electabuzz barely managed to dodge in time.
"That speed..."
"Looks like this Electabuzz was raised more for attack than for speed."
Ethan Black noticed that Electabuzz had only just managed to avoid Rollout, even while using Quick Attack. That made him smile.
He knew Electabuzz had strong base stats in speed and special attack, making it ideal for quick offense.
But judging by the trainer's muscular build, it was clear his style focused on raw power.
Just like in the games, where a Pokémon's "nature" influenced its stats, in reality, the trainer's "nature" influenced how they raised their Pokémon.
And Ethan Black wasn't wrong: Electric Beast's Electabuzz had been raised for pure offense, even following a dual strategy of physical and special attacks. That was why it could take out Pidgeotto so easily with Thunderbolt. He loved that feeling of crushing opponents with a single blow.
"If that Electabuzz is raised for offense, then I've got a chance."
Ethan Black breathed a sigh of relief. The two hardest kinds of opponents for his Sandshrew were: Flying-types and fast ones.
Because once Sandshrew started rolling, it lost sight of the opponent. The attack's direction depended entirely on Ethan Black's orders, and if the rival was too fast, there was no way to react in time.
"Sandshrew, eight o'clock direction!"
The instant Electabuzz dodged, Ethan Black shouted the order.
Sandshrew, understanding perfectly, made a perfect skid at the edge of the field and rolled precisely toward eight o'clock—the exact direction where Electabuzz was!
"What!?"
Everyone in the stadium was stunned to see Sandshrew execute the command flawlessly.
That level of control over Rollout not only required mastery of the move and good sense of direction... but also perfect synchronization between Pokémon and trainer.
"Can he control the direction that well?"
"No way! Rollout is a move that grows stronger with each consecutive hit. If we let this continue, Electabuzz will be in danger!"
Electric Beast realized it too and immediately shouted: "Electabuzz, speed up with Quick Attack and stop that rolling Sandshrew once and for all!"
Electabuzz obeyed instantly. A white light flashed from its back, and with an agile leap, lightning sparking in its hands, it lunged head-on at Sandshrew.
Ethan Black tensed. If Electabuzz managed to stop Rollout, Sandshrew would be exposed to close combat, and it couldn't withstand many hits.
So he quickly gave the order: dodge sideways!
Sandshrew veered off with a lateral spin, avoiding the direct strike, and began rolling in circles around the field.
"He dodged it...?"
"Looks like this challenger wants to maximize Rollout's power and then end the battle in a single decisive hit."
The spectators couldn't take their eyes off Sandshrew, who kept rolling nonstop. They knew the climax was close.
With each pass, Sandshrew increased its speed, and the Rock-type energy surrounding it became more visible. Finally, a visible wave of energy even formed around it, like a mirage or heat shimmering over asphalt in the height of summer.
(End of Chapter)