Pokémon: Trainer Paul

"It's your turn, Budew!"

Amid her nervousness, Ning tossed a Poké Ball.

It was clear that this young trainer, like Paul, didn't have many Pokémon and couldn't tailor her strategy to counter her opponent.

"The match begins! Trainer Ning takes the first move!"

The referee announced.

Having watched Paul's previous match, the novice trainer Ning knew that a direct clash would mean certain defeat.

Thus, she opted for a strategy of hit-and-run tactics.

"Budew, use Sleep Powder!"

"Bu-deew!"

Budew opened the flower bud atop its head, releasing a pale green powder toward Elekid.

"Quick Attack."

Elekid pushed off the ground with its feet, disappearing in a flash of light. It effortlessly dodged the Sleep Powder and rammed into Budew, sending it flying.

Bang!

Since Elekid hadn't been recalled between matches, the effects of its previous "Work Up" boosts were still active.

Even a simple Quick Attack almost knocked Budew out in one hit.

"Budew, hang in there! Use Magical Leaf!"

Despite being knocked away, Budew showed resilience, refusing to give up and preparing to attack.

However...

"Pin it down."

Just before Budew could release Magical Leaf, Elekid extended both hands, grabbed Budew, and shook it violently, forcing it to stop its attack.

"Work Up."

At Paul's command, Elekid ruthlessly pinned Budew to the ground. Pressing it down with one foot, it began using its "Work Up" move to further boost its Attack and Special Attack.

But was that enough?

"Don't let it attack. Keep using Work Up."

Paul hadn't forgotten his ultimate goal of achieving ten consecutive wins. Under normal circumstances, even with Elekid's strength, a ten-win streak would be impossible.

By exploiting the rules and continuously enhancing its power, Paul aimed to maximize his odds of victory.

"Bzzt-bzzt!"

Elekid let out a sinister laugh, pressing down harder on Budew as it powered itself up again.

Its Attack and Special Attack increased further.

In this state, Budew looked utterly despondent, almost on the verge of tears.

"Budew, don't be afraid! Use Absorb on Elekid!"

Ning encouraged with determination.

Summoning its courage, Budew unleashed a green energy whip from the bud atop its head, aiming it at Elekid.

"Disperse it. Work Up again."

Elekid, having used "Work Up" three times already, swatted the Absorb attack away with a casual strike, then continued to boost itself further.

One time, two times, three times.

After another three uses of Work Up, Elekid's Attack and Special Attack had reached their peak. It finally stopped suppressing Budew, ending the battle with a decisive stomp that left Budew unconscious.

"Budew is unable to battle. Elekid wins!"

The referee declared.

"Budew, are you okay? Come back... sniff..."

Recalling her fallen Budew, Ning's voice trembled with emotion. She hadn't even left the battlefield before tears streamed down her face.

"Congratulations to Paul for securing his second victory! Let's welcome the next challenger..."

As the announcer's voice rang out, another trainer entered the arena.

Compared to the novice Ning, this trainer was clearly more experienced. He released a Rhydon, a Ground and Rock-type Pokémon with the Lightning Rod ability, obviously intending to counter Elekid.

Unfortunately for him...

Thanks to the prior match against the adorable Budew and its trainer, Elekid's power had been boosted to its peak. Even a casual move now carried four times its original strength.

A single Focus Blast, a Fighting-type move, instantly knocked out the Rhydon, leaving the audience in an uproar.

"What? It got one-shot?"

"This... this... how is this even possible?"

"One move? Isn't Rhydpn supposed to be strong? What's going on?"

The stunned audience murmured in disbelief.

"Is Elekid really that strong? I want to catch one too!"

Some trainers began fantasizing about owning their own Elekid.

"It's not that Rhydon is weak, or that Elekid is absurdly strong. The issue is that in the previous match, Elekid used too many boosting moves to enhance its power.

This means that defeating Elekid now is at least four times harder than at the start."

An experienced trainer in the audience explained.

"Four times? How do you even fight that?"

"It seems unlikely that anyone can beat this now-boss-level Elekid."

"Not necessarily."

Amid the audience's exclamations, a green-haired, glasses-wearing boy adjusted his frames, the light reflecting off them exuding a sense of wisdom.

Instantly, the bespectacled boy drew everyone's attention.

"Elekid's power has indeed increased, but so has its energy consumption when using moves. As long as a Pokémon can withstand its attacks long enough, Elekid will inevitably run out of stamina."

The boy confidently stated before leaving the stands and heading toward the registration area.

Some competitors in the waiting area realized this as well and attempted to outlast Elekid rather than engage it head-on.

However, under Paul's tactical guidance, no trainer was able to outright defeat Elekid.

One by one, Pokémon fell.

This seemingly ordinary Elekid achieved an unprecedented eight-win streak. With just one more victory, it would tie the current record of nine consecutive wins.

After nine matches, Elekid had taken minimal damage, but its stamina was critically drained.

"Bzzt-bzzt..."

Sweating profusely, Elekid knelt on the ground, panting heavily.

Among the eight matches, one opponent—a Pokémon that could use Dig—had given it significant trouble, forcing Elekid to expend a large amount of energy to secure victory.

Though its fighting spirit still burned brightly, its body was clearly reaching its limit.

If it faced an opponent willing to stall and drain its stamina, the outcome was obvious: defeat.

"Paul's skill is truly remarkable! Achieving eight consecutive wins with just one Elekid! Let's give him a round of applause!"

The announcer called out.

Clap, clap, clap...

The crowd erupted into thunderous applause.

In Pokémon battles, strength is what ultimately earns respect.

"Next, let's welcome our challenger—Conway!"

"Will Conway put an end to Paul's winning streak, or will Paul reach the record-setting nine consecutive wins? Let's find out!"

As the announcer finished, the bespectacled boy from earlier stepped onto the field, facing Paul.

"Conway?"

Looking at the unassuming boy before him, Paul recalled some details about him.

Conway, a rival of Ash's from the DP series, and a Top 16 competitor in the Lily of the Valley Conference.

A highly intelligent trainer known for employing intricate strategies and tactics.

However, if his opponent deviated from his carefully crafted plans, Conway could struggle to adapt.

In his match against Ash during the conference, had it not been for the ridiculous biting antics of Ash's Gible disrupting his strategy, Conway might have emerged victorious.

This guy, stepping onto the field now, must have been observing Paul for a long time.

Had he already figured out a way to counter Elekid?

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