Pokémon Detective: Cynthia Forces Me to Adopt a Pokémon

Chapter 237 Dissolve - The Battle Strategy of the Champion Aldace

Flames burst forth in a large, star-shaped pattern between Volcarona's wings. At the same time, Garchomp crossed its arms and conjured a massive rock spike in front of it, which it then pushed towards Volcarona.

Thanks to the unique environment created by Volcarona's temperature, Garchomp avoids Double Ice's Blizzard without expending extra energy to execute its moves. Therefore, it has ample time to prepare its Stone Edge attack.

This strike, combining power and accuracy, is completely different from the "sharp stone attack" that is randomly thrown from a distance.

At this moment, under such close-range conditions, the possibility of Garchomp missing its target is nonexistent.

The Rock-type move "Stone Slash" is four times super effective against Volcarona's Firefly type, and it was naturally used many times by Landorus during the battle against Yoggs in the morning.

Legendary Pokémon moves are not to be underestimated, but the young Volcarona is even more skilled. Utilizing its high-speed reflexes and the advantage of the confined space within the tower, it skillfully maneuvered to evade most of its opponent's frontal attacks.

However, faced with the same skills, the elderly Volcano Moth reacted very differently from its offspring.

It has neither the burst speed to dodge attacks nor the ability to use unnecessary skills to harass opponents.

Faced with a Rock-type move that could suppress Fire, Volcarona and Alder could only watch helplessly as Garchomp conjured a sharp and heavy rock spike, watching as this move collided with Volcarona's "Fire Blast"...

No, perhaps this clash of skills cannot even be called a "collision"!

The moment it came into contact with the crimson flames, the rock cone created by Garchomp sizzled and screamed, instantly losing its original sharpness and weight. Starting from the tip, the front half of the rock gradually turned into a bright yellow glowing object.

Deformation, softening, melting...

The substance that emitted a bright yellow light eventually turned into a liquid, dripping onto the ground like water droplets. Upon contact with the earth's surface, it emitted a wisp of white smoke and then turned back into dark rock.

Its mere existence can block the heat of a "blizzard" attack, but when it unleashes its full power, what terrifying flames will it transform into?

Just by looking at this rock cone formed by molten lava, one can clearly understand it.

However, this result...

"Just as I expected."

The detective was not intimidated by the power of the fire moth at all, and calmly snapped his fingers.

Upon hearing the snap of its fingers, Garchomp seemed to have made a pact with the attacker, immediately abandoning its intention to continue the attack. It leaped into the air and climbed onto the ceiling of the tower's floors.

Immediately following, the "Blizzard" attack arrived.

The harsh cold wind had been weakened several times over, but the cold wave still stubbornly reached the original location of Garchomp—naturally colliding head-on with "Fire Blast".

The ice shards and snowflakes were instantly burned away by the flames and evaporated, turning into white water vapor that drifted everywhere. Garchomp took this opportunity to distance itself from Volcarona once again and disappear into the mist.

"Mr. Aldeck's two moves both missed."

Alice, who was watching from the sidelines, remarked with emotion.

Considering only the first round of the battle, Hugo and Garchomp undoubtedly displayed superior skills.

Facing two champion-level mainstays alone, the champion's ace seemed unaffected by misfortune. Even in Hugo's hands, he could still unleash a powerful strength sufficient to contend with the champions.

On the other hand, while Volcarona's ability to melt rocks with fire is impressive, that is ultimately an individual Pokémon ability. For Mr. Alder, the Unova Champion, to allow two of his moves to collide is a truly baffling mistake.

Was the unexpected attack by the opponent who broke through the defense the reason for this tactical error? Or was it due to old age and declining ability?

“No, Miss Alice. In fact, Mr. Adek had the upper hand in this first round of exchanges. You were unable to perceive the change in the situation, perhaps due to a difference in 'perspective'.”

Wanlong Tianwang gently shook his head and adjusted his round-framed glasses, which were covered with a layer of white mist.

"Field of vision?"

Alice squinted, but even through the dim light, she couldn't discern any advantage Aldek had in their confrontation.

"Our champion even used a third move in the first round."

Wanlong raised his left hand and pointed the tip of his pen at the point where "Blizzard" and "Big Character Explosion" collided.

"With the combined power of Double Ice and Volcarona, Mr. Alder's battlefield is now covered in white steam, thanks to Double Ice's 'White Mist' move."

"Haze" creates a fog effect on your field. While a Pokémon is on a fog-covered field, its stat changes will not be reduced by effects from the opponent. It's a very useful defensive field move when facing disruptive tactics.

"If Double Ice's 'Blizzard' lands on Garchomp, the match will undoubtedly be over in an instant; but even if it misses, the missed move isn't entirely useless."

The Ghost-type Elite Four member explained quietly—

"Under the 'white mist,' the challengers will no longer be able to use moves like 'Stomp' to suppress Alder's speed. Even the Pokémon Hugo sent in afterward, despite possessing abilities like 'Intimidate,' couldn't negatively weaken Volcarona and the others. If he had prepared a strategy primarily based on disruptive moves, those plans are now rendered useless."

What may seem like a risky tactic is actually a combination of offense and defense, a step-by-step approach – this fighting style is what makes the Ardek Champions so terrifying in battle.

He always manages to establish a solid tactical foundation amidst his volcanic, explosive attacks. While his opponents gloat over their escape from the champion's fiery offensive, they have in fact already fallen into the intricate web laid by this old man.

Did Hugo, who was on the battlefield, realize this?

"Hey, are you kidding me?"

Looking in the direction of the detective in black, Wanlong Tianwang and Alice exclaimed in surprise at the same time.

Inside the vast Tower of Heaven, Cynthia Champion was nowhere to be seen. Hugo had switched Garchomp's Poké Ball to...

A grass turtle and a small chimpanzee appeared beside the detective—

Taking advantage of the brief moment between the skill clashes, he had somehow managed to retrieve the two Poké Balls.

"Hugo... he really did bring those three beginner Pokémon here," Alice said, almost groaning.

.

In front of him was the dazzling Volcano Moth, as radiant as the sun god, and the Double Ice Cream, which looked like an ice cream cone with two incredibly bright smiling faces on either side, as well as the Ardek Champion, who was frowning in confusion.

In the distance, Alice and Wanlong whispered to each other in astonishment, while Victini stared wide-eyed at herself.

Hugo smiled slightly, seemingly pleased with the effect he had on the room, and then issued his next command—