"Yeah… I might've pushed myself a little too hard."
Satoshi paid little attention to the wound on his arm, gently setting Grookey down so it could rest comfortably.
Yet, despite its serious injuries, Grookey immediately stood back up, anxiously wobbling as it looked at Satoshi with eyes filled with concern.
"Pachi! Pachi!"
Satoshi smiled gently, softly stroking Grookey's head with a slightly trembling hand, reassuring it he was alright.
Sakiko stepped quietly to his side, a thousand thoughts swirling in her mind, yet she couldn't find the right words.
This reckless personality always made her worry.
Initially, she had no intention of getting involved in something like this.
Though Team Rocket was her enemy, she knew she lacked the power to stop them now.
Her reality as a customer service representative at the EcoDome made crossing paths with Team Rocket dangerous. But after struggling internally, emotion eventually overpowered logic, leading her here.
"Thank you." Satoshi took out another [Full Restore], spraying it on his injured arm. The cool sensation quickly soothed and eased his pain.
Though highly effective on Pokémon, the medicine didn't work nearly as well for humans. Despite theories that humans might be Pokémon too, Satoshi certainly didn't feel capable of using any moves.
Unless he somehow learned Rasengan ([Aura Sphere])…
"Don't mention it. We're even now," Sakiko replied coldly, a hint of dissatisfaction flickering in her eyes.
Most people she'd encountered were entirely selfish—but this guy was completely different.
What an interesting guy.
Sakiko didn't particularly dislike him; she already knew how Satoshi operated. In fact, a faint, amused smile formed on her lips.
"Another brat interfering? You got a death wish? Fine! Shiftry, take out Raichu and Milotic first, then capture that Grookey! Use [Tailwind], then [Leaf Blade]!"
Parker had clearly lost all patience.
"Shiii—!"
Shiftry instantly summoned a powerful gust of wind, dramatically boosting its speed. Riding the wind currents, it flew straight toward Raichu, brandishing glowing emerald-green blades sharp as swords.
Its [Leaf Blade] struck Raichu's [Iron Tail] head-on, causing a powerful, ringing clash.
"Rai—!"
Despite Raichu's formidable defense, Shiftry's enhanced [Leaf Blade] overwhelmed it easily, knocking Raichu painfully to the ground.
This Shiftry… it has the [Wind Rider] ability.
Noticing the dramatic surge in strength, Satoshi immediately identified Shiftry's trait.
[Wind Rider]:When hit by wind moves or when [Tailwind] is activated, it takes no damage and instead boosts its Attack.
[Tailwind]: Creates a powerful gust that sharply increases the Pokémon's speed.
Shiftry's speed had practically doubled to an absurd level—far surpassing Raichu and Milotic.
Furthermore, both Raichu and Milotic's primary moves were ineffective against Grass-types, leaving them with few good options.
A tricky battle!
"Sorry, Sakiko, for getting you involved," Satoshi calmly apologized while formulating his next move. Without Milotic's timely intervention earlier, things could've turned out much worse.
"I'm used to this sort of thing when I'm around you."
"Huh?"
Before Satoshi could process her words, Sakiko swiftly commanded Milotic.
"Milotic, [Dragon Pulse]!"
"Woo!"
Milotic opened its mouth, unleashing a powerful purple shockwave toward Shiftry.
Normally, [Dragon Pulse] was almost impossible to dodge. However, Shiftry, boosted by [Tailwind], effortlessly flew through the air, gracefully dodging the attack. It moved so swiftly it was nearly invisible to the naked eye.
"Use [Magical Leaf]!" Parker seized the moment.
Instantly, dark-purple leaves surrounded Shiftry, glowing eerily as they tracked Milotic.
Hey, isn't a flying Shiftry breaking some rules here? Even a certain grounded legendary would be jealous.
Satoshi inwardly mocked the absurdity, yet remained composed. Mightyena had already fainted from the earlier [Hydro Pump], leaving only Shiftry and Parker as threats.
He'd long prepared for this scenario.
Thus, there was only one solution!
"Raichu, clear away those [Magical Leaves] with [Thunderbolt]! Help Milotic hit Shiftry!"
"Sakiko, stay behind me."
Satoshi reached out protectively, shielding Sakiko behind him. After everything she'd done, he couldn't allow her to get hurt; otherwise, repaying this debt would become impossible.
"You're acting superior again. I'm not that weak."
Ignoring his protective stance, Sakiko firmly pushed him aside.
We've come this far; might as well see it through.
"Milotic, cooperate with Raichu—maximum power [Dragon Pulse]!"
"Rai!"
Raichu's lightning surged forth, easily destroying the tracking leaves and nullifying Shiftry's attack.
Before Shiftry could recover, Milotic seized the perfect opening.
"Woo!"
Milotic unleashed another powerful [Dragon Pulse], forming a massive, spiraling purple wave of energy. Like a fierce storm, it crashed directly into Shiftry, knocking it to the ground.
"Shi…ftry…"
"Get back up, now!"
Shiftry struggled weakly to stand, movements clearly strained. Parker, furious, shouted at it to rise, desperate for another strike.
A non-STAB [Dragon Pulse] didn't do much damage to a Grass-Dark type, allowing Shiftry to recover briefly. Parker prepared to command Shiftry back into the air with [Tailwind] again.
"Raichu, [Quick Attack], then [Nuzzle]!"
"Rai! Rai!"
Raichu, lightning-fast, struck Shiftry with [Quick Attack], instantly closing the distance.
"Shiftry—!" Unable to dodge in time, Shiftry felt a jolt as Raichu's electrified cheeks brushed against it, causing instant paralysis.
Shiftry shuddered uncontrollably, its speed halved instantly.
"Damn it, useless Pokémon!" Parker shouted furiously, recognizing their dire situation. He scrambled for a strategy to turn things around.
The path to victory was now completely clear!
We can win!
"Sakiko, I'll leave Raichu to you!" Seeing his chance, Satoshi suddenly bolted forward, charging straight at Parker himself.
What was he planning? The super rookie was on the move!