Chapter 51: The Teaching Bureau
Chapter 51: The Teaching Bureau
Borrowed Battles
Borrowed battles involve trainers using Pokemon that aren't their own to engage in combat. This is a crucial test for trainers, as it's challenging to command someone else's Pokemon, especially when their moves and abilities are unknown. It heavily tests a trainer's understanding of Pokemon and their ability to adapt on the fly.
Borrowed battles are not uncommon in the Pokemon world. Battle facilities like the Battle Factory, Battle Tent, and Battle Tower often have similar modes. In the Pokemon Adventures manga, one of the main characters, Mitsura, excels at borrowed battles and holds a record of 100 consecutive wins.
Not just trainers, but even League Rangers who rely on wild Pokemon for assistance face similar challenges.
Armaldo
- Type: Steel, Flying
- Ability: Keen Eye
- Moves: Wing Attack, Slash, Steel Wing, Revenge, Drill Peck, Metal Sound, Spikes, Pursuit, Stealth Rock, Roost, Substitute, Taunt, Iron Defense, Protect, Toxic
- Mood: Excited, Nervous (Will I get beaten up if I do this?)
- Condition: Excellent (It's born for battle)
- Friendship: 50 (At least we've bathed together)
This is the Pokedex entry Jing He can see for Armaldo. It's clear that Daimon has done an excellent job training it, especially with the extensive list of moves, which speaks to his financial resources.
Some of the moves Jing He mentioned in his strategy were already mastered by Armaldo, with good proficiency. He just added a few more to solidify his confidence in the upcoming battle.
While Daimon was restoring Fossilwing's condition, Jing He conducted a brief one-hour training session with Armaldo to establish a basic tactical understanding. This would make their coordination smoother during the battle.
Of course, the bond between Daimon and Armaldo was unmatched. However, Daimon and Fossilwing weren't very in sync either. Moreover, Fossilwing had just been defeated and, even with recovery, wouldn't be at its best after just an hour without a Pokemon Center's help. Additionally, Armaldo had a type advantage.
In the end, the advantage was on Jing He's side.
Beside him, Daimon and his Metang sat where Jing He had been sitting earlier. Without hesitation, Daimon grabbed a handful of popcorn from Gastly's bucket, sharing some with Metang.
Crunch, crunch—
"Hmm? This popcorn has a sunflower seed flavor."
"Keh!"
Stare!
Gastly glared at Daimon's hand, looking displeased. But considering Daimon was Jing He's student, he decided to forgive him this once. It had nothing to do with Metang watching him.
"By the way, do you think Teacher Jing He will win?" Daimon asked.
"Keh~~" Gastly shook its head.
Not likely.
Daimon's mouth twitched.
"But given Teacher Jing He's character, he rarely does things without being confident."
"Keh~~"
That's true.
Then they saw Jing He walk to the center of the field and raise a finger.
"I'll only demonstrate this once."
Daimon's expression immediately turned serious. He had always believed that Jing He's true strength was far more than what he showed. This became even more apparent after their interactions, especially when Jing He gave him the strategic manual for Armaldo.
Just how deep are you hiding, Teacher Jing He?
On the field, Daimon, who had calmed Fossilwing, narrowed his eyes, becoming increasingly serious.
Anyone praised by Champion Shigeru must be exceptional. Although his bond with Fossilwing wasn't as deep as Jing He's with Daimon's Armaldo, it was still stronger. Jing He must have seen the battle between Fossilwing and Metang earlier and felt confident enough to use a borrowed Pokemon. The purpose of this battle was to treat Fossilwing, but Daimon was gradually getting excited. He yearned to face strong trainers, and both Daimon and Jing He were formidable opponents that required his full attention.
"Keh~~"
Armaldo flapped its wings, its eyes sharp.
"Don't worry."
Jing He gently stroked its metallic wings.
"If you can't win, just give up. If we lose, it's my fault. If we win, it's your achievement. Don't be burdened, just fight freely."
"Keh!!"
Armaldo's respect for Jing He increased.
"Begin!"
With Daimon, acting as the referee, giving the command, both Jing He and Daimon's expressions turned serious.
"Fossilwing, Rock Slide!"
Daimon swept back his cloak and raised his hand, his voice firm.
He took the initiative but didn't start with Dragon Dance as before. Was he changing his strategy?
But no matter how he changed, it wouldn't make a difference.
"Armaldo, use Stealth Rock!"
Fossilwing's body glowed with a brown light, and sharp rocks seemed to grow from its body. With a powerful flap of its wings, the rocks turned into sharp projectiles, flying toward Armaldo.
At the same time, Armaldo's eyes glowed yellow, and rocks appeared in mid-air, only to vanish quickly. However, the rocks from Fossilwing's Rock Slide collided with these invisible rocks, causing a series of explosions.
Using Stealth Rock for defense?
Daimon was surprised, but many of the sharp rocks still made it through the invisible barrier and headed toward Armaldo.
"Swallow the hit, use Iron Defense!"
Jing He's voice was calm and collected.
This reassured Armor Bird, who immediately pulled its wings together, blocking the incoming Rock Sharps while its body gleamed with a metallic luster.
Iron Defense significantly boosted Armor Bird's physical defense.
For a Pokemon already known for its strong physical defense, this was a substantial enhancement. Conversely, it put pressure on Fossil Dragon, a Pokemon known for its powerful physical attacks.
"Fossil Dragon, close in and use Thunder Fang!"
"Poison Fang!"
In terms of speed, Armor Bird was far outmatched by Fossil Dragon. However, the "Stealth Rock" previously set up by Jing He now played a crucial role in hindering Fossil Dragon's movements.
Since it was a 1v1 battle, tactics like "Spikes and Haze" were not applicable. These strategies, often seen in turn-based games, had significant differences from real battles. They could be adapted but not directly copied.
In this case, Jing He skillfully used "Stealth Rock" to both block some of the Rock Sharps and to some extent, restrict Fossil Dragon's speed.
Boom!!
Sizzle—
Golden lightning exploded on Armor Bird's body, causing significant damage. However, the potent poison also successfully infected Fossil Dragon, causing its cheeks to turn a purplish hue.
It was poisoned!
Aqua's expression darkened, realizing the need to end the battle quickly.
He immediately commanded, "Fossil Dragon, use Flame Fang!"
While a close-range attack by Metal Bug had previously given him an advantage, this time, a powerful assault by Fossil Dragon would give him the upper hand.
"Armor Bird, use Substitute!"
Boom!!
The flames detonated, but they only burned through the feather substitute of Armor Bird.
Aqua had a bad feeling.
The purplish hue on Fossil Dragon's body became more pronounced.
However, the more critical the situation, the more important it was not to panic and lose composure.
"Fossil Dragon, use Supersonic."
"Taunt!"
Beside them, Daimu's eyes widened. "Did Teacher 'predict' Aqua?"
Was it luck, coincidence, or genuine prediction?
Fossil Dragon's Supersonic was forcibly interrupted, and its eyes began to turn red.
But Aqua, being Aqua, remained calm and reacted swiftly, quickly changing his strategy. "Fossil Dragon, use Dragon Breath!"
Switching from Supersonic to Dragon Breath?
Truly, Aqua was impressive.
Jing He inwardly marveled. The quick change in strategy indicated a growing rapport between them.
"Armor Bird, use Protect!"
"Kaa!!"
A transparent, emerald-green barrier appeared.
Boom!!
Using Protect repeatedly significantly reduced its success rate, so although it blocked the attack, Fossil Dragon continued its relentless assault.
"Flame Fang!"
"Iron Defense!"
Swallowing another hit from Fossil Dragon was a heavy burden for Armor Bird. However, thanks to the two layers of Iron Defense and the fact that these were not Fossil Dragon's type-advantaged moves, Armor Bird managed to hold on.
"Fossil Dragon, use Thunder Fang!"
"Armor Bird, use Protect!"
Aqua: "."
Protect, not Protect, Protect—adhering to the "Poison, Protect, Substitute" basic principle, the opponent's base exploded.
Gengar, standing nearby, covered its eyes, too afraid to watch but leaving a small gap to peek through, its eyes gleaming.
This was the charm of "Poison, Protect, Substitute"?
Jing He was demonstrating it to us!
Daimu also had a "sigh" expression, his face a mix of complex emotions, but the sharp glint in his eyes was unmistakable.
If earlier Jing He had merely opened a crack in the door to a "new world" for him, this time he had kicked it wide open!
At this moment, the "Toxic" status was taking effect, significantly reducing Fossil Dragon's health and making it appear on the verge of losing control.
"Fossil Dragon, hold on! Armor Bird is in no better shape. Use Flame Fang one more time and finish it!"
Aqua was fully focused, a faint green light emanating from his body.
"Roar!!"
Fossil Dragon roared, somehow managing to regain control. It bared its flaming, menacing fangs and lunged at Armor Bird.
"Roost."
Jing He's calm voice echoed.
Roost, Roost?
Critical hit!
Gengar and Daimu could almost hear the critical hit in Fossil Dragon and Aqua's minds.
After landing, Armor Bird quickly recovered its health, relying on the two layers of Iron Defense to withstand another attack from Fossil Dragon.
But—
"Keh!"
Too dirty, too cruel, I love it!
Gengar was ecstatic.
Another round of Protect, Iron Defense, Protect, and Fossil Dragon's condition was nearly at breaking point, its health almost depleted.
"Ah," Jing He sighed, "let's not overdo it."
"Armor Bird, use one final Tackle to finish it!"
Tackle, the more defense a Pokemon has, the higher the attack damage.
And Armor Bird had stacked three layers of Iron Defense, its physical defense nearly maxed out.
Boom!!
Fossil Dragon crashed to the ground, completely losing its ability to fight!
Not allowing it to be killed by "Toxic" was the greatest respect and dignity he could offer.
In this battle, Jing He had skillfully combined the "Poison, Protect, Substitute" strategy with the "Iron Defense, Tackle, Roost" tactic, even incorporating elements of the "Spikes and Haze" technique. It was a thorough and dedicated "lesson."
For some reason, after his defeat, Aqua let out a sigh of relief.
——
PS: I didn't want to break it up, but this chapter is 3k words, and I can't finish it in one go. Please support with a monthly vote at the end of the month!
(End of Chapter)
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