Pokémon: Rebron as Red, The Strongest Champion - 289

Chapter 289: Defeating Espeon, Leaf’s Venusaur

At Leaf’s command, Espeon’s eyes flashed a deep blue, and it immediately used Psychic. With fine control, it caught the incoming Thunderbolt in midair. Though the strain showed faintly on its face, Espeon still managed to unravel Pikachu’s attack, redirecting the electricity harmlessly into the ground.

“Pikachu, press the attack with Quick Attack!” Ash shouted, refusing to give Espeon a moment to breathe.

“Pikapi!”

Just as Espeon tried to catch its breath, Pikachu vanished from sight and reappeared in a blur, slamming forward with blistering speed.

Bang!

The sudden Quick Attack struck Espeon squarely, sending it skidding back several meters before it managed to steady itself.

“As expected of Partner Pikachu. Its strength is not like an ordinary Pikachu. Espeon, use Psyshock.”

Espeon unleashed a surge of psychic power, forming it into a solid ring that raced toward Pikachu. But the speed wasn’t enough to land. Pikachu dodged with ease.

“Pikachu, use Agility to scramble its vision,” Ash commanded.

“Pikapi!”

Pikachu streaked around Espeon with blinding pace, afterimages forming like phantom copies that ringed the Psychic-type.

“Now, Iron Tail!”

Sensing Espeon could no longer track its movement, Ash gave the order.

“Pika… pi!”

Pikachu burst to Espeon’s side and swung its gleaming silver tail, striking Espeon at close range.

“Ugh—!”

The Iron Tail hit cleanly, and Espeon cried out in pain.

“Espeon, use Reflect.”

Seeing Espeon take heavy damage, Leaf quickly set a screen to blunt Pikachu’s physical power. A transparent barrier shimmered into place around Espeon.

“Leaf, don’t think that alone can beat Pikachu. Our fight is just getting started!”

As soon as he finished, Pikachu’s aura surged. It called down Thunder.

Under stunned stares, storm clouds gathered briefly over the arena, and a thick bolt split the air toward Espeon.

“Espeon, dodge now!” Leaf cried. Psychic power alone wouldn’t be enough to block that kind of electrical force.

Eyes wide, Espeon slipped aside and narrowly avoided the strike.

Thanks to Leaf’s quick call, it escaped the lightning. But Ash and Pikachu had no intention of easing up. After a swift breath, Pikachu surged again, firing Thunderbolt that struck Espeon.

“Ugh—!”

High voltage coursed through Espeon, wrenching a cry from it.

“Pikachu, don’t give it any chance to counter. Quick Attack, go!”

Seeing victory within reach, Ash drove forward. Pikachu streaked in—then an unexpected turn.

A faint flicker of electricity crawled over Espeon’s body. The Thunderbolt had inflicted paralysis.

“Looks like that low-probability plan paid off,” Leaf murmured as a winner’s smile formed. She had gambled on Synchronize inflicting the same status back.

“Pika—”

Just as Pikachu was about to land the finishing blow, the same paralysis seized its body. It froze on the spot.

“Pikachu?! What happened?!” Ash stared, shocked.

“Synchronize. It passes the user’s poison, paralysis, or burn to the opponent. That’s why Pikachu suddenly has the same status,” Leaf explained evenly.

“Our resolve won’t stop here! Pikachu, force through with Quick Attack!”

Ignoring the paralysis, Ash roared his command. Under Leaf’s stunned gaze, Pikachu shoved past the numbing shock and slammed into Espeon.

Bang!

Espeon’s eyes swirled as it fell to the ground and fainted.

“Espeon is unable to battle!” the referee declared.

“How… even though Pikachu also…” Leaf trailed off, unable to reconcile how Pikachu pushed through the same status and finished her Espeon. Was her luck just that bad?

Helpless, Leaf quietly recalled Espeon. “Even if Espeon fell, getting Pikachu paralyzed is still a decent result,” she consoled herself, stroking the Poké Ball once before lifting her chin.

Then, eyes firm, she threw her next Poké Ball.

“Crush it, Venusaur!”

“What?!” came the chorus—everyone except Red cried out, surprised that Leaf sent out her starter, Venusaur, so soon.

“Leaf wants to deliberately keep Nidoqueen hidden, so she can beat Ash’s Charizard later. Right now, Ash’s main threats are Pikachu and Charizard, and Charizard perfectly counters Venusaur. It’s the biggest problem for her ace,” Red explained calmly to those nearby.

“I see. So she’ll push with her strongest ace, Venusaur, first to force Charizard out early. After softening it through repeated trades, she’ll finish it with Nidoqueen. I didn’t expect Leaf’s battle sense to be this sharp,” Gary said, incredulous. He hadn’t anticipated such a ruthless plan from Leaf.