Chapter 469: Poison Master? Dirty Tactics Master!
Jubilife Tower, first floor, battle arena.
The open-air performance venue had a considerable audience filling the stands on both sides.
"Isn't today a workday?" James looked around in surprise. "Why are there so many spectators?"
"Maybe they heard the news about the Executive accepting a challenge, meow~" Meowth said with closed eyes, arms crossed. "After all, the Executive is a Champion-level trainer!"
Teacher Lu's reputation in the Sinnoh region was no less than in Kanto. As the Champion of the Indigo Conference, this tactical master's love for exhibition matches was well-known even in distant Sinnoh. Not to mention his recent visit to Jubilife Radio Station had already spread among the staff.
Now, taking advantage of a short bathroom break, employees were sneaking out to the battlefield, eagerly awaiting!
"Holy crap, manager, weren't you going to the bathroom?"
"Shh! Watch together and I won't report your slacking!"
On both sides of the open-air venue...
Roxie squatted while plugging in her oversized electric guitar, casually strumming the strings. Bzzz— The melody began.
"Hey!" Roxie bared her sharp fangs, tilting her head with the purple-black electric guitar slung across her body. "Teacher Lu, let's have an awesome battle!"
If she got completely wrecked, this fierce yet cute white-haired loli might cry for ages.
Lu Ye raised an eyebrow, feeling increasingly motivated.
This teacher loves teaching fellow trainers life lessons!
Outside the venue, Jubilife Radio quickly dispatched a recording team, with the match being broadcast live on the huge screen hanging from the building. Passersby stopped curiously to watch, murmuring among themselves.
"Is this a Champion League broadcast?"
"Isn't that Teacher Lu?"
"His opponent is the Poison-type Gym Leader from Unova... Oh no, she's gonna get destroyed!"
The camera switched angles as Team Plasma's Poison Rock Band played an intense accompaniment, the drum beats and guitar riffs landing simultaneously.
"Go, Weezing!"
The white-haired loli strummed her guitar hard while throwing a Poké Ball, showing her fangs in a cocky grin:
"I'll destroy your rationality!" (Note: Original game dialogue.)
Red light flashed on the field as the vacant-eyed Weezing spewed black smoke from its gaping mouth.
"It's actually a Weezing," James said curiously. "That girl is using the Kanto variant."
"Much stronger than yours though," Jessie observed through binoculars.
"Of course," James slumped his shoulders before clenching his fists. "But for the Executive, it's nothing!"
Lu Ye raised his hand and threw a Poké Ball that bounced off the ground before returning to his palm.
When the audience saw which Pokémon appeared, they collectively held their breath.
"So... so cute..."
"Manager, I'm dying from cuteness overload, I can't work overtime tonight!"
"Screw you! Then stop looking at Togepi and watch Weezing instead!"
Teacher Lu's chosen Pokémon was none other than the eggshell-like Togepi!
"Togepriii! ヾ(◍°∇°◍)ﾉﾞ"
Togepi made a sparkling entrance, its eggshell adorned with a gleaming Eviolite that provided massive stat boosts.
Even facing the skull-like ferocious Weezing, Togepi stared with determined little eyes: "Prii!"
"So... cute..."
The white-haired loli's strumming faltered. She shook her head violently, gritting her teeth: "Weezing, Sludge Bomb!"
Weezing opened its mouth wide, purple sludge gathering into a sphere that shot toward Togepi.
Togepi stood its ground as its shell glowed with a crystalline purple light that vanished into space.
As the Sludge Bomb closed in, Lu Ye commanded: "Protect!"
"Togepriii~ ✧*｡٩(ˊᗜˋ*)و✧*｡"
Togepi spun gracefully as an emerald barrier appeared before it.
Sizzle—
The Sludge Bomb failed to break through, instead splitting into two black puddles that corroded the ground with an acidic sound.
The seemingly guaranteed Sludge Bomb was effortlessly neutralized.
The white-haired loli 'tch'-ed and strummed her guitar: "Again, Venoshock!!"
"Weezing~!"
Weezing opened its mouth wide as sickly purple venom formed into arrows that shot toward Togepi with a whistling sound.
"Togepi, Ancient Power!"
Under everyone's gaze, Togepi hopped in place as the ground cracked and large rocks floated up, orbiting around it!
"Holy crap!!"
Team Plasma's members widened their eyes as the drumbeat suddenly accelerated.
The intense melody sent the audience's adrenaline soaring!
Sizzle—
The highly corrosive venom arrows pierced through one rock, shattering it upon impact.
But another rock controlled by Ancient Power blocked the incoming venom before smashing into Weezing!
Crack!
Weezing spun rapidly, using Gyro Ball to shatter the rocks before crashing toward Togepi at incredible speed!
At this moment, Lu Ye narrowed his eyes at Roxie's fanged grin.
Noticing Lu Ye's gaze, Roxie stared back challengingly, tilting her chin up.
Teacher Lu's prediction: "So her next move will likely be Poison-type..."
Thud!!
Togepi crossed its tiny arms defensively as it was sent flying meters back by Gyro Ball, barely managing to stay upright on tiptoe.
"Prii~" Having barely maintained balance, Togepi sighed in relief.
Maintaining its incredible spin, thick black smoke spewed from Weezing's mouth—clearly the highly toxic Poison Gas!
"Taste Venoshock's power!" Roxie strummed downward, waving her sleeve.
The drums pounded as the audience held their breath, the electric guitar's solo blaring arrogantly!
Under the Poison status effect, Venoshock's double damage would surely be lethal!
Almost simultaneously...
"Misty Terrain!"
White mist swirled around Togepi, the Poison Gas dissipating upon contact like thin clouds.
"He predicted my Toxic command?"
Roxie frowned, but I still have a chance—
Whoosh!!
A purple beam materialized from space like a sharp blade, effortlessly cutting through the black smoke around Weezing!
Then the purple light pierced straight through Weezing's body, freezing it mid-air!
Boom!!
Dust scattered as Weezing crashed to the ground!
"T-this is..." Roxie's mouth hung open dumbfounded.
The stands fell silent, expressions mirroring Roxie's.
As the music paused briefly, Lu Ye nodded and explained:
"Future Sight."
"Togepriii! ︿(￣︶￣)︿"
The glow Togepi released at the start was indeed Future Sight!
And Future Sight is a delayed attack that strikes minutes later.
The super-effective, immensely powerful Future Sight instantly demolished Weezing!
"So Teacher Lu was just defending the whole time."
Ash nodded dumbfounded. "All to deliver one decisive blow..."
"So strong, meow... He didn't even break a sweat..."
Roxie froze momentarily before scoffing with a 'tch'.
Future Sight's difficulty lies not just in timing but predicting the opponent's position seconds later.
He deliberately had Togepi retreat to lure Weezing in for Future Sight to hit!
"This isn't a Poison Master—this is a Dirty Tactics Master!"
Roxie muttered bitterly before glaring back at her band members:
"What are you waiting for? Keep playing!"
The bassist blinked, not expecting the Gym Leader who seemed dominant moments ago to get one-shot by Togepi...
Is there even any point continuing this battle?
Considering his leader's feelings, the bassist shouted: "Poison rock is life, poison rock is stage!"
The passionate rock music reignited across the battlefield.
Lu Ye couldn't help tapping his foot as Roxie threw her second Poké Ball.
"Go, Scolipede!"
The massive purple-red centipede had warning-colored spots, sharp antennae, and raised its pitch-black upper body.
Lu Ye had zero fondness for giant insects, recalling the retreating Togepi.
"Tog... togepriii~(｡•́︿•̀｡)"
Togepi vanished in red light, relieved, waving at Roxie before disappearing.
"Hmph..." The white-haired loli flushed before shouting, "Keep playing, Scolipede!"
"Scree!!" Scolipede raised its legs, limbs splaying aggressively.
Lu Ye, having trypophobia, pursed his lips and threw a Poké Ball: "Sirfetch'd, I choose you!"
"Quack~!"
The snow-white Sirfetch'd stood proudly with its leek sword and shield, looking down disdainfully.
Scolipede actually retreated slightly under its imposing aura.
"Such a strong Sirfetch'd..." Roxie frowned.
Scolipede's Swarm ability let it instinctively sense danger.
Facing this Sirfetch'd actually made it fearful...
This Sirfetch'd was likely Teacher Lu's most trusted partner.
Shaking her head, Roxie dismissed distractions and bared her fangs.
"Don't back down, use Screech!!"
"Scree!!"
Scolipede rubbed its legs together, emitting an ear-piercing shriek that blended with the guitar outside, making the audience wince.
Yet this heavy metal-like noise made hardcore fans' eyes shine.
"Hey twerp, look!" Meowth pointed at Sirfetch'd.
"Teacher Lu's Sirfetch'd..."
Ash gaped. "Isn't even fazed!"
What incredible confidence!
To remain utterly unfazed even if Mount Tai collapsed before it!
This question arose in every spectator's mind.
Sirfetch'd gripped its leek sword, shedding bitter tears.
"Quack! (´థ౪థ)σ"
Stop screaming already~~
I know you're scared, ducky's scared too~!
But there's no choice. Sirfetch'd took a deep breath, eyes sharpening as its blade glowed crimson.
I, ducky, have reasons I must win!
"Quack!!" Sirfetch'd held its sword centered like a lance—Throat Chop at blinding speed!
Take my leek lunge!
Clang!!
Sirfetch'd's blade clashed with Scolipede's sharp antennae, sparking blue.
Then the sword slid sideways along Scolipede's armor, drawing green blood!
"Scree!" Scolipede curled in pain, the Screech ending abruptly!
At this close range, Roxie yelled: "Sludge Bomb!!"
Scolipede reared up as highly corrosive purple sludge rained down on Sirfetch'd!
The audience gulped.
Already imagining Sirfetch'd corroded full of holes...
"Detect!!"
Sirfetch'd raised its shield, the sludge splashing outward as its eyes gleamed.
"Quack!!"
Its leek sword slashed, splitting an incoming sludge bomb before crashing into Scolipede—both escaping the poison zone!
Sizzle—
The sludge melted craters in the ground, hissing white fumes rising.
Meowth gulped, covering the coin on its head.
If the Executive had really sent Meowth out...
Meowth's coin might've been gone!
"Megahorn!" Roxie shouted.
Scolipede's sharp horns glowed red, growing over twice in size.
Sirfetch'd's blade also shone gold, a golden Brave Bird silhouette forming behind it.
"Brave Bird!"
"Quack! ᕙ༼°益°༽ᕗ"
All Sirfetch'd's timidity transformed into golden light converging on its leek.
Then it swung the golden blade as the spectral Brave Bird shrieked toward Scolipede!
BOOM!!!
The massive shockwave momentarily drowned out the music.
The white-haired loli gulped.
This... wasn't about music anymore...
Following a trainer of this caliber, collaborating with him...
Forget pay... Teacher Lu not charging tuition was already generous!
As dust cleared, Scolipede lay upside-down, eyes swirled.
Compared to the strategic Future Sight earlier,
Sirfetch'd's merciless slash displayed absolute violence!
The audience gulped, muttering:
"This is straight-up murder..."
The manager wiped his glasses, sweating:
"Already skipped work for half an hour... might as well finish watching..."
A breeze swept the field as Sirfetch'd stood calmly, blade in hand.
The noble, fearless white knight won countless fans.
Amid cheers, Lu Ye recalled it into its Premier Ball.
"Quack! (´థ౪థ)σ" (That was close, so close!)
From its Dive Ball, Blastoise added via aura: "Squirt! ヾ(⌐■_■)" (Indeed, extremely dangerous!)
The field quieted as the band stopped, looking at Roxie:
"Lead singer... continue?"
Roxie took a deep breath, grinning fiercely:
"Not enough... next victory will be mine!"
"Explosion!!"
As the white-haired loli shouted dramatically,
Lu Ye glanced over, deadpan:
"Gengar, make it quick."
"Ghehe! (≖ᴗ≖)✧"
Gengar floated lazily onto the field, squinting with a toothy grin.
Simply standing there, its oppressive aura dwarfed the previous two Pokémon.
Roxie stared at Gengar, murmuring:
"This... is the real Poison expert, Teacher Lu?"
Gengar also possessed the Poison dual-type.
In a way...
Teacher Lu's Gengar was exceptionally skilled with poison too...
Roxie gritted her teeth: "G-Garbodor, go!"
Thud!!
The massive Garbodor reeked horribly, glaring viciously at Gengar.
"Sludge Wave!"
Roxie's favorite move became even deadlier in her ace's hands.
"Roar!!" Garbodor lumbered forward, firing purple sludge from both arms!
Gengar didn't dodge, opening its mouth wide.
"Ghehe~ (*⊙~⊙)"
Roxie &
Garbodor: Σ(°△°|||)︴
The crowd erupted:
"Holy crap, it just swallowed the sludge!"
"Quad resistance lets you do whatever you want?!"
Roxie faced this situation for the first time, dryly asking: "What kind of move is this?"
Lu Ye silently looked skyward.
This was a technique taught by Koga.
That guy might be a daughter-con, but he was still a 'Poison-type Elite'!
Moreover, this was Gengar's signature move since childhood...
Lu Ye quietly put in earplugs.
"Gengar, Light Screen the area first, then Perish Song!"
Crystalline walls formed soundproof barriers around the field.
Roxie stared dumbfounded as Gengar grinned, pulling out a microphone:
"Ghehe~♪ Ghehe~♪"
"Roar!!"
The hellish singing made Garbodor's expression drastically change!
Its huge body swayed unstably under the terrifying song, unable to last even a minute!
"T-this is..."
Roxie covered her ears, pupils shrinking. "Death... metal?!"
This Gengar's musical skill with Perish Song alone was worth learning from!
Thud!!
Soon after, Garbodor collapsed defeated, eyes swirled.
Teacher Lu removed his earplugs, enjoying the sudden silence with a smile.
Clap clap clap—
Spontaneous applause erupted from the stands.
"So strong... got to watch an expert match for free!"
"Stop clapping, get back to work!!"
Roxie slumped over, trudging to Lu Ye while mumbling: "I still... got wrecked..."
"It's fine, happens often," Lu Ye said.
Roxie looked up angrily before shouting:
"You didn't win—I lost! My weakness made my Pokémon sad... so next time! Next time I'll win!"
Tears even welled in the white-haired loli's eyes, her sharp fangs oddly cute.
Lu Ye nodded smiling:
"Anyway, thanks for the accompaniment!"
"Hmph..."
Roxie slung her guitar, returning to her band.
"Quit staring, pack up for the 7th floor studio!"
"And... bring my Poison Badge!"
Reluctantly handing the pale purple badge to Gengar:
"Ghehe! (￣▽￣)／"
Gengar examined the shiny badge in sunlight, nodding approvingly.
Lu Ye sighed.
Running out of space for badges at home.
Maybe he could imitate Ash from the anime, lining his coat with them...
During introductions, he could casually flash dozens of badges...
"Teacher Lu really does everything... I thought he was mainly a musician!"
"The lead singer got completely destroyed!"
Roxie gritted her teeth, about to lecture her band when—
Lu Ye smoothly pulled out a QR code, beaming:
"Friend, heard of our fan group?"