Misty took the initiative, eager to teach Satoshi a lesson.
"Haah!"
At her command, Starmie immediately fired Ice Beam toward Grovyle.
In the Pokémon world, while Grass-type moves weren't weak against Ice-types, Ice-type moves were still super effective against Grass-types.
Grovyle was at a disadvantage, but its incredible speed allowed it to dodge the attack using Agility without Satoshi even needing to give the order.
"Grovyle, Quick Attack!"
The moment Grovyle dodged, Satoshi issued his command.
In a blur of motion, Grovyle rushed toward Starmie at lightning speed.
Its agility was beyond what most Trainers could follow.
"Starmie, Agility! Dodge it!"
But Misty wasn't just any Trainer—she was a Gym Leader. Her battle instincts and experience were on a different level.
The moment Satoshi called for an attack, she countered, ensuring that Starmie put more distance between them.
Grovyle's attack missed.
"Tch, this is troublesome. Grovyle, Double Team!"
Seeing that Starmie was just as fast, Satoshi switched tactics.
Instantly, Grovyle split into multiple copies, filling the battlefield with illusions.
Misty frowned. "Using Double Team already? You haven't even launched an attack yet."
It was usually a defensive move, used to dodge incoming hits.
So why was Satoshi using it now?
"Because your Starmie is too fast. I need Grovyle to prepare a powerful, fast attack."
Satoshi explained it casually, as if he was doing her a favor.
"A powerful and fast attack? Does Grovyle even have such a move?"
"Yes. I trained it well and taught it this move."
"What move?"
"Solar Beam."
Misty's eyes widened. "What?! Your Grovyle can use Solar Beam?!"
As soon as she finished speaking, all of Grovyle's illusions began glowing, absorbing sunlight.
"Starmie! We can't let it charge up! Rapid Spin!"
Misty suddenly realized why Satoshi had been so open about his strategy.
It was an open bluff.
Whether he told her or not, the moment Grovyle started absorbing energy, she would know it was preparing Solar Beam.
There was no way to keep it a secret.
And now, if she didn't stop it in time, Solar Beam—with its overwhelming speed and power—would finish Starmie in a single hit.
She had to locate the real Grovyle among the illusions and attack before it was too late.
Starmie sped up, using Rapid Spin to attack every copy of Grovyle.
One by one, the illusions disappeared.
But the real Grovyle was still out there.
Misty gritted her teeth. Solar Beam was nearly fully charged.
"Faster, Starmie!"
At her command, Starmie pushed its speed to the limit, eliminating the remaining clones.
Only three Grovyles remained—each positioned in different directions.
Misty only had seconds left.
"I have to gamble!"
"Starmie! Attack the one on the left!"
She took a risk, trusting her instincts.
BAM!
Her heart leapt as Starmie struck the real Grovyle.
"Nice! Use Ice Beam immediately!"
Even if she couldn't stop Solar Beam, she could still inflict massive damage.
If she was lucky, she might even knock Grovyle out before it could attack!
However...
As the light on Grovyle's body faded, Misty suddenly realized something was wrong.
Then she heard a crackling sound.
Electricity.
Her eyes widened.
Grovyle had grabbed Starmie's central gem, tilting it away to prevent it from aiming properly.
Then, with its other hand, it clenched a fist—sparks crackling around it.
"Wait—!"
Before she could react, Grovyle struck Starmie directly with Thunder Punch.
Starmie struggled to escape, but Grovyle's grip was too strong.
A second Thunder Punch followed, leaving Starmie badly hurt.
A third blow landed.
Starmie collapsed.
Ding!
Grovyle has gained experience. Level +1. Now Level 33! Learned Slam!
The battle was over.
"You—you tricked me!"
Misty was stunned.
That Solar Beam setup wasn't real at all!
Satoshi had baited her into sending Starmie directly to Grovyle, setting up the perfect ambush.
That wasn't a strategy—it was deception!
"All's fair in war," Satoshi said with a smirk.
"You really believed everything I said? Misty, you should always be cautious in battle. Never let yourself be tricked so easily."
"You—a Rookie Trainer—are trying to lecture me, a Gym Leader, about battle tactics?"
She clenched her fists.
Her pride as a Gym Leader was on the line.
She had even considered going easy on Satoshi earlier…
But now?
Now, she was furious.
End of the Chapter
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