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Before long, two more challengers arrived at the battle platform opposite Sato.
Unfortunately, these two were clearly acting on impulse and had not prepared at all for how to deal with Swampert.
Very quickly, just like the majority of challengers before them, their Pokémon were sent flying out of the battlefield one after another by Swampert's powerful punches, suffering heavy defeats.
Now, Sato had achieved nine consecutive victories—just one more win to complete his ten-win streak. According to the mission requirements, he had already fulfilled his duties as the acting Gym Leader.
He was just one step away from earning a perfect rating for the mission. But at this final hurdle, Sato finally encountered a formidable opponent.
The trainers in the audience were no amateurs. Each of them had at least six Gym Badges and had honed their theoretical knowledge through Pokémon Academy training.
After observing Sato and Swampert's battles for an extended period, some of the more patient trainers gradually deciphered the basic moves and battle style Swampert relied on. Slowly, they started developing strategies to counter it.
One such challenger was his current opponent—Buggy, a trainer from Canalave City in the Sinnoh region. The first Pokémon Buggy sent out was an extremely rare one in Kanto, Johto, and evan Hoenn: Glaceon.
"Glaceon, huh? Has he figured it out already? Well, after all, Swampert has fought eighteen consecutive battles—it's only natural that the strategy I set up is finally being unraveled."
Seeing that Buggy had chosen Glaceon despite knowing Swampert could use Hammer Arm, a devastating Fighting-type move for Ice-types, Sato's eyes narrowed. A faint glint of blue light flickered in his gaze as he instinctively became more alert.
.....
Glaceon's Information:
Pokémon: Glaceon
Level: 42
Type: Ice
Ability: Snow Cloak
Gender: Male
Known Moves:Covet, Tackle, Growl, Helping Hand, Tail Whip, Sand Attack, Baby-Doll Eyes, Quick Attack, Bite, Swift, Refresh, Icy Wind, Ice Fang, Ice Shard, Barrier, Mirror Coat, Hail, Last Resort.
Egg Move:Charm.
Tutor Moves: None.
TM Moves:Protect, Hidden Power (Fighting), Shadow Ball, Ice Beam, Hyper Beam, Water Pulse, Iron Tail.
Held Item: Never-Melt Ice
IVs:
HP: 28 (31)
Attack: 25 (31)
Defense: 26 (31)
Special Attack: 28 (31)
Special Defense: 26 (31)
Speed: 25 (31)
[Overall IV Rating: Purple (158 total IVs)]
.....
The data made it clear—this Glaceon had excellent stats and had been heavily trained by Buggy. He had even equipped it with a Never-Melt Ice, a rare item that boosted Ice-type moves.
The exquisite necklace around Glaceon's neck held a gem-like ice crystal, which was undoubtedly the Never-Melt Ice. It emanated an icy aura, chilling the air around it.
Using the frigid energy from the Never-Melt Ice, along with its natural ability to regulate its body temperature, Glaceon instantly froze the muddy terrain beneath it upon entering the battlefield.
Standing steadily on the newly formed ice, Glaceon then activated its Snow Cloak ability, causing snow to begin falling in a three-meter radius around it.
Gradually, the battlefield was transforming into an icy domain.
"What an impressive control over Ice-type energy. With Never-Melt Ice providing an endless supply of cold, the entire battlefield will soon become an ice field. I need to end this quickly—if I don't, Swampert will be kited until it loses."
Watching as Glaceon rapidly altered the battlefield, Sato's expression grew serious.
With the referee Joe's signal, the battle officially began. As always, the challenger had the first move.
"Glaceon, use Ice Beam to freeze the entire muddy terrain!"
Buggy, fully prepared, immediately commanded Glaceon.
"Swampert, end this fast! Charge in and use Hammer Arm!"
The moment Buggy issued his order, Sato responded instantly.
Glaceon wasted no time. It opened its mouth and fired a thick, ice-blue beam at the remaining unfrozen mud, rapidly coating it in solid ice. The temperature of the battlefield dropped sharply.
Meanwhile, Swampert surged forward, closing in on Glaceon. However, the closer it got, the more the ground beneath its feet turned to ice, making movement increasingly difficult.
The once-familiar muddy terrain had become an obstacle, slowing it down.
In the end, Swampert had to use brute force to smash through the frozen ground to advance. But this significantly reduced its speed.
By the time Swampert was within two meters of Glaceon, more than half of the battlefield had already been converted into an ice field.
Furthermore, as the temperature continued to plummet, the snowfall that had originally only covered a small area around Glaceon now extended across the entire battlefield.
"Time to skate, Glaceon. Let's play with Swampert for a while—hit it with Ice Beam!"
Seeing Glaceon successfully transform the battlefield and expand the snowfall, Buggy nodded in satisfaction before issuing his next command.
Buggy knew that his plan had succeeded. The mud terrain that Swampert relied on had been completely sealed away and replaced with an ice field—an environment that favored Glaceon.
Time was on his side. Once the entire battlefield was covered in snow, Sato's Swampert would be doomed.
With an eager gleam in its eyes, Glaceon began to glide effortlessly across the ice. For an Ice-type Pokémon, skating was as natural as breathing.
Moreover, with Snow Cloak activated, Glaceon's body flickered in and out of visibility within the snowfall, making it difficult for Swampert and Sato to track it with their eyes.
Glaceon moved swiftly across the ice, launching Ice Beam attacks at Swampert from multiple angles.
Swampert was growing frustrated. It struggled to predict Glaceon's attacks and lacked the long-range capabilities to counterattack effectively. The only thing it could do was use Ice Punch to create ice walls, attempting to block the incoming beams.
"Tch, if the battlefield is no longer useful, then let's destroy it entirely! Swampert, use Earth Power—blow the field apart!"
Sato knew exactly what Buggy was aiming for. As Swampert's moist skin started to frost over, he realized that waiting any longer would lead to defeat. Steeling his resolve, he gave his command.
'Boss Giovanni, I have no choice but to wreck the field to complete my mission. If you get mad about it later, don't blame me…'
As Sato issued the command, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of regret in his heart.