Cherreads

Chapter 44 - 44. Frogadier's Struggle

Mega Aerodactyl's Attribute is Flying + Rock. Electric-type moves have a Normal effect on Rock Pokémon, with damage neither doubled nor halved. However, Electric-type moves double the damage against Flying Pokémon.

"If Mega Aerodactyl is always flying in the sky, it can't be hit at all, but now we've finally caught it. Charmeleon, use [Thunder Punch]!" 

Eddie had been waiting for this moment. Charmeleon would lose this battle, but he could not afford to return empty-handed. This wasn't part of Eddie's original plan, but both he and Charmeleon had prepared for this moment!

"Roar!" 

Charmeleon let out a fierce roar. The injuries it had sustained were for this very moment. It couldn't stop now—it had to strike hard.

With its electrified fist raised high, Charmeleon delivered a powerful punch to Mega Aerodactyl's abdomen.

At the same time, Charmeleon relaxed its other arm. It appeared to let Mega Aerodactyl escape, but in reality, it was setting up to hit it again.

Mega Aerodactyl had been hit in the abdomen a moment ago, and it wasn't feeling well. As Charmeleon released its other hand, it seemed as if Mega Aerodactyl could quickly fly away from this "werewolf." However, Charmeleon's arm, which had been bitten earlier, was now charging with electricity, and it struck Mega Aerodactyl's chin with another [Thunder Punch].

Charmeleon seemed to have used up all its strength, but the punch knocked Mega Aerodactyl a good distance away.

However, after the attack, Charmeleon fell to one knee, clutching its arm. It clearly couldn't continue the fight.

Though Mega Aerodactyl had been struck by two [Thunder Punches] and had sustained some damage, it was still able to continue fighting. Its HP had dropped by at least a third.

"It turns out it can use [Thunder Punch], I miscalculated." 

Brock's expression turned serious. While Mega Aerodactyl wasn't critically hurt by the two punches, the damage was significant, and it certainly wasn't as he had expected. He had hoped to defeat Charmeleon with minimal cost, but this didn't go as planned.

"Thank you for your hard work, Charmeleon. Return to your Poké Ball and rest." 

Eddie recalled Charmeleon. Although it could still fight, the goal had been accomplished, and it was better to retreat and recover.

Continuing the fight would be pointless. Brock would never allow Mega Aerodactyl to get close to Charmeleon again. If it kept fighting in the air, Charmeleon would only take more damage.

"The next step is up to you, Frogadier!" 

Eddie threw another Poké Ball, and Frogadier appeared on the battlefield with a confident "Froga!"

Frogadier was an excellent choice for this battle. With both Ice-type and Water-type moves at its disposal, it was perfectly suited to take on Mega Aerodactyl. Ice-type moves double the damage against Flying-type Pokémon, while Water-type moves double the damage against Rock-type Pokémon.

"Frogadier? Another second-evolution Pokémon." 

Brock frowned, realizing the challenge ahead. Eddie had trained two Pokémon to be strong enough for the battle in just one day. Frogadier's strength was comparable to Charmeleon's, and with the added advantage of type effectiveness, Brock knew he was in trouble.

"This is troublesome," Brock muttered. 

He had thought Charmeleon was Eddie's strongest Pokémon, but now Frogadier had appeared as a powerful backup.

"So that's it… Frogadier is your trump card to defeat me. You had Charmeleon go first to weaken my Pokémon, and now Frogadier will deliver the final blow. A simple tactic."

Brock didn't expect this strategy.

"It was a mistake."

But it was the truth.

If Eddie had sent Frogadier out first, Brock would have surely focused on weakening it, as it was such a big threat. Instead, Eddie did the opposite—he sent out Charmeleon, whose type was weak against Mega Aerodactyl, confusing Brock into thinking that Charmeleon was his strongest Pokémon.

Normally, who would send a Pokémon with a disadvantage unless there was no other option? 

But now, after all that, Eddie had released a fresh Pokémon with full strength, one as strong as Charmeleon and with a type advantage over Brock's Pokémon. It was clear to anyone watching that Eddie now had the upper hand.

"Frogadier, [Water Pulse]!" 

Eddie was finally ready to face Brock head-on.

This time, it wasn't his Pokémon that had to dodge, but Mega Aerodactyl.

"Quack!"

Frogadier clapped its hands together, instantly condensing a ball of surging water, which it then hurled into the air.

The water ball grew as it flew, forming rings of waves, and it homed in on Mega Aerodactyl.

"Mega Aerodactyl, [Agility] Dodge!" 

"Don't let it dodge easily, Frogadier, use [Quick Attack] to close the distance!"

Dodging wasn't a problem for Mega Aerodactyl—it was fast and had [Agility]. But Eddie wasn't about to let it get away that easily.

Frogadier used [Quick Attack] to rush toward Mega Aerodactyl. Though it didn't allow Frogadier to fly, the move helped it close the gap quickly.

As soon as Frogadier got close, it immediately used [Water Pulse] again to prevent Mega Aerodactyl from escaping.

"I see. You're trying to wear it down. Mega Aerodactyl is already injured and has been in a tough battle, so its stamina can't be as high as Frogadier's. If this continues, it will have trouble keeping up." 

Brock quickly understood Eddie's strategy. Eddie couldn't land a hit, so he was forcing Mega Aerodactyl to use up its energy. Eventually, Mega Aerodactyl would make a mistake.

"If you defend too long, you'll lose. Now it's my turn." 

Brock's eyes narrowed. "I can't keep running. Mega Aerodactyl, use [Agility] to charge forward and then follow up with [Wing Attack]!" 

With Brock's command, Mega Aerodactyl used its speed to dodge the attack while closing the distance toward Frogadier, its wings ready for [Wing Attack].

"Very good," Brock thought. "If it chooses to dodge, I'll control the rhythm of the attack and keep pushing, reversing the positions. If it doesn't dodge, both sides will take damage, and we can turn the tide."

Mega Aerodactyl's offensive power was enhanced by its ability, so the damage from its attacks was significant. The faster [Wing Attack] could strike, the more it would change the course of the battle.

"I've been waiting for this moment! Frogadier, use [Ice Beam]!"

Eddie had already anticipated Brock's move—or perhaps he had nudged him in that direction from the start.

If Frogadier didn't dodge, both Pokémon would take damage, but if Frogadier wanted to win, it had to bring this flying, fast opponent down to the ground. Otherwise, Frogadier would just be a target in the air.

How could Eddie bring it down? Freeze its wings. Mega Aerodactyl was in the perfect position, already preparing [Wing Attack].

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