Chapter 84: Naval Warfare
Ultimately, Arthur certainly didn't let Celebi participate in the battle.
The current fighting strength of this onion head was probably about even with a Magikarp—the kind where they could trade blows back and forth.
The one accepting the little Lapras's challenge was, once again, Froakie.
However, before the battle began, Arthur first pulled him aside and said, "Listen to my instructions during the fight. Show her more battle techniques."
The underlying meaning, of course, was telling Froakie not to use powerful skills right from the start and end the battle too quickly.
This caused Froakie to let out a slightly troubled cry.
Ever since learning powerful, high-level moves like "Night Slash" and "Dark Pulse," he hadn't had a single chance to use them in a one-on-one battle.
Finishing last in the ranking matches at the youth training camp earlier had left him simmering with frustration. Unfortunately, by the time he learned the new skills, the rankings were already finalized, and there were temporarily no more matches available in the camp.
Up until now, the only opportunity he'd had was finding a chance to beat up Grovyle before they set sail.
It was completely unsatisfying.
"Ao ao!"
At this moment, the little Lapras was still completely unaware that she had just narrowly escaped a swift defeat. She continued to hold her head high, calling out, full of fighting spirit.
Subsequently, they left the ice palace and went to an open clearing in the mountains outside.
Celebi temporarily took on the role of referee.
"Nene, both sides get ready! Now, everyone listen for my command~"
"Cut the crap!" Arthur interrupted the drama queen's performance with a single sentence.
"Ahem, alright then. Begin!"
With the command given, Lapras took the initiative, opening her mouth to spray out a large cloud of icy mist.
The Ice-type move: Icy Wind!
It conjures a bone-chilling cold wind that sweeps towards the enemy; the low temperature also slows the target's movement speed.
Arthur, however, gave his command simultaneously: "Shadow Sneak, main body go directly!"
The move Shadow Sneak has two methods of usage. One is to create a shadow clone near the enemy to perform a sneak attack, aiming for a critical spot (often humorously referred to as a 'kidney strike'). This was the tactic Froakie frequently used before and had inflicted tons of critical damage upon Grovyle's lower back.
The other method involves the user's main body merging into the shadows and traveling along them to directly appear behind the enemy for a surprise attack.
The execution speed of this second method is relatively slower than the first.
For a priority move, activation speed is always a critically important consideration; only by striking quickly enough can one truly seize the initiative.
Therefore, in modern, formal trainer education, instructors often default to teaching students the first method of using this skill.
But Arthur was clearly not such a rigid, modern trainer.
His understanding and application of skills were far more flexible.
Now, as Froakie merged into the ground via the shadows, he not only instantly closed the distance but also successfully dodged the extremely cold wind blown by the little Lapras at the start of the battle.
Flexible skill utilization, combined with one instance of accurate foresight, rendered the little Lapras's opening move completely ineffective.
Following this, Froakie emerged like a phantom from her shadow behind her. His right hand became wreathed in a deep purple energy mist, fingers forming a knife-hand, and slashed downwards!
"Ao!"
Although the little Lapras had her back shell for protection, this chop still caused her to cry out repeatedly in pain.
She quickly began paddling her flippers to skate across the ground, attempting to move sideways and shake off Froakie's entanglement.
Unfortunately for her, Arthur's commands clung to her like inescapable chains bound to bone.
"Swing your arm for a punch; force her head down."
Froakie executed the command decisively.
And the little Lapras's reaction was completely anticipated by Arthur; she was forced to lower her head first to dodge.
"While her head is down, jump onto her back."
Subsequently, Froakie utilized its excellent jumping ability and leaped onto the little Lapras's back.
"Woo!!"
Now the little Lapras was completely stunned, so frightened she cried out in the middle of the battle.
For a moment, she couldn't even comprehend how the enemy had managed to climb onto her back so easily.
However, Arthur's commands continued methodically, without pause.
"She'll try to hit you with her head. Crouch down and defend."
As predicted, the little Lapras forcefully swung her head backward the next moment, attempting to use the back of her head like a pendulum to strike the enemy on her back.
Unfortunately, Froakie had already prepared under its master's instructions.
Its body crouched low, center of gravity depressed, to prevent being knocked off the shell.
Simultaneously, it crossed its arms in front of its body, completely blocking the little Lapras's headbutt counterattack.
At this point, both Pokémon had recovered their energy at roughly the same time.
The little Lapras fought purely on instinct. The moment the flow of energy within her body was restored, she immediately used another skill.
"Ao!"
She raised her head and cried out. The water droplets in the surrounding air seemed to be drawn in, beginning to tremble.
The Water-type move: Water Pulse!
This was one of the few skills Lapras possessed that didn't need to be expelled from the mouth, so even an enemy in the blind spot on her back would be affected.
The idea was quite good.
Unfortunately, it was too easy to predict.
Arthur had once again completely anticipated his opponent's move.
"Use Water Pulse as well. Neutralize the vibration."
Arthur had finished speaking his entire command when the little Lapras had barely even begun to open her mouth.
Which meant that before the little Lapras had even started raising her neck, Arthur had already calculated that she would use "Water Pulse."
From the very beginning of the battle, the little one's every move had been completely within his prediction, like a marionette on strings, never once escaping his control.
The little Lapras was so anxious she kept slapping her flippers on the ground, splashing water everywhere.
However, Arthur's commands consistently prevented her from breaking free.
"Continue staying on her back. Don't get thrown off."
Froakie firmly anchored its body onto the shell on the little Lapras's back.
In this position, Lapras's head could barely twist around enough to reach; skills sprayed from the mouth couldn't hit the back area. "Water Gun," "Ice Shard," "Icy Wind," "Brine"—the series of skills the little Lapras had learned previously were all rendered useless at this moment.
She was anxious, worried yet remained utterly helpless.
Afterward, Froakie used "Pound" once to hit the back of her head, but still couldn't make her give up.
So, Arthur commanded, "Use Night Slash. Hit the edge of her back shell. Quiet her down now."
At this point, even Celebi, acting as referee on the sidelines, could hardly watch anymore and made "tsk tsk" sounds.
This level of holding back... it's almost enough to fill an entire ocean, isn't it?
She could clearly see from outside the battle: the very first moment Froakie landed on Lapras's back, it could have immediately used the much stronger pulse-type skill "Dark Pulse."
"Dark Pulse" is more powerful than "Water Pulse"; it could not only suppress the opponent's pulse vibrations but also inflict considerable damage in return.
Later, Froakie clearly held the positional advantage, yet only used the most basic move, "Pound."
And now, finally resorting to a high-power move, he still specifically emphasized hitting the edge of the shell.
From Froakie's current position, striking the head or neck would clearly be much more convenient options.
The grand Dark-type move "Night Slash" was effectively being used merely to bash the edge of the shell.
Celebi crossed her arms on the sidelines, eyeing Arthur skeptically.
This duel... you've held back so much it's almost turned into oceanic naval warfare.
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