Chapter 44: Elesa vs. N

"That's Miss Elesa from the Unova region!"

"Wait, Elesa?! For real!?"

"I can't believe a superstar is actually here..."

Someone in the crowd suddenly shouted her name, acting as the spark that ignited the entire atmosphere. The tourists nearby went wild, chanting her name in a frenzy.

The woman in sunglasses gave a slightly troubled tug at a lock of her hair, though she skillfully maintained a dazzling smile as she gave a small, graceful wave to the crowd.

Elesa. It was a name N recognized well.

She was the Gym Leader of the Nimbasa Gym in Unova, known far and wide as the "Shining Beauty." She specialized in Electric-type Pokémon and was considered one of the more formidable Leaders in her region.

However, those accolades weren't the main reason N knew of her.

It was primarily because of her other identity: a world-class supermodel. N's stubborn childhood friend, Hilda, was a massive fan of hers and constantly rambled about her, ensuring the name was burned into his memory.

"Just one match is all I ask! If you agree to battle me, how about I give you this Soothe Bell as a gift?"

Elesa gave her golden coat a stylish flick, her high heels clicking against the deck. Even with the sunglasses and her attempt at a disguise, her poise and silhouette were impossible to hide. It was no wonder she had been spotted.

With a playful smirk, she held up a delicately crafted silver bell with a red cord that chimed softly. The moment N saw the item, a look of surprise crossed his face.

The Soothe Bell, as the name implied, it was a special item used to calm a Pokémon's spirit. When held, it allowed a Pokémon to grow friendly toward its Trainer much faster. For the current N, it was a rare and valuable find.

"In that case, let's have a match."

"Hehe. Don't go underestimating me just because I'm offering a gift, young man."

Confidence danced in Elesa's playful smile as she shot N a teasing wink. This small gesture immediately drew glares of envy from the surrounding tourists toward N, yet he remained perfectly composed, his smile never wavering as if he were immune to the surrounding pressure.

What impressive mental fortitude, Elesa thought. Even in this situation, the green-haired boy in the cap maintained a natural, easygoing smile. Did she really not intimidate him at all?

She felt a slight prick of annoyance at being underestimated. While she might not be the absolute strongest among Unova's Gym Leaders, she was still a genuine, high-ranking professional!

"Then I'll start with this one... Let's give them a paralyzing, dizzying shock! Come on out, Zebstrika!"

Elesa lightly kissed a Poké Ball adorned with a lightning bolt emblem before tossing it into the air. A majestic, horse-like Pokémon with a black-and-white motif landed on the deck. Its coat was jet black with white, jagged lightning-bolt patterns, and two jagged horns sat atop its head like bolts of electricity.

[Zebstrika]

Strength: Mid Alpha

Potential: Middle Grade

Having watched the previous matches, Elesa knew she couldn't take this young Trainer lightly. That Gurdurr he had used earlier was at least Alpha-level. If she didn't show some real power, she'd be in for a humiliating defeat.

"Nidoking, it's your turn."

N gave his Poké Ball a casual flick. A massive, heavily built Nidoking slammed onto the ground with a thunderous boom that made the entire ship vibrate. Its purple, spiked armor alone was enough to strike fear into the hearts of onlookers.

The confident look on Elesa's face froze the moment Nidoking appeared.

A Ground-type Nidoking?!

Did he know she was an Electric-type Gym Leader and deliberately pick a Ground-type counter? He hadn't used Nidoking once in the previous ten matches; Elesa had assumed he didn't even have one on him.

Crap, I've been baited!

A Ground-type effectively sealed off her entire Electric-type arsenal. No matter how powerful her shocks were, they would be completely negated. For an Electric-type specialist like Elesa, this was beyond frustrating.

She was starting this battle at a massive disadvantage!

"Even without Electric moves, my Zebstrika can still shine on this stage! Use Agility!"

"Interrupt it with Poison Jab."

Thwack!

Nidoking moved with a speed that completely defied its massive, lumbering frame. Its thick right arm lunged forward like a venomous needle, striking the preparing Zebstrika before it could even begin to accelerate. Even Elesa was stunned, how could a Nidoking be that fast?

"Follow up with Shadow Claw."

Slash!!

Elesa had never seen a Nidoking with such agility. After the initial jab broke Zebstrika's focus, Nidoking immediately followed up with a point-blank Shadow Claw. Zebstrika was forced back several steps by the consecutive hits.

"Now, sidestep and evade."

"Zebstrika, push through with Flame Charge!"

It was as if N had foreseen Elesa's next move perfectly. By the time Zebstrika launched its fiery tackle, Nidoking had already pivoted, letting the attack pass harmlessly by.

The Pokémon's flexibility and speed far exceeded the norm for its species, and combined with its Trainer's uncanny "pre-reads," Elesa found herself completely stifled.

"He's reading me? And how can a Nidoking move like that..."

Elesa bit her lip, her brow furrowing as she realized just how treacherous this fight had become. Zebstrika was a Pokémon that thrived in close quarters; its kit was designed for physical brawls where few could gain an upper hand.

Except for Ground-types.

The total immunity to its Electric attacks left Elesa feeling powerless. To defeat that Nidoking, she had to rely on coverage moves. But Zebstrika's non-electric options were too predictable; N was reading her like an open book, anticipating the Flame Charge before she even called it.

Her chances of winning were rapidly approaching zero!

"Use Nasty Plot."

"Na... Nasty Plot?!"

Elesa's beautiful eyes widened in shock. For a moment, she forgot to order Zebstrika to intervene, simply because she couldn't fathom a Nidoking, of all things, using the Dark-type move Nasty Plot.