"Buneary, you see, Rex didn't mean it. Please forgive him!"
Lenka had already understood Rex's intention. Seeing that Buneary was still sulking, she hurried to comfort it.
After being consoled by its trainer, Buneary finally felt a bit less aggrieved and called out to Rex a few times, indicating its stance.
"Buneary has just learned the move Headbutt, using up its accumulated energy from the past period. To continue improving its strength, it will need regular training from you, Lenka."
Seeing that both Lenka and Buneary understood him, Rex continued.
"I understand. I will make sure to train Buneary well from now on," Lenka said confidently.
Actually, Lenka had tried hard to train Buneary before, but its progress was too slow, and she had started to slack off. After seeing Buneary's performance today, she realized she couldn't afford to be lazy anymore.
"Volker, thank you so much for letting us use this battle area. We won't bother you any longer!" Rex said gratefully as he walked over to Volker.
"Rex, would you like to have a friendly match with me?" Volker suddenly suggested.
Buneary's performance had piqued Volker's interest in Rex as a potential opponent. Recently, Volker had gradually lost his passion for battles. However, he thought that a match with a well-matched opponent might reignite his fighting spirit.
"Of course, I'd be honored to have a battle with you, Volker," Rex replied, not quite understanding the young man's intentions but feeling that a Pokémon battle with him sounded like a good idea. After all, Volker was definitely strong.
"Then let's have a 3-on-3 Pokémon battle!" Volker declared as he stepped into the position Lenka had just vacated.
Lenka excitedly hugged Buneary and moved aside to watch. Being able to observe Volker's match up close was an exciting experience for her.
Both sides sent out their first Pokémon—Rex sent out Carbink, while Volker sent out Raichu.
"Carbink, use Light Screen!"
"Raichu, use Thunderbolt!"
Rex and Volker gave their commands almost simultaneously.
Just as Carbink finished setting up the Light Screen, a powerful bolt of electricity shot from Raichu, striking the barrier at an incredible speed.
Although the Light Screen cracked under the impact of Thunderbolt, it ultimately held up and did not shatter.
"Stealth Rock!"
With Rex's command, Carbink instantly created countless stone spikes on the field, which soon disappeared from sight.
Raichu, wrapped in electricity, was already charging toward Carbink. This time, the Light Screen couldn't withstand Raichu's forceful attack, shattering under the impact. Raichu continued its charge, striking Carbink directly and delivering a powerful electric shock, sending it stumbling back several steps.
This was Volt Tackle. The tremendous power caused the struck area on Carbink to blacken, but Raichu also took some recoil damage.
Unlike Buneary's light attacks, Raichu's Volt Tackle inflicted significant damage on Carbink.
"Carbink, use Dazzling Gleam!"
Seizing the opportunity, Rex had Carbink launch its first attack. Bright pink light radiated from Carbink, shining toward Raichu.
Faced with the wide-range attack of Dazzling Gleam, Volker knew Raichu couldn't dodge and decided to have it counter with Thunder.
Carbink could only withstand the incoming Thunder with its high defense. Fortunately, its special defense was quite high at 150, so while the attack blackened another part of its body, it wasn't enough to knock it out.
Raichu, suffering from the Dazzling Gleam attack, showed a pained expression. Unfortunately, Carbink's attack power was not high enough to deal significant damage to Raichu.
The subsequent battle put Carbink at a disadvantage. Although it managed to use Substitute and Protect to defend against some of Raichu's attacks, a powerful Thunder eventually hit, causing Carbink to lose its ability to fight.
Rex had anticipated Carbink's defeat, knowing that its attack power was too low. As long as the opponent could break through its defenses, victory was only a matter of time.
Volker wasn't surprised by Raichu's victory over Carbink. Although Carbink was quite strong, it wasn't much stronger than the Pokémon of other challengers.
Rex's second Pokémon was Sandslash. He hadn't used it in a Pokémon battle for a long time, but Rex had noticed Sandslash's dedication in training recently.
Volker wasn't particularly concerned about Rex using Sandslash. After all, if type advantage alone could defeat him, he wouldn't be so conflicted.
"Sandslash, use Sandstorm!"
Rex commanded, and Sandslash kicked up a sandstorm. Even though they were indoors, Sandslash could summon an endless supply of sand with its ground-type energy.
Sandslash then disappeared into the sandstorm, while Raichu was continuously harassed by the swirling sands.
Volker just smiled and had Raichu use Electric Terrain. Immediately, currents of electricity filled the battlefield.
"Raichu, use Brick Break!" Volker calmly ordered.
Raichu suddenly launched a Brick Break behind itself, and a claw caught Raichu's attack. Sandslash's form was now visible.
Rex realized why Volker had used Electric Terrain: it allowed Raichu to sense Sandslash's location.
"Sandslash, use Bulldoze!"
With Rex's command, Sandslash stomped down heavily, sending a wave of earth-toned energy toward Raichu. The attack not only pushed Raichu back but also slowed its movements significantly.
However, Raichu quickly used its tail to leap away and launched an Iron Tail at Sandslash. Sandslash countered with Crush Claw, and the two Pokémon engaged in close combat.
Rex hadn't expected Raichu to be so skilled in close-quarters combat. Luckily, Sandslash often sparred with Machamp, so it wasn't outmatched in close combat.
After a fierce exchange, Raichu was hit by Sandslash's Crush Claw. As it was knocked back, Raichu used its Iron Tail to land a heavy blow on Sandslash, sending it flying.
Due to the accumulated damage, Raichu couldn't hold on and lost its ability to fight after this last exchange.
Seeing Raichu defeated, Volker felt a spark of interest in the battle. He sent out his second Pokémon, Luxray, a fierce lion-like Pokémon with a majestic appearance.
Luxray showed a pained expression upon entering the field, a result of the Stealth Rock Carbink had set up earlier. However, Luxray's Intimidate ability put pressure on Sandslash, instilling a sense of fear.
*(End of Chapter)*