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To counter Electric-types effectively, Sato would need a Ground-type Pokémon or one with the abilities Lightning Rod, Volt Absorb, or Motor Drive to support Golbat. Since Nidoran's final evolution, Nidoking, is a Ground-type, he's covered in that regard. However, Sato was also considering capturing a Pokémon with the Lightning Rod ability.
With a Pokémon that has Lightning Rod, Sato could redirect any Electric-type attacks aimed at Golbat, drawing them instead to this Pokémon and essentially neutralizing the threat. The Lightning Rod ability not only absorbed most Electric-type moves but also boosted the user's special attack briefly.
Though interested in a Lightning Rod Pokémon, Sato hesitated due to his current roster. With five Pokémon already needing his attention and resources, managing training and care for more Pokémon would be challenging.
Sato planned to wait until Nidoran and Growlithe had matured before adding any new Pokémon to his lineup. At the moment, Golbat and Bellossom were his primary battlers, but Nidoran and Growlithe were getting most of his training focus to help them develop.
For now, Golbat's vulnerability to Electric-types remained unresolved. Sato resignedly decided that unless forced by circumstances, he wouldn't deploy Golbat in one-on-one battles if the opponent had an Electric-type Pokemon or Electric-type moves.
Meanwhile, Bellossom's weaknesses posed a slightly more significant challenge. As a Grass-type, Bellossom was vulnerable to Flying, Fire, Poison, and Bug types. Although these weaknesses weren't as noticeable due to Golbat's support, Bellossom's recent battle against Fearow exposed a critical vulnerability to Flying-types with Fire moves.
Against a Flying-type that can use moves like Heat Wave, Bellossom is at a severe disadvantage. Unless in a setting like tonight's battle where terrain advantages could be exploited, Bellossom's chances of victory are slim against such opponents.
However, this complete disadvantage primarily applies to Flying-types that know Heat Wave. Against most Fire-, Poison-, and Bug-types that remain ground-bound, Bellossom's resilience and skill provide her with a fighting chance, even if her type is countered.
Bellossom's high-intensity training has clearly paid off, as evidenced in her use of Magical Leaf for both offense and defense, along with early signs of success with her dodging technique. In the battles following the match against Fearow, Bellossom swiftly defeated her opponents, showing how much her abilities had progressed. The earlier match was more of an exception.
Therefore, as long as Bellossom doesn't face Flying-types with Fire moves, her adept use of Grass-type techniques, notable recovery abilities, and strong dodging skills give her a good chance against most similarly-leveled opponents.
Often, Bellossom could overpower opponents, as she did tonight against Machoke, Pinsir, Magneton, and even a Ponyta, successfully subduing them with moves like her powder attacks and Grass Knot, securing easy wins.
In general, Flying-types pose the biggest challenge for Bellossom, and Sato realizes he must find a way to overcome this obstacle. However, like with Golbat, Sato is at a bit of a loss. Bellossom's move set lacks any effective counter against Flying-types, aside from Hidden Power, which has a chance to gain an Electric, Ice, or Rock-type advantage.
Fortunately, unlike Golbat's need for a Ground-type Hidden Power to counter Electric-types, Bellossom could handle Flying-types if her Hidden Power turns out to be Electric, Ice, or Rock, making the odds more favorable. If Bellossom's Hidden Power is Rock, it would be a huge win since Rock moves are effective against Flying, Fire, and Bug-types—all weaknesses for Bellossom.
"Hidden Power, then," Sato thought to himself, "That's the next goal. Saffron City is big enough; there must be a place selling that move's TM."
After half an hour, Sato finally finished his now-cold ramen, mulling over his plan. Golbat's appetite had grown since evolving, likely due to the energy demands of battle. He devoured five large bowls, while Bellossom—who rarely ate much advanced Grass-type food—finished a whole bowl herself. The other three Pokémon each enjoyed two bowls before they were satisfied.
Seeing his team enjoy their meal so much, Sato was happy to indulge them a bit, especially with his recent winnings. Yet, as he approached the counter to pay, Sato felt less than thrilled. The total bill was shockingly high, and he couldn't shake the feeling he'd been grossly overcharged.
The owner explained that the ramen served to his Pokémon was special, not like human food—it was a premium recipe that quickly restored their stamina. In short, it was very expensive, costing five times as much as Sato's own meal.
This was, after all, Saffron City, where prices and rent are sky-high. The large bowl Sato ordered alone cost him 2,000 PokeDollars. By the end of it, he'd shelled out 122,000 PokeDollars for the late-night meal. Without his 50,000 PokeDollars from the gambling win, his 90,000 PokeDollars from battles, and a bit of saved cash, he wouldn't have been able to cover it.
Without a doubt, the ramen shop owner had taken the opportunity to overcharge. Still, Sato wasn't the type to eat and refuse to pay. After paying the bill and taking note of the shop's name, he got up to leave—only for the owner to suddenly step in his way.