Chapter 54: Ranger Battles

Mastering battles isn't a necessary skill for a ranger, but with the recent rise in international criminal organizations, particularly the notorious Team Dawn, it has become increasingly important. Their sinister reach might extend into the forests, necessitating practical training to enhance rangers' battle capabilities. This is the main reason for organizing this event.

The battles won't take place in the Turffield Stadium but within the Turffield Forest, as the forest is the primary battlefield for rangers.

"Hey, Summer, who did you draw as your opponent?" Annie asked, coming up to Summer. "By the way, my opponents are Kiria from the Fragrant Forest and Lake from the Battle Bamboo Forest."

Summer looked at the tag in his hand and read the names:

"Bona from Stone Forest and Bell from Pot Forest."

"Hmm, isn't Bell the gourmet who made that thick soup yesterday? So he's a ranger from Pot Forest. Well then, good luck, Summer. I'm rooting for you!"

"Thanks, I'll do my best."

This was a valuable opportunity, perfect for giving the Lilligant, who lacked practical combat experience, a taste of real battle.

The rules of this event differed from regular battles; it was a double battle, designed with the context of criminal organizations in mind. When facing criminals, one must give their all, and it's impractical to send out Pokémon one at a time.

Summer's opponents were slated for later matches, so he first became a spectator, watching the other Galarian rangers' battles.

As a Gym Leader, Milo's strength was formidable, securing an easy victory. He didn't use his ace, Flapple, and Whimsicott, slightly holding back. However, his Sunny Day team composed of Bellossom and Cherrim was still powerful. Their abilities, Chlorophyll and Flower Gift, boosted their strength under sunny conditions, and their Sludge Bomb and Weather Ball attacks caught the grass-type adept opponent off guard, with Weather Ball transforming into a fire-type move in the sun.

Bavi was another weather tactician, using Abomasnow and Froslass. In the snowy conditions triggered by Abomasnow, Froslass's Snow Cloak ability made it elusive, single-handedly dismantling the opponent.

Annie's Solrock and Lunatone combo was equally impressive, with Reflect and Light Screen at the start, making it tough for the opponent to respond, quickly securing a victory.

Mido's Pokémon were Bewear and Shiftry. With Shiftry's Fake Out, Swagger, Flatter, and Icy Wind support, Bewear could unleash powerful Close Combat moves without interruption, easily clinching a win.

Feeling an unexpected pressure, Summer realized that everyone seemed quite strong. Were they really never trainers before, aside from Milo? They appeared well-versed in combat.

"Hello, I'm Bona from Stone Forest!" The energetic girl in front of Summer greeted him, her stance reminding him of a certain Pokémon.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Summer from Sunset Forest." He responded.

"Go, Summer!" Annie cheered from the sidelines, joined by the other Galarian rangers now watching his battle.

"A bit nervous, Galarian rangers are all so strong, but my partners aren't to be underestimated!" Bona said, throwing out two Poké Balls, releasing two identical Pokémon—both Sudowoodo.

Ah, so that's why her stance was familiar, Summer thought, recalling his own Pokémon, the two Lilligant.

"Lilligant! Lilligant?" Annie's excitement turned to confusion. Were these Lilligant, or perhaps a regional variant?

Regional variants are adaptations Pokémon undergo to thrive in different natural environments, often changing their appearance and type. With Galar also having its own regional variants, Annie first thought of this phenomenon.

The Hisuian Lilligant had adapted to the cold mountainous regions of Hisui, changing accordingly.

Though they looked different, Bona was thrilled to see Summer had also brought out two Pokémon with the same name.

"Your Lilligant are unique! My Sudowoodos are distinct too. One has longer arms, the other's are straight!"

Indeed, it seemed Bona was a Sudowoodo enthusiast. With so many Pokémon species in the world, each had its fans.

"We'll go first! One Tree, use Fire Punch! Two Tree, use Ice Punch!"

Though Sudowoodo looks like a tree, it's actually a rock-type Pokémon and dislikes water. They often mimic trees by standing by the roadside to avoid attacks.

One Sudowoodo's left hand blazed with fire while the other's right hand emitted a cold mist. They charged at the Lilligant, swinging their arms menacingly but moving slowly.

Sudowoodo has excellent defense but poor special defense. The plan should be for Lilligant to attack, with Hisuian Lilligant providing support.

Like Bona, who differentiated her Sudowoodo with names, Summer had names for his Lilligant too.

"Hisuian Lilligant, use Helping Hand. Lilligant, use Petal Dance. Remember, different enemies have different weaknesses. For Sudowoodo, it's special attacks."

The Hisuian Lilligant danced in place, emitting a white light that enveloped Lilligant. Lilligant lifted her leafy skirt, and countless petals swirled around her, forming a floral storm that struck the Ice Punching Sudowoodo, knocking it out instantly.

"Ah, what bad luck!"

The Fire Punching Sudowoodo tried to target Lilligant, but Hisuian Lilligant blocked the attack with a fierce kick, remembering Summer's advice to protect Lilligant against special-defense-weak Sudowoodo. The Hisuian Lilligant took the hit, its pristine leg showing burn marks.

Summer caught an important detail when Bona shouted about bad luck. He quickly connected this to Sudowoodo's Sturdy ability. If the Fire Punching Sudowoodo had the Sturdy ability, the battle dynamics would change entirely.

He needed to adjust his strategy accordingly.

"Second point, abilities can be critical in battle. If I'm right, Sudowoodo's ability should be Sturdy." Summer continued directing, "Hisuian Lilligant, use Giga Drain."

Sturdy allows a Pokémon to endure a fatal hit if it has full health. Summer had Hisuian Lilligant use Giga Drain to break Sturdy's effect. He didn't choose a physical move because of Sudowoodo's high defense and Hisuian Lilligant's Hustle ability, which boosts physical moves' power at the cost of accuracy. To reliably chip away at Sudowoodo's health, Giga Drain was the better option.

Bona instructed her Sudowoodo to use Fire Punch again. Lilligant's Petal Dance continued, sending another floral storm at Sudowoodo, which couldn't evade due to its speed. Giga Drain hit first, lowering Sudowoodo's health.

The petals scattered, and Sudowoodo fell, losing the battle. Summer secured his first victory with ease.

**(Chapter End)**