71 Chelsea's Reason

Magneton is sturdy and can take more hits than Ivysaur, not to mention that it's levitating high above the battlefield, which makes it difficult to hit even with [Razor Leaf].

Ivysaur, on the other hand, isn't as sturdy as Magneton but due to its typing, it can also take a few hits. Most importantly, it can use the light from the sun to fully recover with [Synthesis]. Furthermore, it was able to attach [Leech Seed] to Magneton's body.

However, it was paralyzed earlier by Magneton. If it wants to bring Magneton down on the ground, it needs to be lucky to be able to reach Magneton's height without being paralyzed.

Even if, by some luck, it was able to reach Magneton without being paralyzed, it's at the mercy of Magneton's attacks.

For these reasons, Chelsea chose to play it safe and initiated a battle of attrition, to which she had the advantage.

The battle proceeded with boring [Razor Leaf] attacks and [Thundershock] attacks with some occasional [Discharge] wherein Magneton lowers its altitude to reach Ivysaur and immediately raises its altitude the moment Ivysaur attempts to jump.

Currently, both pokemon are panting for breath as they glared at each other. Magneton is no longer levitating at high altitude but just a few feet from the ground.

"One last attack, buddy" Folker said with an encouraging smile on his face.

"[Seed Bomb]!"

"[Discharge]!"

Folker and Chelsea shouted at the same time as they gambled on their last attack. Both pokemon hit each other with no interruptions as smoke covered the battlefield. When the smoke cleared, both pokemon can be seen, lying down on the ground.

Both pokemon struggled to get up at the same time but at the last moment, Magneton fell with its eyes spiraling while Ivysaur barely stood as it grit its teeth.

"Magneton is unable to battle!" Misty announced Magneton's defeat.

Folker recalled Magneton back to its pokeball and muttered "You did well, buddy. That was a great match".

Folker then called out his Lucario back on the battlefield. Both Folker and Chelsea flashed out a bitter smile when they looked at their remaining pokemon on the battlefield.

Previously, Lucario used all its energy with [Reversal]. However, it was able to get some rest but it stood with its legs shaking. Ivysaur, on the other hand, glared at Lucario's figure while panting for breath.

"Can you use [Drain Punch], Luca?" Folker asked Lucario.

"I'll do it" Lucario said as it grit its teeth.

Lucario then ran towards Ivysaur's direction and weakly used [Drain Punch]. The exhausted Ivysaur had no way to dodge and was helplessly struck by Lucario's attack.

"[Tackle], now!" Chelsea said. Ivysaur then weakly tackled Lucario's body as both fell down on the ground, panting for breath. The energy Lucario just drained from Ivysaur was now used up for defending against that tackle.

At this moment, both pokemon are too exhausted to use a move. They can only glare at each other and hope that the other would fall down before they do.

Farlan had the urge to laugh at this peculiar battle but out of respect for the combatants, he held his laugh. Misty, on the other hand, had an awkward look on her face.

It was at this moment that it fell down on the ground with its eyes spiraling.

"Lucario is unable to battle. Victory goes to Chelsea!" Misty announced the result of the battle.

Ivysaur shortly fell afterwards but it didn't faint. Chelsea then approached it and gently recalled it back to its pokeball.

Folker also recalled Lucario back to its pokeball and muttered "You were great, Luca".

"I lost. So, what are you gonna make me do? Make me your boyfriend? I don't mind, you know" Folker said with a smile as he looked at Chelsea.

Chelsea just rolled her eyes and replied "No way. I'll slowly think about it so you have to be worried".

"Since your bets are so vague, you guys know that we have no way to confirm the authenticity of the bet, right?" Misty said.

"I know. But he won't dare to go back on his words, right Folker?" Chelsea said as she glared at Folker.

Folker just nodded with a bitter smile as he scratched the back of his head.

"Still, that Lucario of yours is rather talented. For it to be able to move while using a buff move for its first time, I haven't seen that before" Misty said as he looked at Folker.

"I guess I lucked out" Folker said as he chuckled. He then recalled his father's Lucario and thought to himself 'Well, with a parent like that, I'm not surprised. But I don't think I've heard Lucario talk, or at least to me'.

"You were great, too. I must say, I'm impressed with your planning and preparations" Misty said as she looked at Chelsea.

Chelsea just smiled at Misty's words and replied "My battle style involves a lot of switches so my Zoroark was prepared for something like that".

'No wonder' Misty thought as she nodded at Chelsea's words.

"Also, the real reason why I challenged Folker to a battle was to just give my Zoroark a good battle experience" Chelsea said.

Folker rubbed his chin as he looked at Chelsea and said "Ah. I see. Zoroark lacks battle experience because you're careful with who you battle in fear that others would have eyes on it, right?"

"Exactly. That's also why I asked you and Corin to be my traveling companion. Since I don't use Zoroark often, Ivysaur had to hoard all the battle experience, which is rather exhausting for it. I only have three pokemon and one is still an egg" Chelsea said.

"So it still hasn't hatched" Folker replied as he nodded.

"With you around, Ivysaur can finally get some rest" Chelsea added.

"Well, glad to have you with me" Folker said with a smile. After chatting for a bit, they left the Gym and went back to the inn they rented. Only Folker was on the streets, heading for the PokeMart.

He swore to himself that he'd buy his pokemon more coverage moves so that they won't be as helpless as before.