Battle-Hardened Warriors

"What?! Since when did you get a Torchic, John?" Mark exclaimed, watching Torchic spring into action.

John didn't answer, his focus locked onto Froakie. Judging by its refined battle movements and powerful attacks, Froakie had experience and strength to spare. Even if it didn't have top IVs, its combat prowess spoke volumes. As Froakie met Torchic's gaze, it lunged, throwing a bubble like a dart while launching itself into a swift charge.

"Ember!" John commanded.

Torchic inhaled, building up Ember in its beak before unleashing it in a fiery blast. The torrent collided with Froakie's bubble, forcing it to dodge at the last second. But Froakie wasted no time—it darted in, palm glowing with energy, aiming to land a decisive Pound like it had against the previous Pokemon.

"Dodge!" John's voice rang out, and Torchic deftly sidestepped, evading Froakie's blow by a hair's breadth. The two Pokemon paused, each now more focused and calculating than before.

Froakie realized this was no ordinary opponent. It braced itself, noting Torchic's controlled stance and sharp gaze, an unmistakable sign of a battle-tempered fighter.

John observed without ordering a counterattack. Torchic's speed was still no match for Froakie's; the gap in agility was evident. But Torchic's advantage lay elsewhere—in the relentless training it had undergone within the gameboy, battling countless Pokemon and honing its instincts. Real-world fights were far fewer, often taking precious time and risking weariness, but in the gameboy , Torchic could engage in rapid, injury-free battles. Hours of intense combat, facing continuous streams of opponents, had ingrained in it an unmatched fighting consciousness.

Torchic was just the beginning. John planned for all his Pokemon to become hardened warriors, their experience honed through hundreds of virtual battles. This was why Torchic, slower than Froakie, could still evade its attacks.

Yet evading alone wouldn't secure victory. John watched and waited for the moment when Torchic's Speed Boost Ability would bring it up to Froakie's pace. Finally, he called out, "Focus Energy!"

Torchic's feathers ruffled as it took in a sharp breath, its focus intensifying. Froakie launched another attack, wary this time, charging forward but pausing halfway to unleash a powerful Bubble Beam.

"Ember!" John countered, hoping to use Torchic's strength in special attacks.

Ember clashed with the Bubble Beam, sparking a small explosion that sent mist billowing through the air. But Froakie didn't relent, bursting through the fog with a swift Pound. The same tactic it had used to overwhelm Elekid was now aimed at Torchic.

This time, though, Torchic needed no direction. Its battle instincts kicked in, and it dodged, weaving past Froakie's relentless barrage. Froakie, now alternating its attacks like a rapid Double Slap, swung with both hands in a flurry of blows, determined to land a hit.

But Torchic's speed was building, making each dodge smoother, each movement sharper. In the handheld, Speed Boost operated by rounds, but here, it was a gradual, continuous rise. Finally, John saw his opening.

"It's time. Tackle!" he called out.

Torchic, quick as a bullet, shot forward, slamming into Froakie and sending it hurtling backward. Froakie skidded to a halt, struggling to regain its footing. Still gritting its teeth, it lunged once more, but Torchic's newfound speed and honed reflexes made every dodge effortless.

Another Tackle sent Froakie crashing against a tree. Exhausted, it tried to rise, but its stamina was fading fast, not only from Torchic's attacks but from its own relentless exertion.

Seeing Froakie weakened and struggling, John knew it was time.

"Go, Pokeball!" He tossed the ball through the air, watching as it opened mid-flight, enveloping Froakie in a red glow before snapping shut with a satisfying click.