Chapter 75 - Lorelei

As dusk descended upon the mystical forest, Julian's Pokémon companions returned, and they all gathered for their meal. Sharing stories of their experiences, they regaled Julian with tales of their adventures in this captivating place. Julian was particularly surprised to hear about Electivire's family and the connections his Pokémon had formed.

One amusing story involved Gengar's antics. It seemed that Gengar had sneaked into the Grass area, which happened to be the home of a powerful Torterra, and pilfered all of its berries. Gengar then generously gifted the stolen berries to Venusaur while he was exploring the Grass area. When Torterra discovered Venusaur with its missing berries, it resulted in a heated battle between the two colossal Pokémon. In the end, Venusaur emerged victorious, while Gengar had watched the battle unfold, munching on the stolen berries as if he were enjoying a show.

The story of Gengar's escapades, being chased by Venusaur all over the forest, was a mix of amusement and exasperation for Julian. Gengar's mischievous nature certainly provided its fair share of entertainment.

As the sun began to set, casting an orange hue across the sky, Julian noticed a peculiar sensation. His Pokémon companions were teleported back to Viridian Forest, near their campsite. He looked up at the sky and realized that it was actually sunrise. A whole day had passed within the mythical forest, despite it feeling like just a few moments. The mysteries of that enchanted place continued to intrigue him, and he couldn't help but reflect on the remarkable experiences they had shared during their time there.

Julian couldn't help but voice his thoughts on the peculiar nature of the mythical forest. "That forest is really weird; the flow of time inside it is incredibly confusing."

With a renewed sense of purpose, Julian made his way to Victory Road, eager to face his next challenge.

The following day, as he arrived at the location for his battle with Lorelei, he was greeted by the sight of banners and posters already promoting the match. The colorful banners featured images of both Julian and Lorelei, along with a few of their Pokémon, creating an atmosphere of anticipation among the onlookers. Julian knew that this battle would be a significant test of his skills, and the excitement in the air only fueled his determination to give it his all.

Upon reaching the Kanto League Competition Committee headquarters, Julian was pleasantly surprised to learn that a room had already been reserved for him in a hotel next to the Indigo Stadium. Thanking the receptionist, he received the key card and made his way to the hotel.

After some much-needed rest in his new accommodations, Julian decided to go for a leisurely walk. The anticipation of his upcoming battle with Lorelei lingered in the air, and he welcomed the opportunity to clear his mind and take in the surroundings of this bustling city.

Julian's curiosity led him to the Indigo Stadium, where he climbed the stairs and took a seat, gazing out at the battlefield below. To his keen eye, it became evident that the mechanisms on the battlefield had been altered.

Julian [Looks like it's going to be an Ice-type battlefield.]

He noted the change with interest, mentally preparing himself for the unique challenges that an Ice-type battlefield would present in his upcoming battle against Lorelei.

Julian's heightened senses picked up on the approaching footsteps, making him aware of someone's presence in the stadium. He turned his attention in the direction of the sound and saw a woman with striking violet hair, glasses, a red top beneath a blue jacket, and a black pencil skirt.

His curiosity piqued, Julian watched as the woman entered the stadium, wondering about her purpose for being there and if she was connected to the upcoming battle in any way.

The tense atmosphere thickened as Julian and Lorelei locked eyes, each assessing the other with a sense of seriousness. It was a silent, unspoken challenge, as if a battle of wills had commenced between them. They held each other's gaze for what felt like an eternity, neither willing to back down.

However, Julian, perhaps feeling a touch of boredom, decided to break the silent standoff. He closed his eyes and reclined in his seat, seemingly ignoring Lorelei. Unbeknownst to her, he hadn't backed down; rather, he had simply chosen to disengage from their non-verbal confrontation.

Lorelei, on the other hand, felt a sense of satisfaction, believing she had asserted her dominance in their initial interaction. Little did she know that Julian's decision was not one of submission but rather a display of his own indifference.

After Lorelei's departure, Julian found himself once again alone in the stadium. He decided to return to his hotel room, where he could delve into research and preparation for his upcoming battle.

Taking a closer look at Lorelei's data and reviewing some of her exhibition matches, Julian aimed to gain valuable insights into her battling style and strategies. With his diligent analysis, he hoped to formulate a winning strategy and ensure that he and his Pokémon were well-prepared for the challenge that lay ahead.

Julian's analysis of Lorelei's Pokémon team revealed a consistent roster, featuring Dewgong, Cloyster, Slowbro, Jynx, and Lapras. All of these Pokémon were Ice-types except for Slowbro, making her team predominantly composed of Ice-type Pokémon. As Julian contemplated her choices, he recognized a potential weakness that an experienced Electric-type trainer like himself could exploit.

Julian thought, [A team mostly made of Ice-types... She should really consider adding a Ground or Rock-type Pokémon to her team for better type coverage. I just hope that she can put up a formidable fight against Electivire.]

With his understanding of her team's composition, Julian felt more confident in his preparations for the battle. He knew that his Electivire, with its Electric-type moves, would be a potent asset against Lorelei's Ice-type Pokémon.

Julian was just about to switch off his computer when an incoming call from Professor Oak caught his attention. He answered, somewhat surprised.

Julian: "Professor?"

Oak: "Julian, I wanted to let you know that I'll be there to cheer you on for your match."

Julian: "You don't have to, Professor. I know you have a lot of responsibilities with our company."

Despite his reservations, Julian appreciated the gesture and support from Professor Oak, who had played a significant role in his journey as a Pokémon Trainer.

Professor Oak reassured Julian about the progress of their company's preparations, indicating that all the necessary arrangements had been made, and they were awaiting the delivery of machines and workplace renovations to begin production.

Julian: "I see. I didn't expect things to go this smoothly."

Oak: "Well, Jimi worked his magic. He has many connections, so it was made possible."

Julian: "That's great."

Julian couldn't help but feel relieved that the company's ventures were progressing well, thanks in part to Jimi's expertise and network of contacts. It was a positive development amidst the anticipation of his upcoming battle.

Oak: "Daisy also sent her regards to you and mentioned that you must win against the Elite Four."

Professor Oak conveyed Daisy's message to Julian, emphasizing her hope for his victory against the Elite Four.

Julian responded with determination, "Tell her that I will win for sure."

With Professor Oak's assurance of attending his match, Julian felt a sense of motivation. Over the next few days, he adopted a more relaxed training regimen for his Pokémon, ensuring they didn't overexert themselves before the impending battle. Rest and mental preparation became the focus as they readied themselves for the challenge ahead.