Pokemon: Becoming A Pokemon Master

Chapter 17: Alex's Strength Against Lorelei

After the defeat of Team Rocket, Lorelei contacted the Pokémon League via her Pokégear, transmitting an encrypted emergency code. Within minutes, multiple League helicopters and transport units surrounded the St. Anne. Dozens of uniformed League agents, many from the International Police, boarded and took the Rocket members into custody.

Thanks to Alex's intervention, the tragic sinking of the St. Anne from the original timeline never occurred.

The relieved crowd was safely escorted back to Vermilion City.

As soon as they disembarked, Ash, Brock, and Misty all slumped in exhaustion.

"That was way too close," Brock muttered.

Misty clenched her fists. "The Rockets are total monsters! Just thinking about what could've happened makes my skin crawl."

Ash nodded seriously. "But Alex… you were amazing out there."

Passengers from the cruise ship began gathering around Alex, expressions full of gratitude. The old gentleman with the Dragonair-headed cane, who earlier defied the Rocket executive, approached him.

"Young man," the gentleman said with a bow, "your bravery saved not only our Pokémon, but our lives. Please accept this." He handed Alex a check for 10 million League coins a reward from the Kanto Business Council, which he chaired.

Alex accepted it with quiet composure. Saving lives is reason enough, he thought, but he nodded politely in thanks.

Later, at the Vermilion Pokémon Center, Alex, Ash, and the others took time to recover. After healing his Pokémon, Alex approached Lorelei, who was seated at a terminal, finishing her post-mission report.

"Lorelei," Alex said, "I want to request a battle. One-on-one. With you."

Lorelei blinked, startled. She turned, then smiled, "Alex, your strength is incredible. Frankly… I might not even be a proper match for you anymore."

Alex shook his head. "I'm strong, but strength alone isn't enough. I need more real battle experience and you're the best Ice-type user in the League. I want to understand my Pokémon better by facing someone of your caliber. Not just for the sake of victory but connection."

Lorelei regarded him carefully. His sincerity was clear. Finally, she smiled.

"…Alright. I accept your challenge."

She stood and made a call using the League transfer system, requesting a special delivery.

"These next Pokémon are long-time partners of mine, ones I keep stored in League HQ. They've seen years of action. I think they'll appreciate the exercise," she said.

Ash leaned over to Misty, eyes sparkling. "An official Elite Four battle? This is going to be awesome!"

Everyone made their way to the battlefield behind the Vermilion Pokémon Center, used for League-endorsed Trainer matches.

Lorelei took position and summoned her first Pokémon.

"Go, Milotic!"

A serpentine, shining form emerged a Milotic, its scales shimmering like rainbows, its presence graceful and serene. A rare and powerful Water-type.

In the anime, Lorelei (called Prima in the dub) never used Milotic. But in the Pokémon Adventures manga, she's known for her elegant control and unpredictability—Milotic fits her style perfectly.

"Let's go, Gyarados!" Alex called. His Gyarados emerged with a thunderous roar, already battle-hardened from the Rocket ambush.

Lorelei observed the massive Pokémon. "I saw how it handled itself on the St. Anne. You've done a fine job raising it."

"Gyarados, Flamethrower!"

Gasps echoed—Gyarados, a Water/Flying-type, launching Flamethrower?

From its gaping maw, a searing plume of fire blasted toward Milotic.

Lorelei's eyes sparkled. "Intriguing… a hidden TM move?"

"Milotic, Surf!" she ordered.

A massive wave surged up and swallowed the fire in an instant, dousing the deck in ocean mist.

Just as I expected from an Elite, Alex thought, his eyes narrowing. She counters instinctively.

"Gyarados, Ice Beam!"

A thin blue ray shot across the field, catching Milotic by surprise. The frost spread rapidly across its scales.

"Now, Ice Fang!"

Gyarados lunged forward, jaws gleaming with frozen energy, clamping down on Milotic's midsection. The elegant Pokémon shrieked in pain.

Lorelei tensed. "Milotic! Are you alright?!"

Milotic flinched, clearly hurt, but still conscious.

"Very good… use Aqua Tail and leap!"

Milotic surged upward, water spiraling from its tail, launching itself into the air.

"Now—Ice Beam from above!"

Milotic's Freeze Beam rained down.

"Gyarados, counter with Hyper Beam!" Alex shouted.

The two powerful attacks collided midair blinding energy and frost freezing the space between them. After the blast faded, Milotic crashed to the ground, exhausted.

Lorelei returned her partner gently. "Thank you, Milotic… you were wonderful."

She looked across the field. "You're even more impressive than I thought, Alex."

Reaching for her next Poké Ball, she said, "Then let's keep going."

"Come out, Giant Quagsire!"

From the light emerged a towering, albinistic Quagsire, noticeably larger and stockier than average. Its pale coloration and calm gaze hinted that this was no ordinary regional Quagsire it was likely one of Lorelei's oldest companions, raised from the swamps of Johto and battle-tested over the years.

Ash's eyes widened. "That's not a normal Quagsire, is it?"

Misty nodded. "Nope. That one's probably an Alpha or special variation. It's bulked like a tank."

The battlefield had just begun heating up.

It's a Flash Pokémon," said Gon, his voice filled with awe.

"Even among the Yusan family bloodlines, encountering a Shiny Pokémon like this is incredibly rare. It really reflects the perfect combination of Lorelei Elite's strength and extraordinary luck."

The Giant Quagsire that appeared was far larger than a standard specimen. Its body radiated a pale shimmer, with golden fins crowning its head and deep, piercing blue eyes. It emanated a calm, overwhelming pressure the moment it emerged—so much so that Alex's Gyarados, known for its natural fury and intolerance, instinctively recoiled. Gyarados, a Pokémon infamous for its berserker temperament, rarely showed fear. That alone proved the Giant Quagsire's sheer power was beyond ordinary.

Alex immediately activated his Pokédex's Trainer Mode Scanner, his modified version that allowed deeper evaluation of opponent data a gift from Professor Sycamore during a Kalos visit.

Name: Giant Quagsire (Shiny)

Classification: Flash Pokémon

Potential Rank: Champion

Ability: Fierce Eye (Negates evasion boosts and boosts accuracy in foggy terrain)

Moveset: Hydro Pump, Earthquake, Earthfury, Hidden Power (Ice), Water Pledge.

"Champion-level?" Alex's eyes narrowed. "So she's hiding this kind of trump card…"

He couldn't help but question in his heart: With a Pokémon of this level, why would Lorelei remain as an Elite rather than advancing to Champion status herself?

As if sensing the thoughts flickering across Alex's face, Lorelei gave him a faint smile and said calmly, "I'm not interested in titles or political power. What matters is protecting the peace of the Kanto and Sevii regions. I don't need to be Champion to do that. I serve because I love this world. And," she added with a small laugh, "because beauty comes in many forms. Even strength."

From the sidelines, Brock's eyes shimmered with admiration. A beautiful and noble soul…

"Alright, let's continue," Lorelei said, her voice sharpening. "Giant Quagsire, Earth's Wrath!"

At her command, the ground surged violently as Earthfury a unique, ultra-intense version of Earthquake taught only to elite ground-type Pokémon in the Sevii Battle Academy—erupted beneath Gyarados. The trembling, crackling energy swallowed the arena.

Alex's expression shifted. "Gyarados, Hyper Beam!"

Gyarados roared, his body crackling with orange light, but before the beam could fully charge, the devastating quake smashed into him. Gyarados was launched backward, crashing against the arena wall, unable to rise. The referee barely had to check. The decision was clear.

Gyarados was down.

Alex stared silently at his fainted partner. This… was his first defeat since entering this world.

He lowered his eyes briefly. Not because of frustration, but from reflection. So this is what real defeat feels like... I needed this.

"Loss tempers arrogance," Alex muttered under his breath. "And sharpens resolve."

Raising his head, he looked directly at Lorelei. "Thank you. But the battle's not over yet."

With a determined voice, he shouted, "Garchomp, let's show them our bond!"

The Poké Ball burst open, and Garchomp stepped forward with predatory grace, its fins gleaming like blades. With every step, the ground seemed to quake. Its muscle definition, honed through Alex's intense training regime during the time at Mount Silver, radiated quiet ferocity.

Lorelei raised a brow. "That Garchomp… it's no ordinary one. Quagsire, be careful."

"Garchomp, X-Scissor!"

Garchomp roared, its arm blades glowing with green light as it lunged.

"Protect!" Lorelei countered.

A green energy shield flared up around Giant Quagsire. Garchomp's claws slashed down with full force. The first strike met the shield and cracked it. Alex shouted again, "Don't stop, X-Scissor keep pressing!"

Garchomp unleashed a series of precision strikes, each stronger than the last.

Lorelei's eyes widened. "Impossible... that shield is reinforced with aura-stabilization. How is it fracturing?"

With a sharp shring, the Protect shield shattered, and the final X-Scissor landed squarely on Giant Quagsire's body, slamming it to the ground. The impact was fierce.

"Follow-up! Dragon Meteor Strike!"

The clouds above the battlefield split open as glowing, star-like meteors rained down Garchomp's custom Dragon-type finisher, a modified Draco Meteor that Alex had refined with Professor Kukui during a training stint in Alola.

Explosions rocked the arena.

When the dust cleared, Giant Quagsire had fainted.

Lorelei looked genuinely shaken. She returned her Pokémon silently, placing the Poké Ball over her heart. "Thank you for everything, old friend…"

The atmosphere shifted. Gone was the calm, elegant Lorelei. In her place stood the full force of the Ice Elite, face steeled.

"Alex," she said in a low voice, "let's settle this properly. One-on-one. Our strongest against each other. No reservations."

Gasps rippled through the crowd. Even Ash, who had seen Lorelei battle before, felt the difference in her aura.

Alex nodded firmly. "Let's decide this. I won't back down."

"Garchomp, stay ready!"

Garchomp let out a sharp cry, his fighting spirit undimmed.

"So that's your ace," Lorelei said coolly. "Let's see how it stacks up… when you're at the top, one mistake means defeat."

Alex smiled slightly. "Then we don't make mistakes."

A fierce gust swept the battlefield as both Trainers locked eyes.

The decisive match was about to begin.

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