Pokémon: Sandstorm Sovereign

Chapter 90: The Failed Push to Group A

"Bronzor, are you okay?"

Basalt rushed forward, worriedly checking if his Pokémon was seriously injured. But his actions made the nearby Drilbur turn green with envy.

"Drilburr..." (`_´) Am I not the one who's actually injured here?

Damn it! Bronzor totally stole the show.

"Bronz..." (o`▽´o)

Seeing Basalt's concern, a warmth spread through Bronzor's core, and it even managed a small "smile." If it had arms and legs, it would have proudly puffed out its chest and declared, "A little fire is nothing! I'm not afraid."

"Are you really okay?" Basalt asked, rubbing at the black marks on Bronzor's body, thinking they were wounds. He was relieved to find it was just a layer of soot. Underneath, Bronzor's body still shone with its original bronze luster, completely unharmed.

"Basalt, your Bronzor is truly remarkable, being able to withstand such intense flames," Hoffman said, clapping him on the shoulder, his eyes shining with unconcealed delight. "You must have fed it plenty of rare, fire-resistant metals!"

Good kid, I didn't expect your second Pokémon to be this strong. I really underestimated you!

"Fed it rare, fire-resistant metals?" Basalt was confused. I didn't! I don't even know that kind of stuff exists. This... probably has nothing to do with me, right?

"Just what is the origin of this Bronzor?" he wondered, shocked by Hoffman's words. He had no idea Bronzor's fire resistance came from the pendant he had given it; he just assumed it was an innate ability.

"You little rascal, you were hiding an ability like that? You had me worried for nothing!" Basalt laughed, patting Bronzor's head. Well, whatever. It's my Pokémon now, and no one can take it away.

"Basalt, after defeating Houndour, you've automatically earned the right to challenge the lower tier of Group A. Do you wish to continue?" Hoffman asked, his gaze intense.

"But you must understand, every trainer in Group A is incredibly strong. The probability of you losing is very high," he added, a well-intentioned warning.

Basalt had already surpassed his expectations. Hoffman was very optimistic about his future. But optimism was one thing, and skill was another. In terms of pure strength, Hoffman didn't think Basalt could defeat a Group A trainer. At least, not with this Bronzor. Of course, he kept that last part to himself.

"Of course!" Basalt stood up straight, his chest puffed out, his answer as firm as ever.

At his words, all eyes in the arena turned to the two trainers in the lower tier of Group A. One was a tall, sturdy young man, the other a graceful young woman. Neither Yao nor Waylon were among them; they were clearly in the upper tier, the absolute cream of the crop at the training camp.

As Basalt sized them up, they looked back at him. While his Bronzor was strong and mysterious, as Group A trainers, they were confident they could defeat him. Basalt might have the potential to challenge for a spot in A, but whether he could actually make it was another question entirely.

Looking at the graceful young lady, and not wanting to make things awkward for himself in the future, Basalt ultimately chose the young man.

"Hello, my name is Fletcher." The young man wasn't surprised by the choice. Battling a girl often led to unnecessary complications. He would have made the same choice.

"Hi, I'm Basalt."

After they shook hands, they took their positions on the field.

"Basalt chose Fletcher? Type-wise, Basalt has the advantage. But in reality, I think Basalt is doomed."

"Definitely. Fletcher's Pokémon is extremely unfriendly to Steel-types."

"Let's just watch. I'm not making any more predictions. Basalt has made a fool of me all day."

"Ugh... same here."

Though they were still skeptical of Basalt's chances, no one dared to make a definitive prediction this time, afraid of being proven wrong again.

"Go, Nosepass!" Fletcher threw his Poké Ball. Out came a blue, rock-like Pokémon with short arms and legs and a large, red nose.

It was said that a Nosepass's magnetic nose never failed, always pointing north, making it a reliable companion for travelers. But because like poles of a magnet repel, two Nosepass could never face each other directly.

"I wonder what this one's ability is," Basalt muttered, a bad feeling creeping over him.

"Both trainers, ready! Battle, begin!"

At the referee's command, the battle started.

"Bronzor, Hypnosis!" Basalt commanded. Bronzor's Hypnosis was unique; it was fast to launch and fast to take effect. To be safe, he wanted to put his opponent to sleep first.

Vwoom!

For once, Bronzor, a slow Pokémon, managed to get the first move. A beam of golden light, imbued with special psychic power, shot from its eyes towards Nosepass. With Nosepass's speed, it was impossible to dodge.

"Nose~pass!"

But unexpectedly, a shimmering film, like a protective coating, appeared around Nosepass, reflecting the Hypnosis beam straight back at Bronzor.

"There it is! Nosepass's Magic Coat!" someone in the crowd yelled excitedly.

Magic Coat, the Psychic-type move that reflects all status-altering moves. As a Group A trainer, Fletcher wasn't about to let his opponent weaken him so easily.

"Gyro Ball!" Basalt shouted. Bronzor immediately began to spin, attempting to shatter the reflected beam.

But just then, something strange happened. Nosepass turned its body, pointing its arms and nose at Bronzor. Bronzor's rotation was instantly disrupted by some unseen force. It wobbled, struggling to even maintain its balance.

"Damn it! It's the Magnet Pull ability," Basalt cursed, his expression changing drastically.

A Pokémon with Magnet Pull could use its magnetic force to attract Steel-type Pokémon to varying degrees. Bronzor was being interfered with by Nosepass's magnetism, preventing it from using Gyro Ball. Not only that, but with Magnet Pull in effect, Bronzor's Flash and Double Team were also rendered useless. Even with its eyes closed, Nosepass could pinpoint the real Bronzor's location.

BAM!

Bronzor was hit by its own reflected Hypnosis. Its "eyelids" fluttered, and it fell from the air, fast asleep.

"Bronzor, wake up!" Basalt yelled desperately, but it was no use.

"Nosepass, Bulldoze," Fletcher said calmly.

"Nose~"

Nosepass nodded, its heavy body leaping slightly into the air and then crashing back down. The moment it touched the ground, a powerful force spread through the earth, creating a tremor.

Rumble!

The ground shook, and the fallen Bronzor's body trembled.

"Bronz..." Even in its sleep, Bronzor let out a pained groan. A Ground-type move was super-effective against a Steel-type. Fortunately, this Nosepass's attack power wasn't overwhelming, and Bronzor's defense was formidable, so the damage wasn't too severe.

After taking another Bulldoze, Bronzor finally woke up, though it was now panting heavily.

"Drilburr!" The nearby Drilbur was furious, filled with a sense of helpless frustration. For it, this Nosepass would be an easy opponent. A few Drill Runs would be all it took.

"Nosepass, Thunder Wave," Fletcher's calm voice rang out again. Many in the crowd shivered. This was Fletcher's battle style: always calm and detached, as if nothing could faze him.

ZAP!

Nosepass put its hands together, and a current of electricity shot from its fingertips towards Bronzor. The newly awakened Bronzor tried to dodge, but under the influence of Nosepass's powerful magnetism, it couldn't move freely.

BZZT!

Thunder Wave hit. Sparks flew from Bronzor's body. It had just woken up, only to be paralyzed.

After that, with Nosepass's Magnet Pull constantly in effect, Fletcher alternated between Rock Slide and Spark. Bronzor was quickly defeated.

"Bronzor is unable to battle! The winner is... Fletcher!"

As the referee made the call, Basalt stared wide-eyed, a look of devastation on his face.

This was the first time Basalt had ever tasted defeat.

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