Although Charmeleon's strength was slightly inferior to Smoochum's, the advantage in type matchup was enough to compensate for the gap. Using Charmeleon against an Ice-type Pokémon was the right choice.
"Roaaar—!!"
Charmeleon, still frustrated after its recent defeat, entered the battlefield with uncontrollable rage. It bared its fangs and roared fiercely the moment it appeared.
"Charmeleon is full of spirit," Lorelei said calmly.
"Chu~," Smoochum nodded seriously, as if agreeing with her assessment.
Charmeleon's attempt to intimidate its opponent completely failed.
Neither Lorelei nor Smoochum showed the slightest reaction.
"Alright, Charmeleon," Sam said in a low voice. "Focus. This isn't the time for showing off."
Their opponent was Lorelei—one of the Kanto Elite Four. Winning would require real strength, not bluster.
Lorelei had summoned her Pokémon first and technically should have attacked first, but she made no move. Instead, she raised her hand slightly, signaling for Sam to act.
"Then I won't hold back, Miss Lorelei."
Sam accepted the initiative without hesitation. Against an Elite Four member, every advantage mattered. If he lost the first move on top of the strength gap, his chances would drop sharply.
"Charmeleon—Flamethrower!"
There was no probing or testing. Sam used the opportunity to launch a decisive opening attack.
The moment Charmeleon appeared, it had already sensed the terrifying power hidden inside Smoochum's small body. That was why it roared—to seize momentum.
Now, with Sam's command, Charmeleon went all out.
It took a deep breath. The flame on its tail surged violently, instantly triggering Blaze, entering its peak battle condition.
"Oh?" Lorelei's eyes flickered with surprise.
"So it can activate Blaze without being pushed to the brink. Interesting."
"I hope you can keep surprising me."
Empowered by Blaze, Charmeleon felt strength flood through its body.
A massive pillar of fire erupted from its mouth. Heat distorted the air, and the temperature of the battlefield rose sharply.
Yet Lorelei's expression remained calm.
As an Ice-type specialist, she had faced countless Trainers who tried to defeat her with Fire-type Pokémon. They had all failed—and become stepping stones.
Charmeleon's Flamethrower was powerful, but in her eyes, it was still not enough.
"Smoochum—Confusion."
Lorelei's voice turned cold as she entered full battle mode. The gentle warmth she showed earlier vanished, replaced by a chilling aura.
A powerful Psychic wave burst from Smoochum's body.
Just as the flames were about to engulf it, the Flamethrower abruptly twisted in midair—redirected by Confusion—and veered away.
The first strike failed.
Sam wasn't surprised. If Lorelei were this easy to defeat, she wouldn't be sitting among the Elite Four.
So this is Elite-level control…
Even Psychic, not her primary specialty, was being used flawlessly.
"Smoochum—Powder Snow."
Lorelei counterattacked.
Cold air poured from Smoochum's mouth, and fine ice crystals scattered across the battlefield.
Sam remained calm.
Ice-type moves were exactly what he expected. This was the reason he chose Charmeleon.
Ice is restrained by Fire.
Powder Snow itself posed little threat. Sam focused on waiting for the right moment to land a decisive blow.
But as Powder Snow continued, Sam gradually realized something was wrong.
The attack wasn't meant to deal damage.
It was controlling the battlefield.
Ice crystals covered the ground, and despite the bright sunlight overhead, the temperature dropped rapidly.
Sam let out a bitter smile.
Against an Elite Four member, you really can't afford even a second of carelessness.
As the temperature fell, Charmeleon was inevitably affected. Its movements slowed, and the flame on its tail—symbol of its vitality—began to weaken.
"Charmeleon—use Flamethrower on the ground!"
The priority was to clear the ice covering the battlefield.
To Sam's surprise, Lorelei didn't interfere. She simply watched him with a faint smile.
Then realization hit him like a hammer.
Damn it—melting ice absorbs heat!
The temperature would drop even further!
If only he'd studied physics harder in his previous life.
"Stop, Charmeleon!"
Charmeleon didn't understand the reason, but after fighting alongside Sam for so long, it trusted him instinctively and halted its attack.
Lorelei's smile widened slightly.
"You noticed—but it's already too late."
"Smoochum—Ice Beam."
Smoochum's attack wasn't reckless.
It didn't target Charmeleon's body, but its legs.
The intent was clear—freeze it from the ground up.
A Fire-type Pokémon being frozen by an Ice-type…
Sam absolutely refused to let that happen.
"Charmeleon—dodge!"
Sam tried to trigger his own "miracle command."
Unfortunately, he wasn't Ash—he couldn't activate miracles anytime he wanted.
The sharp drop in temperature had slowed Charmeleon's body, and Smoochum's Confusion further interfered with its movements.
Even lifting its legs felt exhausting.
Dodging was impossible.
Charmeleon had been pushed to the brink.
---------------Author---------------
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