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"Thanks for your hard work." Master Keaton withdrew his Poliwrath with a Poké Ball.
He then took out another Poké Ball from his waist, released the Pokémon, and commanded, "Thunder!"
The Pokémon that appeared was Raichu.
But this wasn't an ordinary Raichu—it was an Alolan Raichu.
Its skin was darker, its ears curled up, and its long, slender tail functioned as a surfboard for it to glide on. Its typing had changed from pure Electric to Electric/Psychic, and its Ability had become the unique "Surge Surfer."
Surge Surfer: When Electric Terrain is active, this Pokémon's Speed is doubled.
Boom!
Chris didn't even have time to react.
The red Gyarados soaring through the sky was struck by Thunder.
The attack was like a direct lightning strike on an aircraft—it crashed instantly, its massive body plummeting like a downed plane.
Reporters on the ground scrambled to capture close-up shots of the red Gyarados's final moments before it was rendered unable to battle.
Boom… The ground trembled from the impact.
Red Gyarados was knocked out.
A Poliwrath couldn't withstand a Thunder that dealt double damage—let alone a red Gyarados, which took quadruple damage from the move.
"Gyarados is unable to battle! Raichu wins!" the referee announced.
Chris was dumbfounded.
He never expected to be taken down using the very same strategy he had used on others.
There was no helping it. A flying red Gyarados was an easy target, especially in the rain. Even if it hadn't been raining, being that high up would have made it vulnerable to lightning strikes, making dodging impossible.
Flying-type Pokémon being weak to Electric-types wasn't just a myth—it was a harsh reality.
This... was a mistake on his part. He should have anticipated this outcome.
The advantage he had gained earlier was now completely overturned.
He had no choice.
Chris reached for the Poké Ball on his waist. Just as his hand touched the second one, he suddenly hesitated.
Then, he looked up at Master Keaton.
Master Keaton met his gaze.
Their eyes locked.
Chris moved first—he threw his Poké Ball straight at Raichu.
"Dragon Rush!" Chris commanded.
The Poké Ball opened mid-air, and Garchomp burst out, spiraling downward, launching a fierce attack with unstoppable force.
Chris was aiming to catch Master Keaton off guard!
This was a classic case of learning on the spot and using it immediately—countering the same tactic that had been used against him.
Master Keaton simply laughed. "Raichu, Volt Switch!"
The moment their eyes met, Master Keaton had already predicted Chris's move. This was the kind of experience that came from years of battling.
"You think you can surprise me, kid? You're still too green!" Master Keaton smirked, arms crossed.
"Raiii-chuuu!!!"
Raichu's body crackled with sparks, and a surge of electricity exploded from it, bombarding the approaching Garchomp.
However, the attack had no effect—Garchomp was a Ground-type and was immune to Electric moves.
But Volt Switch wasn't about attacking—it was about retreating.
Just as Garchomp's attack closed in, Raichu transformed into a streak of lightning to escape.
However, Garchomp didn't waste its momentum. As it descended, it twisted mid-air and slashed backward with a sharp, dark crescent.
Aiming precisely, the move struck the Poké Ball on Master Keaton's waist, forcing it open.
Raichu, just moments away from retreating, was forcibly ejected and sent tumbling to the ground.
Raichu was unable to battle.
Master Keaton froze for a moment, as did the surrounding reporters.
The Trainers present all understood Pokémon battles well and quickly realized what had just happened.
Chris had called out "Dragon Rush," but Garchomp had actually used the Dark-type move "Pursuit."
A move that when an opponent switches Pokémon— and it hits, its power doubles!
Coincidentally, Alolan Raichu was part Psychic-type, meaning Pursuit's doubled damage was then doubled again.
A quadruple-damage chase!
Wouldn't that mean Raichu was knocked out instantly?
However, Chris was certain that with his Garchomp's attack power, even if this weren't an Alolan Raichu, any Raichu hit by a powered-up Pursuit would still be defeated.
As for why Garchomp had chosen Pursuit instead of Dragon Rush—he owed that lesson to Greninja.
But that wasn't the important part.
What really caught the attention of the reporters was how Chris had known Master Keaton would command Raichu to use "Volt Switch."
After all, Raichu had immediately knocked out Gyarados upon entering the battle.
This was something only Chris and Master Keaton knew.
"You've got some impressive acting skills, kid!" Master Keaton's eyes gleamed as he looked at Chris—like he had just found a rare gem. At the same time, his fighting spirit flared.
"Master Keaton really is like aged ginger—the older, the spicier!" Chris grinned. His words seemed random, but they were actually laced with sarcasm.
Because the battle just now wasn't just about Pokémon moves— it was a mind game between two skilled Trainers.
Chris had paused when reaching for his Poké Ball, meeting Master Keaton's gaze.
From that hesitation alone, Master Keaton had deduced Chris's battle intentions.
That's why Master Keaton had commanded Raichu to use Volt Switch.
But in reality—
Chris hadn't hesitated because of a plan Master Keaton had figured out.
No—he had paused deliberately, as an act.
He wanted Master Keaton to misread his intentions and think Chris was planning a direct, aggressive strike.
In response, Master Keaton had been baited into using Volt Switch.
Chris had watched Master Keaton's battle footage before. He knew that Master Keaton was not a passive, defensive Trainer.
On the contrary—Master Keaton had a sharp eye for seizing opportunities and would immediately try to gain the upper hand when possible.
So, let's ask this—
If you were a Trainer and you sensed that your opponent was preparing for a Sucker Punch, what would you do?
Chris had thought of three possible responses:
Defend and wait it out. Attack recklessly without knowing what Pokémon the opponent was sending out. Use a switching move to deal some damage and replace the current Pokémon with one that countered the opponent.
The third option was obviously the best.
And based on Master Keaton's battle style, Chris knew he would pick it.
That's why Chris set up his fake "Dragon Rush" but had Garchomp use the real move—Pursuit.
It was a calculated trap.
But there was one more key detail in this strategy.
Why was Chris so sure that Master Keaton would see through his hesitation and react accordingly?
That's exactly why Chris had said, "Master Keaton is like aged ginger."
Because experienced Trainers can read their opponent's actions.
And Chris had used that knowledge against him.
Even if Master Keaton hadn't commanded Raichu to use Volt Switch, Garchomp was already too close.
Raichu would have lost the battle either way.
To put it simply—
This was a battle of wits.
Master Keaton thought he was one step ahead of Chris.
But in reality—Chris was already four steps ahead.