Pokémon: A Trainer Who Masters the Six Powers from the Start

In the showdown between physical might and psychic power, Machamp ultimately gained the upper hand, forcing Sabrina to have Alakazam use Teleport to escape.

Although Close Combat's sheer physical strength outmatched Psychic and Telekinesis, it wasn't just about raw power. Sabrina's carefully trained Pokémon could not be judged merely by the original strength of their moves; Alakazam's performance depended on its psychic potential.

Even at full strength, Alakazam couldn't overcome Machamp in their clash.

"Press the advantage, Machamp! Use Soru (Shave) to close the distance and follow up with Close Combat!" Ron commanded.

When facing psychic-type Pokémon like Alakazam, Ron knew from experience that delaying the fight was not an option.

Unlike physical stamina, psychic Pokémon could replenish their mental energy through moves like Calm Mind, which not only boosted their special attack but also allowed them to recover. Considering Sabrina's meticulous training, Ron wouldn't have been surprised if Alakazam silently used Calm Mind mid-battle. This was why Ron had Machamp fight at full power from the start, aiming to finish the battle quickly.

"Alakazam, interfere with full-power Psychic!" Sabrina instructed.

Facing Machamp's lightning-fast assault, Sabrina intended to have Alakazam defend and search for an opening to counterattack. Years of battle experience allowed Sabrina to discern Machamp's sudden surge in strength. She realized it was due to Machamp's immense power being too overwhelming to control fully, even after evolution.

While this meant Machamp would always be stronger than its peers, its inability to sustain prolonged battles remained a glaring weakness. Ron wasn't going to let Sabrina exploit this flaw without retaliation.

"Now, Machamp, use Leer!" Ron's sudden command echoed across the battlefield.

As Machamp closed in on Alakazam, its Leer attack activated. This "signature move," which had accompanied Machamp throughout its journey, once again proved its worth. Alakazam, already shaken by Machamp's overwhelming strength and relentless pursuit, couldn't help but feel a flicker of fear, even while rationalizing that retreating now would set up a stronger offense later.

Leer acted as a catalyst, igniting the fear Alakazam had suppressed. As a result, Alakazam's movements hesitated momentarily.

"Charge forward with Dual Focus Punch!" Ron shouted.

Fighting energy surged around Machamp's fists, glowing an intense azure as it unleashed a powerful strike against Alakazam.

"Fight back, Alakazam! Use your strongest Hyper Beam with full psychic power!" Sabrina countered, her fighting spirit rising.

Alakazam channeled its immense psychic energy into the Hyper Beam, transforming its usual orange-yellow beam into a radiant purple blast.

Machamp's massive frame seemed almost insignificant before the towering Hyper Beam. Yet, undeterred, Machamp pressed forward, fists blazing with Fighting-type energy that formed a shield-like barrier against the Hyper Beam's onslaught.

Step by step, Machamp advanced, slowly but surely, breaking through the energy beam. Sweat dripped from Alakazam's forehead as the immense strain of maintaining such a high-intensity attack began to take its toll. After half a minute of deadlock, Hyper Beam's power began to wane, signaling Alakazam's imminent limit.

Meanwhile, Machamp endured the immense energy drain, its long-term training and Fighting Aura enhancements allowing it to persist in the grueling standoff. Finally, Machamp stomped the ground with force and unleashed Soru (Shave) for a rapid burst of speed.

The unexpected burst of energy caught both Sabrina and Alakazam off guard. Unless Sabrina intervened with her psychic abilities to aid Alakazam, the outcome was inevitable.

Sabrina chose not to interfere, and the result was clear. Machamp tore through the enhanced Hyper Beam and delivered a devastating four-punch combo directly to Alakazam's face, leaving the Psychic Pokémon sprawled on the ground with its features distorted from the physical impact.

"Avoid hitting the face…" Ron muttered, looking at Alakazam's lopsided visage. He decided it was best to avoid meeting Sabrina again unless absolutely necessary.

Despite her frustration at seeing her Pokémon in such a state, Sabrina remained composed. Using her psychic abilities, she flicked a golden badge toward Ron. However, the tremor in Ron's arm as he caught it indicated that Sabrina had not entirely controlled her psychic strength.

To prevent further provocation, Ron quickly helped Machamp out of the Saffron Gym and used Fighting Aura to heal its injuries.

With his goal in Saffron City half-complete, Ron now only needed to wait for Silph Co.'s upcoming battle tournament to begin.

After defeating Sabrina, Ron doubted anyone at the Elite Junior level could surpass him. The Master Ball, the tournament's grand prize, was as good as his. All he had to do was show up and claim it.

Still, even with Machamp's breakthrough to Elite Intermediate level, the power gap between it and near-Elite-level Pokémon (like those at Level 49, just shy of Elite Advanced) remained significant. Otherwise, Ron might have considered transitioning straight from the Elite Junior battles to the Elite Intermediate division, securing two Master Balls in the process.

Frustrated at the thought of losing out on such a lucrative opportunity, Ron consoled himself by browsing the tournament's participant list online, hoping to find alternative ways to make up for the perceived loss.

On the surface, Silph Co. seemed to be taking a financial hit by offering three Master Balls and other items as prizes. However, the tournament's additional benefits more than compensated for the costs.

First, the event would generate substantial publicity. With Master Balls as the main attraction, media coverage would skyrocket, promoting Silph Co.'s other Poké Balls and products.

Second, ticket sales and other related revenue streams would boost profits. The tournament, held in Silph Co.'s custom-designed arena, combined live attendance with a region-wide broadcast across Kanto, maximizing the event's reach and financial gain.

Lastly, the betting system was another lucrative angle. By facilitating wagers on battle outcomes, Silph Co. ensured a steady stream of income. Ron planned to capitalize on this by using the tournament's betting system to expand his own assets.

With these goals in mind, Ron prepared for the next stage of his journey, determined to turn every challenge into an opportunity.

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