"Ding—"
The microwave chimed.
Peter, wearing nothing more than a loose T-shirt, pulled the dishes out and set them neatly on the table.
"Honey, food's ready~"
"Mmm… do I have to eat? I don't really have an appetite right now…"
On the bed, Whitney was slowly getting dressed, her movements a little clumsy. Her figure—fuller and softer after Peter's "training"—looked irresistibly alluring.
"At least eat a little," Peter said, popping a piece of braised pork into his mouth. His eyes lit up instantly. "Your cooking just keeps getting better."
"Haa… then you eat more."
Whitney finally pulled on her clothes, her cheeks still flushed. Even dressing seemed to take effort.
She tugged her jeans up with some difficulty, her curves briefly highlighted before being wrapped in tight denim that only made her more tempting.
Before Peter could admire further, she collapsed back onto the bed.
"Ah… honey, I'm exhausted… can you pour me some Moomoo Milk?"
Peter paused for a moment, then smiled.
"Of course."
After receiving the blessing of Registeel, his physical condition had improved even further. Without preparation, Whitney clearly couldn't keep up.
Watching her tilt her head back and drink, Peter silently made a decision—
Her training schedule needs an upgrade too.
…
After the meal, the two of them headed to the Canalave Gym.
"Roto, take a picture, post it, and start the stream."
"Got it, Rotom~"
The livestream opened, and viewers flooded in instantly.
"Professor Peter finally streaming again! Been busy 'researching' with Whitney, huh?"
"Today he's fighting Byron's old man—this is gonna be good!"
"Steel resists Normal… no toxic-stall tricks today. Let's see what he does!"
"…"
At the entrance, Riley and Byron were already waiting.
Riley stepped forward, eyes burning with anticipation.
"You're finally here, Peter. Lucario and I have been waiting."
Peter smiled. "Then let's not keep you waiting."
…
Soon, everyone gathered at the battlefield.
"Match: Peter from Goldenrod City versus Riley of Iron Island. Format: 1v1. Trainers, send out your Pokémon!"
They exchanged a glance.
"Go, Lucario!"
"Slaking, you're up!"
Whitney cheered from the stands, waving pom-poms. "Go, honey~!"
Peter chuckled. "Got it."
Riley wasted no time.
"Lucario, use Swords Dance!"
"Taunt."
Peter didn't hesitate.
Slaking curled a finger mockingly. The phantom blades around Lucario shattered instantly, its eyes turning sharp with irritation.
"Then Aura Sphere!"
Peter's lips curled.
"Sucker Punch."
"Raah!"
Slaking surged forward, the ground cracking beneath its feet. Lucario barely formed the Aura Sphere before being slammed into the ground.
"Boom—!"
The sphere exploded in place, forcing Slaking back a step.
"Luca…"
Lucario steadied itself, its aura flaring as its Attack rose.
Riley smiled faintly.
"My Lucario has Justified."
Justified — boosts Attack when hit by Dark-type moves.
Peter raised a brow but said nothing.
"Brick Break!"
"Sucker Punch."
"Boom—!"
This time, the distance was shorter. Lucario hadn't even fully formed its strike before Slaking's fist landed again.
Lucario staggered, barely holding its footing.
Riley frowned.
It resists Dark… so why is it taking this much damage?
The chat exploded:
"This guy clearly doesn't know Slaking's power 💀"
"Even 4× resist wouldn't save you from this monster…"
"That's pure, overwhelming strength…"
Peter watched calmly.
At equal levels, Slaking was simply unbeatable.
A total stat of 720—on par with Arceus—combined with Huge Power and monstrous Attack… this wasn't a battle. It was dimensional suppression.
"Again! Brick Break!"
"Sucker Punch!"
"Raah!"
Slaking lunged—
Riley's eyes sharpened.
"Switch moves—Counter!"
"Hm?"
Lucario's palm shot up, perfectly intercepting Slaking's wrist. Fighting energy surged—
"Boom!"
Slaking was blasted backward, rolling twice before getting up.
It hadn't expected that.
[Ding! New move data acquired…]
Information flooded Peter's mind instantly.
He understood.
Counter — a Fighting-type move that activates before priority attacks, interrupting them and striking back.
That meant…
Sucker Punch was now useless.
Peter narrowed his eyes.
"Slaking, Earthquake."
"Jump, Lucario!"
The ground split violently as Lucario leapt—avoiding most of the damage.
But—
A drowsy haze drifted from Slaking's mouth.
Lucario, mid-air and unable to maneuver—
Got hit directly.
Yawn.
Peter smiled.
"Game over."
Lucario landed—then collapsed into sleep.
The next Earthquake hit cleanly.
Battle over.
[Ding! Victory! +3 Attack EVs!]
[Ding! Riley acknowledged you! +5 Master Points!]
[Ding! Partner Trainer Challenge complete! +50 Attack EVs!]
"Lucario is unable to battle. Slaking wins!"
Riley stood still for a moment, then recalled his Pokémon with a sigh of admiration.
"Incredible… you really live up to the name, Peter."
Taunt to shut down setup.
Sucker Punch pressure to force options.
Read the opponent.
Then finish with Earthquake—followed by a perfectly timed Yawn.
Simple. Clean. Ruthless.
Peter just smiled, then glanced at Whitney and gave her a playful wink.
Chat:
"Reminder: this is 'basic play' for him 💀"
"How does Slaking even lose?"
"Maybe status + control… but good luck landing that…"
…
At that moment, Byron stepped onto the field, shovel resting on his shoulder.
He locked eyes with Peter.
"Now then, Peter… it's time for your Canalave Gym challenge."
"Are you ready?"