Chapter 108: Luna's New Partner
"Leo, old friend. Sorry to bother you again."
"Not at all, Chen. You're looking quite pleased with yourself. I take it the C-group's defensive battles went well?"
In the private battle court, Group B's instructor, Mr. Leo, and Group C's instructor, Mr. Chen, shook hands, both smiling. Behind them stood their respective students. The inter-group battles were not public events; only the participating groups were allowed to spectate.
"We fulfilled our duty. A clean sweep for Group C. The young guns in Group D's upper tier still have a ways to go," Mr. Chen said with a laugh, his face beaming with pride. Eight battles, eight wins for his group. It was a result worth bragging about.
"My, my, coming in hot today, are we, Chen? Looks like I'll have to be on my guard," Mr. Leo chuckled, then cut to the chase. "Alright, let's get on with it. Same as always, the challengers and defenders will meet first."
The instructors also received bonuses if their students managed to advance, so a fierce but friendly rivalry existed between them.
"Very well," Mr. Chen nodded and waved his hand. The four upper-tier members of Group C stepped forward: Cael, Luna, Donovan, and a cold-looking young man.
From Group B's side, it was the roguish Finch and the graceful Blossom.
The two groups faced each other, sizing up their opponents. The challengers from Group C had the right to choose who they would battle. Of course, if more than two challengers chose the same defender, the defender could refuse the extra challenges. This meant the defenders had to win two matches to secure their spot, but no more than two. And there would be ample time to rest in between.
Basalt, who had been standing off to the side, suddenly felt Luna's gaze on him, a playful smile on her lips. What's she up to? Is she planning to knock me out on her way to the upper tier? He had a feeling she was up to no good.
"Who wants to challenge me? Step up!" Finch said, looking at the four challengers with a disdainful air.
"I'll challenge you."
"Me too."
Donovan and Cael exchanged a look and stepped forward together. They had already decided on their targets beforehand to avoid any awkwardness. Cael's Totodile and Donovan's Machop both had a type advantage against Finch's Houndour.
The rules were intentionally disadvantageous for the defenders. The camp's higher-ups believed that if a trainer couldn't handle a type disadvantage, they weren't strong enough to be on the team.
"In that case, my opponents are you two," Blossom said, looking at Luna and the cold-faced young man.
"Who will go first?" Mr. Leo asked.
"I will!" Luna was the first to raise her hand.
Just as I thought. She came prepared, Basalt thought, a little worried for Blossom. Blossom's Ivysaur was at a severe disadvantage against Luna's Jynx; Psychic was super-effective against Poison, and Ice was super-effective against Grass.
"Alright, will the two trainers please step forward," the referee announced.
The two girls faced each other and threw their Poké Balls at the same time.
Blossom sent out her Ivysaur.
But to everyone's surprise, Luna's Pokémon was not Jynx. It was a red, penguin-like Pokémon with a hollow tail.
"It's a Delibird!" Basalt was stunned.
Delibird, the Ice/Flying-type. Its base stats were a measly 330, and it couldn't evolve, so it wasn't considered a strong Pokémon. It was rarely seen in battles. But Luna was the princess of the Xylo Corporation; she had all the money in the world. For her to choose a Pokémon like Delibird... it had to be special.
He was suddenly reminded of the Gym Leader Pryce's Delibird from the anime, a true monster that could take on even legendary Pokémon.
No, no, it can't be... Basalt shook his head, a cold sweat breaking out on his forehead.
The battle had already begun.
"Delibird, Ice Shard!" Luna commanded, opening with a priority move. A white, chisel-shaped shard of ice, as thick as an arm, formed and shot forward, its tip glinting with a cold light. The temperature in the room instantly dropped. This Delibird's Ice-type affinity was incredible, even stronger than her Jynx's.
But Blossom and her Ivysaur were no slouches. Ivysaur reacted instantly, launching a volley of Magical Leaf to intercept the Ice Shard. But while the leaves were numerous, the Ice Shard was incredibly powerful. It tore through the leaves as if they were nothing and struck Ivysaur, a layer of frost instantly forming on its body, stiffening its movements.
"Ingrain, then Venoshock!" Blossom commanded, not panicking.
Two vines shot from Ivysaur's back, burrowing into the ground to absorb nutrients. A faint green light enveloped its body, and the frost began to recede. At the same time, it launched a spray of dark purple liquid, which spread out like a wide net, making it extremely difficult to dodge.
"Delibird, Icy Wind!" Luna said with a smirk. The attack was hard to dodge, but her Delibird didn't need to.
A blast of freezing air shot from Delibird's wings, instantly freezing the incoming venom into tiny, solid pellets that shattered on the ground.
"Damn it!" Blossom's face paled. She had never battled this Delibird before, and its strength was shocking. Her Ivysaur was at a complete disadvantage.
But Luna wasn't about to give her a chance to recover. "Pluck!"
"Deli~bird!" Delibird's wings beat once, and its beak began to glow with a white light, extending and sharpening into a deadly weapon. It dove from the sky like a living sword, aiming for the rooted Ivysaur.
But seeing this, Blossom's face lit up with a triumphant smile. "Ivysaur, now! Bind!"
The ground in front of Ivysaur erupted, and several massive, thigh-thick roots shot out. It was a secret technique of her family's, an advanced application of Ingrain that allowed it to attack. The nutrient-infused roots were far stronger than a normal Bind.
The roots intercepted Delibird's Pluck. Though some were broken, they managed to stop its advance. The remaining roots then moved to encircle it, threatening to trap it completely.
"There it is! Blossom's giant root Bind! It can be used for offense, defense, and trapping. And those roots are incredibly tough," Forrest said, excited.
Basalt, on the other hand, was a little worried. He had been hoping Luna would win. Luna specializes in the Ice type. If it uses a powerful Icy Wind from inside the roots, it should be able to freeze them solid, right?
But to his surprise, Luna didn't go on the defensive. She doubled down on her attack.
"Delibird, from Pluck... to Drill Peck!"
Screee!
A high-pitched, grinding sound, similar to Drilbur's Drill Run, echoed from within the mass of roots. A moment later, Delibird burst out, its body spinning like a drill.
"How is that possible?!" Blossom's eyes widened. Drill Peck was a high-tier Flying-type move. Her Delibird couldn't have been in training for that long. How was it already stronger than her Jynx?
But she would never get an answer. The freed Delibird changed its trajectory and slammed into Ivysaur.
"Saur!" Ivysaur was sent flying, the scene a mirror image of its battle with Basalt's Drilbur. It landed with a thud, its eyes swirling.
"Ivysaur is unable to battle! The winner is... Luna!"
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