After lunch, the group gathered again to chat. Time with friends always flew by, and before they knew it, it was time for the next round.
The six of them walked into the stadium as the announcer's warm-up echoed across the field. Not long after, the draw for the next round began. This time, instead of drawing numbers on their wrist devices, the pairings were shown directly on the big screen. Each pair would take the field for a full, live-commentated battle, until only one person was left without an opponent.
First up was Lena, facing off against a Pachirisu.
Pokémon: Pachirisu
Gender: Male
Type: Electric
Ability: Volt Absorb (Immunity to Electric-type moves; restores 1/4 max HP if hit by one. It protects only itself and doesn't attract Electric moves.)
Potential: Blue tier
Basic Moves: Growl, Bide, Quick Attack, Charm, Spark, Endure, Nuzzle, Swift
Egg Moves: Bite, Covet, Charge, Iron Tail
Since the fifteen-to-eight battles were held right on the sidelines, not in a waiting lounge, Auron could see the Pokémon's stats and abilities directly.
Before he could comment, the announcer's voice boomed out:
"Alright, Trainers and spectators, welcome to the first match of the Baby Cup's Top 15! A big shoutout to our sponsors for making this possible!"
"Both Trainers are sending out their Pokémon—on one side, a Ghost-type Misdreavus, and on the other, the Electric-type Pachirisu. No type advantage here, so it'll come down to pure skill and strategy!"
"Pachirisu—Charge!"
"Misdreavus—Nasty Plot!"
Pachirisu made the first move, its fur sparkling with static. It dashed forward using [Quick Attack] to get close to Misdreavus, and as it closed in, dark energy gathered around its teeth—[Bite], a Dark-type move that's super-effective against Ghosts.
Misdreavus only grinned, not the slightest bit worried. With a wink, it faded from sight, leaving Pachirisu blinking and searching the field. The little Electric-type looked utterly clueless and—honestly—a bit adorable.
"Pachirisu—Swift!"
Pachirisu's Trainer reacted fast, ordering a sure-hit move. Tiny stars shot from Pachirisu's mouth, flying through a black orb—Misdreavus's [Shadow Ball]—and struck the hidden Ghost-type, revealing her location.
Stung, Misdreavus glared back, her attack also having landed: Pachirisu was sent tumbling across the ground but quickly scrambled back up, giving the airborne Misdreavus an equally fierce stare.
The two Pokémon's eyes crackled with electricity and challenge.
"Misdreavus—Psybeam!"
"Pachirisu—Quick Attack!"
A flash of purple-red energy burst from Misdreavus, chasing Pachirisu around the field. But with [Quick Attack], Pachirisu was just too fast—Psybeam couldn't keep up.
"Swift again!"
As Misdreavus's beam faded, Pachirisu used [Swift] to hit her once more.
"Misdreavus—Shadow Sneak!"
Lena ordered a close-range move. At this distance, long-range attacks were hard to land against Pachirisu's speed, so it was time for a sneak attack.
With a mischievous laugh, Misdreavus vanished again. Pachirisu whirled in circles, searching, only for Misdreavus to pop out of its shadow and smack it right on the back of the head.
Pachirisu staggered, then glared at the gloating Misdreavus.
"Pachirisu—Swift!"
"Misdreavus—Shadow Ball, finish it!"
Both Pokémon struck at nearly the same time—Swift's stars hit Misdreavus, but her powered-up Shadow Ball landed squarely on Pachirisu.
Misdreavus barely seemed fazed, but Pachirisu, after taking two Nasty Plot-boosted Shadow Balls, finally ran out of energy.
"Pachirisu is unable to battle—Misdreavus wins!"
Misdreavus hovered in the air, arms crossed and grinning smugly as Pachirisu lay dazed, dizzy eyes spinning.
Lena bowed her head, recalling her Pokémon and making a quick exit from the field.
"That's the end of our first match! Thanks to both Trainers for a fantastic battle. Next up, would contestants Gavin West and Peter Lane please take the stage?"
The next pair stepped forward.
Pokémon: Lilligant
Gender: Female
Type: Grass
Ability: Chlorophyll (Doubles Speed in sunny weather)
Potential: Orange tier
Basic Moves: Petal Dance, Teeter Dance, Quiver Dance, Petal Blizzard, Absorb, Growth, Helping Hand, Stun Spore, Giga Drain, Magical Leaf, Sleep Powder, Mega Drain, Leech Seed, After You, Energy Ball, Synthesis, Sunny Day, Leaf Storm
Egg Moves: Solar Beam, Ingrain, Worry Seed
Pokémon: Rhydon
Gender: Female
Type: Ground/Rock
Ability: Lightning Rod (Draws in all Electric-type moves, immune and raises Special Attack.)
Potential: Blue tier
Basic Moves: Tackle, Tail Whip, Smack Down, Bulldoze, Horn Attack, Scary Face, Stomp, Iron Tail, Dig
Egg Moves: Dragon Rush, Head Smash, Ice Fang
Auron couldn't help but whistle at Lilligant's skill list—it was stacked with useful moves.
Open with Sunny Day, then go for Quiver Dance boosts if you get a chance. If not, inflict status with Sleep Powder or Stun Spore, then Quiver Dance. End the battle with Petal Dance or Solar Beam. If it drags on, stall with Ingrain, Synthesis, and Giga Drain. Once the sun's out, this is Lilligant's field.
And sure enough, things played out just as he expected: the moment Lilligant appeared, she immediately set up [Sunny Day].
But Rhydon's Trainer was anything but subtle—she went all-in right away, ordering [Dragon Rush]. Rhydon charged straight for Lilligant, who gritted her teeth and took the hit just to make sure the sun was up.
Lilligant went flying, but Sunny Day was activated.
"Lilligant—Giga Drain!"
"Rhydon—Ice Fang!"
Lilligant raised her hands, green energy swirling and draining life from Rhydon, who barely withstood the quadruple-effective hit. But she still managed to chomp down with [Ice Fang].
"Lilligant—Solar Beam!"
"Rhydon—Dig!"
Thanks to the sun, Lilligant didn't need to charge. A blinding Solar Beam blasted from her, but Rhydon was fast, tunneling underground just in time to dodge the lethal attack.
The tension in Rhydon's Trainer finally eased. Although Solar Beam missed, it was clear Lilligant had taken control of the battle.
"Lilligant—Synthesis!"
"Rhydon—burst out with Ice Fang!"
But Rhydon and her Trainer had been tricked—she burst from the ground, biting Lilligant with icy fangs, but Lilligant braced herself and immediately countered with [Magical Leaf], which homed in perfectly, knocking Rhydon out and clinching the win.
"Rhydon is unable to battle—Lilligant wins!"
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