Chapter 206: Controlling the Battlefield
The addition of Butler was an unexpected delight for Ryan. Ryan's match was over, but Sapphire's match was immediately scheduled. The two were placed in the same battle arena, but in different rounds.
Sapphire's opponent was an elite trainer named Norman, 25 years old. He possessed a formidable Slaking. In the first doubles match, he used a combination of Spinda and Slaking, showing his opponent what it meant for a single ability change to create a legendary Pokémon!
Moreover, Norman's Spinda had the rare Contrary ability. Have you ever seen a Slaking chasing other Pokémon with its hammer? It's terrifying!
Sapphire was facing a very difficult opponent. Ryan, however, gave her a strategy that would absolutely make him despair.
Ruby, sitting in the audience, said with some worry, "Is Sapphire alright? I've seen Norman's Slaking; it's very strong. Even Sapphire's Blaziken isn't a match for it."
"It's alright. With that Pokémon, if you control it properly, it's easy to turn the tide," Ryan said. "But it depends on Sapphire's skill. If she controls it well, she can turn the tide. If she doesn't, she might get completely crushed."
"Hey, you're making me even more nervous!" Ruby said helplessly.
As the contestants entered the arena, Sapphire and Norman stood in the battle arena. With the referee's command, four Pokémon appeared in the arena. Norman's Pokémon were as expected: a Spinda and a Slaking. It really is a one-trick strategy. If this strategy isn't countered, Norman could really make it into the top 32 with just these two Pokémon.
But Ryan looked at Sapphire's two Pokémon. One was Blaziken, and the other was Whimsicott. And the key to winning this match lay with Whimsicott!
Whimsicott is a small, brown, sheep-like Pokémon. It has a cotton-like substance covering its back, neck, and forehead. Like Cottonee, Whimsicott has a green, star-shaped section on its back. It has orange, oval eyes and green, curled horns or ears.
"Spinda, use Skill Swap on Slaking! Slaking, Hammer Arm!" Norman immediately said.
"Whimsicott, Encore, aim at Spinda! Blaziken, use Flare Blitz to dodge!" Sapphire, recalling Ryan's teachings, immediately said.
Spinda instantly switched abilities with Slaking, and Slaking swung its huge fist at Blaziken. Blaziken was instantly engulfed in flames, using Flare Blitz to dodge Slaking's Hammer Arm. Because of its Contrary ability, Slaking's speed increased, while Whimsicott raised its hands, generating a white sphere of energy, which it then hurled at Spinda. Spinda's body glowed white after being hit.
Ryan nodded: "First step complete, successfully sealing Spinda and preventing it from using any moves."
"Whimsicott, press your advantage! Tailwind, Worry Seed!" Sapphire shouted.
Whimsicott shook its body at incredible speed, creating a strong gust of wind. Simultaneously, Whimsicott fired small seeds that sank into Slaking's body, changing its ability to Insomnia. Slaking's Hammer Arm missed again; Blaziken, using Flare Blitz for continuous acceleration, was no longer within its reach!
Moreover, its Contrary ability had also changed to Insomnia, and after Hammer Arm, Slaking's speed plummeted. Blaziken seized the opportunity to charge at Spinda, unleashing its full power in Close Combat, kicking Spinda away and rendering it unable to battle. Meanwhile, Slaking also decisively knocked Whimsicott out with a single Fire Punch.
However, before Whimsicott lost its battle ability, its final move, Memento, disgusted Norman. Ryan laughed, "Sapphire is sure to win. As long as she doesn't make any mistakes, a steady, methodical approach will definitely secure the victory."
This combo was the strategy Ryan had devised for Sapphire. First, seal off Spinda's movements with Encore. Norman definitely wouldn't want Slaking to revert to its Truant ability, so Spinda was effectively useless. Next, use Tailwind to boost Blaziken's speed and turn Slaking's Contrary ability into Insomnia. Finally, before it collapses, use Memento to maximize Whimsicott's potential!
"Slaking, Bulk Up!" Norman sighed helplessly. This Memento was too damaging, so he had to use Bulk Up to recover some of its strength.
But how could Sapphire let such a good opportunity slip by? Taking advantage of Slaking using Bulk Up to boost its stats, she unleashed a Focus Punch directly into Slaking's abdomen. The Fighting-type move Focus Punch was incredibly effective! Slaking clutched its stomach in pain and collapsed to its knees.
"Blaziken, another Focus Punch!" Sapphire shouted.
Blaziken's right fist glowed again, and Ryan's eyelids twitched. "This is bad!"
Sure enough, no sooner had Ryan finished speaking than Slaking stood up, its eyes bloodshot, and unleashed a Giga Impact that sent Blaziken flying, interrupting the gathering of its Focus Punch.
"We're doomed. Sapphire was too eager to finish the match." Ruby noticed Sapphire's impatience.
Blaziken slammed heavily against the wall and then slowly slid down. Slaking was only stunned for a second before launching another Giga Impact at Blaziken.
"Blaziken, jump!" Sapphire said anxiously.
She knew Blaziken couldn't withstand another Giga Impact and could only hope that it could dodge it! Blaziken didn't disappoint Sapphire; it pushed off with its feet and jumped before Slaking hit it, dodging the Giga Impact.
"That's it, use High Jump Kick!" Sapphire saw a glimmer of hope for victory.
Taking advantage of Slaking's momentary lapse in concentration, Blaziken delivered a powerful knee strike, slamming into Slaking's right leg. The force of the impact sent Slaking crashing to its knees.
"The final Close Combat!" Sapphire exclaimed excitedly.
Blaziken, gathering its last strength, unleashed a barrage of kicks towards Slaking's back. The immense damage proved too much for Slaking, who collapsed, unable to battle.
"Slaking and Spinda are unable to battle! Blaziken and Whimsicott win! Therefore, the winner is Sapphire from Littleroot Town!" the referee announced, raising his flag.
"That was amazing!" Ruby jumped up excitedly, "Sapphire and Blaziken's timing at the last moment was perfect!"
Lillie smiled and said, "It was still thrilling, after all, Sapphire was a little careless. If it weren't for Whimsicott's Memento, that move probably would have finished off Blaziken."
Ryan nodded: This match was truly breathtaking; the twists and turns really kept the audience excited!
(End of Chapter)
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