"So that was it... A one-on-one countermeasure tactic?"
Observing the battle on the field, Professor Thompson showed a satisfied expression.
Even he, a veteran with a wealth of battle experience, couldn't help but silently praise the cleverness of these kids.
Although there was a power gap between the Pokémon on their team and those of the opposing team, they were managing to suppress their opponents thanks to type advantage.
"Those arrogant idiots! How many times do I have to tell them that in team battles cooperation is essential? Have they forgotten everything?!"
In contrast, the professor in charge of the Duskwell City Pokémon University team was about to explode with rage.
Although the five representatives of his university were the very best in Duskwell City, that was precisely why none of them accepted the authority of the others. As a result, cooperation was completely absent.
This is like in many competitive sports: a team full of stars might look powerful, but if every player wants to be the protagonist and carry the game on their own, performance can actually be worse than that of an ordinary team working together.
This is also why many "galactic teams" fail spectacularly in battle, despite their incredible potential on paper.
"Damn it, they're countering us!"
"Withdraw your Pokémon! Let Rhydon endure the sandstorm! The rest of you, provide covering fire from a distance!"
The students of Duskwell City Pokémon University also noticed something was wrong. The Meganium trainer, who was the captain, quickly gave the order.
"Damn, Feraligatr, fall back!"
The Feraligatr trainer, who was closest to the Captain, reacted immediately and tried to retreat.
"Now you want to retreat? Isn't it a bit late for that? Magneton, use Thunder Wave!"
Seeing the attempt to withdraw, Alex Baxter gave a cold smile and ordered his Magneton to unleash Thunder Wave.
Feraligatr had just started running when it was struck head-on by Thunder Wave. Instantly, its body was covered in electric sparks and became completely paralyzed.
"Retreating now is like offering yourself as an easy target!"
"Rhydon, finish off that Metang!"
Rhydon was under the least pressure on the field. Although Metang was Steel-type, it didn't have long-range Steel moves, and its Psychic-type moves were easily disrupted by the sandstorm, so Rhydon was calm.
The Feraligatr trainer, seeing his Pokémon paralyzed while trying to retreat, didn't hesitate to mock.
"Bah! This only happened because you, the one controlling Rhydon, acted on your own! Otherwise, we wouldn't be in this mess!"
The Meganium trainer scoffed coldly at his taunt.
"A type disadvantage battle isn't that big of a deal! Watch how my Rhydon takes down that Metang, then comes to help you!" The Rhydon trainer let out a loud laugh, as if he were a savior.
"There's no other choice... Typhlosion, use Gyro Ball!"
The Typhlosion trainer spoke in a low voice and gave the order. He used a Steel-type move to counter Onix.
"At least you all can still do something, even with type disadvantage!"
"But my Ampharos can't do anything against that Sandslash! Electric moves won't work, and on top of that, it's too fast! Hurry up, finish your fights and help me!"
The Ampharos trainer already had a grim look since the opponent had sent out that Pokémon. Facing a Sandstorm team with an Electric-type Pokémon was a nightmare.
He expected his teammates to cover his flanks, but since everyone acted on their own, his Ampharos ended up paired with the most unwanted opponent: a Ground-type Pokémon. Now it was being crushed without being able to lift its head.
"Hold on a bit longer! The sandstorm has been going for three minutes already! Once it ends, it'll be our chance to counterattack!"
The Meganium trainer suppressed her anger and began to calmly observe the field. She knew that in terms of sheer strength, her team's Pokémon were more than capable. Even with type disadvantage, they could still fight.
The problem was the damned sandstorm, which weakened their performance and caused constant damage, keeping them at a clear disadvantage.
But once the weather dissipated, they could turn the situation around.
"It's almost there... The storm is about to end. We have to take down at least one before that!"
Ethan Black's eyes narrowed. Discreetly, he signaled his team.
"Sandslash, use Sand Whirl!"
The next moment, Sandslash began spinning in place, generating a great gust of wind that transformed into a massive sand whirlwind that charged toward Ampharos.
"Going all out, huh?"
"Ampharos, block it with Zap Cannon!"
Seeing the attack, the Ampharos trainer frowned. He also noticed the storm was fading, so he knew this was the enemy's decisive blow. If they blocked it, they could turn the battle around.
BOOM!
Ampharos roared, concentrated Electric energy in its body, and fired a powerful discharge that pierced through the whirlwind.
BOOM!
Sand scattered into the air... but Sandslash was no longer there.
"Another Dig! Ampharos, watch the ground!"
Seeing the opponent vanish, Ampharos went on alert, watching its feet for a surprise attack.
"Metang, go all out! Use Metal Claw!"
On another front, seeing that his Metang kept taking Rock-type moves from Rhydon, Lucas Silver gritted his teeth and ordered a direct attack from the air.
"So you finally dare to fight head-on?"
"Rhydon, use Hammer Arm!"
Seeing Metang dive from the sky, the Rhydon trainer laughed loudly. Rhydon charged Fighting-type energy into its arms and struck.
BOOM!
A powerful explosion erupted as Metal Claw and Hammer Arm collided in midair. The two energies clashed, but Rhydon's strength was superior and began to overpower Metang.
(End of chapter)