Leaf Storm collided with the flying rocks, kicking up a large amount of white mist. The seemingly soft leaves easily pierced through the rocks, and the move continued, its speed undiminished, toward Onix. If this attack were to hit, Onix, being a Ground and Rock type with a fourfold weakness to Grass, would not survive even if it had a thousand lives.
Fomantis's Special Attack stat might not be high, but similarly, Onix's Special Defense isn't high either. What could an Onix do to withstand a Leaf Storm?
However, reality is not a game. The opponent wouldn't just stand there stupidly, waiting for the attack, and Pokémon don't master a move the moment they learn it.
For instance, the Leaf Storm Fomantis looked very clumsy. While it pierced through the rocks, the subsequent attack on Onix seemed to fall short. It dissipated before reaching Onix. Leaf Storm is one of the most powerful Grass-type moves, almost a signature move. The fact that Fomantis could use it was surprising enough for Su Yuan, let alone its imperfect execution.
Real-life Pokémon battles aren't turn-based.
"Look out above!"
Suddenly, Su Yuan yelled. In the brief moment Fomantis blocked the rocks, he regained his balance and stood up.
"Chirp?"
Fomantis looked confused and instinctively looked up. There, after the Leaf Storm dissipated, was Onix, which had slammed its body into the ground to launch itself into the air and use Body Press!
Fighting and Grass types are neither weak nor resistant to each other, but Onix's physical defense is an astonishing 160. This Body Press was an extreme threat to Fomantis; a one-hit knockout wasn't out of the question.
"Get out of the way!"
Su Yuan shouted anxiously. Although he was experienced in Pokémon battles, he couldn't blindly command a wild Pokémon without knowing its moves. At this range, there was no time to use Leaf Storm. So he could only pray that Fomantis would dodge the attack.
"Chirp, Chirp!!"
To Su Yuan's surprise, the little guy seemed to have no intention of running. Fomantis's scythe-like leaves swung continuously in front of it. Several leaves, flashing with a cold light, sliced upward toward Onix. Each leaf was as sharp as a blade.
It was Leaf Blade! Fomantis's Leaf Blade was clearly different from its Leaf Storm; it looked very skilled. This time, it hit Onix head-on.
It's super effective!
But it was no use. Onix showed a pained expression after being hit by Leaf Blade, but its body still fell toward Fomantis.
"Scary Face!"
At this distance, there was no way to dodge; Fomantis's speed was what it was. But Su Yuan wasn't a mascot. Back then, Ash could take a Thunderbolt to the face; now, Su Yuan could use a Scary Face to scare away an Onix.
Dark-type energy surged from within Su Yuan, forming a massive, scary face behind him. The horrifying expression glared viciously at Onix, occasionally letting out a chilling sound.
Su Yuan was very familiar with the move Scary Face. Back in the day, Torracat often used it to play pranks with him. Naturally, this was one of the first moves Su Yuan mastered. He didn't know where the Dark-type energy came from, but that didn't stop him from using the move.
"!!!"
Onix suddenly felt a cold gaze on it. It raised its heavy, rocky head, shifting its eyes from Fomantis to Su Yuan. It was then caught off guard and startled by the terrifying face behind Su Yuan.
The effect of a status move is far greater than its description suggests.
Scary Face: Glaring at the opponent with a scary face scares them and drastically lowers their movement speed.
But since the opponent was scared, that meant an opportunity! Onix's momentum suddenly halted. Not only did its speed drop, but its concentration was also broken due to fear, causing its Body Press attack to miss.
"Now's your chance, Fomantis! Keep using Leaf Blade!" Su Yuan seized the fleeting opportunity and shouted at Fomantis.
He wasn't greedy for Leaf Storm's damage. The move was too unstable. Even if he could use it more fluently, its accuracy was not a guarantee. Compared to Leaf Storm, Su Yuan preferred the fast, accurate, and high-critical-hit-rate Leaf Blade.
Even if this Leaf Blade didn't have the power to knock out Onix in two hits.
"Chirp!"
Although this was a Fomantis that might have the Contrary ability, luckily, it wasn't contrary to Su Yuan at the moment.
Whoosh—
Leaf Blade sliced through the air and into the dust cloud kicked up by Onix's fall.
Roar—
It was super effective!
Onix was finally knocked back. No matter how high its defense was, it couldn't withstand two consecutive Leaf Blades. After all, it was four times weak to Grass.
Just as Su Yuan was about to feel happy, he got a bad feeling. A black, spherical shadow suddenly appeared in the still-settling dust cloud. Its size was clearly that of a massive rock.
Rock Slide!
In an instant, Su Yuan knew what it was.
Leaf Blade? Su Yuan didn't think Leaf Blade had that much power. If it were Lurantis's Leaf Blade, it might be a different story, but Fomantis's Leaf Blade couldn't block it.
But...
"There's still time at this distance!"
Su Yuan's lips curved into a smile. He pointed his arm forward and shouted, "Fomantis, use Leaf Storm!!"
As soon as he spoke, a large number of leaves formed a tornado in front of Fomantis. But this time, the Leaf Storm formed much faster, and the tornado was a bit bigger. Seeing this, Su Yuan's smile grew wider. He was now certain that this Fomantis's ability was Contrary!
Otherwise, there was no way it could use a Leaf Storm of this scale.
Although Leaf Storm is powerful, it has a fatal flaw: after using it, the user's Special Attack is temporarily lowered by 50% due to the recoil. But since Fomantis was able to use an even more powerful Leaf Storm than before, it meant that its Special Attack stat had been boosted. Thanks to the Contrary ability, the stat that was supposed to be lowered was instead strengthened.
Boom—
The Leaf Storm directly sliced through the Rock Slide as if it were tofu, with no resistance.
But unfortunately, this attack still didn't hit Onix. It wasn't in that spot, so there was no hit to be made.
Then, from not far from where Onix had been, an angry roar echoed. The attack style of a wild Onix was incredibly simple and brutal. It used its body to its advantage, either by charging or falling from the sky. Now, Onix was charging toward them with a powerful momentum. Judging from the look of it, it was no simple Tackle; it had the feel of a Double-Edge.
But Su Yuan wasn't afraid. Since you've created distance, why would I be afraid of you? A Leaf Storm with a 200% Special Attack boost? Forget an Onix; even a Groudon couldn't take it! A hundred thousand lives wouldn't be enough!