Lorze, having encountered Alder in Pinwheel Forest, unsurprisingly accepted Alder's proposal to spar. Currently, it's Leavanny VS Accelgor.
The two Bug-type Pokémon confronted each other on opposite sides. This was Leavanny's first actual combat. Facing such a powerful enemy, nervousness was unavoidable. Besides that... was an unusually excited mood. This could also be seen from her antennae.
"Leavanny... Swords Dance!"
Seeing Leavanny about to jump into a dance to strengthen her offensive abilities, how could Accelgor let her have her way? With the speed of a sudden thunderclap that leaves no time to cover one's ears, it almost blinked right in front of Leavanny. This speed truly startled Leavanny!
"He-fu!?"
Just as Accelgor was about to succeed, Leavanny suddenly had a flash of inspiration. Lorze's teachings surfaced in her mind. Taking advantage of the momentum, she used the blade dance footwork, waving her blade-like arms to parry Accelgor's attack!
"Clang!"
At that instant, Lorze seemed to see sparks flying from the two attacks colliding together...
Now it was Accelgor and Alder's turn to be surprised. Logically speaking, Leavanny shouldn't have been able to react to that strike just now. But her movements were truly too ghostly, clearly exceeding Alder's expectations as well: What kind of fighting style is this? I truly haven't seen it before. Interesting... truly very interesting.
Close-quarters combat is not what Accelgor excels at. It quickly jumped back intending to retreat. But Leavanny was unwilling to let go of this opportunity, frantically pursuing and attacking forcefully!
"Wait a minute, Leavanny!"
Before strengthening her mobility, Accelgor's speed could completely kite Leavanny around. Recklessly pursuing would only mean falling into the enemy's trap. Lorze very much wanted to pull back the hot-headed Leavanny, but she seemed somewhat unable to listen. Because the enemy was close at hand, as long as she could hit, as long as she could reach that place...
But actually, the defensive counterattack just now was a stroke of luck and an extraordinary performance for Leavanny. This pursuit exposed her true level—her offense was full of flaws and completely lacking in method. She fundamentally couldn't reproduce the blade dance movements she practiced over and over again previously, merely hunting based on instinct.
She rushed to attack time after time, always feeling she was just a tiny bit short, just a tiny bit short of hitting Accelgor. But the bystander sees clearly what the player doesn't. Both Lorze and Alder saw clearly that Accelgor was teasingly showing flaws to Leavanny, and just as she was about to hit, it used its extremely fast speed to retreat, letting Leavanny miss. Going around in circles like this...
In other words, under the current circumstances, Leavanny could never succeed. Moreover, she was hot-headed and couldn't listen to Lorze's commands. This was probably the more fatal issue.
Finally, Leavanny finally "succeeded". While emitting joyful insect cries, she thrust her blade-like arms into Accelgor's body. As a result, Leavanny couldn't feel the solid sensation of piercing. Accelgor turned into a wisp of green smoke and disappeared on the spot!
Wait a minute, this is... Double Team? Oh no!
The utterly terrified Leavanny hurriedly wanted to retreat, but Accelgor wouldn't let her move freely anymore. Once again utilizing its proud speed to launch a fierce counterattack.
Several azure shurikens flew out from who knows where, instantly slashing several wounds on Leavanny's body and spurting green blood. This is Water Shuriken!
The lethal power of Water Shuriken itself isn't strong, but this was merely to restrict Leavanny's movements. The true killing move was still behind—
"End this, Accelgor. Focus Blast!"
Gathered power condensed into a sphere of extremely high energy density and was fired by Accelgor. This strike was unavoidable for Leavanny. As a result, it accurately hit her soft little belly, overcoming the Bug-type's resistance to Fighting-type to win with one strike—There was no helping it, the gap in hard power was too large, no longer something a Trainer's commanding could make up for.
The farce... has ended.
The heavily scarred Leavanny, unable to bear the heavy burden, fell. But before her body came into intimate contact with the dirt, Lorze Teleported over and caught her in his arms. He truly couldn't bear to watch his insect girl wife fall stiffly to the ground like this.
"Woo, Big Brother Lorze, I was too impulsive. In the end, I still couldn't win..."
The panting Leavanny shed somewhat unwilling, crystal-clear tears. Although Lorze could understand her, his heart still ached. Taking out a Potion and simply spraying and treating the wounds, Lorze held Leavanny's hand and comforted her: "You've already done very well. The opponent is a Champion, after all. Don't be anxious, I will accompany Leavanny to... slowly improve together. For now, just rest well, okay?"
"He-fu... mhm."
Leavanny was of course willing to listen to Lorze's words, nodding obediently. Seeing her reveal a sensible, faint smile, Lorze also smilingly kissed Leavanny's forehead and recalled the injured insect girl into the ball—Although she lost, this was undoubtedly a very precious lesson for Leavanny.
Alder, however, wore an appearance of being very satisfied with the performance of Lorze and Leavanny.
"A truly astonishing bond. This is exactly the most, most precious thing between a Pokémon and a Trainer."
"Mr. Alder overpraises me. Next... I will also bring out my full strength to meet the challenge!"
"Hehehe, I'm also looking forward to it, young man. Come on! Accelgor, switch out!"
Alder recalled Accelgor, who had fought one match, and backhandedly sent out the "shame of the Dragon-type", Druddigon. While Lorze's side sent out Celebi.
"Celebi saw it too, right? Little Sister Leavanny lost. We... have to help her win it back!"
"Mhm, leave it to Celebi!"
Celebi's confident tongue-clicking sound made Lorze smile slightly: Great, time to turn up the intensity for the Unova Champion!
I must say, even though called the shame of the Dragon-type, a Champion is still a Champion. This Druddigon of Alder's was robust in size and ferocious in appearance. Its crimson eyes shot out piercing murderous intent. At a glance, it was a powerful Pokémon.
"Good buddy, go straight at it. Shred the enemy with Dragon Claw!"
"Roar!"
Accompanied by a dull, roaring dragon cry, Druddigon waved its sharp dragon claws and lunged towards Celebi with bared fangs and brandished claws. But... this speed truly couldn't be complimented.
Its speed was truly too slow. Druddigon's sluggish appearance is indeed a fatal flaw. It seems even Alder couldn't solve this.
Perhaps he could also try setting up Trick Room for Druddigon? But that would be a bit too wasteful.
Even so, Druddigon still effortlessly hit Celebi—because what Druddigon hit was completely Celebi's Substitute. Consider this a return favor for the grievance Leavanny suffered just now.
But Celebi's actions didn't stop there. Druddigon, returning to its senses, shockingly discovered that a few seeds scattered by its feet suddenly broke out of their shells and grew wildly. In the blink of an eye, they entangled its four limbs and body!
These Leech Seeds... when were they scattered?
But thinking about it, one could understand. Druddigon couldn't even perceive when Celebi used Substitute, so not noticing the Leech Seed also seemed perfectly reasonable.
Falling into a complete disadvantage right at the opening, this time Alder's brows furrowed very tightly: The situation is very bad.
"Use Fire Punch to burn away the Leech Seed vines, continue attacking!"
Under Alder's command, Druddigon raised its blazing fists and cleared a portion of the vines. But it didn't completely uproot the remnants of the Leech Seed on its body. It couldn't wait to swing its fists again and smash towards Celebi. This Fire Punch... is a move that is super effective against Grass-type. Celebi felt she couldn't take it!
"Protect." Lorze said casually.
This wasn't a broad command, but a specific move. Celebi quickly unfurled a solid barrier to block Druddigon's attack, making it return without achievement once again!
By now, Alder had also seen some clues: Mhm? Could this be...
Leech Seed continuously absorbed stamina for Celebi. After surviving a round of Druddigon's vigorous attacks, she even squeezed out another Substitute.
Through the cycle of Substitute and Protect, she cleverly neutralized Druddigon's brute force. And the stamina consumed by Substitute could be recovered from Leech Seed and Leftovers, thereby achieving a perpetual motion effect. This is also a favored fighting style of veteran stall players...
It wasn't that Druddigon hadn't tried to completely clear the Leech Seed. But once it let down its guard, Celebi on the side would be eyeing it like a tiger watching its prey, ready to cause trouble. For example, using Confusion to attack Druddigon's spirit, etc... Druddigon truly couldn't ignore the main enemy in front of it.
Alder sighed, already having a premonition in his heart: I'm afraid the outcome of this battle is already decided, and my side is suffering a crushing defeat.
But Druddigon on the field still didn't give up. Alder also followed its wishes and continued to command, using all his skills trying to find a breakthrough. But ultimately it was fruitless. Every single one of Lorze's commands was just right, and Celebi's execution ability was also very powerful. Their mutual cooperation simply made their defense watertight.
Lorze then commanded Celebi to use a very classic stall team fighting style to drag Druddigon to death. Utilizing Leech Seed to nibble away at its stamina step by step, defeating Druddigon without shedding blood.
But Druddigon still very backbonedly struggled to the end. Although the scene was truly extremely ugly. The key is it couldn't break the deadlock in the end either, toiling in vain. It fell heavily to the ground with swirly eyes.
Clearly Druddigon possessed absolute strength and offensive capability, yet under Lorze's veteran stall player fighting style, it couldn't display its skills. That feeling was simply like pouring out all its strength only to hit cotton. This was undoubtedly a typical example of using softness to conquer hardness.
Alder clapped his hands in admiration. This battle didn't even expose Celebi's true power, once again confirming that Lorze's precise commanding was absolutely not a blind guess.
"This makes it a one-to-one draw. The strength of the Pokémon under Your Excellency Lorze and your own unpanicked commanding in battle truly make me look at you with new eyes. Why don't we have a final match? How about we each send out our ace for a contest?"
Alder only considered this second match as himself underestimating the enemy too much, so he proposed a third rubber match. On the one hand, he wanted to recover some face from the stifling defeat in the second match; on the other hand, he also wanted to see just how much capability Lorze still had.
Although this Celebi was indeed very strong, in Alder's eyes, his Volcarona wasn't completely without the power to fight. He originally thought sending out his ace would be a sure-win situation. But after both sides sent out their Pokémon, he was dumbfounded.
Volcarona VS Suicune. This, this, this... is this right?
Lorze shrugged: Everyone saw it, it was Alder himself who said "ace against ace" for a mid-range snipe. Then the ace on his body... is none other than Suicune!
"Could this be..."
"One of the Legendary Pokémon, Suicune. Guard of Ho-Oh, Emissary of the North Wind. Also the strongest Pokémon I brought with me."
What shocked Alder was, listening to Lorze's meaning, Suicune actually wasn't his strongest Pokémon!?
This is natural. Suicune is very strong, it's true, but there are also disparities between God-Beasts. Compared to Mega Mewtwo, whose strength flies like a brick, and the bug-like Deoxys, she definitely still doesn't hold an advantage. Saying it's ace against ace, but if he truly pulled out his strongest Pokémon, I'm afraid you wouldn't be happy again.
The opponent was not only a powerful Legendary Pokémon, the typing was also very disadvantageous to himself. But Alder had no choice. Having already put out harsh words, he could only bite the bullet and go up!
"Volcarona, Bug Buzz!" "Calm Mind."
Fluttering its three pairs of wings, Volcarona rapidly floated into the air, seizing the advantageous position of looking down from above. Utilizing the broad field of vision to look down at Suicune on the ground, the current situation was undoubtedly very favorable for its attack. Moving its mouthparts, it emitted a "buzzing" insect cry—
And on the other side, Suicune closed her eyes, attempting to calm her mind and concentrate to seek an inner breakthrough, thereby achieving a comprehensive improvement in offensive and defensive capabilities. But at this moment, she clearly hadn't stepped into that state of tranquil, still water. She couldn't help but impatiently furrow her brows slightly under the interference of the Bug Buzz.
I have to say, Suicune in this appearance... is quite beautiful. Lorze was captivated by the pretty female beast tightly closing her eyes and slightly furrowing her brows.
"Planning to strengthen directly? Don't even think about it! Volcarona, continue applying pressure with Bug Buzz!"
Defeating the setup sweeper before they finish setting up. If the physical stamina consumed is too massive, even if the setup is completed, it's meaningless. This was exactly Alder's thought process for his fierce attacks.
"Buzz!"
This round of Bug Buzz was clearly much more formidable than the probing of the first round. Even Suicune seemed unable to remain calm under such an offensive. Her four limbs trembled slightly under the loud, piercing resonance. The strength of a Champion's ace is indeed not to be underestimated.
"Keep it up Suicune. Just hold on a little longer..."
"Defeat her with the next strike. Use your full power, Volcarona!"
Seemingly feeling the Trainer's enthusiasm and anticipation, Volcarona brewed slightly for a few seconds, then emitted an insect cry that made the surrounding flowers, grass, and leaves tremble for it—
"Buzz!!!!"
Lorze didn't know how moths made sounds. But Volcarona's Bug Buzz not only attacked Suicune physically and mentally, even Lorze was affected together with her. The sharp explosive sound made his ears ring endlessly, dizzy and dazzled. It forced Lorze to use telekinesis just to shield a portion of the Bug Buzz's influence. But he still panted heavily. That resonance of his internal organs just now made him nauseous to the point of almost vomiting.
This Volcarona's Bug Buzz is piercing and raucous, fundamentally not as pleasant and sweet as Leavanny's cry! Lorze complained in his heart. It's just that... a Champion-strength Pokémon indeed has real skills...