Chapter 113: To Use It, or Not to Use It?
Rock Smash, the Fighting-type move that strikes with a powerful fist, with a chance to lower the opponent's Defense.
Seeing the smirking Drilbur, Nosepass was filled with rage and threw a powerful punch.
"Metal Claw!" Basalt commanded, meeting the attack head-on. When it comes to attacking, my Drilbur isn't afraid of you!
BOOM!
Fist and metal claw collided with a dull thud, and both Pokémon were sent reeling back. Drilbur was pushed back further, but Nosepass took more damage. After all, Fighting wasn't super-effective against Drilbur, but Steel-type Metal Claw was super-effective against the Rock-type Nosepass.
The two were once again separated, their eyes locked on each other. In that exchange, Drilbur had come out slightly ahead.
"Bulldoze!" Basalt's voice rang out again. Kick 'em while they're down. His battle strategy was clear. The blow to Nosepass's nose had disrupted its gravity field, which had now weakened to about 1.7x. He couldn't give it a moment to recover. He had to press his advantage with a relentless storm of attacks.
BOOM!
Drilbur leaped high into the air, and the moment it landed, a terrifying wave of Ground-type energy spread out from it, the ground rippling like the surface of water in concentric circles.
"What terrifying Ground-type energy!" the crowd gasped.
"Nosepass, use Bulldoze as well!" Fletcher felt the pressure. Drilbur's Bulldoze was not only super-effective but also incredibly powerful. But at this point, he had no choice but to counter with the same move.
BOOM!
Nosepass's Bulldoze erupted, and the two shockwaves collided, canceling each other out. But Drilbur's was clearly stronger, and the remaining energy slammed into Nosepass.
"Nose~" The ground shook beneath it, and a pained expression appeared on Nosepass's face. The super-effective move had done its job. Fortunately, after being weakened by its own Bulldoze, the remaining power wasn't overwhelming. Nosepass could still take it.
But Basalt had never intended to finish it with a single Bulldoze. His real goal was to disrupt its stance, weaken its Gravity even further, and create an opening. His true killing blow was still to come.
"Drill Run!" he roared. This is it!
Screee!
The high-pitched sound echoed through the arena as Drilbur once again entered its drill form, shooting towards the still-reeling Nosepass. This was its all-out, super-effective attack. If it hit, Nosepass would be finished.
"Whoa! Is... is Basalt going to win?" Forrest's eyes widened in disbelief. In the blink of an eye, the tide had turned completely.
Finch and Luna also watched, stunned. Can Basalt really defeat a Group A trainer?
But in contrast to the shock of the B-group members, the A-group trainers were calm, as if everything was going according to plan. Their instructor, Mr. Shane, even had a faint smile on his face.
"Gravity, full power!" Fletcher's roar finally came.
Nosepass's eyes snapped open. Ignoring the trembling ground, it raised its arms, and its red nose began to turn.
Vwoom!
The weakened gravity field instantly intensified. The air grew thick, as if frozen in time.
"2.0x!" Mr. Leo gasped. As an experienced Professional-Rank trainer, he could gauge the intensity of the gravity by sight and feel alone. Fletcher and his Nosepass had been holding back.
Thud!
Under the intensified gravity, Drilbur's drill form lost its balance and slammed into the ground, creating a large crater. It was less than a meter away from Nosepass. So close.
"Drilburr..." It was forced out of its drill form. It could have used Dig, but with Nosepass knowing Bulldoze, going underground was too risky.
"Nose~"
It looked up to see Nosepass looming over it, another furious punch on its way.
BAM!
Rock Smash hit, and Drilbur was sent flying, tumbling head over heels. It was finally injured, panting for breath.
"Drilburr..." It struggled to its feet. 2.0x gravity was on a completely different level from 1.8x. It wasn't completely immobilized, but its movements were now no better than Nosepass's. Its speed had been cut to less than a third of its peak.
"Drilburr..." It looked back at Basalt, its eyes pleading. Human, this guy is tough. Is it time for... "Sandstorm"?
Basalt gritted his teeth, his fists clenched. Sandstorm and Sand Rush were his biggest trump cards. He didn't want to reveal them unless it was absolutely necessary. His plan had been to save them for the provincial tournament, or at the very least, for his challenge against the A-group's upper tier. Using them now, against the lower tier, felt like a waste.
But if he didn't, he would likely lose. He looked at Fletcher and his Nosepass. Such a difficult opponent.
To use it, or not to use it?
The question tore through his mind.
As he hesitated, the battlefield fell silent. Drilbur didn't attack, and neither did Nosepass. Only the oppressive gravity field remained, holding Drilbur in place.
And then, Basalt's eyes lit up. Wait. Drilbur can win... even without Sandstorm.
He had found a way.
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