Chapter 223 – Swampert
Kangaskhan was struck by Mightyena's blow, its massive body crashing backward as its feet gouged deep trenches into the ground.
Kangaskhan was badly injured.
Yet, thanks to its Endurance Ability, its defenses rose sharply.
"Mightyena, roar as loud as you can!" Hayate barked.
"Roooaaar!"
Mightyena unleashed an earth-shaking howl. The terrifying sound waves condensed into visible black shockwaves that battered Kangaskhan one after another.
Sweat poured down Kangaskhan's brow as it staggered three steps back.
But its Endurance Ability activated again…
Defense rose one stage!Defense rose one stage!Defense rose one stage!…
By now, Kangaskhan's defense had risen to the maximum—six stages in all.
Its defense had effectively tripled. If Kangaskhan's base defense had been 100, at this moment it had climbed to a daunting 300.
"Tch… that defense is ridiculous."
Hayate scowled. Kangaskhan was clearly exhausted, panting heavily, but it refused to fall. It was stubbornly forcing Mightyena to burn through its stamina, and that made Hayate anxious. "End this fast! Mightyena, use Take Down!"
"Rooaar!"
Mightyena lunged once more, its body brimming with savage momentum as it hurled itself toward Kangaskhan.
Compared to special attacks like Howl, Mightyena excelled more in sudden strikes and heavy tackles.
Kangaskhan, however, was down to its last shred of strength. Hayate was confident this Take Down would finish it.
But on the other side, Yozora had been waiting for this exact moment—
Kangaskhan was quick, but against Mightyena's agility, it rarely found chances to counterattack.
Now that Mightyena had thrown itself forward, Yozora seized what might be the only opening:
"Kangaskhan, use Focus Punch!"
The bond between Yozora and Kangaskhan was unshakable.
Even before his words finished, Kangaskhan had begun gathering energy. Violent power surged around its fist, flaring into a blinding white light.
Boom!
Kangaskhan's glowing fist slammed square into Mightyena's face.
Focus Punch vs. Take Down.
The two mighty attacks collided, erupting in a thunderous explosion.
The ground quaked as if struck by lightning, smoke and dust exploding into the air.
"What… what terrifying power!" the announcer gasped as the crowd erupted in cheers.
On the battlefield, Hayate's brows furrowed even tighter, an ominous feeling creeping over him.
Three seconds later, the smoke began to clear.
There lay Kangaskhan and Mightyena, dozens of meters apart—both sprawled unconscious, eyes shut.
"Kangaskhan and Mightyena are both unable to battle!" The referee blew the whistle, raising red flags in both hands to declare the match a tie.
"No way! Mightyena!"
Hayate's eyes widened in disbelief.
His Mightyena, whose level far surpassed Kangaskhan's, had ended in a draw?
"That Focus Punch… its power was insane." He gritted his teeth.
Focus Punch—the ultimate Fighting-type move. Immense power, one of the strongest finishing skills.
And Fighting-type moves hit Dark-types super effectively—double the damage.
That was Mightyena's downfall.
Though frustrated, Hayate recalled Mightyena and sent out his next Pokémon.
A massive blue creature emerged, four-legged and broad-shouldered, with forearms thick as tree trunks radiating raw power.
It was none other than Hoenn's Water-type starter's final evolution—Swampert.
[Swampert] (Water + Ground): Lord-tier peak, Gym Leader potential.
Swampert's typing was exceptional—Water and Ground.
Ground is weak to Water, but Water resists Water—so Swampert had no Water weakness.
Ground is weak to Ice, but Water resists Ice—so Swampert had no Ice weakness.
Water is weak to Electric, but Ground is immune to Electric—so Swampert completely nullified Electric attacks.
Aside from a quadruple weakness to Grass, Swampert had virtually no weaknesses. That was its strength.
Solid base stats, minimal weaknesses, and a wide offensive movepool—Swampert was undeniably powerful.
The Hoenn starters—Blaziken, Sceptile, and Swampert—were all top-tier Pokémon in their own right.
On Yozora's side—
He sent out his second Pokémon: Aegislash.
"Ohhh! Swampert versus Aegislash! Incredible! Is this really the Indigo League arena?" The announcer was in awe.
This was Kanto.
And yet, both battlers had sent out rare Pokémon from other regions…
"Aegislash, huh? Interesting…" Hayate sneered.
As long as it wasn't a Grass-type, he had nothing to fear.
In fact, even if Yozora had chosen Grass, Hayate wouldn't flinch.
This Swampert was his ace, raised since childhood. Its strength was overwhelming. Quadruple Grass weakness? It didn't matter—Swampert could still crush through.
Hayate crossed his arms as Swampert stood firmly on four legs. Trainer and Pokémon alike waited calmly for the referee's signal.
Fweeeet!
With the whistle, Hayate's eyes gleamed. He shouted: "Swampert, use Mud Bomb! Lock down the field and cut its speed!"
At once, Swampert puffed up its cheeks and unleashed a torrent of Mud Bombs—dense as a storm of bullets, raining down on Aegislash.
Individually, Mud Bomb wasn't especially strong.
But once it hit, the sticky mud clung stubbornly, slowing the target.
And once slowed, Swampert's raw might could finish battles with ease.
Hayate had used this tactic countless times, felling many formidable foes.
But this time—
As the barrage of Mud Bombs flew in, Yozora and Aegislash remained utterly calm.
Compared to Taige Gym's brutal baseball training, what was this?
And this time, Aegislash wasn't even blindfolded—far too easy!
"Shh! Shh! Shh!"
Aegislash darted elegantly through the mudstorm, moving like a dancer weaving through bullets. Miraculously, not a single Mud Bomb touched it.
"Unbelievable! That movement is flawless! Aegislash has dodged every Mud Bomb!" the announcer cried, the crowd exploding in cheers.
Applause thundered across the arena, countless spectators marveling at Aegislash's display.
Meanwhile, Hayate was frozen in shock.
Impossible. How?
Aegislash was forged of solid steel. It should've been heavy, sluggish—how could it move with such speed?
Before he could recover, Aegislash drew its blade with a sudden gleam, and Yozora's voice rang out:
"Aegislash—use Sacred Sword!"
Shhhk!
A massive emerald blade of energy cleaved forth. Swampert flinched, then hastily raised its massive arms to block—
…
…
(End of Chapter)