The Ice Punch, painstakingly built up, scattered and vanished into thin air.
"What the… Nidoking's venom is terrifying! Just one Poison Sting, and Ursaring has already slowed down!"
The announcer's voice rose with shock as Ursaring staggered on the battlefield, its face twisted in pain, body swaying as though about to collapse.
"A great chance!"
Outside the field, Ash, Brock, and Misty all widened their eyes in unison.
Yozora didn't disappoint them—he seized the moment without hesitation."Nidoking, use Take Down!"
"Boom!"
The command had barely left his lips before Nidoking charged like a violet tank, slamming brutally into Ursaring.
The sheer impact sent Ursaring flying across the arena.
It crashed heavily onto the ground, eyes squeezed shut, limbs paralyzed. It could no longer rise.
"Ursaring is unable to battle! Nidoking wins the first round!"
The referee blew his whistle and announced the result.
Beep!
On the scoreboard, one of Leiming's six red lights immediately dimmed. Ursaring's portrait faded into gray.
"Return, Ursaring."
Leiming didn't seem fazed. He calmly recalled Ursaring and threw another Poké Ball."Go, Skarmory!"
"SKREEEE!"
With a piercing, metallic cry, a silver-bodied bird appeared on Leiming's side of the field. Its feathers gleamed like polished armor, sharp and flawless.
Skarmory—like Ursaring, a Pokémon native to Johto. In Kanto, however, it was a rare sight indeed.
The audience murmured with excitement, many gawking as if they'd never seen such a Pokémon. Ash was no exception.
He quickly flipped open his Pokédex, only to find… nothing.
His model was still the old, first-generation Pokédex.
"It's Skarmory! Leiming sends out Skarmory as his second Pokémon!"
"In the first battle, Yozora relied on Nidoking's venom to secure victory. But what about the second?" The announcer raised the suspense.
"This is bad."
Unlike Ash, Brock was far more knowledgeable. He immediately recognized Skarmory's traits."Skarmory is a Steel-type. Steel is completely immune to poison. That means Nidoking's strongest weapon is useless now!"
Ash and Misty froze in realization.
"As expected from someone who once placed in the Johto Silver Conference top eight… Leiming's lineup is incredibly deep. He's already found a way to counter Nidoking." Brock's voice carried admiration—and concern.
In his heart, of course he wanted Yozora to win and break into the top eight of the Indigo League.
But Leiming's strength was undeniable. Could Yozora keep up?
"Yozora should switch out Nidoking. The matchup is too disadvantageous!" Misty analyzed.
Both Ash and Brock nodded, itching to rush onto the field and warn him.
Amid their anxious glances, the second battle began.
"Skarmory, use Steel Wing!"
Obeying its trainer, Skarmory's vast metal wings spread wide, gleaming as it dove with unstoppable force.
Yozora reacted instantly, recalling Nidoking in a flash.
As Brock said, if Nidoking's venom was useless, there was no point in keeping it on the field.
He sent out Aegislash instead.
"Don't mind the switch. Keep using Steel Wing!" Leiming barked.
Skarmory's assault didn't falter—it dove again, its wings glinting like blades.
"King's Shield!"
Yozora countered with a defensive stance.
Steel versus Steel. Skarmory's Steel Wing barely scratched Aegislash.
And with Aegislash's terrifying defenses, it was like hitting an unyielding wall.
Clang!
Sure enough, Aegislash absorbed the strike without moving an inch. Instead, a shockwave burst outward, repelling Skarmory midair.
The effect of King's Shield kicked in—Skarmory's defenses plummeted. Its armor was compromised.
"Now! Aegislash, Sacred Sword!" Yozora commanded.
Aegislash's blade gleamed. In one sweeping slash, it struck Skarmory down, sending the armored bird crashing to the ground.
"Clean and decisive! Aegislash's attack power is overwhelming—Yozora claims another victory!" The announcer's voice was full of passion.
The crowd erupted. Yozora's fans roared with excitement.
Meanwhile, Leiming's supporters stirred uneasily.
Leiming himself, however, remained calm. Two losses in a row, yet his expression never changed.
"Interesting. Then it's your turn—go, Typhlosion!"
He recalled Skarmory and immediately sent out his third Pokémon.
Typhlosion—a massive Fire-type beast, final evolution of Cyndaquil.
Unlike its pre-evolutions, Typhlosion's mastery over fire had reached perfection. Flames roared constantly from its back, forming a fiery mane like a blazing scarf.
When not running, Typhlosion often stood upright, its towering presence radiating raw power.
"It's here—Leiming's first true ace! And in terms of typing, Typhlosion completely counters Aegislash."
Outside the arena, Brock's face grew grim.
Fire scorches Steel. The advantage was absolute.
"And it's not just typing. Its level is high, too!"
Yozora frowned. Through Aura, he sensed Typhlosion's strength—it was already Gym Leader level.
"Typhlosion, Flamethrower!"
Leiming seized the initiative again.
A stream of searing flames burst forth with terrifying speed.
"So fast!"
Yozora's heart skipped. The blaze carried unstoppable might."Aegislash, dodge it quickly!"
Swoosh!
Aegislash twisted desperately, narrowly avoiding the first jet of flame.
But Typhlosion closed the gap with explosive speed, unleashing another Flamethrower at point-blank range.
The inferno engulfed Aegislash completely.
When the flames cleared, Aegislash was charred black. With a metallic clang, it collapsed to the ground.
"Aegislash is unable to battle! Typhlosion wins!"
The referee's call echoed as one of Yozora's six red lights went dark on the scoreboard.
"What ferocious flames! As expected of Typhlosion!"
The announcer shouted in awe.
Leiming's fans immediately erupted in cheers, their energy revitalized.
Typhlosion—one of Leiming's most trusted aces. Many of his longtime fans had waited just to see it in action.
Now, Typhlosion had arrived and secured victory in an instant, fueling their excitement even further.
(End of Chapter)