After both trainers had returned their Pokémon to their Poké Balls, the referee stepped forward and said, "Both participants, please send out your next Pokémon on my command
The referee swung his arm downward and shouted, "Release your Pokémon!"
Both trainers immediately threw their Poké Balls.
Two flashes of light appeared on opposite sides of the battlefield.
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Pokémon: Scizor
LV: 58
Type: Bug / Steel
Abilities: Technician
Gender: Male
Potential: Shallow Diamond (0%)
Moves:
- Leer, Quick Attack, Focus Energy [E], Double Team, Feint, Fury Cutter, Wing Attack, Agility [E], Slash, Razor Wind, Iron Defense, X-Scissor [E], Night Slash, Bullet punch, Double Hit, Iron Head, Brick Break [E],
- (Perfect Talent) Roost [M], (Perfect Talent) Metal Claw [M],
- (TM) Protect [E], (TM) Swords Dance [M], (TM) Toxic, (TM) Thief, (TM) Facade, (TM) Giga Impact [E], (TM) U-turn [M], (TM) Sandstorm [M], (TM) Substitute, (TM) Safeguard, (TM) Light Screen, (TM) Return, (TM) Aerial Ace [E], (TM) Acrobatics,
------------------------
Pokémon: Mawile
LV: 58
Type: Steel/Fairy
Abilities: Hyper Cutter
Gender: Female
Potential: Deep Gold (21%)
Move:
- Astonish, Growl, Fairy Wind, Baton Pass [M], Bite, Spit Up, Stockpile, Swallow, Vise Grip, Sucker Punch [E], Iron Defense [M], Sweet Scent, Iron Head [M], Taunt, Fake Tears, Play Rough [M]
- (Innate Talent) Crunch [M], (Innate Talent) Stone Edge [M], (Innate Talent) Facade [M]
-(TM) Protect [E], (TM) Swords Dance [M], (TM) Toxic, (TM) Taunt, (TM) Hyper Beam, (TM) Brick Break [E], (TM) Sandstorm [E], (TM) Rest [E], (TM) Sleep Talk [E],(TM) Substitute
----------------
Alex was only concerned about Mawile, as he didn't consider the other Pokémon much of a threat.
Even if Leonardo sent out his Level 55 Cacturne next—which would be a risky move—Scizor would actually fare even better against Cacturne than against Mawile.
One Bug-type move would take Cacturne out in a single hit.
Leonardo sent out Mawile next, however, preventing that opportunity. But Scizor was a solid choice against Mawile, too.
Scizor could hit it with a Steel-type move for neutral damage while taking reduced damage from Steel- and Fairy-type attacks.
Combined with its high Defense, Scizor was practically a small counter to Mawile—provided the opponent didn't have a random Fire-type move at the Expert or Master Rank.
Alex checked Mawile's stats and was impressed by the moveset available at the Master Rank.
Swords Dance and Iron Defense at the Master Rank, combined with a variety of powerful physical moves, were quite impressive.
Especially with the Hyper Cutter Ability, which prevents the bearer's Attack stat from being lowered by other Pokémon.
Its biggest weakness was that Mawile was quite slow, meaning it often wouldn't have the chance to out run his opponed to set up multiple buffs.
Still, if Alex wasn't careful, this Pokémon could quickly sweep his team.
The referee raised his hand and shouted, "3, 2, 1, Go!"
Alex said telepathically, "A1."
Leonardo said simultaneously, "Show me what you've got."
Scizor ran toward Mawile, while Mawile ran away from him. He was a bit faster, but not by a huge margin.
Both Pokémon finished their movements almost simultaneously and used the same move.
Swords Dance.
After using that move, both Pokémon began preparing a new one without waiting for commands from their trainers.
Alex had expected that something like that would happen, but he still felt a bit nervous. If he made a mistake at this moment, he could easily lose the entire match; consequently, he wasn't as relaxed as he appeared.
For that reason, Alex employed his simplest and most direct strategy to reduce the chance that something like that can happen.
Alex had no problem trading one chess piece for another of equal value—just like in chess—when he was ahead, simply to make things easier and safer.
Scizor seized the moment and closed the distance, entering melee range of Mawile.
As soon as his move was ready, he didn't hesitate and immediately used Metal Claw.
Mawile finished her preparation almost simultaneously and used Stone Edge.
Scizor struck Mawile with Metal Claw and tried to dodge the incoming attack, but failed and was hit by Stone Edge.
He was nearly struck in the head.
Seeing this, Alex breathed a sigh of relief; it had been a closer call than he'd hoped.
Scizor lost about 55% of his HP, and Mawile lost a similar amount.
Alex also noticed Scizor's aura intensifying and immediately realized the cause: the Metal Claw effect had slightly boosted Scizor's Attack.
However, he didn't really need that buff, so it didn't change or help his plan.
Scizor and Mawile both began preparing moves without waiting for commands from their trainers.
If nothing unusual happens, both Pokémon will be knocked out after this next exchange.
Watching this, Alex couldn't understand why Leonardo failed to realize that if the two Pokémon traded blows again, he would lose almost all chance of victory.
Once both were down to their final Pokémon, Leonardo would be left with only Cacturne, who was at both a type disadvantage and a three-level disadvantage against Alex's Crobat.
Given Cacturne's mediocre Defense stat, a single Cross Poison from a Master Rank Pokémon with a three-level advantage would likely be enough to knock him out.
Scizor and Mawile traded blows once more, but this time, something special happened.
Scizor managed to narrowly dodge the rapidly descending rocks from the Stone Edge attack. Mawile slumped unconscious to the ground as Scizor struck a "cold" pose amidst the scattered rocks.
Alex knew he had won the match and offered a faint smile. Although he would have won 99% of the time even without that stroke of luck, it was a pleasant surprise.
He was now among the top four.
Leonardo stared silently at the battlefield for several seconds. His unconscious Mawile lay on the ground, while Scizor, despite being injured, was still standing.
He looked toward the referee and raised his hand. "I surrender."
The referee nodded before announcing loudly, "Participant 6 has forfeited the match! The winner is Participant 3, Alex!"
The audience applauded as Alex recalled Scizor after healing him.
Leonardo healed and returned Mawile to her Poké Ball before walking toward Alex.
He looked at Alex for a moment before nodding. "...You're strong."
He then extended his hand. "Good luck in the semifinals."
Alex shook it without hesitation. "Thanks."
Leonardo smiled before turning around and walking toward the exit tunnel, accepting that his tournament had come to an end.
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