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Parting Shot: a strategic move that intimidates opponents, reduces their Attack and Special Attack stats, while allowing the user to switch out with another Pokemon from the trainer's team.
One of the most tactical moves in competitive battles.
The ability to switch Pokemon while lowering the opponent's offensive power made it more valuable than moves like Volt Switch or U-turn, which merely dealt damage before switching.
This explained why Hariyama's spiral Aura Sphere appeared smaller this time compared to the previous battle.
When a Pokemon's Attack stat is lowered by one stage, its attack power is effectively reduced by around 50%. Though the reduction isn't so mathematically precise in actual battles, between Pokemon of equal level, the effect is approximately that significant.
With the Attack power reduced, all power increases were essentially halved, making this spiral Aura Sphere only half as powerful as before.
But even at half power—roughly "255" instead of "510"—the spiral Aura Sphere remained formidable!
Moreover, Atticus specialized in Dark-type Pokemon, and Fighting-type moves like Aura Sphere dealt super-effective damage to Dark-types.
The type advantage essentially negated the stat reduction...
Just as Chris considered this, Atticus suddenly revealed his Z-Ring with a Dark-type Z-Crystal inserted, and shouted:
"Black Hole Eclipse!"
The Z-power flowed into Honchkrow, who became infused with dark energy.
A massive black hole materialized in the sky, directly facing the approaching spiral Aura Sphere. It swallowed the attack in one gulp!
"BOOM!" A thunderous explosion erupted from within the black hole.
In the next second, with the black hole as its center, a devastating blast expanded outward with tremendous force.
When the smoke and dust cleared and the heat subsided, both the Black Hole Eclipse and the spiral Aura Sphere had vanished simultaneously.
Many Gym Leaders in the audience nodded approvingly.
Atticus had discovered a solution to counter the spiral Aura Sphere!
And it was a strategy others could adopt.
First, use Parting Shot to weaken Hariyama's Attack power, reducing the Aura Sphere's destructive potential. Then counter with the Z-Move Black Hole Eclipse to neutralize it entirely!
This approach was something any of them could replicate.
Chris was momentarily stunned.
He hadn't expected Atticus's strategy would involve using Black Hole Eclipse as a counter.
The Parting Shot hadn't been a desperate measure after a failed attack—it was a calculated tactic. Atticus had known Sucker Punch wouldn't succeed and had planned accordingly!
"As expected of a Gym Leader," Chris acknowledged with respect. In just one day, his spiral Aura Sphere technique had been countered.
Clearly, one should never underestimate Gym Leaders!
Remi from Cloud Gym had lost because he was caught unprepared. In a normal battle with proper strategy, Chris's victory wouldn't have come so easily.
It seemed this duel with Ellis would be more challenging.
"Blaziken, Mega Evolve!" Chris raised his arm, revealing his Mega Bracelet.
A burst of prismatic light enveloped Blaziken.
When the radiance subsided, Mega Blaziken stood revealed.
The transformation was dramatic. Blaziken's feathers had rearranged—compacted, shortened, and diverged—forming an X-shaped "armor" with the chest plumage.
The red crest on its head had merged from two points into one, appearing even sharper!
Its coloration had changed significantly: the previously red feathers turned black, while the yellow became vibrant red, resembling intense flames!
Fiery streamers now extended from both arms!
It no longer looked merely like a martial artist, but more like a warrior embodying fire itself!
In the audience, Gym Leaders exchanged astonished glances.
"Doesn't Chris already possess Mega Stones for Gardevoir and Garchomp?" one Leader questioned.
The others nodded silently, their expressions betraying envy and disbelief!
For one trainer to possess three Mega Stones simultaneously—all compatible with his Pokemon—was outrageously fortunate!
Some Leaders had trainers in their Gyms who didn't own even a single Mega Stone.
Only Alexis remained unsurprised. Since the beginning of the year, she had recognized her junior's extraordinary luck. Three Mega Stones seemed almost expected—even six wouldn't have shocked her.
Mega Blaziken stepped forward, its powerful body moving with incredible speed. The flame streamers on its arms trailing like burning fuses across the scorched earth as it rapidly approached Atticus !
"Close Combat!" Atticus immediately threw a Poké Ball.
A Gallade appeared.
This was clearly Atticus's counter to any Fighting-type Pokemon sent to challenge his Dark-types. Gallade, with its Fighting/Psychic typing, held a significant advantage against pure Fighting-types!
Lunging toward the approaching Blaziken, Gallade unleashed lightning-fast punches.
"BOOM!" Gallade's fist collided with Mega Blaziken's kick.
The thunderous impact of energy reverberated throughout the battlefield!
Violent shockwaves rippled outward from the point of collision.
Their first exchange ended in what appeared to be a stalemate.
Were Mega Blaziken and Gallade evenly matched?
Though Mega Blaziken had evolved, the Blaze Kick it used possessed relatively moderate power. While Gallade's attack strength wasn't equal to Mega Blaziken's, Close Combat sacrificed defensive capabilities for extreme offensive power.
This explained the apparent draw.
At least, that was Chris's assessment.
Atticus was even more surprised, because beyond what Chris had considered, his Gallade typically emitted psychic energy during physical attacks to damage opponents.
For Mega Blaziken to match Gallade's Close Combat with a standard Blaze Kick while resisting the psychic energy...
Such power! Such a formidable Mega Blaziken!
However, the standoff between Mega Blaziken and Gallade lasted only briefly.
Force Palm struck with devastating effect!
Gallade, preparing for another punch, suddenly felt overwhelming force coursing through its arm, sending its body flying backward uncontrollably.
Meanwhile, Mega Blaziken completed its High Jump Kick combo with a twisting motion!
Two Fighting Pokemon battling at Gym-level speeds moved faster than their Trainers could issue commands.
As an experienced battler and a Gym Leader's ace, Gallade reacted instinctively. Even while airborne, it crossed its arms to form a defensive barrier!
"Protect!"
"BOOM!" Mega Blaziken's kick shattered the Protect barrier.
Force Palm activated once more!
Gallade, still airborne, was blasted backward, crashing directly into the stadium wall behind Atticus!