Drakloak's Taunt had not worn off yet. It had used one move, and two more were needed.
Mawile had used Sucker Punch only to dodge Dragon Rush, so it had not managed to break Drakloak's Substitute. Sooner or later, Mawile would have to face Drakloak head-on.
'It is just Dragon Tail. Drakloak has already come down anyway.' Opal's thoughts raced, and her old, raspy voice had never sounded this forceful.
"Mawile, Iron Head!"
In an instant, silver metallic light clashed with Drakloak's blue glow. Mawile's Iron Head struck the dragon's waist with full force as Drakloak's tail swept in from the side.
"Maaa!"
Mawile's small face twisted in pain as Dragon Tail whipped it away. It flew across the field and slammed into the edge of the crater blasted open by Dragon Rush.
The glow of the Substitute around Drakloak also shattered under the impact of Iron Head.
Only one move remained under Taunt.
Victory would be decided in the next fleeting moment.
Opal was pushed to the peak of her nerves and shouted without a pause.
"Use Sucker Punch!"
Sucker Punch was not boosted by Sheer Force or the Life Orb, but it could avoid Drakloak's upcoming attack. At this distance and in such a tight spot, the next move was very likely to be Dragon Tail.
Mawile's stamina was almost gone. It could not survive another hit.
But Shiro did not give the same order. A faint smile lifted the corner of his mouth as he let out a cold snort and thought in his mind.
'Use Phantom Force.'
Phantom Force was a Ghost-type move. The user slips into another dimension to avoid the opponent's attack, then bursts out to strike. It was a physical attack as well, and thus benefited from Drakloak's boosted attack.
The battle was already over.
Shiro knew it.
A faint whistle cut across the field.
Dark energy rose around Mawile as it successfully used another Sucker Punch.
Opal finally let out a breath.
Even though she knew her opponent would choose an attacking move and allow Sucker Punch to trigger, a knot of worry never left her chest.
Why had Shiro shown no emotion at all? He stood in the same posture the entire time, giving commands as if this battle meant nothing. It was as if this was not a battle of fate, but a simple match in a Pokémon game.
While Opal's thoughts drifted, Mawile vanished with Sucker Punch, and Drakloak vanished right after it.
Moments later, Mawile reappeared at the exact spot where Drakloak had disappeared. Its eyes were confused.
What was happening?
Opal's attention locked onto that scene. She looked startled and uncertain.
Where had Drakloak gone?
Had it used Sucker Punch as well?
But if two Sucker Punches were used at the same time, both sides should appear at the other's position. They should have switched places.
Where was Drakloak?
Just as Opal's confusion turned to panic, a deep black shadow split open behind Mawile. Drakloak shot out from within it, its arrow-shaped head wrapped in Ghost-type energy as it rammed straight into Mawile's waist.
Mawile's expression shifted from confusion to agonizing distortion. Its body bent like a spring pulled apart from the center, its waist stretched beyond its limit.
A streak of red splattered from the point of impact on Drakloak's sharp head. Opal's face changed instantly.
Ghost-type and Steel-type had no real advantage over each other. So this Phantom Force may look ordinary but its power might be even higher than the previous Dragon Rush.
If Drakloak landed the full force of the attack, the exhausted Mawile might die on the spot.
Whoosh!
A red flash appeared just in time, recalling one of the Pokémon.
It was not Opal. It was Shiro, quick on the reaction.
He too understood that Drakloak's blow would kill the opponent. To avoid a bloody incident in a public match like this, and simply to prevent unnecessary trouble with a veteran trainer, he recalled Drakloak.
If he didn't need to kill, then it was better to pull back.
Across from him, Opal had barely lifted her Poké Ball. Age and frailty slowed both her movements and reactions.
She panted heavily. Sweat ran down her wrinkled, painted face, dragging streaks of purple and white makeup with it.
For the first time, this tall old woman who still insisted on fighting Pokémon battles at her age felt crushing fatigue and helplessness she could not resist.
With a tight grip on her umbrella handle, she finally recalled the severely injured Mawile that still clung to life.
Her expression sank. Instead of sending out another Pokémon, she turned and walked toward the trainer's tunnel.
Mawile was hurt too badly. She had to rush it to treatment. Staying would only waste time and make it suffer for nothing. She had no chance of beating a Drakloak that still had plenty of strength.
And Shiro still had a powerful Corviknight at the Gym-level strength.
The rest of the match had no meaning.
Treating her Pokémon mattered more.
Opal's slightly hunched figure disappeared into the tunnel, leaving an eerie silence across the battlefield.
Who walks off after losing just one Pokémon?
The audience didn't know, so complaints and confused chatter slowly rose.
"This is supposed to be a veteran Gym Leader? What is Opal doing? The battle just started."
"Yeah. Even though I don't have a single Advanced-level Pokémon, I'd still send out all of mine at least."
"People get swept six to zero all the time. It isn't embarrassing…"
"Who knows? Maybe this old lady just couldn't handle losing."
"My mom loves Opal. I thought she was amazing..."
Noise spread across the stadium.
Ryan, the referee, stood frozen.
He held the mic and had no idea what to say.
There had never been a Champion Cup match where a Gym Leader surrendered halfway through, especially after losing only one Pokémon.
She should have at least sent all six out for formality. At the very least, she should have told the referee she was unwell.
Now he had no choice but to patch things over.
Hearing the rising confusion, Ryan wiped sweat from his forehead and raised his voice.
"What a breathtaking battle! Shiro and Opal have brought us today's most intense match. Unfortunately, our Gym Leader Opal is elderly, and it seems her health is not at its best. After her strongest Pokémon lost fighting power, she has chosen to forfeit and focus on treatment."
He lifted his arm.
"Now, Mawile is unable to battle! Victory goes to Shiro. This Elite-level showdown was far more spectacular than any Gym-level match. Let's cheer for him and for Drakloak!"
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