When Inferno landed on Sceptile, Houndoom had basically secured the win for this round.
A few minutes later…
"Sceptile has lost the ability to battle! Houndoom wins! Trainer Ryoko, please send out your next Pokémon!"
The referee announced loudly, signaling that Ryoko had lost another Pokémon.
In this full 6v6 battle, she only had two Pokémon left, and since Torkoal had already appeared, the last one was almost certainly Haxorus.
Meanwhile, Sato still had four Pokémon remaining. Among them, both Houndoom and Cacturne were still battle-ready.
Strictly speaking, Cacturne was practically unscathed. Thanks to the continuous effects of Leech Seed and Drain Punch, it was even more energized than when it first came out, with nowhere to vent that energy.
A red light shot toward Sceptile. Ryoko recalled it, but didn't send out her next Pokémon right away…
"SATO!" Ryoko suddenly called out.
"What is it?"
"I've chased you for so long… and I didn't expect you to still be so far ahead!"
-- --
"WHOAAAA!!!"
-- --
Before Sato could respond, gasps erupted from the audience. Countless curious and amused stares turned toward him.
And at that moment, even the referee showed an uncanny sense of timing… choosing not to rush things at all and instead watching the two with a look of pure gossip.
Ryoko's face flushed slightly. She knew what she said just now was a bit out of place, but if she didn't speak up now, she feared she'd never get the chance.
"After this, I probably won't be participating in any public tournaments anymore. So this match… I'm going all out, fighting until the very end!"
"…Okay."
Sato had wanted to ask Ryoko why, but when he opened his mouth, he just nodded instead.
In his previous life, Sato had never even heard of someone like Ryoko. But judging by her performance in this tournament, it wasn't impossible for her to become an Elite Four Trainer in the future.
There was definitely a reason behind it. Perhaps one not suited for public discussion.
And what Ryoko had said seemed more like a declaration, an emotional farewell to herself…
'I'll ask after the match.' Sato thought quietly.
As for whether he was taking this seriously? Sato had never once let his guard down.
"Ahem, Trainer Ryoko, please send out your Pokémon!" Seeing that they weren't going to continue chatting, the referee dutifully moved the match forward.
"Haxorus, take it down!"
"RUUUUUS!"
Ryoko didn't send out Torkoal, but instead her final unused Pokémon, Haxorus!
In truth, there was no point in hiding it. Most people had already guessed.
"Battle continues!"
"Haxorus, Aqua Tail!"
"Houndoom, Agility, dodge it."
"Don't let it escape, sweep it aside!"
"RUUUS!"
Haxorus let out a mighty roar as its thick tail swirled with water rings, extending into a water tornado over ten meters long.
The battlefield wasn't large, and Houndoom couldn't fly. Even with Agility, it couldn't escape the sweeping strike from Haxorus's tail.
At the last second, Houndoom leapt backward; and a Substitute, identical to it, appeared in front.
Whoosh~
Aqua Tail swept through with force, and the Substitute even surged forward to meet the attack head-on, absorbing it entirely.
At the same time, Houndoom used the momentum from Agility to close in on Haxorus, its body once again engulfed in purple flames.
The moment Haxorus struck, Houndoom had already known it was unlikely to win this fight, but this was a full-team battle. Houndoom wasn't afraid to sacrifice itself!
Inferno: low accuracy, but immense power and guaranteed to inflict Burn!
"Haxorus, Earthquake!"
"ROOAR!"
With another dragon roar, Haxorus transitioned from Aqua Tail into slamming its tail into the ground without pause!
Rumble… Rumble… Rumble…
The battlefield began to shake violently, even the audience stands trembled slightly.
Houndoom's charge was interrupted. It could only lower its body, gritting through the pain from Earthquake.
"Rock Tomb!"
Ryoko's next command came without hesitation. She had no doubt that Haxorus could follow through.
And indeed, Haxorus, with its powerful physic, showed no signs of strain from back-to-back moves!
Attack, Speed, Defense -even battle instincts- Haxorus completely overwhelmed Houndoom.
In the face of such absolute strength, even a smart Houndoom -able to counter on its own without Sato's guidance- was completely suppressed.
"Houndoom, Substitute!"
Sato gave the sudden command, and Houndoom immediately created a Substitute, tucking itself behind it.
Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!
Giant rocks rained down from above. Haxorus hadn't even paused before unleashing Rock Slide.
Double move execution!
Seamless chained attacks!
"…Awooo!"
Houndoom let out an unwilling howl. Watching the unrelenting rock storm, it pushed forward with all its might and charged headlong toward Haxorus once more!
Sato watched Houndoom's silhouette, knowing it wasn't the smartest move… but he couldn't bring himself to call it wrong.
Houndoom wasn't afraid of losing. What it feared… was falling in vain.
If it had to go down, it would make sure to take a piece of the enemy with it. That's what made it a worthy Houndoom!
"AWOOO!"
Purple flames blazed wildly across Houndoom's body as it rammed through the boulders, leapt over the craters, and ignored the searing pain of its wounds. Finally reaching Haxorus!
BOOOM!
Haxorus was slammed by the Inferno-wrapped Houndoom and sent flying, but its strong Dragon-type physique allowed it to regain balance quickly, landing firmly with both feet on the ground.
"Haxorus, Guillotine!"
"Haxo!"
Though still sliding back from the hit, Haxorus' lower body remained steady. It used the twin blades on its head to deliver a vicious slash at Houndoom!
Slash~
A flash of red light flickered from the blades. Houndoom froze mid-charge, the purple flames around its body extinguished all at once.
Thud!
Houndoom's legs gave out, and it collapsed right in front of Haxorus… motionless.
"Houndoom has lost the ability to battle! Haxorus wins! Trainer Sato, please send out your next Pokémon!"
Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap…
As Houndoom fell, thunderous applause erupted throughout the arena.
That unyielding, desperate spirit it showed had left a deep impression on every spectator.
Many single women couldn't help but think… if they had a Houndoom like that, they'd feel perfectly safe at home, even alone.
On the field, Sato recalled Houndoom, brought the Poké Ball to his lips, and offered a quiet word of praise. Then, without delay, he sent out his next Pokémon.
"Weavile, Blizzard."
A flash of red light, and before Haxorus could even see what came out, a fierce Blizzard had already blinded its vision.
Having just been scorched by Inferno, now chilled by a sudden icy blast, Haxorus shivered all over. Even its burning battle spirit began to waver…