…BOOOOOM!
The ground trembled, flames erupted, and countless thorny vines lashed wildly through the air.
The usual recoil from the ultimate move Frenzy Plant seemed nonexistent. Mega Venusaur's massive body represented overwhelming defense, endless stamina, and an all-encompassing assault.
Mega Houndoom had explosive power, but it wasn't just stepping onto the field.
Three fully powered Inferno attacks in a row successfully blocked Mega Venusaur's offensive completely.
And yet… Mega Venusaur remained steadfast, while Houndoom had to retreat and regroup.
"Agility."
"Awoooo~"
Though clearly unwilling, Mega Houndoom recognized its disadvantage and could only rely on speed to maneuver.
"Flamethrower."
Compared to Inferno, using Flamethrower was as natural to Mega Houndoom as eating or drinking, allowing it to move more fluidly.
But Mega Venusaur, like a giant perpetual-motion machine, had seemingly endless stamina. The Flamethrower -as hot as molten lava- left at most a black scorch mark on its skin.
The temperature… was slowly rising.
"Burn Up!"
"Vine Whip!"
This time, both Sato and Elite Four Sen changed tactics.
Mega Houndoom switched to a Fire-type move even weaker than Flamethrower, while Mega Venusaur finally retracted its iron-gray thorns, replacing them with far more agile vines.
Eight of them in total!
Sato raised an eyebrow. Sen must've thought he was trying to stall the match.
But as he looked at the colossal beast in front of him, Sato knew clearly… in terms of resistance, Mega Houndoom could never outlast Mega Venusaur.
'So, you only thought one level ahead. But I...'
"Now!" {Super Fang} Sato seized the moment and used synchronized resonance to transmit the command instantly.
By then, Mega Houndoom had already used its speed and agility to close in on Mega Venusaur's side.
Its sharp fangs suddenly elongated and glowed, mercilessly sinking into the relatively softer flesh around Mega Venusaur's waist.
"SA-SAAUUUUR!"
For the first time, Mega Venusaur lost its composure, thrashing about wildly.
No matter how it twisted, it couldn't stop the irreversible sensation of its vitality draining away.
Super Fang. An outrageously unreasonable move, especially effective against tanky Pokémon like Mega Venusaur.
Slap…
Slap! Slap!
Slap! Slap! Slap!!
But the next moment, two vines coiled tightly around Mega Houndoom's waist, followed by six more that rushed in and wrapped it up like a mummy in an instant!
"Fire Fang."
"Awooo…- Woo- …woo-"
Just as sparks lit up in Houndoom's mouth, the vines clamped it shut tight. All it could do was let out muffled growls.
But it didn't give up. Its entire body suddenly glowed bright red, radiating searing heat from within, scorching the vines holding it.
Then, a sudden sensation of weightlessness. Mega Houndoom's vision flipped; followed by excruciating pain.
BOOOOM!
Dust filled the air. Mega Houndoom had been slammed violently into the ground, leaving behind a massive crater.
Seeing those reddish-green vines, Sato instantly realized… this wasn't just a simple Slam.
Power Whip + Slam!
Inside the crater, Mega Houndoom struggled even to stand. One of the bone spikes that had grown on its chest during Mega Evolution had snapped in half from the impact.
And as Mega Houndoom continued trying to rise, still unwilling to give in, Elite Four Sen simply glanced over with a cold expression.
"Earthquake!"
---◓---
"Houndoom is unable to battle. Venusaur wins. Elite Four Sato, please send out your next Pokémon!"
A beam of red light struck Houndoom, recalling it into its Poké Ball.
"Get a good rest…" Sato murmured, then pulled out the sixth Poké Ball he had prepared in advance.
"Honchkrow, prepare for battle!"
◓---
"…It's not Zoroark or Gengar? Even Gardevoir would've made more sense. Can Honchkrow even beat Mega Venusaur?"
In the audience stands, Mark -who was familiar with Sato's core lineup- couldn't help but voice his concern.
Joseph said nothing. He tried to reassure himself that Sato surely had a plan.
And indeed, only Sato truly knew. Among all his Pokémon's development over the years, Honchkrow had given him the biggest surprise.
Let's not forget, Honchkrow had always been the most innately gifted of them all.
And the further one goes, the more potential matters.
Although all of Sato's Pokémon had been subtly enhanced by the [Dark Energy: Blood Nourishment] over time, gradually improving their potential...
Honchkrow had received all those same benefits. And grew alongside them!
So now, Honchkrow was bound to shock many…
---◓
"Ascend. Use Nasty Plot."
"Kroow!"
The equally massive Honchkrow displayed unnatural agility. With a single flap of its wings, it soared to the maximum altitude allowed in official matches.
Then, without hesitation, it began boosting its Special Attack.
After all… no matter how hard Mega Venusaur tried, its enormous weight meant it would never fly… it couldn't touch Honchkrow at all.
Shameless.
Unstoppable.
But Elite Four Sen wasn't going to just stand by. He had Mega Venusaur unleash Sweet Scent and Grassy Terrain in succession; two support moves Honchkrow couldn't Snatch.
Finally, after three uses of Nasty Plot, Honchkrow flapped its massive wings and leisurely descended toward Venusaur, bringing it into range.
"Air Cutter."
"Krooow!"
The battle resumed.
Honchkrow swung its huge wings!
Dozens of blue-tinged Air Cutters roared toward Mega Venusaur.
The number of blades was easily ten times that of a typical Flying-type Pokémon.
"Petal Blizzard!"
"Venu… Saaaur!"
Mega Venusaur wasn't about to back down. A storm of petals swirled outward from its body, forming a defensive barrier to counter Honchkrow's omnidirectional assault.
Sscreech! Sscree! Ssscreeeeeech…
The harsh screech of collisions echoed through the field. The Air Cutters smashed into the petal storm, but didn't immediately break through.
Still… Honchkrow didn't care that its attacks were blocked. It swung its wings again, unleashing another wave of dozens of Air Cutters.
As the second volley closed in, Mega Venusaur couldn't afford to stop its Petal Blizzard.
But… no defense holds forever!
Suddenly, Honchkrow shifted position, and its latest round of Air Cutters changed angles entirely; all aimed low, hugging the ground as they flew toward Mega Venusaur!
Honchkrow had pinpointed the weak spot in Petal Blizzard's defenses!
Rip… Rip! Riiiiiip…
One, two… dozens of Air Cutters broke through, slamming into Mega Venusaur inside the swirling petals.
A cry of pain rang out. Petal Blizzard shattered, and the crowd finally saw the battered state Mega Venusaur was in.
After three stacks of Nasty Plot, Honchkrow's Air Cutter could've sliced through metal sheets, let alone Mega Venusaur's still-organic hide.
"KROOOOW!"
Honchkrow had no intention of mercy. With a classic single-move strategy, it once again beat its wings, unleashing a storm of Air Cutters, pinning Mega Venusaur down with relentless pressure.