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Jacob studied the Excadrill standing on the battlefield, his eyebrows drawing together in concentration.
After hesitating for a moment, he reached for Charizard's Poké Ball.
This was definitely the perfect opportunity for Charizard to enter the battle.
If he sent out Sceptile instead, he would have to worry about the Rock Slide attack.
Through his tactical analysis, Jacob could clearly see that Ariana's Hippopotas and Excadrill had both mastered the Rock Slide move.
While the remaining Gyarados hadn't learned Rock Slide, it knew an even more dangerous Stone Edge.
Stone Edge, Rock Slide, Stealth Rock—these moves were Charizard's greatest weaknesses.
Each of the three Pokémon possessed attacks that dealt four times super effective damage against Charizard.
"Go, Charizard!"
The black Charizard materialized on the field, wearing a distinctive necklace around its neck. Set within the necklace was a brilliant gemstone—a Mega Stone.
In the audience below, Raya, Maximus, and the others watched the sparkling gem with quickened heartbeats.
Even though they had witnessed many important battles before, they couldn't help feeling nervous at this crucial moment.
Ariana frowned as she noticed the necklace around Jacob's Charizard.
She had never seen such an item before, which made her suspicious. She made a mental note to keep watching it carefully.
"Return, Excadrill! Go, Hippowdon!"
Just as Jacob switched to Charizard, Ariana also decided to change her Pokémon.
After taking a Heat Wave from Noibat, Excadrill would most likely be unable to withstand a Fire-type STAB attack from Charizard with Solar Power under the harsh sunlight.
Therefore, playing it safe, she chose to send in Hippowdon.
The Sand Stream ability activated immediately, and a fierce sandstorm began swirling across the sky, completely changing the previously clear weather.
It had to be said that Ariana's strategy focused entirely on stability.
Even though she already held a significant advantage, she still chose the most conservative approach, refusing to give Jacob any opening.
By using Hippowdon's Sand Stream ability, she neutralized Charizard's Solar Power ability.
Furthermore, under sandstorm conditions, Solar Beam's damage would be reduced to roughly half its normal power, greatly diminishing the threat to Hippowdon.
Even if Hippowdon's status moves were blocked by Noibat's Taunt, Hippowdon still had Rock Slide available, which posed a massive threat to Charizard.
"Hippowdon, use Rock Slide!" Ariana called out.
"Return, Charizard! Go, Sceptile!" At that moment, Jacob made a surprising decision—he chose to switch Pokémon again.
Facing Hippowdon with its Sand Stream ability, Charizard only had Heat Wave as a viable threat, while Hippowdon possessed the powerful Rock Slide.
Even if Charizard could defeat Hippowdon, it would certainly be a pyrrhic victory, so Jacob decisively chose to switch Pokémon once more.
The Grass-type Sceptile re-entered the battlefield, immediately taking a Rock Slide attack as it appeared.
Ariana's expression tightened at this development.
Hippowdon, with its status moves sealed, would definitely be no match for Sceptile.
Should she continue switching Pokémon along with Jacob?
Ariana found herself in a difficult position.
If she switched to Gyarados now, although it would have a type advantage over Sceptile, it would likely take a Thunder Punch upon entry—a Thunder Punch that dealt four times super effective damage, which was clearly not worth the trade.
As for switching to Excadrill, it wouldn't be a match for Sceptile either. Bringing in Excadrill would be worse than making no change at all.
After brief internal debate, Ariana ultimately decided to keep Hippowdon in the fight.
"Hippowdon, use Ice Fang!"
"Sceptile, create distance and use Leech Seed, then Worry Seed!"
Hippowdon opened its massive jaws and moved forward on its stubby legs, charging like a heavy truck. Its sharp fangs became covered in Ice-type energy as it lunged toward Sceptile.
Although Pokémon like Hippowdon aren't naturally fast, once they build momentum, their speed increases progressively, and their power grows as well.
The only disadvantage is that changing direction becomes quite difficult.
Sceptile's speed advantage was perfectly demonstrated in this moment.
Using its superior speed, it circled around Hippowdon, successfully launching both Worry Seed and Leech Seed.
Worry Seed, naturally, was intended to suppress Hippowdon's Sand Stream ability.
Leech Seed would help offset the damage the sandstorm weather was dealing to Sceptile.
Without its status moves, Hippowdon appeared extremely awkward, essentially becoming a moving punching bag.
Ariana understood this situation perfectly.
She simply wanted to buy time now. As soon as Noibat's Taunt effect wore off, Hippowdon would have access to a wide array of moves.
Techniques like Slack Off, Yawn, Protect, Toxic, and Stealth Rock would all become available.
"We can see Sceptile using its speed advantage to completely outmaneuver Hippowdon," the announcer observed.
"Noibat continues to play a crucial role, using Taunt to seal Hippowdon's status moves and create an opening for Sceptile."
"Now it's up to Ariana to see how she'll respond to this situation."
"Sceptile, use Giga Drain!"
Jacob's voice rang out again.
Against Hippowdon, which possessed extremely high physical defense, the special attacking Giga Drain was undoubtedly the most effective approach.
Hearing Jacob's command, Ariana remained composed. She wasn't panicking internally.
Because as long as she could hold out until the Taunt move's duration ended, she would have ways to counter Sceptile.
For now, she had to find every possible method to stall for more time.
Sceptile gathered Grass-type energy in its hands, forming a concentrated energy projectile, and launched it fiercely toward Hippowdon's massive body.
"Hippowdon, use Dig!"
Facing Sceptile's Giga Drain, Ariana decisively ordered Hippowdon to use Dig.
Hippowdon plunged into the ground, quickly excavating a tunnel and disappearing underground. This allowed it to dodge Sceptile's Giga Drain while positioning itself to launch a surprise attack from below.
Of course, if Sceptile had known Earthquake at this moment, it could have severely damaged Hippowdon underground. Unfortunately, Sceptile didn't know that move.
"Return, Sceptile!"
Jacob's reaction was lightning-quick.
He immediately pulled out a Poké Ball and recalled Sceptile, while simultaneously grabbing Charizard's Poké Ball and releasing Charizard during the brief interval.
Charizard re-entered the battlefield, soaring through the air and naturally immune to Hippowdon's underground Dig attack.
This created a golden opportunity for Jacob to switch Pokémon.
It was a chance for Charizard to enter the field without taking damage, and also the perfect moment for Mega Evolution.
Jacob reached out and touched the pendant on his chest, took a deep breath, and looked up at Charizard.
Then he swept his gaze across the crowd, spotting Nina, Maximus, and Raya in the audience below.
He understood exactly what kind of sensation using Mega Evolution at this moment would create.
But if he didn't Mega Evolve, he really couldn't conceive of a way to defeat Ariana's Gyarados.
A smile spread across Jacob's face.
No matter how turbulent the waves ahead, now was the time to embrace this stage. The moment that would shake the world was about to arrive.
"Charizard, are you ready?"
"Roar!"