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Hearing its trainer's instructions, Heracross calmed from its fury, and its expression gradually became peaceful, even... confident?
With this confidence display, an aura far superior to its previous peak erupted from Heracross.
"Hera!" Heracross shouted excitedly.
Those unfamiliar might think it was simply roaring, but Roy showed a peculiar expression.
Translating the cry: "Insignificant Mimikyu, how dare you offend my noble and handsome self! Now that I'm taking this seriously, I'll tear you to pieces!"
That was the general meaning.
Such confidence. Obviously so ordinary, yet so self-assured.
This characteristic was so pronounced that Roy immediately identified the underlying principle and application.
Ability: Moxie.
In games, this ability's effect was increasing attack power after defeating enemies.
In reality, it represented application of "confidence" spiritual energy. The more confident a Pokemon became, the more it could stimulate its potential.
Normal Pokemon needed to boost confidence by defeating opponents.
With proper training and development, many Pokemon could provide themselves confidence buffs from battle start.
However, this Heracross's Moxie was different - its confidence was too extreme, too powerful.
Confident to the point of arrogance.
"Hera!" Heracross announced its intention to attack.
Immediately, it used Throat Chop again, its horn radiating Dark-type energy several times stronger than before.
With the opponent's momentum rising, Mimikyu cautiously summoned two clones from alternate dimensions.
Three Mimikyu used Shadow Claw together in joint resistance.
However, Shadow Claw that had previously been evenly matched was now completely overwhelmed by Heracross's triply-powered strike.
The energy explosion's aftermath sent all three Mimikyu flying, while Heracross stood unmoved. Rather than pursuing its advantage, it patted its own horn triumphantly, admiring its own magnificence.
Takeshi Aihara helplessly covered his face.
This was why he hadn't used "berserk mode" initially.
Strong enough to be delusional, confident enough to be called arrogant - Heracross in this state only believed in its own will. Even as its trainer, he couldn't control his Pokemon under these conditions.
This battle could only be led by Heracross itself.
On the opposite side, the three airborne Mimikyu regrouped and watched Heracross warily, not daring to act rashly.
That Bug-type was terrifying.
Perhaps only five of them attacking together could match the opponent's power.
Should they use a Z-Move?
Mimikyu left the choice to Roy.
At this moment, Roy's thoughts raced like lightning.
Jaxon's Swampert would probably be no match for Heracross under confident conditions. This was the difference in foundation.
Five Mimikyu together could compete with Heracross in raw strength, but couldn't match professional-level Pokemon in stamina. Caroline had once explained that professional-level Pokemon whose life essence had evolved showed the greatest changes in resilience.
Direct confrontation was suboptimal strategy.
Two seconds later, as Heracross ended its narcissism and suddenly launched another Throat Chop, Roy's heart surged as he conveyed his decision.
In a blink, two more Mimikyu escaped from the Spirit World.
Five total appeared, attacking Heracross from front, back, left, right, and above simultaneously.
Five ghost claws burning with dark flames emerged, striking toward Heracross with awesome power. The terrifying strength of this small Pokemon shocked all audience members who had previously dismissed it.
In the previous match against Zenia, Roy probably hadn't displayed even one-fifth of his true power.
This realization made them hold their breath and watch the field with complete focus.
Five ghost claws struck together, finally suppressing Heracross's terrifying strength in direct confrontation, forcing it back two steps.
"Hera?" Heracross smiled confidently, completely undiscouraged.
'Five against one equals me - hmph, I truly am the strongest!'
At worst, it would be an endurance competition!
In its confidence, it had forgotten that the five Mimikyu were actually just one Pokemon...
It launched Megahorn again!
"Destiny Bond," Roy thought silently.
Instantly, one Mimikyu suddenly possessed extremely conspicuous "presence," attracting everyone's attention.
Destiny Bond sublimated through sage techniques gained additional effects while maintaining original functionality.
This was the "All Eyes" condition.
This condition could be described in one sentence: "You must attack the taunting target first!"
Infected by the attention-demanding condition, the slightly distracted Takeshi Aihara suddenly awakened, realized something was wrong, and shouted urgently:
"Stop, Heracross!"
Under normal conditions, Heracross would absolutely obey its trainer's command to stop and wait a few seconds to evade Destiny Bond's curse.
But now it would never release its prey.
Horn Strike!
Mimikyu's small form was directly pierced and destroyed.
Meanwhile, Destiny Bond's curse befell Heracross.
Instantly, it felt its vitality draining frantically as weakness emerged throughout its body.
However, it didn't collapse.
Destiny Bond was ineffective against enemies with excessive vitality.
For example, Dynamax Pokemon were completely immune to Destiny Bond effects.
Destiny Bond was essentially a high-level curse that sacrificed all of one's own vitality to obliterate enemy vitality. But if enemy vitality far exceeded one's own, Destiny Bond's effectiveness was greatly reduced.
Therefore, clones with only one-third previous strength couldn't meaningfully use Destiny Bond.
At that time, clone vitality was too weak.
But now, after transformation, clones split from 90% of the main body's vitality could achieve perfect Destiny Bond comparable to the original.
Heracross's vitality, exceeding species limits, undoubtedly far surpassed Mimikyu's.
A single Destiny Bond wasn't sufficient for complete elimination.
However...
"Destiny Bond," Roy said softly.
Another Mimikyu entered the attention-demanding condition. This time, Heracross learned its lesson and chose not to attack.
But...
"Whether you can attack or not isn't your choice."
Three Mimikyu extended Shadow Claws, grabbed the clone using Destiny Bond, and hurled it toward Heracross.
Don't attack and take three Shadow Claws.
Attack and Mimikyu sacrifices itself to activate Destiny Bond.
Heracross went blank momentarily, uncertain how to break this situation.
It could only follow instinct, using Megahorn again for self-protection.
BOOM!
Terrifying strength tore through three Shadow Claws, but another Mimikyu's Destiny Bond left Heracross feeling weaker still.
It staggered, falling to one knee, gasping heavily with dimming eyes.
To its confident self, the voice of despair sounded again:
"Destiny Bond!"
The voice was like an evil god's whisper.
Another Mimikyu fell into Destiny Bond condition, was caught by the remaining two Mimikyu, and was hurled toward it.
Heracross's confidence vanished as it watched in horror at two ghost claws burning with dark flames approaching from above.
CRASH!
Under the terrifying impact, Heracross's entire body smashed into the ground, and the third Destiny Bond completely claimed its last trace of vitality.
In the massive crater twenty meters in diameter, Heracross lay motionless, having lost all signs of life.
Witnessing this scene, Takeshi Aihara remained silent.
His mind was somewhat fractured.
Without using Z-Moves, his Heracross had actually been defeated by a non-professional Pokemon?
A month ago, he who had mocked Jaxon never expected to become the second professional trainer nailed to the pillar of shame.
Destiny Bond suicide tactics were indeed underhanded and difficult to counter, but if Heracross had listened to him, it wouldn't have been unable to handle the situation.
Pokemon tactical thinking was inferior to humans - otherwise trainers would be unnecessary.
Heracross, having lost its wings with greatly reduced speed, couldn't have broken through without entering "Moxie" condition.
He had lost after all.
Takeshi Aihara shook his head, stopping himself from making excuses.
At this moment, applause erupted from the stadium. Initially only part of the audience applauded, but soon this applause spread throughout the entire venue as if ignited, followed by some people unable to contain cheers for Roy.
Yes.
The European audience who had rejected foreign competitors was now giving Roy applause.
"This kid is arrogant and I still don't like him, but I have to admit - he played beautifully."
"Defeating professional Pokemon with non-professional Pokemon... so someone can actually accomplish such things..."
"Damn! He didn't even use that legendary Z-Move - it's too incredible!"
"Is this China's current best genius? Perhaps we really need to change our previous perceptions."
In the absence of domestic competitors, European audiences had begun leaning toward Roy due to the talent and strength he displayed, hoping he could defeat Takeshi Aihara.
A small number of Europeans even felt that admiring such foreign genius was preferable to their own mediocre representatives who only inspired frustration.