Jun Shafeng gave Bai Yu a nod, signaling the start of their battle.
Bai Yu understood and issued his command. "Ambipom, use Swift!"
"Growlithe, dodge and counter with Flamethrower!" Jun Shafeng called.
Ambipom's Swift unleashed a barrage of star-shaped energy bolts, streaking toward Growlithe like meteors. Growlithe's agility shone as it dodged most of them, though a few grazed it, causing minor scratches.
Once the onslaught ended, Growlithe retaliated with a roaring Flamethrower. Ambipom couldn't evade in time and took a direct hit, wincing from the heat.
"Your Growlithe's fast," Bai Yu said, impressed. "But Ambipom's got more tricks." He commanded, "Ambipom, use Double Hit!"
Ambipom leapt forward, its twin tails glowing as it aimed a flurry of slaps at Growlithe.
Jun Shafeng reacted quickly. "Growlithe, use Double Team to flank it from three sides!"
Growlithe barked, summoning two shadow clones in a puff of white mist. The three Growlithes surrounded Ambipom in a triangle.
"Don't overdo it," Jun Shafeng added. "Use Ember!"
The three Growlithes nodded and unleashed small bursts of Ember at Ambipom. Bai Yu, thinking it was a trick, shouted, "Ambipom, don't fall for it! Use Fling on the Growlithe in front!"
Ambipom charged at one clone, but the heat from the Embers forced it to leap upward instinctively. The other two Growlithes seized the moment, hitting Ambipom with their Embers.
Bai Yu's eyes widened. "Shadow clones that can attack? Is that some kind of unique move?"
He muttered to himself, puzzled. According to Pokémon League records, a rare few trainers could develop custom moves with their Pokémon, known as "secret techniques."
Jun Shafeng, noticing Bai Yu's distraction, pressed the advantage. "Growlithe, use Bite!"
The three Growlithes lunged like ravenous wolves, sinking their teeth into Ambipom.
Bai Yu snapped back to focus. "Ambipom, use Swift on yourself!"
Gritting through the pain, Ambipom summoned a storm of Swift stars that rained down, striking itself and the Growlithes. It was a desperate move, hurting Ambipom as much as its foes. One of Growlithe's clones vanished, too weak to withstand the attack.
Jun Shafeng glanced at his system, which updated Ambipom's status.
[Ambipom]
[Type: Normal]
[Level: 30]
[Gender: Female]
[Ability: Technician]
[Moves: Swift, Quick Attack, Double Team, Double Hit, Low Sweep, Fling]
[Condition: Weak (Stamina below 40%, nearing exhaustion)]
"Ambipom's almost done," Jun Shafeng said. "Growlithe, finish it with Flamethrower!"
The two remaining Growlithes unleashed twin streams of fire, engulfing Ambipom. Overwhelmed, Ambipom collapsed, unconscious.
Bai Yu quickly recalled Ambipom into its Poké Ball. "You're strong, Jun Shafeng. I'll definitely challenge you again. Off to the Pokémon Center for now!"
As Bai Yu left, a system notification chimed in Jun Shafeng's mind: [Ding! Congratulations, Growlithe has gained enough experience to reach level 26 and learned Quick Attack!]
"Quick Attack's perfect for Growlithe's speed," Jun Shafeng said, grinning.
He glanced around and spotted two trainers battling nearby. The trainer on the right commanded an Infernape, while the one on the left used a Rhydon.
"This should be a good match," Jun Shafeng thought, recalling Growlithe to its Poké Ball to rest before settling in to watch.
Rhydon's trainer ordered, "Use Earthquake!"
The ground shook violently, tremors rippling through the park. Infernape, caught off-guard, collapsed under the move's power before its trainer could respond.
Nearby trainers began to murmur. "Song Zheng's unreal," one said. "His Rhydon's Earthquake has been crushing everyone lately. That move's rare—hard for most Pokémon to learn. I heard his Rhyhorn hit level 30, so he won't be battling in the park much longer."
Jun Shafeng overheard and made up his mind. "Song Zheng's my next opponent," he decided, ready to test Growlithe against the powerful Rhydon.
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