In the players' seating area, Steven leaned forward slightly, his elbows resting on his knees and his hands clasped against his chin.
His eyes, which were usually calm and unruffled, could not hide the shock within them at this moment.
Four times effective, a life for a life.
This wasn't just courage; it was a precise calculation of his Pokémon's limits and the capturing of a fleeting opportunity in the battle.
Such boldness—one could only say it was classic Ariel, very much his style.
"An interesting way to fight."
Cynthia's lips parted slightly, her eyes shining with incredible brightness.
She approved of Ariel's tactics; trading at a minimal cost for one of the opponent's main Pokémon was definitely a win.
But questions followed.
"Weavile traded for Hitmontop, but Gym Leader Brawly still has five Pokémon left, and Ariel only has five left as well."
Cynthia's gaze fell on the tall figure in the arena, silently calculating in her heart.
"How will he handle the upcoming battles?"
Beside her legs, little Shauna didn't care about these complex tactics; he just pumped his small fists and shouted in a milky voice:
"Go, Big Brother Ariel! Beat my brother!"
The tender childish voice was inconspicuous in the noisy venue, yet it reached Cynthia's ears clearly, making her smile.
On the battlefield, Gym Leader Brawly recalled Hitmontop into its Poké Ball, his expression complex to the extreme.
There was shock and disbelief, but more than that, there was a kindled heat.
"Ariel, you've really... improved so much."
He took a deep breath, as if to suppress the stormy waves in his chest.
"However, what will you do about this one?"
As he spoke, he threw his second Poké Ball.
A red light flashed, and a slender, elegant Pokémon appeared on the field.
Its body was covered in white fur, with the ends of its limbs looking like it was wearing purple stockings, and two long feelers hung from the back of its head, swaying gently in the wind.
Mienshao!
A pure Fighting-type, known for its incredible speed and relentless attacks!
The atmosphere in the stands was ignited once more; everyone knew Gym Leader Brawly was about to start the fast-paced rhythm he was best at!
"Come on, Ariel!"
Gym Leader Brawly's gaze became sharp.
Ariel smiled and threw a Poké Ball.
"Malamar, I'm counting on you!"
"Mala!"
A Pokémon resembling a squid, floating upside down with a slightly sinister look in its eyes, hovered in the air.
Its dual Dark and Psychic-type made it so that against a pure Fighting-type like Mienshao, it didn't have an elemental advantage, but it wasn't at a major disadvantage either.
The true contest lay in the Trainer's tactics and the Pokémon's strength.
In the spectator stands, Elite Sidney whistled.
"Oho? Using Malamar against Mienshao? This kid's got quite the thought process; is he planning to use Psychic-type moves?"
Glacia, beside him, glanced at him without speaking, but the interest in her eyes grew stronger.
Drake remained as calm as a still well, though the hand holding his teacup paused for a moment.
The battle was about to erupt!
The referee's flag swung down abruptly!
"Go! Mienshao, Fake Out!" Gym Leader Brawly didn't hesitate for a second, starting with an immediate offensive.
Mienshao's figure vanished instantly from its spot, turning into a white afterimage so fast it was almost impossible for the naked eye to track!
Ariel's pupils constricted.
So fast!
"Malamar, Psycho Cut!"
The light organs on Malamar's head flickered, and several pale purple energy blades formed out of thin air, slashing toward the white shadow.
However, Mienshao's speed was simply too fast. It shifted its form during Agility, bypassing all the Psycho Cuts like a ghost. Its two whip-like feelers lashed through the air with sharp cracks, aiming straight for Malamar!
Bang!
With a dull thud, Malamar was struck squarely, stumbling in mid-air.
"Mala..."
Malamar let out a cry of pain.
Having landed a hit, Mienshao didn't stop. Its body made an incredible turn in mid-air, and another attack followed immediately!
High Jump Kick!
"Now! Trick Room!" Ariel's voice was calm without a single ripple.
Just a moment before Mienshao's knee, condensed with powerful Fighting-type energy, was about to hit Malamar, Malamar's eyes suddenly lit up with an eerie pink glow!
Hum—!
A translucent cubic space filled with strange runes instantly expanded from Malamar, enveloping the entire battlefield!
The light and air within the space became distorted, as if the flow of time itself had been altered.
The moment Mienshao's High Jump Kick entered this space, its speed suddenly stalled, as if trapped in thick mud. The originally swift attack became slow and sluggish.
"What?!"
Gym Leader Brawly's face changed drastically.
Trick Room!
In this space, the rules of speed were overturned! The slower Pokémon would gain the right to strike first!
"Well done, Malamar!"
Ariel's lips curled up.
"Now, it's our turn to counterattack!"
"Follow through with Superpower!"
"Mala!"
Malamar let out a strange cry, its listless aura from being injured vanishing instantly.
It swung its thick tentacles, ignoring the imminent High Jump Kick, and smashed down on Mienshao with a domineering posture!
Within the Trick Room, Malamar's speed far exceeded Mienshao's!
Moving second, yet striking first!
Boom!
Superpower hit Mienshao right in the abdomen!
Mienshao let out a shrill cry of pain, its body flying backward like a broken kite and slamming heavily onto the ground.
"It's not over yet!"
Ariel's voice echoed through the stadium.
"Encore, Superpower!"
Using Superpower lowers the user's Attack and Defense.
But Malamar's ability is—Contrary!
All stat-lowering effects applied to it are reversed into stat boosts!
A layer of red light surfaced on Malamar, and subsequently, an even greater power surged from within its body.
Its muscles expanded visibly, and its momentum rose instead of falling!
Gym Leader Brawly's eyes widened like brass bells; he hadn't expected such a maneuver at all!
"Quick, dodge it, Mienshao!"
He shouted urgently.
But in the Trick Room, Mienshao, who was known for its speed, had now become the slowest one.
It struggled to get up, but Malamar's second Superpower, carrying terrifying force, was already descending from the sky!
Boom!!
The ground cracked, and dust filled the air!
"The final blow!"
Ariel's voice sounded like a final judgment.
"Superpower!"
The red light on Malamar's body surged again, its power and defense increasing once more!
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