Chapter 261: Mega Launcher
"If I remember correctly, Clawitzer only has one possible Ability: 'Mega Launcher.' It greatly boosts the power of pulse and aura moves."
Basalt looked at the levitating Clawitzer, blinking. "Don't tell me this Clawitzer has also mastered Aura?"
Aura... that was a seriously broken power.
But Basalt didn't have time to dwell on it. The match was about to begin.
"Dro-lisk!"
Although its stamina was severely depleted, Excadrill's imposing presence hadn't diminished. The moment the battle started, it formed several massive rock projectiles and launched them, startling the Clawitzer into shooting a jet of water to propel itself higher into the air.
Then, the crowd watched as the giant rocks spread out evenly across the field, hovering motionlessly in the air like sentinels.
"Don't be nervous. I'm just setting up a little Stealth Rock. What are you running for?"
Basalt scratched his head and smiled, his expression as punchable as possible.
He was going to follow Bella Bai's instructions to the letter.
But it had to be said, Excadrill's massive Stealth Rock had given the Saffron U crowd another jolt.
Stealth Rock that big?
"Are you sure that Excadrill isn't a Pro-level Pokémon? I could accept its insane Earthquake, that's its STAB move. But why the hell is its non-STAB Stealth Rock so ridiculous too?"
"Seriously! That Excadrill's power, speed, and defense are all flawless. Compared to him, I feel like I'm just insulting the title of 'Rookie King'."
Although they were all Rookie Kings, Basalt's strength had reached a level where it was a complete and utter stomp against the others. There were very few among his peers who could still match him.
"Clawitzer, Water Pulse!"
Having been outplayed and losing the chance to strike first, Mortimer was seething internally.
Vmmm!
High in the air, Clawitzer's pincer opened slightly, and a highly condensed blue orb of water formed, spinning just like Excadrill's Hidden Power. It then shot towards the ground at a terrifying speed.
RUMBLE!
A massive wave erupted from the water orb, not only soaking the entire field but also weakening the intensity of the raging sandstorm by a full notch.
When the wave crashed, Basalt felt as if he were really standing on a seashore.
It was supposed to be a single-target move, but in Clawitzer's hands, it had become a powerful spread attack, its power far greater than an ordinary Surf.
"Excadrill has to be done for now, right? With Mortimer's Clawitzer's overwhelming water power, it can't escape even if it hides underground."
They were finally about to defeat the great demon Excadrill. The Saffron U freshmen were filled with excitement.
But in the next second, their hope turned to endless despair.
In the center of the field, a hemispherical rock shield had appeared out of nowhere.
Wide Guard!
"What's going on? What's going on?! Why did Excadrill successfully use Wide Guard again? Is it really not a Pro-level Pokémon?"
"Seriously! The amount of Rock-type energy it has is just insane!"
The Saffron U freshmen were tearing their hair out, unable to accept it.
It's still not down after all that? Isn't that a little too broken?
It wasn't just the Saffron U side. Even the students from Centralis University were staring wide-eyed, as if they were seeing Basalt and Excadrill for the first time.
I knew you were strong, really strong, but I didn't think... you were still holding back before?
Splash! Splash!
The rock shield shattered. Seeing this, the airborne Clawitzer fired another energy orb from its pincer, preparing for a relentless assault.
It refused to believe that Excadrill could use Wide Guard a third time.
"Dro-lisk!"
Looking up at the approaching energy orb, Excadrill wanted to keep fighting, but Basalt knew it was no longer necessary.
And so, he took out Excadrill's Pokéball and pressed the switch. "Return, Excadrill."
Whoosh!
A red beam of light hit Excadrill, and it returned to its Pokéball.
Clawitzer's attack, naturally, missed. But it wasn't completely without effect. The entire field was now soaking wet, covered in puddles of water. As for the sandstorm, it had been completely broken. The air was too humid, and with its sustainer gone, it had dissipated on its own.
"He actually forfeited? Decisive."
Konrad nodded, a look of approval on his face.
In a relay battle, a trainer couldn't switch out their Pokémon. Recalling one was equivalent to forfeiting that matchup.
Excadrill's stamina was critically low, and it was still heavily injured from Frenzy Plant. Against the field-covering "pulse" attacks, it had no way to turn the tables. Recalling it was a graceful way to end it.
"Excadrill was finally defeated! As expected of a top talent from the Life Energy Bureau, Mortimer's strength is formidable. If it were me up there, I probably would have been swept by Excadrill."
"I imagine that Excadrill is the Pokémon Basalt has poured the most effort into. By that logic, his other Pokémon might be more average."
"Let's hope so."
Excadrill's defeat not only restored the Saffron U freshmen's confidence but also gave them a glimmer of hope for victory, as if the scales had finally tipped in their favor.
"Whew."
Shrinking Excadrill's Pokéball and clipping it back to his belt, Basalt looked up at Mortimer. "I have to say, your Clawitzer is very strong. But unfortunately for you, you're still going to lose."
Although he didn't want to, to complete the mission given to him by Bella Bai and the Director, Basalt put on a smug smile and made a cringey pose as he delivered his victory declaration.
Seeing this, the eyes of the Saffron U freshmen were practically on fire. They had seen arrogant people before, but they had never seen anyone as arrogant as Basalt.
"This is all for the mission," Basalt sighed inwardly.
Then, not giving the Saffron U students a chance to retort, he immediately threw out his second Pokéball.
"Nee-nee~"
A flash of red light, and the wobbling Lileep appeared.
"Holy crap! It's a fossil Pokémon!"
The Saffron U freshmen had been about to start cursing, but when they saw Lileep, their eyes went wide.
A fossil Pokémon! A Pokémon even rarer than a pseudo-legendary!
At the same time, with Lileep's appearance, the water that had flooded the entire field began to flow unnaturally towards its body.
Storm Drain, activated!
Lileep was like a super-sponge that could never be filled. Before long, it had sucked up all the water on the field, not just on the surface, but from the soil as well.
The field became dry once again.
Lileep, on the other hand, began to wobble and sway with even more vigor, letting out a cheerful cry. It was beyond excited.
Seeing this, Mortimer's pupils contracted. "Water Absorb? Or Storm Drain?"
This ability was a disaster for his Clawitzer.
And the worst part was, in a relay battle, you couldn't switch out your Pokémon.
How am I supposed to fight this?
Waiting online for answers, urgent!
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