Chapter 262: The Ferocious Lileep
"A Water-type Pokémon versus one that's immune to Water-type moves? How is that even a fight?"
On the Saffron U side, some of the freshmen were in a full-blown panic, but others, after a moment of calm analysis, saw a glimmer of hope.
"So what if it's immune to Water? Mortimer's Clawitzer doesn't just know Water-type moves. It's also skilled with Dragon Pulse and Dark Pulse. What's there to be afraid of? Besides, that Lileep hasn't even evolved. Other than its ability, how much combat power can it really have? That's the real question."
"That's a good point. The difference in strength before and after evolution is huge. This Lileep hasn't evolved, so it can't be that strong. Basalt probably only sent it out because its ability counters Clawitzer. That must be it."
"Nee-nee~"
Hearing their discussion, Lileep was not happy.
Who are they looking down on?
Looks like I'll have to make this next win a beautiful one.
At that thought, Lileep couldn't help but lift its head slightly, aiming its petals at the Clawitzer in the air.
Ooh, what rich life energy!
No wonder the residual energy from the water moves on the ground had been enough to trigger its ability and raise its Special Attack by one stage. This was the best kind of supplement for Lileep.
"Clawitzer, Dark Pulse!"
At the referee's signal, the battle resumed, and Mortimer launched the first attack.
Compared to Dragon Pulse, Dark Pulse was slightly weaker, but it had a high chance of making the opponent flinch. Its overall utility was much higher.
"Nee-nee~"
Faced with the wave of malevolent energy, Lileep chose to meet it head-on with Ancient Power.
But unfortunately, with the boost from the Mega Launcher ability, Dark Pulse's power was significantly increased. Lileep's Ancient Power only held for a moment before it was broken.
Fortunately, at the very start of the battle, while firing its own attack, Lileep had also begun to use Ingrain. Thanks to the abundant moisture it had absorbed and its boosted Special Attack, its root domain was already in place.
Thwip! Thwip! Thwip!
Countless thick roots shot out from the ground, weaving themselves into a massive ball in front of Lileep.
BOOM!
The remnants of the Dark Pulse slammed into the roots, causing a violent explosion. The power was still astonishing.
The crowd looked on and saw that a large hole had been blasted through the root-ball, and the aftershock of the energy had enveloped Lileep.
"It worked! Mega Launcher is BROKEN!"
The Saffron U side was ecstatic.
Clearly, Clawitzer's ability had also been specially developed, so its boost to pulse moves was much higher than normal. Even after clashing with Ancient Power and breaking through the root shield, the residual energy was still enough to cause significant damage.
"Nee-nee~"
Lileep's cry suddenly rang out. It sounded cute and harmless, but it made Mortimer and the others stare in disbelief.
Because after the dust settled, Lileep's body was shrouded in a verdant green light. The wounds on its body were healing at a visible rate.
Before long, a completely unharmed Lileep reappeared, its body as pristine as new.
"That recovery..."
Mortimer swallowed hard, feeling like he was hallucinating.
The Pokémon raised by the Life Energy Bureau were mostly known for their immense vitality and recovery power. But compared to the Lileep in front of him, Mortimer had to admit that his own Pokémon couldn't compare.
Damn it, I've brought shame to the Bureau.
"Now, let's see how much stamina you have..."
Mortimer's eyes narrowed, and he decisively gave the order. "Clawitzer, again... Dark Pulse!"
VMMM!
Terrifying Dark-type energy once again gathered in Clawitzer's massive pincer. Processed by the Mega Launcher, its power was amplified, and it shot out with even more terrifying force.
"Lileep, Stockpile."
Basalt's lips curled up. He had a pretty good idea what Mortimer was thinking. But in a battle of attrition, Lileep had yet to lose.
Curling its body slightly, Lileep's Defense and Special Defense were raised again. At the same time, its roots once again formed a large shield.
BOOM!
The root shield was pierced again, and the Dark Pulse energy enveloped Lileep. But with its boosted Special Defense, although it was once again covered in wounds, the damage wasn't fatal.
At the same time, Lileep began its counter-attack.
Thwip-thwip-thwip!
While using Ingrain to rapidly absorb nutrients and recover health, its petals continuously shot out energy bullets, relentlessly hounding the Clawitzer. If this Clawitzer hadn't learned Aqua Jet to move quickly, it would have been shot down long ago.
But even so, danger was a constant shadow. It had to put all its effort into dodging, with no room to counter-attack.
Because Lileep's energy seemed endless, and its Bullet Seed was a continuous stream, with no need for a break.
"I just have to keep dodging, but you have to keep attacking. In terms of energy consumption, you're definitely using far more than me."
Mortimer quietly watched as his Clawitzer was chased around like a stray dog, but a slight smile played on his lips. "Even with Ingrain, the nutrients and energy in the soil will eventually run out. Besides, as a member of the Life Energy Bureau, did you really think my Clawitzer wouldn't have a way to recover?"
Mortimer smiled. Besides Dark Pulse and Dragon Pulse, Clawitzer's other trump card was Heal Pulse. In addition to its powerful offense, its recovery ability was not to be underestimated.
In a war of attrition, the advantage is mine!
And in the next second, Mortimer realized he'd been played again.
Because the sandstorm... was back.
"This Lileep can perform a trio of actions? It's using Ingrain to recover, Bullet Seed to attack, and starting a Sandstorm at the same time?"
Konrad's mouth twitched violently. He looked at Bella. "Bella, are you sure this junior of yours is a freshman?"
"Absolutely," Bella shrugged, her face a mask of nonchalance. "Strictly speaking, what Lileep is doing now only counts as a duet. Ingrain is a continuous-effect move, so it doesn't count."
But inwardly, she was just as shocked.
Generally, when a Pokémon performed multiple actions at once, the power of the individual moves would be weaker. And while Lileep's Bullet Seed and Ingrain weren't that powerful on their own, the third move it was using was Sandstorm—a weather-changing move!
An ordinary Advanced-rank trainer couldn't master a weather move even if they put all their focus into it, and yet Lileep was incorporating it into a multi-action combo?
The raging sandstorm weakened Clawitzer's ability to fly, and although it was just a slight falter, Lileep seized the opportunity.
BOOM!
The Bullet Seed hit, and Clawitzer fell from the sky.
But terrifyingly, the Bullet Seed didn't stop. Even as it fell, Clawitzer was pummeled by a relentless barrage of bullets.
"Protect!" Mortimer yelled in a panic.
Vzzt!
A brilliant white light appeared. A translucent barrier formed around Clawitzer, blocking all the incoming bullets. At the same time, it gathered its strength and, using the invincibility of Protect, began its counter-attack.
After this lesson, Clawitzer now knew that running and dodging was pointless against Lileep. Only a head-on assault was the way to go.
The Protect faded, and another Dark Pulse shot out. It completely swallowed the Bullet Seed and continued on to smash into the root shield, causing an explosion.
"Nee-nee~"
Lileep's pained cry rang out. It had clearly taken another hit.
"Now, Heal Pulse!"
Mortimer seized the chance to recover. This was a tactic he was very familiar with. It was just a shame his Sceptile had been defeated before it even got a chance to heal.
Vmmm!
Pointing its large pincer to the sky, Clawitzer shot out a wave of benevolent energy that rained down upon itself. Before long, the wounds from the Bullet Seed had rapidly vanished.
Seeing this, the Saffron U students all smiled. "When it comes to recovery, Mortimer from the Life Energy Bureau is an expert. Clawitzer's Mega Launcher plus Heal Pulse is far more effective than the damage from a sandstorm. This is a solid win!"
And in the next second, their smiles froze again.
Because an unhealthy, dark purple color suddenly appeared on Clawitzer's face, and it quickly spread to its entire body.
"Toxic?"
Everyone's eyes went wide with disbelief. "When did that happen?"
"It was the sandstorm! Lileep's sand was laced with poison!"
Bella Bai's observation skills were astonishing. She quickly figured out the reason, but her own mouth couldn't help but twitch.
This Lileep has even mastered Toxic?
And from the potency of the poison, it was no weaker than that of an elite Poison-type. Basalt had clearly invested a massive amount of resources into it.
"Finally," Basalt's lips curled up.
From the moment Clawitzer had appeared, he had considered the possibility of it knowing Dragon, Water, Dark, and Heal Pulse. He had even considered Aura Sphere. It seemed this Clawitzer hadn't mastered Aura, though.
So, from the very beginning of the battle, he had planned for a war of attrition, intending to use Toxic to seal the victory.
Your recovery is amazing? Sorry, but my Toxic's damage increases over time. You think you can handle it?
Clearly, Clawitzer couldn't.
In just a few dozen seconds, its body had turned a deep purplish-black. The poison was spreading, continuously draining its stamina.
"Lileep, Bullet Seed!"
Basalt's strategy was simple: keep up the relentless assault to stall for time, and victory would be theirs.
"I won't let you! Clawitzer, Dark Pulse!"
Vmmm!
The wave of dark energy came again. Lileep could only do its best to block, but it was inevitably injured.
Mega Launcher plus a pulse move... the power was just too terrifying.
Fortunately for Lileep, its luck had held out so far, and it hadn't been made to flinch by Dark Pulse. Otherwise, it would have been toast.
"Nee-nee~"
Taking another hit, the stamina it had been slowly recovering was drained away again. Lileep immediately used Ingrain and Giga Drain to desperately heal, while also repairing its root domain. If it weren't for the roots absorbing most of the energy from the Dark Pulse, it would have been crippled long ago.
What Lileep feared most was a short, high-intensity burst of damage that didn't give it time to recover. What it feared least was a slow accumulation of damage; its recovery was faster than the damage it took.
"Hyper Beam!"
Mortimer was getting desperate. He was going all in. The longer this dragged on, the stronger the effect of Toxic would become. It was only a matter of time before Clawitzer fainted. In that case, he might as well get the most out of it.
"Gasp~ Clawitzer even knows Hyper Beam?"
Basalt sucked in a cold breath, completely shocked.
Although Hyper Beam seemed common in the anime, it was a true top-tier ultimate move. An ordinary Advanced-rank Pokémon would have a hard time mastering it, and even then, it was usually their STAB ultimate.
"Lileep..."
Basalt's heart was filled with worry.
And in the next second, Lileep was engulfed in the light of the Hyper Beam.
Rock Tomb clash? Root shield defense?
In the face of Hyper Beam, these tactics were completely useless. They were either annihilated or pierced through in an instant. The terrifying pillar of energy was unstoppable.
BOOOOOM!
A violent explosion rocked the field. Dust and sand filled the air.
"Did we win?" Mortimer squinted, trying to see through the smoke, but it was impossible.
A gentle breeze came, slowly blowing the dust away. It revealed a large crater in the center of the field. Lileep lay in the crater, motionless, the roots at its base blasted to pieces.
"We won!" the Saffron U side cheered.
"Nee... nee..."
Just then, a faint sound was heard. Mortimer's heart instantly sank to the bottom of his stomach.
This Lileep... it was down, but it hadn't fainted?
Just how tenacious was its life force?
Vzzt! Vzzt! Vzzt!
Beside Lileep, a few roots were still connected, continuously transmitting green points of energy, steadily healing its wounds.
"Son of a... this is just ridiculous!"
Even the usually gentle and good-tempered Mortimer couldn't help but curse out loud.
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