Eichi and Tetsu arrived at the seating area below the arena to wait. After a while, as the other contestants and spectators gradually arrived, the competition was nearly ready to begin.
Since his match was the eighth and final one of the round, Eichi was in no rush and watched the preceding battles. However, as soon as he sat down, Eichi felt someone constantly staring at him.
After glancing around, he spotted a round-faced boy with yellow hair. It was Zenjiro, the Class Representative of Class 6, who would be Eichi's next opponent. However, the way Zenjiro was looking at Eichi was somewhat unsettling, giving him goosebumps.
Tetsu's match was the third, so it would start soon. Tetsu's mindset was relaxed at the moment.
It was quickly Tetsu's turn.
"Go for it," Eichi said.
"Mhm," Tetsu nodded.
He stood up and headed onto the field. His opponent, Sato, also took the field on the opposite side.
The battle officially began.
Sato's first Pokémon was still Electabuzz, while Tetsu used Miltank. Tetsu's Miltank was very aggressive, but the opposing Electabuzz was extremely powerful. From a breeder's perspective, Sato's Electabuzz was clearly excellently raised, showing that a lot of effort had been put into it.
Tetsu's Miltank was quickly overwhelmed and defeated. However, even in defeat, Miltank managed to drain a significant amount of Electabuzz's stamina.
Next, Tetsu sent out his second Pokémon, Ampharos. Both Pokémon were Electric-types, meaning Electric-type moves were not very effective. Victory would depend on which Electric-type Pokémon was stronger. After a tough battle, Electabuzz, running low on stamina, was finally defeated by Ampharos using a Fire Punch.
Sato showed no sign of disappointment; his expression remained neutral. He took out a Poké Ball to recall Electabuzz and released his second Pokémon. A flash of white light shone brightly. A strong Pokémon's figure appeared on the field. It was not his Charmeleon from before, but a Charizard.
After two weeks, Sato's Charmeleon had evolved into Charizard. Upon its entrance, Charizard exuded great power, putting immediate pressure on Ampharos. Now that it had evolved into Charizard, its strength had taken a huge leap.
Ampharos suffered a brutal defeat, losing its ability to battle after being relentlessly battered by Charizard.
Tetsu was not discouraged and calmly recalled Ampharos. As Sato left the field, he glanced at Eichi.
After Tetsu came down, he said with resignation, "Eichi, you're in trouble. Sato is incredibly strong."
"A stronger opponent just makes things more interesting, don't you think?" Eichi replied.
"You're right," Tetsu said lightly. "For a weirdo like you, the stronger the better."
Now, Eichi was the only one left from Class 1, but he believed he would definitely take the championship.
Time flew by, and soon it was Eichi's turn. He stood up to go to the arena. "Good luck," Tetsu called out from behind him.
Eichi didn't turn around, simply raising his hand to acknowledge the encouragement.
After he stepped onto the field, Zenjiro, the opponent, also came up. Seeing that both trainers were ready, the referee announced, "Now featuring Class 1's Eichi versus Class 6's Zenjiro. Please release your first Pokémon."
"Go, Donphan!"
"Go, Scyther!"
Donphan, the Armor Pokémon.
Type: GroundAbility: Sturdy Hidden Ability: Sand Veil Talent Grade: ExcellentTrainer Rank: ExperiencedDescription: It has the shape of a stocky gray elephant with a black trunk that extends to its tail and a pair of seemingly very dangerous, long tusks.
Eichi observed it with the Eye of the Bug Emperor. Donphan had an Excellent Talent Grade and was in the early stage of the Experienced rank.
"Begin the battle!"
"Donphan, use Rollout!"
Hearing the command, Donphan quickly curled into a ball and charged rapidly toward Scyther.
"Scyther, fly into the air!"
"Did you think I wouldn't have a plan if you flew into the air?" Zenjiro sneered. "Donphan, bounce! Twelve o'clock!" Donphan, still curled into a ball, leaped up toward Scyther as if it could sense its location, attempting to hit Scyther.
"Scyther, use Agility!"
Just as Donphan bounced toward Scyther, Scyther instantly accelerated, narrowly dodging Donphan's Rollout. Zenjiro continued to command Donphan to roll toward Scyther, but Scyther managed to evade it multiple times.
Zenjiro realized that even though Donphan was fast, Scyther was even faster, making the Rollout move completely ineffective. His face darkened. He had to quickly find a way to counter Scyther's speed. At this moment, Eichi also ordered Scyther to attack.
"Scyther, use Fury Cutter!"
Scyther flew swiftly toward Donphan, its scythes glowing with white light as it landed consecutive, heavy cuts on Donphan. Donphan's defense was quite good, so it only took some damage.
Donphan tried to retaliate with a Fire Fang, but as soon as Scyther saw it about to attack, it immediately flew up to dodge.
Just then, Zenjiro suddenly figured out a way to break through and showed a confident smile. "Donphan, use Sandstorm!"
Donphan's eyes flashed with light, and it stomped its foot on the ground. Suddenly, a Sandstorm whipped up across the entire arena. Scyther, flying in mid-air, was affected and struck by the swirling sand. It was constantly taking damage.
Seeing the Sandstorm, Eichi knew he had to finish the battle quickly.
Zenjiro's move was effective, forcing Scyther to get closer to Donphan to minimize the damage from the sand, and requiring it to constantly attack Donphan, which created opportunities for Donphan to counter.
"Scyther, use Swords Dance, then follow up with Brick Break on Donphan!"
Scyther began to spin its body as it flew toward Donphan. When it was only two meters away, Scyther swung its scythes, which glowed white, and struck toward Donphan.
"Here it comes! Donphan, use Rock Tomb!"
Several rocks appeared suddenly around Donphan. Donphan used its trunk to hurl the rocks. Scyther smashed through the incoming rocks with Brick Break and continued its charge toward Donphan.
"Donphan, use Rollout!"
While Scyther was busy breaking the rocks, Donphan jumped up, curled into a ball, and slammed into Scyther.
Scyther had no time to dodge, so it stood its ground, swinging its scythes for a head-on collision with Donphan.
The two Pokémon collided fiercely, but surprisingly, they were evenly matched. Donphan's immense momentum from Rollout actually failed to send Scyther flying. This stunned the spectators. Teacher Takemoto was very surprised by what he saw. "That Scyther has incredible strength! It wasn't even knocked away!"
Scyther itself was a little surprised, wondering when its strength had grown so much. Eichi, however, was not surprised at all; his continuous training was finally showing results.
"Scyther, use Hidden Power!"
After blocking Donphan's attack, Scyther blasted a pillar of fire from its mouth, instantly sending Donphan flying backward. Donphan then crashed to the ground.
"Scyther, press your advantage! Use Brick Break to finish it!"
Scyther flapped its wings, chasing after Donphan, who was struggling to get up, but it was too late. Scyther charged its scythe and swung it, delivering a heavy blow to Donphan.
With a scream of pain, Donphan collapsed, losing its ability to battle.