Houndoom sniffed the air, then aimed in one direction and used Flamethrower. Beedrill, trapped in the Smog, couldn't see anything. However, as soon as it heard its opponent command Houndoom to use Flamethrower, Beedrill knew Houndoom had located its position.
Of course, Houndoom was also inside the Smog. Eichi heard Shinta's command to Houndoom and instantly realized that Houndoom could track Beedrill by scent. Eichi had already planned his counter-strategy.
"Beedrill, use Double Team!"
A glow of flame briefly shone in the thick Smog. There was no sound of a hit, indicating the attack missed.
"Beedrill, use Toxic Spikes on the field!"
Upon hearing the command, Beedrill began to continuously lay Toxic Spikes in every corner of the arena. Meanwhile, Houndoom continued to use Flamethrower on Beedrill. Without Shinta's warning, Beedrill didn't know when the attack would arrive.
Beedrill did not stop, continuing to use Toxic Spikes. However, Houndoom's Flamethrower often shot out from one direction. Beedrill managed to dodge some, but others struck it directly. Fire is Super Effective against Bug-type Pokémon, so the damage was significant.
From the pattern of the Flamethrower attacks, Beedrill was able to pinpoint Houndoom's location. Beedrill targeted Houndoom's position and used Pin Missile. Countless sharp needles formed behind Beedrill, and with a swift flick, Beedrill shot all the needles toward that direction. A howl of pain from Houndoom followed. Eichi knew Beedrill had struck its target. The Smog then gradually dissipated, revealing the two Pokémon inside.
Houndoom got back up from the ground. However, upon looking down, it saw that the ground, except for the area immediately around it, was covered in a dense layer of Toxic Spikes. Beedrill was staring intensely at it.
"Houndoom, use Thunder Fang!"
The distance between Beedrill and Houndoom was relatively short. Electric arcs instantly flashed in Houndoom's mouth, and the crackle of electricity could be heard nearby. Houndoom charged quickly toward Beedrill. However, the moment it took a step, it trod on the Toxic Spikes. Houndoom endured the pain and continued to charge at Beedrill.
"Beedrill, let's go! Use Brick Break!"
Beedrill also charged straight ahead, raising its twin stingers to its chest to begin charging power. The energy within its body surged fiercely. Finally, the two Pokémon's moves collided violently, with Beedrill's right stinger forcefully striking Houndoom's teeth. Surprisingly, Houndoom was immediately sent flying by the blow.
"Huh?" Teacher Takemoto exclaimed.
"You noticed it too?" Director Yanagi asked.
"Yes," Teacher Takemoto replied. "This Beedrill's level is quite high!"
"Beedrill, use Pin Missile!"
The sharp needles quickly formed behind Beedrill and shot toward Houndoom.
"Houndoom, get up quickly and use Flamethrower!"
Houndoom took damage again from the Toxic Spikes but managed to scramble to its feet immediately. It launched a column of fire from its mouth to block the incoming Pin Missile.
"Beedrill, use Aerial Ace!"
Houndoom stopped to catch its breath after using Flamethrower, and Beedrill charged forward. As Beedrill rushed in, Houndoom attempted to use Bite, but Beedrill faked an attack, then flew backward, continuously harassing Houndoom. Houndoom was already exhausted, and now it was even more so. Seeing that the time was right, Beedrill brought down its twin stingers in a slicing motion, delivering a heavy Slash to Houndoom's body.
Shinta's face, which had been full of confidence, immediately turned ashen. This isn't how it was supposed to go. He had expected to easily defeat Eichi's Beedrill, but his Houndoom had been beaten so simply. Houndoom fell to the ground, instantly losing its ability to battle.
In the spectator stands, the audience erupted in cheers upon seeing Beedrill win.
"Beedrill!"
"Beedrill!"
Tetsu, who had been clenching his fists, immediately relaxed them. "Yes, that's one down," he muttered to himself. "I knew Shinta was no match for Beedrill's strength."
"Houndoom is unable to battle. Beedrill wins. Will contestant Shinta please release your next Pokémon."
After recalling Houndoom, Shinta cursed under his breath, "Useless trash. So worthless." He then took out his second Poké Ball.
"Go, my strongest Pokémon, Ursaring!"
Amidst a flash of white light, Ursaring appeared on the field, letting out an astonishing roar.
Ursaring, the Hibernator Pokémon.
Type: NormalAbilities: Guts / Quick Feet Hidden Ability: Unnerve Talent Grade: OutstandingTrainer Rank: ExperiencedDescription: It looks like a large brown bear with a yellow circle on its belly.
After releasing Ursaring, Shinta regained his confidence, placing his hands on his hips. "With Ursaring here, I'm definitely going to win," he said. Ursaring powerfully pounded its chest to indicate it was ready.
"Continue the battle!"
"Ursaring, use Leer!"
Ursaring on the field also stepped on the Toxic Spikes, taking minor damage. It barely felt the pain and continued to use Leer. Ursaring glared at Beedrill, but Beedrill felt no fear. However, its Defense stat did drop. Eichi frowned slightly. This would be a tough battle. Ursaring is a Normal-type, and Beedrill seemed to have no moves that could be Super Effective against it. No, wait. Normal-type is weak to Fighting-type. I can use Brick Break.
"Ursaring, use Smack Down!"
Ursaring stomped the ground, disturbing the Toxic Spikes and kicking up small rocks. It then channeled its internal energy to enlarge these small fragments into larger rocks, which it hurled at Beedrill.
"Use Agility, dodge it!"
Although Ursaring's strength was immense, its speed was its weakness. Eichi could simply utilize Beedrill's speed advantage to continuously wear down Ursaring's stamina to secure a win. However, Eichi did not want to use that method. Scyther had suffered such severe injuries because of Shinta; he was the primary culprit. Eichi had raised Scyther from birth, and he had never seen it so badly hurt. Truthfully, Eichi was distressed. If he didn't properly beat Shinta's Pokémon and absolutely crush him to rub it in his face, Eichi wouldn't be satisfied.
Therefore, Eichi decided to face Ursaring head-on and defeat it directly. Given Beedrill's level and its training, Eichi was confident it could handle the challenge.
Beedrill nimbly dodged the hurled rocks and charged toward Ursaring. Upon seeing this, Shinta sneered. "You want a frontal attack? You're underestimating my Ursaring far too much! Ursaring, use Fury Swipes!"
"Beedrill, use Brick Break!"
The two Pokémon charged toward the center of the arena. Ursaring extended its sharp claws, while Beedrill's twin stingers were shimmering with a brilliant metallic luster.