Since they had already clashed, there was no reason to retreat.
Heracross paused for only a split second before its body split the pillar of Hyper Beam energy like a blade. From the outside, the lightning-shaped energy forming a cone around its body directly carved the beam in half. Then, it rapidly drew closer to Raticate bit by bit. Heracross had completely emptied its mind, leaving only one goal: to charge down.
Asen's eyes widened in disbelief.
"How can this be?" Asen muttered. "Raticate, increase the output!"
Raticate's face contorted in strain. Its entire body tensed as it frantically pushed more power. The Hyper Beam it spewed grew a size larger.
However, if the output increased, Heracross simply increased its force. The result remained unchanged. Finally, as Heracross grew faster and faster, Raticate could feel the terrifying aura approaching. Realizing there was no way out, it could only brace itself to take the hit head-on.
The berserk Heracross slammed directly into Raticate.
Bang!
With a thunderous explosion, the space was instantly covered by a blinding white light. Everyone in the audience closed their eyes. Conversely, Lorelei and Bruno showed no reaction at all, their eyes remaining wide open. Asen used his hand to shield his eyes, while Eichi was completely unaffected.
Once the white light faded, the spectators opened their eyes to see a massive crater in the field. Raticate was embedded directly in the pit, its body severely injured. It had completely fainted, losing its ability to battle.
Heracross stood on the ground, panting heavily. It was also heavily wounded. Although this match hadn't lasted long, it had been a difficult struggle. Asen's Raticate was truly powerful.
The moment Asen opened his eyes, he saw that Raticate was out.
"Raticate is unable to battle. Heracross wins!" the referee announced.
"Ah, incredible! We've seen Asen's Raticate fall in that clash," the commentator shouted. "Eichi's Heracross has secured the victory. That was truly spectacular!!"
On the electronic screen, Raticate's portrait dimmed. Asen recalled Raticate into its Poké Ball, his face darkening. This situation was completely beyond his expectations.
He had originally thought Eichi was just an ordinary trainer. He believed a three-Pokémon sweep would be no problem and intended to enjoy torturing Eichi's Pokémon to get revenge for making him lose face earlier. However, reality had just delivered a harsh slap to his face.
Backstage, Buliangren and Ryuichi watched Raticate's defeat and exchanged looks, both seeing the surprise in each other's eyes.
"Eichi's strength is really impressive to win that," Ryuichi remarked.
"Heracross hasn't broken through to the Gym Leader rank yet, right?" Buliangren asked.
"Maybe he really can defeat that bastard Asen," Ryuichi replied.
On a sofa not far from them sat two seniors, a boy and a girl. They were also watching the television. The green-haired senior couldn't help but praise the performance.
"This junior Eichi is really strong! I heard from Director Yanagi that he's only a first-year," the senior said.
"To have such strength in the first year... I really don't know how he does it," the senior added. "We're getting old; the world belongs to the young now."
The senior girl suddenly asked, "Do you think our junior can win?"
"I don't think so. The difficulty is too high," the senior boy replied.
"I have a different opinion. I think he can win," the girl countered.
In the stands, Mumu watched Raticate's miserable state, and her fists involuntarily clenched.
"Incredible, I have to record this," Kadokawa muttered to himself, holding his camera.
Asen took a deep breath to calm himself. He pulled out a second Poké Ball and threw it.
"Go, Magneton!"
The white light appeared, revealing the form in the air. Eichi swept it with his Eye of the Bug Emperor.
Magneton, the Magnet Pokémon.
Types: Electric / Steel
Abilities: Magnet Pull / Sturdy (Standard), Analytic (Hidden)
Talent Grade: Excellent
Trainer Rank: Gym Leader (Level 53)
Description: Three Magnemite are linked by a strong magnetic force. It emits powerful radio waves and high-voltage electricity.
This Magneton's level was quite high. Heracross likely wouldn't be able to handle it. Consequently, Eichi recalled Heracross. Its current state wouldn't be useful in a continued fight. He pulled out his second Poké Ball and tossed it.
"Go, Scizor!"
Scizor's sleek, agile figure appeared on the field. Upon emerging, it immediately sensed a powerful aura. This was a formidable opponent. As a warrior, the chance to face such a foe made its blood boil. Scizor looked at Magneton with intense fighting spirit.
"Facing Asen's Magneton, Eichi has chosen to recall Heracross and bring out Scizor!" the commentator announced.
On the electronic screen, Scizor's portrait appeared below Heracross's in Eichi's section.
"Battle begin!" the referee shouted.
"I won't let you off so easily this time," Asen sneered. "Magneton, Thunderbolt!"
"Ku-ee!"
Magneton aimed at Scizor as countless electrical currents surged from its body. They converged into a massive bolt of lightning, crackling as it struck toward Scizor. The bolt moved incredibly fast, flickering as it surged. Its power was definitely not to be underestimated.
"Scizor, Bullet Punch!"
Scizor was in its original spot one second and vanished the next. The lightning struck where Scizor had just been standing, scorching a patch of soil on the ground.
From the perspective of those watching, it looked like two flashes of lightning were clashing. The red flash and the yellow flash reflected off each other. Scizor was incredibly fast, while Magneton's electrical output was abundant.
Scizor was hit once, but it continued to close the distance through the gaps in the current. Watching the approaching Scizor, Asen grew irritable. This round was going poorly from the start, as his first move had failed to land cleanly.
In the next instant, Scizor appeared right at Magneton's head. Its dual pincers swung down, white light blooming as internal energy gathered in its claws.
"Magneton, Thunderbolt!"
The released lightning converged around Magneton's body. The moment Scizor's pincers made contact with the body, the electricity surged along the pincers and into Scizor's frame.
The moment the hit landed, Scizor was also struck by the Thunderbolt.
Bang!
Magneton was knocked back, while Scizor was scorched by the electricity. This was a brutal tactic, effectively a trade of mutual damage. Both Magneton and Scizor showed signs of injury.
However, Magneton was relatively fragile. Overall, Eichi held the upper hand.
"Magneton, Thunder!"
Magneton stopped shaking as yellow light emitted from its sides. Black storm clouds appeared in the sky.
"Scizor, Bullet Punch!"
Scizor instantly appeared in front of Magneton and swung its pincers down.