Chapter 112: Muzi’s Victory, Cheng Cheng’s Battle

"The battle begins."

"Vibrava, use Sand Tomb."

Vibrava crouched low against the ground, causing the entire arena to vibrate. The terrain transformed into a field of quicksand; one wrong step would mean being swallowed whole. Vibrava’s move effectively prevented Whirlipede from using its Rollout attack.

"Whirlipede, use Toxic."

As expected, the opponent shifted tactics to a long-range assault.

"Vibrava, take to the air."

Being a Pokémon capable of flight, Vibrava lifted off the ground, narrowly dodging the attack.

"Use Supersonic."

The sound wave struck Whirlipede directly.

"Whirlipede, use Rollout."

Whirlipede began to spin, but even after rolling for a moment, it could not escape the grip of the sand.

"Vibrava, continue with Supersonic."

The attack landed again, dealing significant damage to Whirlipede.

"Whirlipede, keep going!"

Whirlipede’s speed increased until it actually lifted off the ground. By spinning rapidly, it piled sand beneath itself and launched into a powerful jump. Vibrava, not expecting the opponent to take flight, failed to dodge and was struck by the Rollout attack, crashing to the ground.

"Now, use Poison Tail!"

The Poison Tail struck Vibrava before it could recover.

"If that's the case, use Bide."

Vibrava braced itself, enduring the onslaught.

"Use Dragon Breath."

After absorbing the damage, Chengcheng commanded a Dragon Breath, which unleashed with amplified power. Whirlipede was knocked out instantly.

"Whirlipede is unable to battle. Vibrava is unable to battle."

"Return, Whirlipede. You did well."

"It's your turn now, Leavanny."

Mr. Burgh’s final Pokémon was Leavanny. A Bug and Grass-type, it was a formidable opponent.

"Leavanny, use Leaf Storm."

"Vibrava, dodge!"

Vibrava tried to evade, but the Leaf Storm curved, encircling it. A flurry of razor-sharp leaves battered Vibrava.

"Vibrava, use Supersonic."

"Dodge it."

Leavanny leaped gracefully, avoiding the attack. Its slender feet allowed it to move freely across the Sand Tomb.

"Leavanny, use Energy Ball."

The Energy Ball struck Vibrava squarely.

"Vibrava is unable to battle. The winner is Leavanny."

"You worked hard, return, Vibrava."

"In that case, I choose you, Charmeleon."

While Muzi’s other Pokémon were strong, using a Fire-type against a Bug and Grass-type was the most logical choice.

"Charmeleon, use Fire Spin."

"Leavanny, dodge."

Leavanny escaped the vortex but still took damage.

"Leavanny, Leaf Storm."

"Keep using Fire Spin!"

The Fire Spin collided with the Leaf Storm, burning the leaves to ash.

"Leavanny, use String Shot."

The silk bound Charmeleon, restricting its movement.

"Leavanny, use Energy Ball."

With Charmeleon trapped, it was unable to dodge the incoming attack.

"Charmeleon, use Fire Spin to surround yourself!"

Charmeleon unleashed a Fire Spin that coiled around its body, blocking the Energy Ball while burning away the silk.

"Charmeleon, use Slash!"

"We’ll use Slash too!"

Both Pokémon clashed with Slash, but Charmeleon’s strength proved superior, sending Leavanny flying back.

"The final move: Flamethrower!"

The flames hit Leavanny, proving highly effective.

"Leavanny is unable to battle. The winner is Muzi Saito."

"Awesome! I won!" Muzi cheered, raising her hands high.

"Congratulations, Muzi."

"Next is your battle, Chengcheng. Give it your all."

"Of course."

After a thirty-minute break, the match between Chengcheng and Mr. Burgh began.

"My first Pokémon is you, Sewaddle."

Chengcheng was surprised to see Sewaddle as the opening choice.

"Then I’ll start with you, Xatu."

Since the Sewaddle’s level was not very high, Chengcheng decided to use Xatu. With the advantage in both level and typing, he expected no issues.

"Sewaddle, use String Shot."

The silk flew toward Xatu. It tried to dodge but was ensnared.

"Use String Shot again!"

A massive amount of silk encased Xatu, rendering it immobile.

"Sewaddle, use Razor Leaf."

"Xatu, use Psychic."

The Razor Leaf flew rapidly toward them. Xatu’s Psychic didn't target the Sewaddle, but rather the incoming leaves. It didn't stop them, but manipulated their trajectory to slice through all the silk binding it.

"I didn't expect such a move. That is truly surprising."

"Sewaddle, use String Shot again."

"Xatu, dodge."

Xatu took flight, evading the attack. However, more silk was launched. This Sewaddle’s String Shot was incredibly powerful, firing continuously.

"Use Teleport."

Xatu vanished.

"Night Shade."

The surroundings plunged into darkness; nothing could be seen.

"Use Peck."

The attack landed on Sewaddle, dealing heavy damage.

"The final move, Psyshock."

The Psyshock hit, and Sewaddle was knocked out.

"Return, Sewaddle. It’s your turn, Scolipede."

Before Chengcheng appeared a massive, purple Pokémon: Scolipede. This one was far more powerful than the Whirlipede from earlier.

"Scolipede, use Toxic."

"Xatu, Protect."

Xatu used Protect, blocking the attack.

"Scolipede, use Hidden Power."

Chengcheng was shocked that the Scolipede knew Hidden Power.

"Xatu, dodge quickly!"

Chengcheng commanded Xatu to evade, but Scolipede suddenly used Rock Climb, creating a stone staircase. It charged upward and slammed into Xatu.

"Use Bug Bite."

Xatu, unable to move, was struck by the Bug Bite and driven into the ground.

"Xatu is unable to battle. The winner is Scolipede."

"Return, Xatu. You're up next, Gothita."

Indeed, Chengcheng sent out Gothita. In terms of size, Gothita was at a disadvantage.

"Scolipede, Toxic."

"Gothita, dodge!"

Gothita avoided the poison.

"Use Psychic."

The power restrained Scolipede, but due to its massive size, it broke free before long.

"Use Poison Tail."

The tail slammed into Gothita, sending it flying.

"Gothita, are you alright?"

"Gothi..."

Gothita stood back up.

"Good, Gothita, evolve!"

Chengcheng had calculated that it was time for Gothita to evolve, and he chose this battle as the catalyst. Gothita’s form shifted, and it evolved into Gothorita.

"Gothorita, use Shadow Ball."

Gothorita fired a moderate-sized Shadow Ball, which hit Scolipede but didn't seem to inflict much damage.

"Scolipede, use Rock Climb."

Scolipede used the move again, lifting Gothorita into the air with a stone pillar. As Scolipede charged, Gothorita used Teleport to vanish.

"Now, dive down!"

Scolipede suddenly turned and attacked from above. Neither Gothorita nor Chengcheng had anticipated this, but they had to react quickly.

"Gothorita, Psyshock!"

Gothorita’s attack landed as Scolipede collided with it.

"Gothorita, Shadow Ball!"

The blast hit Scolipede directly.

"Scolipede, use Rollout."

Chengcheng hadn't expected a Pokémon of that size to use Rollout, and its speed was immense.

"One more time, Psyshock!"

Gothorita hit Scolipede with Psyshock, and Scolipede slammed into Gothorita simultaneously. Gothorita fainted, and at the same moment, Scolipede stopped spinning and collapsed.

"Both Pokémon are unable to battle. Please send out your final Pokémon."

"I didn't expect a mutual knockout. Then, let me show you my final partner."

"Go, Escavalier!"

Chengcheng hadn't expected Mr. Burgh to have an Escavalier. Unfamiliar with the species, he checked the system data:

Pokémon: Escavalier
Type: Bug/Steel
Level: 48
Combat Power: 4108
Moves: Peck, Leer, Fury Cutter, Twineedle, Fury Attack, Headbutt, False Swipe, Bug Buzz, Slash, Iron Head, Iron Defense, X-Scissor.

Chengcheng realized it was exceptionally strong.

"In that case, I leave it to you, Gardevoir."

Chengcheng sent out one of his strongest.

"Escavalier, use Twineedle!"

Escavalier charged with its dual lances, moving so fast that Chengcheng barely saw it coming. Gardevoir reacted in an instant, using Teleport to dodge. Escavalier’s speed was overwhelming; Chengcheng found it difficult to command Gardevoir effectively.

"Gardevoir, I’ll leave it to you."

"Gardevoir!"