Chapter 234: Battle Art: Forest of Light and the Hero of the Storm

That blue large rhinoceros beetle landed with a boom. Known as the Hercules of bugs, it possesses unparalleled strength!

It can forcefully thrust its proud horn under the opponent's abdomen, then lift it up in one breath and throw it out. Its strong lower body and sharp claws give it the power to throw the opponent to the end of the sky!

"However, Heracross is also a Pokémon that fears Flying and Fire. Facing Lilligant, who has lost its item but has been boosted by Victory Dance and possesses powerful Flying-type moves, does Heracross have a chance of winning?"

"What exactly does Burgh want to do? However, hehehe! The use of items just now was truly wonderful!"

"Deliberately exposing one's own weaknesses to trigger the item's gain effect, and on the other side, it's the same, using the characteristic of fearing fire to attract the opponent to use Fire-type moves, halving the damage of fire, and finally using Reversal. This tactic is quite astonishing, and requires full confidence and trust in one's Pokémon!"

President Shinnosuke felt he was burning up, wishing he could take off his elderly suit and change into a cleaner's uniform, and wash Skyarrow Bridge from beginning to end in one breath.

"Gym Leader Burgh must have his ideas. Heracross, eh..." Beside Nari, Scizor was also watching the battle on the field, focused.

Escavalier's end gave it a warning, but the counterattack just now also benefited it a lot!

Both are brothers that are 4 times weak to fire—that is a symbol of the strong!

Xiang Guangtai let Lilligant make the first move.

Acrobatics!

Now, there is no doubt that using Acrobatics can cause huge damage to Heracross. Heracross, which is 4 times weak to Flying, will suffer considerable injuries even if it is just grazed by Acrobatics!

Moreover, Victory Dance has almost been stacked to the full. Now Lilligant is a battle monster!

Of course, winning this match is secondary. It is mainly to stimulate the burst of art and promote battle items. So Xiang Guangtai planned to let her come back to rest after Lilligant finished the attack.

Creating some advantages for the teammates behind, allowing them to better exert their strength, is also helpful for demonstrating the usage and effects of items.

With the strength of the Gym Leader's Pokémon, even if Victory Dance is stacked six times, it won't be defeated in one hit. Daring to release a Pokémon that is 4 times weak to Flying, it must be carrying a corresponding damage-reducing berry or item!

However, Burgh smiled slightly and snapped his fingers:

"Swagger!"

Lilligant rushed to Heracross at a very high speed, but this powerful bug just made a terrifying expression, and an invisible fluctuation spread toward the space in front. Vaguely, some kind of emotion that angered others was transmitted!

Lilligant immediately stopped the attack. The scene in front of her became chaotic, and at the same time, her attack increased significantly—it couldn't be increased anymore!

Swagger—Anger the opponent, making it confused. Because of anger, the opponent's attack will increase significantly. Even if the target is already confused or cannot be confused, the attack will still increase. Even if the target's attack has been increased to the maximum, it will still fall into a confused state!

This is a status move, and whether it hits or not has nothing to do with strength and the five physical stats.

However, if you use psychic ability, you can instantly lift this "negative state." But there is no need to use psychic ability in this match, so Xiang Guangtai also decisively swapped Lilligant out!

"You performed very well. Everyone is fascinated by your posture. Rest for a while."

Forcing back Lilligant, who had stacked Victory Dance to the full, Burgh also breathed a sigh of relief.

If that monster was left on the field, wouldn't the subsequent battle be completely one-sided? This would violate the main theme of battle art.

Fortunately, Mr. Xiang Guangtai didn't forcefully let Lilligant stay on the field. Burgh knew that for a psychic, lifting the confusion of his Pokémon was just a matter of minutes, especially when both sides were in a heart link.

"My, thanks!" Burgh nodded.

Xiang Guangtai: "You're welcome. After all, the theme of this battle is art."

"Then, my second one is Grotle!"

Boom! It is also a power-type player, but it is 2 times weak to bugs. It's just that when Grotle landed, Burgh's eyes changed again.

Right, it could be seen from the news! At that time, perhaps many people just thought it was a shiny.

But Burgh of course knew that although Grotle is a relatively rare Pokémon in Unova, the bushes on its back absolutely shouldn't be red.

That is obviously not the original bushes of Grotle. So, what kind of plant is that? And what kind of power will it have?

Or, is the Grotle in front of him also an "ancient regional form"?

Huhu! Grotle was a bit excited at this time, but it was still cautiously judging in its heart, and even started to simulate the results of the battle.

It's different from the big melee before.

Is this a one-on-one?

Looks very powerful... It seems it didn't say that the herbs on its body can't be used, right? Should it eat a few Revive Herbs later, and use the instant-cast tactics of Power Herb a few times? Isn't it a bit unsafe? Bug-type Pokémon restrain Grass-type.

Grotle muttered in its heart. Although it couldn't see any movement on the surface, Xiang Guangtai, who was heart-linked with Grotle, couldn't help but complain.

It fought very happily during the big melee, but when it's one-on-one, it thinks about a lot of things. This is also normal. After all, Grotle hasn't experienced many proper battles, although it became very eager for battle after being enlightened by him.

The inferiority in the past will turn into the power to move forward after evolution. The cautious personality always thinks about this and that before the battle. But once it quickly enters the battle link, Grotle won't think about too many things.

Just like when it confronted Aegislash during the Turtwig period.

Burgh saw Grotle's cautious posture and made a judgment in his heart.

Although it could be seen from the news before that the power of this strange Grotle is also very strong, but observing carefully now, it seems that it hasn't experienced many battles, belonging to the type with less experience?

Very little battle experience, that is to say, it didn't experience many battles in the wild?

Such Pokémon are actually quite common in gyms. Some trainers will also catch such Pokémon for gym battles. Of course, the results are often unsatisfactory. But Burgh doesn't think Xiang Guangtai sent it out casually.

This Grotle must have something extraordinary! Let me witness it!

"Come again, Swagger!"

Heracross repeated the old trick. The emotional fluctuation spread forward. However, Xiang Guangtai ordered in his heart.

Trailblaze.

Grotle's four claws stretched out, suddenly started to accelerate with kicking and stepping, and its speed increased in an instant, avoiding the fluctuation wave of Swagger!

"So fast! This shouldn't be the speed that this kind of medium-to-large Pokémon should have!"

"Trailblaze, jump to attack. Through light steps, you will increase your speed." When Xiang Guangtai explained, Grotle had already patted Heracross with one claw, pushing the latter out far away!

"Another move I haven't seen..." Burgh was overjoyed!

Surprise, surprise, if there's no surprise, how can there be joy?

Trailblaze is a move that cannot be learned by any Pokémon through leveling up. Xiang Guangtai once let Lilligant, who was still in the Petilil state, learn this move. It was a reward ability obtained by defeating Hisuian Electrode.

"However, it doesn't matter! Heracross, Double Team! Then, Aerial Ace!"

Double Team, move quickly to create clones, disturb the opponent, thereby increasing evasion!

Aerial Ace, tease the opponent with agile movements and then cut. The attack will definitely hit!

Heracross instantly found Grotle's direction. Guided by the power of the wind, countless giant horns slammed into the same position!

Nari and Scizor in the auditorium watched this scene intently.

Double Team + Aerial Ace is the move combination she and her partner like to use the most. Under the boost of the Technician trait, the power of Aerial Ace will undergo a qualitative change.

If Heracross uses it, although the power is also great, it is a bit worse than Scizor, which possesses the Technician trait.

Boom!

The 2 times weakness to Flying made Grotle at a disadvantage in the confrontation, but Grotle had already used other moves.

"Ha!"

Although Heracross has experienced many battles and has high strength, and Grotle has less battle experience, the heart link can effectively reduce the time for command and reaction. At the same time, Grotle has gradually entered the state of battle!

When fighting, forget those messy things!

Reflect!

A transparent wall was built. Heracross, who rushed over, discovered that the attack just now hit this transparent wall! And Grotle itself didn't suffer much damage!

"Come again...?! "

Burgh originally wanted Heracross to continue fighting, but the Poké Ball vibrated on its own, and Heracross was also bounced away by some force, instantly "bounced back" into the Poké Ball!

There is a piece of red shell on Grotle's shell... No, that's not a shell!

"Is that an item!" President Shinnosuke squinted and asked Miss Keiko beside him.

And Miss Keiko's battle level is not considered high, but she has also been trained in Black City, and it is not easy to make a name for herself in the Black Tower where masters gather!

"It should be an item that can affect the signal of the Poké Ball, but the effect shown is similar to 'Dragon Tail'! That is the unique skill of Mr. Drayden of Opelucid City!"

"Dragon Tail...?" This time it was Nari's turn not to understand.

Miss Keiko explained simply: "Dragon Tail, as the name suggests, is a move of Dragon-type Pokémon, using a huge tail to bounce the opponent away, forcing the replacement of a backup Pokémon!"

"This move was developed by Mr. Drayden, and Dragon Tamers all over the world are using it! But for trainers who are not Dragon Tamers, there is not much understanding of this move. After all, Dragon Pokémon are very rare... I heard that those who can get Mr. Drayden's recognition will be taught the mystery of Dragon Tail."

"That's right, the item used just now is Red Card," Xiang Guangtai explained:

"After the Pokémon carrying this item receives damage from any attack move, the attacker is randomly replaced with any backup Pokémon. The effect of the Red Card takes precedence over the move effects of U-turn and Volt Switch. Even if you use Substitute or Protect in advance, it's useless."

"However, don't worry, the battle effect of the Red Card can only be triggered once, and then it will enter a charging state. Rather, I designed it this way. Otherwise, it would be too annoying, wouldn't it."

"Of course, if I use Substitute or Protect, the Red Card will not activate."

"What an amazing item." Burgh was surprised: "This effect is indeed similar to Dragon Tail. It's just that one is an active attack, and the other is passive defense."

After Heracross was bounced back, the one pulled onto the field from the backup Pokémon was...

Vespiquen!

Vespiquen is like a bee. Its eyes are crimson, its pupils are white, and there is a ruby-like structure above its eyeballs. The lower end of its body is enlarged and concave inward at the end. This structure has yellow and black stripes, and it looks like a beehive from below.

Vespiquen is only female, and there is no male Pokémon corresponding to it.

The trait is Pressure!

"Actually not Wormadam?"

Burgh's ace... It can't be said to be an ace, it should be his representative Pokémon, Wormadam, but it didn't appear in this art battle?

"Everyone knows that my favorite Pokémon is Wormadam, so they will make targeted preparations. So making some changes and adjustments to the team and recombining them is also a good choice!"

"Gorgeous Bug Queen, crystal amber king, dance in the sun!"

"Vespiquen, Attack Order!"

Vespiquen's ruby-like eyes suddenly lit up. From the enlarged beehive-like body below, many bee larvae surged out. These larvae looked completely different from Combee, and looked like miniature versions of Combee, swarming toward Grotle!

Attack Order, Vespiquen's signature move, summons subordinates to launch a group attack on the opponent. Easy to hit critical hits.

This move has two different release methods. In the case of many Combee around, it is to summon Combee to launch a group attack together. And when there is only one Pokémon, Vespiquen, it will release many larvae from its body to surround the opponent, moving as fast as a storm.

These larvae can hit the opponent to attack; they can also release very sticky mucus like honey to block the opponent's line of sight.

A light green invincible shield opened around Grotle!

Protect!

A large number of bee larvae were blocked by Protect, and could only rage in vain outside, and soon exhausted. After all, they are larvae, and their existence is unclear. It is not known whether they can be listed as Pokémon.

The moment these larvae left, Protect disappeared, and Burgh caught this gap!

"U-turn!"

Return rapidly after attacking, and replace with a backup Pokémon!

Vespiquen slammed into Grotle!

"Red Card is indeed a very powerful item, but Bug-type Pokémon have plenty of ways to solve this trouble! U-turn, known as the god-tier replacement move, is one of them!"

However, facing Vespiquen's fast attack, Grotle suddenly aimed its back shell at Vespiquen!

The red bushes on its back lit up with scorching sunlight!

Solar Beam!

The instant Solar Beam startled Burgh. The effect of Sunny Day had already been lifted, why could it still be instant-cast!

"My Grotle is slightly different. The bushes on its back have the same effect as Power Herb, eliminating the charging turn and activating directly on the turn the move is used."

Xiang Guangtai's explanation made Burgh scratch his head repeatedly!

Got rid of the Red Card, and as a result, it came with a Power Herb?

Hey, hey, hey, this Grotle is indeed an ancient form!

And at this moment, Xiang Guangtai heard Grotle's heart voice.

Use... that! Grotle also had a new move!

Eh, you also have a new move?

Then use it!

Vespiquen returned to the Poké Ball, Heracross landed again, and at this moment, Grotle completed the preparation of the new move.

"However, Heracross is also ready! Heracross, let's defend with a solid body!"

"Endure!"

The overwhelming quicksand suddenly surged, forming a powerful storm, trapping Heracross in it!

Sand Tomb!

Heracross simultaneously covered its face with both arms, making a posture of endurance, and a hazy red halo appeared on its body, silently enduring the damage of Sand Tomb, and this is the precursor to accumulating power!

A Pokémon in the Endure state cannot act. During this period, the trainer cannot issue commands to use moves, items, replace, or escape to the Pokémon.

The Endure state will calculate all physical move and special move damage received by the Pokémon during the Endure period.

After the number of turns passes, when the Endure state is lifted, it will cause 2 times the damage received during the Endure period to the Pokémon that last attacked it!

However, Grotle was just to delay time!

Grotle suddenly restrained its movements. In Burgh's strange gaze, red light began to shine on Grotle's body!

Crack! Many cracks appeared on the edge of the turtle shell made of soil, and the connection between the golden armor also became loose, but this was not self-mutilation, but an extremely rare move—Shell Smash!

Break the shell, reduce defense and special defense, but will significantly increase attack, special attack, and speed!

Whoosh! At this time, Heracross's Endure also reached the time. It fiercely gathered powerful power and punched out of the quicksand storm!

Its body emitted red light, using the white giant impact wave surging from its fist to counterattack the opponent!

The storm formed by Sand Tomb was almost torn apart!

And Grotle also opened its big mouth, and countless seeds shining with light shot toward the quicksand storm!

Bullet Seed!

Burgh was taken aback. That violent Bullet Seed was completely different from the Bullet Seed he had seen!

Every seed was wrapped in spiral air waves, tearing out sharp whistling sounds in the air... like green rain!

Countless light bullets and the powerful impact fist of Endure collided together. Intense shockwaves appeared on the battle field, and light shone on Grotle's back shell.

Solar Beam!

Just like what Ash's Naganadel did, firing light waves from the auxiliary turrets on both sides of the abdomen, Grotle's Solar Beam could also be ready when using Bullet Seed!

Beam clash? Although standing on the left, this time it won't lose!

The moves of both sides constantly collided in the center. The white light on Heracross's shell swelled into a spherical barrier. The moment the seeds hit the barrier, the white light swallowed the impact force like a mirror surface, but every time it took a bullet, the barrier collapsed inward by an inch, and cracks spread like a spider web... It was shocked in its heart!

Continuous Bullet Seed, and Solar Beam bombardment, what kind of turret are you!

And Grotle's double feet stomped heavily!

Its body suddenly grew larger!

It's "Growth"! Let the body grow up at once, thereby increasing attack and special attack!

The nutrients of the soil were continuously converted into glowing seed energy. This time, what was sprayed out were pure energy seeds rather than mixed seeds that could be planted. The Bullet Seed offensive suddenly upgraded! The power began to skyrocket!

"Bullet Seed can actually last for such a long time!" Burgh had never thought he would see this scene. That unique Grotle really gave him no small inspiration. As an artist, the scene at this time was quite shocking, making his inspiration surge again!

Endless seeds, red Grotle, two torrents collided in the air, and a ring-shaped shockwave burst out at the junction of green and white... The seeds were constantly evaporated by the light cannon, but the saplings on Grotle's back shell continued to grow new leaves to supply ammunition, like an ancient war giant tree that would never dry up.

It hadn't evolved into its final form, but it was already dazzling. It was just that it was too introverted usually, or rather, it was overshadowed by that overly beautiful Pokémon, so it wasn't very conspicuous.

The ground collapsed under double pressure. Grotle's roots and Heracross's feet sank into the magma-like surging earth and stone at the same time, but still stubbornly held on without retreating half a step!

Finally, a grand explosion ended this battle that seemed to have endless power confrontation. The shockwave generated by the explosion pushed the two Pokémon apart, but the next moment, the two Pokémon cheered up at the same time and rushed toward the direction where each other was!

"Hercules! Gather all the power and use the God's Iron Fist!"

"Focus Punch!"

White light gathered on Heracross's bug claws, fiercely gathering energy!

Fighting-type ultimate move Focus Punch is very difficult to hit normally in the game, but it is an incomparably powerful move in real-time battles!

Burgh wanted to use the smoke of the explosion as cover to rush in front of Grotle in an instant and knock that Pokémon to the ground!

Just like described in the myths of some distant villages and towns, Heracross became huge, using unparalleled power to destroy high mountains and sink the earth!

Thus, the item carried by Heracross was also clear!

Under the back shell, a gem was shining!

Fighting Gem! After carrying, the power of Fighting-type moves will only be enhanced 1 time!

The white-hot fighting spirit wrapped around the fist. When it was blasted out, the giant wave-like shockwave blew away the black mist of the explosion!

One punch... hit?

The "Grotle" in front tilted and fell, but Heracross was highly nervous!

This is "Substitute"!

The heavy body fell from the sky, directly suppressing Heracross under its body!

Body Slam?

No, there is also a powerful move that Grotle mastered since it was a child! Double-Edge!

Heracross gritted its teeth, endured the damage, and forcefully threw Grotle out. This is a competition between powers! And immediately after, under the call of its trainer again, Heracross used Focus Punch again!

This time, it really hit Grotle!

However, Grotle used its side flank shell to take a Focus Punch head-on. The moment the cracks spread, the photosynthetic energy stored in the back shell was immediately poured into the wound. The soil and plants twisted constantly, and the roots spread outside the shell. The cracks were quickly eliminated by the cooperation of light and roots.

Heracross's Brick Break hit the turtle shell, actually making its giant pincers numb!

Withdraw + Synthesis, endless life!

Grotle absorbed the light!

In a zero-distance posture, Grotle used "Bullet Seed" + "Solar Beam" again!

In front of the "forest" shining with light, Heracross, known as the Hercules, was defeated head-on!

"Heracross lost the ability to fight!"

"Obviously it wasn't hit by a Flying-type move... Is that Grotle's physical strength too sufficient?"

Not only the people in the auditorium had this question, but Burgh was also puzzled.

His Heracross has experienced many battles and is equivalent to one of his ace Pokémon. It didn't take advantage in the process of double counterattack after using Endure. It was the first time the Endure tactic failed

"The collision of shells and root systems, a hymn of strength and tenacity! If it evolves into Torterra, how powerful would its strength become? Goodness, are the cautious posture before the battle and the posture during the battle completely two different Pokémon? Is this Grotle's nature 'Careful'?"

"It's the plant on its back; those plants have the ability to restore Grotle's stamina," Guang Tai answered with a smile.

"Well, it's a form I've never seen before, truly interesting. How many Pokémon are there in the world that haven't been depicted or seen! Then, for the last one, Vespiquen, take the field!"

"Your last one is..."

Guang Tai didn't let Grotle stay on the field any longer; at this moment, it finally reached the last one.

A white light flashed, and the blue Aura puppy landed on the ground. Unlike the appearance Burgh had seen before, the puppy now wore a gray cape, looking quite dashing!

"Oh! How handsome. As expected of that cute Riolu!"

It wasn't just Burgh who thought so; Nari in the spectator seats also had eyes slightly sparkling, and Miss Keiko beside her already had an "so cute" expression on her face.

Everyone likes the puppy; this is beyond doubt, and Riolu's popularity goes without saying!

"Is that an item? It's so obvious. Anyway, it's the last one, let me see what the effect of that item is!"

"Vespiquen, Attack Order!"

Receiving the command, Vespiquen's eyes turned red. Her ruby-like eyes transmitted a signal, and those strange larvae flew out buzzing again, circling around Riolu to launch an attack!

And according to Burgh's assumption, sure enough, next, that Riolu used Protect!

With arms blocking in front, making a "Light Screen rebound" motion, the blue light curtain blocked the larvae's attack, and the next moment, Vespiquen's hive aimed at Riolu's position!

Poison Sting! Dozens of poisonous needles stabbed into Riolu's body as Protect vanished!

"If it evolves into Lucario, the Poison-type wouldn't be able to cause much damage, but right now... getting hit by Poison Sting will result in being poisoned."

"Her rule needs no roar; when the moonlight pierces the amber shell and casts a thorny crown projection on the ground, all things kneel before this silent insect theocracy..."

"Wang wu!" While Burgh praised Vespiquen to express his art, the blue-furred puppy smirked.

With a shake of its cape, the poison needles on its body fell off with a clatter, and no additional effects appeared!

And the cape didn't have any damage either!

"Eh? An interesting item!" Burgh watched Riolu shake its cape quite spiritedly; it looked just like an ancient hero or warrior. As the cape rose and flicked off the poison needles, the posture, like a "hero's entrance," made Burgh's eyes light up.

That's the pose!

Ah, if it went to the BW Entertainment Company to audition in this appearance and perform in a Pokémon Musical, it would surely be very popular, right?

"Covert Cloak," Guang Tai explained in time, demonstrating to everyone: "After holding it, it can hide the body and become unaffected by the additional effects of Pokémon moves other than its own!"

"The toxin carried by Poison Sting is, of course, an additional effect. As long as one wears the Covert Cloak, this mysterious cloak will reject all additional external forces!"

Vespiquen felt confused that Riolu wasn't poisoned; it didn't quite understand what had happened and tried to repeat the same trick. Amidst Burgh's exclamation and command, it used Attack Order once again.

And this time, the blue-furred puppy clearly didn't intend to use Protect again.

Its claws made a motion of firing a wave.

Copycat!

And the ability, Prankster, allows status moves to have +1 priority, which is to strike first despite acting later!

Sharingan, activate!

A large number of "larvae" appeared around Riolu. These illusory larvae clashed with Vespiquen's larvae, making it hard to distinguish between them for a moment, and the Vespiquen on the field became even more confused!

Eh?! How come there's another batch of my children?

Released by the blue-furred puppy in front of me? Are you also an insect queen? But how come you look like a puppy?

Or could it be, are you also my child, just grown a bit larger?

Vespiquen tilted its head, losing the desire to attack, and instead began to recognize, but Riolu wouldn't let this opportunity pass!

"Awoo! (Good opportunity!)"

Blue Aura condensed in front of its chest, turning into a light bullet! The cape rustled, and Riolu's eyes were illuminated by the light!

The power of Aura, resides in my heart!

Aura Sphere!

"Air Cutter!"

The Aura Sphere hit Vespiquen, triggering a ripple explosion, but Vespiquen's typing resists Fighting by four times. It listened to Burgh's call, woke up from its trance, understood that the puppy in front of it wasn't its child, and thus no longer held back!

It flapped its wings, and the violent airflow turned into wind blades, slashing continuously toward Riolu with an effect that causes flinching!

But Riolu actually used the Covert Cloak as defensive equipment. As the cape waved, the wind blades formed by the airflow were blocked and deflected, and the flinching effect was also "blocked" away!

Confusion, burn, flinching, paralysis, freezing additional effects—all ignored!

And you just used a Flying-type move, right!

Riolu's hands waved forward!

Copycat: Air Cutter!

The endless wind blades formed by the same airflow swept Vespiquen into them, and the two-times weakness to Flying also destined that Vespiquen would be particularly uncomfortable at this moment!

Burgh of course issued a "Heal Order" in time, but those larvae around had long been exhausted from the battle with the fake larvae created by Riolu, and had no energy left to restore their queen!

"Truly amazing! You can actually copy the opponent's moves!"

Burgh clicked his tongue in wonder. When he first saw this Riolu, he felt it was extraordinary; he didn't expect it to be this strong!

Now, the high-power move "Hurricane" that Vespiquen mastered couldn't be used. If he wasn't careful and didn't defeat the opponent, it would instead be copied by that blue-furred puppy!

Ah, copying the opponent's moves and being able to act first—this is too cheap!

But it's not like there's no way to solve it!

"Although I had the thought of conceding, it's still too early for that now!"

"Vespiquen! Taunt!"

Riolu was startled!

Bu-howl!

It actually carries this kind of dirty move!

The queen with ruby-like eyes used Taunt, locking Riolu's Copycat!

Now the Sharingan can't be used!

"Awoo!" Riolu was a bit anxious and looked back at Guang Tai.

How could there be such a despicable status move!

And for Vespiquen, after Taunt, of course, it's...

Hurricane!

Finally, there's no need to worry about its finishing move being copied by the opponent and used against it; Vespiquen used all its power!

Attacks the opponent with a violent wind. Sometimes causes the opponent to become confused!

Vespiquen tapped its wingtips, and all the cyclones suddenly converged toward the center. The high-pressure airflow turned into a continuously rotating saw-blade storm wall, and the Flying-type energy rewrote the weather laws in the room with absolute dominance!

A violent wind like a tornado surged up; this is a high-power Flying-type move, and Riolu is two-times weak to Flying. If hit by Hurricane, without holding a Focus Sash, the probability of being defeated in one hit is quite high!

"Awoo!" Riolu wanted to use Protect!

But, can this violent hurricane really be blocked by its small body?

Guang Tai's inner voice sounded in Riolu's heart.

Don't panic.

Use "Dig."

Eh? The blue-furred puppy was stunned.

The opponent is Flying-type, you know. Using Dig can avoid Hurricane, but it can't attack it, and it can use Hurricane again immediately; it can't just dig the ground crazily.

Or, is it to delay the time of Taunt, right?

Riolu didn't understand what Guang Tai wanted to do, but unconditionally trusting the trainer during battle is something it must do!

Especially... its new trainer is very powerful!

That's right, then dig it is!

Riolu dug the ground with its hands and quickly hid underground, avoiding the Hurricane's attack! But Vespiquen had already risen high into the sky; a move like Dig is simply useless!

Just wait for the opponent to pop up, just once! Hurricane can completely defeat this blue-furred puppy!

Boom—!

The ground cracked, and Riolu rushed out from directly beneath Vespiquen!

This is the moment! Vespiquen flapped its wings again, and a violent Hurricane formed instantly!

But at the same time, the Taunt status also ended!

"Mind Reader."

Guang Tai's voice was transmitted to Riolu's heart in time!

Mind Reader, use your heart to feel the opponent's actions; the next attack will definitely hit the opponent!

After the previous craft work, Riolu obtained this egg move!

Then feel the power of Aura! Leap high and punch toward the sky!

Go, with your power, you can do it!

Quick Attack!

Riolu jumped on the spot, turning into a white light streaking across the high sky. Vespiquen wanted to avoid it and temporarily stopped manipulating the Hurricane, but Riolu's leap was like it had eyes; no matter how it dodged, it was ultimately hit by Riolu's punch!

"Oh no!" Burgh was startled; he realized it was bad!

Mind Reader + Quick Attack, the prelude to a fast approach and a guaranteed hit!

Blue Aura flared on Riolu's fists, and the golden lightning was dyed into a shining blue thunder!

Fists collided, arcs of light danced!

Thunder Punch!

Vespiquen suffered heavy damage; it flew crookedly in mid-air, while Riolu clung to its body, hitting it continuously with punch after punch until Vespiquen fell from the sky and crashed to the ground!

But the battle wasn't over yet; Vespiquen used its last strength to try to defeat Riolu before it could climb up!

However, there was only a small hole left on the ground! Vespiquen realized it was bad, but the violent wind had already surged up again. When the Hurricane ravaged the entire battlefield, Riolu had already appeared behind Vespiquen through Dig!

And the Hurricane was still continuing, so...!

Riolu hit Vespiquen, and the latter was lifted by Riolu with one hand and thrown into the sky, then its claws converged.

Call those violent winds echoing in the sky!

Riolu's gray cape rustled in the strong wind, and a powerful cyclone storm gathered between the blue puppy's claws!

Copycat: Hurricane!

The high-altitude cyclone hit Vespiquen head-on; the Hurricane airflow submerged her and defeated her completely!

"The hero who calls the storm... has defeated the queen who masters the violent wind!"

"Oh my, at least let me win one round... never mind, just joking!"

"Not using a Rock-type move to decide the outcome made my berries useless. I heard this Riolu came from the Cave of Origin, so I specifically prepared berries resistant to Rock... this is also an awkward thing that often happens in battles."

Knight, god, king, did the last one fail one after another?

How helpless!

Burgh looked helplessly at Vespiquen falling to the ground; he ran over, crouched down, and picked up Vespiquen's upper body, as if holding a true lady.

"Sorry, Queen. It seems that as a Gym Leader, my battle art still has room for further improvement."

"Please take a rest for a while."

(End of chapter)