Chapter 993

The main venue was bustling with excitement.

Mega Mawile's powerful strength made all the audience members full of fantasies about it leap with joy.

As expected, the one who appears last is the most powerful!

The Mawile fan club held up their phones, wishing they could rush into the arena to film at close range.

On one hand, it was out of love for Mawile.

On the other hand, the president, Bei Lingyin, was generous and held an internal Mawile tournament record activity.

As long as the live match process was posted to Poké-Sound, they would receive certain material rewards, and the top ten would even have the opportunity to receive "official" thank-you materials.

That is, various peripheral products made by Porygon through a 3D printer under Mawile's commission.

Fans who couldn't reach the scene were extremely regretful.

Of course.

All of this had nothing to do with Bartlas.

He needed to alleviate the anxiety brought by the critical battle situation and accept the fact that he was about to face a crushing defeat.

How many years had it been since he was beaten to this extent?

Since earning the honorary title of Battle Mountain Master and standing at the peak of Battle Mountain, even if there were occasional defeats, they were within reason.

"Hiss—hoo..."

Bartlas adjusted his state silently.

The match wasn't over yet.

To say there was no chance at all was not the case; the key lay in whether he could grasp it.

Whether his Pokémon could grasp it!

"I'll leave it to you!"

Bartlas's voice was low.

Bang!

Light fell into the forest.

A saw-toothed stag beetle with curved horns like thorns, mouthparts like a black hole, and thick, long arms appeared.

No hesitation.

Bartlas took out his Mega Ring, "Come on!"

A mysterious halo and a purple translucent sphere shrouded Pinsir.

The curved horns became longer and thicker in the white light, jagged spikes grew like tree branches, and the back shell opened with a snap, revealing golden transparent insect wings.

Hum!

"Click!!"

Mega Pinsir soared into the sky, its golden insect wings vibrating at high speed, circling and flying like lightning.

Shiratori shouted, "Trainer Bartlas's last Pokémon! His ace, Pinsir! Successfully Mega Evolved!"

Mega Evolution waves hadn't been mass-produced yet and hadn't been announced by the Orre officials.

Seeing Pinsir's slightly strange evolution, the audience whispered but didn't pay too much attention.

They were eager to see the clash between the two Pokémon.

All Baimu wasn't impatient.

It was obvious that Mega Evolution waves weren't as good as Mega Evolution; the former's advantage lay in having a lower threshold than the latter and being easier to manipulate.

Simply because Mega Evolution waves couldn't provide massive elemental energy to Pokémon, there were no significant differences in other aspects.

In other words.

The various abilities improved and characteristics changed by Mega Pinsir were all genuine.

"Taunt."

"Chee-doh!"

Mega Mawile looked at Mega Pinsir and hooked its right hand.

Sometimes Taunt isn't complicated; for a Pokémon that is strong enough, as long as it shows a posture of wanting to fight.

It can make the opponent take the bait!

Sure enough.

Even if Mega Pinsir had no anger in its heart, the rising fighting spirit still made it fall for the trick.

Dark light sealed its status moves.

Bartlas shouted, "Quick Attack!"

"Click!"

Mega Pinsir flapped its wings and flew fast, shuttling through the forest at lightning speed; the numerous "obstacles" hid its figure well.

Only the sky-blue trajectory lingering in the air proved that it had briefly existed somewhere.

【Aerilate】.

Can convert Normal-type moves into Flying-type and slightly increase power.

And it's necessary to understand.

Mega Mawile resists Flying-type, and Bug-type is resisted twice over!

Both of its STABs were blocked.

Mega Pinsir's situation wasn't very good from the start.

To win.

It could only take a side path!

"Click!"

It moved its figure nimbly, and when Mega Mawile's attention was attracted by the residual trajectory, it immediately leaned in from the side!

But the moment it approached.

The two giant jaws behind Mega Mawile's head seemed to have eyes, biting toward it at extreme speed!

Attacking after the opponent—

【Sucker Punch】!

Hum!

The wind whistled!

However, this nearly guaranteed bite missed; Mega Pinsir flashed backward with a tiny amplitude, completely ignoring the inertia of the charge!

"Chee-doh!"

Mega Mawile missed its Sucker Punch and immediately rotated its body to adjust its orientation, intending to pursue Mega Pinsir a second time.

Unfortunately, the opponent wasn't slower than it in terms of burst speed alone.

Especially in the forest environment, it was like adding wings to a tiger, disappearing without a trace after a few flashes.

Shiratori said excitedly, "The first wave of probing is over! Neither side touched the opponent; Trainer Bartlas is cautious. It seems the consecutive defeats of Gyarados and Crobat have had a significant impact on him!"

Not to mention before battling All Baimu, even in the first half, Bartlas's fighting style was aggressive, not hiding and fighting like now.

The strong and the weak were clear at a glance!

"Probing by a bug..."

All Baimu's gaze passed through the forest and landed on Bartlas.

Mega Mawile's attack power was solid; Mega Pinsir did have improved physical defense, but it might not be able to take a hit.

This greatly reduced its fault tolerance.

And so.

Mega Pinsir had to ensure that its output was in an absolutely safe environment.

But how to implement this?

"X-Scissor!"

Bartlas gave the command.

Then the buzzing sound in the forest suddenly increased, and black shadows shuttled back and forth at extreme speed, with various green glows lingering to confuse the vision.

All Baimu said, "Magnet Rise."

"Chee-doh."

Mega Mawile flew up slowly, lightning wrapping around its body.

What exactly was the opponent's goal?

When countless branches and leaves suddenly detached from the trees, flying in the strong wind kicked up by Mega Pinsir's wings, making everything in the arena hazy.

The answer was clear.

"Thinking too much! Fairy Wind!"

"Chee-doh!"

Mega Mawile whirled and turned, the pink gale rolling up an even larger airflow, shaking all the surrounding branches and fallen leaves away.

Pfft, pfft, pfft—

Mega Pinsir, hidden in the dark, advanced instead of retreating!

"Quick Attack!"

Bartlas shouted.

The opportunity had come!

Mega Mawile didn't have ordinary area-of-effect means; its most proficient move was called Fairy Wind, which he knew very well.

Therefore, as long as the Fairy Wind, which belonged to special attack, was forced out, Mega Pinsir could output safely!

Mega Pinsir tore through the white mist, its whole body shrouded in pale blue light, approaching against the pink gale.

"Click!"

Its curved horns tried to pinch Mega Mawile's head, restraining that pair of giant jaws.

But was the situation really that smooth?

The moment the enemy approached.

Mega Mawile suddenly threw its extended giant jaws toward the ground!

Yes.

Without knowing when, Mega Mawile had quietly approached the ground during the process of expelling leaves and branches.

It seemed its fist distance wasn't enough, but how could a gorgeous ace have only one way to release a move!?

"Stone Edge."

"Chee-doh!"

Thud!

The earth collapsed with a boom under the impact of the giant jaws, shattering like a thin, crispy cracker; when Mega Pinsir clamped onto the remaining giant jaws, countless huge stone spikes broke through the ground!

"Click!"

Creak—

Large swaths of trees were shattered by the stone spikes, making a tooth-aching falling sound.

Dust and smoke drifted.

Shiratori shouted excitedly, "Pinsir is fast as lightning! Mawile lures the enemy into the trap! Under the super-effective Stone Edge, can Pinsir hold on?"

The combination of Bug and Flying types meant a four-fold weakness to Rock-type moves.

As long as it hit, survival was basically impossible.

The audience looked at the arena expectantly.

And when the smoke cleared.

The expected situation hadn't happened; Mega Mawile stood alone on top of a stone spike, with half a broken horn protruding from its left giant jaw.

To ensure it hit Mega Pinsir accurately, it allowed itself to be clamped.

Unfortunately, Bartlas had been alert early on, using the lower-power, high-mobility Quick Attack.

Mega Pinsir sacrificed its "arm" to dodge this fatal Stone Edge.

Shiratori exclaimed, "Pinsir actually paid such a huge price!"

The audience couldn't help but marvel at its decisiveness.

A Pokémon's horn is equivalent to human limbs; it's not something that can be broken just like that.

What a huge price!

"Chee-doh."

Mega Mawile frowned.

It hated this kind of enemy that dodged back and forth the most; moving entirely by burst speed, it was really difficult to handle the opponent's continuous high-speed maneuvering.

The strongest spear without speed enhancement would only be a cold weapon. To become an intercontinental missile that kills gods, it still had a long way to go.

Not far away.

Mega Pinsir stroked its broken horn.

Its prideful horn was shattered; it was impossible not to feel heartbroken, but fortunately, as long as it was bandaged properly after the match, it could be reattached.

If it couldn't be reattached...

It would probably take many years to grow as long as the other side.

So heartbroken!

Mega Pinsir was angry; even if it was its own choice, it didn't hinder its anger toward Mega Mawile.

Bartlas felt his Pokémon's emotions and pondered slightly.

In the current situation.

Mega Mawile used Magnet Rise, shielding the Ground-type moves that would be super-effective against it.

Causing Mega Pinsir, which didn't know Fire-type moves, to only be able to fight it with Flying-type moves.

But the fault tolerance was really too low.

How many horns could it break?

"One chance."

Bartlas had to accept this reality.

The Taunt status meant Mega Pinsir had no way to increase its attack, and it couldn't confuse vision through various status moves.

Being able to use the arena just now to form a situation similar to Double Team was already the result of it going all out.

Then.

There was only one answer.

"Quick Attack!"

Mega Pinsir vibrated its golden wings, approaching Mega Mawile amidst the rubble at an exaggerated speed difficult to distinguish with the naked eye.

The goal wasn't to attack.

It was looking for the blind spot of Mega Mawile and All Baimu's observation, waiting for the moment when their attention dropped.

"It's coming, get ready."

All Baimu, however, seemed to have foreseen it, anticipating Bartlas's plan.

Shiratori shouted, "Pinsir is looking for an attack opportunity! But Mawile's defense is watertight!"

Defense?

That was also correct to say.

Offense is the best defense; I don't know who passed down this maxim.

All Baimu took the initiative to let Mega Mawile sell a flaw, moving its giant jaws to both sides, as if observing, leaving its back wide open.

Didn't move.

He realized Bartlas wasn't that easy to fool, so he waited calmly for Mega Pinsir to attack.

Interestingly.

When he sold a flaw, the opponent didn't take the bait; when he relaxed and sat waiting for the attack, the opponent took it!

Hum!

Mega Pinsir flew straight into the sky and then quickly flipped and rushed down toward Mega Mawile!

Blind spot—the top of the head!

It made the most critical judgment.

Bartlas also gave his decision: "Guillotine!"

Betting on a one-hit kill!

All Baimu's mouth curled up slightly.

Bartlas wasn't weak; he had standard Elite Four-level combat power, and could even be considered one of the stronger ones among the Elite Four.

In the recent data All Baimu had obtained, his Pinsir's level was as high as seventy-six!

And before today.

Mawile's level was also seventy-six.

But just this morning.

All Baimu, through "Immortal's Head-Patting," granted Mawile two new levels, successfully breaking it through to the seventy-eight-level mark!

A difference of one level is a world of difference.

A difference of two levels is like a chasm!

"Iron Head."

"Chee-doh."

Mega Mawile allowed itself to be clamped by the huge white pincer shadow in front of Mega Pinsir, raising its giant jaws high and smashing them down like a heavy hammer!

Bang!

Mega Pinsir fell to the ground, countless stone spikes exploding beneath it!

Bang!

Dust flew.

Shiratori exclaimed, "Guillotine hits! Ineffective! Mawile's energy level is higher than Pinsir's! Trainer Bartlas made a judgment error!"

Hum!

The audience went crazy.

On the big screen, Bartlas also appeared somewhat astonished in the camera.

Seemed not to expect that the data he had obtained just a few days ago had become outdated.

Mawile leveled up? Mawile leveled up again?

Bartlas had to accept that this desperate strike had failed.

Inside the arena.

The drifting smoke dissipated.

The referee approached, looked down at Pinsir, which had returned to its original state amidst the rubble, and raised his right hand.

"Pinsir is unable to battle! Trainer Bartlas has lost all his Pokémon; the winner of this match is Trainer All Baimu!"

"A hammer blow to settle the outcome! In the second half of the Orre League semifinals, Mawile realized its queen-like ruling power! Helping Trainer All Baimu ascend to a new level!"

Shiratori shouted hysterically.

The second half, Mawile's wonderful performance, was enough to be recorded in the annals of the Orre Conference.

He could also enjoy the glory!

The audience shouted mountain-shaking cheers, releasing their worship for All Baimu and Mawile to their heart's content.

"Chee-doh."

Mawile returned to its original state and bowed gracefully to thank them.

Although it only appeared for half a match, its League Conference journey was as complete as the Hydreigon that defeated Entei.

Next.

Leave it to the ace!

All Baimu looked at Pinsir and shook his head with slight regret; he had used the hard-won level reward just to guard against Guillotine.

The uncertainty of this move was too strong.

He had to ensure Mawile's performance in the second half; the first conference was enough to affect their future.

If Mawile were taken out by Guillotine, it would be enough to disgust it for decades.

And the level reward used was the lv. 85 limited exchange reward, not the lv. 90 limited simulation reward, so it wasn't too much of a loss.

"Complete victory!"

All Baimu applauded his own wonderful performance.

Four Pokémon beat all the opponent's; wasn't it cheating if it wasn't closed?

Hmph, hmph!

He raised his hand to Mawile, who flew over and happily high-fived its trainer.

Clap!

Semifinals—breakthrough!