Chapter 85: Kukui: There's Something Dirty Here

"Power Whip!"

Thick, emerald-green vines composed of energy sprouted from the sides of the rooted Venusaur, while successive explosions rang out incessantly in the air.

Even when resisting a Grass-type move, Ceruledge knew it absolutely could not be hit by this attack; Venusaur's strike was simply too powerful.

The Shadow Knight's movements resembled a hearty, unrestrained waltz, using the smallest possible amplitude to dodge Venusaur's sweeping attacks, before seizing the opportunity—Grudge Blade!

The great sword, burning with scorching flames, sliced straight through the emerald vines; unfortunately, since the vines of Power Whip were constructed from Grass-type energy rather than being actual physical extensions of Venusaur's body, they could not drain stamina.

Ceruledge would not let this chance slip, relying on sword speed honed through years of training to shred the energy vines into countless fragments in the blink of an eye; the next instant, a massive, crescent-moon-shaped psychic blade tore through the air, whistling toward Venusaur.

I cannot be hit by this move—

This thought flooded Kukui's mind as he waved his hand and shouted, "Petal Dance!"

The giant flower on Venusaur's back immediately erupted, spraying petals that filled the sky; each petal brimmed with dense Grass-type energy, and the gathered Petal Dance forcibly blocked the psychic blade, momentarily drawing the attention of both Geeta and Kukui to this fierce exchange of offense and defense.

Luo Mu wore an expression suggesting Kukui had been fooled again, issuing a command that sent a jolt through Kukui's heart: "Shadow Sneak!"

Kukui sharply snapped his gaze back, only to find Ceruledge's figure had vanished from its original spot without him noticing; crying out that this was bad, Kukui yelled, "Grass Pledge, do not let Ceruledge get close!"

Alas, this was an opportunity Luo Mu and Ceruledge had planned for a long time, and Kukui was ultimately one step too slow.

Shadow Sneak was merely a springboard for rapid movement; the true killing move had already been brewed during the transit!

The Cursed Armor on Ceruledge's body ignited with seemingly endless blue-purple flames, surging flames enveloping Ceruledge completely; then, the floor beneath Ceruledge, now appearing behind Venusaur, instantly cracked open, and carrying an unstoppable momentum, Ceruledge charged straight at Venusaur!

The blue flames coalesced into a massive fire tornado; unable to escape while rooted, Venusaur could only watch helplessly as its stamina was frantically stripped away by the blue flames, before its vision went black and its heavy, bulky body crashed to the ground with a boom.

After a moment of silence, Geeta announced, "Venusaur is unable to battle!"

"In the end... it's just you left, isn't it?" Kukui gripped the Poké Ball, its paint somewhat chipped, containing his first partner who had accompanied him from childhood all the way to this point.

With a determined gaze fixed on Luo Mu, Kukui decided to convey his full power and his Incineroar's full power to Luo Mu in a fair and square manner, embodying the hottest spirit of a Royal Battle!

Somewhat puzzled by Kukui's scorching stare, Luo Mu tilted his head, recalled Ceruledge, and muttered, "Let's try that one occasionally."

As soon as the words left his mouth, Luo Mu and Kukui simultaneously threw their Poké Balls.

"Incineroar!" "Mimikyu."

A black-and-red upright tiger radiating a majestic aura, and a small, harmless-looking doll appeared on the field.

Incineroar versus Mimikyu, a Generation Seven civil war!

Before Luo Mu could issue an order, Kukui suddenly let out a sharp cry of disbelief as he looked at the Pokémon Luo Mu had sent out: "Mimikyu!? You have a Mimikyu on your team?"

Luo Mu paused for a moment, then suddenly realized the truth.

It seemed he indeed hadn't introduced Mimikyu to Kukui over the past few days, and given Mimikyu's own constitution, unless engaged in direct combat or explicitly pointed out by Luo Mu, everyone would subconsciously overlook its existence.

No wonder Kukui felt so astonished by Mimikyu's appearance.

From outside the battle field, Geeta clapped her hands and said, "Oh my, it's actually this Mimikyu; long time no see~"

Mimikyu was delighted that Geeta and Kukui could perceive its existence; bubbles of happiness emanated from its true form hidden beneath the rag, and a Shadow Claw poked out from under the costume, waving cheerfully at the two.

At this moment, after the strenuous battles of Swampert and Ceruledge, the effect of Stealth Rock had finally faded, so the appearing Mimikyu suffered no damage.

Rubbing his confused head, Kukui decided not to bother considering why Luo Mu actually had a Mimikyu as a main force, or what identity that Moltara held, and simply shouted, "Snarl!"

"Roar!" (#`O′)

Incineroar unleashed a roar possessing the majesty of the king of the forest; immediately, dense Dark-type energy used the roar as a medium, sweeping toward Mimikyu along with the energy triggered by its Intimidate ability.

Facing the incoming attack, Mimikyu remained calm, choosing to stay obediently in place and await Luo Mu's command.

This was solely because it was a harmless, cute Ghost-type Pokémon.

Luo Mu spoke at this moment: "Endure it, and then... Curse!"

Curse?

Kukui frowned; to be honest, he was very knowledgeable about many moves, even planning to continue researching moves in the future to earn the title of Professor, yet this Curse move was something he had rarely seen.

Basically, many trainers would choose not to use this move, because—the side effects were too severe.

Suddenly, eerie Ghost-type energy that looked utterly spine-chilling rose behind Mimikyu, crossing space in an instant to descend upon Incineroar.

Subsequently, Mimikyu's aura plummeted rapidly, dropping directly from full condition to a state of nearly half health.

However, despite paying such a heavy price, Incineroar looked as if nothing had happened; it merely stretched its body with a strange expression, and upon discovering that nothing had occurred, it flashed a mocking, sinister smile at Mimikyu.

It looked extremely deserving of a beating, very much like a Dark-type Pokémon.

At the same time, the slightly delayed Snarl struck Mimikyu's body; the doll, which had been standing upright like a Pikachu, suddenly went limp with a flop, instantly drooping down.

Seeing this scene, Geeta stroked her chin, lost in thought.

Kukui felt as though a mist shrouded his mind; he was just a hair's breadth away from figuring out Luo Mu's objective, but with no other choice, he could only shout, "Flamethrower!"

Incineroar let out a sinister laugh, as massive amounts of flame coalesced into a pillar of fire spewing from the flame belt around its waist, aiming directly at Mimikyu's small body.

Luo Mu stated calmly, "Dodge, Pain Split!"

Mimikyu moved with exceptional agility; its true form beneath the doll manipulated a Shadow Claw to swipe at the ground, launching itself high into the air to narrowly evade the Flamethrower, after which another wave of bizarre energy began to fluctuate.

At this moment, Incineroar instinctively sensed something was wrong and without hesitation chose to start running, attempting to dodge that strange sensation.

However, the strange fluctuation arrived as expected; Incineroar's pupils constricted sharply as it felt its stamina rapidly decline, while the portion that decreased transformed into emerald green light particles that flowed into Mimikyu.

What the hell is this!?

Incineroar nearly cursed aloud, but before it could make a sound, a chilling sensation surged through its entire body; the vanished eerie Ghost-type energy returned with a vengeance, like an unwelcome malicious guest, rampaging wildly within its body!

Only now did Incineroar and Kukui realize just how "dirty" a tactic Luo Mu had chosen to employ, making the two of them, who desired a straightforward duel, look like clowns in comparison.