"Well done, Skorupi! That's enough!" Aoki called out. "Slowking, use Psychic to push Zangoose away! Skorupi, step back and recover!"
Aoki had been observing Skorupi's fight, but he never intended to interfere. Everything had gone smoothly for the scorpion so far—always battling weaker opponents under Aoki's protection. But this time, Zangoose had suppressed what Skorupi did best. It was a real challenge, one that would push the scorpion's fighting spirit forward.
Skorupi's claws trembled, locked onto Zangoose's arm. Even though his legs were buried deep in the ground from the strain, he refused to let go. Aoki was satisfied. Those unyielding eyes told him all he needed to know.
With a flick of its wrist, Slowking's psychic energy hurled Zangoose backward, freeing Skorupi. Slowly, the scorpion pulled itself from the soil, its joints stiff from overexertion. It staggered at first but steadied itself after a few steps.
"Slowking, use Heal Pulse on Skorupi." Aoki tossed some Pokéblocks into the scorpion's mouth, then handed it a bottle of Moomoo Milk. "Take a moment to recover."
Now, the battlefield had shifted. Slowking stood opposite Zangoose, while Murkrow and Sneasel continued their relentless assault on Breloom.
Kaiji's expression darkened. His Pokémon weren't down yet, but they wouldn't last much longer. Zangoose was still poisoned—his attacks had grown stronger, but his body was failing him. And Breloom, despite Poison Heal, couldn't regenerate fast enough under the constant pressure from Murkrow and Sneasel.
Aoki didn't hesitate. "Sneasel, Icy Wind! Then move in for continuous Ice Punch attacks! Murkrow, charge up Brave Bird! Finish this!"
"Slowking, use Psychic on Zangoose!"
Among all of Aoki's Pokémon, Slowking was the perfect counter to Zangoose. Even with its Poison Surge ability boosting its power, the mongoose couldn't land a hit on Slowking, whose Teleport made it impossible to pin down.
Sneasel unleashed a chilling gust, slowing Breloom even further. Ice crystals formed around its joints, hampering its movements. The next Ice Punch would be devastating.
Kaiji gritted his teeth. His Pokémon were being cornered, and he knew it. He reached for his belt, pulling out two more Pokéballs. He had hoped Zangoose and Breloom would be enough—but now he had no choice.
With a flick of his wrist, he released two more Breloom.
Both were well-trained, nearly level 30, and raised together from birth. Their coordination in battle would be far superior to anything Aoki had seen so far.
Kaiji's voice was cold. "Breloom—attack the trainer!"
The two Breloom lunged straight for Aoki.
"Skorupi! This is your real fight!" Aoki called out. Read complete version only at n̷o̷v̷e̷l̷f̷i̷r̷e̷.net
The scorpion's eyes burned with determination. Facing Zangoose had been brutal, but now he had a chance to prove himself.
"Bug Bite! Poison Tail!"
Without hesitation, Skorupi charged, intercepting the Breloom mid-sprint. His massive pincers clamped down on both, halting their advance with sheer force. They snarled, pushing against him, forcing his feet to dig into the dirt as he slid back.
Dust flew as they struggled. But then, like lightning, the scorpion's poison-tipped tail lashed out, striking one Breloom in the side. Poison seeped into its body immediately, slowing its movements.
Kaiji's expression twisted in frustration. "Breloom! Fire Punch—burn him!"
Flames erupted from Breloom's fist as it lunged forward. But Skorupi was ready.
He released the poisoned Breloom, then lunged forward with fangs of his own—glowing with Bug-type energy. He bit down on the unpoisoned Breloom's exposed back.
The Breloom howled in agony as Skorupi's Sniper ability triggered, dealing massive damage.