"Cradily, Leech Seed!"
Steven noticed that Johan didn't switch out to Ninetales to seize control of the weather. Instead, Urshifu was enduring the sandstorm to power up. Steven immediately understood Johan's intent and issued a new command.
Cradily's limbs dug deeper into the ground, continuously draining moisture to fuel the sandstorm while simultaneously restoring its own condition.
From the tentacles on its head, Cradily released a flurry of seeds that scattered toward Urshifu.
As the seeds latched onto Urshifu, tiny vines sprouted and spread rapidly across its body. While too thin to restrict movement, they relentlessly sapped its stamina and transferred it to Cradily.
With the sandstorm and Leech Seed combined, Urshifu's stamina would continuously drain. Meanwhile, Cradily, with Ingrain and Leech Seed, steadily regenerated.
By the time Urshifu completed Swords Dance, it was already at a disadvantage in condition. And the longer the battle dragged on, the greater the pressure would become.
Still, for Johan and Urshifu, the cost was acceptable for the power boost Swords Dance provided.
He didn't use Ninetales to change the weather, and while Urshifu knew Rain Dance, its lack of weather-based training and Cradily's Storm Drain ability made weather control impractical.
"Urshifu, Aqua Jet! Get in close!"
A sudden rush of water cut through the sandstorm. Yet thanks to Cradily's Storm Drain, the water quickly began to fade.
Still, Aqua Jet gave Urshifu the speed it needed to close the gap swiftly.
"Cradily, Energy Ball!"
A glowing green sphere launched straight toward Urshifu, fists clenched and muscles taut.
With a slight pause, Urshifu surged forward. As the energy ball neared, it shifted its punch to a slicing palm and split the orb clean in two.
The energy dispersed behind Urshifu. The crowd was stunned.
What the—wasn't that a Fighting-type? How is it slicing energy balls in half?
That's the mastery of a true martial Pokémon.
Unbeknownst to them, Urshifu had studied under the Swords of Justice. After helping to rescue them, Johan had his Pokémon train with them—and Urshifu was the most diligent.
Though it lacked an actual blade, it had learned their techniques well.
With the attack split, Urshifu finally reached Cradily.
Johan had read Steven's plan—stalling with sandstorm and Leech Seed.
The longer it went, the worse it'd be for Urshifu.
So Johan chose to strike fast and hard—hence Swords Dance instead of Bulk Up.
"Substitute!" Steven was quick to react, despite his surprise.
Urshifu's fists shimmered with water.
The first punch shattered Cradily's substitute. A second leg sweep landed, the moisture absorbed instantly by the desert-dried field.
But the third strike, an uppercut, sent Cradily flying.
Cradily's Storm Drain nullified only the first strike of a multi-hit move. The final hit did real damage.
More importantly—Urshifu had also disrupted Ingrain and removed the recovery tactic.
"Cradily, Giga Drain!"
Cradily, midair, pulsed with green light. Its tentacles shot toward Urshifu, aiming to latch on and sap energy.
But Johan's eyes flashed with aura—and so did Urshifu's.
Urshifu's twin fists blurred, shattering the incoming energy strands before they could bind it.
Urshifu paused, locked eyes with Cradily, exhaled a puff of white breath, and struck.
The fragments of the Fist Plate on its chest shimmered faintly red as it attacked.
The world stood still for a breathless moment.
"Cradily, Recover!" Steven commanded.
White light enveloped Cradily—but Urshifu was faster.
Its fists blurred into a storm.
Each hit drew a cry of pain. Despite trying to heal, Cradily couldn't keep up.
One final punch—Cradily slammed into the dirt.
"Cradily is unable to battle!"
"Mr. Johan takes the lead!"
Cradily's icon next to Steven's face darkened on the scoreboard.
Urshifu roared to the heavens.
Steven pursed his lips.
Cradily just couldn't withstand Urshifu's continuous onslaught.
If that's the case...
He returned Cradily, hesitated briefly, then sent out his second Pokémon:
The metallic bird soared overhead, gleaming in the sun.
Johan narrowed his eyes. He knew this one well.
Sandstorm still raged as Skarmory soared high above.
Skarmory's metal sheen intensified, boosting its already high physical defense.
Was this setting up for Iron Defense + Brave Bird? Or just bolstering against Urshifu's attacks?
Either way—it was a smart call.
"Urshifu, Waterfall!"
Water surged beneath Urshifu, launching it skyward toward Skarmory.
You want an aerial battle? Fine—we'll take it to the skies!
But Steven and Skarmory didn't back down.
They weren't trying to kite Urshifu like Leon's Dragapult had tried—and failed.
Wings crackling with blue energy, Skarmory dove with full force.
Water and metal collided midair. A violent burst of spray and sand followed.
Urshifu crashed to the ground, barely managing to stabilize.
Skarmory, too, was shaken, flapping its wings midair.
Between the sandstorm, Leech Seed, Cradily, and Brave Bird, Urshifu was exhausted. Even with the boost from Swords Dance, it needed a break.
And against Skarmory—who had the upper hand—it was time to change tactics.
Steven's eyes sharpened.
Metallic feathers scattered to the ground, becoming hidden hazards.
Johan turned to his belt. He had the perfect counter for Skarmory.
But before he could act—pop!
A Poké Ball burst open on its own.
Tinkaton trotted onto the field, her massive hammer glinting under the sun.
Johan's lips twitched.
He'd meant to send out Ceruledge.
Tinkaton wasn't the ideal match against Skarmory. Their types didn't favor her.
Still—Tinkaton hadn't insisted. She merely requested to fight. And she was always obedient during battle.
Maybe raw stats did matter more than typing.
Besides—Tinkaton wasn't bothered by sandstorm.
Johan gave a wry smile. He always respected his Pokémon's wishes.
With a happy cry, Tinkaton bounded onto the field.
"Mr. Johan's second Pokémon is Tinkaton! A... surprising choice."
The audience murmured in confusion.
"No type advantage there..."
"Isn't Tinkaton also a physical attacker?"
"Against a maxed out Skarmory?"
Johan only had one thing to say:
"When spirit focuses—stone cracks!"
Even the hardest metal has weak points.
And no one knew metal better than Tinkaton.
Skarmory's Spikes, normally invisible, clung to Tinkaton's hammer instead.
Somehow, she had magnetized them right off the field.
"That hammer has magnetic powers?!"
Skarmory shuddered instinctively.
They were familiar foes.
Steven often asked Johan and Tinkaton to help polish Skarmory's feathers.
Tinkaton, however, wasn't arrogant. She knew how hard Skarmory's armor was.
Which made her all the more eager to test her latest improvements.
"Tinkaton, Fake Out!"
She hurled a rock upward—then whacked it with her hammer.
The surprise strike dazed Skarmory—causing it to flinch and lose altitude.
The audience watched as the hammer soared toward the falling Skarmory.
Steven's shout snapped it to attention.
It flapped hard, regaining clarity—but too late.
Tinkaton's hammer smashed into its head.
The sheer force stunned it again.
Tinkaton caught the hammer on the rebound.
"Skarmory, Steel Wing!"
Skarmory regained control and slashed at Tinkaton.
"Brace yourself—Swords Dance!"
Tinkaton blocked with her hammer, using the impact to charge up.
Your wings aren't stronger than my hammer!
Skarmory retreated into the sky again.
"Bring it down! Rock Slide!"
Tinkaton stabbed the earth, lifting a slab ten times her size, then smashed it skyward.
Rocks shattered—Skarmory flinched again!
"Wow, that luck... is this really Johan's battle?"
"Okay, she's built to knock birds out of the sky..."
"Seriously, how many birds has she smashed to get this good?"
Johan smiled faintly.
Sometimes, raw stats beat type charts.
"Let's see how solid your armor really is, Skarmory."
Tinkaton charged in again, hammer raised.
If flinching ends... confuse them!
Red light flashed—Steven recalled Skarmory just in time.
Any longer and it would've been pure hammer time.
And Johan... wasn't done.
"Cha?" Tinkaton blinked.
Wait—we're not done fixing it yet!...
For 20 advance Chapters: /michaeltranslates