"Huff... huff... Ee-yaaah!"
Having unleashed the Grass-type ultimate move Frenzy Plant, Sceptile had exhausted a great deal of energy.
Panting white mist heavily from its mouth, Sceptile's narrow eyes were fixed intently on the field covered in black roots. Watching the black plant roots slowly retract back into the ground after the attack, they eventually revealed Electabuzz who had been struck down!
"Buzz..."
At this moment, Electabuzz lay flat on his back on the now battered and pitted field. His eyes had started spinning in circles, clearly having lost the ability to fight.
"Return, Electabuzz!"
Seeing Electabuzz go down, Liam's expression remained calm. With an unruffled look, he took out a PokeBall, fired out a red beam, and recalled Electabuzz into the ball.
"Well done, Steven. I already knew you had grown, but I really didn't expect you'd grown this much. To think you've even mastered such a powerful Grass-type move like Frenzy Plant. Electabuzz lost without regret. After this battle, I think Electabuzz will never again underestimate any of his opponents."
Liam put Electabuzz's PokeBall back into his pocket, then said to Steven with a smile.
"Thank you for the compliment, Senior. Frenzy Plant is a move my Sceptile just learned, and its execution isn't yet perfect. Being able to use it smoothly this time was also a bit of luck on our part."
Hearing Liam's words, Steven couldn't help but show a hint of joy on his face. But then he nodded slightly and spoke very modestly.
"Heh, luck is also a part of strength. Winning is winning; that's a fact. However, I still have one more Pokemon that hasn't fought. I have faith in my Pokemon. In the next round, it definitely won't let me down."
As he spoke, Liam took out another PokeBall, a trace of a smile on his face.
"Oh? Senior is that confident? Does this mean you are finally planning to send out your main Pokemon to battle me? Ha! That's great! I can't wait to witness it! The strength of Senior's main Pokemon!"
Hearing Liam's words, Steven's eyes lit up instantly. An expression of eager anticipation quickly spread across Steven's face! His tone also rose with excitement.
"Uh, this one can't really be considered my main yet, since it's only been following me for a few days..."
Liam felt slightly speechless at Steven's remark. Holding the PokeBall in his hand, he hesitated for a moment about whether to open it.
"Hmm? Only been following you for a few days? Ho~ Now that makes me even more curious. If only a few days with you were enough for you to give such praise, just how amazing must this Pokemon be? I can't wait to see it any longer, Senior! Let's begin!"
After hearing Liam's words, the curiosity in Steven's eyes grew even stronger. He called out to Liam impatiently.
"Alright, Steven, you'd better be careful. Although this is this guy's first battle since joining me, its strength is not to be underestimated! Looking down on it will bring you trouble! So then, come on out, Gallade! Show us what you've got!"
"Gall!"
Liam threw the PokeBall in his hand vigorously! Then a flash of white light leaped out! Gallade's agile, powerful figure stood steadily on the already uneven field!
"This is... Gallade? So this is the one Senior was talking about."
When Steven saw Gallade appear on the field, disappointment was evident in his eyes. It seemed Gallade's appearance had not reached the level of expectation Steven had in his heart.
"Heh, didn't I just say it? Underestimating my Gallade will bring you trouble! Gallade!"
"Gall!"
"Show the opponent something fierce! Charge in with Night Slash!"
"Gall!"
The moment Liam's command ended, Gallade pushed off the ground with explosive force and dashed forward! Its well-proportioned body nimbly bounded across the uneven terrain. Meanwhile, the blade arm on its right side had become tinged with a dark purple-black glow!
"Sceptile! Block it! Use Leaf Blade!"
"Sceptile!"
Seeing Gallade launch its attack, Steven was not to be outdone! Upon hearing the command, the two blades on Sceptile's left arm shot out quickly! The emerald-green leaves shattered the thick ice encasing Sceptile's left arm. Wreathed in two beams of jade light, Sceptile's Leaf Blade rushed forward to meet Gallade's blade arm!
BAM!
The two attacks made contact instantly! And at the very moment the moves collided, the sound of clashing metal echoed through the air!
Then—
"Gall!"
With a sudden low growl, Gallade exerted even more force through its dark purple-black glowing blade arm! The immense power transferred outward swiftly. Sceptile, already having expended a great deal of energy in the earlier fight, was immediately sent flying back by Gallade's slash!
"Shaaa!"
Though sent flying, Sceptile had blocked all of Gallade's force with its Leaf Blade. As a result, Sceptile merely somersaulted in midair and landed steadily on the ground.
But the moment Sceptile landed—
"Nice work, Gallade! Now press the advantage! Use Teleport! Then, Slash!"
"Gall!"
Liam gave the command. Immediately, Gallade's body flickered with pink light. The next moment, its entire form vanished from its spot. When it reappeared in the blink of an eye, Gallade had already closed the distance, right in front of Sceptile!
And then—
Woosh!
Two flashes of white light streaked across! Before Sceptile's body, the white lights rapidly intersected into a massive cross shape!
"Scep.. tile!"
Accompanied by those two attacks, the light in Sceptile's previously startled eyes gradually faded. At last, Sceptile let out a low whimper, then bowed its head and collapsed to its knees.
"Gall..."
But just as Sceptile was about to fall, Gallade gently reached out and caught it. Gallade didn't let Sceptile simply collapse onto the ground. Gallade's battle etiquette was on full display in this moment.
"Sceptile!"
Seeing Sceptile fall, Steven quickly ran to the side of Sceptile, which Gallade was still supporting, and took the Pokemon into his own arms.
"You've already done very well, Sceptile. You've proven yourself. Now just rest."
Steven gently patted Sceptile's body, then took out a PokeBall and recalled it. Steven was obviously quite satisfied with Sceptile's performance.
"Senior, this Gallade really is impressive. I didn't expect my Sceptile to be defeated so easily."
After recalling Sceptile, Steven returned to his trainer's position, then turned to Liam.
"Actually, it's not a big deal. Steven, your Sceptile is very well raised. If Sceptile hadn't expended so much energy in the previous battle, Gallade's two attacks just now wouldn't have been enough to make Sceptile lose the ability to fight directly."
Liam was fully aware of his Gallade's strength. Although he believed Gallade wouldn't lose even if facing a fully-rested Sceptile, it would obviously have taken more effort.
After all, up until now, Gallade hadn't learned any additional moves via Technical Machines to improve its battling ability. In terms of comprehensive combat coverage, Gallade still had many shortcomings.
"Heh, Senior, you just said it yourself – winning is winning. Although my Sceptile has fallen, I still have Metagross. Now, Senior, let me show you the power of my Metagross! Go, Metagross! It's your turn to battle!"
BAM!
"Meta-gross!"
Following Steven's shout, Metagross, which had been quietly waiting behind Steven, quickly floated from its spot onto the field. Then it landed heavily on the ground. Immediately after, Metagross let out a roar from its mouth. Its calm eyes stared coldly at Gallade, clearly ready for battle.