Chapter 397: Excadrill vs. Electivire
Back during the Huaxia League Conference, Ninetales had been a higher level than
Electivire, leading by two stages.
But by the time Kenji reached the Road to the Championship, the power dynamic
had shifted. Electivire had surged ahead, surpassing Ninetales by one level.
This was even more impressive considering Electivire's growth had been "paused"
for an entire month due to the [Solo Leveling] Hex Core (which had funneled all
team experience into Gyarados). Had it not been for that month-long delay,
Electivire would likely be sitting at Level 83 or higher by now.
Of course, Electivire's superior natural potential and combat intuition played a
role, but one couldn't deny the sheer, grinding effort the thunder beast had put
in during the off-season.
As Electivire hit the field, the motes of white light left behind by Ninetales's
Baton Pass flooded into its body.
Baton Pass triggered! Electivire's Speed is boosted by three stages!
"Electivire! Thunder Armor!!"
"ELE-BZZZT!!!! —"
Electivire let out a roar, slamming a massive fist into its own chest. The
impact sounded like a heavy mallet hitting a war drum.
In the next instant, jagged bolts of lightning erupted from its core, coiling
around its body like living serpents until they solidified into a crackling,
high-voltage suit of armor.
Mason Chu scowled. As a Steel/Electric specialist, he knew a pure Electric-type
like Electivire was a nightmare matchup for his Magnezone. Not only did
Electivire resist both his primary types, but its Motor Drive ability turned any
Electric-type move he used into a free speed boost for the opponent.
Against Electivire, Magnezone wasn't just ineffective; it was a liability.
Kenji, meanwhile, held all the cards. While Electivire's own Electric moves were
resisted by the Steel-type Magnezone, the beast possessed a diverse arsenal of
Fire-type coverage moves. And with the Sunny Day still scorching the field from
Ninetales's earlier entry, even those non-STAB fire moves would hit with the
force of a supernova.
"Return, Magnezone."
After only a second of hesitation, Mason made the rational choice. He recalled
the machine and brought back his first fighter.
"Go!! Excadrill!!!"
Excadrill returned to the field, but it was a shadow of its former self. It was
still suffering from the Burn inflicted by Ninetales, and its stamina was
heavily depleted. Its most dangerous asset—its physical Attack power—was now
severely neutered by the burn debuff.
Mason's strategy was simple: stall. He needed to waste the duration of the Sunny
Day and chip away at Electivire's health until a better opportunity arose.
"Electivire!! Flame Punch!!"
"ELE-BZZZT!!!! —"
BOOM!!!! —
Wrapped in its Thunder Armor, Electivire became a golden blur. Combining Quick
Attack with Fire Punch, it lanced across the arena like a thunderbolt, fists
wreathed in roaring flames.
"Earth Power!!"
BAM! BAM! BAM!!! —
Excadrill was in no condition for a head-on brawl. Under Mason's command, it
injected Ground energy into the floor. A forest of jagged rock pillars erupted
from the sand, aiming to wall off Electivire's charge.
But with +3 Speed, the momentum of Quick Attack, and the protection of Thunder
Armor, Electivire was unstoppable. It didn't weave through the pillars; it
smashed through them.
KRA-KOOM!!!! —
A massive stone pillar exploded into dust as Electivire's fist connected.
Excadrill was right behind the rubble, its eyes wide as the flaming fist grew
larger in its vision.
Protect!!!! —
Just as the Fire Punch was about to connect, a pale green dome flared into
existence.
Electivire's fist slammed into the shield, sending a spray of sparks and fire
dancing across the energy barrier.
"Dig!!! —"
Using the split second provided by the shield, Excadrill dove. It clawed
frantically at the earth, vanishing underground before Electivire could follow
up.
"Earthquake!!! —"
Kenji wasn't letting it hide. Electivire slammed both feet into the arena floor,
intending to collapse the tunnels and crush the mole with raw seismic force.
"Now! High-Speed Drill Run!!!"
Mason's eyes flashed. He had been waiting for the exact microsecond Electivire
committed to the Earthquake.
Before the tremors could reach full power, the ground beneath Electivire burst
open. Rotating at a frequency that made the air scream, Excadrill rocketed
upward like a subterranean missile.
Electivire aborted the Earthquake instantly, crossing its massive arms to guard.
BAM!!! —
The Drill Run struck home. The force was enough to physically shove the massive
Electivire back several meters, its feet plowing deep furrows into the arena
floor.
Despite the burn debuff, a Champion-level STAB move from a Level 96 opponent was
still a formidable force.
Fortunately, the Thunder Armor acted as a secondary buffer, absorbing nearly all
the kinetic impact. Electivire's HP remained safely in the green.
The counter-attack had failed to deal damage, but it had brought the two Pokémon
into point-blank range.
At this distance, there was no escaping a 4-Star Electivire with +3 Speed and
Thunder Armor.
Electivire didn't wait for a command. It uncoiled and unleashed a point-blank
Fire Punch.
Excadrill tried to parry with its Metal Claw.
CLANG!!!! —
Steel met fire. The type advantage, combined with Excadrill's burn-weakened
muscles, meant the trade was entirely one-sided. The mole was overpowered, its
guard forced open.
Before Excadrill could reset, a second Fire Punch followed. And a third.
The assault was relentless. Electivire's attack speed was beginning to climb at
an unnatural rate.
This was the effect of the Radiant Guinsoo's Rageblade. With every move
executed, its Speed increased further. It was becoming a perpetual motion
machine of violence.
THUD!!!! —
After a final exchange, Excadrill staggered, its legs trembling.
Seeing the mole lose its balance, Electivire's twin tails lashed out like
striking cobras. Moving with a predatory intelligence, the black cables wrapped
around Excadrill's wrists, pinning its primary weapons to its sides.
Stripped of its claws, the mole was a sitting duck.
Electivire raised a fist for the finishing blow. Excadrill's "Danger Sense"
flared. In a desperate, last-ditch effort, it whipped its head forward, the horn
on its forehead glowing with a brilliant, metallic light.
It was going for a point-blank Iron Head to break the hold.
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