"Drapion, Poison Rhombus."
As Drapion seized the last opportunity to scatter a handful of Poison Rhombus across the field, it then collapsed heavily onto the ground, losing its combat ability.
"Togetic!"
Togetic clenched its small fist and held its head high, twirling around the field, basking in the cheers directed at it.
Defeating Drapion was quite a challenge for it.
Although the outcome was good, Togetic was inevitably wounded as well.
Of course, after the taunt ended, it quickly regained some of its state using the "Dawn" technique.
"Come back." Natsuhiko called out with a smile and scold.
Oh.
Togetic obediently flew to Natsuhiko's side, perched on his shoulder, and took a breath.
So tired.
Natsuhiko took out a Pokeball.
Leisi's expression turned solemn.
Kona and the others noticed Natsuhiko using Togetic for practice; would he remain unaware?
Nevertheless, precisely because of this, Leisi felt he was being underestimated.
Watching Natsuhiko recall Togetic, and seeing the field on Natsuhiko's side covered with Poison Rhombus, Leisi made a simple judgment.
Natsuhiko would send out Beedrill.
Which could ignore the impact brought by these Poison Rhombus.
Time was limited, so he didn't have much time for thorough thinking under the watchful eyes of the referee urging him. Leisi took out another Pokeball.
Two beams of red light flashed.
"Screech!!"
Wings flapped.
Leisi summoned a Staraptor, known as the "Household Bird" in the Sinnoh Region, a General Type and Flying Type Pokemon, meant to restrain Beedrill, an Insect-type.
However, Natsuhiko summoned not Beedrill, but Doublade!
"Hah!"
This was Doublade's first appearance in the "Lily Youth Competition" this time.
Doublade landed on the ground, immediately feeling a bit uncomfortable underneath, lowered its head to see spiky purple rhombus-shaped objects, emitting a purple hue.
Pleasing to the eye, but it didn't know its purpose.
The magenta ribbon atop Doublade's head lightly swept by, moving the Poison Rhombus aside.
No more uncomfortable feet.
Much more comfortable.
As a Steel-type Pokémon, Doublade naturally could also ignore the effect of the ground covered in Poison Rhombus.
Not seeing Beedrill but Doublade, Leisi knew he had made a mistake.
It's no surprise, in previous matches Natsuhiko only used Togetic and Beedrill, few knew about Doublade's existence.
Natsuhiko wasn't initially planning to send Doublade out so early, but decided it was time for other Pokémon to adapt to battles, thus releasing Doublade.
From an attribute standpoint, Staraptor as a General Type could be immune to Doublade's Ghost-type techniques, while Doublade could be immune to Staraptor's General Type techniques, somewhat evenly matched.
However, Doublade's resistance had a greater advantage, Staraptor's Flying Type techniques could only inflict half the damage on Doublade, while Doublade could deal full damage to Staraptor.
Therefore, this round of Pokémon choice was advantageous for Natsuhiko.
The battle was about to erupt.
"Sword Dance."
This time, Natsuhiko seized the initiative.
Seeing Doublade's red glow, about to use Sword Dance, Leisi had no time to think of countermeasures.
"Staraptor, Wing Attack!"
Whoosh——
Staraptor flapped its wings, rapidly approaching Doublade, leaving a zigzag Z-shaped path in the air marked by white light.
Facing Staraptor's attack, Doublade remained unmoved, even though its eyes revealed worry.
"So fast."
Not referring to Staraptor's speed, but Doublade's Sword Dance speed.
The technique "Sword Dance" is extremely challenging; during Natsuhiko's previous battle with Xiaochun, Xiaochun had Kingdra use "Dragon Dance," similar to these techniques in difficulty, from learning to mastering them, it's quite challenging.
However, Doublade's release speed of "Sword Dance" was not just fast, but tremendously so.
After all, Beedrill's "Sword Dance" owes its high mastery level to Doublade's lead.
Clang!!
A crisp sound.
Staraptor's sharp wings clashed with Doublade's metal-like scabbard, creating a sound.
Despite being hit, Doublade successfully executed "Sword Dance."
Doublade squinted, its eyes trembled when hit.
After enduring the attack, it dared to fully open its eyes.
Revealing slight surprise, slight confusion.
"Hah?"
'Huh? It doesn't hurt.'
Its confusion, to Staraptor's ears, sounded like saying "It doesn't hurt; didn't eat, huh?"
Staraptor became furious.
Clang——
Whether Staraptor was truly angry, Doublade didn't know; it only knew...
Good opportunity!
Upon the long sword, a faint blue Holy Sword illusion appeared, accompanied by emerald Insect Energy, combined techniques: Holy Sword Slash!
Slash——
A few brown feathers fell from Staraptor, having taken a strike, Staraptor immediately pulled back, slightly in shock.
Attempting sneak attacks?
"Staraptor, Brave Bird Fierce Attack!"
Leisi saw Staraptor in mid-air, perfect timing to unleash "Brave Bird Fierce Attack."
Witnessing the shallow blue energy enveloping Staraptor, it mustered all its strength to charge at Doublade.
"The 'Sacrifice' trait of 'Brave Bird Fierce Attack?'" Natsuhiko squinted at the scene.
If Staraptor's trait wasn't "Intimidation," it would be "Sacrifice," because when Staraptor appeared, Doublade wasn't affected, hence its trait must be "Sacrifice."