'What is this?'
The move Aerial Ace, og known as "Swallow Return[1]¹", relies on a mechanic involving an instantaneous change of direction to launch a surprise attack. Therefore, the probability of Aerial Ace hitting is extremely high, and it has even been classified, in the real world, as a move that never misses.
And this aspect of Duplica's mother's Ditto left Tetsuya incredibly surprised. It could even be said to be unbelievable.
No matter how Ditto changes, it is still Ditto. Although it can Transform, it is still very unfamiliar with using moves, relying most heavily on its Trainer's commands. This is also one of the reasons limiting Ditto from reaching a higher stage.
Therefore, a Trainer who raises Ditto must have profound knowledge of the basics of each Pokémon.
However, Yuri's Ditto just now had performed in a way that was truly inconceivable…
First of all, it had used Aerial Ace directly without needing a command. Just how familiar did it have to be with Zapdos to accomplish that? It could even be said that Zapdos had been ingrained into its very bone… eh, fluids!
…Or perhaps there was some other special training methods. Tetsuya had no way of knowing.
White light flashed all over Zapdos's body as it charged straight at Golurk. At this moment, Golurk had missed its attack and could not stop the powerful energy behind its charge, leaving it with no way to avoid Zapdos's attack.
Bang!
Zapdos slammed into Golurk. Golurk staggered in midair, nearly plummeting to the ground.
'That was…!'
Tetsuya was still secretly rejoicing.
This "ZapDittos" once again gave him a surprise. Zapdos actually used the Fire-type move Heat Wave.
Even a real Zapdos might not necessarily know this move because it was too difficult to learn, yet this ZapDittos actually used it with such ease, almost effortlessly, without even needing its Trainer's command, again.
Heat Wave swept down from the sky and struck Golurk. The scorching temperature caused it tremendous discomfort.
Golurk, which had only just steadied itself, suffered yet another blow. It was struck by Heat Wave and the blast of air, sending it crashing to the ground.
Zapdos let out a long cry, "Zap!", resounding through castle.
For an instant, Tetsuya's mind went completely blank as to how he should deal with this "Zapdos". There really was no other way. He could only confront it head-on. Close combat was also something his Golurk excelled at.
But as he looked at Zapdos high above, inspiration suddenly struck Tetsuya…
There was a move he used every day.
Gravity!
He really did use it every day to help all of his Pokémon with their physical training.
Gravity had many effects. It causes all Pokémon on the field to become grounded, making moves involving flying unusable and negating Levitation.
"Use Gravity!" Tetsuya seemed to see hope.
Golurk thrust both hands forward and released a powerful force, beginning to suppress Zapdos. However, the result was less than satisfactory…
The force of Gravity appeared out of nowhere, so naturally it would catch anyone off guard, and that was precisely the effect Tetsuya wanted.
Zapdos staggered, its flight becoming unstable under the pressure. Gravity continued exerting pressure, and with its body unsteady, Zapdos could only flap its wings, completely losing the "majesty" it had possessed moments earlier.
But once Zapdos recovered, it began beating its wings forcefully!
This Ditto's physical condition, strength, and other capabilities were completely no worse than those of Tetsuya's own Ditto, so this level of Gravity simply could not dominate it. As soon as it recovered, it would immediately break free.
Sure enough, after Zapdos repeatedly flapped its wings, it was already able to overcome this Gravity move.
Immediately afterward, it took flight, and Gravity completely lost its effect.
It seemed there really was only that one path left…
A head-on confrontation!
Tetsuya immediately shouted a command.
After Golurk received the command, it clenched both fists and charged forward, Ice Punch bearing straight down on Zapdos.
However, Duplica's mother, Yuri, seemed to have seen right through him.
Just as Golurk's swinging fists were about to connect, Zapdos turned and dodged. Relying on Zapdos's agility, it struck Golurk once again!
In that instant, Golurk was already battered all over and fell to the ground.
"Transform into Mamoswine!"
This time, Tetsuya was the first to change tactics. There was no longer any possibility of gaining even the slightest advantage in an aerial battle.
Ditto Transformed once again, becoming a massive Mamoswine that raised its long tusks, ready to attack.
"Blizzard."
"Mamoswine" shook its body. Although it had been Transformed from Ditto, after spending so much time together, it still had some degree of control over Ice-type energy.
The temperature began to drop rapidly. As snowflakes started drifting down from the sky, Mamoswine launched its full assault. Blizzard howled forth, sweeping toward Zapdos.
Zapdos flapped its wings, and having received no command from Yuri to Transform, it could only maintain its current form.
But as for which move to use… Zapdos did not need her to waste words.
Zapdos beat its wings, and Heat Wave met Blizzard head-on with a sizzling sound!
Tetsuya's Ditto could not compare to Mamoswine, after all. Mamoswine's control over Ice-type energy was not something that could be copied simply by Transforming. Otherwise, what effect would consuming Everfrozen Ice and Eternal Ice even have?
Ultimately, this was still a clash between two Ditto.
Yuri remained composed as she said, "Now that we've finished competing in the water and in the air, it's time to move to the ground. Ditto, Arcanine."
As Zapdos descended to the ground, an Arcanine immediately appeared, standing there with an imposing presence.
"Just attack."
Those two simple words from Yuri would leave even an ordinary Pokémon completely confused, let alone Ditto, the Pokémon that depended most heavily on its Trainer's commands.
'Could it be?'
Arcanine immediately used Lava Plume, with Heat Wave driving the Lava Plume forward as it swept toward its opponent!
Under the combined assault of Lava Plume and Heat Wave, the Blizzard used by Tetsuya's Ditto seemed completely inadequate, being suppressed and forced steadily backward.
Tetsuya shook his head. This move combination was simply too overwhelming. It was not something his Ditto could resist.
Lava Plume's black gas was formed from the incomplete combustion of flames. It could be said that many people underestimated this move. The temperature within Lava Plume was extremely high, and after striking an opponent, it could even trigger further combustion. Therefore, the chance of burning the opponent was very high.
Heat Wave was another troublesome matter, with concentrated heat mixed into the force of the wind.
The fusion of these two moves was practically enough to incinerate everything!
Sure enough, there was nothing Tetsuya could do. This was simply the difference in combat power. Yuri's Ditto was truly too powerful.
The move combination of Lava Plume and Heat Wave gradually swallowed Blizzard, leaving only rising water vapor visible.
Black smoke and a heat wave shrouded Mamoswine…
Painful howls came from within. Tetsuya already knew the outcome very clearly.
Within the black smoke, there was no longer a Mamoswine, but an incapacitated Ditto.
•.
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¹.Jp bro 🎌
[1] Jp bro