"Raging Thunder—use Discharge!"
In terms of speed—
Raging Bolt simply couldn't keep up with Scizor.
If Ethan wanted to break the stalemate—
He needed a different approach.
Raging Thunder let out a roar.
Electric arcs crackled violently across its body.
The moment Scizor entered its range—
BOOM!
A surge of electricity erupted outward.
A field of lightning spread in all directions—
Covering a radius of over ten meters.
Scizor charged straight into it—
And was instantly struck.
But what surprised Ethan—
Was that the man didn't stop it.
He didn't even try.
Scizor's speed dropped sharply under the electrical assault—
But it didn't become paralyzed.
Its resistance was impressive.
Even so—
It didn't stop attacking.
Scizor pressed forward—
Straight toward Raging Thunder.
Raging Thunder had just used a move—
There was no time to dodge.
BAM!
Scizor's massive pincer struck cleanly.
Raging Thunder staggered backward several steps—
Barely managing to stay upright.
Both sides had landed hits—
But in terms of damage—
Raging Thunder was clearly at a disadvantage.
"Raging Thunder—set up Electric Terrain! Then use Rising Voltage!"
The battlefield changed instantly.
Electric energy surged through the ground.
Although Scizor had wings—
It couldn't fly.
The moment Rising Voltage followed—
The entire field's electrical power spiked dramatically.
Standing within it—
Scizor was being continuously shocked.
"Scizor—use Slash."
The man remained calm.
Ethan frowned slightly.
This trainer's style…
Was different.
Most trainers fought carefully—
Balancing offense and defense.
But this man?
Aside from dodging that initial Dragon Tail—
Everything else—
He tanked head-on.
No defense.
Only offense.
Even that earlier dodge—
Had likely been Scizor's instinct.
Not a command.
And now—
Even under Electric Terrain + Rising Voltage—
Scizor continued advancing.
Taking damage—
Just to get closer.
"…This is…"
Ethan's eyes narrowed.
He quickly checked Scizor's status.
Then—
It clicked.
"Swarm…"
That Ability—
Increased Bug-type move power when HP was low.
The more damage it took—
The stronger it became.
The perfect strategy?
Trade damage.
As long as it kept attacking—
It would eventually win the exchange.
"Raging Thunder—don't trade hits! Use Dragon Pulse and keep your distance!"
Now that he understood—
Ethan immediately adjusted.
Facing Scizor's relentless assault—
Raging Thunder retaliated while retreating.
Then—
It opened its jaws.
A powerful shockwave burst forward.
"Scizor—use Flash Cannon!"
The man reacted instantly.
Light gathered at Scizor's pincers—
And fired.
BOOM!!
Dragon Pulse and Flash Cannon collided—
Exploding violently.
The arena's protective barrier trembled under the impact.
When the explosion cleared—
The battlefield was filled with smoke.
Visibility dropped sharply.
"Scizor—use Bug Buzz."
Seizing the moment—
The man pressed forward.
From within the smoke—
A piercing vibration rang out.
The sound waves struck Raging Thunder—
Causing it to shake its head violently.
Its senses—
Disrupted.
"Now! Press it!"
Scizor burst out of the smoke—
Already within striking distance.
All its strength gathered into one pincer—
And slammed downward.
Raging Thunder gritted through the dizziness—
And bit down—
Locking onto Scizor's pincer.
"Nice! Raging Thunder—now, Thunderbolt!"
Electricity surged.
At point-blank range—
It exploded outward.
Scizor tried to dodge—
But its pincer was trapped.
It could only take the hit.
The blast sent sparks flying—
As Raging Thunder released its grip.
"Now—Zap Cannon!"
Ethan didn't hesitate.
Thunderbolt alone—
Wasn't enough.
Scizor had already proven—
It could endure.
"Scizor—get up! Use Steel Beam!"
The man shouted urgently.
If Zap Cannon landed—
It was over.
At the last moment—
Scizor forced itself back up.
Both pincers raised—
Gathering all remaining strength—
It fired.
Under normal conditions—
Steel Beam would overpower Zap Cannon.
But—
This wasn't normal.
The entire field—
Was still under Electric Terrain.
Raging Thunder drew in the surrounding electricity—
Amplifying its attack.
BOOOOOOM!!!
The clash ended in a massive explosion.
Scizor's strength finally gave out.
Its attack collapsed—
And it was blasted backward—
Slamming into the barrier.
Silence fell.
Then—
Cheers erupted.
"Well done, Raging Thunder!"
Ethan smiled.
"Looks like Ha'er City really is full of talent…"
"I almost lost my opening match."
But in the end—
Victory—
Was his.
If he hadn't noticed Swarm—
That battle might've gone very differently.
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