To Harker, Pokémon were nothing more than tools to show off.
Across from him, Infernape was breathing heavily. The continuous battles had drained a large amount of its stamina, but its eyes still burned with determination as it stared at Harker with proud defiance.
"Tch... Zoroark, take it down!"
"Use Night Daze!"
Harker felt a surge of irritation at Infernape's gaze and immediately shouted at Zoroark.
Night Daze was an 85-power STAB move.
But Infernape double resisted Dark-type attacks.
Harker didn't even understand basic type matchups, which made Aaron shake his head.
"What a noob..."
Aaron muttered to himself.
But that was fine too.
As long as this kid failed to capture Infernape, Aaron could make his move.
"Zoroark..."
Zoroark let out a low growl as black energy surged from its body and rapidly gathered between its hands.
A huge sphere of dark energy formed, carrying a destructive aura.
Just then, Zoroark suddenly saw a red shadow flash past.
Immediately after, a fist glowing with white light slammed straight into its face.
BANG!
"Zorooo!"
A heavy impact rang out.
Zoroark was sent flying with a pained cry, and the dark energy sphere it had been gathering collapsed instantly.
"What a fast Mach Punch."
Not far away, Aaron watched Infernape send Zoroark flying with one punch.
His eyes narrowed slightly as he muttered to himself.
That was right.
Infernape had used its Perfect-tier instant move: Mach Punch.
One punch had sent Zoroark flying.
This Shiny Infernape already had high Physical Attack. Add the 50% power boost from a Perfect-tier move, the 50% STAB bonus, and the 20% boost from Iron Fist...
40 + 40 × 1.25 = 90 power.
Then add Fighting's 2× advantage against Dark-type Pokémon, and that became a 180-power Mach Punch.
So really...
Was it unreasonable for Zoroark to get launched by a single punch from this Monkey King?
Accept it or don't.
Watching Zoroark crash heavily to the ground, Harker's expression changed. He immediately shouted at it.
"What are you doing, you useless trash!?"
"Get up!"
"Use Sludge Bomb!"
That scene made a cold glint flash through Aaron's eyes.
He stared at Harker without expression.
Hearing Harker's command, Zoroark endured the pain in its body and hurriedly climbed back to its feet.
It opened its mouth, and a purple Sludge Bomb shot out, hurtling straight toward Infernape.
"Infer... nape..."
Infernape let out a low growl.
Scorching flames lit up over its fist, wrapping around it as Fire Punch activated.
Infernape's Fire Punch slammed hard into the incoming Sludge Bomb.
BOOOOM!
A loud explosion rang out.
Rolling smoke spread across the battlefield, swallowing Infernape's figure.
"Hahaha!"
"Good! Damn monkey, just wait until I finish you off!"
Seeing Infernape swallowed by the explosion, Harker shouted in delight.
That damn monkey had almost made him lose.
Unforgivable.
After all, he had only brought three Pokémon with him today.
If Zoroark was defeated, he would have nothing left to battle with.
His first two Pokémon had already been beaten by Infernape.
Only Zoroark remained.
Just as Harker thought victory was within his grasp, a figure wreathed in crimson flames suddenly burst out from the billowing smoke.
It was Infernape!
Move: Flare Blitz — activated.
Power: 120.
It cloaked its body in flames and charged violently at the enemy, dealing massive damage while also taking recoil damage itself.
"Infer-NAPE!"
Infernape's entire body was wrapped in scorching crimson flames, like a divine fire monkey descending onto the battlefield.
Its eyes carried unshakable conviction, and overwhelming fighting spirit surged from its body as it charged toward Zoroark at top speed.
"Zo... Zoroark, dodge!"
The smile on Harker's face froze instantly.
He shouted at Zoroark in panic.
Unfortunately, it was already too late.
The searing flames crashed directly into Zoroark before it could dodge.
A trace of terror flashed through Zoroark's eyes.
BOOOOM!
A massive explosion echoed through the entire forest.
"ZOROARK!"
Zoroark let out a miserable cry. Its body was violently sent flying more than ten meters away, then slammed heavily onto the cold ground.
Its eyes spun in circles, and it completely lost the ability to battle.
...