Houndoom and Heracross formed a standoff.
Flamethrower against Megahorn, neither side could advance even a bit.
To be able to withstand Flamethrower under Sunny Day, even if only slightly, it seemed this Heracross was indeed a formidable opponent.
"Fire Blast."
Tetsuya had already changed tactics. No matter how strong Heracross was, it could not possibly be a match for a pack leader like Houndoom.
The blazing flames had not completely subsided when Fire Blast was already pushed forward fiercely!
"Endure!" Kanta shouted. At this moment, he no longer cared about maintaining his "gentlemanly" image.
Fire Blast fused with even more flames, its explosive power astonishing. It instantly crushed Heracross's defense. Heracross crashed through several rocks before finally coming to a stop.
Heracross did not fall. The move Endure ensured that no matter how powerful the damage received, it would retain a sliver of "HP" and not collapse.
Now Heracross only had a, you can say 1 HP, left, but this Pokémon was too terrifying…
Whether it was Counter or Reversal, both could deliver a fatal blow to the opponent at a critical moment!
Counter could reflect the physical damage it had just received back at double the power.
Reversal would increase in power the more severe the damage it had taken. In a state like Heracross's, using Endure to preserve "1 HP", the power of Reversal would be astonishing, very likely allowing a comeback with a one-hit KO.
"Smog!"
Sure, this Pokémon was too terrifying… well, only when you don't know what it can do.
Caution was something innate to Tetsuya. Now that Heracross was already at the end of its strength, there was no need to go to great lengths.
Purple poisonous mist spread out, quickly about to shroud Heracross!
Heracross beat its wings, beginning to disperse the Smog. At this point, this was Kanta's only option. He had originally planned to use Reversal to counterattack, but using that move required charging into the Smog, and such poisonous mist would be enough to strip away its last bit of stamina.
However, Tetsuya would not fall for it at all. Heracross could not hold on much longer. The frequency of its wingbeats had already slowed, and it had inhaled several breaths of Smog.
Kanta let out a sigh and recalled Heracross.
'...'
"Feraligatr, it's up to you!"
Kanta's third Pokémon was Feraligatr, which had already completed its final Evolution. Feraligatr was characterized by its large jaws and sharp fangs. Its bite force was even more terrifying than before Evolution, and its forelimbs had also become much stronger.
Even Tetsuya could not help but admire this Feraligatr. It was already stronger than many Pokémon. It was definitely not caught on this island and was very likely Kanta's Starter Pokémon.
Right now, in a head-on clash, Houndoom had no chance of victory.
"Hydro Pump!"
Every Trainer had their own special way of "greeting". Feraligatr's Hydro Pump was enough to display its power.
A thick column of water passed through the Smog and headed straight for Houndoom.
"Fire Blast."
Tetsuya did not choose to dodge. He also needed to test the level of this Feraligatr.
Fsssss!
A mass of steam rose up. Fire Blast successfully blocked Hydro Pump.
If that was the case, there was still a chance to fight.
"Nasty Plot."
Taking advantage of the Smog's obstruction, Tetsuya promptly had Houndoom increase its Special Attack. Feraligatr excelled in physical Attacks, and Kanta would definitely try to close the distance. Houndoom's Special Attack was strong.
As long as Houndoom maintained distance, and now with its Special Attack boosted, the odds of victory were still in his control.
"Use Aqua Jet to get close!"
As expected, Kanta was already planning a close-range attack.
Feraligatr pushed off with both legs, water swirling around its body. Like a column of water, it shot forward, heading straight for Houndoom!
"Double Team."
Houndoom instantly moved its limbs, splitting into seven or eight clones and moving away from Feraligatr's path of impact.
Feraligatr's powerful charge, combined with the momentum of the water, blasted a huge crater into the ground, but Houndoom had already evaded far away.
"Aqua Tail!"
Kanta looked as if he had been prepared for this. Before Feraligatr had even stabilized its stance, its tail had already swung out.
Spiral water swept across. Wherever it passed, Houndoom's clones all disappeared. It was about to strike Houndoom!
However, such an attack was still slightly lacking against the agile Houndoom. Houndoom leaped up and jumped to the other side, easily avoiding the sweeping Aqua Tail.
"Inferno!"
With a turn, Houndoom hurled out a ball of fire.
"Hydro Pump!"
Water and fire collided once again!
The resulting steam spread out, and Feraligatr showed a trace of difficulty.
At this moment, neither Pokémon had gained an advantage. Their moves had not even directly hit each other, and both still had abundant energy.
This kind of battle was the most exhausting. One wanted close combat while the other wanted long-range attacks. It depended on who could outlast the other. However, for Tetsuya, this was a very relaxed situation. Even if his Houndoom were to lose, it would still wear down most of Feraligatr's energy/stamina. No matter which Pokémon he sent out next, it would be easy to finish it off.
Houndoom naturally wanted victory…
The clash of moves began again. Gradually, the steam had covered both Feraligatr and Houndoom.
The temperature of the steam was very high. When it met Feraligatr's cold body, it condensed into water, but released heat.
Houndoom's body temperature was even higher than the steam, so the temperature did not affect it. However, it was clear that Feraligatr was uncomfortable. Although it did not cause significant damage, fighting also required "mood".
If the "mood" worsened, then the outcome would become uncertain.
Kanta also noticed something was wrong and quickly gave the command, "Feraligatr, use Aqua Tail to sweep away this steam!"
"Tehe, Fire Blast!"
Tetsuya smiled slightly. Since an opening had been given, he would not let it go~
As Feraligatr swung its tail, Houndoom released a Fire Blast from the direction of the sweep.
Bang!
The battle lasted over ten minutes. Houndoom finally hit Feraligatr. Although the power was not outstanding, Fire Blast would explode at the moment of impact. The damage from this strike was still considerable.
Feraligatr let out a painful roar, and its Aqua Tail also successfully cleared away much of the steam.
"Smog, Flamethrower!"
Taking advantage of the moment when Feraligatr had just been injured and was recovering, Tetsuya had already planned his next moves. Smog spread out, and with the rising temperature from Flamethrower, thermal expansion accelerated its spread.
Feraligatr inhaled the Smog and began coughing continuously.
With the heat from Flamethrower aiding the spread, the poisonous gas in Smog made it easier for it to be poisoned.
Kanta was no longer as relaxed. Feraligatr was already in danger!
With the poisonous mist covering everything, the only way to disperse it was to use Aqua Tail.
However, once Aqua Tail was used, it would expose many openings…
Feraligatr's coughing grew more intense. Its body began to sway slightly, and a purple tint appeared on its face.
It was poisoned!
Kanta gritted his teeth. "…Feraligatr, use Aqua Tail to sweep away this annoying poisonous mist!"
Feraligatr roared and swung its tail once more. The poisonous mist was indeed swept away to some extent.
However, Houndoom launched another Fire Blast…
Feraligatr, already unable to steady its body, was directly knocked down this time, collapsing onto the ground.
Feraligatr's tenacity was extraordinary. It tried to stand up with both hands supporting the ground. Kanta had sparred with many people here, but Feraligatr had almost never lost, let alone to a Fire-type that it had the advantage against…
Unwilling, Feraligatr gritted its teeth and was about to stand up-
"Double Team, Beat Up."
It could end now…
If it were Kanta, he would recall Feraligatr immediately. There was no need to let it suffer further damage.
Double Team disrupted Feraligatr's vision. The Beat Up assault followed as Houndoom's clones rushed in one after another.
No matter how resilient Feraligatr was, it could not withstand such an assault!
When the first Beat Up sent Feraligatr flying seven or eight meters away, Kanta's last hope was shattered. He recalled Feraligatr.
If all eight hits of Beat Up had landed on Feraligatr, whether it could survive would be uncertain…
Tetsuya recalled Houndoom.
Today's opponent could finally be considered somewhat valuable for training… barely. The time had not been wasted. Through the battle, he had gained a deeper understanding of Golett's and Houndoom's level.
At this moment, Kanta approached Tetsuya with watery eyes, casting a tender gaze, his lips curving into a gentle smile~
'…???'