"Fire Blast!"
Absol raised its head, its eyes becoming intensely focused as a massive, rotating fireball gradually formed before its mouth.
The flames, interwoven with brilliant shades of red, orange, and yellow, were dazzling. The surrounding air shimmered and distorted from the intense heat.
A scorching wave of energy radiated outward.
"Absol!"
Absol hurled the fireball toward Scizor. The sphere of fire cut through the air, leaving a blazing trail in its wake.
The fireball expanded outward, forming a distinctive star-shaped pattern as it flew.
"Quick Attack!"
A red streak of light flashed across the battlefield as Scizor dodged. The Fire Blast missed its target, striking the ground in front of Steven, where it was contained by the arena's protective barrier.
The scorching flames burned intensely before Steven, waves of heat washing over him.
"Sucker Punch!" Sidney commanded quickly, seeing that Fire Blast had failed to connect.
Dark energy enveloped Absol's horn, enlarging it several times over.
Bang!
Scizor struck Absol with one of its pincers, but Absol gritted its teeth and only retreated two steps.
Absol swung its scythe-shaped, shadow-cloaked horn and lunged toward Scizor.
"Superpower!"
Scizor extended both of its massive pincers, clamping down on Absol's cleaving horn.
For a moment, the tremendous force caused Scizor's body to be pushed downward.
However, Superpower's unique property meant that the higher the opponent's remaining HP, the greater its power.
"Scizor!"
Scizor released a low growl as its lowered body gradually rose back up.
The sudden surge of strength caused Absol to involuntarily retreat.
Within seconds, Absol found itself being the one suppressed.
Absol crouched low against the ground, struggling to stand upright.
It felt as though it were supporting an enormous mountain, making it nearly impossible to rise.
Bang—
Absol was forced flat against the ground, sending up a cloud of dust and debris.
Scizor gasped for breath, raising its massive pincers high.
"Brick Break!"
Bang!
The pincer descended, crashing down onto Absol's head.
Wisps of steam trailed from Scizor's body as it retreated.
"Absol!"
Absol roared from within the dust cloud, dispersing the surrounding smoke.
"It's still conscious?" Steven observed Absol, which remained capable of battle, then glanced at Scizor with concern.
Its stamina was depleting, and the power boost from the earlier Swords Dance was beginning to fade as well.
"Well done, Absol! Use Night Slash!"
Absol crouched low and released a menacing growl before lunging fiercely at Scizor.
"X-Scissor!"
Scizor's gaze sharpened. It blocked Absol's slashing horn with one pincer while swinging the other.
However, Absol nimbly dodged, then raised its claws and attacked again.
The two Pokémon exchanged blows—dodging and counterattacking, enduring strikes they couldn't avoid with their bodies.
Repeated impacts echoed across the battlefield with continuous "bang bang" sounds.
Bang!
Absol took a direct hit to the face from Scizor's pincer. Its vision swam, becoming dizzy and disoriented as the image of Scizor before it blurred.
"Absol!"
Absol struggled to stand, using the scythe-shaped horn on its head to slash toward Scizor.
Scizor calmly stepped backward, narrowly avoiding Absol's horn by mere inches.
"U-turn!"
Scizor then raised its massive pincers and swung them forcefully.
Bang—
Absol stumbled backward repeatedly before collapsing to the ground.
Scizor's chest heaved violently as it gasped for air.
The next moment, it transformed into red light and returned to its Poké Ball.
"It's your turn, Lucario!"
A flash of white light appeared as Lucario entered the battle.
"Come back, Absol." Sidney also recalled Absol and sent out Shiftry.
The moment Shiftry materialized, it was immediately worn down by the persistent Stealth Rock.
"Swords Dance!"
"Hurricane!"
Four ethereal swords appeared around Lucario, beginning to rotate in orbit around it.
Shiftry waved its leaf-like hands, generating powerful gusts of wind.
Lucario hadn't fully mastered the combination of Swords Dance and Counter Shield technique like Scizor had.
It could only endure Shiftry's Hurricane with its body.
"Aura Sphere!"
Lucario's palms condensed a blue sphere of energy, which it then launched forward.
The Aura Sphere locked onto Shiftry, which could only attempt to block it with a counterattack.
"Leaf Blade!"
Clang!
Shiftry's leaves glowed with vibrant green energy as it slashed toward the Aura Sphere.
Boom!
The moment Leaf Blade made contact with Aura Sphere, the blue sphere of energy exploded with tremendous force, emitting dark smoke.
"Quick Attack into Ice Punch!"
Lucario pushed off powerfully with its back legs, dashing swiftly to Shiftry's side!
"Petal Blizzard!"
Shiftry waved its arms, and dozens of sharp-edged petals materialized around its body, swirling with its movements as the surrounding petals rode the airflow.
Lucario clenched its fist, emanating an icy aura, and swung it forward with tremendous force!
The snow-like petals left cuts across Lucario's body, but Lucario gritted its teeth and drove its Ice Punch into Shiftry's side.
Bang!
Shiftry was sent flying, with frost crystals forming along its side.
Lucario's figure blurred as it quickly pursued.
"Force Palm!"
Lucario struck Shiftry with its palm. An invisible shockwave traveled from Lucario's arm through Shiftry's body.
Bang!
Shiftry, which hadn't yet stopped its backward momentum, was launched flying again.
"Drain Punch!"
As soon as Lucario's foot touched the ground, it immediately shot forward!
Quick Attack was truly becoming second nature to it.
Shiftry crashed to the ground, and before it could recover, it quickly spread its arms. Snow-like petals immediately materialized around it.
"Petal Blizzard!"
Lucario moved behind Shiftry, ignoring the flying petals entirely. It stepped forward and delivered a full-powered punch to Shiftry's body.
Bang—
Shiftry fell face-first to the ground, kicking up dust and debris. A faint green energy flowed back into Lucario's body, restoring some of its vitality.
Lucario leaped backward, moving out of Petal Blizzard's effective range.
"Lucario..."
Lucario silently worked to stabilize the slightly disrupted Aura within its body.
The rapid series of attacks had left it unable to even catch its breath.
After completing that offensive wave, Lucario needed time to compose itself.
"Come back, Shiftry." Sidney smiled helplessly.
Even though he was older than Phoebe, why wasn't he performing as well as her?
Oh well, he'd just give it everything he had.
Sidney shook his head, revealing a genuine smile.
"Come on, Steven! This is my last Pokémon!"
Sidney threw out his final Poké Ball.
Bang—
A Crawdaunt appeared, its massive pincers snapping together with loud "clack clack" sounds.
"Aqua Jet!"
"Quick Attack!"
Crawdaunt's body became enveloped in rushing water as its speed increased dramatically.
It charged fiercely toward Lucario.
Lucario's figure flickered, appearing directly in front of Crawdaunt.
It pivoted and kicked in one fluid motion!
Bang!
Lucario's spinning kick struck Crawdaunt's chest. The Water and Dark-type Pokémon was launched upward, rotating in the air before landing.
Crawdaunt's movements faltered, and the water surrounding its body slowly dispersed.
"Crabhammer!"
Crawdaunt patted its chest confidently. Its two massive pincers shimmered with pale blue light as it attacked Lucario.
"Bone Rush!"
Lucario's eyes sharpened as it slammed its palm against the ground. Four translucent bone-like staffs materialized in the air!
Lucario gestured with its hands, and the four Bone Rush projectiles spun rapidly and flew toward Crawdaunt.
"Smash them!"
Crawdaunt swung its Crabhammer-enhanced pincers, shattering the flying Bone Rush projectiles one by one!
Lucario's figure blurred, suddenly appearing at Crawdaunt's side.
"Force Palm!"
It delivered a palm strike, hitting Crawdaunt's side and sending it flying!
"Aqua Jet!"
Crawdaunt stabilized its retreating form. Water enveloped it once more as it rushed quickly toward Lucario.
"Counter!"
Lucario closed its eyes as its Aura Power expanded outward.
It clearly perceived Crawdaunt's movements.
Calmly, it extended its palm.
The instant Crawdaunt approached, Lucario's palm released a powerful vibration.
Crawdaunt collided directly with Lucario's waiting palm.
Bang—
Crawdaunt was struck by the sudden overwhelming force, its eyes widening in shock.
The water surrounding its body dispersed instantly as it fell heavily to the ground.
A cloud of dust rose from the impact.
Counter could only be activated when an opponent used a priority move.
It allowed the user to strike first, redirecting the opponent's momentum against them.
"Lucario..."
Lucario exhaled slowly, withdrawing its hand.
"Come back, Crawdaunt." Sidney recalled his fainted Pokémon, chuckling good-naturedly.
"I lost! Well, that was entertaining, so winning or losing doesn't really matter to me anymore!"
Sidney pointed toward the door behind him.
"You've earned the right to open this door."
"Go for it!"
Sidney's optimistic nature showed through—he didn't dwell on victory or defeat as long as the battle had been enjoyable.
"Thank you for the battle." Steven nodded slightly, smiling at him.
"What are you thanking me for? I should be the one thanking you!"
Sidney approached Steven, grinned broadly at his words, and gave Steven a hearty slap on the shoulder.
"Go forth, you shining new star of the Hoenn Region!"
Steven turned to watch Sidney, who laughed cheerfully as he departed. He found himself appreciating this type of Elite Four member.
Someone who didn't fixate on victory or defeat, as long as the battle was interesting.
Steven's gaze returned to the door leading to the next arena.
"I will win!"
Steven released all his Pokémon except for Honedge, repeating the recovery routine from after the previous battle.
He fed his battling Pokémon Sitrus Berry energy cubes to restore their HP and heal their injuries.
Simultaneously, he allowed his Pokémon to relax and rest properly.
This would help them recover their energy as quickly as possible.
Steven sat cross-legged on the floor, closing his eyes to rest as well.
The next Elite Four member specialized in Ice-type Pokémon.
That provided him with a strategic advantage.
After all, his Pokémon were predominantly Steel-types, and Steel-type moves were super effective against Ice-types.
The only disadvantage was that Steven didn't have any Fire-type Pokémon on his team.
In the upcoming battle, Skarmory would bear significant responsibility.
Stealth Rock would prove invaluable, and aside from Skarmory, Steven's other Pokémon had all participated in several rounds of intense combat.
Therefore, Skarmory would need to shoulder a heavy burden in the next battle.
"Skarmory, the next battle depends on you."
As the thirty-minute rest period concluded and a notification chimed throughout the room, Steven slowly opened his eyes and spoke.
"Skar!"
Skarmory nodded, its expression determined and serious.
Behind it, five other Pokémon all made encouraging sounds directed at Skarmory.
The Pokémon gathered around Steven.
They transformed into six beams of red light and returned to the Poké Balls at Steven's waist.
"Let's keep pushing forward, everyone!"
Steven took a deep breath and walked toward the door leading to the next battle...