Chapter 36: A Crushing Defeat
On the battlefield, Basalt and Ronan had taken their respective positions. They stared at their opponent, then threw out their Poké Balls. Behind them, students from First High and Second High stood as supporters, the tension thick in the air.
However, compared to Second High, the number of students from First High was significantly larger, giving them a clear upper hand. Because First High was the top school in Seaside County, families with money, power, and connections mostly chose to send their children there. Therefore, the proportion of their students who could afford the club membership fees was also much higher than Second High's.
As a high-end Pokémon club, the Meteor Club's membership fee of ten to twenty thousand Pokédollars a month was possibly higher than the monthly income of some ordinary families. Most families truly couldn't afford it.
"The kids from Second High have gotten pretty bold, haven't they? Trying to show off in front of us from First High."
"Hey, you said it. Second High and our First High are not even in the same league. Why don't they understand that?"
"Sometimes, reality is cruel. It's understandable that our friends from Second High can't accept it."
"To be fair, that Munchlax just now was pretty strong. Its Rollout had a lot of power. It's just a shame it ran into Ronan and was completely countered tactically. This new kid, he seems even stronger than the Munchlax trainer?"
"So what? Ronan's Smokescreen is basically unbeatable at this early stage, unless the opponent has the Keen Eye ability, or uses an area-of-effect move, or a Flying-type move to blow the smoke away. Otherwise, if you can't find the enemy's position, everything else is useless."
"That's true! The punks from Second High are doomed to lose!"
"Making him say his own school has no one who can fight… that feels so cruel!"
"This world is just that cruel. You have to learn to be strong, haha…"
…
Behind Ronan, the students from First High discussed amongst themselves, but their faces were all relaxed. They felt that Ronan's strategy was very difficult to break at this stage. At the very least, a Drilbur shouldn't be able to solve it.
On the other side, although some students from Second High were shouting back in protest, they lacked confidence, and their voices were small. Combined with their disadvantage in numbers, their morale was instantly crushed.
"Chari~" (^ω^)
Drilbur raised its claws flamboyantly, then curiously sized up its opponent. This seemed to be the first time it had seen this kind of Pokémon. It was entirely fiery red, with a yellow abdomen and mouth. Its mouth was shaped like a round platform, and it had many spherical protrusions on its head. There was a small spike on its back and a ring of blackish-brown patterns around its neck.
It was the Fire-type, Magby, whose final form was the Magmortar, with a base stat total of 540.
According to legend, blood like lava flowed through Magby's body, so its body temperature was often around 600 degrees Celsius. Every time it inhaled and exhaled, sparks would fly from its mouth and nose. This was a fire monster that could rest on volcanic lava as if it were a bed. It was naturally attuned to the Fire type, and its combat power was not to be underestimated.
Although he looked down on his opponent strategically, Basalt was still very cautious tactically.
"Both contestants, take your positions. Let the battle begin!"
With the referee waving his small flag and giving the command, the match officially started.
"Magby, use Smokescreen!"
Ronan's tactical routine began again, first using Smokescreen to hide his Pokémon's position.
Poof!
Magby took a deep breath, and a thick, black smoke erupted from its round-platform mouth, instantly enveloping the entire field and obscuring everyone's vision.
"Smokescreen, successful!"
The corners of Ronan's mouth turned up slightly. Since the prelude to his strategy was complete, all that was left was to whittle down his opponent's stamina.
So easy!
"Magby, Fire…"
Ronan was just about to order Magby to use Fire Spin to control Drilbur, but at that moment, Basalt's cold voice suddenly rang out: "Sand Tomb!"
"Sand Tomb?"
Ronan's eyebrows shot up. Sand Tomb could barely be considered an area-of-effect move, but its range wasn't very large, covering at most one-tenth of the field. The key was, could Drilbur even find Magby's position? Ronan was skeptical.
Is the opponent just gambling on luck?
"Guruba~ Guruba~"
Ronan didn't have time to think too deeply, because the moment Basalt's words fell, he heard the sound of the ground collapsing and the rustling of flowing sand, and… Magby's cry of pain.
It was obvious: Drilbur's Sand Tomb had hit Magby.
"How… how is that possible?"
Ronan's eyes widened, filled with disbelief.
A one-in-ten chance, and the opponent guessed it right? This can't be real!
Unfortunately, under the cover of the smoke, Ronan couldn't see the situation on the field clearly. He felt as if he had been caught in his own trap.
"Magby, use Fire Spin!"
Regardless of whether Magby had been hit, Ronan decided to counter-attack. As long as Drilbur was also hit and controlled by Fire Spin, it wouldn't be a loss for him.
"Drilbur, full-power Rock Tomb!"
Basalt's gaze sharpened. He was ready to end the battle. The Rock-type move was super-effective against the Fire-type Magby. On top of that, Magby had already taken a hit from Sand Tomb. It was more than enough to take it out.
"Chari~"
Drilbur nodded. The Rock-type energy in its body began to emanate, instantly forming five head-sized rock projectiles by its side, which then hurtled towards the Magby trapped in the Sand Tomb. Unfortunately, the smoke was too thick, and the people outside the field couldn't see the power of the Rock Tomb.
BOOM!
The Rock Tomb hit its mark. The ground shook slightly from the impact of the rock projectiles. Magby let out a single cry of pain, and then the field fell silent.
"This…"
Drops of sweat trickled down Ronan's forehead, and his mouth felt dry.
I… seem to have already lost!
At this moment, it wasn't just Ronan; the other students from First High had also fallen silent, unable to say a word. In their hearts, they were just hoping that they had misjudged the situation and that Magby had not been defeated.
Unfortunately, that was just wishful thinking on their part.
Drilbur: (^ω^)
When the smoke cleared, the crowd saw the flamboyant mole standing with its claws held high, showing off its heroic posture, and… the Magby in the crater, its eyes swirling.
"Magby is unable to battle. The winner is… Basalt!"
The referee waved the small flag in his hand and made the ruling.
"Whoo-hoo! Drilbur won! Basalt won! Our Second High won!"
Behind Basalt, the students from Second High erupted in a deafening roar. They were too excited. After being suppressed by First High for so long, they were finally able to hold their heads high today.
Basalt is so damn awesome!
"Apologize! Apologize in front of everyone!…"
At this moment, Frank led the charge, fixing his gaze on Ronan. He had to make him apologize.
"Umm…"
Ronan's face flushed red. He felt as if he had lost the ability to speak. If he could, he wished he were mute right now.
"Apologize. Don't tell me you're going to go back on your word," Basalt said, his gaze sharp as he looked at Ronan, giving him immense pressure.
But under the watchful eyes of the crowd, he couldn't break his promise. If he did, he wouldn't be able to show his face in all of Seaside County anymore.
"I… I apologize to you all. I was wrong to say what I said just now. I take it back. The students of your Second High are… very strong!"
Taking a deep breath, Ronan stammered out his apology, his eyes fixed on Basalt. If looks could kill, Basalt would have been sliced into a thousand pieces by Ronan's glare.
After speaking, Ronan recalled his Magby and fled the club. The First High students behind him immediately scattered like birds and beasts, not daring to stay any longer, and left in disgrace.
In contrast, the students from Second High were all flushed and overjoyed. They could finally hold their heads high!
"Basalt is amazing! Second High is amazing!…"
Young Master Frank hadn't read enough books; at this moment, the only word he could think of was "amazing." But at least the word fit the occasion. It was a perfect way to describe Basalt at this moment and to vent the students' emotions.
"A student in the top thirty of First High has this level of tactical skill. How strong must their top ten, or even their number one, be?"
Although he had won easily, Basalt's brow was still furrowed. He felt that the small goal he had set for himself before was a bit rash. Winning the Seaside County Elite Selection Tournament would probably not be easy.
"Looks like this is no time to slack off. I have to continue working hard when I get back tonight."
Basalt took a deep breath, feeling the heavy pressure on his shoulders.
I… am still not strong enough!