Winona wasn't actually angry that Alex hadn't immediately sent out his next Pokémon to take advantage of the rules and defeat her Noctowl without any risk.
She had only said those words in the hope that they might influence his decision. Deep down, she knew Alex hadn't done anything unfair.
Without wasting another second, Winona ran over to her unconscious Noctowl and treated it with a Hyper Potion before gently recalling it to its Poké Ball.
The referee quickly announced, "Contestant 1's Pokémon is unable to battle. Contestant 1 now has thirty seconds to send out their next Pokémon."
Alex glanced at the large countdown displayed on the stadium screen. He has much less then thirty seconds remained.
He immediately realized what Winona could do now.
If she simply waited long enough, he would be forced by the rules to reveal his next Pokémon first, allowing her to choose the best possible counter afterward.
Seeing no downside to trying, Alex looked toward Winona and called out, "How about we send out our next Pokémon at the same time? That would be much fairer, wouldn't it?"
Winona rolled her eyes and replied with a faint smile, "Oh? How suddenly noble of you."
Alex wasn't surprised by her reaction. He hadn't expected those words alone to change her mind.
Still, it had cost him nothing to ask, and in his experience, even a one-percent chance of improving his position was worth taking.
The referee glanced toward Alex before announcing, "Five... four... three..."
Alex tightened his grip on the Poké Ball in his hand, waiting to see whether Winona would continue making him reveal his choice first—or whether she would accept his proposal at the last moment.
by the second sec, he tossed his Poké Ball into the air, and a Pokémon emerged from it.
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Pokémon: Crobat
LV: 58
Type: Poison / Flying
Abilities: Inner Focus
Gender: Male
Potential: Shallow Diamond (0%)
Moves:
- Absorb, Supersonic, Astonish, Bite, Wing Attack, Confuse Ray [M], Swift, Haze, Leech Life [E], Mean Look [E], Venoshock [E], Air Slash, Cross Poison [M],
- ( Perfect Talent) Shadow Ball [M], ( Perfect Talent) Fly [M],
- (TM) Protect [E], (TM) Toxic [M], (TM) Taunt [E], (TM) Sludge Bomb, (TM) Facade, (TM) Roost [E], (TM) Substitute, (TM) Thief, (TM) Double Team [E], (TM) Aerial Ace, (TM) Torment, (TM) Steel Wing (TM) Payback, (TM) X-Scissor, (TM) Giga Impact
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Alex was a bit wary of the Dragonite on Winona's team—which likely knew the move Dragon Dance—so he felt he could really only send out Scizor or Crobat.
And since Scizor had a fatal 4× weakness, he definitely didn't want to send it out.
Crobat was the more versatile choice, capable of handling any of Winona's remaining three Pokémon.
Winona looked at Crobat and sent out her Pokémon without a second thought.
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Pokémon: Pelipper
LV: 58
Type: Water / Flying
Ability: Keen Eye
Gender: Male
Potential: Gold (69%)
Moves:
- Water Gun, Water Sport, Wing Attack, Supersonic, Mist, Pursuit, Protect [E], Stockpile, Spit Up, Swallow, Fling, Tailwind [M], Roost [M], Hydro Pump, Hurricane [M]
- (innate talent) Ice Beam [M], (innate talent) Scald [M], (innate talent) Growl [E]
- (TM) Toxic [E], (TM) Rain Dance [M], (TM) Blizzard, (TM) Roost [E], (TM) Aerial Ace, (TM) Facade, (TM) Steel Wing [E], (TM) Fly, (TM) Substitute, (TM) U-turn,
------------
Alex saw Ice Beam and immediately understood why Winona had chosen this Pokémon.
plus Pelipper, solid bulk, respectable speed—especially after Tailwind—made a good answers to Crobat.
The referee raised his hand and shouted, "3, 2, 1, Go!"
Both Alex and Winona quickly issued commands to their Pokémon.
In Alex's case, he gave his command telepathically, even though he almost always used code words for his orders aynways.
Crobat immediately began preparing his move as he flew alongside Pelipper, maintaining a distance of just ten meters.
Pelipper and Crobat both maintained that distance; neither attempted to move while preparing their attacks.
Crobat and Pelipper finished almost simultaneously, and both Pokémon immediately unleashed their moves.
Pelipper used Ice Beam, striking Crobat and dealing heavy damage; he lost more than 40% of his HP from that hit.
Crobat used Toxic and successfully poisoned Pelipper.
Alex's favorite tactic with Crobat had always been hit-and-run, and he had developed many different variations of this strategy.
Crobat began flying away from Pelipper, who gave chase; however, since Pelipper was significantly slower, Crobat quickly managed to widen the gap between them.
Pelipper's mediocre speed was no match for Crobat's extraordinary speed.
Pelipper finished prepering his move and immediately used Tailwind, transforming Flying-type energy into a wind-like force that he could mentally control for a short time.
Seeing this, Alex wondered whether Crobat could also make use of this "wind," or whether it was impossible because it was under Pelipper's control.
He stopped pondering the matter and refocused on the battle.
Winona then called out, "Pelipper, Plan 3."
Pelipper understood and immediately began preparing a new move.
A moment later, Crobat finished his own move, using Roost to heal his injuries and restore his HP to roughly 75%.
Alex said nothing, knowing that Crobat already knew what needed to be done.
Crobat also began preparing a move, and it didn't take long for him to reach the edge of the arena.
Pelipper still wasn't as fast as Crobat, but his speed was at least comparable (the buff and all buffs didn't provide a 2× multiplier like in the games).
Crobat did something unexpected, however. As soon as he reached the edge of the arena, he made a U-turn and flew straight toward Pelipper, who was pursuing him.
Pelipper was slightly surprised but reacted quickly. He chased after Crobat, who flew right past him while preparing his move.
It didn't take long for Pelipper to finish, and since the target was within range, he immediately unleashed Ice Beam.
Crobat smiled at Pelipper—who was fifteen meters behind him—and used Protect to block the beam of ice.
Seeing the "troll face" Crobat was making, Alex smiled slightly. He couldn't help but remember how long he and Crobat had been partners.
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