As the only remaining Pokémon on his team with Pseudo–Elite-level strength, Serperior was Silas's best option at this point.
Moreover, as a Grass-type Pokémon, Serperior had a natural advantage against Blastoise, a Water type.
However, it was clear that Shizuo had a different plan.
"Come back, Blastoise."
While the two were still facing off, Shizuo suddenly took out Blastoise's Poké Ball and aimed the release switch toward his partner.
With a flash of red light, to everyone's surprise, Blastoise was recalled into its Poké Ball.
"Preparing for the next round, huh?" Silas's expression remained calm.
To be honest, Shizuo's move could easily be taken as an insult — as if he didn't think Silas was worth keeping Blastoise out against.
But Silas could understand his reasoning. Otherwise, the "performance" Blastoise had put on earlier against Blaziken would have been completely wasted.
However, understanding and accepting were two different things.
"Energy Ball — now!"
Silas didn't hesitate to issue his command.
If Shizuo had chosen to switch Pokémon, he would have to be ready to take a hit first.
A cold glint flashed through Serperior's proud eyes. For such an arrogant Pokémon, Shizuo's decision was deeply aggravating.
Streams of green light converged from all around as a glowing orb of life energy formed in front of Serperior.
"Burn it to ashes, Houndoom!"
Shizuo threw out his fourth Poké Ball with composed precision.
From the burst of red light emerged a dark, canine Pokémon that resembled a hellhound — its body covered in grayish-black fur except for its orange snout and underbelly.
Two large, curved horns jutted from its head, pale bone-like ridges wrapped around its neck and back, and bony rings encircled its legs. A long, pointed devil's tail trailed behind it.
It was none other than Houndoom, the Pokémon known as the Messenger from Hell.
Houndoom's flames were mixed with toxins — a single burn from them would leave its victim in excruciating pain.
Being a dual Dark- and Fire-type Pokémon, Houndoom had an overwhelming advantage against Serperior.
Silas, who had already studied Shizuo's team composition thoroughly, knew exactly what Pokémon his opponent might switch into but there was nothing he could do.
After all, his only remaining Pesudo–Elite-level Pokémon was Serperior. The other two on his team were only at advanced stages, and against a Pokémon of Houndoom's caliber, they stood little chance regardless of typing.
It was, as the saying goes, "a skilled cook can't make a meal without ingredients."
"Chuu~"
Serperior let out a low, elegant cry.
In stark contrast to that calm voice, a blazing green Energy Ball launched from in front of it.
The Houndoom, just emerging from its Poké Ball, was struck head-on by the Grass-type attack.
It skidded backward, its claws tearing deep grooves into the battlefield.
"Houu~!"
The Energy Ball's force quickly dissipated, its remnants scattering as specks of green light.
Taking the attack directly, Houndoom simply shook its head with a snort of disdain.
The impact left only minor scorch marks on its dark hide.
Though Houndoom's frame wasn't particularly large — even somewhat lean its defensive ability wasn't weak, especially against special attacks.
And with its type advantage, it naturally resisted Grass-type moves quite well.
"GRAAOOHH—!"
Houndoom raised its head to the sky and let out a chilling howl that sent shivers down the audience's spines — another reason it was known as the Messenger from Hell.
The long, echoing cry reverberated through the stadium as Houndoom lowered its body, taking on a predator's stance, its sharp fangs glinting faintly in the light.
But this wasn't just for intimidation.
Unnoticed by most, Houndoom had used the Normal-type move Howl, raising its Attack stat.
When it came to mastering this move, few species could compare, Houndoom's lineage was practically born to use it.
They could unleash a Howl almost instinctively, effortlessly empowering themselves before a strike.
That was why skilled Houndooms often displayed much higher offensive strength than expected. In serious battles, their opening move was always Howl.
"Charge in — use Fire Fang!"
Shizuo's command followed immediately.
Tiny embers flickered around Houndoom's fangs, then burned brighter and brighter.
It kicked off the ground with all four legs, sprinting forward at incredible speed across the restored battlefield.
The flames trailing from its jaws formed long, crimson streaks behind it, blending with the fiery glow of its curved horns.
Because of its Dark typing, the fire it breathed burned with a near-black hue, and together with its shadowy body, the sight was both terrifying and mesmerizing.
Gasps of awe rose from the stands.
"Dodge with Double Team, then use Natural Gift!"
Facing the Houndoom charging straight at him like a beast from the underworld, Silas's expression didn't change — his voice remained calm and steady.
Perhaps that composure was exactly why Shizuo had chosen Houndoom over his other Pesudo–Elite-level Pokémon, Rapidash.
Both Pokémon relied heavily on close-range combat, but there was a critical difference between them — weight.
While Houndoom typically weighed around 35–40 kilograms, Rapidash's weight easily exceeded 100 kilograms.
And when facing a Pokémon like Serperior, that distinction could decide the outcome of a battle.
After all, the move Grass Knot, which damages opponents based on their body weight, was an absolute nightmare for heavy Pokémon.
The damage difference between something weighing forty kilograms and something over a hundred kilograms was massive — nearly double.
Although Houndoom couldn't match Rapidash in straight-line speed or stamina, it more than made up for that with its superior agility.
At least, Silas knew that using Grass Knot to stop Houndoom's charge wouldn't be easy.
"Fwoosh—!"
Two Vine Whips extended from Serperior's sides as its serpentine body swayed elegantly. In the blink of an eye, the battlefield filled with dozens of Serperior — shimmering mirages of the original.
With its evolution into Serperior and its strength now Pseudo-Elite level, its mastery over Double Team had reached an entirely new level compared to its Servine days.
"Houu—!"
Just as Serperior completed its Double Team, the Houndoom, its head engulfed in hellish fire, lunged forward.
Its fangs snapped down viciously, clamping onto one of the Serperior clones.
A sharp crack echoed as its upper and lower fangs collided.
The Serperior that had been bitten vanished instantly into thin air, dispersing into mist. Houndoom grimaced slightly — it had bitten too hard and hurt its jaw a bit.
But that didn't slow it down one bit.
Planting its four agile legs firmly against the ground, Houndoom spun around sharply and lunged again like a hunting beast, targeting the remaining Serperior images to find the real one.
Meanwhile, Serperior having recovered from the brief cooldown of its last move responded swiftly to Silas's next command.
All the Serperior clones surrounding Houndoom moved in perfect
synchronization, raising their tails in unison.
A faint blue light began to glow across their bodies, slowly gathering into a single point.
The atmosphere inside the arena grew tense once again, Serperior was clearly preparing another attack.
...
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