"Charizard, it's our turn to counterattack! Use Dragon Rage!"
Up until now, Natsui had been forced to react. Now, seeing a brief opening as the two Pokémon separated, he decisively seized the fleeting opportunity.
Charizard opened its mouth, and a pillar of blue-green light shot out, heading straight for Dragonite.
However, hitting a moving target in the air was easier said than done.
Before the Dragon Rage could even get close, Dragonite had already used its agile speed to dodge the attack with a simple flap of its wings.
The powerful energy blast grazed past Dragonite's body, shot into the sky, and even pierced through a low-hanging cloud before dissipating into particles.
Seeing that Charizard's attack wasn't over, Drake shouted, "Dragonite, use Skull Bash!"
Dragonite flew faster and faster, like a meteor, descending with immense force as it dived towards Charizard.
Charizard, on the other hand, had just landed on the ground. To take off again required a certain motion, and there was simply no time to dodge.
Seeing this, Natsui simply shouted, "Charizard, don't dodge! Take this hit!"
Whoosh!
Dragonite's body came whistling through the air.
And at the moment Dragonite was about to crash into Charizard, Charizard turned sideways and simultaneously extended its claws. In an instant, it had accurately grabbed one of Dragonite's arms.
The powerful inertia continued to pull Dragonite towards the ground. The muscles on Charizard's arms bulged as it unleashed all its strength. Gritting its teeth, it spun Dragonite around like a windmill for over a dozen turns. Although it staggered and looked as if it was about to fall, it had completely dissipated the force of the attack.
When it felt the moment was right, Charizard let go, flinging Dragonite onto the ground nearby.
Thump, thump…
Dragonite rolled a few times on the grass and quickly got back up.
Because the grass had cushioned its fall, it wasn't injured, just a bit dizzy, its entire body covered in fresh grass stains.
Good chance!
Seeing Dragonite still trying to clear its head, Natsui's eyes lit up, and he shouted, "Use Dragon Claw!"
Charizard quickly closed in, its claws glowing with a green light as it raised them high and swiped at Dragonite.
"Dragonite, dodge it quickly!"
Drake quickly warned it. However, by the time Dragonite shook its head and cleared the dizziness, it was too late. The moment it looked up, it saw the two Dragon Claws already right in front of it.
The attack landed squarely on its stomach. Dragonite took several heavy hits, grunted in pain, and was forced back a few steps.
Kick it while it's down!
Natsui knew this principle well. Without waiting for Dragonite to react, he commanded again, "Use Air Slash!"
Dragonite spread its wings, wanting to fly back into the sky, but Charizard gave it no such opportunity.
The moment it showed intent, Charizard slashed with its claws, and a crescent-shaped wave of air shot through the sky, hitting Dragonite right in the abdomen.
BOOM!
Dragonite was sent flying backward.
Two consecutive successful attacks had drastically reduced Dragonite's stamina.
After such a long stalemate, Charizard had finally gained a slight advantage and couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief. But just as it relaxed, the fallen Dragonite suddenly got back up and shot a Water Gun. Charizard, caught off guard, was hit directly.
Charizard's body shook violently, and it too was pushed back a few steps.
It had to be said, with its excellent physical condition and reaction ability, it could respond immediately even after being knocked down. And with this, Dragonite had managed to slightly tip the scales of victory back in its favor.
Seeing this, the announcer couldn't help but remark, "They're evenly matched! Both Pokémon have landed effective attacks. I originally thought Charizard had the upper hand and was about to end the match, but now it seems they'll be entangled for a while longer!"
However, even as he said this, his heart was already filled with bitterness.
So what if Dragonite beats Charizard now?
Once its stamina is depleted, what will it use to face Natsui's other five Pokémon?
On the field, after Charizard had steadied itself again, it and Dragonite stood on opposite sides, momentarily pausing.
After fighting for so long, both Pokémon were now panting, but their gazes were still fixed on each other, just as they had been at the start of the battle.
Looking at their trainers, due to Dragonite's recent fall, Drake's face had turned a bit pale, and the hand inside his sleeve had even begun to tremble slightly.
I'm going to lose…
How long has it been since I last felt this helplessness in the face of impending defeat?
A year? Or two?
Even before becoming the Head Trainer, when his skills weren't as formidable, he had rarely been pushed into such a corner.
With this thought, Drake couldn't help but look up at Natsui.
But he saw that Natsui's expression was as calm as ever.
He had to marvel again. As expected of the man who won the Indigo Conference. He's just too strong.
A gentle breeze blew across the field, rustling the corners of their clothes.
It was as if this were the signal to resume battle. Without waiting for Natsui or Drake to speak, the two Pokémon moved again.
But this time, for some reason, it seemed that Dragonite's recent setback had made Drake fear defeat and lose confidence in his Pokémon. His attacks were no longer as sharp as before. Instead, he became timid, only using ranged moves to wear down Charizard's stamina, with no intention of engaging in close combat.
"Dragonite, use Water Gun!"
The jet of water shot towards Charizard, which quickly dodged. And just as it was about to approach Dragonite, it saw that under Drake's command, Dragonite had once again pulled back, always maintaining a safe distance.
A change in tactics?
A war of attrition?
Natsui raised his eyebrows.
Why is this guy getting more timid the longer he fights…
He had Charizard attack several times, but Drake kept up a hit-and-run strategy, never giving Charizard a chance to get close.
This won't do.
Drake might be willing to fight this way, but Natsui didn't want to drag out the match for too long.
His gaze swept across the grass field, and he suddenly had an idea.
If you want to hide, then I'll leave you with nowhere to hide.
"Charizard, use Flamethrower!"
"Strange…" Although he couldn't hear what Natsui was saying, seeing Charizard preparing a fire attack, the announcer said with confusion, "A fire attack? Natsui should know that Fire-type moves only deal half damage to Dragonite. Why would he waste an opportunity with such a probing move?"
Natsui, of course, wouldn't answer his question.
But while the announcer was speaking, Charizard had already unleashed its flames.
However, as the flames swept forward, Dragonite didn't even waste its energy to counter with a move. It simply flapped its wings and easily dodged the attack.
Whoosh!
But although it dodged the flames, the scattered sparks still ignited the dry grass near Dragonite.
The next second, the flames grew larger and higher.
In an instant, the wind fanned the flames, and the fire spread with the wind. The dense grass served as the perfect fuel, and with a series of crackles, the scattered sparks ignited half the grass field.
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