If Chen Shi knew what Reggie was thinking right now, he would probably laugh out loud.
When did Pokémon battles ever become that simple?
Even if Dragapult hadn't used Dragon Dance and simply attacked—
Would Staraptor really have gotten Tailwind up so easily?
Status moves in real-world battle took time.
By the time Staraptor finished charging Tailwind, Dragapult could've fired off two Dragon Pulses already.
Could Reggie guarantee Staraptor could dodge even one of them?
But even if, by some miracle, he did—
So what?
Yes, Ghost moves don't affect Normal-types.
But that doesn't mean Dragapult can't use Ghost-type moves.
Once Dragapult slipped into the rift with Shadow Sneak, how many ambushes did Reggie think Staraptor could evade?
He was being far too naïve.
Dragapult completed its Dragon Dance—its aura bursting outward with explosive momentum.
Across the field, Staraptor's Tailwind kicked up violently, air currents spiraling across the field.
Chen Shi stretched lazily, even yawning.
"Alright, this battle can end now."
He waved his hand with casual finality.
"Dragapult—Shadow Sneak. Then Dragon Pulse.
Finish it."
"Barruya!"
Dragapult's eyes lit up—
And in an instant, it vanished.
Reggie let out a mocking snort.
"You do realize Ghost-type moves don't affect Staraptor, right?
Don't tell me you don't even know the type chart."
Then he barked:
"Staraptor, Agility!"
If the opponent was dumb enough to give him a free turn, of course he'd take it.
"Staa—!"
But before Staraptor even completed the move—
Dragapult appeared directly behind it, unleashing a concentrated Dragon Pulse point-blank.
BOOM!!
Staraptor was blasted straight into the ground.
"Dragon Darts."
Chen Shi wasn't going to let the opening go to waste.
"Barruya!"
Two Dreepy shot from Dragapult's horns like missiles.
Reggie paled.
"Staraptor, dodge! MOVE!"
Chen Shi's expression turned odd.
Staraptor was half-buried in the floor.
What exactly was it going to dodge with?
Boom! Boom!
Two sharp explosions rocked the field, followed by Staraptor's painful cry.
Chen Shi sighed softly.
He felt genuinely sorry for the poor bird.
Being stuck with a Trainer like this was tragic.
In the Rest Area
Steven, Cynthia, and Phoebe watched silently.
They had originally been slightly concerned—Staraptor was fast, after all.
But the moment Reggie opened with Tailwind, the three of them almost burst out laughing.
Did he not understand what Dragapult specialized in?
Even with Tailwind, Staraptor would never outspeed a Dragapult after Dragon Dance.
If Steven didn't know better, he'd think Reggie was intentionally throwing the match.
It was pure self-sabotage.
Cynthia spoke flatly:
"Dragapult will likely defeat both of Reggie's Pokémon without taking a single hit."
Steven and Phoebe nodded immediately.
Their confidence wasn't in Dragapult—it was in how incompetent Reggie was.
A Pathetic Defeat
Chen Shi looked down at the heavily injured Staraptor, expression helpless.
"Don't give him any chance.
Dragon Pulse."
"Barruya."
The beam blasted forward—Staraptor, unable to move, took the hit and fainted instantly.
Reggie recalled it—
Then exploded in anger.
"USELESS THING!
Even with such a huge type advantage you STILL lose!?"
Chen Shi's gaze sharpened.
This idiot actually dared to blame his own Pokémon?
Staraptor's loss was entirely his fault.
The audience heard everything.
A wave of outrage erupted through the stands.
People came to the World Championship because they loved Pokémon.
Watching a Trainer verbally abuse their own partner—
Disgusting.
Hot-headed spectators were already shouting for Reggie to get off the stage.
Even the referee looked at him with obvious contempt.
"Reggie, send out your next Pokémon."
Reggie scoffed and flung another Poké Ball.
"Get out there—Swalot!"
Before Swalot even fully materialized—
Chen Shi had already lost all patience.
"Dragapult—Sucker Punch."
"Barruya!"
Dark energy wrapped Dragapult as it lunged explosively into Swalot.
Reggie snapped:
"Swalot, Ice Punch!"
"Swal—!"
Dragapult's Sucker Punch knocked Swalot backward—
The moment Swalot steadied itself, it swung an icy fist—
It hit nothing.
Dragapult had vanished again.
Shadow Sneak.
A move inherited straight from Giratina's dimensional techniques.
Phantom Force needed time to open a rift.
Shadow Sneak needed none.
Instant transition.
Instant strike.
Not as famous as Precipice Blades or Dragon Ascent—
But just as nightmarish to deal with.
Reggie's face twisted in frustration.
"If that Dragapult disappears again—"
"Swalot, Stockpile!"
Swalot tried desperately to fortify itself—
It completed the charge—
And Dragapult materialized again, slamming Ghost-type force into its body.
"Dragon Darts."
"Barruya!"
The Dreepy streaked forward.
Swalot dodged one—barely—
The second slammed in.
Chen Shi exhaled lightly.
"Stop playing with him.
Finish it—Dragon Rush."
Dragapult's aura blazed—
A massive draconic phantom wrapped around its form—
BOOM!!
Swalot flew backward, smashing into the far wall before dropping limp.
"Swalot is unable to battle!
The winner is—Chen Shi!"
Reggie froze.
Then erupted into curses.
"TRASH!
All of you are TRASH!"
Chen Shi didn't even look at him.
He recalled Dragapult calmly—
And walked off the field without a backward glance.
Reggie didn't deserve even that.
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