As a true rival, Paul had never stopped studying Peter.
He knew his roster.
He knew his style.
He knew his tactical preferences.
In the previous situation, Peter's most optimal pick should have been Lopunny.
Whether for solo sweeping, Baton Pass setups, or battlefield control, Lopunny excelled.
But if Lopunny appeared, Mega Evolution would be checked by Murkrow. And against Torterra—Paul's core powerhouse—it wouldn't be decisive.
In fact, Paul's original plan had been simple:
Use Electabuzz's Static and Thunder Wave to paralyze Lopunny—cripple its Speed, dismantle its momentum.
He hadn't expected Arboliva's defensive capability to be so absurd.
Instead of crippling Peter—
He lost Electabuzz outright.
Now the battlefield had flipped.
…
Slaking vs. Murkrow
Slaking's biggest flaw was Speed.
Without Indeedee's Trick Room, its terrifying power was somewhat restrained.
But Slaking was also the perfect siege breaker—
A fortress demolisher.
The embodiment of "nothing withstands."
When Paul saw Arboliva as the second pick, he had felt relieved.
Even if Peter had Mega Evolution or Dynamax, Paul had absolute faith in his starter—Torterra.
But now—
Slaking stood before him.
And Paul remembered.
That battle.
That monstrous blow against Cynthia's Garchomp.
The world-freezing Max Hailstorm.
And that was when Slaking had still been a Vigoroth.
Now?
Fully evolved.
Fully unleashed.
This wasn't a side battle.
This was their true duel.
…
Peter cracked his knuckles.
"Heh… since evolving, Slaking's fists haven't even been unsealed yet~"
Paul's face remained calm.
"Murkrow—Whirlwind!"
"Taunt! Cut it off!"
Murkrow flapped violently—
But Slaking lazily hooked its pinky finger in a mocking gesture.
The forming vortex collapsed instantly.
Paul's eyes sharpened.
"Then use Hurricane!"
Rain amplified Hurricane's accuracy and spread.
Blade-like winds tore across the field!
Peter smiled faintly.
"Hurricane… takes time to gather that much energy."
Paul's heart skipped.
"Protect! Now!"
"Too late! Slaking—take the Hurricane head-on! Use Magical Torque and smash it down!!!"
"ROOOAAARRR—!"
Slaking slammed both fists into the ground—
And launched like a cannonball.
Wind blades shredded across its fur—
But its momentum never faltered.
Pink starlit energy condensed violently around its body—
Spiraling outward—
Then collided midair with Murkrow.
BOOOOM—
A shockwave rippled through the clouds.
Murkrow was sent flying dozens of meters—
Before crashing helplessly to the ground.
It never rose again.
A 100-base-power Fairy-type move.
Empowered by Slaking's monstrous strength.
Murkrow never stood a chance.
…
Paul stood silent for several seconds.
Then quietly returned Murkrow.
"Torterra. Take the stage."
The massive tortoise returned.
Its aura surged—
Gym-tier dominance radiating outward.
It understood.
This was for pride.
…
Peter adjusted his cap.
"It's over."
"Slaking—frontline assault. Ice Punch!"
"Don't underestimate me! Wood Hammer!"
Wood Hammer—120 base power. Recoil of one-third the damage dealt.
Two titans charged.
Slaking's fists frosted over—
Torterra wrapped itself in thorned green energy.
BOOOOM—
Fist met skull.
The ground fractured violently.
CRACK—CRACK—
The earth beneath Torterra shattered.
Its legs sank deep into the battlefield.
Peter's eyes gleamed.
"Don't forget… Slaking has two fists."
"Ice Punch!"
"ROOOOAAARRR!"
Slaking pivoted—
Leapt—
And brought its second fist crashing down.
BOOM—
Shockwaves tore the battlefield apart.
When the dust cleared—
Half of Torterra's body was embedded in the ground.
"Torterra has lost—"
Whitney began—
But suddenly—
Green light flared.
Torterra roared back to its feet.
Its ability activated.
Overgrow.
When HP drops low, Grass-type moves gain 50% power.
"Good!" Paul shouted, rare praise in his voice. "Use Synthesis!"
His plan was simple.
With level advantage—
One Synthesis would stabilize the match.
But—
He forgot one thing.
Peter lowered his cap.
"The rain… hasn't stopped, Paul."
Paul froze.
"How is that possible…?"
It had been so long.
Why was Rain still active?
"Finish it. Final Ice Punch!"
BOOOOM—
Ice shards exploded outward.
Torterra collapsed.
Under rain, Synthesis heals only half its normal recovery.
And Arboliva had been holding a Damp Rock.
Extending Rain.
The final checkmate.
…
Paul stood there.
Silent.
"…So that's how it was."
He looked up slowly.
"So you read everything?"
Peter didn't answer.
Instead, he smiled faintly.
"That was fun. Let's battle again sometime."
"Next time… bring your old partners too."
He turned and left with Whitney.
Paul watched his back for a long time.
He had not received a verbal answer.
But he had received one nonetheless.
Yes.
From the moment Peter used Rain Dance—
The script had already been written.
Rain offered no value to Arboliva.
But it strengthened Thunder. Hurricane.
It made Paul comfortable.
It gave him justification.
Slaking's unexpected appearance forced Murkrow into ranged play.
Rain encouraged Hurricane.
Hurricane required commitment.
And that commitment—
Sealed Murkrow's fate.
Even after that—
Torterra fought brilliantly.
Four-times weak to Ice.
Facing a Life Orb Slaking.
Yet still standing toe-to-toe.
But in endgame states—
Recovery decides kings.
Paul defaulted to Synthesis.
Rain halved its healing.
Checkmate.
Even if Torterra had gambled on one final Overgrow-boosted Wood Hammer—
It would still have fallen.
The ending had never changed.
The only question—
Was how long it took Paul to realize.
And now—He had.
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T/N:
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