"So that's how it works…" Zemu nodded slightly, finally understanding.
The commentator's voice rang out with excitement, "What an unexpected turn! That Baton Pass just now has completely pushed Zemu into a disadvantage!"
With four layers of Attack, Special Attack, and Speed boosts transferred to Lopunny, the pressure became overwhelming. Even a powerhouse like Venusaur was starting to look insufficient.
"Lopunny, use Fire Punch!" Peter didn't hesitate—he went straight on the offensive.
With four stages of Attack boosts, this super-effective move carried a terrifying damage output of 450!
Zemu clenched his fists. "Venusaur, use Protect and tank it!!"
Lopunny closed the distance in an instant, flames roaring around its fists as it struck forward violently.
Crack—
The protective barrier around Venusaur fractured under the impact, forcing it to slide back several meters before barely stabilizing.
Peter didn't let up. "Again—Fire Punch!"
But before Lopunny could land the second blow, Venusaur suddenly roared:
"Bana——!!!"
Peter's expression shifted slightly.
In the next moment, Lopunny was forcibly recalled in a flash of red light—and Chansey was dragged back onto the field.
The commentator exploded, "HOLY—! Venusaur was hiding Roar! The Baton Pass strategy has been completely shut down!"
Roar—a status move that forcibly switches out the opponent's Pokémon and drags in another at random.
The livestream chat erupted:
"WHAT?! Even Peter got forced out??"
"This is insane counterplay! Chansey's Toxic is useless against both Venusaur and Ferrothorn—he's in trouble!"
"He got too cocky… bringing two weaker Pokémon into a promotion match? This is rough…"
"Daily mission: 'Peter gets broken' completed…"
On the battlefield, Peter looked at Zemu with genuine admiration.
"You really are worthy of a Silver-tier trainer… that level of targeting is impressive."
Zemu smiled faintly. "If I let you win while bringing two rookies, wouldn't that be embarrassing for me?"
His expression sharpened. "Venusaur—Acid Spray!"
This move was specifically prepared for Chansey—a special wall breaker.
But before the acid could even fire—
"Come back, Chansey."
Peter had already recalled it.
Then, tossing out another Poké Ball, he said calmly, "This one isn't willing to leave the field just yet…"
At the same time, the Key Stone on his wrist shone brilliantly.
"Answer my call, Lopunny—Mega Evolve!"
"Mi—Lo…"
A flash of rainbow light burst forth—
Mega Lopunny reappeared on the battlefield, flames blazing across its fists.
"Don't think I'm afraid of you! Solar Beam!!" Zemu fired back immediately.
"Bana…" Venusaur's flower trembled as sunlight gathered rapidly.
BOOM—!
Fire Punch landed first. Venusaur winced in pain, but its Solar Beam erupted simultaneously at point-blank range!
Lopunny's eyes flashed, its second punch smashing directly into the incoming beam—
The collision detonated instantly.
The battlefield was swallowed by smoke and shockwaves.
Whoosh—
Lopunny leapt out of the smoke, landing in front of Peter.
Its fists were scorched black, arms slightly trembling—clearly heavily injured.
As the smoke cleared, Venusaur lay collapsed on the ground—unable to battle.
"Wooooah——!!!"
The crowd burst into thunderous cheers.
The commentator shouted, "Incredible! Even after the Baton Pass was broken, Lopunny single-handedly turned the tide and pushed the score to 2–1! Victory is now within reach!"
But the livestream audience wasn't so optimistic:
"Lopunny's arms are injured… can it still use Fire Punch?"
"And Chansey can't deal with Ferrothorn at all…"
"This might actually be the end for Peter…"
On the field, Zemu sent out Ferrothorn, while Peter calmly recalled Lopunny and brought Chansey back.
Seeing Peter's composed expression, Zemu shook his head slightly.
"If you had used your full team, I probably wouldn't stand a chance… but this match—I'm taking it."
"Ferrothorn, use Body Press!"
Body Press—a Fighting-type move that calculates damage based on Defense. Combined with Iron Defense, it's devastating.
Ferrothorn lunged forward, iron spikes gleaming as it slammed toward Chansey.
At that moment, every fan watching held their breath.
This looked like the end.
But suddenly—
A familiar smile appeared on Peter's face.
"Use… Curse."
The moment the words fell—
Ferrothorn passed straight through "Chansey's" body.
Then, the pink figure grinned wickedly—
And transformed.
Zoroark.
Its red-and-white fur flared as a chilling curse wrapped around Ferrothorn.
The commentator nearly lost his voice, "W-What?! That Chansey was actually Zoroark using Illusion?!"
The entire stadium erupted.
Zemu's confident expression froze instantly—then slowly turned bitter.
This was checkmate.
Because—
Ferrothorn had no moves that could damage Zoroark.
Meanwhile, it would be slowly drained by Curse until it collapsed.
The livestream exploded:
"WHAT THE HELL—PETER YOU MONSTER!!!"
"This was all planned!! He baited the opponent into countering Chansey the whole time!"
"He only revealed Toxic once—everything else was deception!"
"Fake within real, real within fake… this man is terrifying…"
"I surrender."
Zemu raised his hand.
He looked at Peter with deep respect. "Professor Peter… let's fight again next time. Thank you for the lesson today."
Peter nodded with a faint smile, recalling Zoroark and walking off the field calmly.
Back in the waiting room, under countless envious gazes, he was immediately greeted by a tight embrace from Whitney. After she played a couple of easy matches herself, the two left together.
This spectacular promotion match sent his popularity soaring, earning him 7.08 million Poké Dollars in battle rewards.
Of course… compared to the 89 million Poké Dollars his shop made today—
That was barely worth mentioning.
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T/N:
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