Viper looked between the 4 trainers.
"Each trainer will have 2 Pokémon. The rest will be held by me. The victor will receive every Pokémon belonging to the fallen."
Viper then looked toward Butch and Cassidy.
"Butch and Cassidy, you must reveal your first Pokémon. Then Jessie and James will reveal both of theirs. Finally, you will reveal your last Pokémon at the same ."
They could have used their gifted pokemon for a better chance at victory. Those Pokémon were powerful.
Instead, both chose their own way personally raised Pokémon.
The message was obvious. They wanted to settle this personally with their own power.
Butch and Cassidy needed to die by their hands.
Butch sneered.
"You think you have the right to look down on us? I'll make you regret it."
He threw his Poké Balls.
"Go, Scizor and Liepard."
Cassidy released her Pokémon as well.
"Go Houndoom and Honchkrow."
Silas immediately scanned all 4.
His smirk returned.
The levels were remarkably similar. Neither side had a significant level advantage. There would be no easy victory through overwhelming raw power. This battle would come down to skill.
Silas found the situation strangely amusing. In his memories of the anime, Jessie and James had always seemed like the TEMU or WISH versions of Butch and Cassidy.
They filled similar roles but generally came across as less competent. That was no longer necessarily true. Silas' interference had changed their development dramatically.
Today would reveal just how much.
Viper raised his voice.
"You may begin once you hand over your extra pokeballs. The rules are simple. The fight ends when the trainers are dead or a concession is accepted."
Silas immediately understood the implications of the format.
Each trainer possessed 2 Pokémon. One could fight while the other remained close to its trainer for protection. That created an important decision.
Keeping the second Pokémon nearby greatly reduced the chance that the opposing side could directly attack the trainer.
Sending both Pokémon into battle increased offensive power but left the trainer more vulnerable.
Every participant would have to decide when the risk became worthwhile.
All 4 trainers obediently handed over their other pokemon to Viper and returned to their battle positions.
James made the first move.
"Nidoking, use Surf!"
Nidoking gathered a massive amount of Water type energy.
A colossal wave formed and rushed across the battlefield.
Jessie immediately followed.
"Nidoqueen, use Thunder on the Surf!"
Electricity erupted from Nidoqueen. Thunder struck the towering wave causing entire mass of water became electrified.
Silas' eyes narrowed slightly.
The combination was deadly.
Both Nidoking and Nidoqueen possessed Sheer Force and held Life Orbs.
Even without a direct advantage, getting caught inside that electrified wave would be devastating.
Cassidy reacted quickly.
"Honchkrow, fly up high and use Nasty Plot!"
Honchkrow immediately climbed above the approaching wave.
Butch followed.
"Scizor, use Sandstorm!"
Scizor planted its feet and began spinning.
Sand gathered around its body before spreading outward into a violent storm.
The Sandstorm collided with Surf.
Water and sand crashed together.
The attacks interfered with each other until both gradually lost their structure and dissipated harmlessly across the battlefield.
Honchkrow had already avoided the combination completely.
Cassidy smiled.
"Now it's my turn. Honchkrow, use Air Slash!"
Butch attacked simultaneously.
"Scizor, Night Slash!"
James responded.
"Crobat, use Tailwind!"
Crobat spread its wings.
Powerful wind currents immediately formed across Jessie and James' side of the battlefield.
Nidoking and Nidoqueen felt the effect instantly. Their movement speed increased.
They didn't need further instructions. Both Pokémon took advantage of the boost. The 2 shifted aside and avoided Honchkrow's Air Slash.
Scizor was already closing the distance. Dark energy gathered along its claws as Night Slash descended.
Nidoking and Nidoqueen moved together to meet the attack.
Cassidy noticed the developing situation immediately.
"Honchkrow, use Drill Peck!"
Honchkrow folded its wings closer to its body. Its body began rotating rapidly. With its beak acting as the point of the attack, Honchkrow shot toward Nidoking and Nidoqueen like a drill.
The timing couldn't have been better for Scizor.
Nidoqueen had successfully blocked Night Slash and now held Scizor firmly by the wrists.
Beside her, Nidoking pulled back one arm. Fire erupted around its fist. Scizor was moments away from being struck by Fire Punch.
James suddenly realized an issue.
"Nidoking, intercept Honchkrow!"
Nidoking immediately abandoned Scizor.
He turned and rushed toward the incoming Honchkrow.
Jessie followed.
"Nidoqueen, use Thunder at close range!"
Nidoking and Honchkrow collided fiercely.
The force of the impact pushed both Pokémon backward.
Neither managed to completely overwhelm the other.
Meanwhile, Nidoqueen still had Scizor trapped.
Electricity exploded from her body and Thunder struck Scizor at point-blank range.
Powerful bolts crawled across its crimson armor causing Scizor dropped to to its knee.
Its body trembled from the electricity.
However, the Pokémon was well trained. Even while enduring the pain, Scizor raised its pincers and aimed them directly toward Nidoqueen.
Metallic energy gathered between them as he prepared to launch Flash Cannon.
The blast exploded against Nidoqueen at close range.
The violent exchanges immediately drew attention from everyone watching.
James saw something else, an opening.
"Crobat!"
Crobat disappeared from beside James.
Steel energy coated its wings as it rapidly approached Cassidy using Steel Wing.
Houndoom had been watching carefully. The guard dog Pokémon immediately reacted.
Dark energy gathered in its mouth before being released. Dark Pulse shot toward Crobat.
Crobat twisted through the air and successfully dodged. However, the element of surprise was gone. Rather than recklessly continue the attack, Crobat immediately retreated to James' side.
Cassidy glared at them.
"You think you can get to me that easily?"
Her expression became increasingly furious.
"Don't forget our history. If it wasn't for Odin taking pity on you, I'd have long killed you both."
James laughed.
"Hahaha! Jessie, it seems like we are being underestimated yet again."
Jessie smiled.
"Then let's take advantage."
Her expression became serious.
"Nidoqueen, use Thunder again! Ursaring, use Belly Drum!"
James looked toward her in surprise.
"Oh shit, Jessie, you are serious."
He immediately followed her lead.
"Nidoking, use Hone Claws! Crobat, use Nasty Plot!"
Butch and Cassidy refused to fall behind.
"Scizor, Swords Dance! Houndoom, use Nasty Plot!"
"Honchkrow, Dark Pulse! Liepard, use Thunder Wave!"
The battlefield suddenly became filled with boosting moves and ranged attacks.
While using Nasty Plot, Crobat positioned himself behind Ursaring. That single movement changed the outcome of Liepard's attack.
Thunder Wave shot across the battlefield.
Instead of hitting Crobat, the electricity struck Ursaring. Paralysis spread through the large bear Pokémon.
At the same time, Honchkrow's Dark Pulse collided with Nidoqueen's Thunder. Dark and electric energy exploded against each other.
The attacks canceled each other out.
Around them, every remaining Pokémon focused on completing its respective boosting move.
The battle had changed.
The guardian Pokémon from all 4 trainers had now joined the main fight.
Nobody was holding back a dedicated defender anymore.
Butch immediately noticed Ursaring's condition.
"Maximizing your attack power works fine for me."
He pointed toward the large bear Pokémon.
"Liepard, use Foul Play on Ursaring!"
Silas shook his head as soon as he heard the command.
Foul Play was certainly dangerous.
The move allowed the user to take advantage of an opponent's own physical strength.
But this wasn't one of the old video games from Silas' previous life.
There was an upper limit to what Liepard could physically reproduce.
Liepard possessed a decent attack stat.
Ursaring was naturally much more powerful.
After Belly Drum, the difference became enormous.
If Ursaring had only boosted its strength once or twice, Silas believed Foul Play could have copied the power much more effectively.
With Ursaring's attack completely maximized, that was doubtful.
There was another problem that only Silas and Jessie fully understood.
Ursaring had been paralyzed.
Normally, paralysis would roughly halve a Pokémon's speed.
For Ursaring, that wasn't necessarily a disadvantage.
It had the hidden ability Quick Feet.
Ursaring's ability increased its speed whenever it suffered from a status condition such as poison, burns, or paralysis.
Instead of becoming slower, Ursaring now possessed speed comparable to Liepard.
Jessie clearly understood the situation.
"Ursaring, use Close Combat!"
Liepard lunged.
Dark, sinister energy covered its body as Foul Play activated.
Ursaring met it directly.
His paws flew forward rapidly and with real power in each move.
Liepard countered.
Another punch followed.
Then another.
For several seconds, the 2 Pokémon exchanged blows at close range.
Liepard initially managed to match Ursaring's movements but the difference quickly became apparent.
Ursaring continued throwing punch after punch.
Liepard began falling behind. One strike slipped through its defense.
Then another.
Liepard was hit several times during the clash.
Ursaring remained unharmed.
Butch's eyes widened.
"How is this possible? We should be an even match!"
Jessie showed no sympathy.
"On your best day, you couldn't match me."
She pointed toward Liepard.
"Ursaring, finish it with Slash!"
Energy gathered around Ursaring's claws.
They extended nearly an extra foot.
Ursaring swung viciously.
Liepard attempted to evade the attack but it simply wasn't fast enough.
Slash tore across its side.
A deep wound immediately opened along Liepard's body.
Before Jessie could capitalize further, another command rang out.
"Liepard, use Thunder Fang on Ursaring!"
Electricity surged through Liepard's fangs as it lunged.
Nidoqueen immediately moved.
She jumped directly in front of him.
Thunder Fang crashed against her arm but the fangs didn't pierce her skin.
The attack dissipated harmlessly. Nidoqueen was a Ground type so the electricity couldn't touch her.
Nidoqueen stared condescendingly at the wounded Liepard. Her contempt was palpable for all to see.