Round Two Against Song Xuyang (3/3)

"A Sandslash that has just evolved, huh?" Toji knew well that Sandshrew evolved at level twenty-two. The Sandslash before him was precisely at level twenty-two, so it had probably only just evolved.

"What! You’re using a Shuckle?" Sun Xuyang was dumbfounded.

The only reason he had challenged Toji to a battle, wearing an air of absolute confidence, was because, with his family's help, he had captured this very Sandslash. It was especially meant to counter Toji’s Electabuzz—he had gone out of his way to catch a Sandslash for this purpose.

But to his surprise, Toji wasn’t using Electabuzz at all, but instead… a seemingly weak Shuckle?

"Hmph! Ridiculous. Don’t tell me you intend to take me on with such a feeble Pokémon? I’ll give you a chance to reconsider. Take that thing back and send out your Electabuzz," Sun Xuyang said, sweeping a hand through his hair, looking every bit the self-important noble.

"Are you an idiot? Why on earth should I send out a Pokémon at a disadvantage just to play into your hands?" Toji wasn’t so foolish as to deliberately choose a type disadvantage.

"What! Did you just call me an idiot?" Sun Xuyang was once more enraged by Toji’s words.

"The battle begins!" The maid on the side, seeing Sun Xuyang’s eagerness to defeat Toji, quickly announced the start.

"Sandslash, go! Use Crush Claw!"

Despite his agitation, Sun Xuyang remained clear-headed in battle. Against Shuckle’s formidable defenses, Crush Claw was an excellent choice, as it could lower the opponent’s defense.

"Shuckle, use Toxic!"

As Sandslash approached, Shuckle released a cloud of venom.

Bang—!

Sandslash’s Crush Claw landed squarely on Shuckle, but after releasing its poison, Shuckle withdrew into its shell, leaving only its Rock Helmet exposed.

Sandslash’s attack looked fierce, but in truth, it did little damage to Shuckle. In fact, the recoil from the Rock Helmet hurt Sandslash more than Shuckle’s received damage.

"Are you just going to turtle up?" Sun Xuyang sneered as Shuckle shrank into its shell.

"Good job, Young Master Yang! Toji is a coward!" The maids in the café cheered for Sun Xuyang and jeered at Toji.

Toji ignored these shallow women entirely.

"Well done, Shuckle! Now, use Iron Defense!" Toji praised Shuckle and pressed the attack.

"Stubborn fool. Use Stomp!"

Sandslash, already positioned before Shuckle, stomped down with full force. Toji could feel the ground tremble from the impact.

But after Iron Defense, Shuckle’s defenses were clearly even stronger. Sandslash’s Stomp seemed to have little effect.

Even with a six-level advantage, Shuckle’s astonishing defenses left Sandslash at a loss.

"This blasted turtle!" Sun Xuyang was losing his composure. How could anyone be this cowardly? They were supposed to be battling, yet Shuckle just hid in its shell. Was it even a fight?

At that moment, Toxic took effect for a second time. Sandslash was visibly uncomfortable.

Combined with more recoil from the Rock Helmet, Sandslash had already lost nearly half its stamina.

"Sandslash, take the Scope Lens and use Shadow Claw!"

Seeing his attacks repeatedly fail, Sun Xuyang decided to target Shuckle’s weak spots.

The Scope Lens, which Sandslash now swallowed, would greatly increase the chance of landing a critical hit. Sandslash’s claws shifted, glowing with a ghostly aura—Shadow Claw, a move Sun Xuyang had spent a fortune to teach his Sandslash. It was notorious for striking at vital points.

"Shuckle, Protect!"

Just as Sun Xuyang and Sandslash were poised for a decisive strike, Toji’s sudden command nearly made Sun Xuyang cough up blood.

Shuckle poked out its head, innocently activating Protect.

Clang—!

A crisp, resounding collision. Sandslash’s attack was strong, but Shuckle’s Protect rendered it completely ineffective.

"Damn it! That’s cheating, Toji!" Sun Xuyang was furious.

"So shameless!"

"Despicable!"

"I’ve never seen anyone so disgusting!"

The maids chorused their support for Sun Xuyang, cursing Toji together. Toji paid them no mind, treating their words as nothing more than the buzzing of flies.

Sandslash, meanwhile, was wracked by Toxic again, visibly suffering.

"Come back, Sandslash!" Sun Xuyang gritted his teeth and withdrew his Pokémon. A poisoned Sandslash was no longer fit for prolonged battle. He decided to send out another.

"Go! Grotle!"

"Grotle!" Sun Xuyang’s Grotle had reached level twenty-three—evidently, it had undergone considerable training recently.

"Shuckle, use Power Split!" While Sun Xuyang made the switch, Toji wasn’t idle.

The moment Grotle appeared, Shuckle’s Power Split was complete.

"What? Power Split?" Sun Xuyang clearly knew the move. Grotle visibly weakened, while Shuckle was so energized it nearly bounced out of its shell. If only it knew Brick Break, it would have charged out for a fighting-type attack.

"Grotle, use Toxic!"

Since Shuckle had just poisoned his Sandslash, Sun Xuyang intended to return the favor with Grotle.

"Shuckle, use Toxic as well!" Toji reasoned that since Shuckle hadn’t learned Safeguard, they might as well both be poisoned.

Both Pokémon unleashed Toxic, each poisoning the other.

"Grotle, use Leech Seed!" Sun Xuyang grinned—this was his battle strategy: poison both sides, then drain Shuckle’s life bit by bit to heal his own.

"Not a bad idea!" Toji hadn’t expected Sun Xuyang to be this cunning. However…

"Shuckle, back into your shell and use Rest!"

Shuckle retreated into its shell and used Rest, not only restoring its health but also curing its status conditions.

"What? Rest?" Sun Xuyang was dumbstruck once more. He’d thought his strategy would wear Shuckle down, since Shuckle’s HP wasn’t that high. But never did he imagine Shuckle would be this obnoxiously resilient—even mastering Rest! Wasn’t that just cheating?

"Hurry! Attack it while it’s asleep—Grotle, use Energy Ball!"

The fight continued. As annoying as Shuckle was, Sun Xuyang didn’t give up.

Physical attacks would only trigger the Rock Helmet’s recoil, so Sun Xuyang had Grotle use Energy Ball instead.

Grotle gathered its strength and launched a modest Energy Ball at Shuckle’s shell, but it barely made a dent. Shuckle’s shell was as hard as stone!

On the other hand, with the round finished, Grotle’s health continued to plummet under the effect of Toxic.

… (To be continued)