Fletchling brought its two claws together in front of its chest, facing the tail whip from Pangoro. Xia Hu nao taunted, "That's a double return."
Double return could send back twice the damage received. Although Pangoro's tail whip wasn't exactly a physical attack move, it was possible that Xia Hu nao could train it to return the special attack of the dragon's tail.
The trainer from Lixing considered making a move, but how could one retract a tail once it was thrown? Break it off?
Pangoro and Fletchling collided briefly, and then Fletchling grabbed Pangoro's tail and sprang up, just managing to dodge the Dragon Breath from Tropius.
After this exchange, Fletchling and Dusk Mane Necroz retreated again, maintaining distance. Xia Hu nao and Mu Zhi shui had practiced this regrouping training many times. Fletchling and Dusk Mane Necroz could essentially perform this regrouping maneuver under any circumstances.
Seeing his two teammates at a disadvantage, Kaswideng commanded, "Use that."
What was "that"? Xia Hu nao wasn't sure, but it was likely either a Z-Crystal or an item. He quickly glanced at his teammates' arms and found no bracelets, so it must be some kind of special item.
"Tropius, Dragon Breath again."
"Fletchling, watch carefully and dodge him!"
Fletchling stared at Tropius's mouth. As soon as Tropius opened its mouth, a powerful Dragon Breath shot towards Fletchling. Fletchling couldn't react in time and was directly hit by the Dragon Breath.
Fletchling rolled a few times on the ground before stopping itself. Meanwhile, Pangoro began its attack on Dusk Mane Necroz. Dusk Mane Necroz bared its teeth and prepared itself, but then Pangoro turned and struck downwards with an amazing speed with Sky Uppercut.
Both Lycanroc, hit simultaneously, were sent to the edge of the field. They struggled to get up. Xia Hu nao and Mu Zhi shui were truly shocked. "Holy crap, this t—"
When the dust settled, the four Pokémon on the field were revealed. The two Lycanroc were fine, but Tropius had been unlucky and was knocked out. As for Pangoro, despite the type advantage, its condition wasn't good. In Xia Hu nao's opinion, its HP was locked.
"Fletchling, use Stealth Rock from a distance to finish him off."
Thus, Pangoro's combat power was completely nullified by the Stealth Rock attack, which Xia Hu nao chose for insurance.
The first match concluded, and Xia Hu nao and Mu Zhi shui had smoothly secured a 2-0 victory. Xia Hu nao looked at Kaswideng from afar, "Old Ka, didn't expect this, did you?"
Kaswideng nodded gravely, "Indeed, I truly didn't expect you to have such ability."
Xia Hu nao smiled, "Ability? I truly don't have the ability to use Z-Moves twice a day. But it doesn't matter if I don't, as long as someone else does."
Kaswideng pondered Xia Hu nao's words and then his eyes widened. As someone highly scrutinized by the Lixing nation, even their lunch breaks were strictly monitored. The only time Kaswideng hadn't been fully aware of today was the period between Wu Gongping's appearance and this afternoon, when Xia Hu nao had gone out.
"What exactly did you do out there then?"
Xia Hu nao twisted the bracelet on his wrist, "How should I put it? I went out and found four strong friends to help me figure something out."
What Xia Hu nao didn't say was that those strong friends were still in the audience.
Xia Hu nao finished speaking, and Kaswideng understood. Who else could enable Xia Hu nao to use a Z-Move a second time if not the four Tapu? The Lixing nation had also had related suspicions, but because they lacked direct means of communicating with the Tapu, it remained mere speculation.
However, Xia Hu nao's Z-Move had now been revealed. There was no way he could use another Z-Move today. From this perspective, Kaswideng felt that losing the first match wasn't a complete loss.
Furthermore, after explaining, Xia Hu nao reached into his bag and pulled out a bone, handing it to Fletchling. "Fletchling, from now on, just sit on the sidelines and cheer me on."
As he spoke, Xia Hu nao pressed a Key Stone onto his arm. "Come on, I have plenty of ways to power up."