Following confirmation of their next target, the two sides at Beimo University “restarted the battle.”
“Magneton, use Thunderbolt on Feraligatr!”
“Voltorb, use Sonic Boom on Wailmer!”
Under their trainer’s commands, Magneton and Voltorb attacked Liuling Da’s formation from both sides. In response, Liuling Da had Steelix positioned directly in front.
“Beimo University has a good idea, but you’re a bit too hasty. You’re making this move before the formation has even spread out. Wouldn’t one Steelix block it all for you?”
Steelix’s considerable length proved advantageous. Positioned squarely in front of Liuling Da’s lineup, it ensured that neither Thunderbolt nor Sonic Boom could penetrate its formidable defense.
However, Beimo University’s assault didn’t cease with Steelix’s interception. Just as Magneton and Voltorb’s attacks missed their mark, Forretress launched its own offensive.
“Forretress, use Heavy Slam!”
Forretress charged straight ahead, seemingly targeting Steelix. Yet, Heavy Slam posed no particular threat to Steelix.
“Steelix, take it!”
Steelix braced itself, forcefully intercepting Forretress’s Heavy Slam. Seeing Steelix and Forretress locked in combat, a Beimo University member issued the final command: “Forretress, explode!”
Following the student’s order, nothing happened.
This sudden turn of events threw the Beimo University team into a panic. Why didn’t Explosion occur? They all turned to Forretress’s trainer, asking, “Did you not train your Pokémon according to regulations, causing it to act up? Otherwise, how could it fail?”
The suspected trainer looked wronged. “No, I followed the school’s procedures. Besides, it used Explosion in previous matches. There’s no reason it would suddenly disobey just for one Explosion.”
While the Beimo University team was bewildered, Liuling Da had already begun overwhelming Forretress.
Even with Forretress’s type advantages, which left it with only a quad weakness to Fire, it couldn’t withstand Liuling Da’s relentless attacks. Ultimately, it fell on the battlefield.
Before it collapsed, Forretress remained unable to comprehend why its Explosion had failed to activate.
The tide of the battle shifted to six against four. However, with one member on Liuling Da’s side acting as a semi-support, the situation was actually more favorable than it appeared.
Just as they focused their fire and eliminated Forretress, the gravity on the field dissipated. Seeing Solrock floating once more, the Beimo University team conceived a new strategy.
“Voltorb/Magneton, charge!”
As the two Electric-type Pokémon charged towards their formation again, Liuling Da’s team stood ready. Since their Electric-type special moves were no longer effective, they dared their opponents to unleash whatever else they had.
While Voltorb and Magneton drew attention at the front, Solrock and Graveler in the rear began their own offensive.
“Solrock, use Block on Steelix!”
“Wait, why didn’t you use that skill earlier? What’s the plan?”
Upon seeing Steelix hit by Block, Liuling Da’s team grew cautious. If Steelix were eliminated, their defensive backbone would be severely weakened.
“Magneton, use Double Beam!”
“Voltorb, return.”
Magneton’s crowd control was understandable, but what did Voltorb’s retreat signify? Did it turn back mid-charge because it realized something was wrong?
However, the immediate priority was to overcome the suddenly incoming Double Beam.
“Blissey, use Heal Bell.”
Blissey’s bell rang out, canceling Magneton’s Double Beam. Meanwhile, taking advantage of Liuling Da’s distraction, Beimo University began to implement their scheme.
“Graveler, use Throw!”
Throw? Throw what?
Graveler grabbed the retreating Voltorb, lifted it above its head, and then hurled it away. This…
Although both sides were not in peak condition, Liuling Da was still confident of securing victory.
“Baltoy, ride on Wailmer! We’re launching an attack!”
“Blissey, let’s do the same!”
Thus, Baltoy and Blissey mounted the Wailmer “chariot,” which then charged towards Beimo University’s formation.
“What… what do we do?”
“What do you mean, ‘what do we do’? Wailmer is our only source of damage. Defeat Wailmer, and victory is ours! Magneton, Thunderbolt!”
“Baltoy, use Protect to block it!”
Magneton and Baltoy once again engaged in an offensive-defensive exchange. On the other side, Graveler hesitated to use Magnitude again. It had only succeeded with the cover of self-destruction earlier. Using that skill now would only result in being pinned down by gravity.
“Wailmer, use Aqua Tail!”
Wailmer opened its mouth and used Aqua Tail on Graveler. Solrock quickly floated towards Graveler, intending to use Protect, while Yan Chunyu seized the opportunity, commanding Blissey to use Gravity.
A powerful wave of gravity swept across the field once more, not only interrupting the offensive-defensive battle between Baltoy and Magneton but also rendering Solrock’s attempt to save Graveler futile. Aqua Tail ultimately hit Graveler, ending its battle.
After taking down Graveler with a triple kill, Liuling Da set its sights on Solrock. Since it was also Rock-type, defeating Solrock with Wailmer’s current condition was a relatively straightforward task.
Wailmer used Aqua Tail on Solrock. Despite Solrock’s attempt to defend, it failed, and was completely enveloped by Wailmer’s attack. However, just as Wailmer’s Aqua Tail seemed to have secured the victory, Magneton successfully reached Wailmer and unleashed a powerful Thunderbolt, knocking it out.
The field instantly became a one-on-two situation. Wei Chiting looked at the remaining Pokémon and smiled, “The battle is finally coming to an end. While the score isn’t entirely satisfactory, we’ve ultimately won.”
A Beimo University member looked confused. “Won? I don’t think so. Given the current situation, do you think Baltoy and Blissey have a chance? If I can take out Blissey, I win this match.”
Indeed, after defeating Blissey, the attack-less Baltoy and Magneton, which only had one Electric-type attack move, would be unable to decide a winner. The competition committee wouldn’t allow two Pokémon to struggle on the field indefinitely. In such cases, the officials would typically declare a draw, awarding each side a small point. This would result in Beimo University winning the match 3-2 in small points. Even if Blissey couldn’t be defeated, based on the aforementioned judgment, despite Liuling Da having more KOs, the match would be considered a draw in team points, 3-3 in small points, and 1-1 in overall points, leading to a tie-breaker.
Wei Chiting shook his head. “Why do you think Baltoy has no offensive capability? I’ve only used Trick Room and… that’s it. And aren’t you curious why Forretress and Solrock both failed?”
With that, Wei Chiting looked at Yan Chunyu. “Yan Chunyu, have Blissey retreat, further back. Baltoy, use Trick Room!”
Hearing Wei Chiting’s words, Beimo University quickly caught on. The skills that could cause both Forretress and Solrock to fail: Explosion and Seal.
Since Baltoy carried Explosion, it could use Seal to directly seal Forretress’s Explosion. However, as Voltorb used Self-Destruct, it was outside the range of Baltoy’s seal. Because Baltoy and Solrock both carried Protect, Seal’s second use was to seal Solrock’s Protect. It was precisely for this reason that Baltoy hadn’t used Protect to block that Thunderbolt for Wailmer.
Now, was it Baltoy’s turn to swap with Magneton? Although Baltoy wasn’t particularly adept at offense, Magneton’s defense wasn’t exceptionally strong either, and having already taken a Magnitude, it wouldn’t withstand Baltoy’s Explosion.
As expected, after a violent explosion accompanied by a blinding red and yellow light, when the dust settled, both Baltoy and Magneton had collapsed. Only Blissey remained on the field.