Inside the battle hall, Xia Hunao and Zheng Xiaoxiao stood on opposite sides. Watching Zheng Xiaoxiao grow increasingly excited, Xia Hunao felt as though he had stirred up a hornet's nest that was perhaps a bit too large.
It was very difficult to win a one-on-one battle against a Champion-level trainer head-on. Even if Xia Hunao employed a considerable number of his annoying tactics, the gap in combat power and experience wouldn't be easily bridged.
Since that was the case, he should devise a way to achieve victory through a surprise move.
"Sister Xiaoxiao, could we have a two-on-two battle?"
Zheng Xiaoxiao hadn't expected Xia Hunao to opt for a two-on-two format, but since he had proposed it, she, who was eager to test his abilities, wouldn't refuse.
"Alright, but I don't have a second suitable Pokémon on hand. Let me borrow one."
While Zheng Xiaoxiao was on the phone borrowing a Pokémon, Xia Hunao held both Poké Balls in his hands, beginning his pre-battle tactical thinking.
The weakness of strength is strength itself. He remembered this line from watching Yu-Gi-Oh! with his close friend, Sun You, in his past life. He hoped he wasn't mistaken...
"It's hard to win a one-on-one. If it's a two-on-two, then perhaps we can exploit the potential incoordination of their two Pokémon in a double battle and find an opportunity for them to turn on each other."
The system chimed in at this moment: "Indeed, your idea is excellent. However, have you considered that, strictly speaking, you, Froakie, and Rotom are all novices in double battles?"
Although Xia Hunao admitted this, he still wanted to retort stubbornly: "It's fine. At least Froakie and Rotom know each other, while the two Pokémon Sister Xiaoxiao has might not."
Just then, Zheng Xiaoxiao hung up the phone. "Please wait a moment, it'll be ready soon."
Looking at Zheng Xiaoxiao's smile, Xia Hunao had a nagging feeling that he was being manipulated.
"System, can you tell me what Sister Xiaoxiao was talking about on the phone?"
The system refused: "Pay attention. While I am an auxiliary system, it doesn't mean I can do anything. Eavesdropping on someone's phone call is quite a classless act, you know?"
"I know it's classless, but you're a system, what use do you have for class?"
The system was momentarily stunned by Xia Hunao's statement, then replied: "Are you sure? If I really had no class, I'd issue you a mission right now to catch an Arceus, or else I'd delete you."
"Don't joke. The deity told me when they gave you to me that you don't have that function."
"Is that so? Did the deity also tell you that I actually have upgrade packages?"
"Ahem, well, I think our top priority now is to discuss strategy."
This argument between human and system ultimately concluded with the system's resounding victory. At the entrance of the battle hall, a tall, beautiful woman walked in: "Xiaoxiao, I'm here."
Zheng Xiaoxiao bounded over and hugged the newcomer warmly, then said to Xia Hunao, "My person is here. The battle can begin."
Xia Hunao pointed at the new woman: "Sister Xiaoxiao, you're not planning to have a two-on-one, are you..."
Zheng Xiaoxiao put her arm around the woman's shoulder: "Of course. As long as it's two Pokémon against two, right?"
How could Xia Hunao allow something outside his plans to happen? "You said you were borrowing a Pokémon, and directly bringing a person over is too much..."
The woman embraced by Zheng Xiaoxiao pushed her hand away: "Don't worry, I won't interfere with your strategy. I'm only responsible for borrowing the Pokémon."
Xia Hunao, his little scheme exposed, didn't feel awkward: "Then thank you, Sister. If you could also act as the referee, that would be even better."
The woman skillfully walked to the referee's position: "Next, we will have Zheng Xiaoxiao versus..."
Just as Xia Hunao was about to state his name, Zheng Xiaoxiao interrupted him: "Alright, alright, let's skip the formalities. It's a friendly match anyway. I'll go first. Go, Simisear, Cottonee!"
Seeing the two Pokémon Zheng Xiaoxiao sent out, Xia Hunao almost gritted his teeth into dust. It wasn't particularly strange for the principal of Pokémon University to have any Pokémon, and the ones she could borrow would certainly be diverse. But why two Grass-types? Wasn't that clearly targeting him?
But this wasn't the main point. The most devastating part was that Zheng Xiaoxiao took out two stones and waved them at Xia Hunao: "See..."
How could Xia Hunao not recognize what Zheng Xiaoxiao was holding? A Leaf Stone and a Sun Stone. These could respectively evolve Simisear into Simisage and Cottonee into Whimsicott.
It was already difficult, and now you're going to evolve them? What's the point of fighting then?
The referee on the side couldn't stand it any longer: "Xiaoxiao, pay attention. Didn't we say it was a friendly match?"
Zheng Xiaoxiao then put the two evolution stones into her pocket: "Alright, it's your turn, Little Xiazi."
"Hmph, what a hassle. Go, Froakie, Rotom."
Seeing the specific lineup for the battle, the referee once again looked at Zheng Xiaoxiao, this time with a hint of contempt, as if to say: It's one thing for you to ask me to borrow Pokémon for a two-on-two with a rookie, and I can tolerate you specifically asking for Cottonee, but I don't believe you when you say you weren't targeting this rookie.
Zheng Xiaoxiao, however, defended herself righteously: "Researching the opponent's lineup and making arrangements is a basic lesson for trainers. Little Xiazi, you won't object, will you?"
Xia Hunao stubbornly retorted, unwilling to be outdone: "From the very beginning, I didn't intend to take advantage of anything. In fact, I even anticipated suffering some disadvantages. But how did you know what I would use?"
Zheng Xiaoxiao puffed out her chest: "I'm a Champion-level trainer. It's easy to find out what Pokémon you used in the preliminary trainer assessment."
Xia Hunao then realized that the Pokémon he used during his assessment at the Pokémon League would be recorded. With the abilities of a Champion-level trainer, it would be too simple to find out what he used. However, the specific assessment process was not videotaped, so a part of his tactics wouldn't be guessed by Zheng Xiaoxiao.
"System, I want the attributes of these two Pokémon."
Name: Simisear♀
Level: lv13
Ability: Gluttony
Effect: None
Stats: HP 38, Attack 21, Defense 21, Special Attack 19, Special Defense 20, Speed 23
Moves: Leer, Lick, Vine Whip, Scratch
Name: Cottonee♀
Level: lv12
Ability: Chlorophyll
Effect: None
Stats: HP 36, Attack 14, Defense 19, Special Attack 24, Special Defense 28, Speed 13
Moves: Absorb, Growth, Leech Seed, Sleep Powder
After roughly reviewing the stats, Xia Hunao asked Zheng Xiaoxiao: "Sister Xiaoxiao, is it okay for me to go first?"
Zheng Xiaoxiao was quite generous about it: "Of course, if you want to go first, go ahead."
"Froakie, you go deal with Simisear. Rotom, you handle Cottonee."
Froakie leaped towards Simisear, and Rotom gradually approached Cottonee.
"Cottonee, use Leech Seed on Rotom. Simisear, use Vine Whip!"
Cottonee gathered energy and released several seeds, flying towards Rotom. On the other side, Simisear pulled out vines from its body and lashed out at Froakie. Rotom might be able to struggle a bit if hit by Leech Seed, but if Froakie were hit by Vine Whip, it would definitely be finished.
"Froakie, jump back and use Growl. Rotom, fly up to dodge Leech Seed and then use Trick!"
Froakie, during its previous training for Double Bubble, had also specialized its jumping ability. This time, it jumped back, creating considerable distance, and Rotom narrowly dodged Cottonee's Leech Seed.
"Very good, now for the tactic of stalling. Rotom, just keep circling around Cottonee. Froakie, also begin guerrilla tactics, don't get hit by the opponent."
Zheng Xiaoxiao watched Xia Hunao's battle plan: A stalling tactic? What did his Trick swap?"
"We can't fight a prolonged battle. Simisear, run, go chase Froakie. Cottonee, use Sleep Powder."
Seeing the powder released by Cottonee drifting towards Rotom, Xia Hunao countered: "Rotom, charge forward and use Screech!"
Rotom hadn't unleashed its chatterbox nature so unrestrainedly in a long time. Although Screech wasn't a talking move, it was good to loosen up its throat.
Rotom, entering the Sleep Powder while using Screech, was like a war god. However, Cottonee, hit head-on, was slightly uncomfortable, as this Rotom's Screech was too powerful. Meanwhile, seeing Simisear's Lick about to hit Froakie, Xia Hunao chuckled: "Froakie, take this move and then use Bubble on Simisear's mouth!"
Seeing Froakie take the Lick head-on without any reaction, Zheng Xiaoxiao realized: "So that's how it is."
As soon as she spoke, Simisear collapsed on the ground, constantly coughing and clawing at its throat, looking very uncomfortable.
"Simisear!"
"Froakie, Rotom, retreat for now and assess the situation."
"Simisear, Cottonee, we'll also retreat."
Compared to Xia Hunao's two Pokémon, Zheng Xiaoxiao's were clearly more battered. Simisear had swallowed Froakie's Bubble, and although the substance was clean, swallowing it was very uncomfortable. As for Cottonee, although the burn damage wasn't significant, Grass-type Pokémon instinctively disliked Fire and Poison energy; it was ingrained in the DNA of most Grass-types.
"Not bad, Little Xiazi. I'll get serious now."
"I still hope Sister Xiaoxiao will go easy on me."
The battle resumed.
"Simisear, change tactics. Go chase Rotom. Cottonee, you deal with Froakie."
After swapping opponents, the situation on the field immediately changed.
"Simisear, use Scratch on Rotom!"
This command confused Xia Hunao a little. Scratch against the Ghost-type Rotom?
And just as Xia Hunao paused for a moment, Zheng Xiaoxiao issued another command: "Cottonee, Absorb."
Xia Hunao snapped back to reality: "No, Froakie, dodge!"
Before Froakie could react in time, Cottonee's Absorb had already hit it, rendering it unable to battle.
"Come back, Froakie."
Recalling Froakie to its Poké Ball, Xia Hunao continued his one-against-two battle.