Aaron glanced at Marshtomp, a faint hint of nostalgia crossing his expression.
Its stats panel popped up in front of him:
[Name: Marshtomp]
[Gender: Male]
[Nature: Lonely]
[Types: Water, Ground]
[Ability: Torrent]
[Base Stats: 405]
[Level: Intermediate (Peak Stage)]
[Potential: Champion-Class]
[Moves: Tackle (Proficient), Water Gun (Proficient), Mud Shot (Proficient), Growl (Basic), Endure (Basic), Mud Bomb (Basic), Detect (Basic)...]
[Description: Marshtomp, the Mud Fish Pokémon and the evolved form of Mudkip. To move on land, its body is covered with a thin layer of mucus...]
...
Peak Intermediate.
Solid moveset too.
Looks like Yuri's been putting in work.
Aaron gave a faint nod. At least he hadn't been slacking.
...
The battle kicked off instantly.
"Marshtomp, Water Gun!"
Yuri didn't hesitate.
"Marsh!"
The amphibious Pokémon puffed up its cheeks.
FWOOSH!
A pressurized stream of water shot forward.
"Dodge. Then Take Down."
Lyra's voice remained calm.
The fire-type slipped aside with ease, avoiding the blast, then surged forward in a burst of speed.
"Marshtomp, now! Mud Shot!"
Yuri reacted immediately.
With a quick motion, it gathered energy and hurled a dense clump of mud.
THWACK!
Direct hit.
The charge faltered for a split second, its speed visibly dropping.
"Marshtomp, move!"
Yuri leaned forward, confidence rising.
"Marsh!"
It rolled across the ground, narrowly slipping past the incoming tackle.
"Nice!"
A grin spread across Yuri's face.
From the sidelines, the others reacted.
"Okay, not bad—Fishball's actually thinking now."
"Since when could he do that?"
Victor raised an eyebrow.
"…That was clean."
Even Lyra gave a slight nod.
Aaron just watched quietly, a faint smile on his lips.
The calls were solid.
But against that kind of gap, it only bought time.
"Marshtomp, keep it up—we've got this!"
"Mud Bomb!"
Yuri pressed the attack.
"Marsh!"
It opened its mouth and launched a heavy mass of mud straight ahead.
Lyra didn't move.
Her smile stayed the same—but her eyes sharpened.
"Enough."
"Flamethrower. Then Extreme Speed."
"Grr—ruff!"
Fire erupted from its jaws.
FWOOOSH!
The Mud Bomb detonated midair with a sharp blast—but the flames tore straight through it without slowing down.
In the next instant, the attack engulfed Marshtomp.
"Marshtomp!"
The impact sent it flying, body smoking as it tumbled across the ground.
The type advantage didn't matter.
The difference in strength was too big.
That hit hurt.
"Marshtomp!"
Yuri's excitement vanished.
Too late.
Extreme Speed activated.
The fire-type vanished—and reappeared in a flash of white light.
WHAM!
The hit landed clean.
Marshtomp was launched again, crashing hard into the ground.
"Marsh…!"
It twitched once, then went still, eyes spinning.
Down.
Yuri's second Pokémon was out.
"Marshtomp is unable to battle! Yuri, send out your next Pokémon!"
Simon's voice rang out as his flag dropped.
Yuri's face turned pale.
Even his strongest Pokémon had gone down that easily.
No openings.
No chance.
…
He clenched his fists.
Not yet.
"Return… Marshtomp. You did great."
He recalled it, then immediately threw his final Poké Ball.
"Go—Poliwhirl!"
A flash of light burst onto the field.
Poliwhirl.
"Poliwhirl—Hypnosis!"
Yuri moved first this time.
"Poli!"
A soft pink glow shimmered in its eyes, waves of energy spreading outward.
"Wild Charge."
Lyra didn't even blink.
"Grrr—!"
Electricity surged across its body.
ZZZT—CRACK!
Lightning wrapped around it as it launched forward in a straight line.