Vulpix still hasn't used Protect. Eric had to take this into consideration as he asked Spearow to prepare for her strongest attack. The timing needs to be just right, not giving Vulpix any chance to use Protect.
Eric had a general understanding of David's fighting style. It's focussed on countering opponents with bigger, stronger attacks rather than dodging. It's not a bad strategy, but it does give Eric a chance to carry on with his plan.
"Spearow, Aerial Ace!"
"Vulpix, counter with Flamethrower!"
Damian isn't afraid of Spearow using feint attack again. It wasn't strong enough to cause major damage, and he could counter with a flame burst. So he once again asked Vulpix to counter with Flamethrower.
"Spearow now! Fly up!"
Spearow changes directions and flies upwards, dodging the flamethrower.
All the flying type energy she gathered is now focussed on her beak, as she flies down towards Vulpix, using Peck!
While Aerial ace is stronger and faster, Spearow had a lot more control over her movements while using peck. She then spirals around the flamethrower, her speed not reducing at all.
This was the same as their first clash.
Damian asked Vulpix to change directions and aim her Flamethrower at Spearow, but Spearow adapted and moved with the flames, still circling around it and making it meaningless to change directions.
By the time Damian realises he can't hit her like this, its already too late. Spearow closed the distance very fast and was already in the attacking range!
He asked Vulpix to stop using flamethrower and use protect. There's a small delay between her stopping Flamethrower, and casting Protect. Spearow, who is now close enough, uses this moment to strike Vulpix before she has enough time to use Protect.
Vulpix is slammed into the ground, losing consciousness.
"Vulpix is no longer able to battle. Spearow wins!"
"Spearoww!"
Spearow cries in celebration, but she then soon grunts from the burn effect. During the entire maneuver, she withstood the pain from burn but it was hitting her now.
"You're a lot stronger than i thought!" Damian comments as he returns Vulpix to his pokeball. He then throws out his next pokemon! It's a Ponyta!
Pokémon: Ponyta
Gender: Male
Level: 23
Type: Fire
Ability: Flame body
Held item: None
Potential: Deep Green
Eric narrowed his eyes as he observed Ponyta. Deep Green potential and a higher level than Vulpix. He then turns to Spearow,
"Do you wanna rest or continue battling?"
"Spearow!"
Spearow declares she wants to continue, despite her condition.
"Alright then!" Eric replied. He knew that in Spearow's current condition, she'll be knocked down with one more attack. She had also used up a lot of energy. But he didn't stop her.
"Spearow, Aerial ace!"
He wasted no time and commanded her to attack.
"Ponyta, meet her with a Flame charge!"
Damian asked Ponyta to meet her head on, leaving no room for Spearow's maneuvers.
A direct showdown!
Both Pokemon clashed in the middle of the field, but Ponyta was stronger! Spearow was knocked back completely while Ponyta only took some damage and was knocked back only a few steps.
"Spearow is unable to battle, Ponyta wins!"
The referee said, looking at the unconscious Spearow.
"You fought well, Spearow. Now rest up. I'll handle things from here."
Eric called Spearow back and took out another Pokéball.
"Looks like it's your turn."
He stared at the Pokéball meaningfully before throwing it into the field.
A blue, spherical Pokémon with a white belly and a black swirl emerged from the Poké Ball.
That's right! It wasn't Gastly, but a Poliwag!
Pokémon: Poliwag
Gender: Male
Level: 17
Type: Water
Ability: Swift Swim
Held Item: None
Potential: Deep Green
Moves: Water Gun(B++), Hypnosis(B+), Mud Shot(B+), Pound(B), Bubble beam(B++), Muddy Water(B+), Water Pulse(B++), Protect(B+)
A Deep Green potential Poliwag!
To learn how Eric got him, we'll have to turn back time.
4 days before the tournament.
Eric was walking around the Black Market when he heard a Pokemon's cry. It came from an alley in the market. Curious, Eric entered the alley and headed in the direction he heard the cry from.
That's where Eric met Poliwag, who was completely covered in wounds.
"Poli!"
Upon noticing Eric, Poliwag looked at him with hatred and fear. He then turned around and ran deeper into the alley.
Eric followed him.
In just a few seconds of running, Eric saw 2 thugs that seemed to be looking for this Poliwag. Poliwag felt trapped with the 2 thugs in front of him and Eric behind him, who he thought was in cahoots with the thugs.
Eric stopped some distance away after noticing the thugs, and went into hiding.
"Looks like you got lost you damn tadpole!"
The thug looked furiously at Poliwag. He then sent out a Linoone.
"Poli!" Poliwag looked fearful, but also angry. He did not want to flee anymore. He chose to stand his ground and fight.
"Don't Cause any permanent damage. It's still valuable."
The other thug said, looking at his furious partner. He then sent out a Weepinbell, not trusting his partner from accidently killing Poliwag in his anger.
It has to be said, Poliwags are valuable Pokémon. This one has a Deep Green potential and a swift swim ability. Safe to say it could go for millions of pokedollars.
"Poli!" Poliwag used water gun at the Linoone, but it dodged easily and was about to strike him with a headbutt. Poliwag winced, bracing for the impact. His body already had wounds all over and barely had any energy.
But the impact he feared never came, as Eric's Spearow struck the Linoone with an Aerial Ace!
"Poli?"
"Huh? Who's there show yourself!"
Eric didn't say much and came out of hiding, standing behind Poliwag. There were 2 reasons Eric was interfering. One was for Poliwag, and the other was because the thugs were wearing clothes that has the insignia of the Arbok Gang!
Eric has not forgotten that both, the owner of his previous body and Gastly were captured by the Arbok Gang. He looked calm but his heart was furious. Killing intent surged within both Eric and Gastly.
"You damn brat. Do you know who you are messing with? I'll kill you for this"
The Linoone trainer was furious. He commanded his Linoone to attack Spearow.
'Tch. Weepinbell you also attack the Spearow."
His partner was more cautious of Eric. But he still thought that eliminating Spearow first was the right move.
But Gastly appeared in front of Weepinbell before it could move and struck it with Ghost Ball, sending it flying.
Poliwag looked confused. He didn't know why Eric was helping him. Weren't they in cahoots? Regardless, he wasn't gonna sit still and got back to attacking Linoone.
Poliwag and Spearow vs Linoone.
Gastly vs Weepinbell.
Well, the latter wasn't much of a fight as Gastly completely dominated and defeated Weepinbell in 2 hits.
Linoone wasn't faring well either, and with Gastly now free, it didn't stand a chance and was defeated as well.
"Let's retreat for now. Once we let the others know this kid will not stay safe in all of Redwood!"
The thugs released 2 more pokemon, an ekans and a koffing, and used them as a distraction to flee.
Unfortunately for them, Eric had no plans about letting them escape.
Spearow held off the 2 pokemon on his own. Without a trainer to command, they couldn't do much.
Meanwhile Gastly slipped through the shadows and appeared in front of them. He didn't hesitate and killed them instantly.
Eric had no mercy for humans like these and had no qualms about killing them. After the kind of life he's lived, while he may spare some people, but if you cross his line he won't show you any mercy.
Eric then turned to Poliwag, who was still confused and a bit wary of him,
"If you want to run, I won't stop you. I too have been in your situation and value freedom greatly. However, this is a world where strength rules all. If you're alone, you'll find yourself in a similar situation. If you come with me, not only can I offer you protection, but also the strength you need to protect yourself."
Eric placed a Pokeball in front of Poliwag.
"Now choose, Poliwag. If you want to join me, then press this button on the Pokeball."
Eric stared at Poliwag, waiting for his answer. Poliwag hesitated for a moment. Pokemon can generally sense people's emotions. He knew Eric was honest.
He then decided and went up to Eric's Pokeball, pressing the button.
After a few seconds the Pokeball stopped moving.
Click.
Capture successful!