The medical team rushed onto the field and tended to Alister. The crowd didn't know what to make of this. Do you have to be so dramatic that you faint after a loss?
The announcer was also stunned, but he soon recovered.
"What a finish! With that, Belle Williams has secured her spot in the finals in truly spectacular fashion! Now the question is, who will join her? Will it be Iris Belmont from the prestigious Belmont family, or will it be Eric, the dark horse that seemingly appeared out of nowhere?"
He pauses for dramatic effect,
"You'll want to stay in your seats, because the second semi‑final kicks off in just fifteen minutes. Don't blink, folks; you won't want to miss this!"
Eric had now left the stands and was sitting in the waiting area, making final preparations for the upcoming fight. The last match had left quite an impression on him. Frankly, he didn't think he could beat Belle right now. But rather than being demoralized, he was even more motivated.
He spent the next 15 minutes finalising his strategy. Based on her matches, Iris was not a good matchup for him. Her Murkrow held the type advantage over Gastly and was very well raised.
He didn't know all her Pokémon either. For him to have a chance at winning, his Spearow and Poliwag had to defeat Murkrow at least.
'Well, in the end, all I can do is give it my all and see how it goes.' Having made up his mind, Eric makes his way to the battlefield.
---
"Ladies and gentlemen, I hope you are ready, for the next round of the semi-finals is about to begin!"
He gestures to the left entrance.
"On my left is a trainer who was completely unknown until now. No background, no reputation. Just with his skill, grit, and a Gastly that refuses to lose, he has made it all the way here. Truly the dark horse of this tournament. GIVE IT UP FOR ERIC!!"
Eric walked up to the battlefield with a calm, almost unreadable expression. He didn't make any unnecessary moves. He just stood there and waited for his opponent.
"Now for his opponent-"
He gestures to the right entrance.
"She comes from the prestigious Belmont family. Elegant, composed, and with deadly precision. She has cut through every opponent with surgical efficiency. A favourite to win it all… Iris Belmont!"
Iris stepped onto the field from the opposite end. Her blue hair flowed with the wind, and her posture radiated quiet confidence. Unlike Alister's theatrics, she offered no smirk, no wave; only a polite nod toward Eric.
"Without further ado, let us begin!"
The referee signalled the start of the match as both trainers released their Pokémon simultaneously.
Pokémon: Murkrow
Gender: Male
Level: 24
Type: Dark/Flying
Ability: Prankster
Potential: Light Blue
Moves: Peck, Astonish, Haze, Pursuit, Wing Attack, Night Shade, Drill Peck, Sky Attack, Feint Attack, Brave Bird, Dark Pulse, Snarl, Thief, Aerial Ace, Roost, Protect, Taunt, Calm Mind, Taunt
'What a ridiculous move-pool,' Eric thought as he sent out Poliwag.
Murkrow knew Roost, which was a problem. Eric needed to keep the fight fast paced and not let him use Roost.
"Poliwag, Water gun! Keep your distance!"
"Murkrow, dodge then close the distance. Use Drill Peck!"
Murkrow easily maneuvered around the water gun and reached Poliwag with terrifying speed. His beak glowed white as he spun around like a drill.
"Protect, then Bubble beam!
Poliwag cast up a protective barrier, but Murkrow's attack was too strong; it held for about 2 seconds and then shattered. Those two seconds were enough for Poliwag to dodge sideways and counter with Bubble Beam. This was one of Eric's go-to strategies.
"Murkrow, Pursuit!"
Murkrow took the hit but recovered quickly and attacked Poliwag with Pursuit, sending him flying.
"Finish it with a Brave Bird!"
Murkrow then blitzed towards Poliwag, the flying type energy around him surged and shrouded his body like a yellow bird made out of energy.
He struck Poliwag, who was still in mid-air. Poliwag crashed into the ground with a massive bang.
"Poliwag!" Eric shouted in concern.
"Poliwag is unable to continue. Murkrow wins!"
"Murrkrow!"
Murkrow, who was hurt by the recoil, let out a victory cry.
"You did good, Poliwag. Now rest."
Eric recalled Poliwag and sent out Spearow.
"Spearow, Aerial Ace!"
The moment Spearow appeared, she shot forward like an arrow.
"You too, Murkrow!"
Murkrow met Spearow's Aerial Ace with his own. Both Pokemon clashed, but only Spearow was knocked back. Murkrow's Aerial Ace was much stronger.
"Power through it, Spearow! Use Peck!"
"Counter with Drill Peck!"
Both Pokemon once again head towards one another, but before they clashed, Spearow curved down instead of meeting Murkrow head on. She then flipped around and did a U-turn, attacking Murkrow from behind.
Murkrow couldn't dodge it in time and was hit.
"Quickly! Follow up with Aerial Ace!"
"Murkrow, Protect, then Brave Bird!"
Murkrow easily blocked Spearow with protect, and used the time to charge another Brave Bird. Then, with a burst of wind, he accelerated forward, hitting Spearow as he did.
Spearow fell to the ground, unconscious.
"Spearow can no longer battle! Murkrow wins!"
"Murkrow!"
Murkrow once again did a victor cry as he winced from the recoil. He looked pretty worn out, but most of the damage was from the recoil of his own move.
His Brave Bird was only at Basic level mastery, it used a lot of energy and caused massive recoil damage. As the move improves in mastery, not only will it get stronger, its recoil damage will also reduce significantly. When completely mastered, the Pokemon will not have any recoil at all!
Of course, it is incredibly difficult to completely master any move, let alone a powerful move like Brave Bird.
Eric recalled Spearow. In his ideal scenario, he wanted Poliwag and Spearow to take down Murkrow at least. But that Murkrow proved to be much more powerful than he expected.
Without any other choice, Eric sent out Gastly. He only hoped Gastly could take down a weakened Murkrow before he took any damage.
Gastly appeared and stared fiercely at Murkrow. Ghostly energy radiated from his body, causing everyone to feel a chill run down their spines.
It was now all up to Gastly…