Narrow Victory

Although Bellossom had been making rapid progress, it was still far from pseudo-Elite level level. Even with its potential advantage, it was challenging to face a pseudo-Elite level Pokémon head-on.

Yuga's second Pokémon was Absol. and naturally, use Absol to deal with Absol.

While Yuga's Absol hadn't reached pseudo-Elite level level yet, it was one of Yuga's closest Pokémon to pseudo-Elite level level aside from Lapras. Moreover, Absol had experience defeating pseudo-Elite level Pokémon, so Yuga believed this battle was still worth a try.

Originally, as a Grass-type Gym Leader, Yuga should have used Grass-type Pokémon. However, since others had asked him to give his best, he had no choice but to go all out. Besides, his Grass-type Pokémon hadn't fully grown yet, and using them against pseudo-Elite level Pokémon would be unfair.

As Yuga's Absol appeared on the battlefield, the imposing presence brought by its massive size sent shivers down the spines of Riley and his Absol on the opposite side.

Yuga's Absol stared at Riley's Absol without a word. Its Pressure ability activated, and Riley's Absol felt a sudden surge of pressure, making it mentally uncomfortable.

Riley could sense that the Absol on the other side, despite not reaching pseudo-Elite level level, exuded an indescribable aura.

Most Dark-type Pokémon had proud personalities, even those with cunning natures like Purrloin or Liepard had a deep sense of pride.

Absol was one of the best in this regard.

Riley's Absol felt that it was being oppressed in terms of aura by the opposing Absol, which looked somewhat intimidating but was not yet at pseudo-Elite level level. It felt challenged.

Two Absol, both brimming with energy, were ready to fight. Finally, upon the commands of Yuga and Riley, they charged at each other simultaneously.

Yuga's Absol used X-Scissor, a Bug-type move it had learned from Gliscor.

Riley's Absol used the Fairy-type move Play Rough, which made Yuga envious.

The collision between the two Pokémon created shockwaves that rustled the clothing of the three people on the battlefield.

In this test attack, neither Absol emerged as the clear winner.

Yuga's Absol had a huge attack power boosted by its potential and size. Riley's Absol, on the other hand, had an advantage in level.

The result of the exchange surprised Riley greatly.

He didn't expect that the Absol on the other side, which hadn't even reached pseudo-Elite level, would have almost equal attacking power as his own Absol.

Yuga: "Absol, use Swords Dance."

Upon hearing Yuga's command, Riley's eyes sharpened. He couldn't allow the opponent's attacks to become any stronger.

He could imagine that after being empowered by Swords Dance, the opponent's Absol would surely surpass his Absol in attack power, putting them at a disadvantage.

"Absol, use Taunt."

Riley's Absol couldn't use the enhancing move Swords Dance, but it could prevent the opponent from using it too by using Taunt.

Yuga's Absol had blue light swords rapidly spinning around its body, and it was about to complete the power-up when these light swords were abruptly dissipated by Riley's Absol's Taunt.

"Absol, use Play Rough again."

Having successfully stopped Yuga's Absol from boosting its attacks, Riley gave the command for his Absol to attack again.

A pink glow enveloped Riley's Absol, making it look bizarre, but its aura remained strong as it charged forward.

"Absol, use Stone Edge."

Seeing the opponent charging at him, Yuga calmly issued a command to his Absol.

Yuga's Absol suddenly raised its upper body high, lifted its two front legs, and then stomped the ground heavily. Instantly, blue stone pillars rose from the ground.

Riley's Absol, rushing forward recklessly, didn't anticipate any unexpected events and was directly struck by the stone pillars that suddenly shot up from below. It was knocked off course as it tumbled away from its original attack trajectory.

However, Riley's Absol reacted swiftly. In the moment it rolled away, it used Double Team. Yuga's Absol's Stone Edge attack missed its intended target.

(Note: As mentioned earlier, Stone Edge has two types—razor-like and pillar-like—depending on how the user employs it.)

Watching over a dozen identical Absol simultaneously appear on the field, Yuga said, "Absol, Snarl."

Yuga's Absol opened its mouth and let out a deafening roar, emitting visible waves of black sound that spread out in all directions. The sound, which was usually intangible, had taken on a tangible form due to the influence of Dark-type energy, wiping out all the illusory Absol.

"Absol, use X-Scissor!"

"Absol, use Play Rough!"

Yuga and Riley simultaneously issued attack commands to their respective Absol. The two Pokémon collided like two cannonballs, creating an even greater spectacle than before.

After separating again, both Pokémon were panting heavily, indicating considerable energy expenditure.

However, Yuga's Absol was noticeably in better shape.

The mysterious Seed of the Unknown endowed Absol with not only increased attack and defense but also greater stamina and energy.

If the opponent weren't a pseudo-Elite level level Absol, Pokémon of the same level wouldn't last more than a few moves against Yuga's Absol.

"Gym Leader Shimizu, let's decide the outcome with one final move," Riley said to Yuga.

He knew that his Absol, in its current state, couldn't hold out much longer.

In this battle against Yuga's Absol, the Pokémon had to endure not only physical exhaustion but also mental fatigue. Yuga's Absol's Pressure ability was exerting its effect constantly.

The Pokémon on the battlefield were in a state of intense concentration during the battle, but with the influence of the Pressure ability, their energy consumption had reached a frightening level almost inadvertently.

Riley didn't know what the Pressure ability of ordinary Pokémon was like, but the Pressure ability of the Absol before him was already terrifying.

Even Riley, who was outside the battlefield, could feel the subtle pressure emanating from the opposing Absol. What made it even more uncomfortable was that this pressure couldn't be eliminated; it had to be endured unless the opposing ability was nullified.

Several moves could change the opponent's ability, such as moves like Skill Swap, Worry Seed, Gastro Acid, and so on, but unfortunately, Absol didn't learn any of them.

"Alright, let's go as you suggested."

Yuga agreed to Riley's proposal.

"Absol, use Giga Impact!"

"Absol, use Play Rough!"

This time, Yuga's Absol didn't use X-Scissor but rather a powerful Normal-type move—Giga Impact.

Since it was a move to decide the outcome in one shot, it had to be matched with an appropriate move.

Giga Impact was one of Absol's two ultimate moves, in addition to Future Sight.

Speaking of which, one advantage of having many trained Pokémon was that it was very convenient to teach them new moves.

With Absol's talent now having turned Indigo, its ability to learn moves had reached a whole new level.

The two Pokémon collided forcefully once again, creating an even more spectacular clash than before.

After separating, both Pokémon lay motionless on the ground. Their snow-white fur had become disheveled and blackened.

"Both Absol have lost their fighting capabilities simultaneously. Gym Leaders and Challengers, please release your next Pokémon..."

However, before the referee's words could finish, Yuga's Absol trembled and unsteadily rose to its feet again. Despite its unstable stance and heavy panting, all three individuals on the field felt that it stood tall.