Chapter 28: Control to Death

"Oh, oh, oh, that green Sandshrew!"

"After a month, it is back on the Challenger stage!"

"But this time it's facing a Persian instead of an Electabuzz. Without the type advantage, what kind of exciting battle can it bring us this time?!"

The host clearly recognized Sandshrew, as its unique green body was very recognizable!

"It's that successful Sandshrew! That overwhelming Rollout move—it's been a month, but I can still vividly remember it!"

"Go for it! Take down the Champion!"

"Come on, use Rollout to crush everything!"

The audience erupted into cheers upon seeing the green Sandshrew appear, a stark contrast to their earlier disdain and ridicule!

Clearly, Sandshrew had conquered all the spectators with its previous performance.

Just like those athletes with disabilities who continue to fight on the field, even if it is a flawed Sandshrew, it can still earn everyone's respect!

Respect is something to be earned through hard work!

"A disabled Sandshrew?"

Ryoma couldn't help but twitch his mouth at the public's misunderstanding of Flash Pokémon; he felt very helpless.

"So it's that Sandshrew. Although you defeated that idiot Raiden relying on type advantage and faster speed, your strength is still merely basic. There's still quite a gap between us!"

At that moment, Ryoma finally had the chance to observe the Champion. To his surprise, this Champion was a woman, and she was quite attractive, but her androgynous attire made it hard for Ryoma to recognize her right away.

Moreover, this female Champion was clearly a very proud person, with a disdain that was unapologetically evident.

"Underestimating us? That's just great!"

Seeing that the opponent had started to let their guard down, Ryoma could not help but smile slightly in his heart while pretending to be very angry on the surface, thus keeping his opponent off guard.

"Sandshrew, show them what you've got! Use Rollout!"

The Champion lightly shook her head upon seeing the opponent using the same old strategy: "Your Rollout can change direction, but it completely relies on the Trainer's command. Can your eyes keep up with Persian's speed?"

Not to mention, the Champion had a sharp eye; she quickly identified the flaw in the Rollout strategy. In the face of Persian's speed, Sandshrew's Rollout inevitably missed every time!

"Sandshrew, turn! They're behind you!"

"No, no, no! They're at your eight o'clock!"

"This time it's at seven o'clock…"

Under the display of Persian's speed, every single Rollout from Sandshrew missed without exception. Each time Ryoma commanded, Persian was already on the move, offering no opportunity whatsoever!

It was like a cat playing with a mouse; the scene was quite fitting. Sandshrew was completely being toyed with, rolling around in the arena.

However, as the Rollout continued, both speed and power were accumulating rapidly, and Rock-type energy was visibly radiating out!

"Sandshrew, don't give up! Use Rollout!" Ryoma's gaze intensified.

Watching Sandshrew roll out again, before the Champion could even command, Persian had already dodged out of the path of Sandshrew's Rollout with a flash, then glanced at Ryoma with a hint of mockery in its eyes, the meaning very clear.

Give up, boy; you'll never hit my Persian!

"Persian, quickly dodge!"

Before Persian could fully relish its victory, it suddenly heard its Trainer's anxious voice.

Persian was very confused, but when it turned back, it saw Sandshrew rumbling toward it with Rollout, already close at hand!

It was startled, and before it could react, Rollout smashed into it with tremendous force. Under the strongest power of Rollout attack, it felt like being hit by a Tauros, and its body was sent flying!

"Damn it, here it comes again! Persian, adjust quickly!"

The Champion could no longer remain calm. Seeing Sandshrew's Rollout attacking again, she shouted anxiously.

"Meow!"

Persian cried out in the air, but before its body could land, it felt itself crash again, a sharp pain coursing through every part of its body!

"That's it! Control the opponent to death!"

As Ryoma's voice fell, Sandshrew turned back after rolling a distance, charging straight at the flying Persian.

Just as Persian was about to touch down, Sandshrew's Rollout came exactly on time, hitting the still-in-air Persian once more!

The timing was perfect, as if it had been measured precisely!

"Damn, Persian, don't give up! Use Swift with all your might!"

The Champion's face was now filled with anxiety. If she didn't think of a way out, Persian would surely be toyed with until defeated!

"Meow!"

Hearing its Trainer's command, Persian endured the pain and began regaining control of its airborne body, summoning all the normal-type energy within!

In the next moment, Persian unleashed a burst of energy, shooting forth countless star-shaped energies from its body into the air, rushing toward the Sandshrew that was coming in with Rollout.

Boom!

However, Sandshrew had already elevated its Rollout to the utmost level; those Swifts were instantly shattered, exploding into countless light dots that dissipated.

At the same time, Sandshrew's body crashed into Persian once more. With a precise tackle angle, it sent Persian flying into the air again!

"Meow!"

After taking three consecutive maximum power Rollouts from Sandshrew, Persian let out a whimper in the air, its eyes glazing over.

"Return, Persian!"

Seeing that Persian was about to be hit by Sandshrew's Rollout attack again, the beautiful Champion gritted her teeth, pulled out a Poké Ball, and recalled Persian, causing Sandshrew's attack to miss completely.

"You win!"

The Champion gave Ryoma a resentful glance before turning to leave.

At that moment, one could hear a pin drop; everyone was momentarily stunned.

Clearly, no one had expected this battle to end in such a fashion.

From start to finish, Persian had not dealt any effective damage to Sandshrew and was directly controlled to defeat by a single Rollout!

It could be said that this was a complete and utter domination!

Though there was also the fact that Persian had fought several battles prior and its stamina was severely depleted, it still left the audience feeling quite shocked!