58. I don't understand, but I'm shocked

Druddigon, often called the shame of the dragon family, was considered the weakest Dragon-type Pokémon before the seventh generation, with the lowest base stats among its kind. The fact that it has no evolution only adds to this perception.

In the seventh generation, two more Pokémon joined the ranks of the weaker dragons: Turtonator and Drampa.

However, this didn't ease Druddigon's awkward position.

For novice trainers, though, Druddigon's lack of evolution becomes an advantage.

Without needing to evolve, its growth is more consistent than those Pokémon that haven't evolved yet or are still in the process of evolving.

Xavier must have recognized this and sent it out to face Combusken.

As long as the level difference isn't significant, Druddigon should emerge victorious!

"Druddigon, use Dragon Claw!" Xavier commanded.

The massive Druddigon charged toward Combusken like a tank, seemingly unstoppable.

"If you send out Druddigon, then you're going to go all out, huh?" Chris grinned. "Let's see how much Combusken has improved!"

"Combusken, use Double Kick!"

Combusken stepped forward, meeting Druddigon head-on.

The two Pokémon clashed at the center of the battlefield.

Druddigon's claws gleamed with a faint green light, forming two large Dragon Claws that swiped at Combusken.

Powered by its strength, Druddigon's melee attacks were fast, but Combusken nimbly dodged, spinning on one foot and landing a powerful kick to the side of Druddigon's head.

A loud thud echoed, but Combusken felt as though it had kicked solid rock.

Druddigon's head didn't even budge. Its eyes glanced downward at Combusken, almost mocking, as if saying, "Is that all? Didn't you have breakfast?"

Then, suddenly—

"Boom!" A burst of energy exploded from where Combusken's kick landed.

Druddigon was sent flying backward by the unexpected force.

Combusken seemed to silently reply, *You're the one who skipped breakfast!*

"What just happened?" Xavier's eyes widened in confusion.

The surrounding audience was just as baffled, unable to understand why Druddigon had suddenly been knocked back, almost as if it had delayed reacting to the hit.

Druddigon should have been blown away immediately by Combusken's Double Kick, but it felt like there was a half-second delay before the impact registered.

The scene was undeniably strange.

Theodore, sitting in the spectator seats, leaned forward and muttered, "Now that was an interesting kick."

Druddigon quickly recovered, crouching low and bracing itself by planting one claw on the ground. It managed to brake and stabilize, but just as it regained its footing, Combusken's next attack was already on its way.

Double Kick, of course, strikes twice!

"Boom!"

Combusken's second kick connected with Druddigon's head once again.

"Boom!" The impact sent Druddigon flying, crashing into the wall with a loud thud.

"Combusken, finish it! Encore Double Kick!" Chris called out.

Combusken used Quick Attack to dash toward Druddigon. Its left foot touched the ground while its right foot flew up, landing a powerful blow to Druddigon's chest.

"Protect!" Xavier shouted.

With its back to the wall, Druddigon crossed its arms over its chest, forming an invisible Barrier.

"Boom!"

The Barrier shattered under the force of Combusken's kick, the violent energy exploding as Druddigon was pinned against the wall. Then, Combusken's left foot swung around, powered by the momentum of its body's rotation, slamming into Druddigon's head with full force.

"Boom! Boom!" Two powerful impacts reverberated through the arena as Druddigon's entire body became embedded in the wall.

Its defense seemed as fragile as paper, easily pierced with the lightest touch.

Combusken turned around with a confident flair, while Druddigon crumpled to the ground.

The battle was over.

"Druddigon is unable to battle. Combusken is the winner! With two of Xavier's Pokémon down, Chris is the final victor!" the referee declared.

The audience was dead silent, so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.

Was that it? Was the battle really over?

It seemed like the fight had barely begun.

Everyone had expected Xavier's Druddigon to dominate the battlefield and overwhelm Chris's Combusken, forcing Chris to send out his stronger Pokémon for an intense showdown.

The audience had written their own script in their minds, but the main character, Druddigon, was knocked out in the opening act.

As much as everyone had anticipated Druddigon's performance, they were now left baffled.

The strangest part was that Combusken had previously defeated Riolu in a way that made sense—by overpowering it. But how had Combusken managed to dominate Druddigon so effortlessly?

Even the more experienced students, sophomores and juniors, were at a loss for an explanation.

The only person who truly understood what had happened was Chris, Combusken's Trainer.

Chris had finally started to implement the strategy he learned from the Vine Tree Notebook.

From Fake Out + Force Palm to Double Kick + Force Palm.

Two hits had effectively become four hits.

Double Kick's power was 30x2, combined with Force Palm, which had 90 power, resulting in a total of 180 damage.

Of course, it wasn't as simple as that on paper, but it still highlighted the overwhelming strength of the Double Kick + Force Palm combo.

The first Double Kick knocked Druddigon off balance, and the second Double Kick finished it off. It was perfectly reasonable.

However, to the audience, it seemed unbelievable.

The eerie silence was finally broken by the grade dean, who stood up along with several teachers, applauding. "That was a spectacular battle! Let's give a round of applause for both of these talented Trainers!"

The audience snapped out of their daze and began clapping enthusiastically.

"Chris is amazing!"

"I've been saying it from the start—Brother Chris is the strongest. He didn't even need to use his strongest Pokémon, and Combusken still dominated!"

"Did you even understand that battle with Combusken?"

"Nope, but that doesn't stop me from saying, Chris is the best!"

If there were one word to describe the battle between Chris and Xavier, it would be: *I don't get it, but I'm impressed.*

As the applause continued, the grade dean stepped forward to award Chris the certificate for winning the new military training competition.

Chris smiled, recalling the last time he received an award—back in elementary school for being a model student.

After shaking hands with the grade dean, Chris recalled Combusken and headed for the players' lounge.

As soon as he arrived, a letter arrived from his counselor, delivered by a Flying-type Pokémon.

It read:

**Olivia:** You won the new military training competition. You now have the opportunity to visit the East China Sea Dragon's Nest and capture a Dragon-type Pokémon. Let me know when you're ready, and I'll accompany you.