Chapter 121

Everyone watched in curiosity as Aizen and Leaf, even Misty, called out their Pokémon and made them sit in the stands or stand on the side to watch the battle.

The Orayen Prince even arranged and asked Sabrina's Alakazam to create a large ball with its Psychic Powers, holding the water that Lapras created. He then used this invisible bowl to put his Magikarp into it.

There were a few gasps around the Arena, even from Cyrus, who was amazed at the fact that Aizen possessed two Shiny Pokémon. Most would never even come across one in their lifetime, and he had two on his Team.

Sina and Dexio were quite curious about Aizen's Team. They remembered him telling them that he wanted to create a perfect Team out of Pokémon found in Kanto and win the league with them.

Both of them looked at the Bulbasaur, who was obediently standing next to Lapras, and by its side was a cute male Nidoran. A little away from them, stood a smug-looking Wartortle, and then there was a Golbat hanging from the roof above the stands.

Next to where the Orayen Princess was sitting, was an Electabuzz, and back inside the Arena, right behind Aizen's square, was a Rhyhorn and a Scyther.

And as always, his beloved Eevee was resting on his shoulders.

"Is it wise to show all your Pokemon to a potential opponent in the league?" Misty frowned at his decision, not agreeing with it.

"It's fine. To Aizen, it is more important that they all get to witness this Match."

"Hmm..."

Cyrus Craig walked into the Referee's Square, and then summoned two Alakazam and an Espeon, instructing them to cover the battlefield inside a barrier and to keep tabs on any foul play.

"This is a Private Challenge, where both parties have agreed to follow the official Rules of a Pokémon League's Knock-Out round. As per these rules, there will be no Toss. Both the Trainers will choose their first Pokémon at the same time. The battle will continue until one of them runs out of all six of their chosen Pokémon. The Trainers can substitute their Pokémon if they have survived for five minutes in the ongoing round or have won the previous round." His voice was clearly heard by everyone, thanks to the Psychic Channel that his Pokémon created. "Let's begin!"

As soon as he gave the green light, Anthony plucked out a Pokeball from his belt and then tossed it in the air. And at the same time, Aizen called out the name of the Pokémon he chose.

"Scyther!"

"Scizor!"

A grin appeared on the lemon-haired boy's face when he saw the Pokémon Aizen had chosen, and the girls in the stands could but help but tense up.

However, the Green Mantis was pumped up for a fight as it deemed the Scizor a worthy opponent, and sensing its lust for battle, the Orayen Prince smiled a little.

"Scizor is tougher than you, Scyther. Be careful of its pincers. If it manages to catch you with them, you will not be able to escape. Your Blades won't work on this opponent, however, you have the advantage of speed." He calmly spoke to his Pokémon, making it realise the gravity of the situation, and Scyther immediately used Double-Team to create several afterimages.

"Use Bullet Punch to eliminate the images," Anthony instructed, and Scizor immediately complied, showcasing a pattern of movement where it always kept its guard up.

This Scizor was very experienced and an intelligent Pokémon.

"Air Slash, and use Aerial Ace." Aizen countered, and Scyther cleverly disguised Aerial Ace with a set of Air Slashes, managing to land a few hits before it had to pull away.

Scizor's eyes dangerously narrowed at what just happened, and Anthony was smiling too, happy that his Pokémon was serious and angry now.

"Aerial Ace."

"You too."

Aizen immediately ordered Scyther, and both the Pokémon repeatedly clashed against each other.

"Double-Team!"

The Orayen Prince suddenly said, and Anthony countered it with a Bullet Punch.

"Fly up. Send out Air Slashes."

The battle continued as Aizen kept Scyther in the air, making it difficult for Scizor to reach it.

However, pretty soon, it was obvious that Scyther was tiring out at a faster rate.

As soon as the clock hit the five-minute mark, the Orayen Prince made a decisive call.

"Return." He said, and Anthony was all smiles as it meant that his opponent would be showing him his next Pokémon.

"Scyther." The Green Mantis complained when he came to stand by his side again.

"Wait and watch," Aizen told it, and then gently scratched the ear of his Eevee, waking it up. "Let's go, Rinko."

The fox cutely yawned as it opened its eyes, and then jumped off his shoulder and stretched its limbs.

"Yip.." It cheerfully greeted Scizor, who was taken aback by its cheerful nature, however, soon it watched the fox's eyes turn grim, and bells of crisis rang in its ears.

"Double-Team, Aerial Ace," Anthony ordered, not waiting any time, Rinko reacted by using Agility and Double-Team, trying its best to distract the Scizor.

However, Scizor was battled-hardened too, and its Aerial Ace soon hit the mark.

Rinko winced as it somersaulted in the air and landed on its feet, and then it started charging towards the Metal Bug, intending to return the favour.

"Aerial Ace." Anthony immediately called out again as it was the only move that could keep up with this Eevee's speed, however, Rinko fooled it at the last moment as it used Double-Team and got behind it.

A few gasps were heard when the audience watched the Shiny Eevee use an attack that looked similar to a Flame Charge, and just when it looked like Scizor would be hit and scorched, Anthony reacted.

"Psycho Cut!"

The two attacks collided against each other, and the Psycho Cut managed to throw away the Eevee, which surprised Scyther, who was intently watching the battle.

It knew how strong Rinko was, and throwing it away like that required a lot of strength.

"Giga Impact." Anthony ruthlessly called out.

"Hyper Voice!" Aizen clenched his fist as he called out the move, and the next second, Rinko let out an ear-piercing scream, which distracted Scizor for a moment, causing it to miss the target.

The shiny fox immediately used Double-Team, intending to capitalise on the opportunity.

"Sizzly Slide. Circle it as fast as you can."

Rinko did as asked, and soon, Scizor was surrounded by a curtain of flame, which raised the temperature of the surroundings.

Scizor were very weak to high temperatures, and sure enough, the Pokémon became quite restless as it flapped its wings faster and faster to regulate the temperature of its body.

"Glitzy Glow"

The variation of Psychic landed squarely on Scizor, rattling it, and before it could react, Rinko, covered in flames, smashed into it.

To Leaf and Misty's dismay, the Metal Bug still managed to stay conscious, and its body started glowing again, telling them that another Giga Impact was coming.

"Glitch Glow." The Psychic attack again landed on the Pokemon, forcing it to lose focus, but it still managed to shoot towards Rinko, who immediately covered its body in flames and lunged forward as well.

A loud collision sounded out as Sizzly Slide and Giga-Impact collided, and both the Pokémon were thrown away onto the field, having taken serious damage.

However, one of them still managed to get back on its feet, albeit swaying as it did.

"Scizor is unable to battle. Eevee Wins the first round!" Cyrus announced, still shocked at what he had just witnessed, but no one was more dismayed than the lemon-haired boy, who recalled his Pokémon and stared at the Shiny Eevee in disbelief.

This Eevee was way too strong!

"Go, Stoutland!"

Eventually, he made his pick, and Aizen smiled at the clever choice.

"Return, Rinko."

The Shiny Eevee immediately walked over to his side and sat down, panting for breath.

"Rest." He lightly said and then chose his next Pokémon. "Let's go, Gengar."

"Gengar..." The Pokémon manifested from his shadow, wearing a very sinister smile, and then floated over to the battlefield.

"The Second Round is between Gengar and Stoutland. Let's begin!" Cyrus locked the changes in his Pokedex and signalled to them to start.

Anthony was deeply frowning now as he was surprised that Aizen was willing to keep revealing his Pokémon.

However, as things stood, he still needed to make the most out of this round.

"Use Smog," Aizen called out, and Gengar suddenly discharged an ominous purple smog from its mouth, and along with it, disappeared from sight.

"Don't panic." Anthony comforted his Pokémon. "You need to search for an opportunity to use your Cruch and Psychic Fangs on it. No other attack will help you much. Focus on survival."

"Woof!" The Pokémon acknowledged his words and immediately reacted when it sensed someone behind it.

However, it was too late and Gengar was super fast.

Instead of attacking it, the Ghost Pokemon let out more smog. In its surprise, the poor Stouland inhaled a lot of it, which disturbed its senses and the Poison took effect.

"No rush, Gengar. Play with it as much as you want." The Orayen Prince ordered, and his Pokémon was more than happy to hear those words.

"Facade!" Anthony grinned when he saw that his opponent was taking things too easy, but to its dismay, Gengar used Brick-Break and threw Stoutland away.

Was this called taking things easy?

"So, your Pokemon has Scrappy as its ability. It can attack Ghost-Type Pokemon." Aizen smiled, and the lemon-haired boy realised that he had rushed things by falling into the trap that the opponent had set up.

He should have let it drag for a little longer, maybe then Stoutland would have caught it by surprise.

Anthony could only sigh as he watched his Pokémon receive another Brick-Break before Gengar ended the round with a Psywave.

"Stoutland is unable to battle. Gengar wins the second round." Cyrus' call sounded out, and finally, a cheer rose from the stands, and it was from the cute Electabuzz.

Aizen smiled at his Pokémon and then waited for his opponent to make his next choice.