Chapter 523: Flash
Weavile, a swift attacker among Pokémon, closed in rapidly on Abomasnow as it entered the battlefield.
Observing Weavile's swift approach, Abomasnow paid no attention to it and instead used a continuous recovery move, Ingrain.
As Weavile neared Abomasnow, it initiated a Night Slash with a swift and precise strike using its sharp claws, gleaming with an icy sheen, targeting Abomasnow's legs.
However, Abomasnow lifted its robust thigh and stamped forcefully on the ground, causing it to crack and create fissures. Weavile, poised with its claws raised, had no choice but to abandon its attack and retreat to the side.
Abomasnow utilized a Ground-type move called Stomp. While this move was considered intermediate, it could unleash a more powerful effect if the previous move had failed, which was the case here. Abomasnow didn't intend to harm Weavile with Stomp; its goal was to repel Weavile's advances.
With the completion of the Ingrain move and Weavile's retreat, Abomasnow expelled Bullet seeds that exploded like bombs, forcing Weavile to retreat further.
Abomasnow possessed balanced physical and special attack abilities, depending on how a Trainer nurtured it. Christine's Abomasnow excelled in physical attacks, as evident from the previous battle where it defeated Brawly's two Fighting-type Pokémon with Ice Punch.
However, when it came to close combat, Weavile's agility trumped Abomasnow's bulkiness. Abomasnow, due to its massive size, couldn't move as nimbly as Weavile. Hence, Abomasnow resorted to long-range attacks to deal with Weavile.
Abomasnow specialized in direct, head-on battles, whereas Weavile excelled at surprise attacks using its speed. Their roles were distinctly different.
One of the most renowned physical Grass-type moves that could be used for long-range attacks was Bullet Seed, and it packed quite a punch. Christine had deliberately taught Abomasnow this move to compensate for its lack of ranged attacks.
Yuga's Breloom had also naturally learned this move, saving Yuga quite a bit of effort.
Sora's Weavile was forced to retreat by Abomasnow's Bullet Seeds. The distance between them continued to widen, causing both Weavile and Sora to become increasingly uneasy.
"Weavile, use Icicle Crash!"
Unable to approach for a close-range attack, Sora had no choice but to command Weavile to engage Abomasnow from a distance.
Interestingly, Sora's Weavile had inherited the Icicle Crash move. This was a powerful long-range Ice-type physical attack move and one of the best in its category.
Massive ice shards, under Weavile's control, hurtled towards Abomasnow.
Although Abomasnow resisted Weavile's Ice-type attacks due to its own Ice typing, Weavile's Ice-type moves still inflicted normal damage on Abomasnow because of its secondary Grass typing, which had a weakness to Ice.
Undaunted, Abomasnow watched as the ice shards approached. It raised its fists, each nearly as big as an adult's head, and with a left-right motion, shattered all the incoming ice shards with a move called Hammer Arm.
However, as Abomasnow dealt with the incoming ice shards, Weavile seized the opportunity to close in once more. But Abomasnow quickly responded by stomping its foot once again, driving Weavile back.
And so, the two Pokémon gradually became entangled in a tug-of-war, but it was ultimately Weavile that couldn't hold out any longer.
Weavile fell short of Abomasnow in both defense and stamina, and Abomasnow was further reinforced by its earlier use of Ingrain to continuously restore its health. Thus, Weavile's defeat was to be expected.
With a sigh, Sora recalled Weavile and released his second Pokémon.
Yuga was taken aback by Sora's choice for his second Pokémon, as it was a remarkably rare Shiny Pokémon he hadn't seen Sora use before—a snowy-white Ninetales.
This Ninetales is not an Alolan variant with Ice typing but its Fire-type Ninetales.
Unlike the blue and white-furred Ice-type Ninetales, this Ninetales has pure snow-white fur without a hint of other colors, and it also possesses blue potential.
Upon entering the battlefield, the Shiny Ninetales changed the weather to bright sunshine, clearly showcasing its rare Ability, Drought.
Unlike Weavile, which excels in physical attacks and needs to get close, most Ninetales are specialists in special attacks, and this Ninetales is no exception.
Under the effects of the sunny weather provided by Ninetales, countless flames surged toward Abomasnow. However, Abomasnow, which had used Ingrain, couldn't move nimbly and couldn't be switched out.
Abomasnow forcefully endured this fiery onslaught from Ninetales, its entire body turning charred and constantly releasing steam. As an Ice and Grass type, it was four times weak to Fire-type moves. If it hadn't used Ingrain to recover some health, it might have already succumbed to Ninetales' flames.
It could be said that Abomasnow's victory was secured by its use of Ingrain, and its defeat was due to the same move.
This Shiny Ninetales was Sora's most powerful Pokémon, standing at level 55, two levels higher than Yuga's highest-leveled main Pokémon. Sora had originally intended to use it in the finals, but Christine's performance had put tremendous pressure on him, causing him to reveal his trump card prematurely.
Yuga wasn't surprised that Sora had hidden his true strength. With Christine setting an example, he wouldn't be surprised even if Roxie concealed her abilities. After all, he had also hidden his strength.
Seeing Sora's Ninetales displaying such dominance, Christine's eyes widened in surprise. She then ordered Abomasnow to activate its Snow Warning Ability.
The sunny weather that Ninetales had brought to the field had created a clear, sunny day. Christine's intention was evidently to engage in a weather control battle with Abomasnow, challenging for control of the weather.
As Abomasnow activated its Snow Warning Ability, the previously bright sky seemed to darken suddenly. A myriad of dark clouds appeared overhead on the battlefield.
However, these clouds dissipated almost instantly, in less than a moment, and the weather once again became sunny and clear.
Christine found it hard to believe that her Abomasnow, which had trained extensively in weather control, would lose control of the weather to the opponent. For Abomasnow with Snow Warning, mastering weather control had always been a top priority in its training.
While Christine was momentarily stunned, the Ninetales across the field raised its nine long tails high behind it. A scorching hot wave of wind swept over Abomasnow.
Abomasnow, already weakened, was struck head-on by this Heat Wave from Ninetales. It collapsed immediately.
Christine's Abomasnow was one of the best among all participating trainers' Pokémon. The fact that it fell to Sora's Ninetales illustrated just how powerful Sora's Pokémon was. It could easily compete with Yuga's main Pokémon like Florges and the others.
Christine calmly withdrew Abomasnow and then released Tsareena.
Christine had no confidence that Tsareena could match up against this Ninetales, considering the attribute disadvantages and the obvious disparity in strength.
Weekly Power Status
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