Kapitel 80: There's Something Off About My Pokémon. [80]
On the other side of the arena, Gao Lu and Gao Minglang watched with growing tension.
"Dad, that Extrasensory really did a number on Machop. Look at how its face is changing color!" Gao Lu observed nervously.
Gao Minglang frowned. "I thought this kid would have Vulpix use Protect, giving Gao Chi a chance to strike. But no, his instincts are sharper than I expected."
The fierce exchange had already prompted a wave of exclamations from the crowd. Veteran commentator Ding Lei delivered his expert analysis, "It looks like Gao Chi's Machop has the No Guard ability!"
An Tongxin chimed in at the right moment, "With No Guard, every move, whether attacking or defending, is guaranteed to hit."
Ding Lei, clearly impressed, continued, "That's why Lu Cheng didn't opt for Protect with Vulpix. But Quick Attack couldn't dodge Karate Chop either. How will Lu Cheng respond now?"
So, he figured out Machop's ability too. Gao Chi's expression grew more serious. While his Karate Chop had landed, the damage from Vulpix's Extrasensory couldn't be ignored either. This kid, isn't he playing a defensive counter game? Why is he suddenly on the offensive?
Gao Chi's face darkened as he gave his next order, "Machop, Focus Energy!"
Now that Vulpix had put some distance between them, Machop was able to complete its Focus Energy without interruption. The bluish tint to Machop's face from the earlier Extrasensory faded slightly as its energy surged, preparing for a critical hit. With No Guard and Focus Energy combined, Machop's attacks would land even harder. This was the essence of "Yixin Dojo" — striking critical blows with precision.
Vulpix, now five meters away, was back on guard. Lu Cheng shouted, "Vulpix, use Extrasensory again!"
Psychic-type moves deal double damage to Fighting-types like Machop, and Lu Cheng was more than happy to trade damage in this situation. However, Extrasensory's energy took time to gather.
Without a hint of hesitation, Gao Chi's eyes sharpened, just as they had when he took on the responsibilities of the dojo at only fifteen years old.
"Revenge!"
At Gao Chi's command, Machop's energy reached its peak. Suddenly, Machop appeared as immovable as a mountain, crossing its arms as it trudged forward, straight into the heart of Vulpix's Extrasensory.
Revenge reflects double the damage back… If Machop reaches Vulpix, this will be devastating!
"Damn, that thing's health is insane!" Even Lu Cheng couldn't help but curse under his breath.
Suddenly, a flash of memory from his battle against Wu Ye's Machamp crossed his mind.
"Vulpix, use Double Team!"
"Here it comes!" On the sidelines, Gao Minglang perked up, his eyes fixated on the move he had taught Lu Cheng. Gao Lu bit her lip nervously, unsure if her brother could handle this technique.
If my brother loses to Double Team, I'll probably cry on the spot.
But instead, a faint smile tugged at Gao Chi's otherwise stoic face.
Uh oh. A sudden chill shot down Lu Cheng's spine. He turned back toward the battlefield, where Vulpix had already created two clones.
"Vulpix, surround yourself with Fire Spin!"
Lu Cheng couldn't pinpoint where the sense of danger came from, but in the next second, it became all too clear.
"Machop, use Foresight!"
Foresight negated Vulpix's evasiveness—Double Team's illusion was useless!
"Left side, use Dynamic Punch!"
At that moment, Gao Minglang realized the significance of his son's strategy. "He's improved his accuracy with Dynamic Punch?"
Gao Minglang murmured to himself. "You've really surpassed your old man, huh…"
Machop's fist exploded with radiant white energy, a combination of Focus Energy, Foresight, and No Guard! The Dynamic Punch hurtled toward the left Vulpix with unstoppable force.
But then, a massive explosion of flames erupted from the Fire Spin, lighting up the entire arena!
"Machop's Dynamic Punch is going straight into Vulpix's Fire Spin!" Ding Lei's voice rang out, filled with excitement. "Who will come out victorious?"
The clash of fire and fists, the collision of power and beauty, made the entire arena tremble!
Without thinking, Gao Lu clung to her father's arm in anticipation. The flames were so intense, forming a three-meter-tall vortex around Vulpix. Inside the whirlpool of fire, Machop seemed small, but it pressed forward, unyielding.
Tongues of flame engulfed both Pokémon, obscuring the battlefield from view. At this point, it was all down to the trainers' judgment.
Lu Cheng felt a rush of exhilaration surge through him. This was different from his battle with Wang Yingjie, where the pressure was overwhelming. The man standing across from him now, with his bone-crushing techniques, was driving the entire arena's atmosphere to a fever pitch.
Big moves clashing head-on—it's every man's dream!
"Vulpix, use Extrasensory again!"
Though he couldn't see through the flames, Lu Cheng still issued his commands confidently.
Back on the other side, Gao Chi frowned as he gave his order. Continuous use of Dynamic Punch was beginning to strain Machop, but he couldn't let up. "Machop, use Dynamic Punch!"
As the flames began to dissipate, the two Pokémon reappeared, both bruised and battered, yet their fighting spirit remained unbroken.
Vulpix had always wanted to prove itself. As Lu Cheng's starter Pokémon, it didn't want to be seen as inferior. While many considered Grovyle to be Lu Cheng's ace, he had chosen to send Vulpix into the final match, a testament to his trust in her.
I can't let him down!
Vulpix's faint blue aura suddenly flared up, while Machop, wobbling under the intense psychic pressure, knelt on one knee but refused to collapse.
Machop doesn't want to lose either!
Gao Lu's eyes blurred with emotion, and when she glanced at her father, she saw him wiping at his eyes with the back of his hand.
Even in one of the VIP rooms, someone's grip tightened on a Mawile sitting next to them.
The referee stood momentarily stunned by the intensity of the fight. By the time they snapped back to attention, the match had already been decided!
With one final surge of energy, Vulpix grit her teeth and threw herself at Machop with all her remaining strength.
Return!
Under the guidance of Extrasensory, the move hit dead-on. Machop, the veritable tank, finally fell.
The referee blew the whistle.
"Victory goes to Lu Cheng!"
The bright white lights instantly focused on Lu Cheng as he hurried forward to catch his exhausted Vulpix in his arms.
"You did great," he whispered softly.
"Vee…" Vulpix let out a soft whimper before closing her eyes. Not long after, her gentle breathing indicated she'd fallen asleep.
She actually fell asleep, huh?
Lu Cheng chuckled to himself and raised his hand toward the crowd, waving triumphantly.
"Let's congratulate our champion, Lu Cheng!" Ding Lei shouted. "The U20 tournament has a winner, and it's none other than Jiangcheng First High's own, Lu Cheng!"
A series of confetti cannons erupted, and the stadium was suddenly bathed in a golden rain. A-Le's Pelipper took flight, circling the falling streamers, while Ding Chong's younger siblings reached up to catch the glimmering pieces.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the arena, Gao Chi stepped down from the stage, only to be swept into an emotional embrace by his sister.
"Brother!" Gao Lu cried, tears streaming down her face.
Gao Chi patted her head gently, his voice uncharacteristically soft, "It's okay."
Looking up, Gao Minglang met his son's gaze, and in the next moment, his powerful arms wrapped around both his children, pulling them close.
There was no need for words.
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Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein