Chapitre 106: There's Something Off About My Pokémon [106]
Evolution Stones are extremely rare items, even treated as strategic resources during times of conflict. Although they're available for sale now, they're scarce, often selling out the moment they hit the market. For Yu Fengshi, acquiring an Evolution Stone was hardly difficult, but obtaining one from someone else felt even more satisfying—and he had absolute confidence in his abilities.
Narrowing his eyes, Yu Fengshi smirked. "If you lose, you hand over the Fire Stone. How about it?"
Lu Cheng found it strange; it was as if Yu Fengshi was certain of his victory. Still, the three Fire Gems Yu Fengshi offered were hard to resist—they could very well give Vulpix the boost needed to master Flamethrower or even Overheat.
This was a match of raw strength now.
Lu Cheng's gaze sharpened, and he nodded. "Agreed."
The crowd erupted in excitement. After all, this was a battle between two regional U20 champions. It was bound to be something spectacular! People naturally made room, forming a larger circle, and curious onlookers among the tourists began gathering around to watch.
"Just to be clear," Yu Fengshi announced, "the rule is simple: whoever has both of their Pokémon fainted first loses. No objections?"
"None," Lu Cheng replied with a nod.
With a slight smile, Yu Fengshi pulled out a Luxury Ball and a Dusk Ball. "Go, Growlithe, and Sableye!"
In a flash of light, a vibrant Growlithe with a glossy coat stood proud, its bright eyes gleaming with fierce energy. Its yellow mane and brown-striped limbs gave it a regal look as it let out a confident howl. Lu Cheng had to admit—it was indeed a strong Growlithe.
But more interesting was Sableye, which looked downright eerie. The creature's wiry purple body was covered in knotted, blue veins, its emaciated form exposing rib bones that looked ready to snap. With every ragged breath, a few drops of saliva dripped from its mouth, hissing as they hit the ground like acid. Its triangular, snake-like head was lined with barbs, and its gem-like eyes glinted with an unsettling, cold light. The grin on its face stretched to reveal razor-sharp, needle-like teeth.
"A Sableye? Seriously?"
"I heard Sableye's teeth are sharp enough to bite through gemstones!"
This was, by far, the creepiest Pokémon Lu Cheng had ever encountered—it could star in horror films without any special effects. Trying to keep his composure, Lu Cheng checked the details in his Pokédex.
Growlithe
Nature: Brave
Ability: Flash Fire
Moves: Fire Fang, Flame Wheel, Helping Hand, Protect
Analysis: Shows a protective nature, often creates opportunities for teammates.
Sableye
Nature: Careful
Ability: Prankster
Moves: Shadow Ball, Calm Mind, Knock Off, Fake Out
Analysis: Skilled at status moves but lacks speed.
After glancing over the two profiles, Lu Cheng quickly deduced Yu Fengshi's strategy. These two were clearly a well-practiced double-battle pair. Growlithe would protect Sableye while it used moves like Calm Mind to boost its stats, then finish with a Helping Hand-boosted Shadow Ball.
Now that he understood the strategy, it was easy to plan a counterattack.
With a slight smile, Lu Cheng called out, "Your turn, Vulpix and Grovyle!"
The battle began, and Yu Fengshi made the first move. "Sableye, use Fake Out on Grovyle!"
With a sinister grin, Sableye darted forward, its skeletal hands clapping right in Grovyle's face, momentarily freezing Grovyle in place.
"Grovyle, Leaf Blade! Vulpix, Flamethrower—target Sableye!"
Thanks to Grovyle's hidden ability, Steadfast, the flinching effect from Fake Out only boosted its speed. Recovering swiftly, Grovyle slashed down with a powerful Leaf Blade straight at Sableye.
At the same time, Vulpix's flames roared forth from the side. Yu Fengshi was surprised—the Grovyle's speed had actually increased after flinching!
But he was no ordinary trainer—he was the U20 champion of Shanghai and had the skill to back it up.
"Growlithe, use Flame Wheel as cover!"
Almost the moment the command was given, Growlithe's speed surged with Flame Wheel, a blazing shield as it leaped in front of Sableye. Leaf Blade barely managed to slice through the flames, but it was ineffective on Growlithe, and Vulpix's Flamethrower was entirely absorbed.
Growlithe emerged from the flames completely unscathed, looking even more energized than before!
Growlithe's Ability: Flash Fire!
Yu Fengshi had gained the upper hand in this round of strategy! Lu Cheng frowned. He was indeed at a disadvantage due to his lack of experience in double battles. But this battle was far from over!
Yu Fengshi's smile widened. This was all part of his plan. Activating Flash Fire made Growlithe even more of a threat, while Grovyle and Vulpix had no moves that could effectively counter it. Sableye attacking was nothing but a distraction!
"Focus fire on Growlithe—Aerial Ace, Extrasensory!"
Hearing Lu Cheng's command, Yu Fengshi's expression shifted. Had Lu Cheng already figured it out? However, double battles were far more complex than just focusing on one target!
"Calm Mind and Protect!" Yu Fengshi commanded confidently.
The battle shifted in an instant. In perfect sync, Growlithe threw up a green shield, blocking Aerial Ace, while Vulpix's psychic energy lanced through, forcing Growlithe to huddle in pain. Meanwhile, Sableye was now radiating with waves of psychic power, its expression twisted with a cruel grin as its Special Attack and Special Defense rose!
"Shadow Ball!" Yu Fengshi yelled.
"Double Team!" Lu Cheng responded swiftly.
Both Grovyle and Vulpix created three shadow clones each, throwing Sableye's Shadow Ball off its mark, and Yu Fengshi gritted his teeth. This Lu Cheng was indeed tough to deal with!
"Calm Mind again, Sableye!" he ordered.
Now it was a test of patience!
"Growlithe, Fire Fang on Grovyle!"
Growlithe let out a howl, fangs flaming as it lunged at Grovyle, only to snap down on another illusion! At the same time, Grovyle's bone blade came slashing down on Growlithe, prompting a pained howl.
"That bone blade…" Yu Fengshi's eyes narrowed. With his keen eye, he quickly recognized the boost that item gave Grovyle.
"Sableye, Knock Off!"
Sableye, having completed two rounds of Calm Mind, now shifted focus from a blind attack to weakening its foe. Its twisted form lunged forward, landing a solid Knock Off blow!
With a metallic clang, Grovyle's bone sword dropped to the ground, leaving it momentarily stunned. But in the next instant, a ruthless smile crept across Grovyle's draconic face.
Brace yourself for the whirlwind!
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État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone