With a thunderous impact, the blue Hercules beetle landed on the battlefield — a colossal Bug-type Pokémon known for its unmatched strength!

It could drive its prized horn straight beneath an opponent’s abdomen and hurl them high into the sky. Its powerful lower body and sharp claws gave it the strength to throw enemies far beyond the horizon.

“But Heracross is also weak to Flying and Fire… Facing Lilligant, who just triggered her Weakness Policy and has Victory Dance stacked, and even has powerful Flying-type moves — can Heracross stand a chance?”

“What is Burgh planning? Hahaha! But wow, the item use just now was brilliant!”

“Deliberately exposing a weakness to trigger an item’s buff effect, and on the other side, drawing in Fire-type moves using a seemingly ‘fragile’ characteristic, then halving that damage with an Occa Berry to land a Reversal — the tactics were incredible. It takes a deep bond of trust and understanding to use your Pokémon this way!”

President Shinnosuke was fired up, itching to rip off his old-man suit and put on his janitor clothes so he could mop all of Skyarrow Bridge top to bottom.

“Burgh must have something in mind… Heracross…” said Amarys. Beside her, her Scizor watched the field with intense focus.

Escavalier’s defeat had served as a warning, but the clever counterattack also taught Scizor a great deal.

Both it and Heracross were proud brothers who shared the same glaring 4x Fire weakness — but that was a badge of honor for the strong!

Hikaru gave the order.

Acrobatics!

With no doubt, Acrobatics would deal massive damage to Heracross, who was 4x weak to Flying. Even grazing him would be significant. And with Victory Dance nearly maxed, Lilligant was a battlefield monster right now.

Of course, winning wasn’t the primary goal today — this battle was more about inspiring artistic expression and promoting the use of battle items. So Hikaru planned to swap Lilligant out after this attack, giving his next Pokémon some advantage and showcasing another item.

Burgh’s Pokémon were strong enough to endure even a fully stacked Lilligant. If he dared send out a 4x Flying-weak Pokémon, he must have brought a damage-reducing berry or tool!

However, Burgh smirked and snapped his fingers:

“Swagger!”

Lilligant dashed in at breakneck speed, only for Heracross to make a terrifying expression and emit an invisible wave of emotional turbulence — a maddening energy that spread through the air.

Lilligant’s charge faltered.

The world around her warped with confusion — and yet her Attack stat skyrocketed even further (though it was already maxed out).

Swagger — it enrages the opponent and confuses them. Even if confusion fails, the Attack boost still applies. Even at max Attack, confusion still takes effect. It’s a status move unaffected by power levels or physical stats.

Hikaru could have dispelled the effect instantly with his psychic abilities — especially since he had a mental link with Lilligant — but doing so would betray the artistic spirit of the battle.

So he recalled her.

“You performed beautifully. Everyone was captivated by your elegance. Rest for now.”

Forcing the monster that was Lilligant off the battlefield, Burgh breathed a sigh of relief.

If she’d stayed, the battle would’ve turned into a one-sided massacre — something that completely violated the purpose of battle as art.

Fortunately, Hikaru hadn’t stubbornly kept her in. Burgh understood well — a psychic Trainer like Hikaru could have easily removed confusion. But he didn’t.

“Thank you,” Burgh nodded.

Hikaru smiled. “No need. After all, this battle is about art.”

“Then my second Pokémon will be… Grotle!”

Thud!

Another powerhouse stepped forward — but this time, a Pokémon 2x weak to Bug. As Grotle landed, Burgh’s eyes sharpened.

From the news reports, he’d noticed something.

At the time, most thought it was just a shiny variant… but Burgh knew. Though Grotle was rare in Unova, the red shrub on its back was absolutely unnatural.

That wasn’t normal Grotle foliage.

What kind of plant was it? What kind of power did it hide?

Could this be… an ancient regional form?

Hoo… Grotle looked excited, though internally, it was cautiously analyzing the battlefield.

This wasn’t like the previous chaotic skirmishes.

This was a one-on-one fight?

Looks serious… Hmm, maybe I should use a few Revival Herbs and strong instant-use herbs. But is that too risky? Bug-types counter Grass-types after all…

Grotle silently deliberated, but Hikaru could hear it all through their mental link.

It was normal. Grotle hadn’t had many formal battles. Ever since Hikaru guided it past its inferiority complex, it had grown eager to fight — but it still overthought things before battles.

Yet once a battle truly began, all that noise would fade away.

Just like back when it was a Turtwig fighting against Doublade.

Burgh observed the cautious stance and made a mental note.

Though Grotle seemed powerful in the news, watching closely now — it lacked combat experience.

Wild Pokémon without battle scars were common in Gyms. Some Trainers brought in Pokémon that hadn’t fought much, but those rarely succeeded.

Still, Hikaru wouldn’t send a Pokémon in at random.

This Grotle must have something special.

“Once more — Swagger!”

Heracross unleashed another wave of confusion energy.

But Hikaru responded: “Grassy Glide.”

Grotle’s legs tensed, then it burst forward with light, nimble steps, narrowly dodging the confusing wave!

“So fast! That’s not how a heavy Pokémon is supposed to move!”

“Grassy Glide — a leaping attack that increases Speed with nimble footwork.”

Hikaru explained as Grotle slammed a heavy paw into Heracross, launching him backward.

“Another move I’ve never seen!” Burgh shouted with delight. “Surprise is part of the joy!”

Grassy Glide was a move no Pokémon could normally learn by leveling up. Hikaru had previously taught it to Lilligant during her Petilil stage after defeating a Hisuian Overqwil.

“No problem! Heracross — Double Team! Then Aerial Ace!”

Double Team created multiple illusions to confuse the opponent and boost evasion.

Aerial Ace was a guaranteed hit Flying-type move!

Guided by the wind, all the horn illusions charged at the same point — Grotle’s location!

On the viewing platform, Amarys and Scizor watched attentively.

Double Team + Aerial Ace was one of their favorite combos. With Scizor’s Technician Ability, Aerial Ace became far more deadly.

Heracross didn’t have Technician, but his power was nothing to scoff at.

Boom!

With a 2x Flying weakness, Grotle was clearly at a disadvantage.

But it had already made preparations.

“Hah!”

Though Heracross had far more battle experience, Grotle’s link with Hikaru eliminated any delay in commands, and it was finally entering full combat mode.

No more distractions. No more doubts.

Reflect!

A transparent wall shimmered into existence, and Heracross’s strike smashed against it — dealing reduced damage!

“Again—?!”

Burgh opened his mouth to order another attack… but his Poké Ball began to vibrate on its own. Heracross vanished in a flash of light — forcibly returned!

Grotle’s shell gleamed with a red plate — no, that wasn’t part of its shell.

“That’s an item!” President Shinnosuke squinted, asking Keiko for confirmation.

Though not a top battler, Keiko had trained in Black City’s high-level tower. Making a name for yourself there wasn’t easy.

“That’s likely an item that disrupts Poké Ball signals. It works just like Dragon Tail — a technique developed by Opelucid’s Drayden!”

“Dragon Tail?” Amarys asked.

Keiko explained: “It’s a Dragon-type move where the Pokémon whips the opponent away, forcing a switch. Drayden teaches it to those he deems worthy.”

“Exactly,” Hikaru said. “That item is the Red Card. When the holder takes damage, the attacker is forcibly switched out. It even overrides moves like Volt Switch or U-turn, and it activates even if the user is behind a Substitute.”

“Don’t worry though — it only works once per battle. After that, it enters a cooldown. I designed it that way. Otherwise, it’d be way too annoying.”

“Also, it won’t activate if I use Protect or Substitute.”

“Incredible item,” Burgh gasped. “Just like Dragon Tail — except one’s offensive, and the other’s reactive.”

With Heracross ejected, the next Pokémon was…

Vespiquen!

A bee-like Pokémon with glowing ruby-red eyes, a white pupil, and a giant striped abdomen resembling a honeycomb. Only female, and with no male counterpart.

Her Ability: Pressure.

“She’s not using Leavanny?”

Burgh’s ace — or rather, his signature Pokémon — was typically Leavanny. But not today.

“Everyone knows Leavanny is my favorite, so they always prepare for her. Sometimes it’s good to mix things up and reframe the team!”

“The radiant queen of the swarm, the amber monarch — soar in the sunlight!”

“Vespiquen — Attack Order!”

Her ruby eyes flashed. From her honeycomb-like abdomen, a swarm of bee larvae surged forward — not Combee, but similar, miniature variants.

Attack Order — Vespiquen’s signature move. Summon underlings to attack the target, with a high critical hit rate.

When surrounded by Combee, it becomes a group assault. But alone, Vespiquen creates and commands her own swarm — fast as a hurricane.

The larva slammed into Grotle!

Protect!

A green barrier shimmered into place, blocking the swarm. The larvae hissed in frustration, expending their strength. They were too vague to even classify as Pokémon.

The instant they dispersed — Protect vanished.

Burgh struck!

U-turn!

Vespiquen slammed into Grotle!

“Red Card may be powerful, but Bug Pokémon have plenty of tools to counter it! U-turn — the god-tier switch move!”

But just as Vespiquen attacked, Grotle turned — exposing its glowing red shrub.

Solar Beam!

Instant-cast.

Burgh was shocked — Sunny Day had ended. How was it still instant?

“My Grotle’s shrub functions like a Power Herb — negating charge time.”

Burgh scratched his head.

So the Red Card got removed, but now the Grotle has a Power Herb built-in?!

This thing’s definitely an ancient form…

At that moment, Hikaru heard Grotle’s voice:

Use… that!

A new move?

Let’s see it!

Vespiquen retreated into her Poké Ball, and Heracross returned. Grotle finished preparing.

“Heracross is ready too! Let’s defend with our mighty body — Endure!”

Suddenly, sand surged across the battlefield — a powerful storm trapped Heracross.

Sand Tomb!

Heracross braced himself, arms shielding his face, a red aura flickering around him as he endured the attack.

Endure makes the Pokémon withstand any hit with at least 1 HP, and during this state, they can’t be commanded or switched out. It records all damage received, and when it ends, it deals back double the last attack’s power!

But Grotle wasn’t planning to attack yet.

Instead, its body began glowing red.

Crack!

Cracks formed along the edges of its earthy shell, golden plates loosening.

This wasn’t self-harm — this was an extremely rare move:

Shell Smash.

Lower Defense and Sp. Def, but massively increase Attack, Sp. Atk, and Speed!

Huff! Heracross’s Endure had reached its limit. It roared, unleashing a massive retaliatory punch within the raging Sand Tomb storm!

Its body glowed red, a massive white shockwave bursting from its fist and ripping through the sandy vortex!

At the same time, Grotle opened its jaws wide — dozens of glowing seeds blasted into the storm.

Bullet Seed!

Burgh gasped. This wasn’t the Bullet Seed he knew.

Each seed carried spiral shockwaves, slicing through the air with shrill whistles like a green storm of bullets!

The countless seed projectiles collided with the retaliatory force of Endure’s power punch. A tremendous windstorm erupted at the center of the arena. Grotle’s shell glowed again.

Solar Beam!

Just like Ash’s Drednaw once did with its turret cannons, Grotle’s back-mounted shrubbery fired a beam of sunlight even while firing Bullet Seed!

A beam battle?

This time, the left side wouldn’t lose!

The attacks collided violently at the center. The white energy around Heracross’s carapace flared into a spherical shield. Seeds slammed into it one after another. Though each hit was absorbed, the barrier shrank further, spiderweb cracks spreading across its surface. Heracross’s eyes widened in shock.

Another Bullet Seed barrage… AND Solar Beam?

What are you, some kind of mobile artillery cannon?!

Grotle stomped the ground!

Its body suddenly swelled — Growth!

Its Attack and Sp. Atk stats surged!

The soil’s nutrients surged upward, converting into seed energy. This time, pure energy seeds, not plantable ones, erupted. The Bullet Seed barrage escalated — the power climbed higher and higher!

“This Bullet Seed is still going?!”

Burgh was stunned. This unique Grotle had truly opened his artistic senses wide. It was dazzling — inspiring.

Endless seeds. Crimson foliage. Two forces clashed midair, sending circular shockwaves through the air. Seeds evaporated under the solar cannon, but the sprouting leaves on Grotle’s back continued to replenish its ammo — like an eternal ancient war-tree.

It hadn’t even evolved into Torterra, yet already shone with overwhelming presence. Perhaps it had always seemed low-key, overshadowed by a more dazzling partner — but it had its own brilliance.

The ground caved in from the dual pressure. Grotle’s roots and Heracross’s limbs sank into the churning earth like lava, yet neither backed down!

Finally, a massive explosion ended the seemingly endless power struggle. The blast launched both Pokémon backward — but the next instant, they both surged forward again!

“The mighty one! Gather all your strength — unleash the divine fist!”

Focus Punch!

White light condensed in Heracross’s claws. The ultimate Fighting-type technique — Focus Punch, difficult to pull off in games, but devastating in real-time battle.

Burgh aimed to use the explosion’s smoke as cover — to sneak in and KO Grotle in one hit!

Just like those ancient myths in distant lands, Heracross grew enormous, destroying mountains and shaking the earth.

And its held item revealed itself —

A gem sparkled under its shell: the Fighting Gem!

It would enhance Focus Punch’s power once!

Incandescent aura wrapped Heracross’s fist. When it struck, it blew away the smoke in a tidal wave of pressure!

A direct hit?

The Grotle before Heracross crumpled — but Heracross remained on guard.

A Substitute!

A heavy figure dropped from above, pinning Heracross under its full weight!

Body Slam?

No — this was a signature move Grotle had long known:

Double-Edge!

Heracross gritted its teeth, enduring the blow, then hurled Grotle away by brute force!

Then, as Burgh roared a second command, Heracross unleashed another Focus Punch!

This one landed squarely on Grotle!

But Grotle turned its armored side into the punch, absorbing it — cracks spread, but glowing photosynthetic energy surged into the wounds!

Soil and vines warped and weaved — roots spread over the cracks, repairing them rapidly.

Iron Defense + Synthesis — life reborn from within!

Grotle absorbed sunlight again!

At point-blank range — it unleashed Bullet Seed + Solar Beam!

In a shining “forest” of light, Heracross — the so-called Hercules — was utterly defeated.

“Heracross is unable to battle!”

“He wasn’t even hit by a Flying move… how does Grotle still have so much stamina?”

The crowd wasn’t the only one asking — Burgh was dumbfounded.

His Heracross, battle-hardened and one of his top aces, had failed to land a decisive blow even with a fully powered retaliatory combo.

“For a Grotle to endure so much… just how much stamina does it have?!”

“The clash of shell and root — a hymn of strength and resilience! If it evolves into Torterra… how much stronger could it become?” Burgh marveled.

“And its calm before battle versus its fierce nature in battle — are they even the same Pokémon?”

“Its back… those plants restore its health,” Hikaru explained with a smile.

“Hah, I’ve never seen this form before — fascinating! How many more Pokémon are out there, unknown and unseen? Well then, we’re down to the final one — Vespiquen, take the stage!”

“And your last one is…”

Hikaru also withdrew Grotle, sending out his final Pokémon.

With a flash of white light, a small blue jackal landed on the field — but now, it wore a sleek gray cloak, looking downright heroic.

“Oh! So cool! That Riolu!”

Burgh wasn’t the only one excited. Amarys’s eyes sparkled, and Keiko already had her hands to her cheeks.

Everyone loves doggos. Riolu’s popularity needed no explanation.

“That’s an item, huh? Pretty obvious. Since it’s the final round, show me what it does!”

“Vespiquen — Attack Order!”

Her red gem-like eyes flared, sending out swarms of larvae from her honeycomb abdomen to attack Riolu!

As expected, Riolu responded with Protect!

Crossing its arms, it summoned a blue shield that blocked the incoming swarm. The moment the shield dropped, however —

Poison Sting!

Dozens of venomous barbs shot out and pierced Riolu!

“If it were a Lucario, this would’ve done nothing — but as Riolu, poison still works.”

“She commands without roaring. When moonlight strikes her amber shell, the spiked silhouette she casts becomes a crown — the silent sovereign of the swarm…”

“Riolu!” the blue pup grinned.

With a sharp shake of its cloak, the poisoned barbs clattered to the ground — completely ineffective!

And the cloak? Not even scratched.

“Huh? Interesting item!”

Burgh’s eyes lit up as Riolu shook the cloak like a theatrical hero. In that moment, it looked every bit like a stage performer in a Pokémon musical.

“Covert Cloak,” Hikaru explained.

“It blocks all added effects from moves — as long as the source is a Pokémon’s attack.”

“Poison Sting’s toxin is an added effect. This mysterious cloak neutralizes it completely!”

Vespiquen was baffled. She didn’t understand why Riolu wasn’t poisoned.

She tried again.

Attack Order!

But this time, Riolu wasn’t about to use Protect again.

It raised its paws — Copycat!

And thanks to Prankster, status moves gained +1 priority — meaning Copycat went first!

Sharingan activated!

Illusory larvae swarmed from Riolu, clashing with Vespiquen’s own swarm. Confusion erupted on the field.

“Eh?! Are those my babies? Did I make those too? Why do they look like mini-me? Wait, are you my child… but bigger…?”

Vespiquen tilted her head in utter confusion.

Riolu wasn’t about to waste the opportunity.

“Riiiii! (Now’s my chance!)”

Blue Aura gathered in its chest — forming a gleaming orb.

Aura is within me!

Aura Sphere!

“Air Slash!”

The Aura Sphere struck Vespiquen hard — but she had 4x resistance to Fighting.

She snapped out of her daze — realizing the pup was no offspring — and went all out.

Air Slash ripped through the air!

But Riolu deflected the wind blades with his cloak. Even Air Slash’s flinch chance failed.

Confusion. Burn. Flinch. Paralyze. Freeze — all blocked.

And you used Flying-type, right?

Riolu spread his arms — Copycat: Air Slash!

The very same move tore through Vespiquen — who was 2x weak to Flying.

Burgh tried to call for a healing order, but the larvae were already too tired from fighting Riolu’s fake swarm. They couldn’t restore her now!

“Amazing! You copied her move!”

Burgh was stunned. He’d known Riolu was special, but not this strong.

And now, Vespiquen couldn’t use her ultimate move Hurricane — if she missed, it could be copied back!

It felt unfair.

But Burgh wasn’t done.

“It’s too early to surrender!”

“Vespiquen — Taunt!”

Riolu flinched!

Damn! Rеаdеr suppоrt аt М*VLЕМ*РYR mаdе this trаnslаtiоn pоssiblе.

A dirty trick!

The ruby-eyed queen’s taunt locked down Riolu’s Copycat ability!

“Grrrr!” Riolu panicked, looking to Hikaru.

How unfair! How cowardly!

Now that Copycat was sealed, Vespiquen could unleash…

Hurricane!

Finally, no fear of her signature being stolen — she poured everything into it.

A Flying-type move with a high chance of confusion — and Riolu was 2x weak to Flying!

A swirling tornado burst forth!

“Riiiii!” Riolu wanted to Protect!

But could his tiny body withstand a real hurricane?

Hikaru’s voice echoed in his mind:

Don’t panic. Use Dig.

Huh? But she’s Flying! Dig can’t even hit her!

Wait — you’re stalling the Taunt?

Riolu didn’t get it — but he trusted his Trainer.

Dig!

Riolu vanished underground, avoiding the Hurricane — though Vespiquen had already taken flight. She just needed him to pop up once.

And when he did…

WHOOSH—!

The ground split, Riolu shot up under her!

Now!

Vespiquen flapped her wings — another Hurricane surged!

But at that exact moment—

Taunt wore off.

“Mind Reader.”

Hikaru’s voice reached Riolu again.

Mind Reader guaranteed the next attack would hit.

Riolu leapt high — punching skyward!

You can do it. Use your strength!

Quick Attack!

He flashed upward like a bolt of light!

Vespiquen tried to dodge — paused her Hurricane — but Riolu’s strike locked on.

BOOM!

His fists glowed with blue Aura, the lightning turning radiant blue!

Thunder Punch!

Vespiquen took the full force. She spiraled in the air, and Riolu climbed onto her and pummeled her relentlessly — until she crashed to the ground!

But the battle wasn’t over.

She tried one final blow —

But the battlefield only had… a small hole?

Too late.

Riolu popped out behind her, while Hurricane still spun.

He struck.

Vespiquen was lifted, tossed into the sky.

Prankster Copycat: Hurricane!

He summoned her own storm — and crushed her with it.

“The Hero Who Summoned the Storm… Defeats the Queen Who Commanded It!”

“Come on, at least let me win one…” Burgh muttered. “Ah, I’m kidding!”

“Didn’t even use Rock-type moves — my berry was useless. I’d heard Riolu came from a training cave, so I brought an anti-Rock one just in case. Guess that’s how unpredictable battle can be.”

Knight. God. Queen.

One by one — all defeated.

What a match.

Burgh looked at the fallen Vespiquen, gently lifted her upper body like cradling a noble lady.

“My apologies, Your Majesty. It seems I still have a ways to go in mastering the art of battle as a Gym Leader.”

“Please, rest for now.”

(End of Chapter)

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Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep