Slowking's psychic powers dissipated into the air, saturating the surrounding space with swirling waves of mental energy. These dispersed psychic fragments remained under Slowking's precise control, amplifying the explosive potential of its attacks. One after another, pitch-black orbs of condensed psychic energy materialized around Slowking, propelled by sheer mental force toward the opposing Pokémon without hesitation.
Drapion lunged forward first, its massive pincers gleaming with menace. Two Fighting-type Breloom attempted to intercept it, bracing themselves to halt Drapion's charge. However, the sight of these challengers only excited Drapion further. A sudden flare of fire erupted around its claws, engulfing them entirely in scorching heat.
Flame Fangs—Drapion had mastered the technique of channeling fire through both pincers simultaneously.
CRACK! CRACK!
The brief clash left the two Breloom stunned. Not only had their combined strength failed to stop Drapion, but they were now seized in its crushing grip, lifted off the ground, and slammed violently against the wall. Suspended helplessly, Drapion's eyes glinted as flames flickered within its maw. At the same time, its venom-dripping tail coiled like a whip, a single drop of lethal poison glistening on the stinger.
THUD!
A simultaneous Flame Fang and Poison Tail strike hammered into one of the Breloom. The dual super-effective onslaught overwhelmed it instantly, knocking it unconscious before it could retaliate. Precision, raw power, and tactical exploitation of weaknesses—Drapion had eliminated one opponent in a single ruthless combination.
"Caw!!" Honchkrow screeched from above, diving down in a blur of dark feathers. A shimmering barrier of pale blue flames encased it as it descended like a meteor, its Brave Bird attack crashing into a Medicham that had rushed to aid the Breloom. The impact sent the Medicham hurtling backward, preventing any interference with Drapion's rampage.
"Skree!!"
Drapion whirled around, spotting an Exploud trailing behind the Medicham, its massive jaws widening to unleash a deafening Hyper Voice. But before the soundwaves could erupt, a flash of black streaked through the air—Mamoswine had intercepted, freezing the Exploud's mouth shut with Ice Shard.
With a mocking click of its pincers, Drapion released the second Breloom, only to impale it mid-fall with a lightning-fast Thunder Fang from its tail, pinning it to the wall.
Deadly Poison Jab!
This was a technique Drapion had honed during the Sinnoh League. Normally, the move's power doubled if the target was knocked prone, but Drapion had adapted it—even slamming foes into walls achieved the same devastating effect. The tail's needle-like stinger struck pressure points while venom surged through the Breloom's body.
Drapion didn't even glance back. Its claws swung in a wide arc, dousing the paralyzed Breloom in a corrosive Venoshock, sealing its fate.
As Honchkrow clashed with the Medicham, an Electivire attempted to flank it, only for a shadow to detach from the ground. Gengar materialized before the Electivire, its grin widening as a Shadow Punch ballooned in size before smashing into the Electric-type's face, hurling it across the room.
But Gengar wasn't done. In a flicker of darkness, it reappeared beside the slumbering Slaking, its eyes glowing with eerie light. The Slaking, still groggy, met Gengar's gaze—Hypnosis took hold instantly.
Then came Dream Eater, Gengar feasting on the Slaking's drowsy consciousness while sapping its strength.
The two Breloom, potential aces of Robert's team, had been neutralized before they could act. Slowking's psychic assault had fixated on them—had they unleashed their toxic capabilities, the battle would've grown far more complicated. But now, they writhed under the crushing weight of Slowking's Psychic, their resistance crumbling.
Years of inactivity had dulled their reflexes. Their stamina, once formidable, had eroded. Merely enduring Slowking's assault left them gasping.
The only Pokémon still unengaged was a lone Slaking, sprawled lazily on the floor. It yawned, tears welling in its dopey eyes.
This Slaking was lethargy incarnate. It blinked at Robert's frantic commands but refused to budge—until, with exaggerated slowness, it finally hauled itself upright.
Its gaze sharpened.
Energy, long stored, now surged forth.
The tiles beneath its feet shattered as Slaking charged, a blur of sudden motion barreling toward Drapion.
Drapion sensed the shift. It pivoted, claws raised, bracing for impact.
BOOM!
The collision shook the room. The floor cratered beneath them, rubble flying as the two Pokémon strained against each other—equal in strength.
Robert gaped. He'd poured endless resources into Slaking, nurturing its latent power despite its abysmal laziness. Though its potential was mediocre, the effort to mold it into a pseudo-champion-tier fighter had been immense.
Aoki, observing, raised an eyebrow. He knew Drapion's power better than anyone. That this Slaking could match it, even briefly, was… intriguing.
Perhaps those sluggish Slaking on the back mountains held untapped promise.
But Slaking, true to its nature, faltered mid-struggle. Its burst of energy waned—its innate idleness reasserting itself.
Seizing the opening, Drapion twisted, heaving Slaking overhead and hurling it through a wall. The Slaking lay buried in debris, unmoving.
Too lazy to dig itself out.
The remaining Pokémon fell swiftly. Honchkrow's Night Slash cut down stragglers, while Gengar, reveling in its mobility, darted across the battlefield to claim the final blows.
The others grumbled internally.
Of course Gengar stole the victories—it had the advantage.
Shouldn't the eliminations go to the carries?
Slowking: ??? Carry?
Drapion: ?? Me?