"Battle… continue!"
With the referee's command, Ariados and Heracross both dashed toward each other at high speed, their eyes full of fighting spirit!
But Edward's face didn't look so good. He hated anything that deviated from the plan.
Still, giving up the match was impossible. The benefits of defeating Sato were far too great; he couldn't resist that kind of temptation. So, Edward had no choice but to suppress his irritation and focus all his energy on the battle.
However, Heracross had already fallen into a disadvantage.
On the battlefield, the unusually long horn of Ariados was perfectly wedged between the horns on Heracross's head.
Zzzzt-zzzt-zzzt…
The two horns clashed, scraping and sparking, with both sides nearly equal in raw strength.
But upon closer inspection, it was clear that Heracross's hind legs were constantly skidding against the ground, its body trembling slightly.
Meanwhile, perhaps due to its four firmly planted legs, Ariados remained unusually stable.
Regardless, for a poison-based ambusher like Ariados to withstand a direct head-on clash with Heracross -the so-called "Bug King"- was shocking.
It even seemed to be suppressing it!
◓---
"Why is it so tough?"
In the stands, White pointed at the Ariados grappling with Heracross, wondering if his eyes were playing tricks on him.
Lance crossed his arms and nodded in agreement.
Ariados was one of the few non-Dark-type Pokémon on Sato's team.
Yet even without the continuous amplification of Dark Energy, Ariados had never fallen behind; at times even serving as a lead in battle.
Not to mention, after absorbing the Draconpoison Husk, Ariados not only compensated for its species' natural weaknesses, but even refined its toxins to the extreme.
Poison…that was Ariados's greatest weapon!
---◓
"Dos!" 'Hmph!'
Having fully gauged Heracross's strength, a flash of disdain passed through Ariados's eyes.
Suddenly, the pair of horn-like appendages on its back flipped over, aiming directly at Heracross.
Pssht!
Pssht!
Two soft squirting sounds rang out. Before Edward or Heracross could react, Ariados's poison had already landed.
Edward's face changed. He'd thought Heracross could overpower the opponent with brute force. He never expected not only to lack the strength, but also that Ariados could "spray poison from its horns"!
"Heracross, Aerial Ace, get out of there!"
With no other option, Edward had to retreat and try to regroup.
But Ariados, having just entered the field, wasn't about to let its prey escape so easily.
Its eyes suddenly glowed blue, Psychic erupted instantly, forcibly suppressing the fleeing Heracross.
In the next moment, Ariados released its grip on Heracross's horn and opened its mouth, launching a translucent Sticky Web.
Given the close range and the control from Psychic, Heracross -the muscle-bound beetle- had no time to react and was immediately trapped again!
"NOOOO! HERACROSS!" Edward cried out, but couldn't decide on any command that might help it break free.
Truth was, with the type disadvantage, Heracross was already half-disabled, completely restricted in battle.
Combined with Ariados's multitasking -Psychic plus Sticky Web- it was pinned both physically and mentally.
If Heracross could still escape from this, then it wouldn't be that brute-force musclehead anymore.
"Venoshock."
Pssht~
After being poisoned, no move was more suitable than Venoshock. Its power doubled, it struck fast, and accuracy was basically guaranteed.
And with Heracross still trapped in Sticky Web, the match seemed all but over…
"HERACROSS, BIDE!"
Just then, Edward's voice rang out across the field. Heracross, as if finding its backbone, immediately curled up and silently endured the heavy damage from Venoshock.
"Again. Venoshock." Sato's expression didn't change as he commanded Ariados to press the attack.
Another crystal-clear yet venomous Venoshock shot forth. Heracross, dragging its battered shell, continued to endure it.
"HEE-RRAAA!"
Even though Bide greatly boosted its pain tolerance, the ongoing corrosion from the toxic poison still made Heracross cry out in agony.
"Hmph. Venoshock."
Relentless assault!
Sato's commands were sharp and decisive, as if the opponent were a sworn enemy.
The third Venoshock struck again, and by now there wasn't a single smooth patch left on Heracross's shell.
And Edward's command remained the same…
"Keep enduring!"
At this point, nearly everyone believed Edward had overestimated himself. That this time, he'd made the wrong call.
There was no way Heracross could survive a third Venoshock…
Pssshhhhhh~
The attack landed. Heracross was now completely soaked in poison. Its original deep blue was no longer visible at all.
Even Ariados, feeling a bit of pity, was ready to stop attacking.
Then suddenly, the unmoving Poison-Heracross jolted violently. And in a flash, it was in front of Ariados.
Startled, Ariados instinctively swung its clawed legs to retreat, but it was clearly too late.
Heracross, no longer even looking like an insect, was steaming all over. Its arms, however, showed no mercy as they slammed into Ariados!
Bide: accumulate damage from multiple hits, then return it double to the opponent.
Of course… that's assuming you survive long enough!
The counterattack landed cleanly. Ariados instantly lost a massive chunk of health/stamina and stood there dazed.
But in the very next moment, Heracross collapsed straight to the ground, completely motionless.
Everyone suddenly remembered… it had been Badly Poisoned. The fact it held on long enough to counter at all was impressive.
"Heracross is unable to battle. Ariados wins. Trainer Edward, please send out your next Pokémon."
The referee's emotionless voice rang out, making Edward, now fully on the back foot, grit his teeth in frustration.
This Ariados must have used some kind of rare item too, just like that Houndoom with the Heart of Earthflame earlier.
Otherwise, with Ariados's base stats, there was no way it should have such strength in Attack, Defense, and Speed at the same level.
Naturally, it couldn't withstand the full Bide counter.
So in the end, at least it ended in a draw!
'But… there was still a chance!'
Edward clenched his final Poké Ball tightly, silently reaffirming his resolve.