"Sweet Scent, now!" Lin Yu shouted, taking the initiative.
Following his command, Gloom exhaled a fragrant mist that drifted toward Ursaring. But Feng Tian didn't hesitate either.
"Same move, Sweet Scent!"
With a similar gesture, Ursaring released its own sweet aroma, and soon, both scents mingled in the air before dispersing in opposite directions and surrounding the two Pokémon. As the sweet fragrances reached them, both Pokémon stiffened slightly, their movements clearly dulled.
But there was no time to dwell on it—their gazes locked once more, filled with battle intent.
"Gloom, Absorb!"
Lin Yu issued his next command, and Gloom wasted no time. A greenish energy beam burst from its petals and flew toward Ursaring.
Feng Tian's expression darkened. "Dodge it, Ursaring!"
Lin Yu smirked faintly. "After Sweet Scent? There's no way you're dodging this one."
As expected, Ursaring tried to move but its limbs lagged just enough. The green beam struck it dead-on. Its powerful body trembled, and it looked visibly weakened. On the other side, Gloom looked invigorated, its eyes gleaming with renewed strength.
Feng Tian bit his lip, mentally kicking himself for not accounting for this kind of recovery-based tactic.
"Ursaring, close the distance and use Slash!"
Even if its attack power was slightly weakened, Ursaring still had the advantage in brute strength. He wasn't willing to bet that Gloom had more tricks waiting to be revealed.
"So you're hoping a head-on clash will force me into defense?" Lin Yu muttered. "Well, let's see about that. Gloom, Vine Whip!"
As if anticipating the order, Gloom had already extended its vines and whipped them forward with a whoosh, heading straight for Ursaring.
"Dodge it! Stay close, and strike with Slash!" Feng Tian ordered with urgency.
Ursaring's focused eyes tracked the oncoming vines. In the blink of an eye, it leapt upward, letting the vines sweep harmlessly beneath it. Then it arced through the air, claws gleaming as it prepared to strike.
"Fall back, Gloom! Keep the vines attacking!"
Gloom responded instantly, hopping back just in time as Ursaring's claw carved a deep gash into the arena floor with a crack. The ground quivered from the impact.
Whoosh!
Before Ursaring could recover from its failed strike, Gloom's vines whipped back again, this time from behind.
"Watch out!" Feng Tian shouted, worry tightening his voice.
Ursaring had just landed and was still regaining balance. Its reflexes were slower thanks to Sweet Scent.
Its eyes widened—Too close.
"Raaah!" Ursaring roared, pushing off with its legs and rolling sideways. The vines sliced through empty air.
"Well done!" Feng Tian pumped a fist. "Now counter—use Covet and close in!"
Ursaring's expression softened comically, making a pleading, almost adorable face as it scampered toward Gloom.
The reaction was immediate. Gloom blinked, visibly thrown off by the fake affection. It froze, confused and hesitant.
Lin Yu's eyes flashed. "No! Gloom, snap out of it—don't let it get in your head!"
Gloom twitched slightly at the sound of its trainer's voice but still didn't react in time.
Wham!
Ursaring's heavy paw landed squarely on Gloom's side, sending it flying across the battlefield.
Thud—thud—thud!
Gloom tumbled several times before skidding to a painful stop, struggling to get up. Its face twisted in pain, but it stood nonetheless, glaring at Ursaring.
"Gloom! Are you alright?!" Lin Yu called out anxiously.
The Pokémon didn't respond but slowly shook its head and took a fighting stance again. That was all the answer Lin Yu needed.
"Alright," he said quietly, voice hardening. "Let's keep going. Close the distance and use Stun Spore!"
Gloom charged forward, and as it reached striking range, it released a cloud of sparkling yellow dust toward Ursaring.
Feng Tian's eyes narrowed. "Back off, Ursaring, don't let it land!"
He was surprised that Lin Yu had suddenly switched from a cautious style to a direct confrontation. He'd been waiting for this—but he still couldn't risk Ursaring getting paralyzed.
If Ursaring got hit by that powder, it would be a sitting duck.
The bear Pokémon managed to retreat just in time, the spores falling harmlessly to the ground.
"Gloom, Acid now!" Lin Yu called out, not missing a beat.
A stream of purple liquid shot from Gloom's mouth.
"Dodge it!" Feng Tian replied instinctively, though he frowned. Why would Lin Yu use such a weak-looking move?
Ursaring again avoided the spray, but the attack itself puzzled Feng Tian. Stun Spore made sense—keep the pressure on. But Acid?
He squinted, glancing at the area where the purple liquid sizzled on the ground.
There had to be a reason. Lin Yu wasn't just throwing attacks out for no reason. Something was coming. Something more.
And Feng Tian suddenly didn't like the feeling that he didn't know what it was.
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