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Noctowl suddenly felt uneasy. Jumpluff didn't look like an injured Pokémon struggling to move at all. Moments ago, she had staggered to her feet, but now, with that sinister grin on her face, something wasn't right.
At the instant 'Sky Attack' was about to land, Jumpluff shifted her body slightly. She didn't completely dodge the strike; the move clipped the cotton puff on her right side.
Carried forward by the high-speed air currents, Jumpluff twisted in midair to adjust her position. While Noctowl turned her head to see the result of her attack, Jumpluff scattered 'Stun Spore' straight at her.
Hakuya noticed something was wrong, too, and immediately commanded Noctowl to use 'Air Slash' to disperse the spores. But the distance was simply too close.
After 'Sky Attack' brushed Jumpluff, she rode the airflow to stay close to Noctowl. At this range, almost face-to-face, the setup was perfect.
Before 'Air Slash' had even fully dispersed, Noctowl began coughing and beating her wings frantically in an attempt to clear away the thick powder cloud.
But it wasn't over yet. 'Poison Powder' drifted along with the 'Stun Spore'.
After unleashing this chain of attacks, Jumpluff quickly retreated, watching Noctowl warily.
Luther had once given Jumpluff special training: take a hit first, then counter with the three powders. On top of that, he had given her an unusual, one-of-a-kind lesson.
'The lesson's core idea? Learning how to act.'
How to show pain after being struck without overacting but still making the opponent believe the attack had inflicted heavy damage.
How to appear to fight on in a battered, pitiful state.
How to convince her opponent that she barely had the strength to strike back.
During this time, Diantha's Gardevoir personally taught Jumpluff stage performance techniques.
By now, Jumpluff was more than just a Pokémon; she was also a promising actress. In fact, Diantha had already invited her to make a cameo appearance.
Of course, all of this required a solid foundation of defense. That's why Jumpluff ended her "take-a-hit" training a month ago and started sparring with Chansey.
The results were good. She had withstood 'Air Slash' and Extrasensory without collapsing. Even now, after being brushed by 'Sky Attack', she was only slightly uncomfortable.
She was still standing and able to fight. Clearly, Jumpluff adjusted her stance each time, ensuring the attacks landed in ways that didn't hinder her too much.
Now, the problem fell back on Hakuya. Did he have any Pokémon left with moves capable of curing Noctowl's status condition?
Jumpluff's mission was simple: cripple the high-speed threats. Now that goal had been achieved. Whoever Hakuya swapped in next, Luther would maximize Jumpluff's value.
Noctowl was withdrawn immediately. Hakuya rubbed the Poké Ball gently, as if offering comfort.
He looked at the two Poké Balls in his hand, then finally chose one with a gray pattern and threw it.
"Kangaskhan, the Parent Pokémon! She keeps her child safe in her pouch. Anyone who dares to harm her baby will be mercilessly punished."
Mai quickly scanned it with her Pokédex.
"Rhythm's about to change." Junna suddenly spoke.
Mai didn't understand Junna's words and looked at her curiously.
Junna sipped her drink and explained, "Ursaring comes in to drain the opposing Pokémon's stamina. Noctowl does the same, draining stamina with speed while also probing the opponent trainer's strategy. That's how Hakuya always plays his matches."
"Two Pokémon sacrifice themselves to set the rhythm. Then, the next two launch a full-scale assault using the gathered information. I wonder if your Luther can keep up with Hakuya's rhythm."
"He's about to accelerate."
The sight of Kangaskhan's massive body and sudden burst of speed shocked Luther. She appeared as if a mountain had materialized before Jumpluff on an endless plain.
Suddenly, a colossal peak loomed right in front of her.
Hakuya's harmonica played an urgent tune, and Kangaskhan moved in time with the notes.
Her 'Dizzy Punch' slammed into the spot Jumpluff had just vacated, creating a massive crater on the battlefield. Cracks continued to radiate from the impact.
"Ugh, today's maintenance crew is going to have a headache again," Junna muttered, almost predicting what Hakuya would do next.
Kangaskhan's fists blurred with astonishing speed. For Jumpluff, even dodging them was a huge mental strain. This time, Jumpluff couldn't keep up the act; Kangaskhan gave her no space or time for theatrics.
The wind from Kangaskhan's 'Mega Punch' nearly swept Jumpluff into the attack's range. Thankfully, Luther had ordered her to use 'Bounce' beforehand, and Jumpluff sprang high into the air.
Hakuya's smooth harmonica melody was suddenly cut off and replaced by a harsh, jarring noise, as if an amateur were fumbling with the instrument. The unpleasant sound echoed across the battlefield.
Upon hearing it, Kangaskhan bent her legs and astonishingly leapt after Jumpluff into the sky.
You've got to be kidding. With Kangaskhan's size and weight, how could she possibly reach Jumpluff, who was already airborne?
But the discordant tune shifted into something more fluid. Kangaskhan's body stretched taut in midair. Her head tilted upward and her jaws opened directly toward Jumpluff.
"Dodge it!"
"Bzzzz,"
Luther's command was drowned out by Hakuya's harmonica.
From below, 'Flamethrower' surged upward, its flames scorching Jumpluff in midair with no need for aim.
Thrown off balance by the attack, Jumpluff began to fall.
Kangaskhan lost her upward momentum as well and started to descend. However, as long as she kept her orientation, she could continue firing 'Flamethrower'.
"Stun Spore!" Luther decided to take a risk.
Jumpluff managed to release a weak 'Stun Spore', but the rolling waves of heat from 'Flamethrower' blew it away instantly. It never had a chance to reach Kangaskhan.
At this rate, Jumpluff would be swept out of the fight by 'Flamethrower' alone.
Even Luther's Poké Ball couldn't accurately recall her while she was engulfed in flames.
"Fire an 'Energy Ball' into the flames!"
Clinging to the training that had taught her to protect her most vulnerable spots, Jumpluff endured the inferno. Hearing Luther's command, she quickly launched an 'Energy Ball' into the stream of fire.
The 'Energy Ball' collided with the flames and exploded violently. The blast wave hurled Jumpluff outward. Burnt and blackened, she wobbled weakly in the air, on the verge of collapse.
"Remember the second scenario from training." Luther spoke.
With determination, Jumpluff dove back into the dust cloud created by the explosion.
Kangaskhan landed heavily. Hakuya narrowed his eyes, watching the smoke slowly disperse, wary of an ambush.
He blew gently into his harmonica, ordering his Kangaskhan to summon a 'Sandstorm' around her. This would prevent Jumpluff from pinpointing her position inside the haze.
Kangaskhan focused intently, reading the tremors in the ground to track Jumpluff's movements.
Suddenly, the baby Kangaskhan in her pouch let out a cry. Instinctively, Kangaskhan glanced down.
A sharp pain shot through her jaw as something struck her violently, snapping her mouth shut.
The 'Sandstorm' also ndissipated at once.
Hakuya stared in disbelief at Jumpluff, then at Luther.
Why would an exhausted Jumpluff choose to use a collision move in Kangaskhan's strongest close-combat zone?
Kangaskhan quickly found the answer. She clutched her nose with one hand, holding Jumpluff in the other, and coughed harshly.
A cloud of 'Poison Powder' had slipped into Kangaskhan's nose during the impact.
Kangaskhan was certain that she hadn't seen Jumpluff release 'Poison Powder'. After the 'Sandstorm' cleared, Hakuya saw clearly that Jumpluff hadn't released it.
'So, how did Kangaskhan become poisoned?'
Before she could gather flames in her palm, Luther raised his voice.
"This battle goes to Kangaskhan. Let's stop here. Jumpluff has burns; I'd like her to rest. There's no need to finish the strike."
Kangaskhan turned to Hakuya. He lowered his harmonica, pulled out his pen, and began writing.
"It seems this is the bond between you and Jumpluff. In that regard, you are an exceptional Pokémon Trainer."
(End of chapter.)