Misty and Anthony took their positions on opposite sides of the field. Anthony, of course, was using his Pelipper. After a moment's thought, Misty reached for a specific Poké Ball and sent out Starmie.
Aside from her Psyduck—which required a migraine to unleash its true terrifying power—and the Gyarados she had caught later, Starmie was Misty's ace. It had been with her throughout her journey across Kanto and Johto, serving as one of her most trusted partners.
The two Pokémon stared each other down. Compared to Starmie's cautious stance, Pelipper's gaze was brimming with unearned confidence.
Misty eyed the Pelipper suspiciously. Even now, she couldn't sense the aura of a powerful Pokémon coming from it.
She glanced at Anthony, whose expression was equally smug. Steeling herself, Misty pushed aside her doubts and ordered the first attack.
"Starmie, use Swift!"
The red core at Starmie's center flashed, and a barrage of glowing, star-shaped rays shot out from its points, homing in on Pelipper.
Considering both Pokémon were Water-types, Misty wisely avoided Water moves, intending to settle the match with Starmie's arsenal of Normal and Psychic abilities.
Pelipper flapped its wings, leaping heavily into the air to dodge the incoming stars.
Misty wasn't surprised by the evasion. She watched cautiously, bracing for Pelipper's counterattack.
But what happened next defied all logic.
As Pelipper flew over Starmie, it didn't use a Flying-type move like Wing Attack, nor a Water-type move like Water Gun.
Instead, its beak began to glow with a harsh yellow light.
Crackle!
A bolt of electricity surged from the gap in Pelipper's beak, striking Starmie with blinding speed.
"What!?"
Misty was stunned.
As a dedicated Water-type specialist, she had extensively studied the Water Pokémon of Hoenn before her arrival. She knew Pelipper's biology inside and out.
It was a Water and Flying-type. How could it possibly use an Electric-type attack?
It didn't make any sense!
On the battlefield, Starmie tried to spin away, but the current was too fast. The bolt struck home instantly.
Electric is super effective against Water. Starmie convulsed as the sparks tore through it, and although its face was expressionless, Misty could feel her partner's pain.
"Starmie!"
Misty called out in panic. But it wasn't over. Pelipper opened its beak slightly once more, and another jolt of electricity shot out, blasting Starmie backward.
The Star Shape Pokémon crashed to the ground, unconscious.
This wasn't a Water-type Pelipper; it was battling like an Electric-type!
Seeing Starmie fall, Misty ran forward with a pained expression, cradling her partner in her arms.
She turned to Anthony, completely baffled. "Why does your Pelipper know an Electric-type move?"
Anthony raised his chin, looking down at her. "What's so strange about that? Didn't I tell you? My Pelipper is the strongest Pokémon in the world! It has no weaknesses. Now do you see how amazing it is?"
Defeated by such an illogical attack, Misty was naturally unconvinced.
She recalled Starmie and reached for a new Poké Ball. But before she could make a selection, a blue light flashed from her waist.
Pop!
Psyduck emerged on its own, landing on the field with a dull thud. It waddled around, clutching its head and looking left and right, completely oblivious to the tense atmosphere—and especially to its trainer's fiery gaze.
"You!" Misty roared, her veins popping. "Why do you always come out and cause trouble at the worst possible times?!"
Seeing this, Anthony shook his head mockingly. "No way. You can't even control your own Pokémon? Can you really call yourself a qualified trainer?"
That comment struck a nerve. Misty turned red with anger. But since Psyduck was already on the field, she couldn't very well switch it out now without losing face.
"Fine! Since you're out, you can battle! Go, Psyduck! Show him how strong you are!"
Psyduck tilted its head, looked at Misty blankly, then looked back at the Pelipper. It seemed to only just realize it was in a battle.
But for once, it wasn't scared. It quacked excitedly, waving its arms as it charged at the Pelipper.
"That's it!" Seeing Psyduck uncharacteristically eager to fight, Misty yelled. "Show it your power! Use Zen Headbutt!"
Psyduck charged, its face a mixture of dopey confusion and fierce determination, quacking loudly all the way.
But halfway there, Pelipper opened its beak again.
Swish!
Two long green vines shot out from its mouth, wrapping tightly around Psyduck's body.
"Gwah?"
Psyduck was lifted helplessly into the air and slammed hard onto the ground.
Now Misty was truly shocked.
Vines coming out of a Pelipper's mouth?
What new species is this? Or are all Hoenn Pokémon this insane?
While Misty stood there, stunned into silence, Natsui had observed enough to solve the puzzle.
There had to be a trick behind these illogical moves.
The secret lay in that massive beak, which was large enough to swallow a small Pokémon whole.
Unlike a normal Pelipper, Anthony's Pelipper never opened its beak fully, no matter the situation. It only ever opened it a crack, just enough to let an attack out. It was trying to hide something.
Natsui vaguely remembered this plot. This man, Anthony, had hidden the Poké Balls of several small Pokémon with different types inside his Pelipper's beak. During battle, he would whisper commands, and the Pelipper would open its mouth just enough for the hidden Pokémon inside to launch an attack.
To think of such a method... Anthony had truly reached the pinnacle of trickery.
Unsuspecting trainers would easily be fooled by the visual confusion. This cheap parlor trick was the sole source of Anthony's confidence in calling his Pelipper the "World's Strongest."
Psyduck was defeated before it even had a chance to unleash its psychic power.
Seeing Misty, still fuming and unconvinced, reaching for her third Poké Ball, Natsui walked up and grabbed her wrist.
"Forget it. You're no match for him."
He stepped in front of her, his eyes cold. "Let me take over."
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