Chapter 48: Semi-Finals! Beedrill vs. Pidgeot!
In the waiting area, Kenji and Melody sat side-by-side, silently watching the battle on the main stage.
Both trainers were clearly skilled. Unfortunately for one of them, his ace was a Golem (Ground/Rock), while his opponent's was a Breloom (Grass/Fighting). From a type-matching perspective, it was a complete blowout. Grass-type moves were 4x super-effective against Golem.
The battle was a valiant back-and-forth, but it ended decisively when the Breloom unleashed a Bullet Seed. Even a Pokémon as tanky as Golem couldn't withstand the 4x effective barrage and finally collapsed.
"Golem is unable to battle! Breloom is the winner!"
"Congratulations to our competitor, Suzanne, for advancing to the finals! Leon will move on to the third-place match!"
As the announcer's voice echoed, the two trainers recalled their Pokémon. In the waiting area, Kenji and Melody stood up and headed for the arena.
They walked out from two different entrance tunnels, taking their places on opposite sides of the massive central field.
"Let's give a huge round of applause for Suzanne and Leon for that incredible match! And now, let's welcome our next semi-finalists, Kenji and Melody!"
"Competitor Kenji, who has been called this tournament's strongest dark horse! From his terrifying, high-pressure Gyarados to his powerful ace, Beedrill, he has left a deep impression on all of us!"
"And his opponent, Melody! Daughter of our very own Edgecliff Gym Leader, Marcus! A true chip off the old block, Melody has had a spectacular run and is also considered a top contender for the Supernova Championship title!"
"Audience, let's get ready! This is sure to be an epic showdown!"
Amidst the announcer's nearly frenzied introduction, Kenji and Melody faced each other, their eyes locking, both burning with competitive spirit.
"The battle... begin!"
At the referee's signal, both trainers threw their Poké Balls.
"Go, Pidgeot!"
"Go! My Ace!"
Beedrill and Pidgeot materialized at almost the same time.
Kenji raised an eyebrow, uncharacteristically not attacking first. "Why not Togekiss?"
Melody shrugged. "It's still not listening to me."
Kenji nodded, his expression turning serious. "Beedrill! Use Double Team!"
Beedrill's form flickered, instantly splitting into multiple copies that fanned out across the field.
"Pidgeot! Use Air Cutter and find the real one!"
"Pidge-otto!—"
Pidgeot cried out, flapping its wings and sending several sharp blades of wind slicing through the air toward the clones.
Seeing this, Kenji instantly abandoned his plan to use "Thunder Dance." The setup took too long against a multi-target move. "Beedrill! Quick Attack, spread out!"
The real Beedrill shot off, and all the clones mirrored its movement, scattering in different directions.
Pidgeot's Keen Eye ability activated, its sharp gaze tracking all the Beedrill. The Air Cutter, as if guided, sliced through the clones one by one.
"Found you! Don't let it breathe! Pidgeot, use Wing Attack!"
Melody had instantly identified the real one by its superior agility. Pidgeot dove toward it.
"Beedrill! Venoshock!" Kenji countered, seeing the opening as Pidgeot closed in.
Beedrill fired a stream of purple liquid.
"Fly up and dodge it!" Melody, anticipating the counter, commanded.
Pidgeot instantly shot upward, but the spray still managed to clip one of its talons.
"Pidge!" it cried out.
"Focus Energy!" While Pidgeot was dodging, Beedrill wasn't idle. The "Thunder Dance" combo took too long, but Focus Energy was a good compromise. It was a move Beedrill had mastered long ago, and it executed it almost instantly.
"Quick Attack, then Poison Jab!"
At Kenji's command, Beedrill shot forward like an arrow, closing the distance to the airborne Pidgeot.
"Feather Dance! Defend!"
Melody, remaining perfectly calm, issued her counter.
"Pidge!"
Pidgeot spun in the air, creating a whirlwind of white feathers that formed a defensive shield around its body.
Beedrill's Poison Jab slammed into the barrier, sending feathers exploding everywhere, but the attack was completely nullified.
"Quick Attack! Get some distance!" Kenji ordered, immediately pulling Beedrill back.
"Quick Attack! Stay on it and use Wing Attack!"
As Beedrill retreated, Pidgeot matched its speed, its wings glowing white as it gave chase. A normal Beedrill would have been out-sped, but Kenji's, with its monstrous 675 base stat total, was just as fast as the level 36 Pidgeot.
"Beedrill! Protect!"
Beedrill stopped its retreat instantly, spun, and threw up a green barrier.
BOOM!—
Pidgeot's Wing Attack slammed into the shield, doing no damage.
"Poison Jab!"
"Wing Attack!"
At this range, dodging was impossible. Melody and Kenji gave their commands at the same time, opting for a direct trade.
SMACK!—
Beedrill's poisoned lance struck Pidgeot's body, drawing a pained shriek. Enduring the pain, Pidgeot lashed back, slamming its wing into Beedrill.
Beedrill used its other lance to block, using the force of the blow to launch itself backward, creating distance once again.