At Zou Tianwang's command, a brown-gray Pokémon with a long neck and stout limbs, resembling a Diplodocus from the dinosaur era, stood in front of the two Senior Cadres, blocking their way. It was Tropius.
This Tropius was noticeably larger and of higher quality than the two ordinary Tropius that had assisted the Research Institute in their retreat earlier.
Its four large, thick leaves on its back began to flap vigorously, and the violent Flying-type energy immediately stirred up gusts of strong wind in the space. It was using its native Flying-type move, Gust.
The move's power was only 40, but it was enough to repel Liepard. Liepard was blown over, tumbling on the ground before regaining its footing.
Zou Tianwang turned his head without hesitation and shouted loudly to Zhang Heng and Qi Shu behind him, “Quick! Go Southwest! I’ll handle things here, don’t worry, I’ll catch up with you soon!” His voice was firm and powerful, revealing an unquestionable confidence and determination.
Zhang Heng and Qi Shu didn't waste words and headed in the direction Zou Tianwang indicated. Zou Tianwang watched their disappearing backs before slowly turning around, barely concealing his anger as he said, “I told you, blood for blood.”
The Senior Cadres who killed Swoobat with Liepard spoke, “Tsk, still talking tough when death is at your doorstep? Are you the only one with a backup plan?”
The Senior Cadres threw a dark ball, and a faint glow flashed, revealing a Pokémon that looked like a fox, primarily covered in fiery red fur, especially around its eyes where the black fur was particularly dense, making it look like it was wearing a thief's mask. Its legs also appeared to be wearing black boots, and its tail remained fluffy and large, with the tip still black.
Zou Tianwang frowned, “The fox Pokémon—Thievul.”
It relies on its nimble body and sharp claws to steal food and eggs everywhere. It secretly leaves marks on its chosen prey, tracks the target's scent, and steals when the opponent lets down their guard. It competes with Liepard for territory, and Boltund is its natural enemy.
The slender and agile Thievul appeared before everyone like a ghost. It stood steadily between the two Liepard, who subtly stepped back, indicating Thievul's leading position.
Suddenly, Thievul let out a deafening Howl, echoing through the air. This Howl seemed to possess soul-piercing power, instantly making the entire space tremble.
At the same time, an Elite Four-level aura surged from Thievul, sweeping in all directions.
Zou Tianwang, who had been composed, couldn't help but widen his pupils, thinking to himself, “It’s an Elite Four-level Pokémon!”
“Thievul, Howl.”
Howl, a Normal-type status move, increases the user and its allies' Attack by 1 stage by roaring loudly to raise their spirits.
After a sharp Howl, just one move boosted the physical attack of Thievul and the two Liepard, a total of three Pokémon.
Zou Yi understood from this one move that the opponent was very skilled in team combat.
“Since the opponent is setting up, we will set up too. Tropius, Tailwind.”
Tailwind, a Flying-type status move, creates a Tailwind on your side of the field, doubling the Speed of all Pokémon on your side. It lasts for 4 turns, including the turn it is used.
Tropius spread its four wings, and the Flying-type energy behind it began to flow, accelerating rapidly, then stirring up a fierce whirlwind.
Cadres No. 1: “First, kill the support, then slowly wear down the Elite Four Swanna.”
Cadres No. 2: “Alright, Thievul, use Burning Jealousy on Tropius.”
Thievul gathered a strange flame in its mouth and spewed a dark red pillar of fire at Tropius.
Burning Jealousy, a Fire-type special attack move, attacks the opponent with jealous energy. It inflicts a burn on Pokémon whose stats were raised during the same turn.
Zou Yi calmly issued commands on two fronts.
“Tropius, ignore it, Rain Dance.”
“Swanna, take the Burning Jealousy, then use Steel Wing.”
Under the influence of Tailwind, both Tropius and Swanna's movement speed increased significantly.
Swanna flew swiftly towards the dark red flames, crossing its wings to protect its body, and directly endured the Burning Jealousy. Don't forget, Swanna's Aqua Ring move was still active.
Rumble! The collision of flames and water instantly filled the area with white Steam Eruption.
Tropius raised its long neck and began to chant the Rain Dance move. Its melodious song pierced through the thick white steam, and dark clouds began to gather in the sky. Lightning flashed within the clouds, and rain was about to fall.
Cadres No. 1: “No, Tropius cannot use Rain Dance.”
“Liepard! Follow the song and use Abyss Thrust on Tropius!”
However, within the Steam Eruption, Swanna's wings were already coated with dense Steel-type energy, a Steel Wing move, waiting in the mist for the approaching enemy.
The two Liepard, following the sound of Tropius's chanting, leaped into the Steam Eruption, relying on their hearing and battle instincts to attack. Just as the Abyss Thrust move was about to hit the source of the sound, two muffled thuds suddenly echoed. Bang! Bang!
The two Liepard were sent flying out of the Steam Eruption, tumbling in the air before landing steadily. However, one of the Liepard was already nearing its limit, painfully clutching its abdomen with its front paws.
Swanna, in the Steam Eruption, utilized its Keen Eye ability, which meant it was not affected by any visibility issues, accurately striking down the two Liepard and causing damage.
Cadres No. 1's palms were slightly sweaty. This Huaguo Elite Four must have calculated this step, stirring up Steam Eruption and then counterattacking with Keen Eye.
Just then... the Rain Dance move took effect, and rain began to fall steadily, foreshadowing the fate of the two Senior Cadres.
Zou Tianwang spoke, “It’s time to fight back.”
“Tropius, Air Cutter.”
“Swanna, Hurricane!”
The two Flying-type Pokémon began to gather Flying-type energy, blowing away the Steam Eruption in front of them.
Cadres No. 1: “Our chance has come too!”
“Liepard! Use Encore on Tropius!”
The Normal-type energy around Liepard transformed into a gray aura, all flowing into Tropius's body. This is the nightmare of all support Pokémon.
Tropius entered the Encore effect, forcing the target to use only its last used move for the next 3 turns. So Tropius will use Rain Dance for the next three turns, completely locked down.
Cadres No. 1: “Hahahaha, you're down a support, can you last three turns?!”
Cadres No. 2: “Thievul! Beat Up! Attack Swanna!”
Beat Up, a special Evil-type move, allows all of our Pokémon to attack. The more Pokémon accompanying, the more times the move attacks.
Under the effect of Beat Up, Thievul and the two Liepard fiercely attacked Swanna, unleashing their fury. They had also boosted their physical attack by one stage with Howl, ensuring that if this Beat Up move continued, it could directly defeat Swanna.
But Swanna couldn't dodge, because behind him were his immobile companion and his beloved Trainer.
“Swanna, think of Lin Yue's Poison Trap. Whirlpool!”