Chapter 64: Sweeping Through the Competition
"Let the match begin!"
"Ninetales, use Flamethrower!"
As soon as the referee's voice rang out, Judd immediately ordered Ninetales to attack.
Having observed Ron and Machoke's performance in the previous match, Judd, much like Long earlier, was cautious of Machoke's ghostly speed. Thus, he aimed to suppress Machoke's movements with an aggressive offensive strategy.
"Machoke, use Shaveto close the gap!"
Unfortunately, Judd underestimated how much Shaveenhanced Machoke's speed. Under Ron's command, Machoke seemed to vanish from its original spot.
"Ninetales, protect yourself with Fire Spin!"
Seeing Flamethrowermiss, Judd quickly called for Ninetales to defend itself.
No matter how powerful Ninetales' moves were, it first needed to locate its opponent to launch an effective attack. But Machoke didn't give it that opportunity.
"Charge through, use Leer, and finish it with Close Combat!"
The towering flames of Fire Spincouldn't stop Machoke's unstoppable momentum.
Charging through the fire, Machoke's Leerhit Ninetales square in the face.
Faced with Machoke's fierce aura and intimidating gaze, Ninetales hesitated, allowing Leerto be exceptionally effective.
With Close Combat, Ninetales was sent flying out of the Fire Spin.
"Hang in there, Ninetales! Use Heat Wave!"
Judd's voice rang out as strength surged back into Ninetales.
Using its nine tails to stabilize itself, Ninetales prepared to counterattack, only to find Machoke already in front of it once again.
Another Leerand Close Combat, and Ninetales was sent flying once more.
Before Ninetales could even hit the ground, Machoke leapt up, finishing the battle decisively with another Close Combat.
From start to finish, the match lasted less than two minutes, leaving the audience momentarily speechless, forgetting to even cheer.
"So... so strong!"
Watching Ron effortlessly defeat another opponent, Baki couldn't help but exclaim.
Far from being discouraged, Buggy now saw Ron as the first and only target on his path forward at this stage!
After the match, Ron, as usual, restored Machoke's stamina and tended to its injuries using his Fighting Aura ability before returning Machoke to its Poké Ball.
After two rounds, the top eight had been determined, and now the competition for the top four was about to begin.
Long was the first to step into the arena again. After venting his frustrations earlier, he had calmed down, adopting a more methodical and suppressive strategy.
Once he gained the upper hand, Long reverted to his usual style, letting Nidoking unleash a barrage of relentless attacks.
Believing that the match would end by noon, Long didn't hold back, planning to use the two-hour break to allow Nidoking to recover.
A final Flamethrowerlanded a direct hit, and Hitmontop fell reluctantly.
With fewer contestants, Ron's next match arrived sooner than expected.
This time, Ron faced off against Jason, whose Pokémon was also a Fighting-type: Hitmonchan.
"Machoke, close in with Leerand follow up with Close Combat!"
Unlike Judd, Jason didn't rush to attack despite Machoke's ghostly speed. Instead, he wore an expression of absolute confidence.
Leerhit its mark, and Machoke immediately followed with Close Combat.
"Hitmonchan, use Counter!"
Jason's voice suddenly rang out, revealing his trump card against Machoke.
A red glow enveloped Hitmonchan, who stood motionless, bracing itself for the oncoming attack, the air trembling from Machoke's charge.
But just as Machoke's fist was about to land, it stopped abruptly.
Ron couldn't help but smile. He had anticipated Jason's strategy from the start.
Hitmonchan could learn or inherit the move Counter, so Ron had warned Machoke to watch out for it before the battle began.
Hitmonchan's complete stillness only confirmed Ron's suspicion.
If this had been before earning the Blue Badge, perhaps Jason's trap might have caused Ron some trouble.
But now, with experience under his belt, Ron found Jason's clumsy setup laughably transparent.
"Machoke, Leer! Prepare Close Combat!"
"Hitmonchan, use Mach Punch!"
Keeping a safe distance, Machoke used Leeragain.
As Counterfaded, both Hitmonchan and Machoke launched their attacks simultaneously.
During the charge, Leerslowed Hitmonchan's movements just enough for Machoke to land the decisive blow.
With relentless aggression, Machoke's Leerfurther lowered Hitmonchan's defenses, and a second Close Combatended the match.
By the end of the morning matches, the competition had narrowed to the top four, who would compete for the final three spots in the afternoon.
Instead of returning to the stands, Ron took Machoke out for a meal.
As for Long, he had vanished from sight after Ron's victory.
After a peaceful midday break, the matches resumed at 2 PM.
The first match of the semifinals was Long versus Zeke.
Zeke's Pokémon, a level 38 Scyther, was poised to exploit its speed advantage over Nidoking.
But Long, having trained Nidoking as his ace, knew full well the threat posed by speed-based Pokémon.
As the battle began, Long commanded Nidoking to use Flamethrowerrepeatedly, setting the battlefield ablaze to limit Scyther's movements.
Pairing Earth Powerwith Flamethrower, Long gradually cornered Scyther.
Though this strategy drained Nidoking's stamina quickly, Long believed Ron and Aaron's match would also be grueling, ensuring no significant disadvantage later.
Without realizing it, Long had already assumed Ron would defeat Aaron and his level 39 Golem.
Catching Scyther off guard, Nidoking's Flamethrowerlanded a direct hit.
Earth Powerfollowed, launching Scyther into the air before another Flamethrowerfinished it off.
With Long and Zeke exiting the stage, the final semifinal match began to determine the last slot in the finals.
"Golem, use Defense Curland follow up with Rolloutto circle the field!"
Aaron started by instructing Golem to boost its power.
In its Defense Curlstate, Rollout's damage could eventually reach a maximum of 960—far exceeding the power of Explosion.
Unfortunately for Aaron, Ron wasn't about to give Golem the chance to stack its Rolloutdamage.
"Machoke, close in with Close Combatand take it down!"
With Shaveaccelerating its charge, Machoke caught up to Golem in a flash.
With Rollout's initial power at only 60, it crumbled instantly under Machoke's assault.
Aaron, who had approached this match with a "try and see" attitude, had no regrets. He knew the real battle was just beginning.
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