The Drapion is 3 levels higher than the Annihilape, and its size is close to 2.5m. Its two large pincers make a metallic clanging sound when they are clamped together.
Relying on its size and status, the Drapion looked down on the Annihilape.
Annihilape's eyes were fixed on the Drapion in front of him. Back when he was still Primeape, he had battled Hunter J's Drapion in the Safari Zone.
However, Hunter J's Drapion is smaller than Reiji 'Reiji, and its level is also lower.
As soon as the battle began, the Annihilape charged at Drapion at full speed.
Reiji seemed like a completely different person. Although he had never seen what the Pokémon emitting white gas in the arena was, he still directly commanded Drapion:
"Drapion, use Pin Missile! Don't let him get close!!!"
The Drapion opened its two large pincers and launched countless flying needles containing green Bug type energy towards the Annihilape.
The green Pin Missile were like a dense, all-encompassing net. The Annihilape had no choice but to abandon its charge and quickly dodge to the side, but even then, it was still pricked by several missiles.
Fortunately, it didn't hurt too much, but it did bring the Annihilape's offensive to a standstill.
"Drapion, use your Poison Sting!"
Seeing that the attack had been effective, Reiji gave the order again:
The Drapion fired countless purple Poison Sting from its two large pincers.
Having already been hit by several Pin Missile, the Annihilape tried to dodge again, but stepped on ice shards and water stains left from the previous battle.
The Annihilape lost its footing and slipped, falling heavily to the ground. A dozen or so Poison Sting, emitting a faint, fishy odor, pierced Annihilape body.
In particular, the Drapion also carries the item Poison Sting, further enhancing the power of its Poison type skills.
The Annihilape, stung by the Poison Sting, endured the pain without crying out. But after a while, its face and hands turned purple, a symptom of Poison.
Seeing that his Annihilape had fallen into a state of Poison was not good news for Roy on the command panel. He had to get the Annihilape to finish the battle as soon as possible.
However, the Pin Missile and Poison Sting needles launched by the Drapion were too dense, making it impossible for the Annihilape to get close without being injured.
No... it's not impossible.
Roy remembered the Shadow Ball Stealing technique that Marshadow had taught the Annihilape.
This ability to briefly slip into the shadows allows Annihilape to appear in the shadow of Drapion.
He originally planned to have the Annihilape use it during a later competition, but now it seems he has no choice but to use it.
Otherwise, Reiji wouldn't have learned his lesson, and he would have become the laughingstock instead.
"Annihilape, use Shadow..."
Roy was halfway through his sentence, preparing to have the Annihilape use the Shadow Steal taught to him by Marshadow.
The opposing Drapion slammed its two pincers together again, while simultaneously extending one pincer and beckoning it towards the Annihilape, a Taunt expression on its face.
Drapion has abandoned its advantage in ranged attacks and chosen to engage in close combat with Annihilape.
Sure enough, Shinji's arrogant personality must have been learned from Reiji.
Reiji, sitting in the command seat, simply watched his Drapion calmly. He did not object to the Drapion wanting to engage in close combat with the Annihilape, as close combat was also the Drapion's forte.
Moreover, the Annihilape is already Poison, so its defeat is only a matter of time.
Melee?
Fighting type Pokémon in close combat?
Roy hadn't expected the other party to come to him so readily, so he figured he might as well be impolite.
"The Annihilape, let him see the results of our month-long training."
"Abandoned!"
The Annihilape is least afraid of close combat, so it quickly charges at the Drapion when given an opportunity.
The Drapion's two hooked claws reached for the charging Annihilape, attempting to kill it with a single blow. However, the Annihilape was incredibly agile, and it nimbly dodged the Annihilape Drapion's two large pincers.
The Annihilape easily broke through the Drapion's two large pincers and landed a straight punch on the Drapion's face, causing the Drapion to stagger back two steps.
Incidentally, it also arrived at the back of Drapion. Annihilape's fist contained Fighting type energy, preparing to smash Drapion's back with a Drain Punch.
Just as the Annihilape was about to throw his punch, he suddenly lost the ability to move his arm and his fist.
It turned out that the giant hook on the Drapion's tail had precisely clamped down on the Annihilape's fist, which it was about to smash down.
Just when Reiji thought the situation was under control and was preparing to have the Drapion use the Cross Poison followed by the Fell Stinger to finish off the Annihilape Si was about to make a move.
Then, with the greatly increased attack power gained from the Fell Stinger, when it pushed the two Pokémon behind Roy, it was seen that Annihilape forcefully pried open Drapion's pincers with its right hand.
A Drain Punch carrying Fighting type energy slammed heavily into Drapion's back, making a dull thud against its Drapion.
The Drapion, struck by the Drain Punch, staggered and nearly fell to the ground.
At the same time, a stream of green Life Energy flowed from the Drapion to the Annihilape's fist and then into its body.
Although it couldn't cure the Annihilape's poison, it did restore some of the Annihilape's strength.
Seeing this, Reiji's face turned solemn. The reason he let the Drapion fight in close combat was because he had absolute confidence in the Drapion. Unexpectedly, the Drapion was of a higher level than the Annihilape, but it was not as strong as the Annihilape.
It seems that this Pokémon, called Annihilape, is quite powerful in close combat.
At this point, it's impossible for Drapion to use Pin Missile and Poison Sting to create distance. At such close range, the skills would be interrupted before they could be used. Drapion can only fight Annihilape head-on.
The Annihilape and the Drapion engaged in close combat.
It's clear that Reiji has been specially trained in various close combat techniques by the Drapion. The two large pincers on his hands, plus the pincers on his tail, are equivalent to three offensive arms that constantly launch attacks on the Annihilape.
However, compared to Roy and the Annihilape, who underwent rigorous training with Bruno, there was still a certain gap. Every time, the Annihilape would anticipate their moves and dodge them.
Just as the Drapion missed its target again, the Annihilape grabbed one of the Drapion's arms and Vital Throw, slamming the Drapion heavily to the ground.
The Annihilape wanted to take the opportunity to use another Drain Punch to recover some strength, but the large pincers on the Drapion's tail seemed to have eyes, and once again clamped down on the Annihilape's fist.
The Drapion quickly rolled over, its eyes no longer showing any contempt, but becoming very serious.