Fifteen to Eight

After dinner, the group sat together and chatted for a while. Gatherings between friends always passed quickly, and time slipped away without anyone noticing.

The six entered the arena amid the commentator's warm-up chatter. Before long, the drawing began. This time, they would not draw lots through the devices on their wrists. Instead, the two contestants facing each other would be displayed directly on the big screen, then take the field for a fully commentated match, until only one person remained and received a bye.

Yin Hanling was up first, facing Pachirisu.

Pokémon: Pachirisu

Gender: Male

Type: Electric type

Ability: Volt Absorb (A Pokémon with this Ability is unaffected by Electric-type moves. When hit by an Electric-type move, it restores one-quarter of its maximum HP. This Ability only ensures immunity to Electric-type damage and cannot draw in Electric-type attacks.)

Aptitude: Blue Aptitude

Basic Moves: Growl, Endure, Quick Attack, Charm, Spark, Endure, Nuzzle, Swift

Egg Moves: Bite, Covet, Ion Deluge, Iron Tail

Since the contestants watched the matches from the sidelines during the fifteen-to-eight round rather than from the lounge, Lu Ze could see the Pokémon's attributes on the field.

Before Lu Ze could say anything, the commentator's voice reached everyone's ears first.

"Alright, the first match of our Baby Cup has begun! First, we would like to thank our sponsor, Advertisement Space Available, for their generous support!"

"Both sides have released their Pokémon. Contestant number one has a Ghost-type Misdreavus, while her opponent has an Electric-type Pachirisu. Neither side holds a type advantage, so the outcome of this match will depend entirely on the contestants' performances!"

"Pachirisu—Ion Deluge!"

"Misdreavus—Nasty Plot!"

On the field, Pachirisu moved first, bathing in sparkling electricity. Then it sped toward the Misdreavus using Quick Attack while Misdreavus used Nasty Plot. Midway through, Pachirisu opened its mouth, black Dark-type energy wrapping around its teeth. It was Bite, a move that countered Ghost types.

Misdreavus giggled, completely unconcerned by the rapidly approaching Pachirisu, and slowly vanished into the air. Pachirisu, which had charged over, looked around in confusion, appearing adorably foolish.

"Pachirisu—Swift!"

Its opponent reacted quickly as well, intending to use the sure-hit move Swift to find Misdreavus's location.

Pachirisu opened its tiny mouth and fired Swift. The stars passed through a black spherical object and struck the invisible Misdreavus.

Misdreavus winced in pain and glared viciously at Pachirisu, which had also been hit by Shadow Ball. Pachirisu was blasted away, rolled twice across the ground, then got back up and glared fiercely at Misdreavus in the air.

The sparks in the two Pokémon's eyes collided in midair. Neither was willing to yield.

"Misdreavus—Psybeam!"

"Pachirisu—Quick Attack!"

Misdreavus in the air fired a purplish-red beam that chased Pachirisu across the ground. However, Pachirisu was simply too fast with Quick Attack's boost, and Misdreavus's Psybeam could not catch it at all.

"Swift!"

The instant Misdreavus's Psybeam stopped, Pachirisu stopped as well and used Swift again, striking Misdreavus.

"Misdreavus—Shadow Sneak!"

Yin Hanling directed Misdreavus to use a close-range move. Pachirisu was too fast, making the accuracy of ranged attacks far too low. She could only use Shadow Sneak to get close first, then attack at point-blank range.

Misdreavus giggled again and vanished into the air. While Pachirisu was still looking around for it, Misdreavus emerged from Pachirisu's shadow, snickered, and slapped the back of Pachirisu's head, making it stagger forward.

After regaining its footing, Pachirisu covered the back of its head and glared viciously at Misdreavus, which was making faces at it.

"Pachirisu—Swift!"

"Misdreavus—Shadow Ball, finish it!"

The two Pokémon injured each other again at close range. Swift hit Misdreavus, while Shadow Ball hit Pachirisu.

Misdreavus was mostly fine, but Pachirisu had taken two Shadow Balls boosted by Nasty Plot. Although Pachirisu's Special Defense stat was decent, the two Shadow Balls still drained all its strength.

"Pachirisu is unable to battle. Misdreavus wins!"

Misdreavus stood in the middle of the field with its hands on its hips, looking at Pachirisu's spiraling eyes as it lay on the ground, then burst into triumphant laughter.

Yin Hanling was somewhat helpless. She lowered her head, forcibly recalled Misdreavus into its Poké Ball, and fled the arena as though escaping.

"Alright, the first match has ended! Thank you to both contestants for bringing us such an exciting battle. Next, please welcome Gu Yi and Li Peng to the field!"

After both contestants took the field, they released their respective Pokémon.

Pokémon: Lilligant

Gender: Female

Type: Grass type

Ability: Chlorophyll (Its Speed increases under Sunny Day weather.)

Aptitude: Orange Aptitude

Basic Moves: Petal Dance, Teeter Dance, Quiver Dance, Petal Blizzard, Absorb, Growth, Helping Hand, Stun Spore, Mega Drain, Magical Leaf, Sleep Powder, Giga Drain, Leech Seed, After You, Energy Ball, Synthesis, Sunny Day, Leaf Storm

Egg Moves: Solar Beam, Ingrain, Worry Seed

Pokémon: Rhyhorn

Gender: Female

Type: Ground type, Rock type

Ability: Lightning Rod (Draws Electric-type moves toward itself. It takes no damage and instead raises its Special Attack.)

Aptitude: Blue Aptitude

Basic Moves: Tackle, Tail Whip, Smack Down, Bulldoze, Horn Attack, Scary Face, Stomp, Iron Tail, Dig

Egg Moves: Dragon Rush, Skull Bash, Ice Fang

"Hiss—"

Lu Ze clicked his tongue when he saw Lilligant's moves. Its move pool was far too extensive, and every single one was incredibly useful.

It could open with Sunny Day, then use Quiver Dance to boost itself whenever it had the chance. If it had no opportunity, it could apply status with Sleep Powder or Stun Spore before using Quiver Dance. Then it could finish the battle with Petal Dance or Solar Beam.

If it still could not end the fight, it could wage a battle of attrition with Ingrain, Synthesis, and Giga Drain. Once Sunny Day was up, this would be its home field.

Sure enough, the situation on the field was roughly what Lu Ze had expected. Lilligant immediately used Sunny Day after entering the field.

However, Rhyhorn's Trainer was extremely aggressive. Right from the start, he unleashed Dragon Rush, and Rhyhorn charged toward Lilligant with unstoppable momentum.

Lilligant gritted its teeth and chose to take Dragon Rush head-on to ensure that Sunny Day would activate.

Lilligant was sent flying by Rhyhorn's charge, but Sunny Day was successfully activated as well.

"Lilligant—Giga Drain!"

"Rhyhorn—Ice Fang!"

With a raise of Lilligant's hand, emerald life energy transferred from Rhyhorn's body into its own. Rhyhorn was nearly drained dry by the quadruple-effective Giga Drain.

But Ice Fang still bit into Lilligant's body.

"Lilligant—Solar Beam!"

"Rhyhorn—Dig!"

Lilligant did not need to charge and directly fired Solar Beam from its mouth. Unfortunately, Rhyhorn was extremely fast with Dig and burrowed underground in an instant, avoiding that deadly Solar Beam.

Gu Yi relaxed. Although Solar Beam had not hit, Lilligant had clearly secured victory.

"Lilligant—Synthesis!"

"Rhyhorn—Come out and use Ice Fang!"

Unfortunately, both Rhyhorn and its Trainer had been fooled. Rhyhorn burst out of the ground and bit Lilligant with Ice-type energy, but Lilligant endured the move and took Rhyhorn down with a Magical Leaf, claiming victory.

"Rhyhorn is unable to battle. Lilligant wins!"