Epilogue (Part 2)

The chilling Will-O-Wisp flared to life, and Mega Garchomp, practically pressed against Zoroark, naturally had no way to dodge.

But after a brief moment of surprise, it swiftly composed itself and opened its jaws wide, biting down with Crunch.

Compared to Dragon Claw or other Pokémon moves, Crunch struck faster and better suited the close-quarters brawl the two Pokémon were engaged in.

Dark-type energy coiled around its sharp, pale fangs as they mercilessly sank into Zoroark's lean, slender body.

The super-effective damage took effect immediately. Had Will-O-Wisp not already reduced the damage of its physical attacks, Zoroark likely would not have been able to endure it.

This was where Will-O-Wisp showed its advantage over passive defensive Pokémon moves like Protect.

Not only could it bring the battle's rhythm back under Xia Chen's control, even if Zoroark truly lost to Garchomp in the end, the Pokémon sent out afterward would not be put in such a passive position.

One step ahead meant staying ahead every step of the way.

Having used Will-O-Wisp first, Zoroark ignored the unbearable pain coursing through its body and immediately used Shadow Sneak again, leaving Garchomp's field of vision.

It did not widen the distance. Instead, it circled behind Garchomp, to the side where it would have difficulty exerting force.

In the next instant, layers of ghostly shadows split from its body. Dozens of figures, impossible to distinguish with the naked eye, surrounded Garchomp from every direction.

Double Team!

Its incredible speed, coupled with Shadow Sneak's priority, allowed Zoroark to complete all of this before Garchomp could make its next move. Garchomp, slowed by more than a beat, had once again fallen into a passive position—

If it used sound waves to identify Zoroark's real body, it would undoubtedly give Zoroark time to catch its breath.

That