A Perfect Victory

"How could my Staraptor lose to a Staravia?"

"Staraptor, use Close Combat!"

Barry clenched his fists and shouted to his Staraptor.

At his command, Staraptor screeched and lunged at Staravia, claws outstretched.

"Staravia, use Air Slash!"

Facing the oncoming Staraptor, Staravia beat its wings hard and unleashed several nearly invisible blades of air.

It tried to keep Staraptor from closing in.

But Staraptor didn't dodge. It took the Air Slash head-on and charged right up to Staravia.

It attacked Staravia relentlessly with its beak, claws, and wings.

Staravia took a fair amount of damage.

"See that? That's Staraptor's real strength!"

"I've got this match in the bag!"

Seeing Staraptor pin Staravia down, Barry grinned smugly.

It's an evolved Pokémon, after all. Staraptor's physical abilities are well above Staravia's.

But that's fine. I still have this under control.

"Staravia, use Agility and shake it off!"

Bai Shi's furrowed brow relaxed as he gave the order.

Staravia burst forward, putting distance between itself and Staraptor again.

"Don't let it get away! Staraptor, keep using Close Combat!"

Barry had the upper hand and wasn't about to give Staravia a chance to breathe. He sent Staraptor after it.

He had completely forgotten the lesson he'd learned earlier.

"You've fallen for the same move twice now!"

"Staravia, use Fast Aerial Ace!"

A smile tugged at Bai Shi's lips as he called out the command.

Staravia switched from Agility to Aerial Ace, abruptly changed course, and shot toward the pursuing Staraptor with a sharp rush of air.

"Not good! Staraptor, dodge!"

By the time Barry realized what was happening, it was too late.

The powered-up Aerial Ace struck Staraptor, knocking it off balance and sending it plummeting.

This time, Staraptor couldn't recover. It slammed into the ground.

Its eyes went dark, and it could no longer