Growing stronger

Machop chose to use Bullet Punch this time, reaching Poliwag in an instant and driving a silvery fist forward.

Bullet Punch interrupted Poliwag's move outright, knocking Poliwag back once again.

Zhang Cheng was waiting for an opening to have Poliwag use Endeavor. That was the only way to achieve a Comeback Victory.

Seeing Poliwag's condition, Machop knew this was the perfect chance to finish the battle and immediately used the move he was best at, Karate Chop.

Watching Machop charge forward, Zhang Cheng knew his chance had come. "Poliwag, focus on using Endeavor!"

Machop's Karate Chop struck Poliwag first, but Poliwag refused to fall behind, landing an Endeavor on Machop as well.

Used at critical HP, Endeavor stripped away more than half of Machop's HP.

The sudden, heavy blow left Machop struggling to recover his strength. Poliwag, however, had experienced this before and quickly got back up, firing a Water Gun.

Unable to dodge in time, Machop was hit by Water Gun and knocked out.

Through this battle, Poliwag also reached level 13, growing a little stronger.

"Well done, Poliwag." Zhang Cheng promptly praised Poliwag.

Zhang Cheng then applied Healing Spray to both Machop and Poliwag, letting the two Pokémon recover from their injuries.

By the time the battle with Machop ended, it was almost noon. Zhang Cheng took out the food he had prepared beforehand and ate his lunch.

He also brought out Pokéblocks for his Pokémon, while Machop fetched his stored food from the cave beside the waterfall.

Seeing that Machop's food was not particularly good, Zhang Cheng decided to bring him a few Fighting-type Pokéblocks when he came back tomorrow.

By the afternoon, Machop and Poliwag had recovered considerably, but they still could not battle, as fighting could aggravate their injuries.

So Zhang Cheng had Poliwag stay