"But... my Politoed isn't that fragile. And... it's raining right now!" A cold smile tugged at Xun Chaoze's lips. "Toxicroak, Acupressure! Politoed, Surf!"
As Xun Chaoze's voice fell, Politoed's eyes snapped open, and an intense aqua-blue glow flared around its body. The standing water on the ground, the rain in the air, and water appearing from seemingly nowhere instantly gathered beneath it, lifting its body and dissipating the force of Stone Edge. The wave curled back and crashed straight toward the charging Archen, completely disregarding the incoming Night Slash. Meanwhile, Toxicroak's right hand glowed red as it pressed against its own leg. The red light blazed, and Toxicroak leaped into the curling Surf.
"You have to give something up to gain something. Aze, that's real guts!" Liu Qing couldn't help praising him. If Xun Chaoze had hesitated even a little at that moment, Liu Qing would have been close to victory.
Boom! Aerial Ace collided with Surf, scattering spray everywhere. Politoed and Archen both took damage and rebounded in opposite directions. Just then, Night Slash spun between them, slicing apart the waves before they could fully disperse and exposing Toxicroak in midair.
"Well done!" Xun Chaoze was secretly delighted. Toxicroak had slipped into the waves when Politoed used Surf. Thanks to its Dry Skin Ability, Surf would not hurt it and would even restore its stamina. With Politoed out in the open and Toxicroak concealed, this was precisely the opportunity he had been waiting for. Watching Toxicroak charge toward Archen, Xun Chaoze gave his command. "Thunder Punch!"
Thud! A fist crackling with golden electricity slammed into the unsuspecting Archen's abdomen. A ring of energy rippled outward, and Archen couldn't suppress a cry of pain. The punch sent its body flying backward before it crashed into the battlefield with a boom.