Wyndon Stadium.
The match between Steven and Blue had already begun.
Skarmory had taken a Flare Blitz from Arcanine, and at the cost of Armaldo,
Steven had still managed to set up Spikes and Stealth Rock on the field, making switching troublesome for Blue.
Steven sent Skarmory out again.
Fierce winds swept across the field as Skarmory circled overhead like a streak of silver light.
"Once more, Spikes!"
This time, Blue did not have Arcanine use Roar again. He decided to solve this problem once and for all.
Skarmory descended, scattering dartlike spikes from its steel feathers!
Spikes would not just damage Pokémon that entered the field later. Arcanine, running along the ground, would suffer too!
"Arcanine, Flamethrower!"
Orange-red flames surged between its toes, and a pillar of fire erupted from Arcanine's mouth.
"Dodge!"
Arcanine fired Flamethrower like a turret, locking into a back-and-forth struggle with Skarmory overhead.
"Force it lower!"
Arcanine understood immediately, using Flamethrower to drive Skarmory closer to the ground.
Under Arcanine's relentless pursuit, its Flamethrower finally struck home!
But Skarmory's Sturdy ability activated, leaving it with one last sliver of stamina.
"Skarmory, Roost!"
Landing on a boulder on the Rock Field, Skarmory rapidly recovered its stamina with Roost.
"Stop it, Flamethrower!"
The corners of Steven's mouth lifted slightly.
"Dodge, then use Whirlwind!"
Steven's plan was a resounding success!
Whirlwind's fierce gusts swept Arcanine away, turning it into red light that returned to Blue's Poké Ball.
And the next Pokémon to appear was,
Pidgeot!
The instant he saw Pidgeot,
Steven knew he was in trouble.
Bang, bang, bang! Three stealth rocks flew toward Pidgeot and exploded in quick succession.
Although Stealth Rock damaged Pidgeot, Spikes could not touch it.
"Defog!"
Besides dispersing fog, Defog could clear away all entry hazards on both sides of the field.
Spikes,