Even if Scizor tried to escape, the attack would curve around and hit. Still, between the type matchup, the move's power, and Staraptor's Ability, Intimidate-which lowered the opponent's Attack by one stage-it didn't seem to do much damage.
Come to think of it, wasn't this where he was supposed to use Baton Pass after Swords Dance?
"Keep attacking! Use Slash this time!"
"Ah, Hikari seems rattled for some reason and can't give any commands! Meanwhile, Scizor keeps attacking! Taillow is in trouble!"
First, I had to change my approach!
"Taillow, Agility!"
Taillow used Agility to speed up, escape Slash, and put some distance between them.
"Murkrow, turn around and use Wing Attack with Quick Attack!"
"Scizor, Pay Day!"
Murkrow charged in with lightning speed and struck with Wing Attack, but Scizor easily dodged the blow. Judging by the timing, Scizor's Speed should have been two stages higher than when the battle started. I supposed that couldn't be helped.
"Scizor, Rock Smash!"
With that incredible speed, Scizor quickly closed the distance and landed Slash on Murkrow.
"Scizor easily dodged Wing Attack! Now it hits Staravia with Rock Smash! Despite the unfavorable matchup, the attack connected! Staravia took a heavy blow!"
So why aren't you using Baton Pass?! Ah, no, that would put me in a tough spot.
Meanwhile, Scizor met Staravia's counterattack and immediately launched another Slash.
But-
"Wh-what's this?!"
"What?!"
The "Murkrow" that took Cross Poison head-on vanished in a puff of smoke.
"Was that a Substitute?!"
What a waste. No, I was really glad I'd bought it as insurance.
"That's right, it was Substitute. I hid Murkrow during Heat Wave earlier. You didn't see, did you?"
"Hey!"
"My goodness, a Substitute! Murkrow fooled Iron Armor with a Substitute! But where is the real Murkrow?!"
The answer was-
"Murkrow, **Brave