Flames, lightning, frost, shadow, water current—Terrance had done some investigation on Mr. Norman’s second Slaking. Although the information wasn’t particularly detailed, one thing was certain: this Slaking wielded multiple forms of energy with exceptional mastery and could not be underestimated.
Clearly, this Slaking’s talent was completely different from the previous one. A battle between two Normal-type Pokémon that both had mastered multiple forms of energies signaled that this fight would be another intense clash.
“Rain Dance!”
As soon as Castform appeared, dark clouds covered the field, and torrential rain poured down. Castform transformed into its Rainy Form and then fired off an extremely compressed stream of water, sweeping across like a water whip.
“Thunder Punch!” At Norman’s command, Slaking roared in fury. The lightning power enveloping its fist quickly connected with the dark clouds, summoning a bolt of thunder that struck down, intercepting Castform’s Hydro Pump.
Immediately after, the lightning power fused with Slaking’s arm, erupting into arcs of electricity that wrapped around the Hydro Pump and surged toward Castform.
This change caused Terrance’s expression to turn serious. He had somewhat underestimated Slaking’s control over energy.
Slaking could actually make use of Castform’s Rain?
“This Slaking often partners with Castform in double battles. It’s very proficient in utilizing natural energy,” Norman said with a faint smile.
As countless electric arcs invaded, Castform swiftly shifted the weather into a Blizzard. Frost power spread along the rainwater, instantly freezing the lightning. But just as Castform turned the environment into Snowy Weather, this Slaking also used Blizzard. The Blizzard created by the force of its Ice Punch immediately clashed with Castform’s Blizzard.
In the next moment, with a thunderous explosion, the entire field was engulfed in snow mist!
“Evenly matched?!”
As the snow mist cleared, many people showed astonishment, not at Slaking’s strength, but at Castform’s.
“In theory, the overall strength of this Slaking isn’t much different from the previous one, but this Castform actually suppressed it in terms of energy control. That’s truly incredible,” Glacia commented.
The Slaking that Gallade had fought was already difficult to gain an advantage against, even after Mega Evolution. A Slaking with comparable overall strength would undoubtedly possess terrifying combat power.
Yet despite that, although this Slaking easily used lightning to crush Hydro Pump and used Blizzard to counter Castform’s Blizzard, there was a crucial condition in this situation. Its attacks had borrowed the natural energy gathered by Castform. Without that assistance, could it still surpass Castform in the power of its moves?
The audience didn’t know. Terrance didn’t know either. No one knew whether Norman was still hiding his true strength.
“Now this is interesting…” Terrance muttered.
Focusing on the condition that allowed Slaking and Castform to remain evenly matched, Terrance came up with a plan.
Castform had already changed forms twice. Using Hydro Pump in its Water type and Blizzard in its Ice type, pushing the power of its moves to their theoretical limits.
Yet Slaking had still managed to block them. Its mastery over energy was unexpectedly high, but more importantly, it could draw upon the natural energy that Castform had summoned. Terrance decided to restrict that advantage.
Castform has extremely high control over the weather. Even Terrance’s Ninetales and Tyranitar would find it difficult to seize control of weather power from Castform unless they created their own weather to interfere with it. Yet this Slaking managed to do so with ease, opening Terrance’s eyes.
It wasn’t that only one Pokémon could draw power from a given weather condition; it depended on each side’s level of control over the weather…. If an ordinary Water-type Pokémon used Rain Dance, Castform could easily tap into the natural energy brought by that rain. But in reverse, if Castform used Rain Dance, that ordinary Pokémon wouldn’t find it so easy to harness the rain’s power; it would first have to get past Castform.
Castform’s control over rain was extremely high, but Slaking’s mastery over Electric-type energy was no less impressive. It instantly drew upon the lightning energy within the dark clouds for its own use, something even ordinary Electric-type Pokémon couldn’t achieve. After all, the lightning power within the rain clouds created by Castform was highly volatile and also controlled by Castform’s psychic power. To draw upon it would require at least a top-tier Electric-type Pokémon. From this alone, the strength of this Slaking spoke for itself.
“If this Slaking can’t borrow Castform’s weather power, then the moves Castform uses with that advantage would definitely be stronger than Slaking’s. So what is Terrance planning to do? Disperse the weather? But then Castform wouldn’t be able to use the power of weather either…”
As the situation evolved, it gradually became more intriguing. Terrance thought briefly, then smiled. Castform instantly dispersed the weather completely.
But it itself transformed into a Sunny form.
Fire-type Castform!
“What is he trying to do?” Many people showed confused expressions at Terrance’s actions.
“Oh? Even without changing the weather, he still managed to alter Castform’s type. As expected of a Contest Master. His control over energy, climate, and temperature is truly top-tier,” Sidney said in surprise.
As soon as Sidney finished speaking, the next scene completely stunned the audience, including several of the Elite Four.
While Castform dispersed the weather, Slaking didn’t stay idle. It compressed Water Pulse into a small water sphere and hurled it out with force. The sphere was small and fast, but it didn’t seem to be aimed directly at Castform. Sure enough, a secondary change followed. Just as the water sphere approached Castform, it suddenly exploded, generating a massive wave that formed a huge curtain of water surging forward to engulf it.
Immediately after, Slaking strode forward, its Thunder Punch drawing upon lightning power and striking through, arcs of electricity shooting forth!
Water current combined with lightning. If Castform were hit by this double attack, the consequences would be disastrous.
“Strong, but in terms of destructive power, Castform won’t lose…”
The massive curtain of water came crashing down. Just as everyone lost sight of Castform, a wave of heat erupted. The water curtain was instantly pierced with countless holes, thick steam billowing out as it was vaporized in an instant. The immense lightning power was also completely devoured. In the next moment, streams of molten lava burst forth from in front of Castform’s small body!!
Dark red lava, carrying extreme heat, surged outward amid rolling black smoke. Thunderous rumbling spread in waves across the field. The water curtain and lightning alike vanished completely under the terrifying lava. The glowing magma splashed outward, propelled high into the air before crashing down at high speed, leaving dozens of fiery red streaks across the smoke in the sky, all converging toward a single direction.
Facing the lava formed from the combined power of water current, fire, and sandstorm, Slaking let out a roar, summoning powerful Ice-type energy. A mighty Blizzard descended rapidly, colliding with the lava.
However, the Blizzard still failed to stop the flow of the magma. Even after being weakened three times, the lava continued to fall, scorching the battlefield and burning Slaking. In an instant, the entire field was filled with rising heat, and several burns appeared on Slaking’s body—
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