Chapter 13: Winning Despite the Disadvantage

"The match between Participant N in the Green Corner and Participant Yuto in the Red Corner will now begin! Each Trainer is permitted only one Pokémon. The battle is over when either side's Pokémon is unable to battle!"

"Now... let the match begin!"

"Go, Pidgeotto!! Take to the skies!"

As soon as the referee gave the signal, Yuto wasted no time hurling his Poké Ball. With a flash of light, a large bird with lush, elegant plumage soared into the air, looking down imperiously at the field below.

[Pidgeotto]

Strength: Low Elite

Potential: Middle Grade

This was a Pidgeotto, a very common Flying-type in the Kanto region. With Middle Grade potential, it looked quite formidable.

It was clear that this Pidgeotto's strength was nothing to scoff at; having evolved from Pidgey, it was already teetering on the threshold of the Elite level. This was likely the source of Yuto's immense confidence. A Pokémon that has undergone its first evolution receives an all-around boost to its physical capabilities. Furthermore, as an agile Flying-type, it could exploit its aerial advantage, a factor that caused many Trainers a massive headache.

"Timburr, I'm counting on you."

N merely adjusted the brim of his cap and lightly tossed his Poké Ball.

A Pokémon with a sturdy build and stone-grey skin stood firmly in the center of the arena. It held a thick wooden beam, its gaze fixed forward with unnatural calm.

This Timburr was starkly different from others of its kind. A white bandana was tied around its head, and three prominent scars raked across its face. Even after medical treatment, the jagged marks remained, a fierce visage that, combined with its stoic expression, made it look truly intimidating.

A Timburr!

Hilda hadn't expected N to send out such a Pokémon. While Timburrs weren't exactly rare, they had an incredibly high ceiling after evolving and possessed extraordinary physical power.

This Timburr was the same one N had caught after the battle with the Alpha Ursaring. The little guy had a very steady personality and preferred solitude; once it realized N had the means to make it stronger, it had decisively chosen to follow him. Through their communication, N discovered it had left its pack because it felt its kin were too complacent, choosing instead to travel alone to seek true strength.

Zorua remained N's ace in the hole. After the life-and-death struggle with the Ursaring, it had broken through its limits to reach High Elite strength. With a little more time, it would cross the threshold into the Alpha level. If it could reach Alpha status and then evolve, Zorua might even have a chance to jump an entire power tier. That would be when N truly had a trump card.

Therefore, he couldn't afford to expose Zorua yet. This Timburr, currently at Low Elite strength, was the perfect substitute for this tournament, and the matches would provide it with much-needed combat experience.

"...That Timburr is strong."

Rosa, the girl with the pigtails, wore a look of grave seriousness. One could tell just by looking at those overdeveloped muscles, which far surpassed any normal Timburr, that its raw power was astronomical. Even without evolving, it was a force to be reckoned with.

"But, even after seeing the opponent send out a Flying-type like Pidgeotto first, why would he choose a Fighting-type like Timburr?"

"Isn't that a massive disadvantage right from the start?"

Rosa was baffled. Did he only have one Pokémon? Otherwise, there was no logical reason to choose a matchup where he was type-disadvantaged.

"Pidgeotto! Use Wing Attack!!"

Seeing N send out a Fighting-type, Yuto's face lit up with glee.

Some "theory genius" he is! He's just a paper tiger!! He hasn't even memorized the most basic type matchups! I've got this in the bag!

"Evade, then use Focus Energy."

N showed not a hint of panic despite the disadvantage. He issued his command with total composure. Since catching his Pokémon, the bulk of his training focused on building mutual trust and honing reaction speeds. His Pokémon had to trust him enough to leave their backs to him, allowing him to shorten his commands to the most essential, concise phrases.

Many Trainers call out the move name before giving the command, which causes the Pokémon to be at least a beat slower. In many cases, that split second determines the victor.

Timburr didn't hesitate for a second, executing N's order with clinical precision. It tracked Pidgeotto's descent and, at the last possible moment, shifted to the left with an uncanny dodge. Immediately after, it concentrated its mind to manifest Focus Energy.

The move allowed it to sharpen its senses, making it far easier to land a critical hit on the enemy's vitals.

Yuto, seeing Timburr dodge the strike, chalked it up to pure luck. He ignored it and prepared Pidgeotto for the next assault.

"Pidgeotto, follow up with Gu—"

"Leer."

N's command was a fraction faster. Timburr's dark, terrifying gaze locked onto Pidgeotto. Caught off guard, the bird flinched in mid-air, its movement faltering and leaving a massive opening.

"Rock Throw."

"Burr!"

Without a word, Timburr smashed its fist into the ground, instantly snatching up several loosened fragments of stone. Using its bulging arm muscles, veins rippling like snakes, it wound up into a throwing stance. The hard stones groaned under the pressure of its grip.

With a piercing whistle of displaced air, a sharp rock tore through the sky! Like a guided missile, it struck the airborne Pidgeotto with pinpoint accuracy!

The beautiful hit caught Pidgeotto square in the head. The sheer force was enough to swat it right out of the sky.

"Pidgeotto is unable to battle! Timburr wins! Therefore, the victor of this match is Participant N from the Green Corner!"

The referee took a full second to process what happened. He hadn't expected a battle that looked so promising to end in a mere three turns.

The surrounding crowd erupted into gasps of admiration. Despite the type disadvantage, Timburr had dismantled its opponent in the blink of an eye.

Yuto, standing in the Red Corner, was stunned. He watched his Pidgeotto lying motionless on the ground, his mind unable to grasp the reality of the situation. Just moments ago, he had been mocking N as a bookworm; now, after all his big talk, he had been flattened in less than three exchanges.

He had been far too careless after seeing a Fighting-type. Had he used Pidgeotto's flight to play a hit-and-run game from the start, he might have stood a chance. But excuses meant nothing now.

He could feel the stinging heat of the crowd's stares on his back. No matter how much resentment he felt, all he could do was recall Pidgeotto and slink off the stage in disgrace.