c26: The First Battle After the Trip
"Your Altaria has been raised with great care. Its energy is solid ready when you are."
Sensing Altaria's determination through the bond they shared, Chen Xiaoxiao gave genuine praise. Simultaneously, she pulled a Sitrus Berry from the bracelet-integrated item storage and tossed it high into the air aimed at the sky where her Togekiss soared with graceful arcs.
Zhang Guoxiong, initially planning to exchange pleasantries, instantly understood. The thrown berry signaled the beginning of the match once it hit the ground, the battle would officially commence. He shifted his gaze upward, tracking the arc of the fruit.
With a soft but clear thud, the berry struck the turf.
"Togekiss, Air Slash!" Chen Xiaoxiao commanded without hesitation.
"Altaria, Dragon Dance! Then immediately follow with Dragon Breath!" responded Zhang Guoxiong.
He could feel the overwhelming pressure coming from Togekiss a well-trained Pokémon whose Flying and Fairy typing gave it a tactical edge over his Dragon- and Flying-type Altaria. He initially wanted to use Dragon Dance to quickly boost Altaria's Speed and Attack, hoping to close the gap. But the moment he heard Chen Xiaoxiao call for Air Slash, he adjusted his strategy. Air Slash especially under the Serene Grace ability could flinch opponents 60% of the time, doubling the base 30% rate due to Serene Grace's effect activation boost.
Togekiss flapped its wings gently, condensing high-pressure air into a razor-sharp crescent that sliced through the sky toward Altaria.
Altaria inhaled deeply and countered by releasing a breath filled with draconic energy Dragon Breath straight into the incoming projectile.
Boom!
The collision created a thunderous shockwave that sent ripples through the surrounding woods. Leaves rustled violently, dancing from branch to branch. Nature composed a melody of chaos. Neither of the Trainers, however, paused to admire the beauty.
The Air Slash was more of a probing move if it landed, great. If not, Chen Xiaoxiao would use the intel to set up her next strike.
"Togekiss, use Dazzling Gleam! Then follow up with Attract!" she ordered.
Seizing the momentum, Chen Xiaoxiao called for a move that hit Altaria's dual-typing hard Dazzling Gleam, a Fairy-type move, struck both Dragon and Flying types for super effective damage.
Drawing from her previous training sessions with Gardevoir, Chen Xiaoxiao had taught Togekiss to chain commands, firing a strong offensive before using status moves. The goal: break the rhythm, then disrupt the opponent's focus with Attract.
Togekiss lit up, its body emanating a radiant light that burst outward in a blinding wave. Immediately after, it fluttered its wings delicately and turned its head slightly, casting Altaria an irresistibly cute expression.
"Tch—what a trickster. Altaria, Agility! Dodge it and don't look at Togekiss!"
Zhang Guoxiong snapped out orders quickly, trying to keep his Pokémon focused.
Altaria picked up speed, weaving through the glimmering aura of Dazzling Gleam without turning its eyes toward Togekiss. It managed to narrowly evade the brunt of the hit while ignoring the seduction attempt at least for now.
Chen Xiaoxiao grinned. "Didn't anyone teach you? Girls can be dangerous. Togekiss, Growl while closing in!"
The Fairy-type Pokémon advanced swiftly, giving off an adorably soft Growl a move that lowered Altaria's Attack stat. The timing was clever. While Altaria was still focused on evading Dazzling Gleam, the stat drop landed cleanly.
"Altaria, retaliate Pluck it out of the air!" shouted Zhang Guoxiong.
Seeing the enemy advance boldly, he knew he couldn't stay reactive. Altaria needed to go on the offensive to regain momentum.
"Togekiss, don't flinch Fairy Wind!" Chen Xiaoxiao responded immediately.
Altaria, moving on instinct, struck Togekiss with a swift Pluck, hitting it mid-air. The hit landed, but due to the previous Growl, the power was dampened. Togekiss winced, wings fluttering, but it managed to stay airborne.
Immediately afterward, a gust of shimmering, pastel-colored wind burst from Togekiss's wings Fairy Wind. The blast was wide, and Altaria was too close to evade in time. The attack struck hard, its ethereal energy exploiting Altaria's Dragon weakness.
Altaria let out a pained cry, wings flaring as it reeled from the force of the impact.
Togekiss, while circling above the field in pursuit of Altaria, was suddenly struck by a reflexive Pluck from Tanabata. The hit was clean delivered just as Togekiss had narrowed the gap between them. Despite being hit point-blank, Togekiss weathered the attack, thanks in part to its natural bulk and Altaria's lower base Attack stat. The earlier Growl had also diminished the move's power further. Without hesitation, Togekiss retaliated, its elegant wings fanning forward in a spinning motion, unleashing a Fairy Wind that burst out with silken force.
Because Altaria had committed to the Pluck at such close range, there was little time or space to evade the retaliatory Fairy Wind. The move's wide-area coverage, though low in base power, was magnified under the circumstances. Altaria took the full brunt of the shimmering gust.
The draconic Pokémon cried out sharply, its body jolting midair from the impact.
"Argh! You got hit?" Zhang Guoxiong clenched his fist. "Altaria, are you alright? Descend and use Roost! Regain your strength!"
He gave the command with urgency, hoping Altaria could catch a break and restore some HP. The cloud-bodied Pokémon began descending, feathers ruffled from the blow.
Though Altaria's offensive output wasn't particularly high by nature, its Pluck had still landed. But due to Togekiss's high Special Defense and the attack debuff from Growl, the damage was minor. The more serious issue had been the devastating Fairy Wind just moments before.
Despite its low base power, Fairy Wind exploited Altaria's double weakness to Fairy-type moves as a Dragon/Flying-type. With Super Luck as Togekiss's Ability and equipped with a Scope Lens, its critical hit ratio had effectively risen to Stage 2 making a crit hit twice as likely. And it struck.
When factoring in both the type effectiveness multiplier (x2 for Dragon, x2 for Flying) and the critical hit modifier, the total damage inflicted approached four times the normal output.
"Togekiss! Without hesitation, use Attract! Then follow up with Dazzling Gleam!"
"Altaria, Protect! Don't look at Togekiss!"
Zhang Guoxiong quickly tried to block Togekiss's oncoming play. But it was already too late.
Togekiss fluttered closer, tilting its head and sending Altaria a flirtatious gaze, body language and movement echoing what Chen Xiaoxiao had trained her to do a mimicry that worked particularly well against male targets.
Because the two Pokémon had been engaged at close quarters, Altaria was caught off guard. Its eyes widened, a soft flush of pink hearts appeared around them, and it froze in the air mid-motion.
The Attract had landed.
Even Zhang Guoxiong's sharp command to use Protect didn't register. Altaria, now infatuated, was fully enraptured by Togekiss's charm.
Seeing the perfect setup, Togekiss immediately carried out Chen Xiaoxiao's second instruction. It gathered radiant energy at its core, wings glowing bright before releasing a radiant Dazzling Gleam that exploded outward in a blinding pulse of Fairy-type brilliance.
BOOM!
"Altaria!" Zhang Guoxiong's voice cracked with emotion.
The blast hit squarely. Altaria was thrown back, spinning in the air before crashing to the ground. Its eyes were spiraling like hypnotized coils unable to continue.
Togekiss, knowing it had sealed the victory, fluttered elegantly through the air and flew into Chen Xiaoxiao's arms with joyous grace.
"Wonderful work, Togekiss! You were absolutely dazzling I think even I fell for your charm!" Chen Xiaoxiao wrapped her arms around its fluffy body, kissing it fondly and laughing as she spoke.
Togekiss blinked adorably, cheeks flushing, and then playfully used Attract on Chen Xiaoxiao herself!
Chen Xiaoxiao was momentarily stunned, then squealed with delight as hearts filled her eyes, and she began affectionately rubbing her cheeks against Togekiss's face with childlike glee.
Meanwhile, Zhang Guoxiong had rushed to Altaria's side, cradling the downed Pokémon in his arms. He quickly sprayed Potion across its wounds, his brow furrowed with concern.
The contrast between victor and vanquished couldn't have been more stark.
After the celebration, Chen Xiaoxiao approached with a gentler tone. She withdrew a Poké Ball and released her Gardevoir, the elegant Psychic/Fairy-type appearing with a shimmer of pink light.
"Come out, Gardevoir. Use Heal Pulse on Altaria."
Moved by her sportsmanship, Zhang Guoxiong looked up from Altaria and gave Chen Xiaoxiao a thankful nod before turning back to his partner.
Gardevoir raised both hands, channeling a warm, healing light that enveloped Altaria. The spiral eyes began to fade, and its breathing grew steadier.
"Thank you, Altaria. Feeling any better now?"
As Altaria regained consciousness, it let out a low, soft cry a sound of both gratitude and regret. The sting of defeat weighed on its heart.
"It's alright. That opponent was strong, and I could've done better with the commands. Let's grow stronger together, alright?"
Zhang Guoxiong whispered gently, stroking Altaria's head as the Pokémon leaned into his touch.
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