"Stun Spore!"

  Budew, which had been using Absorb, opes mouth and released a pale yellow powder that settled all over Piplup.

  However, the powder didn't seem to affect Piplup's movements. Breaking through the Stun Spore, Piplup nded a solid Pe Budew, sending it flying.

  After the attack, Piplup nded ba the ground, its body trembling slightly. Its expression ged—it aralyzed!

  Paul had calcuted that whether or not Peck hit its mark, defeating a paralyzed Piplup afterward wouldn't be difficult.

  But to his surprise, after being hit by Peck, Budew—despite being nearly at full health—colpsed on the spot and was uo titling.

  "…"

  Paul was left speechless by this ued turn of events.

  His Budew, powered up by Growth, couldn't knock out Piplup with a single Absorb. Its Energy Ball was blocked by Bubble Beam, and then Piplup's Peck—just one move—pletely defeated his nearly full-health Budew.

  Even Paul hadn't anticipated this oute.

  "Budew is uo battle! The winner is Piplup!" announced Professor Rowan.

  "Yes! We won! Piplup, you were amazing!" Barry cheered enthusiastically.

  "Pip-lup!" Piplup chirped, sharing its Trainer's joy.

  "Elekid, it's your turn," Paul said, silently recalling Budew to its Poké Ball. He o Elekid, who stepped forward, ready to fight.

  "Piplup, let's keep the momentum a Elekid!" Barry excimed.

  "Pip-lup!"

  With their spirits high from the victory, Barry and Piplup were brimming with fidence. Paralysis? No problem. After all, if Piplup could take down Budew, Elekid wouldn't be an issue either.

  "Thunder."

  Paul's calm and was followed by Elekid unleashing a bolt of lightning at Piplup, who attempted to dodge but faltered due to its paralysis.

  "Don't give up, Piplup! ter with Bubble Beam!" Barry urged.

  "Pip… lup!"

  Despite its dition, Piplup mao fire a Bubble Beam, which cshed with the Thunder in midair. Sparks and bubbles exploded everywhere, but the Thunder pierced through, striking Piplup directly.

  It was super effective!

  "Pip… lup…" Piplup cried out as the electric current coursed through its body. Wheack subsided, Piplup y motionless on the ground, its expression peaceful.

  "Piplup is uo battle! The winner is Elekid!" Professor Rowan decred.

  "What? No way!" Barry excimed in frustration, then recalled Piplup. "Piplup, e baext time, we'll definitely beat Paul."

  Barry turo his teammate. "It's all up to you now, Lucas. You've got to take him down!"

  Luodded solemnly, stepping forward with determination. He g Paul and Elekid, noting the formidable oppo before him.

  Paul's Elekid was clearly on a higher level, far beyond Budew's strength. Winning wouldn't be easy.

  But Lucas had faith in his Chimchar!

  "Chimchar, use Ember!" Lucas called out.

  Without hesitation, Chimchar unleashed a flurry of fiery embers, shooting them toward Elekid like a barrage of bullets.

  "Quick Attack," Paul ordered.

  Elekid dodged the embers with ease, using Quick Attack to close the gap between itself and Chimchar. It then rammed into Chimchar with a powerful Tackle.

  "Dodge and ter with Fury Swipes!" Lucas shouted.

  Chimchar's agility allowed it to narrowly avoid the attack. Its cws glowed faintly as it lu Elekid, sshing with precision.

  But Elekid didn't flinch. Instead, it smirked, as if anticipating the move.

  "Protect."

  Just as Chimchar's cws were about to ect, a green, transparent shield materialized in front of Elekid, blog the attapletely.

  "Thunder."

  Taking advantage of the opening, Elekid's body crackled with electricity as it unleashed another powerful Thunder, striking Chimchar directly.

  The attack dealt massive damage. Chimchar, now scorched and panting heavily, struggled to stay on its feet.

  "Thunder Punch," Paul anded.

  Elekid closed in again, its fist sparking with electricity, ready to deliver the finishing blow.

  "Dig!" Brook shouted desperately.

  Chimchar flipped backward, using its cws to burrow into the ground just in time to avoid the Thunder Punch. Elekid halted, staring at the hole Chimchar had disappeared into.

  "Charge."

  Paul remained posed, instrug Elekid to power up while keeping an eye on the ground.

  The arena fell silent. Chimchar seemed to vanish entirely, leaving Elekid on high alert.

  Then, without warning, Chimchar burst out of the grouh Elekid, delivering a powerful punch imbued with the energy of Dig. The attack sent Elekid flying, its body crashing to the ground.

  It was super effective!

  Chimchar followed up with another Ember attack, but Elekid mao roll aside, narrowly avoiding the fmes.

  "Thunder. Aim at the hole," Paul ordered.

  Elekid didn't hesitate. It eled its charged energy into a devastating Thunder, sending bolts of electricity into the burrowed tunnels.

  The ground glowed with a golden hue as the electricity surged through the tunnels. Lucas and Chimchar both looked worried.

  "If it's not ing out… do it again," Paul instructed.

  Elekid unleashed ahunder, filling the ground with even more electricity. Chimchar suddenly burst out of the ground behind Elekid, aiming a punch at its back.

  But Elekid was ready. With Quick Attack, it vanished from Chimchar's line of sight and appeared above it.

  "Thunder Punch," Paul anded.

  Elekid's electrified fist struck Chimchar directly, knog it out instantly.

  "Chimchar is uo battle! The winner is Elekid. The match goes to Paul!" Professor Rowan announced.

  --------------------------------------

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