Team Rocket’s Second-in-Command!

At Giovanni's command, Beedrill launched into Outrage.

Realizing that Beedrill lacked the stamina for a prolonged battle, Giovanni opted for a more aggressive strategy, just as Luo Yuan had done before.

He planned to rely on Outrage's raw power to take down Gengar before Curse could fully drain Beedrill's health.

As for the confusion that would inevitably follow Outrage? That was beyond Giovanni's concern.

After all, if he couldn't win, then whether or not Beedrill ended up confused hardly mattered.

Meanwhile, Luo Yuan, though aware Beedrill could learn Outrage, still couldn't quite wrap his head around a Bug-type Pokémon gaining access to a Dragon move.

But he didn't dwell on it, staying focused on the battle.

A fiery red energy enveloped Beedrill's body in its Outrage state, making its already-red eyes blaze even brighter, like twin rubies.

An intense, ferocious aura radiated from Beedrill, elevating it to a whole new level.

Facing the incoming Shadow Ball, Beedrill didn't falter.

Adjusting its angle like a knight wielding a lance, Beedrill charged forward.

Pop!

The Shadow Ball shattered like a soap bubble, pierced by Beedrill's stinger.

With a swift movement, Beedrill's other stinger slashed through the Shadow Claw coming its way, ripping it apart!

It looked every bit the righteous knight, cutting through dark forces.

Shadow energy dissipated, but Beedrill didn't slow down; it kept pressing forward, ready to strike down Gengar in one blow.

"Going for a last-ditch effort, huh? I won't let you succeed. Gengar, Phantom Force!"

It wasn't that Luo Yuan preferred trick tactics—it was simply that Phantom Force was the best option in this situation.

If they could just wait out Beedrill's brief burst of power, Gengar would win by default.

However, Luo Yuan decided to add a twist this time.

As he issued the command, he flashed a hand signal to Gengar that they'd used back on Seven Island.

"Heh-heh!"

Catching Luo Yuan's intent, Gengar darted past Beedrill's stinger, vanishing into a dark void.

An instant later, Gengar reappeared behind Beedrill, sporting a fresh wound but also a wicked grin.

But as Luo Yuan had anticipated, trying to fool Beedrill a third time was a mistake.

Appearing behind Beedrill, Gengar raised its hand, preparing to launch another Shadow Ball.

But Beedrill, having already predicted Gengar's move, whirled around and drove its lance-like stingers into Gengar's ghostly body.

"Hit!"

A flicker of worry crossed Matori's face as she saw Gengar take the hit.

Though a referee shouldn't show favoritism, she couldn't help but feel concerned for Luo Yuan's Gengar.

But what happened next defied her expectations.

Beedrill's stingers may have impaled Gengar, but the look on Gengar's face was anything but pained.

It smirked with a mischievous glint—then vanished like a popped balloon.

"It was a Substitute! Beedrill, watch the shadows! Gain altitude!" Giovanni ordered immediately upon recognizing the trick.

The sudden Substitute had even caught him off guard.

Beedrill quickly ascended.

But as Beedrill was drawn in by the decoy, Gengar, lurking in its shadow, seized the opportunity.

Emerging from the shadow behind Beedrill, Gengar opened its mouth and fired two Shadow Balls in rapid succession.

The orbs of dark energy whirled together, trailing wisps of shadow as they closed in on Beedrill.

At the same time, Gengar raised its fists, sending two Shadow Punches directly toward Beedrill from either side.

These dual attacks aimed to drain the last of Beedrill's remaining health.

Yet Beedrill was worthy of being Giovanni's ace.

Even in such a precarious position, it remained undaunted.

Seeing that gaining altitude would only make it a sitting duck for the Shadow Balls, Beedrill adjusted its strategy.

With a rapid beat of its wings, it twisted its body, slipping between the incoming Shadow Balls in a tight maneuver.

Ignoring the Shadow Punches, it dove from above, stingers aimed directly at Gengar.

This was a kamikaze tactic.

But Gengar wasn't about to go down with it.

Clang!

Gengar's fist collided with Beedrill's stinger, knocking two of the longer stingers askew.

Mega Beedrill, now with a total of five stingers, still had three remaining to strike with.

In response, Luo Yuan gave the command: "Shadow Claw!"

Shadowy claws rose from Beedrill's shadow, grabbing two of its legs and leaving only the tail stinger free.

In the end… Beedrill's final stinger struck Gengar.

The stinger drove into Gengar, but the poison had no effect on the Ghost/Poison-type, leaving it only with the physical puncture wound.

Only the invasive energy from Outrage's Dragon-type power affected Gengar, causing some noticeable damage.

But it wasn't enough to turn the tide.

Because Gengar had Beedrill locked in place!

Its Shadow Punches restrained Beedrill's arms, while Shadow Claw pinned its legs.

In a battle between two high-speed, fragile Pokémon, the one that failed to finish its opponent quickly would be at a disadvantage.

Beedrill's fate was now sealed.

"Beedrill, break free!"

Giovanni made a final desperate call.

But Gengar wasn't giving it any chance.

Holding Beedrill firmly, Gengar tightened its grip as Luo Yuan issued the final judgment:

"End it—with Shadow Ball!"

"Gengar-gar~!"

With a mischievous laugh, Gengar spat out a Shadow Ball at point-blank range.

Boom!

The Shadow Ball exploded, sending a wave of dark energy through the field. The impact drained Beedrill's last bit of health, leaving it unable to battle.

Thud!

Beedrill collapsed to the ground as Gengar clutched its abdomen and touched the wounds on its face, looking down at its fallen foe with a hint of lingering fear.

Without Dragapult's earlier Curse to weaken Beedrill and force it into a desperate strategy, Gengar would likely have stood little chance against Giovanni's ace.

---

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Zhongli