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he knowes pokemon more than i know _Chapter_408_en
Chapter 408
Chapter 404: Dragon Scale Cotton Stage Two Shedding Zero Style!
Author: Samsung Charmander (Author Name)
As for why Cotton Guard could also block Special Attacks, this was actually a brand-new experiment born from one of Red's wild ideas.
It's common knowledge that a Pokémon can only use one move at a time. Using two moves at once is illegal and might earn you a yellow card from a by-the-book Referee.
So, what about using one move plus an ability?
The Blaze ability can empower Flamethrower, making its power greater, which proved this hypothesis was feasible.
Just as Metapod had become Red's test subject for researching Ultra Instinct, Dratini had now become his test subject for researching the simultaneous use of a move and an ability.
Dratini's ability—Shed Skin—gives it a chance to shed its skin and cure a status condition when afflicted by one.
And a status condition, in the end, is just elemental energy—in other words, a magical attack.
Dragons are said to be born with the power to be immune to magic; this is a legend from supernatural tales.
But for Pokémon, this wasn't entirely baseless. Red boldly theorized that Dragon Skin, or rather, Dragon Scales, might truly possess this "magic immunity" potential.
Complete immunity was a bit too absurd, but magical damage reduction was highly plausible, thanks to the Dratini line's second ability.
When Dratini evolves into its third stage, Dragonite, its body matures and no longer needs to shed skin. The Shed Skin ability automatically transforms into another one—Multiscale.
This is an ability that reduces damage.
Thus, Red made a bold innovation, taking the core concepts from both "Shed Skin" and "Dragon Scales."
Shed Scales!
And the facts proved his hypothesis. The "Shed Scales" ability not only had the effect of resisting Special Attacks but even included a degree of damage reduction.
Then, by covering the shed Dragon Scales over the cotton, he combined it with the inherited resistance to Physical Attacks from Cotton Guard.
With both defenses maxed out and combined with damage reduction, Red had successfully turned a decisive and violent combat dragon into an ultimate tank dragon.
"Hmm... this move possesses the traits of Dragon Scales and Shed Skin, as well as the properties of Cotton Guard... I'll name this move..."
Looking at the Dratini before him, which now strangely resembled a Swablu, the corner of Red's mouth lifted into a smirk. He had an idea.
Dragon Scale Cotton Stage Two Shedding Zero Style!
Across the field, Trainer A saw Red suddenly start smiling to himself. His expression changed, and he abruptly ordered an attack.
"Enough of your flashy tricks! Dodrio, use Take Down!"
Damn you, how dare you laugh at me!
Dodrio's slender hind legs pawed at the ground, as if waiting for an engine to start. But then, a strange blue light suddenly glowed in the eyes of the Dratini before it.
*Whoosh whoosh whoosh...*
The next moment, a whirlwind spiraled up from under Dodrio's feet, enveloping it. While its power wasn't great, it had a special binding effect that temporarily rooted it in place.
Twister!
Although its father's side of the lineage seemed very impressive, the genes from its Dragonair mother were by no means weak. This allowed the Dratini to use Dragon-type moves with great proficiency.
Being deceived doesn't mean one is weak; it only means one's heart is pure.
If the Dragonair had truly been weak, that Altaria back then wouldn't have resorted to tricking it into mating, but would have used brute force instead.
"Finish it. Use Dragon Breath."
As Red's voice fell, Dratini had already gathered draconic energy in its mouth. It coalesced into a beam of turquoise and amber energy, striking Dodrio head-on and bursting apart like a flame.
"Dooo..."
This single blow decisively rendered Dodrio Unable to Battle, its three heads wilting as it collapsed to the ground.
Just as Brock had said, this guy was a specialty player. Besides his specialty Pokémon, the others were just cannon fodder.
"Dodrio is Unable to Battle! The winner of the first match is... Dratini!"
The Referee quickly made the call, his voice subconsciously hesitating when he mentioned Dratini. This Dratini's appearance was simply absurd; it looked more like a Swablu from the neighboring Hoenn Region!
And Trainer A's second Pokémon, a Persian, was also quickly defeated by Dratini's skillful combination of moves.
The battle had now reached the final match point.
"Here it comes, here it comes! The specialty player's ace!"
Brock couldn't help but say with excitement.
The reason he was called a "minor specialty player" was because his Ninetales wasn't exceptionally strong. On the other hand, Dratini's flashy maneuvers indirectly indicated that its level wasn't very high either; otherwise, it would have simply overpowered everything.
So perhaps this could still be an exciting battle?
"I choose you! My ace!"
Trainer A threw his final Poké Ball. Out came a golden-furred, fox-like Pokémon. It had nine long, flowing tails and watched its opponent with jewel-like eyes, exuding an elegant and noble aura.
Ninetales!
"Both sides, let the battle begin!"
As the Referee's voice fell, this time it was Red's turn to take the initiative.
"Dratini, use Dragon Dance."
He could clearly sense that the level difference between this Ninetales and the previous two Pokémon was quite large. He needed to use Dragon Dance first to close the gap.
But Trainer A was one step ahead. "Ninetales, use Sucker Punch!"
Ninetales understood and began to run. Its nine large tails danced behind it, looking full of momentum. In just a few blinks of an eye, it was in front of Dratini, raising a foreleg and slamming it down onto its target, knocking it to the ground and interrupting the Dragon Dance.
"Follow up with Flamethrower!"
Ninetales opened its mouth and spat a ball of fire. Its power was considerable, and its motion was fluid.
Red, however, showed no fear. He mentally calculated the move's damage and then gave an order: "Dodge with Dragon Dance."
As the flames swept in, Dratini didn't choose to defend with its Dragon Scale Cotton defense. Instead, it repeated its previous tactic, twisting and moving on the spot to perform its Dragon Dance, attempting to boost its stats while simultaneously dodging the attack.
"Wuu..."
But the flames were swift. As Dratini danced, several spots on its skin were still burned by the fire, causing it to let out a few wails of pain. It seemed to have taken considerable damage.
The cotton on its body was an active defense, not a passive one. Its exposed skin was still in a defenseless state.
"Tsing!"
But as the attack ended, the red glow of a stat boost appeared on Dratini.
"Hmph, so greedy," Trainer A just sneered. "Let's see if you live long enough to use that boost."
"Ninetales, use Fire Spin!"
Hearing the command, Ninetales opened its mouth again. This time, the power of the flames it spat was at least thirty percent stronger. As it neared its target, it instantly transformed into a vortex, trapping Dratini within.
"Ignore it. Use Dragon Dance again."
Red's voice was devoid of emotion, as if everything was still within his calculations.
"Isn't he being too fucking greedy?!"
"He's still gonna dance?!"
"His name is ** and it sounds so badass, I thought he'd be amazing, but he's just a greedy bastard!?"
Many spectators who understood the battle couldn't help but blurt this out, because outside the flames, a powerful energy was already suffusing the air around Ninetales, making it impossible to underestimate.
This purple-and-yellow energy finally formed a spiral-shaped cloak of energy around Ninetales's body. Then, it powerfully kicked off the ground and charged toward the Fire Spin, like an energy shockwave of immense might!
"Ninetales, use Giga Impact!"
Trainer A roared. Getting clean swept in the Top 16 was something he would absolutely not accept!
And that average-level Dratini would definitely be unable to withstand this Giga Impact!
*BOOM BOOM BOOM!*
Soon, Ninetales broke through the flames. The terrifying energy impact slammed head-on into Dratini. Instantly, smoke, dust, and flames erupted. Combined with the surrounding Fire Spin, the energy soared into the sky, and the ground cracked apart!
This was truly a specialty player, and not a minor one—at least an intermediate one!
"Hmph! It's finally Unable to Battle, right? Serves you right for being so greedy!"
The flames dissipated. Ninetales landed elegantly. Trainer A looked with disdain at the deep, rock-strewn pit in the arena created by the impact, where the cotton-covered Dratini lay, powerless.
*Poof.*
The next second, the Dratini's figure in the rocky pit instantly caved in, melting onto the ground.
It was cotton.
But it wasn't Dratini.
This scene made Trainer A's expression change drastically in an instant!
And behind the Ninetales, a small, blue-and-white snake had appeared.
By now, Dratini had already shed all of its Dragon Scale Cotton. Earlier, it had merely used the opening during its Dragon Dance to toss that ball of cotton into the Fire Spin to act as a Substitute.
And at this moment, Ninetales had entered the recharging period that follows the use of Giga Impact.
"It can shed its skin. When did you get the delusion that it couldn't shed its cotton?"
Red's voice, like that of a villain, sent a chill down the spine.
(end of chapter)
Author: Samsung Charmander (Author Name)
As for why Cotton Guard could also block Special Attacks, this was actually a brand-new experiment born from one of Red's wild ideas.
It's common knowledge that a Pokémon can only use one move at a time. Using two moves at once is illegal and might earn you a yellow card from a by-the-book Referee.
So, what about using one move plus an ability?
The Blaze ability can empower Flamethrower, making its power greater, which proved this hypothesis was feasible.
Just as Metapod had become Red's test subject for researching Ultra Instinct, Dratini had now become his test subject for researching the simultaneous use of a move and an ability.
Dratini's ability—Shed Skin—gives it a chance to shed its skin and cure a status condition when afflicted by one.
And a status condition, in the end, is just elemental energy—in other words, a magical attack.
Dragons are said to be born with the power to be immune to magic; this is a legend from supernatural tales.
But for Pokémon, this wasn't entirely baseless. Red boldly theorized that Dragon Skin, or rather, Dragon Scales, might truly possess this "magic immunity" potential.
Complete immunity was a bit too absurd, but magical damage reduction was highly plausible, thanks to the Dratini line's second ability.
When Dratini evolves into its third stage, Dragonite, its body matures and no longer needs to shed skin. The Shed Skin ability automatically transforms into another one—Multiscale.
This is an ability that reduces damage.
Thus, Red made a bold innovation, taking the core concepts from both "Shed Skin" and "Dragon Scales."
Shed Scales!
And the facts proved his hypothesis. The "Shed Scales" ability not only had the effect of resisting Special Attacks but even included a degree of damage reduction.
Then, by covering the shed Dragon Scales over the cotton, he combined it with the inherited resistance to Physical Attacks from Cotton Guard.
With both defenses maxed out and combined with damage reduction, Red had successfully turned a decisive and violent combat dragon into an ultimate tank dragon.
"Hmm... this move possesses the traits of Dragon Scales and Shed Skin, as well as the properties of Cotton Guard... I'll name this move..."
Looking at the Dratini before him, which now strangely resembled a Swablu, the corner of Red's mouth lifted into a smirk. He had an idea.
Dragon Scale Cotton Stage Two Shedding Zero Style!
Across the field, Trainer A saw Red suddenly start smiling to himself. His expression changed, and he abruptly ordered an attack.
"Enough of your flashy tricks! Dodrio, use Take Down!"
Damn you, how dare you laugh at me!
Dodrio's slender hind legs pawed at the ground, as if waiting for an engine to start. But then, a strange blue light suddenly glowed in the eyes of the Dratini before it.
*Whoosh whoosh whoosh...*
The next moment, a whirlwind spiraled up from under Dodrio's feet, enveloping it. While its power wasn't great, it had a special binding effect that temporarily rooted it in place.
Twister!
Although its father's side of the lineage seemed very impressive, the genes from its Dragonair mother were by no means weak. This allowed the Dratini to use Dragon-type moves with great proficiency.
Being deceived doesn't mean one is weak; it only means one's heart is pure.
If the Dragonair had truly been weak, that Altaria back then wouldn't have resorted to tricking it into mating, but would have used brute force instead.
"Finish it. Use Dragon Breath."
As Red's voice fell, Dratini had already gathered draconic energy in its mouth. It coalesced into a beam of turquoise and amber energy, striking Dodrio head-on and bursting apart like a flame.
"Dooo..."
This single blow decisively rendered Dodrio Unable to Battle, its three heads wilting as it collapsed to the ground.
Just as Brock had said, this guy was a specialty player. Besides his specialty Pokémon, the others were just cannon fodder.
"Dodrio is Unable to Battle! The winner of the first match is... Dratini!"
The Referee quickly made the call, his voice subconsciously hesitating when he mentioned Dratini. This Dratini's appearance was simply absurd; it looked more like a Swablu from the neighboring Hoenn Region!
And Trainer A's second Pokémon, a Persian, was also quickly defeated by Dratini's skillful combination of moves.
The battle had now reached the final match point.
"Here it comes, here it comes! The specialty player's ace!"
Brock couldn't help but say with excitement.
The reason he was called a "minor specialty player" was because his Ninetales wasn't exceptionally strong. On the other hand, Dratini's flashy maneuvers indirectly indicated that its level wasn't very high either; otherwise, it would have simply overpowered everything.
So perhaps this could still be an exciting battle?
"I choose you! My ace!"
Trainer A threw his final Poké Ball. Out came a golden-furred, fox-like Pokémon. It had nine long, flowing tails and watched its opponent with jewel-like eyes, exuding an elegant and noble aura.
Ninetales!
"Both sides, let the battle begin!"
As the Referee's voice fell, this time it was Red's turn to take the initiative.
"Dratini, use Dragon Dance."
He could clearly sense that the level difference between this Ninetales and the previous two Pokémon was quite large. He needed to use Dragon Dance first to close the gap.
But Trainer A was one step ahead. "Ninetales, use Sucker Punch!"
Ninetales understood and began to run. Its nine large tails danced behind it, looking full of momentum. In just a few blinks of an eye, it was in front of Dratini, raising a foreleg and slamming it down onto its target, knocking it to the ground and interrupting the Dragon Dance.
"Follow up with Flamethrower!"
Ninetales opened its mouth and spat a ball of fire. Its power was considerable, and its motion was fluid.
Red, however, showed no fear. He mentally calculated the move's damage and then gave an order: "Dodge with Dragon Dance."
As the flames swept in, Dratini didn't choose to defend with its Dragon Scale Cotton defense. Instead, it repeated its previous tactic, twisting and moving on the spot to perform its Dragon Dance, attempting to boost its stats while simultaneously dodging the attack.
"Wuu..."
But the flames were swift. As Dratini danced, several spots on its skin were still burned by the fire, causing it to let out a few wails of pain. It seemed to have taken considerable damage.
The cotton on its body was an active defense, not a passive one. Its exposed skin was still in a defenseless state.
"Tsing!"
But as the attack ended, the red glow of a stat boost appeared on Dratini.
"Hmph, so greedy," Trainer A just sneered. "Let's see if you live long enough to use that boost."
"Ninetales, use Fire Spin!"
Hearing the command, Ninetales opened its mouth again. This time, the power of the flames it spat was at least thirty percent stronger. As it neared its target, it instantly transformed into a vortex, trapping Dratini within.
"Ignore it. Use Dragon Dance again."
Red's voice was devoid of emotion, as if everything was still within his calculations.
"Isn't he being too fucking greedy?!"
"He's still gonna dance?!"
"His name is ** and it sounds so badass, I thought he'd be amazing, but he's just a greedy bastard!?"
Many spectators who understood the battle couldn't help but blurt this out, because outside the flames, a powerful energy was already suffusing the air around Ninetales, making it impossible to underestimate.
This purple-and-yellow energy finally formed a spiral-shaped cloak of energy around Ninetales's body. Then, it powerfully kicked off the ground and charged toward the Fire Spin, like an energy shockwave of immense might!
"Ninetales, use Giga Impact!"
Trainer A roared. Getting clean swept in the Top 16 was something he would absolutely not accept!
And that average-level Dratini would definitely be unable to withstand this Giga Impact!
*BOOM BOOM BOOM!*
Soon, Ninetales broke through the flames. The terrifying energy impact slammed head-on into Dratini. Instantly, smoke, dust, and flames erupted. Combined with the surrounding Fire Spin, the energy soared into the sky, and the ground cracked apart!
This was truly a specialty player, and not a minor one—at least an intermediate one!
"Hmph! It's finally Unable to Battle, right? Serves you right for being so greedy!"
The flames dissipated. Ninetales landed elegantly. Trainer A looked with disdain at the deep, rock-strewn pit in the arena created by the impact, where the cotton-covered Dratini lay, powerless.
*Poof.*
The next second, the Dratini's figure in the rocky pit instantly caved in, melting onto the ground.
It was cotton.
But it wasn't Dratini.
This scene made Trainer A's expression change drastically in an instant!
And behind the Ninetales, a small, blue-and-white snake had appeared.
By now, Dratini had already shed all of its Dragon Scale Cotton. Earlier, it had merely used the opening during its Dragon Dance to toss that ball of cotton into the Fire Spin to act as a Substitute.
And at this moment, Ninetales had entered the recharging period that follows the use of Giga Impact.
"It can shed its skin. When did you get the delusion that it couldn't shed its cotton?"
Red's voice, like that of a villain, sent a chill down the spine.
(end of chapter)
