NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 118: Chapter 118: It... It's Stepping on Air?
Chapter 118: It... It's Stepping on Air?
"Doublade! Avoid it, don't engage directly!"
"A bit cowardly, aren't we?"
Hikaru sighed.
This battlefield was undoubtedly restrictive for Pokémon that couldn't fly.
Kei Hama's strategy was clear: exploit Lucario's inability to fly and keep as much distance as possible while using Iron Defense, Swords Dance, and Autotomize to boost defense, attack, and speed respectively.
It was evident that Kei was highly wary of Lucario in its Kaioken state.
"I don't know why you're not using Charizard, but relying on Lucario alone won't be enough to defeat me!" Kei called out confidently.
As someone aspiring to be a Champion trainer, he believed Pokémon battles should be fought with full effort.
Hikaru chuckled softly. "Is that so?"
"Extreme Speed, close in and interrupt its boosts!"
"Lucario!"
Lucario's entire body erupted in a red aura as it surged forward.
Kei's eyes narrowed.
Even with the enhanced power of Aura, Kaioken was a temporary boost.
If he could stall long enough, Lucario's boost would fade, giving Doublade the upper hand.
"Doublade, it's coming! Retreat to an area with fewer platforms!"
"Bullet Punch!"
Lucario leaped between the floating platforms, its punch just barely grazing Doublade as it moved away.
Seeing this, the commentator quickly analyzed:
"As expected, Hikaru is aware of how dangerous Doublade could be after its boosts, so he's choosing to attack proactively!"
"Kei Hama, however, is a seasoned battler. He's wisely keeping Doublade in areas with fewer platforms to avoid direct confrontation with Lucario!"
"If Lucario continues to pursue, it'll need to navigate through the air… Will Hikaru switch to another Pokémon?"
"Lucario, Extreme Speed!"
"Lucario's charging forward? Over such a long distance? Doesn't Hikaru realize that Doublade could counter in mid-air?"
Kei furrowed his brows. This strategy seemed reckless—if Lucario spent too much time airborne, it would be vulnerable to a counterattack from Doublade.
"Shadow Sneak!"
Despite a faint sense of unease, Kei seized the opportunity.
A dark shadow extended across the platform, lashing out toward the airborne Lucario.
---
From the referee's platform, even the Elite Four judges appeared puzzled by Hikaru's tactics.
Only Takashi Hayashi murmured to himself, "Strange... Is this kid developing a new technique again?"
In the stands, Sakura frowned, her pale hands clasped together. She couldn't understand why Hikaru was battling this way.
Whether it was Gardevoir, Charizard, or Latias, any of them could easily dominate in a flying arena.
---
"Shave!" Hikaru's voice rang out.
"Lucario!"
The shadowy tendrils from Doublade seemed ready to ensnare Lucario when a sharp sonic boom suddenly echoed through the arena.
---
Everyone's eyes widened in shock.
The commentator stammered in disbelief, "Wha-what?"
In mid-air, where Lucario seemingly had nothing to push off from, it stomped downward as if an invisible platform had appeared beneath its feet.
Lucario launched itself forward, closing the gap to Doublade.
Doublade, still mid-animation from its Shadow Sneak, froze in confusion.
The audience erupted.
Even the seasoned commentator, after an initial moment of shock, quickly recovered:
"Lucario is… stepping on air?! Hikaru's Lucario can double jump?! What kind of technique is this?"
---
"Aura Sphere, followed by close combat!"
Hikaru's command echoed across the arena.
Lucario's red aura flared again as it fired a Aura Sphere in a graceful arc, striking Doublade.
But it wasn't finished.
Shave activated once more.
Using the momentum, Lucario surged toward Doublade, the smoke from the Aura Sphere parting like a curtain as Lucario tore through it.
"Doublade!"
Kei's Pokémon, usually calm and composed, now showed visible panic as Lucario closed in.
"Doublade, don't panic! Use Shadow Claw!"
Doublade tried to charge up its attack, but it noticed something unsettling—its previously boosted stats seemed significantly weaker.
---
[Judgment] had activated, cutting Doublade's stat boosts by 50%.
---
"Lucario!"
In close quarters, Lucario's powerful strikes were unstoppable. With its superior strength and agility, Doublade stood no chance.
A final Aura Sphere sealed the match, leaving Doublade swaying before collapsing to the platform.
---
"Doublade is unable to battle. Kei Hama, please send out your next Pokémon!"
---
The commentator's voice brimmed with excitement:
"Once again, Hikaru has shown us the extraordinary abilities of his Pokémon. The synergy between Lucario and Aura is simply astounding!"
The audience roared with enthusiasm.
"Lucario can step on air? Is this some new application of Aura power?"
"No way, I have a Lucario too. Why can't mine step on air?"
---
In the arena, Kei Hama's expression turned serious.
"I was planning to save this for the semifinals or finals, but it looks like I have to bring it out now…"
Hikaru raised an eyebrow in curiosity.
"Come out, Flygon!"
Kei's final Pokémon emerged: the evolved form of Vibrava—a sleek, dragonfly-like Flygon with red compound eyes and a streamlined body.
But it wasn't just its appearance that caught Hikaru's attention.
---
[Pokémon: Flygon]
[Ability: Levitate]
[Gender: Female]
[Potential: Champion]
[Level: 44]
[Moves: Sand Attack, Sonic Boom, Sand Tomb, Feint, Screech, Sandstorm, Dragon Tail, Hyper Beam, Toxic, Flamethrower, Substitute, Attract, Roost...]
---
A Level 44 Flygon.
Even with Kaioken, Lucario would struggle against such a strong opponent.
Moreover, Lucario's time in Kaioken was nearly up after the drawn-out pursuit of Doublade.
Pushing it further would only put Lucario at a disadvantage.
Hikaru made a quick decision.
"Lucario, return! Go…"
---
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