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He was halfway through the lime-flavored soda when a voice caught his attention—and then he wondered, were there really some people out there who wanted to watch the world burn?

How are some of these match-ups even plausible? He thought as he placed the ‘cover’ on the bottle of the open bottle and looked up.

“Yeah, that’s me, and I have two Pokémon,” he confirmed as he stood up and got off the chair. Thankfully the weather wasn’t as hot as it was earlier anymore, and there were shadows being casted over the place. It was getting well on in the day after all.

Taking his place on the opposite side of the outdoor arena, he then reached into another pocket and pulled out two shrunken-down marbles.

“We can go when you’re ready.”

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At the sight of his opponent, he had to do a take two—were they getting younger and younger? Checking the schedule, there was no mistake—this was the person he was waiting for.

And then he realized which two he’d brought along, so… hopefully this wasn’t going to be a one-sided affair!

Chucking the two shrunken marbles down, he watched as they popped to full size, the Luxury Ball popping out Mirana, his hotheaded Salazzle.

The other one made him backtrack before mentally smacking a palm against his forehead—how had he not switched out Amir’s Dusk Ball?! Well, shit.

As it was, changing Pokémon was too late and they were about to begin, so with a sigh he rummaged around another pocket and pulled out an almost-white disc, popping the side of the Silvally’s head open and inserting it into the “node” before it hissed shut.

“First move’s yours,” he said, as nonchalantly as possible.

Because how would the other react to the sight of the Silvally on his side of the field, other than eyes popping out and stammering for a few moments?!

---

Salazzle and Silvally (Ice) out on the field!

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The Taunt was not missed—and he heard a displeased hissing coming from Mirana.

“We can wait, but get moving! You’ll get your chance!” he said before the Salazzle whipped her tail and let out a sibilant hiss of displeasure before using Fake Out, aiming right for the one that had literally Taunted her—the Obstagoon.

Amir, on the other hand, stood ready—watching, watching, waiting—

And then springing into action just as the Riolu came close enough, letting loose a horrible, scraping, noise that sounded like nails on a chalk board—a Metal Sound move!

Hell, even Lars had flinched for a few moments as he covered his ears at the sudden burst of discordant noise.

---

Salazzle has been Taunted!

Salazzle used Fake Out on Obstagoon; while Silvally (Ice) waited for Riolu to come close enough before unleashing Metal Sound!

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He was trying to keep this as balanced as possible—so at least the Salazzle was on even footing with the Obstagoon.

Seeing that the other had stopped cold—a useful thing about Fake Out was its automatic flinch chance, even if it only worked once—she then reared up to her full height, sibilant hissing and all.

A few seconds later, a concentrated stream of Flamethrower erupted from her maw, heading right at the Dark-type (he guessed it was a Dark-type, at least). Over where the Silvally stood, crouched down and waiting—

The glancing blow from what remained of the Force Palm struck him, but it wasn’t as powerful as it was—and then he realized something.

Putting some distance between himself and the small Riolu, he too, took a breath and released his own concentrated stream of Flamethrower at the Riolu.

Two in one? Maybe.

---

Salazzle has been Taunted!

Salazzle used Flamethrower on Obstagoon; while Silvally (Ice) darted off to one side before releasing its own Flamethrower as well!

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Now that the window had passed, it was time for Mirana to—

A sudden shriek of surprise caught his attention as the Night Slash connected on the Salazzle, who backed away upon getting hit. Okay, now she was mad!

Once she’d managed to retreat away from those nasty, nasty claws she then inhaled before releasing a powerful, noxious spray of Toxic around the area where the Obstagoon stood.

It was time for her to play.

Over where the Silvally was contending with the Riolu, the move that was chucked at it came flying back in short order—

Only for a sudden cascade of boulders to block the flames at the very last second—a Rock Slide had been deployed to buy the Silvally some time as he slid back for a few moments.

---

Salazzle takes the Night Slash, before using Toxic! Obstagoon has been Poisoned!

Silvally blocks the incoming Flamethrower (Copycat'd) with a Rock Slide move, backing away for its next maneuver.

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At least something was starting to go their way, what with Mirana managing to land the Toxic from earlier on the Obstagoon—however the victory was short-lived.

With such close proximity, it was only a matter of time before the Salazzle was caught in a head-on attack, forcing her backwards complete with annoyed hissing. She wasn’t going to be cowed by this—seeing as the Obstagoon was suffering from the effects of her noxious attack earlier.

“Mirana! Don’t let them intimidate you!” he shouted, before the Salazzle reared back and this time released a Venoshock attack. Coupled with the earlier Poison status, this attack would hit much harder on the Obstagoon should it land.

Back where the Silvally was…

Seeing its attack mirrored back on it once more was enough to send it packing into a corner—but not for long. Knowing that the need was dire, the Silvally then howled a few moments, before jumping away and out of the ‘wall’, before Lars realized—there was a chance!

“Switch!” was all he had time to say before reaching into his pockets. The strange node on the side of the Silvally’s head popped open, before the disc inside was ejected—only for a slightly-different one to come hurtling in at the last second.

Thank hell the near-white disc came rolling close to where he stood as he picked it up and pocketed it.

Instead of the near-white ‘fins’ he possessed, the color changed—to something a little more familiar; if his friend was the one who owned the Silvally instead of him.

“Show that Riolu you’re not afraid, Amir!” he continued, before a strange aura enveloped said Silvally—as it charged toward the Riolu and attempted to strike with a Multi-Attack!

---

Salazzle takes the Headbutt (and is very angery), before using Venoshock on Obstagoon!

Silvally leaps away for a few moments from the enclosing Copycat’d Rock Slide, skidding close to Lars. Ice-type disc is swapped out for Flying-type disc, before the Silvally rushes at the Riolu in a Multi-Attack attempt!

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