The rules for the quarterfinals remained unchanged.
Sato and Wester were assigned to the first match, meaning they were the first to step onto the battlefield.
Even though the stands were full, a sense of chill lingered in the air.
The skies were gloomy.
Being in the northern regions, Mahogany Town was already colder than most places, and with autumn approaching, even a crowded stadium couldn't completely dispel the cold.
Wester seemed to know their opponents, casually chatting with them before the battle even started.
Sato, on the other hand, remained silent. His path as a Trainer had been more like that of a hermit monk.
At this point, Wester was the only person he could call a friend, maybe along with a few of the Nurse Joys, though they probably only saw him as a kid they looked after.
Before he realized it, the battle had already begun.
A Gengar + Banette combo was uncommon.
Ghost-types were tricky but had clear weaknesses, Low stamina, weak defenses, one good hit and they could be instantly knocked out.
Elite Mid Typhlosion + Elite Mid Crobat!
Sato immediately focused.
Although his goal in Mahogany Town wasn't really the Elite Four Battle Tournament, treating each battle seriously was the best way to improve.
The fight ignited instantly.
Both Typhlosion and Crobat had great speed, Gengar wasn't slow either.
In this scenario, Banette's speed was the weak link.
With its powerful physical attacks, it had the potential to turn the battle, but its low health pool made it difficult to sustain.
Choosing team victory over individual survival, Banette activated Curse at low health, sacrificing itself to cripple Crobat!
Banette's first battle as an Elite Pokémon ended in frustration, its sacrifice setting up a potential win condition.
"Mean Look!"
Sato commanded Gengar just in time. Curse would disappear if the affected Pokémon was recalled, but not this time.
The arena suddenly darkened, the entire field filled with golden, glowing eyes.
Crobat and Typhlosion froze in place, feeling an eerie shift but unable to understand what had changed.
Brave Bird!
Crobat went all in, recognizing that its time was limited. The powerful move was unleashed without hesitation, hurtling straight toward Gengar!
It was clear, Crobat was carrying a Power Herb!
In the crucial moment, Xatu appeared before Gengar, blocking the hit with Protect!
"Psychic!"
A crushing wave of psychic energy slammed into Crobat, stacking with Curse's damage, Crobat couldn't endure it.
Another one down!
Roaring flames erupted, Typhlosion launched a desperate counterattack, catching both Xatu and Gengar off guard.
But the opponent had gotten greedy, trying to hit both targets at once had given them just enough time to escape.
One went high, the other went low, splitting apart.
By this point, it was obvious, every trainer left in the tournament was no pushover. If they let their guard down for even a second, Sato and Wester could end up on the losing end.
Gengar retaliated with a few casual Shadow Balls, forcing Typhlosion to retreat just long enough for its new partner to appear.
A frustratingly cunning move.
"Electabuzz, Thunder!"
The newly Pokémon was clearly chosen to counter Xatu.
The moment it entered the battlefield, it immediately began unleashing electric attacks nonstop: Discharge, Thunderbolt, Thunder…
Xatu was forced on the defensive.
Typhlosion, highly perceptive, made sure that even when Gengar turned invisible, it couldn't land a clean hit on Electabuzz.
The opponents' coordination was perfect, Sato and Wester had no room to swap positions, because their attacks always lined up one after another, ensuring that one could react at all times.
It was a straightforward, almost simple strategy, but executing it this precisely was extremely difficult.
Their opponents were playing a slow, patient game, waiting for Sato or Wester to make a mistake.
The moment one of them slipped up, one Pokémon would end up fighting two at once, and the battle would end in an instant.
Just like how Houndoom faked dodging fire attacks yesterday, only to strike at the least expected moment.
This wasn't going to work, prolonged defense meant eventual defeat. Especially with Xatu facing Electabuzz.
Sato made a split-second decision.
"Gengar, Toxic!"
The venomous spray shot forward, Poison-type Pokémon had extremely high accuracy with this move, even if the target was in midair or underground, it was nearly impossible to avoid!
Taking advantage of Toxic's unique effect, Sato completely ignored Typhlosion and instead had Gengar switch targets to Electabuzz!
The venomous attack landed, and purple poison bubbles started forming on Electabuzz's body.
However, Typhlosion's Flamethrower had already been unleashed, and it struck Gengar head-on!
Sato's eyes narrowed slightly, and he spoke softly-"Destiny Bond."
"Oh no!"
The opposing trainers cried out in alarm. As flames engulfed Gengar, the Ghost-type Pokémon didn't resist at all, already mentally prepared for this outcome.
Just before collapsing, a sinister black-red energy ring shot forward, binding Typhlosion tightly!
Thud! x2
Typhlosion and Gengar, both down!
Sato calmly recalled Gengar, completely ignoring Wester's stunned expression beside him.
Destiny Bond was something Gengar had recently learned through constant meditation. After mastering it, Sato had a deep discussion with Gengar about using a life-for-life strategy in battle.
Being a laid-back Pokémon, Gengar didn't mind the idea at all, so, without any psychological burden, Sato simply used it when the time was right.
Outside the battlefield, Sato's risky maneuver caused a loud uproar.
Some praised his bold strategy, while others criticized it harshly.
The concept of sacrificing health for damage had always been controversial, let alone trading a Pokémon's life for another.
Many female spectators loudly expressed their disapproval, and some male trainers followed suit, but deep down, many of them were silently impressed.
Some were probably already thinking about training a Ghost-type Pokémon just for this technique.
After all, wasn't this the true way to utilize Ghost Pokémon? Toxic first, then use up all remaining stamina, actively bait attacks, and then take down a full-health opponent with Destiny Bond.
In double battles, if executed successfully, this could tilt the balance of victory completely.
With no hesitation, Sato sent out Houndoom.
At the same time, his opponent sent out Sneasel!
Their intentions were clear; first, focus all efforts on taking down Xatu, and then use a 2v1 strategy to handle Sato's second Pokémon.
Unfortunately for them, the moment they saw Houndoom, their expressions darkened.
Sneasel was even frailer than Houndoom!
"Sneasel, Agility! Get close to Xatu!"
"Odor Sleuth! Cut it off!"
Houndoom's nose twitched, instantly locking onto Sneasel's movements, and without hesitation, it charged straight toward it!
"Electabuzz, Discharge to cover Sneasel!"
"Ignore it-just avoid the attack!"
Electabuzz was already poisoned, avoiding it was enough.
"Wester, Xatu should use Psychic, just keep Electabuzz restrained!"
Wester wisely held back, focusing entirely on supporting Houndoom. They needed to pin Sneasel down first before worrying about anything else!
"Flamethrower. Keep firing!"
Earlier, Typhlosion had dominated the battlefield with its flames.
Now it was Houndoom's turn!
Step by step, Sneasel was cornered!