Team Rocket's Second-in-Command!-Chapter 394: Team Rocket’s Second-in-Command! []

As the incoming Skarmory charged toward it, Ditto tilted its head curiously before springing into action.

With a powerful flap of its wings, Ditto rolled in midair, gracefully evading Skarmory's attack.

Skarmory was taken aback.

It hadn't expected Ditto to display such aerial mastery, evading with ease. Air battles were far more complex than ground combat, requiring rigorous training to execute perfectly.

Yet here was Ditto, an impostor, performing like a natural-born Flying-type.

Unbeknownst to Skarmory, Ditto's evasion wasn't sheer luck. It came from countless hours of training alongside Dragapult and Dragonite, combined with Luo Yuan's precise commands and real-time intel.

Still, Skarmory didn't dwell on the matter. Years of training under Steven had honed its instincts to a razor's edge.

After its initial attack missed, Skarmory didn't attempt to turn midair. Instead, it flapped its wings forcefully, climbing higher into the sky.

Then, with a sharp flip, it dove back down at high speed, using its momentum to enhance its attack.

"Called it."

Luo Yuan smirked, having anticipated Aerial Ace, a staple move for any capable Flying-type Pokémon.

Ditto, still airborne, was already prepared.

"Air Cutter!"

Ditto's wings vibrated rapidly, unleashing a barrage of semi-transparent white blades that hurtled toward the diving Skarmory.

Steven's eyes widened at the sight. "Skarmory, watch out!"

Ditto, mimicking Skarmory's stats, produced attacks with the same destructive potential. Steven knew firsthand how dangerous Air Cutter could be, especially in such a concentrated barrage. Skarmory couldn't afford to take it head-on.

Hearing Steven's warning, Skarmory attempted to dodge.

It wanted to avoid the attack—it really did—but its body had other plans.

The momentum from its dive, initially meant to boost the power of its Steel Wing, now worked against it, making it hard to change course.

In the end, Skarmory couldn't escape the range of Ditto's attack.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The Air Cutter blades struck Skarmory's metallic body, producing sharp metallic rings. Scratches marred its once-pristine armor, and gaps appeared in its feathers.

One metallic feather broke free entirely, embedding itself into the ground like a dagger.

Normally, a feather shed by Steven's Champion Skarmory would be a prized material for crafting tools or weapons. Auctioning it could fetch a fortune.

But neither Luo Yuan, Steven, nor the spectators had any time to think about such trivialities.

"Skarmory, now's your chance!" Steven called.

Though Skarmory had taken damage, its speed remained largely unaffected. Meanwhile, Ditto experienced a brief moment of stiffness after unleashing its Air Cutter.

This was the opportunity Steven needed.

Skarmory shot toward Ditto like an arrow, prepared to capitalize on its opening.

But Luo Yuan wasn't about to let his Ditto go down so easily.

"Ditto, meet it head-on with Iron Head!"

Luo Yuan's grin widened. He was curious to see which was stronger: Skarmory's wings or Ditto's head.

In the sky, two blurs—one bronze, one silver—raced toward each other.

Clang!

A metallic crash reverberated as sparks flew from the point of impact. The force of the collision sent both Pokémon hurtling backward to their starting positions.

Ditto, still in its Skarmory form, now sported a noticeable chip in the pointed crest on its head.

Meanwhile, Skarmory's wing bore a deep gash, dented from the collision.

Both Pokémon were injured, but Ditto had taken the worse of it, having accelerated hastily while Skarmory had planned its attack meticulously.

Still, Luo Yuan had a plan.

"Roost!"

At his command, Ditto folded its wings, gliding gently to the ground to recover its stamina.

Steven's eyes twitched.

Of course Luo Yuan would have Ditto use Roost—that explained why he'd risked a head-on clash.

It was only now that Steven realized the significance of Ditto's earlier use of Spikes. The field was littered with hazards, making it nearly impossible for his Skarmory to land safely and recover.

"You anticipated all of this?" Steven muttered, eyeing Luo Yuan intently.

While he admired Luo Yuan's foresight, Steven had no intention of letting Ditto recover unchallenged.

"Skarmory, Brave Bird!"

If his Skarmory couldn't land, then he would launch an all-out offensive to prevent Ditto from doing so either.

Skarmory screeched, gathering energy as it surged toward Ditto in a brilliant dive.

Ditto didn't flinch.

It calmly continued recovering, waiting until the very last moment. Then, just as Skarmory was about to strike, Ditto transformed back into its original form and darted into a previously dug hole in the ground.

Ditto had used Dig.

Skarmory—and Steven—were caught completely off guard.

Not only had Ditto reverted to its base form mid-battle, but it had also decided to burrow underground!

Unable to pull up in time, Skarmory slammed headfirst into the ground, its beak embedding itself deep in the soil.

From below, Ditto, sharing Luo Yuan's psychic vision, observed the scene. It launched itself out of the hole, morphing back into Skarmory mid-leap.

With a flick of its wing, Ditto executed a precise Metal Claw strike on Skarmory's exposed backside.

The impact sent Skarmory screeching as it yanked its head out of the ground.

Rocketing into the air like its tail had caught fire, it drew laughter and gasps from the crowd.

The result exceeded even Luo Yuan's expectations.

"Would Drill Peck have been even more effective?" Luo Yuan mused.

But the thought was fleeting. There were better things to focus on.

---

...

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