Su Feng and Jin stood facing each other on a patch of open ground near the lakeshore. Growlithe trotted to Su Feng's side, while Jin released Scorbunny from its Poké Ball. Cheng Meng, acting as referee, raised her hand.
"Jin has extensive battle experience. Pay attention to our strategies," Su Feng reminded the live streaming audience.
"Battle… begin!" Cheng Meng declared.
"Growlithe, use Howl!"
"Scorbunny, use Growl!"
Growlithe's intimidating bark echoed as Scorbunny countered with a soft, disarming whine. Growlithe's Intimidate ability lowered Scorbunny's Attack, but Jin's Growl negated Su Feng's Howl boost. The opening exchange left Scorbunny slightly disadvantaged.
[Why not attack immediately?]
[Buffing/debuffing first is meta!]
[So it's like: 'You're powered up! Now charge!']
[Charge? More like suicide!]
[Wait, 'Growl' is a move? My Pikachu's cute chirps must be OP…]
Jin frowned. His plan to weaken Growlithe had backfired. "Scorbunny, Double Kick!"
Scorbunny leapt, legs glowing brown, but Su Feng calmly ordered, "Howl again."
Growlithe's roar amplified its Attack just before Scorbunny's kicks landed. The dog skidded back, unharmed thanks to its boosted Defense.
"Now, Flame Wheel!" Su Feng commanded.
Growlithe cloaked itself in fire and charged.
"Ember, counter it!" Jin yelled.
Scorbunny spat flames, striking Growlithe mid-charge. The collision sent Scorbunny flying, its fur singed—but Fire-type resistance spared it major damage.
[Fire vs. Fire? Jin's trolling!]
[Burn chance doesn't work on Fire-types!]
[Rookie mistake!]
Su Feng smirked. "Fire-types can't be burned, Jin."
Jin grimaced—he'd forgotten.
"Bite!" Su Feng pressed.
"Double Kick!" Jin countered.
The battle became a slugfest: Growlithe's Bite vs. Scorbunny's Double Kick, Flame Wheel vs. Ember. But Scorbunny's weakened Attack and Growlithe's buffs tipped the scales. Three minutes later, Scorbunny collapsed, exhausted.
"Good effort," Jin sighed, lifting his partner.
[Now THIS is a battle!]
[Mind games! Prediction! Strategy!]
[Peak Pokémon chess!]
As the duel ended, the other trainees wrapped up their matches. Xiao Die (Tinkatink), Li Na (Applin), Yao Tian (Wooloo), and Lu Ming (Wurmple) emerged victorious.