The Leech Seed continuously drained Lycanroc's health and transferred it to Treecko. Combined with the healing effect of Grassy Terrain, the dual recovery steadily replenished Treecko's lost health.
"Lycanroc, another Accelerock!" The attack had been effective, so Kyle commanded Lycanroc to use Accelerock again. He knew very well that he couldn't let the battle with Treecko drag on too long—with Leech Seed's draining effect, the longer the battle continued, the greater Treecko's advantage would become.
"I need to end this quickly," Kyle thought determinedly.
Lycanroc's body transformed into a blur as it charged straight toward Treecko with incredible speed.
"Treecko, use Detect!"
[Detect]: A Fighting-type status move that completely protects against an opponent's attack. The chance of success decreases if used consecutively.
The effect of Detect is essentially no different from Protect. Both can perfectly block an opponent's attack once. However, fewer Pokémon can learn Detect, giving it a slight advantage against certain move-nullifying techniques. This is Detect's only advantage over Protect.
Lycanroc, shrouded in Rock-type energy, rushed toward Treecko but was successfully blocked by the Grass-type Pokémon's protective barrier.
Simultaneously, Leech Seed continued its work, steadily draining Lycanroc's health and transferring it to Treecko.
"Lycanroc, try Accelerock again," Kyle urged, growing anxious. He wanted to secure victory quickly, so he chose to have Lycanroc repeat the Accelerock move.
If Jacob commanded Treecko to use Detect again, the success rate would drop to one-third—an extremely low probability. It was difficult to successfully use protective moves like Detect twice in a row in battle.
As for using Detect three consecutive times, that was nearly impossible. The success rate for the third consecutive Detect would be reduced to one-third again, making it a one-in-nine probability, and the odds would continue to diminish with each subsequent use.
Even if Treecko attempted Detect again, there was a two-thirds chance it would fail, so Kyle was willing to take the risk. Lycanroc once more became enveloped in Rock-type energy and hurled itself toward Treecko, executing the same move.
"Treecko, Quick Guard!"
[Quick Guard]: A Fighting-type move that protects the user and its allies from priority attacks.
Quick Guard is a specialized defensive move that only blocks priority attacks, but it has two distinct advantages. First, consecutive usage doesn't reduce its success rate, and second, it can protect allies in double or triple battles.
The Accelerock that Lycanroc used was a priority move. Just as it reached Treecko, it was perfectly blocked by the Fighting-type energy barrier that materialized around Treecko. Lycanroc let out a frustrated series of growls.
Quick Guard perfectly countered Accelerock, allowing Treecko to successfully defend against Lycanroc's attack once again.
Leech Seed and Grassy Terrain continued working, allowing Treecko to recover more health. After two recovery phases, the damage from the earlier Accelerock had been largely offset.
Kyle gritted his teeth in frustration. "Jacob, you sneaky trainer! When did Treecko learn that move?"
"Take a guess," Jacob replied with a smile.
Treecko had only learned Quick Guard two days ago and hadn't yet mastered it completely. It hadn't used the move in yesterday's battle. This was its first time implementing it today, and the results were surprisingly effective.
Because almost all Pokémon learn some priority moves like Aqua Jet, Quick Attack, and others, properly used Quick Guard could produce unexpected results.
"I wonder how long you plan to play defensively, Jacob. Do you have the courage to face me head-on? Lycanroc, Fire Punch!" Kyle was furious. Since the priority move proved ineffective, he had to resort to other attacks.
Fire-type moves were super-effective against Grass-type Treecko. Even without STAB, Lycanroc's Tough Claws ability would boost the contact move's power. If it connected, there was a high probability Treecko would be defeated immediately.
Moreover, Treecko now had limited defensive options. Quick Guard had no effect against Fire Punch, which wasn't a priority move, and Detect's success rate had decreased due to prior usage.
"Provocation doesn't work on me," Jacob responded calmly.
Meanwhile, Jacob was frantically considering how Treecko could withstand this Fire Punch. With the type disadvantage and the Tough Claws boost, there was a high probability Treecko would be knocked out in one hit.
Jacob could think of only two potential solutions.
The first was to gamble. Treecko knew a Grass-type move called Grass whistle, which could put the opponent to sleep by producing a soothing melody. If it hit, it could instantly turn the tide of battle. However, like Supersonic, this move had low accuracy and could be countered by sound-based moves like Howl, Roar, and others.
[Grass whistle]: A Grass-type status move that lulls the opponent to sleep with a soothing flute melody.
The second option was to have Treecko use Worry Seed! Worry Seed was a utility move with a very specific but valuable effect. It planted seeds of worry in the target, changing the opponent's ability to Insomnia.
Originally, with the boost from Tough Claws, Lycanroc's Fire Punch would likely knock out Treecko in one hit. However, if Jacob used Worry Seed to change Lycanroc's ability from Tough Claws to Insomnia, the power of Fire Punch would be significantly reduced without the Tough Claws boost, giving Treecko a much better chance of survival.
Which option to choose?
Jacob didn't have much time to think, making his decision almost instantly.
This was just a friendly competition, not a life-or-death battle. There was no need to risk uncertain odds. The purpose of competing was to build strength and develop reliable tactical options. Even if Treecko successfully used Grass whistle to put Lycanroc to sleep, the move's unreliability in actual combat made such training potentially counterproductive.
"Treecko, use Worry Seed!"
Lycanroc rushed toward Treecko, suddenly leaped upward, and rose to its hind legs. Its paws became engulfed in fiery energy as it drove its flaming fist straight toward Treecko.
Simultaneously, seizing the moment when Lycanroc closed in, Treecko launched Worry Seed at the Rock-type Pokémon. Grass-type energy circulated, and in an instant, Lycanroc's ability changed from Tough Claws to Insomnia. At the same moment, Fire Punch connected with Treecko, unleashing a burst of flames.
"BOOM!"
The intense flames scorched Treecko's body, inflicting severe damage instantly, but Treecko didn't completely lose its ability to battle. Leech Seed and Grassy Terrain had helped Treecko recover significant health just before the attack. Additionally, with Lycanroc now lacking the Tough Claws boost, the Fire Punch wasn't powerful enough to knock out Treecko in one hit, allowing the Grass-type to endure the attack.
At this moment, Leech Seed and Grassy Terrain's recovery effects continued healing Treecko's injuries.
"Very good," Jacob thought as a smile appeared on his face. "As long as we can hold on, there's still a chance."