Pokémon: I picked up a reborn Eevee at the start of the game.

As if it had truly gained sentience, the lightning did not strike the Charizard directly, but instead coiled and intertwined together. In the final moments before it fell, it transformed into a lightning cage, forcefully trapping the Charizard within!

However, the power of the charged flame attack was too weak, and Charizard was unable to break free immediately!

Longye raised an eyebrow in surprise. Thunder could be used like that?

This guy's understanding of energy manipulation is truly terrifying.

Despite his feelings, he could only stop Charizard for the time being and use another move instead.

"Charizard, use Flamethrower and then Protect!"

Charizard took a deep breath, and scorching fire energy brewed between its breaths. Then, a huge fireball was spewed out of its mouth, instantly stretching out into the shape of the Chinese character "大" in the air.

…………

boom--

The fireball, brimming with explosive energy, collided with the lightning cage. As expected, the clash between thunder and fire triggered a massive explosion. Even the aftershocks created terrifying waves of flame in the air, not to mention the epicenter of the explosion.

A bright orange mushroom cloud rose slowly into the sky, and the smell of gunpowder filled every corner of the venue.

In the stands, many people were already coughing from the smoke, but they still kept their eyes glued to the battlefield.

call--

A strong gust of wind blew past, revealing a pair of wings covered in charred burn marks. The fire-breathing dragon roared to the sky, emerging from the mushroom cloud at the center of the explosion as if reborn from the ashes.

Despite his disheveled appearance, his aura remained undiminished.

At the very center of the collision and explosion of the thunder and the massive flames, only by holding the line can he be kept safe.

His sharp gaze locked onto Gardevoir, which had slipped away to the distance during the brief lull in the explosion. Gardevoir flapped its wings and sped through the air.

Sensing the increasingly faint energy emanating from her, Charizard knew that Gardevoir had run out of options.

This time, you absolutely can't escape!

"Flash Charge!"

Trailing its fiery tail, Charizard streaked across the sky at breakneck speed, crashing into the sky like a falling meteor.

Meanwhile, Gardevoir stopped dodging and gathered the last bit of energy remaining in its body, its chest horn shimmering with azure light.

Immediately, a rapid and powerful jet of water shot out—a water cannon!

At the last moment, Gardevoir unleashed a move it had been hiding all day, a move that could deal the highest damage to Charizard.

In the sky, half of the flames soared into the sky, burning crimson, while the other half was a deep, tranquil blue, like the deep sea. The confrontation between water and fire was extremely spectacular.

In nature, although water has a natural ability to suppress fire, ordinary water cannot quell a raging wildfire.

The near-Champion-level Charizard unleashed its Flame Charge, a fiery attack that seemed invincible, splitting the water in two. Ghost Rider finally pierced the hero with his sword.

A black dress drifted sadly down from the sky, like a black enchantress whose bloom had come to an end and withered away.

When it fell to the ground, the black dress quietly faded into an ordinary white dress—Gardedoll lost its ability to battle and also reverted to its Mega Evolution state.

At the same time, an invisible psychic energy ball on the field suddenly exploded. The Charizard in mid-air let out a miserable cry of pain. Severely injured, it was unable to maintain its flight posture and had to land on the ground.

The previously buried [Precognition] energy cluster finally detonated, causing severe damage to Charizard!

…………

"Thank you for your hard work, Gardevoir."

Xia Chen frowned as he retrieved the unconscious Gardevoir.

His furrowed brows weren't due to dissatisfaction with Gardevoir's performance, but rather because his mental strength had been somewhat damaged by Gardevoir's loss of consciousness.

During private training sessions, they had never fought to the point of losing their ability to fight, so this was the first time Xia Chen had heard of it.

The stinging pain, like being pricked with needles, made him gasp for breath, but the battle had to continue, otherwise it would be too unfair to Saifu and Gardevoir's efforts.

Xia Chen glanced at the heavily wounded Charizard on the battlefield, panting heavily as if it were "recovering its blood," and couldn't help but feel a little regretful.

Unfortunately, Zoroark has never acquired a Rock-type Special Attack berry like [Meteor Beam] or [Original Power]. If that water cannon had been replaced by either of those two, Charizard would probably be down by now.

However, to be able to fight against a Charizard that was second or third in the standings and achieve this result has far exceeded Xia Chen's original expectations.

Then next

"It's up to you now, Sylveon!"

Xia Chen threw out a Poké Ball, which flashed with white light. Sylveon stood on the rocky ground, its gaze fixed on Charizard.

It's Sylveon instead of Milotic?

Longye was somewhat surprised, but he didn't think much of it and immediately commanded, "Charizard, Flare Charge!"

Just how terrifying is Mega Eevee? The exhibition match a month ago already demonstrated it. If she were to casually unleash a Rock-type or even Water-type move, Charizard would be utterly defeated.

Although Charizard was already in a state of near collapse, it was still worthwhile if it could contribute even a little more light and heat.

"Roar!"

Despite the unbearable pain in its body, the fire-breathing dragon flapped its wings and took flight.

It is visibly slower than before.

Xia Chen commanded without hesitation: "Surprise Attack by Spirits!"

Longye was speechless. Did you learn the Hidden Spirit Strike technique wholesale?

How can a move that only a few Ghost-type Pokémon can learn be made to seem like something everyone can do?

However, he didn't care too much. The Fairy Cloth, which hadn't yet undergone super evolution, had pitifully low physical attack, so he would just let her launch a surprise attack.

Sylveon vanished into the void, leaving Charizard, having lost its target, with no choice but to stop and wait patiently for its prey to come to it.

This time, the time spent escaping into the void was much shorter, less than a second. A crack opened behind Charizard, and Sylveon emerged from it.

Of course, along with it appeared a dense, almost tangible, resentful energy. Ghostly figures leaped within the impenetrable deep purple mist, exuding a chilling aura.

Longye's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately sensed something was wrong.

Is this level of Ghost-type energy really something that Sylveon could unleash with a Phantom Attack?

A possibility he had overlooked suddenly came to mind—

This isn't Sylveon, it's Zoroark disguised as Sylveon!

When falsehood is taken for truth, even truth becomes falsehood. Xia Chen chose the time least likely to arouse suspicion to exploit Zoroark's [illusion] property.

Although Longye was surprised, he did not feel any regret.

As everyone knows, trying to defend against everything is the same as defending against nothing. In a 6v6 match, it's practically impossible to perfectly defend against Zoroark.

The current price is only acceptable.

…………

The highly corrosive Ghost-type energy dragged Charizard into an abyss of resentment, but Zoroark's strength was ultimately insufficient. This sneak attack failed to finish off the severely wounded Charizard, instead reducing it from "red health" to "zero health".

Upon discovering this result, Longye and Xiachen shouted out almost simultaneously:

"Charizard, big words bursting with flames!"

"Zoroark, Shadow Sneak Attack!"

The former wanted to make the Charizard use its last bit of energy, regardless of the consequences, while the latter wanted to cut things off quickly to avoid any unforeseen complications.

Although Charizard is significantly stronger than Zoroark, its Shadow Sneak, a preemptive ability similar to Quick Attack, still managed to strike first.

A mysterious shadow darted out from behind the fire-breathing dragon, taking the last life of this arrogant pseudo-dragon.

The explosive fireball brewing in the throat could only release a wisp of flame in vain, which was eventually extinguished by the wind.

Zoroark finished off the Charizard without taking any damage.

After Ryūno took the lead twice, the score was tied twice.

On the sidelines, the big shots could no longer contain their excitement and applause for Xia Chen.

With him in Donghuang, the future is secure!

In reality, if an ordinary gym leader were to defeat two Pokémon belonging to an examiner like Ryūno, they would easily pass the test.

But Xia Chen had no intention of stopping the challenge or giving up. He wanted to push his limits against this opponent who was under unprecedented pressure.

On the opponent's side, Longye recalled his Charizard, pondered for a moment, and then sent out his next Pokémon.

Its semi-upright body maintained an attack stance, its entire body covered in gray scales with brass-colored edges, and it made a crisp metallic clang as it jumped from the Poké Ball onto the field.

A pseudo-legendary dragon with both Fighting and Dragon attributes, Kommo-o!

Upon seeing the Pokémon appear, Xia Chen immediately shouted, "Zoroark, turn back immediately!"

The entire audience was astonished by Xia Chen's decisive choice. Was Zoroark really that afraid of Kommo-o?

Ryūno's first command to the Staff-tailed Armored Dragon answered their questions.

"Wand Tail, Soul Dance Sonic Boom!"

Soul Dance Sonic Boom, Kommo-o'-the-Wisp's signature move—it sacrifices a small amount of its life force to enhance all its abilities!

Xia Chen wasn't afraid of Kommo-o, but rather he guessed Ryūno's intention and felt that Zoroark simply couldn't handle this terrifying move.

As long as it ignores any harassment from Zoroark and focuses on strengthening, Kommo-o will definitely be able to clear the entire team with just three Soul Dance Sonic Booms!

And there is no doubt that the Pokémon that will replace Zoroark will be a Fairy-type Pokémon that has a four-fold super strength against Fighting and Dragon types, Sylveon!

Longye was equally amazed by Xia Chen's reaction speed—he guessed the tactic as soon as he saw that he had sent out the Staff-tailed Armored Dragon. This guy's tactical intuition was too sharp.

Training, reaction, tactics, on-the-spot command. Xia Chen is like a hexagonal warrior in every aspect of Pokémon battles.

What an enviable talent!

Longye sighed softly.

…………

On the field, Soroark once again took the initiative.

Zoroark, still in her Sylveon form, stepped on the glowing green light and struck Kommo-o, which had just landed. She then flew back at an incredible speed to the Poké Ball that Xia Chen was holding.

At this moment, the sound of the scales rustling will begin.

Simultaneously, the Poké Ball in the other hand was thrown, and the real Sylveon stepped out of the Poké Ball, its eyes sparkling with lively light.