"Jynx, use Psychic to pin Charizard in place, then unleash Blizzard!" Yukie commanded without hesitation.
Blizzard was one of the strongest Ice-type moves.
Though Ice-type techniques weren't completely ineffective against Fire Pokémon, their power was significantly weakened.
Still, in Yukie's view, as long as Charizard's movements were sealed and the blizzard continued to pour down, she was confident it would cause considerable damage.
Shhh!
Jynx's eyes glowed crimson as she released her Psychic power.
In an instant, an invisible force wrapped around Charizard. But the flame dragon merely snorted disdainfully, a wisp of white steam spraying from its nostrils.
"Break free, Charizard—Flamethrower!"
Charizard easily shattered Jynx's Psychic grip and soared skyward. With a sudden roar, blazing flames erupted from its maw, crashing down like a meteor and engulfing Jynx entirely.
"Waaah—!"
It took less than a second. Jynx's body turned charred black and collapsed onto the ground, completely unable to battle.
The Blizzard never had a chance to form.
"Jynx is unable to battle! Charizard wins!" the referee announced.
"Unbelievable! That's Charizard for you—what overwhelming might! Congratulations to Yozora for taking the first victory!" the announcer shouted as the audience erupted in thunderous cheers.
Everyone knew it well—
In previous matches, Yukie had often relied on Jynx, and each time, Jynx tore through opponents with ease. Its strength was undeniable.
Yet now, before Yozora's Charizard, it had been utterly annihilated in a single move.
Of course, Fire was super effective against Ice. But even so, this battle had fully demonstrated Charizard's sheer dominance.
"Charizard's too strong!"
"It's not just its power. Yozora clearly prepared for this match—Yukie's Ice-types are completely countered!"
"Exactly! With a single Charizard, Yozora can bulldoze through Yukie's entire team!"
Voices rose everywhere. Yukie's supporters, however, began to feel a growing sense of dread.
They knew—if Yukie couldn't bring Charizard down quickly, the situation would only spiral further out of her control.
After Jynx's defeat, Yukie sent out her second Pokémon—Cloyster.
"Ohh! It's Cloyster! As a Water and Ice dual-type, the Water half resists Fire while the Ice half is weak to it—canceling each other out. In fact, Cloyster even gains the advantage here!" the announcer declared.
Fire could only deal normal damage to Cloyster.
Meanwhile, Water moves were super effective against Fire—dealing double damage to Charizard!
But—
From the stands, Leiming shook his head as he watched.
"Her choice isn't wrong, but the gap between their levels is far too wide…" he muttered.
Yozora's Charizard had long since reached Gym Leader-tier.
Yukie's Cloyster, however, was only Lord-tier.
With such a disparity, Cloyster's type advantage would be greatly diminished.
"Cloyster, use Ice Beam!" Yukie ordered.
"Charizard, spin aside—Fire Spin!"
The freezing beam shot out, but Charizard twisted gracefully in midair, evading with ease. At the same time, it dove straight at Cloyster, unleashing a swirling cyclone of fire from its mouth.
The inferno devoured Cloyster completely.
In less than three seconds, the flames dispersed—Cloyster was already down for the count.
Yukie's second Pokémon had fallen.
"That Charizard is truly terrifying." Yukie frowned, recalling Cloyster and sending out her third Pokémon—Gyarados.
Though she specialized in Ice-types, Yukie had prepared this Gyarados specifically to counter Fire-types. Its level was high—Gym Leader Initial Tier, one of her trump cards.
"A Gym-level Gyarados, huh?"
Yozora gave a calm smile. He wasn't concerned. His Charizard feared no Water-types.
After all, Gyarados carried an even greater weakness—it was quadruple weak to Electric moves. One clean hit could end the fight.
"Gyarados, Surf!" Yukie commanded, as the third match began.
"GRAAAAH!"
Gyarados roared as massive waves surged from beneath its coils, lifting it skyward. Riding the crest of a towering tidal wave, it came crashing down like an ocean storm to engulf Charizard.
But even as the overwhelming waters loomed, Charizard's eyes burned with resolve. It stood unflinching, as immovable as a mountain.
"Charizard—ready yourself! Thunder Punch!!" Yozora roared.
BOOM!
Charizard's fist erupted with lightning and slammed directly into Gyarados. Thunder cracked, electricity surging wildly. The tidal wave swallowed them both in a deafening crash.
The entire battlefield was drenched, water spraying in every direction like a tsunami.
"Incredible! Even while staring down a tidal wave, Charizard carried out its trainer's order without hesitation!" the announcer shouted, his voice nearly drowned out by the cheers.
Thunder Punch dealt quadruple damage to Gyarados. Surf, meanwhile, hit Charizard for double damage. Both sides had landed devastating blows.
The crowd held their breath.
When the waters finally receded, the battlefield came into view—
Gyarados lay sprawled on the ground, its scales scorched black, eyes shut tight in pain. It had fainted.
Across the field, Charizard stood tall, water still dripping from its frame, but its spirit unbroken.
"ROOOAARRR!!"
Charizard let out a mighty roar, the soundwaves blasting through the arena like a hurricane, shaking the very earth beneath their feet.
It stood proudly, as if to declare—even a direct Surf could not bring me down.
"Amazing! Yozora's Charizard is simply unstoppable!"
The announcer's voice rang out again. "And with Yukie's third Pokémon defeated, we've reached halftime! The match will resume in ten minutes—don't miss it!"
The audience erupted into discussion during the break.
Charizard's overwhelming triple sweep had given Yozora a crushing advantage. Many spectators were already convinced—he was guaranteed a place in the semifinals.
And yet, Yukie showed no trace of panic. Her face remained calm, as though the situation had not shaken her in the slightest…
The second half soon began.
Once again, Yozora sent out his Charizard.
Yukie, however, revealed something unexpected—
Alolan Ninetales, the Ice-type fox cloaked in shimmering frost.
The battle was far from over.
(End of Chapter)