Since this battle was a private match between Lucas and Cynthia, there were no other spectators; the only audience members were Steven and the others.
However, a professional referee had still been invited.
Looking at the Rotom drone under the referee's feet, Lucas suddenly remembered something quite interesting.
It seemed that ever since Ash had his Sceptile hide behind the referee, referees everywhere had started riding drones while officiating battles.
Ash, well done.
Lucas looked at Cynthia opposite him, raised his left hand, and revealed the Z-Ring on his wrist. "Do you need to disable other systems?"
Generally speaking, in official tournament matches, only one system is allowed. Lucas didn't know why there was such a rule; perhaps it was for fear of being unfair to some Trainers who had only mastered one system.
In Ash's final battle against Leon in the Masters Eight, it was only because Leon specifically permitted it that he could use all three systems at once.
"No need. Show your true strength; this isn't an official tournament battle."
Cynthia said without a moment's hesitation.
In the spectator stands, Shauna and Tomoyo were wearing Garchomp and Gengar costumes, respectively.
The referee's voice rang out, and Poké Balls appeared in both of their hands instantly.
As they both threw their Poké Balls at the same time, two Pokémon appeared on the field simultaneously.
The rather secure-looking Spiritomb and the mighty, handsome Staraptor stared at each other in the air.
"Strike first, Acrobatics."
Staraptor's mighty body flew toward Spiritomb, its body constantly flipping in the air, incredibly agile.
"Sucker Punch."
Spiritomb instantly extended its head, striking Staraptor squarely in the abdomen and knocking it back.
Staraptor did a few flips in the air, then steadied itself and shook its head.
Sucker Punch?
Lucas recalled the tactics Cynthia was good at—a guerrilla team with Spiritomb as the core.
"Staraptor, gain altitude."
Staraptor climbed vertically. The field was open-air, so Staraptor stopped above the clouds, using its sharp eyes to watch every move Spiritomb made below.
"Huh? Why is Staraptor flying so high?"
Dawn placed her hand on her forehead, looking up at the sky, but didn't see Staraptor's figure.
"Pressure."
Lance explained. Dawn, Shauna, and Tomoyo all looked at Lance. Lance spoke slowly: "It's not just that we can't see Staraptor; Cynthia, Lucas, and Spiritomb on the field also can't see it. This leads to Cynthia and Spiritomb not knowing what action Staraptor will take. This creates a kind of pressure, forcing the opponent to constantly guess its intentions."
"But flying so high, shouldn't Staraptor be unable to hear what Lucas says?"
Aaron's cowlick stood up as he said this.
Lance nodded.
Lucas, what will you do?
Cynthia on the field waited for Lucas's action.
"Spiritomb, don't rush."
Lucas, meanwhile, gripped the wooden plaque pendant on his chest.
"Staraptor, Brave Bird."
Above the clouds, Staraptor tucked its wings and swooped down toward Spiritomb on the ground.
The Brave Bird, boosted by the Reckless ability, was coming in aggressively.
Even before its figure could be seen, the oppressive feeling already filled the entire field.
"Sucker Punch."
Just as Staraptor appeared in everyone's line of sight, Cynthia reacted. Spiritomb had just extended its neck when Staraptor was already in front of it.
Spiritomb was directly lifted and knocked away, while Staraptor, suffering from recoil and the damage from Sucker Punch, was also sent flying back.
"Come back and rest for a moment. Garchomp, soar through the sky."
Cynthia recalled the Spiritomb that was flying backward in the air and sent out her ace, Garchomp. The entire process was smooth and fluid; before Staraptor could even steady itself, Garchomp had already appeared on the field.
"Fly to high altitude."
"Garchomp, follow it."
Staraptor steadied itself in the air, then flapped its wings and flew toward the high altitude.
Garchomp followed behind, turning into a fighter jet, constantly closing the distance between them.
"Staraptor, flip, Close Combat!"
Staraptor turned its body and hovered in the air, waiting for Garchomp to approach it. Its wings began to glow with white light.
"Meet it, Dragon Claw."
Wings and scythes clashed repeatedly in the air. Garchomp landed a heavy blow on Staraptor's neck, swatting Staraptor toward the ground.
"Spikes."
Garchomp skillfully flapped its wings in the air, then scattered Spikes all over the field.
"Come back. Gothitelle, help me out."
Just before Staraptor hit the ground, Lucas recalled it to its Poké Ball and sent out Gothitelle.
"Come back. I'm counting on you, Spiritomb."
When Gothitelle entered the field, it was hit by the Spikes in the air and sent flying backward. Cynthia seized this moment to recall Garchomp and then sent out Spiritomb again.
"Gothitelle, charge up, find them."
Gothitelle, who had been sent flying after being hit by the Spikes in the air, closed its eyes tightly, and purple light continuously spread outward from its body.
"Gothitelle!"
Found them!
Gothitelle opened its eyes and raised its hands.
"Clear them."
"Spiritomb, Sucker Punch."
Spiritomb extended its neck and looked at the Gothitelle opposite it with a puzzled expression.
???
Cynthia also looked at Lucas and Gothitelle with confusion, but after seeing the barrier in front of Gothitelle, she suddenly realized.
"Reflect?"
Lucian suddenly spoke up, "Setting up a wall? Even with a wall, it's useless against Spiritomb, which has a type advantage, right?"
"Wait, that's not right."
Gothitelle punched the Reflect in front of it, shattering it into many pieces, and then used psychic power to scatter them.
Explosions kept occurring around the field.
"?! Using Reflect to clear Spikes?!"
Flint opened his mouth wide, "You can play like that?!"
"That's why I hate battling Psychic-type opponents. Their psychic power is too overpowered."
Lance curled his lip and said.
"Miss Cynthia's Spikes were broken. Lucas is amazing!"
Ash shouted excitedly.
Gary and Paul didn't say anything, watching the field intently.
Cynthia was also a bit surprised to see her Spikes broken so quickly, but she reacted quickly, "Shadow Sneak."
The shadow behind Gothitelle extended a hand and slapped Gothitelle hard.
While being knocked away, Gothitelle set up another Reflect.
"Future Sight."
Gothitelle cast its psychic power into the void, and then it was recalled by Lucas.
At the same time, the heavily injured Spiritomb was also recalled by Cynthia.
Entering the field were the beautiful Milotic and the elegant Lilligant.
"Sunny Day!"
"Ice Beam!"
Lilligant used Sunny Day first, then dodged Milotic's Ice Beam.
One.
"Lilligant, Seed Flare!"
Lilligant's body began to glow with a brilliant emerald green light.
Lance: ?
Steven: ??
Wallace: ???
Everyone: ????
Use what? Seed Flare? Is this a move that Lilligant can learn?!
The emerald green light on Lilligant's body slowly gathered at the flower on its head, and then it fired a dazzling beam toward Milotic.
The powerful recoil almost sent Lilligant flying, but fortunately, Lilligant steadied its body firmly with its legs.
"Milotic, Hydro Pump!"
Hydro Pump and the beam collided. Hydro Pump was completely overwhelmed, and the super-effective Seed Flare hit Milotic, knocking it over directly.
It hit!
Lucas cheered in his heart.
With an 85% accuracy rate, Lucas was really afraid it wouldn't hit.
The smoke cleared, and Milotic had lost the ability to battle.
"As expected of Lucas's Lilligant; its destructive power really isn't something an ordinary Pokémon can compare to."
Lance sighed sincerely.
"The problem now is that Lucas won't give up this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
Steven expressed his opinion.
Dawn poked Brock's arm, "Brock, what did Mr. Steven mean just now by a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity?"
Brock lowered his head and whispered: "Remember the Future Sight from earlier? As soon as Miss Cynthia summons her next Pokémon, it will definitely be hit by Future Sight. At the same time, Lilligant is also watching like a tiger preying on its prey; as soon as that Pokémon appears, it will also launch an attack."
Watching Cynthia throw a Poké Ball, Lucas pointed his finger, "Solar Beam!"
Under Sunny Day, Solar Beam doesn't need to charge.
Gothitelle also flew out of its Poké Ball, floating in mid-air, with psychic power ready in its hands.
"Sucker Punch!"
As soon as Spiritomb appeared, its neck had already extended to in front of Lilligant, and then it slammed into it, knocking Lilligant's Solar Beam off course.
Solar Beam grazed past Spiritomb and struck the wall behind it.
The Solar Beam, like an interstellar heavy cannon, still managed to hit the edge of Spiritomb, dealing significant damage.
However, Gothitelle's Future Sight hit Spiritomb with no effect.
You can start charging Sucker Punch while still inside the Poké Ball?
That is not normal at all, okay?
And how can a guaranteed hit move like Solar Beam actually miss?!
"Lilli————"
"I'm sorry. If I had known, I would have practiced handling the recoil more."
Lilligant's apologetic voice rang out.
As the Breeding House's mobile artillery, Lilligant relied on the flower atop her head to unleash powerful moves. Because the Grass-type energy within her was so overwhelming, the power of the Grass-type moves she used was greatly increased, but this also had a consequence: the recoil was immense.
"It's okay. We are in sync."
Lucas fiddled with the bracelet on his wrist.
"Let them admire your graceful dance."
Lilligant began to dance gracefully.
Seeing this, Cynthia wore a smile. "Sucker Punch."
Lilligant was hit by Sucker Punch again and stopped her dance in pain.
"Z-Moves can enhance moves into much more powerful ones, but some priority moves can still interrupt a Z-Move."
Lance explained to Tomoyo, who was sitting in his lap.
Tomoyo nodded.
"Hypnosis."
Spiritomb closed the distance with Lilligant. "Close your eyes, Energy Ball."
Lilligant closed her eyes and kept throwing Energy Balls forward.
Energy Ball: Lilligant Firepower Coverage Version!
She threw Energy Balls forward recklessly as if they were free.
Spiritomb, currently using Hypnosis: ???
Boom!
As the smoke cleared, only a flowerpot remained on Spiritomb's side of the field.
Just as the referee was about to fly over to announce the result, a plume of black energy emerged from the flowerpot, spreading toward Lilligant and covering her, while two massive dark hands grabbed her.
"Lilli————"
As the shadows faded, Lilligant collapsed to the ground, unable to battle.
Destiny Bond, huh?
This is so hard to fight————
After these few rounds of exchange, Lucas felt like his head was about to explode.
He had originally thought that Gothitelle's Future Sight combined with Lilligant's Solar Beam would at least be enough to take out one Pokémon, but he hadn't expected Cynthia to neutralize the crisis using Spiritomb.
"You've worked hard. Go, Lucario."
"You've worked hard, Lilligant. Rest well. Go, Gothitelle."
"Extreme Speed!"
As soon as Gothitelle entered the field, she was punched in the stomach by Lucario, who had instantly appeared in front of her.
Gothitelle flew backward and slammed into the wall behind her.
Again! Why do I have to get attacked the moment I enter the field?!
Gothitelle used her psychic power to pull herself out of the wall, wiped the corner of her mouth, and fixed a sharp gaze forward.
Cynthia looked at Gothitelle, who was still able to fight, a radiant light shining in her beautiful eyes.
"What a tanky Gothitelle————"
Clair couldn't help but exclaim.
Theoretically, Gothitelle should be as fragile as paper, but Lucas's Gothitelle had not only taken damage from Spikes but also absorbed a super-effective Shadow Sneak, and now she was still standing firm after tanking an Extreme Speed.
She's ridiculously tanky!
How on earth does this guy Lucas train his Gothitelle?!
Gothitelle wiped the corner of her mouth and looked at Lucario on the field.
It's not even as strong as Machamp.
Let alone Palkia, Dialga, Giratina, or Arceus————
Gothitelle, who usually vomits blood during battles, looked at the bloodstains on the back of her hand and felt a bit unaccustomed to it.
"Reflect!"
"Encore, Extreme Speed!"
Lucario arrived in front of Gothitelle again, looked at her across the Reflect, and threw another punch.
Gothitelle crossed her arms in front of her face, and the next second, she flew backward again.
"Hiss————"
In the stands, Clair gasped.
This————she can still stand up?!
"Future Sight!"
Gothitelle unleashed her psychic power again before Lucas returned her to her Poké Ball.
The next second, Ninetales entered the field. It was hit by Lucario's punch, but its body only slid back a short distance before it stabilized itself and shook its head.
It let out a low growl at Lucario.
Lucario looked down at its own fist, falling into confusion for the first time.
???
Had it become weaker? It couldn't take down Gothitelle in two hits, and even its attack on Ninetales only made it slide back a short distance?
"Ninetales, Flare Blitz!"
Ninetales transformed into a flaming tank and charged toward Lucario.
"Return, Lucario. Go, Gastrodon."
Gastrodon entered the field, tanked Ninetales's Flare Blitz head-on, and was sent flying by the impact.
"Hydro Pump!"
The battered Gastrodon roared and unleashed Hydro Pump, blasting Ninetales.
Ninetales was sent flying by the powerful Hydro Pump.
"Return. Go, Garchomp."
Garchomp entered the field.
"Earthquake!"
The ground began to shake.
"Encore, Flare Blitz!"
Ninetales endured the Earthquake and slammed into Garchomp.
"kao!"
Garchomp stabilized itself and looked at Ninetales. Ninetales lay on the ground, unable to battle.
Watching the psychic power Gothitelle had launched at it from the air, Garchomp roared and, under Cynthia's command, used Dragon Claw to meet it, forcibly tearing it apart.
Lucas recalled Ninetales. "You've worked hard, Ninetales."
Then he threw a Poké Ball, and the Breeding House's King of Strength entered the field.
"Go, Togekiss."
Cynthia recalled Garchomp and sent out Togekiss.
Togekiss soared through the air.
"Extreme Speed!"
Togekiss instantly appeared in front of Machamp and slammed into it hard, knocking it into the wall behind.
"Grab it!"
Machamp endured Togekiss's Extreme Speed, grabbed Togekiss's wings with all four arms, and exerted force from its waist, carving two deep furrows into the ground.
Machamp forcibly stopped Togekiss's Extreme Speed and held onto Togekiss, preventing it from escaping.
"Use Crush Grip!"
Machamp exerted force suddenly, hugging Togekiss tight with all four arms and squeezing it hard toward its chest.
Clair: ?
Flint: ??
Aaron: ???
What is this? Isn't that Regigigas's move?
It's one thing that your Lilligant knows Seed Flare, but your Machamp knows Crush Grip?
Is your Pokémon even legal?
Togekiss let out a pained cry.
"Break free."
Togekiss struggled continuously, but Machamp remained unmoved, locking Togekiss tight.
"Thunder Punch!"
Machamp raised two fists and smashed them hard into Togekiss in its arms.
Boom!
Boom, boom!
Boom, boom, boom!
Togekiss was beaten until it was unable to battle.
"These moves————they really are your battle style."
Cynthia recalled Togekiss and smiled helplessly.
This usage of inexplicable move combinations, and some inexplicable moves————
"My Pokémon love to learn, so they all like to pass their signature skills on to each other."
Lucas answered proudly.
Is this something you can learn just by being diligent————
Cynthia rolled her eyes and then sent out Lucario.
"Machamp, Dynamic Punch!"
Machamp charged toward Lucario, and four fists slammed into Lucario suddenly.
"Ma Machamp!"
"Counter!"
After tanking Machamp's Dynamic Punch, Lucario felt its brain turn to mush. Teetering, it gathered its thoughts and punched Machamp in the face.
Boom!
Machamp flew backward.
After throwing the punch, Lucario spun in circles on the spot.
It seemed to see Lucas on the other side turn into a being with three heads and six arms————
Lucas looked toward the center of the field, where a figure was slowly crawling up from the smoke.
"Ma Machamp————"
So my moves are actually that powerful?
Machamp climbed to its feet and twisted its neck.
It hurts————
Lucario: ???
Are you even a Pokémon?
You can even take a Counter?
And you can still complain?
"Reversal!"
Lucario charged toward Machamp, swinging its fists continuously, and Machamp kept retreating under its attacks.
Until Lucario threw the final punch.
Machamp endured the punch to its face, twisted its head back, and hit Lucario in the stomach with a Dynamic Punch.
Lucario slowly collapsed.
"Ma Machamp."
"Good night, baby."
Machamp held back its strength and whispered softly.
***************************
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