"Things are looking a bit grim..."
Flint spoke up: "big sis only has two Pokémon left, and one of them, Gastrodon, is injured."
"But Lucas's Pokémon aren't in great shape either. Lilligant and Ninetales have already lost the ability to battle, and Gothitelle, Machamp, and Staraptor are all severely injured as well."
Lucian remarked from the side.
"Go, Garchomp."
Cynthia flicked her wrist, sending the Poké Ball flying to the center of the arena. Garchomp appeared, its powerful presence bearing down directly on Machamp.
"Garchomp!"
Having taken Counter and Reversal, Machamp was covered in wounds. Its strength was far superior to the other Pokémon at the Breeding House, but even with its incredible durability, it was struggling.
"Dragon Rush!"
Garchomp was covered in a blue-white light, charging toward Machamp like a missile.
"Dynamic Punch!"
Machamp violently thrust its four fists forward, slamming into Garchomp's Dragon Rush.
Under the impact of Dragon Rush, Machamp was forced back, until it was powerfully knocked into the wall, embedded within it.
"Ma Machamp."
Machamp pulled itself out and returned to the arena, the muscles in its arms, bound by the Black Belt, bulging.
"Once more, Dynamic Punch!"
"Dragon Claw!"
Relying on years of experience, even though Machamp had four arms, Garchomp was still able to find the gap to hit Machamp with Dragon Claw while dodging Machamp's attacks.
It had figured out Machamp's attack patterns. While the punches were fierce, they neglected defense. As Machamp was struck by Dragon Claw again, its legs went weak, and it knelt on the ground.
"Don't give up, Machamp! Find the timing, Move!"
Machamp extended its arms to pin Garchomp's hands, then used its other two hands to suddenly hug Garchomp tight. The arms bound by the Black Belt applied continuous force, squeezing Garchomp into its chest.
"Garchomp!"
Garchomp struggled continuously.
"Garchomp, break free!"
With its hands immobilized, Garchomp twisted its body with all its might in Machamp's grasp, and then its tail struck Machamp's head heavily.
Feeling the pressure on its body lessen, Garchomp seized the opportunity to break free from Machamp's restraint, creating distance between itself and Machamp.
"Garchomp!"
"That hurt like hell!"
"Draco Meteor!"
Meteors descended from the sky.
Still dazed, Machamp rejected Lucas's thought of returning it to its Poké Ball. It looked up at the falling meteors and suddenly charged toward Garchomp.
"Ma Machamp!!!"
Machamp endured the damage from Draco Meteor and slammed its massive fists toward Garchomp.
Garchomp flew high into the air. Machamp looked at Garchomp in the sky and the meteors falling toward it, then collapsed backward, losing the ability to battle.
Lucas, who had originally wanted to return Machamp to its Poké Ball, understood when he saw it charge at Garchomp that Machamp wanted to inflict more damage on Garchomp before falling, so he gave up the idea.
"You've worked hard, Machamp. Go, Gothitelle."
Gothitelle entered the field once again.
The moment it appeared, it was already holding a barrier in its hand.
"Gothitelle?"
"Strange, why wasn't I hit this time?"
Gothitelle floated in the air, feeling somewhat incredulous.
"Garchomp, Dragon Rush!"
"Protect!"
Gothitelle tossed the barrier in its hand, then raised its hands to Protect itself.
"Finally, I'm not getting beaten up..."
"Future Sight!"
"Draco Meteor!"
Watching the meteors filling the sky, Gothitelle shifted its body continuously in the air, dodging the Draco Meteor.
"Now, Dragon Claw!"
Garchomp appeared behind Gothitelle at some point, its hands transformed into scythes, slashing toward Gothitelle.
"Gothitelle!"
Gothitelle landed face-first, slid forward for a distance, and was then struck by a meteor, letting out a painful wail.
"Gothitelle!"
Lucas cried out in concern.
Gothitelle stood up staggeringly, the white bow on its body having turned much blacker.
"How terrifying..."
Clair looked at Gothitelle, still able to stand, and exclaimed once more.
"What kind of devilish training could cultivate Gothitelle into this state? Is this still the fragile Gothitelle?"
"This durability, it's on par with Elite Four Lucian's Bronzong, right?"
"My Bronzong isn't that durable..."
Lucian's eyelid twitched involuntarily...
"Is this the level of tankiness a Psychic-type Pokémon should have?"
"As a Psychic-type Elite, this was the first time in my life I had seen such a tanky Psychic-type Pokémon..."
"Spikes, two Extreme Speeds, plus a double-effective Shadow Sneak and Dragon Claw..."
"Maybe you should be the defensive pivot..."
Garchomp: "Garchomp!"
"Why are you so durable?!"
"Why are that kid's Pokémon all so durable!"
"Are you still Gothitelle?!"
"As an Elite from the Unova region, why can I take down Caitlin's Gothitelle in just a few moves?! How many moves has yours lasted?!"
"Is this even a Pokémon?!"
"Psychic!"
"Return, you've worked hard. Go, Gastrodon."
Cynthia retracted Garchomp and sent out Gastrodon.
"Muddy Water!"
Gastrodon recreated the scene from the battle between Ash and Paul, rotating its body to form a protective shield with Muddy Water, blocking Future Sight.
"Gothitelle, whether in the past or the present, you have always protected me. So, at this very moment, Protect me once more."
Lucas's voice echoed across the arena, and Cynthia frowned.
"That is..."
Ash couldn't help but ask out loud.
"Z-Move..."
Paul answered Ash's confusion.
Lucas crossed his hands in front of him, the z-crystal on his bracelet shining brilliantly.
Gothitelle circled around Lucas, performing an elegant dance, like a beautiful serpent, sometimes on Lucas's left, sometimes on his right...
Even when using a Z-Move, Gothitelle didn't want to let Lucas move too much, fearing he would get tired. So Lucas only needed to stand in place and perform the dance gestures, while Gothitelle completed the rest of the dance.
"Gastrodon, Hydro Pump!"
"Gothitelle."
Lucas spoke softly, his eyes sharp.
"Shattered Psyche!"
The powerful psychic power ground all the rubble on the field into powder, and the terrifying shockwave swept toward Gastrodon.
When the Hydro Pump touched the shockwave, it only lasted for two seconds before being completely dispersed by the shockwave.
"Spikes!"
Boom!
Cynthia extended her hand and turned her body to resist the terrifying airwave.
After the dust settled, Cynthia looked at the field. Gastrodon was lying on the ground, charred all over, showing no reaction.
The sound of swallowing saliva echoed.
"Such... such terrifying power..."
Aaron spoke up.
That shockwave was even more terrifying than Lilligant's Solar Beam. Aaron felt that even if Arceus came, it would have to leave behind a plate before it could leave.
Gothitelle stood in front of Lucas, trembling as it raised its hands. After drawing the model of a wall in front of it, it collapsed backward.
Having exhausted all its psychic power, Gothitelle kept its eyes open, staring straight at the sky, recalling what Lucas had said before the battle started.
"Gothitelle..."
"Don't worry... I'm... here..."
Gothitelle closed its eyes, losing consciousness.
"Gothitelle has finally lost the ability to battle..."
Even the referee couldn't help but remark.
"This Gothitelle is too terrifying..."
"While its damage isn't low, it's also incredibly tanky!"
"Lucas, I am surprised, and also excited, that you could actually achieve this step."
Cynthia retracted Gastrodon and looked at Lucas, who was putting Gothitelle away, and spoke.
"However, I still won't lose, because it won't let me lose. Soar through the sky, Garchomp!"
"Garchomp!"
Cynthia's last remaining Pokémon, Garchomp, soared through the sky once again!
"Staraptor, please!"
Staraptor emerged from the Poké Ball. Just as it wanted to fly high into the air, it was struck heavily by the suddenly appearing Spikes, flying backward.
"Dragon Claw!"
Garchomp instantly appeared in front of Staraptor, its scythe slashing down fiercely.
"Close Combat!"
Staraptor flapped its wings, parrying Garchomp's attack.
In the end, it was still batted down to the ground.
"Dragon Rush!"
Garchomp was covered in a blue-white light, slamming fiercely into Staraptor in the pit, then pulled its body up high.
Staraptor remained motionless.
Lucas sighed and retracted Staraptor.
"Lucas has only one left too..."
Lance grabbed a handful of Popcorn that Shauna was eating, shoved them into his mouth, and spoke.
Shauna: "???"
"My Popcorn!"
"Uncle Lance is a big villain!"
Seeing everyone focused on the match, Shauna didn't say anything, just sulking by herself.
"Hmph! Uncle Lance! Big meanie!"
Just then, a small bowl was handed to her, filled with Popcorn. Shauna turned to see Tomoyo holding it.
Tomoyo smiled at Shauna.
"Here, have some. I've prepared them for you."
Shauna grinned.
"Hehe, Little Tomoyo is the best! I want to be best friends with Little Tomoyo forever!"
"Gengar, I'm counting on you."
Lucas tossed his final Poké Ball.
"Gengar!"
I'm here!
Gengar floated in the air and struck a cool pose as it appeared.
Poof!
"Gengar!"
Ow! Who threw that rock! Damn it!
Gengar tumbled in the air like a balloon, then straightened itself out, clutching its little face with a frown.
"Garchomp, Draco Meteor!"
"Dark Void!"
Watching the Draco Meteor filling the sky, Gengar instantly conjured a massive Dark Void in its hands, absorbing all the meteors.
It's too much, it's going to explode!
Gengar threw it at Garchomp, but Garchomp flew high into the air and dodged it.
"Dragon Rush!"
"Shadow Force!"
Gengar dove into the shadows, leaving Garchomp confused and without a target.
Cynthia: ???
The audience: ???
What is this? Why are all of Lucas's Pokémon so shady?
Lilligant knows Seed Flare, Dash knows Crush Grip, and Gengar knowing Dark Void is one thing, but how does your Gengar know how to use Giratina's signature move?!
I'm scared to tears!
Tobias's Darkrai: ???
Could this Gengar be Arceus's illegitimate child?
While Garchomp was searching for Gengar's trail, Gengar appeared silently behind it, preparing to sneak in a hit.
"Behind you, Dragon Claw!"
Garchomp twisted its body, and after being struck by Gengar, it landed a Dragon Claw on Gengar. Both were sent flying backward.
Garchomp climbed up from the ground and shook its head.
"Garchomp."
That fatso, why does that hurt so much! My back is burning.
On the other side, Gengar climbed up from the ground, grimacing.
It hurts like hell.
"Lucas."
Cynthia just called out softly, then pulled out a lipstick, opened the cap, and gently applied it to her lips. The cherry blossom pink shade looked exceptionally alluring.
"Garchomp, let them admire your form. Mega Evolution!"
"Garchomp!"
The key stone on the lipstick and the Mega Stone on Garchomp erupted with light simultaneously, then converged.
Seeing this, Lucas grabbed the wooden pendant floating on his chest.
The final battle!
Lucas hadn't expected to be down to his last Pokémon against Cynthia. One more step and he would win.
Lucas wouldn't allow himself to fall at the final hurdle, nor would he let down Gothitelle and the others! One more step, and he wins! He could bring Cynthia home! Now, no one could stop him!
"I'm going to confess today, even Arceus can't stop me, I said it!"
Lucas ripped the wooden pendant off his neck and gripped it in his hand.
"Gengar, Mega Evolution!"
"Gengar!!!"
Instantly, the arena was enveloped in two dazzling beams of light.
"Ah."
Little Shauna squinted and let out an "Ah."
Clair reached out to shield Shauna from the dazzling light.
Everyone else was squinting as well, until the light faded. Mega Garchomp and Mega Gengar stood tall on the field.
"Uncle, go! Gengar, go!"
Shauna's cheers rang out. She jumped off Lucian's lap, ran to the front, and waved her little flag.
"Sister Cynthia, go! Garchomp, go!"
Shauna cheered for both sides. Little Tomoyo also came to Shauna's side.
Although Little Shauna shouted for Lucas first, she was wearing Garchomp-themed clothing. The cotton coat was thoughtful, but it seemed a bit drafty.
"Dragon Claw!"
"Dark Void!"
Mega Garchomp slashed through the Dark Void and rushed toward Mega Gengar. The moment the Dark Void was slashed open, the Dark Pulse inside caught Mega Garchomp off guard.
"Garchomp!"
Garchomp endured the pain, reached Gengar, and landed a heavy blow.
"Gengar—"
"Dark Pulse!"
"Dragon Rush!"
Boom!
"Dark Void!"
"Draco Meteor!"
Boom, boom!
"Shadow Force!"
"Draco Meteor!"
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Garchomp, pushing through the pain, landed every strike hard on Gengar. The squishy little fatso no longer had its initial playful grin; there was only stubbornness as it gritted its teeth.
"Gengar—"
I can't lose! I can't lose!! I can't lose!!!
"Lucas, this is the final blow. Garchomp, Dragon Claw!"
Garchomp reached Gengar and slammed both hands into Gengar's face. Gengar's neck snapped back from the impact, but it kept gritting its teeth, forcing itself to stand its ground.
"No way? Gengar is this tanky?"
Flint's voice rang out, exceptionally clear in the large arena.
I eat a lot, I can take a hit! I can't lose!
"That's right. Cynthia, this is the final blow. Gengar! We are one in heart!"
"Full power, Dark Pulse!"
"Gengar!!!"
Take this!
"Quick, dodge!"
Garchomp tried to move, but found it couldn't. It looked down and saw its shadow being firmly stepped on by Gengar's four feet.
I learned this from Giratina, you can't run away!
"Garchomp, point-blank Draco Meteor!"
Boom!
Smoke filled the air. Watching the smoke cover the entire arena, Lucas's heart jumped into his throat. Did I lose?
The smoke dissipated. Both Gengar and Garchomp had reverted from Mega Evolution. Garchomp stood on the field, while only half of Gengar's body remained on the field, the other half having slipped into the shadows.
Garchomp looked at Gengar across the field, its gaze sharp. Finally, it grinned.
"Garchomp—"
You fatso, you cheated—
Then it fell backward, crashing heavily onto the ground.
"Garchomp—"
Forget it, well done—
Garchomp's eyes closed, and it lost consciousness.
Gengar across the way smiled weakly.
"Gengar—"
Sorry, I'll give you all my snacks when we get back—
Cynthia and Lucas watched the field, neither saying a word.
"What about me? Where are my snacks!"
Another voice rang out from the shadows. Gengar didn't answer; it just tried its best to keep its eyes open.
"This— Garchomp is unable to battle—"
The referee's voice sounded. "Gengar wins!"
"Therefore, the winner is Lucas!"
The audience was dead silent. Finally, Steven was the first to start clapping.
"Lucas won!"
Ash happily threw his arms around Gary and Paul's shoulders, shouting with joy.
Paul swatted Ash's hand away. "As expected."
Then, carrying Electivire and holding his camera, he walked out of the arena.
I will find what you wanted me to find, Teacher.
Gary gripped the wooden pendant on his chest. Don't worry, Teacher, I won't fall behind in battling.
On the field, Lucas recalled Gengar, who was still keeping its eyes open despite having lost consciousness. "You worked hard."
He had seen it—Gengar had pulled a little trick at the end.
It had slipped its lower body into the shadows, letting Darkrai support it.
As long as its feet weren't touching the ground, it didn't have to worry about falling over and being unable to battle. Garchomp had noticed too, but it hadn't blamed Gengar. It had just scolded it gently.
Lucas looked at Cynthia across the field and smiled gently. "I won."
Cynthia recalled Garchomp, her eyes filled with complex thoughts. Hearing Lucas's words, she looked up at him and smiled. "You won."
Lucas clenched his fists happily.
"Yeah!" He had finally won!
"Hello, fiancée."
Cynthia frowned, then relaxed. "I did promise that if you beat me, we would be together, but you haven't confessed yet, so this doesn't count."
"Cynthia! I like you! I like you!! I like you!!! Let's be together!!!"
Lucas suddenly shouted loudly.
"Ooh~"
Lance was the first to start cheering. Then the rest of the crowd joined in the teasing.
"So that's what it was!"
Steven realized with a start. "Looks like I need to prepare a wedding gift." Steven said with a smile.
Cynthia's ears turned red.
"Shut up!"
"Do you want a diamond ring? What brand? Is Diancie okay? I'll go to the Kalos region tomorrow—"
"Enough!"
"And find a good date— Ah!"
Lucas clutched his head and cried out in pain. Cynthia retracted her hand and glared at Lucas. Lucas stood there, grinning foolishly.
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