Aiden Flint's Sceptile was currently Level 54, while Tyson's Sceptile was Level 55.
Both were gold-grade Pokémon.
Their strength was almost identical.
Only by fighting would the true winner be decided.
"Sceptile—charge in and use Leaf Blade!"
As Aiden and Tyson issued their commands at the same time, Sunny Day took effect, bathing the battlefield in blazing sunlight.
Aiden's Sceptile shot forward, its arm-blades extending into massive green energy blades.
With Quick Attack boosting its speed, it slashed straight toward its opponent!
Tyson's Sceptile had just finished activating Sunny Day when it saw Aiden's Sceptile rushing in at point-blank range.
"Now! Solar Beam—instant cast!"
Under Sunny Day, Solar Beam required no charging and was even stronger.
As a high-temperature move, it could even deal fire-level damage, making it deadly against another Grass-type.
But Aiden's Sceptile was just as fast.
With Quick Attack's boost, its twin Leaf Blades slashed down first, carving into Tyson's Sceptile's head!
Even though it was a Grass-type move, the cutting force was brutal—especially with Sunny Day amplifying it.
"Gah!"
Tyson's Sceptile fired Solar Beam in pain, but Aiden's Sceptile dodged instantly.
The beam exploded behind it, creating only smoke.
"Good—our turn now! Sceptile, Solar Beam!"
"Sceptile, Detect!"
A thick green-white beam blasted forward—but at the last instant, Tyson's Sceptile glowed blue and slipped out of the way.
"Close in! Leaf Blade!"
"Sceptile, Leaf Blade!"
The two Sceptile rushed each other like swordmasters, green blades filling the air.
Clang! Slash! Crack!
Steel-sharp leaves collided again and again, both Pokémon taking heavy damage.
"Sceptile—final strike, Solar Beam!"
"Sceptile, Solar Beam as well!"
Both Trainers shouted at once.
Two Solar Beams collided head-on.
BOOM!
The explosion shook the entire battlefield, nearly blowing Aiden and Tyson off their feet.
Professor Birch staggered back as shockwaves tore through the arena.
When the dust settled, the field looked as if it had been bombed—half a meter of ground was gone.
Both Sceptile lay on the ground, bloodied and motionless.
After a long pause, Professor Birch called out:
"Both Sceptile are unable to battle… this match is—"
Suddenly, Aiden's Sceptile twitched.
Then it slowly forced itself up, eyes burning with unyielding will.
Like something straight out of a game:
Your Sceptile held on…
"Tyson's Sceptile is unable to battle! Aiden Flint's Sceptile wins!"
"Ding! Sceptile defeated Sceptile, gaining 875 EXP. Level increased—current level: Lv55!"
"SCEEEPTILE!"
Aiden recalled it with a Luxury Ball.
"Great work. Your will and strength—everyone saw it."
Tyson stared at his fallen partner in silence.
Then he threw another Poké Ball.
Hariyama appeared.
Aiden sent out Pidgeot.
Flying-type vs Fighting-type.
Within moments, Hariyama was overwhelmed.
"Ding! Pidgeot defeated Hariyama, gaining 640 EXP. Level increased—current level: Lv54!"
Now Tyson had only one Pokémon left.
Aiden expected Metagross…
But it wasn't there.
Of course.
Veteran Trainers never carried all six of their strongest Pokémon at once.
"Ding! Skarmory's current stats:"
Pokémon: Skarmory
Level: 50
Ability: Keen Eye
Type: Steel / Flying
Potential: Purple
Moves: Metal Claw, Wing Attack, Slash, Steel Wing, Drill Peck, Brave Bird…
"So it's a flying-type duel."
"Pidgeot—use Quick Attack to accelerate, then Aerial Ace!"
"Skarmory, Wing Attack!"
Pidgeot vanished in a streak of white light, slamming into Skarmory at blinding speed.
Skarmory tried to counter, but its Steel-type weight made it far slower.
Pidgeot struck and pulled away again and again, never giving Skarmory a chance to hit back.
The outcome was clear.
"Skarmory, Metal Claw!"
"Pidgeot, Wing Attack!"
The two collided in midair—but Pidgeot's raw power prevailed, smashing Skarmory down.
"Finish it—Brave Bird!"
"Skarmory—Brave Bird!"
Blue and orange flames engulfed both Pokémon as they crashed into each other.
Skarmory fell like a wrecked plane.
"Ding! Pidgeot defeated Skarmory, gaining 730 EXP. Level increased—current level: Lv55!"
"Skarmory is unable to battle. Pidgeot wins! The winner is Hoenn's Aiden Flint!"
…
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