The stadium was silent. Only one Pokémon remained on Serena's side.
Garchomp.
It stood proudly in the center of the battlefield, its crimson eyes fixed on Elior.
Even after watching Lucario defeat four Pokémon in a row, Garchomp's expression never changed.
It radiated the confidence of a true ace.
The commentators spoke quietly.
"This is Serena's strongest partner..."
"The Pokémon that has never been defeated during this League."
Elior looked at his remaining Poké Balls.
He knew he couldn't rush this battle. He reached for the first Poké Ball.
"Mystveil... I choose you!"
A flash of violet light illuminated the battlefield. Mystveil floated gracefully into the air.
"Begin!"
The referee lowered his flag.
Elior immediately attacked.
"Psychic!"
Invisible force surrounded Garchomp.
For a moment...It stopped moving. The audience cheered.
But then...Garchomp roared.
It shattered the psychic hold through sheer strength. The stadium gasped.
Serena smiled.
"Dragon Claw!"
Garchomp disappeared.
Its speed shocked everyone.
SLASH!!
Mystveil was launched across the battlefield.
"Recover!"
Green light surrounded Mystveil. It regained some strength. But Serena gave another command.
"Crunch!"
Garchomp appeared again. Its powerful jaws struck Mystveil directly.
BOOM!
Mystveil crashed to the ground. It struggled to float...But its strength was gone.
The referee raised the flag.
"Mystveil is unable to battle!"
Elior nodded respectfully.
"You did well."
He recalled Mystveil.
Then threw another Poké Ball.
Skyrend soared into the sky with a loud cry. The audience erupted.
"Air Slash!"
Sharp blades of wind rained toward Garchomp. Serena remained calm.
"Stone Edge."
Massive rocks burst from the battlefield.
Skyrend dodged the first.
The second.
The third.
The fourth struck its wing. Its flight faltered.
Elior: "Brave Bird!"
Wrapped in blue energy, Skyrend dove toward Garchomp.
Serena: "Dragon Rush!"
Garchomp charged forward surrounded by draconic energy.
The attacks collided.
BOOOOOOM!
The shockwave spread throughout the arena.
When the smoke cleared...Skyrend slowly fell from the sky. It landed on the battlefield. Unable to continue.
The referee raised the flag.
"Skyrend is unable to battle!"
The crowd became quiet. Garchomp had defeated two Pokémon...Without suffering significant damage.
Kai folded his arms.
"That's Serena's true strength."
Mira nodded silently.
Elior looked down at his belt.
Only two Poké Balls remained.
.
He rested his hand on Thundrion's Poké Ball...
Then paused.
His eyes shifted to Eclipse Lunashade.
He slowly removed his hand.
"Not yet..."
He whispered.
The audience noticed. They expected Lunashade to appear.
Instead...
Elior smiled.
"Thundrion..."
The Electric-type's Poké Ball began to glow.
A bolt of lightning shot into the sky as Elior prepared to send out Thundrion.
Across the battlefield...Garchomp lowered its stance. Its eyes burned with excitement.
Serena smiled confidently.
"Come on."
"Show me everything you've got."
The referee raised his flags once more.
The next battle...
Would decide whether Elior could still reach the title.
To be Continued...