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After the referee's reminder, Harrison recalled his Swellow and took out his fifth Poké Ball.
But when he released the next Pokémon, Kai noticed it wasn't Harrison's ace, Blaziken, but another Pokémon from Hoenn — Linoone!
Linoone's body was sleek and streamlined, designed to minimize air resistance while running. Most of its fur was light brown, with several dark brown stripes. Its head was shaped like an arrow, and its fur was both tough and soft. It was said that people in cold regions often used Linoone's fur to make coats.
As for its abilities, just like its name implied, it was very fast, capable of reaching speeds of 100 km/h when running. But it was terrible at turning, often having to make sharp right-angle turns or come to a hard stop to change direction.
Seeing this Pokémon, Kai stood still, feeling torn about who to send out.
All of his Pokémon had already taken turns fighting in earlier matches, and everyone was in good condition and well adapted to the field.
Who should I pick?
Ugh… is it because I still don't have enough usable Pokémon?
And here was where the privileges of a star trainer really showed.
Even though both he and Harrison were semifinalists, when Harrison was choosing his Pokémon, the referee didn't rush him but subtly gave him a look urging him to hurry up.
But when Kai took his time thinking, standing still on the field, the referee didn't show the slightest impatience.
This was the advantage that came with popularity, strength, and league favoritism.
Fortunately, Kai didn't keep everyone waiting too long. After some thought, he took out Crystal Steelix's Poké Ball.
"This one's yours — let's go, Crystal Steelix!"
Since Linoone was a fast Pokémon, Kai didn't bother sending out something to match its speed. Instead, he chose a tank for his Steelix with massive defense.
Boom!
The huge body landed with a quake.
Even though it was an ice field, after so many battles, most of the ice had already melted away, exposing the frozen soil beneath.
The announcer's voice rang out excitedly:
"It's here again! Every time Kai sends out his Crystal Steelix, I can't help but be amazed by its beauty and power! Look at how it shines under the sunlight, reflecting the snow and ice it's absolutely stunning!!"
Indeed, this was Crystal Steelix's third appearance in the tournament, and each time it had stepped onto the battlefield, the crowd had erupted in cheers.
Nobody could dislike such a magnificent Pokémon.
When the battle began, Linoone charged straight forward like a bullet, exactly as Kai expected. It was fast but clumsy at turning.
Harrison, clearly at a disadvantage, went all out on the offensive.
But Linoone's attack style was close-range completely useless against a massive and heavily armored Steelix.
The outcome of this match was obvious. Even though Linoone was a trusted partner from Hoenn and had traveled a long way with Harrison, it still lost to Crystal Steelix in the end.
This was simply a battle of mismatched size and power.
"Linoone charges in! Linoone goes down!! It couldn't even deal noticeable damage! Oh my, this is Harrison's fifth defeat in a row! Has Kai fully recovered from his state after the match with Ash? Is his legendary win streak about to continue!?"
The announcer's exaggerated tone filled the air.
Looking at his fallen partner, Harrison could only shake his head helplessly.
He had already done everything he could.
After Linoone's loss, he no longer had any real hope of winning the match. But… at the very least, he wanted to defeat one of Kai's Pokémon.
He had traveled across the ocean from Hoenn if he was swept 6–0, he'd have no face to return home with.
His gaze hardened with resolve as he gripped his final Poké Ball tightly.
Of course, everyone already knew which Pokémon this was.
His ace.
As he threw the last Poké Ball, a flash of blue light burst open—
Blaziken appeared on the battlefield.
As the most popular of Hoenn's starter evolutions, Blaziken had overwhelming popularity and solid strength. Even people unfamiliar with it would fall for its cool appearance at first sight.
The moment Blaziken appeared, Kai didn't hesitate either.
He had already prepared an opponent for it.
He recalled Crystal Steelix and sent out his ace Pokémon.
"Go—Gardevoir!"
The elegant Gardevoir appeared, raising its head proudly as it faced Blaziken across the ruined ice field.
Harrison looked at the Gardevoir and shook his head with a small smile.
"Such a familiar Pokémon… Two Hoenn Pokémon are meeting and fighting here in Johto. It almost feels like I'm back home. But now that it's come to this… I'm going all out!"
Kai smiled lightly. "Bring it on. This Gardevoir was given to me in Kalos — it's my starter Pokémon. It's strong… and I won't hold back."
After that, they said nothing more.
The referee raised the flags and signaled the start of the final battle.
The flags fell —
And, just like before, Harrison made the first move.
"Blaziken, Flamethrower!"
Blaziken rushed forward and unleashed a stream of searing flames.
But Gardevoir calmly raised her hand, erecting an invisible barrier that blocked the fire like a solid wall.
But this was just Harrison's feint. Blaziken suddenly leapt out from the side, knee aimed at Gardevoir.
Close combat is exactly what Blaziken specializes in.
But Kai didn't need to speak.
Their mental link kicked in, and Gardevoir instantly used Psychic, blasting Blaziken back into the flames.
This was the power of telepathic command no wasted time, no words needed.
Blaziken charged out again, faster this time, jumping over the second Psychic strike.
"Now! Fire Punch!!" Harrison yelled.
Blaziken's fists erupted in flames as it dove toward Gardevoir.
Kai narrowed his eyes. Gardevoir vanished — Teleport!
The Fire Punch slammed into the frozen ground, drying out a patch of soil instantly.
Blaziken turned. Gardevoir now stood far away, back at Kai's side of the field.
Harrison frowned. All that effort… and Blaziken was back to square one.
If this continued, Blaziken would be the one to run out of stamina first.
He clenched his fists. "Blaziken! Flamethrower again!"
Kai's eyes narrowed. Harrison wasn't foolish he had a plan.
Blaziken unleashed another jet of fire. Gardevoir avoided it with Teleport again—
And that's when Harrison shouted: "Quick Attack!!"
So that was it.
Blaziken darted toward where Gardevoir reappeared, its speed boosted by Quick Attack. Harrison was aiming for the short window after Teleport, when Gardevoir couldn't use it again immediately.
But Kai only smiled faintly. 'You really think you can take down my ace like that?'
Gardevoir raised both hands. A shimmering pink-purple Psybeam burst forth.
Blaziken couldn't dodge at such close range. It was struck head-on, staggering from the impact.
And in that instant, Gardevoir seized the opening.
She clapped her hands and lifted Blaziken felt itself lifted helplessly into the air.
"Damn it!" Harrison's face darkened. He knew exactly what was happening.
Blaziken was caught in Psychic!
"Blaziken! Break free!!" he yelled.
Blaziken thrashed wildly but Gardevoir's power was too strong. Psychic wasn't just a status move here. It was absolute control.
Kai didn't fling Blaziken out of bounds like he had with Ash's Sceptile earlier.
Instead, he slowly raised his hand, then slammed it down.
BOOM!
Blaziken was hurled to the ground. Ice and dust exploded everywhere.
As the smoke cleared, Blaziken struggled to stand.
It was battered but far from finished.
Its feathers bristled. Its fighting spirit blazed higher. Flames seemed to burn in its eyes its Blaze ability had activated, boosting its firepower to the max.
Gardevoir met its burning gaze calmly, unshaken.
Harrison took a deep breath. This was it all or nothing.
"Blaziken!" he shouted. "Give it everything you've got Flare Blitz!!!"
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~Support with 200 PowerStones = 1 Bonus Chapter
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