The stadium lights gleamed off the polished floor of the battlefield, now scarred from the ongoing war between Kira's newly evolved Hitmontop and Ritchie's seasoned Ivysaur. The atmosphere was thick with tension. Every pair of eyes in the stands was locked on the two fighters, and the commentators spoke in hushed tones, as if they, too, felt the gravity of the duel.
"Hitmontop, keep spinning! Don't give him a chance to breathe!" Kira's voice rang out with fierce determination.
Hitmontop obeyed, launching into a rapid spin that blurred its form into a whirlwind of kicks and blocks. Its feet scraped sparks against the battlefield, clashing against Ivysaur's whipping vines. Each time a vine lashed out, Hitmontop's precise rotations deflected it—though not always cleanly. Deep red marks began to form on its torso from the sheer number of strikes endured.
"Vine Whip, double lash!" Ritchie commanded, his voice steady but intense.
Ivysaur's vines darted out, striking from left and right like twin serpents. Hitmontop leaped upward, spinning mid-air and delivering a fierce Rapid Kick that collided with the vines mid-swing, cutting through their momentum. The impact sent a shockwave across the floor.
Ray leaned forward in his seat, heart pounding as he watched. "They're evenly matched now. But Ivysaur's endurance… that's dangerous."
The battle continued to escalate. Ritchie shifted tactics. "Ivysaur, Leech Seed! Lock him down!"
The bud on Ivysaur's back glowed, launching several glowing seeds toward Hitmontop. Kira's eyes narrowed. "Not today! Counter-spin—full power!"
Hitmontop dropped low, spinning with such velocity that the seeds were shredded mid-air, scattering harmlessly across the ground. The crowd erupted in cheers.
Ivysaur grunted, clearly frustrated, and unleashed a flurry of attacks: Razor Leaf, followed by another Vine Whip, and a sudden Tackle. Each strike pushed Hitmontop closer to the edge of the arena, forcing it to dodge desperately. A Razor Leaf nicked its shoulder, drawing a shallow cut.
"Stay calm, Hitmontop! Use Triple Spin, now!" Kira's voice cut through the chaos.
Hitmontop's body glowed faintly as it launched forward with incredible force, spinning into a three-point kick. It struck Ivysaur across the face, then the torso, and finally landed a crushing blow to its side. The Grass-type stumbled, vines flailing wildly.
Ritchie's jaw tightened. "Ivysaur! Solar Beam—charge it!"
The bud on Ivysaur's back opened slightly, glowing with a dangerous golden light. The audience gasped. It was the Pokémon's ultimate move.
"Kira, this is bad," Ray whispered under his breath, gripping the railing. He could see the energy building—and he knew Hitmontop didn't have much left in the tank.
Kira gritted her teeth. "We can't give it time. Hitmontop, all-out! Use Rolling Counter and close the distance!"
Hitmontop lowered its body and spun at blinding speed, rolling across the battlefield like a living wheel. It dodged the first vine strike, leapt over a Razor Leaf, and slammed into Ivysaur before the Solar Beam could fully charge. The impact was thunderous.
Ivysaur cried out, its body shaking from the powerful strike. It staggered backward, vines drooping. For a moment, time seemed to stop.
Then Ivysaur collapsed.
"Ivysaur is unable to battle! The victory goes to Kira's Hitmontop!" the referee declared.
The arena exploded in cheers and applause. Kira's chest rose and fell heavily as she looked at her partner, who was swaying on its feet. Hitmontop had taken brutal damage—its breathing was labored, scratches and bruises covering its body—but its eyes still shone with pride.
"You did amazing," Kira whispered, smiling softly as she recalled Hitmontop into its Pokéball. "Rest now. You've earned it."
Ritchie, though clearly surprised by the loss of his first Pokémon, grinned with genuine respect. "Not bad, Kira. Not bad at all."
Up in the stands, Ray let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. "She pulled it off," he said, a proud smile forming.
The first round was hers—but the battle was far from over.