Losing two matches in a row wiped most of the cheer from Wattson's face. Even Watt, standing off to the side, watched him with growing concern.
Wattson was getting up there in years. Big emotional swings weren't exactly good for him. If he lost the third match too and something happened, it would be a disaster—far worse than losing a badge battle.
But Wattson himself didn't seem to notice the worry at all. After recalling Magneton, he drew out his third Poké Ball with a grave expression.
A flash of blue light burst forth, and Natsui finally got a clear look at Wattson's last Pokémon.
An Ampharos.
Ampharos looked a bit like a large, upright kangaroo. Its body was yellow, with a red orb set into its forehead and another on its tail. Its belly was white, its feet were flat with a single toe, and yellow-and-black markings wrapped around its neck, ears, and part of its tail.
Because of its body structure, the light at the tip of its tail could blaze intensely. When the sky darkened, that radiance could be seen even from far out at sea. For that reason, Ampharos often served as a maritime beacon. Even in ancient times, people used its light to send signals to distant partners.
Natsui had already battled Ampharos back in Johto, so the sight of it didn't surprise him.
More importantly—whether others knew it or not—Natsui did. Because he'd played the games, he knew Ampharos was one of Wattson's true ace Pokémon.
So the old man was quietly raising the difficulty again.
If an ordinary challenger ran into this, they'd be led around by the nose without even realizing it.
Recalling Combusken, Natsui studied Ampharos and quickly gauged its strength.
Ampharos had "dragon" in its Japanese name (Denryu), but it was still a pure Electric-type. Even so, it was a versatile battler—capable of using plenty of non-Electric techniques as well.
Since Wattson had brought out an ace, Natsui had to be careful with his answer.
His fingers slid across the Poké Balls on his belt. For a moment, he weighed Dragonite against Tyranitar. Then his hand stopped.
He chose Tyranitar.
When Tyranitar appeared, Wattson didn't look surprised at all.
"So you really did send it out," Wattson said, nodding. "When it damaged my Laughing Million Volt No. 2 earlier, I could tell that Tyranitar wasn't ordinary. I knew you'd bring it in sooner or later."
I would definitely send it out?
Natsui just smiled faintly and didn't bother to argue.
It wasn't Wattson's fault for thinking that way. Anyone who saw a challenger with a Pokémon like Tyranitar would treat it as the biggest threat on the field.
But for Natsui, it was simply one option among several.
Tyranitar roared—loud and instinctive, as if it had become a habit for all of Natsui's more aggressive Pokémon.
Ampharos, on the other hand, looked… hesitant.
The moment it heard that roar and saw Tyranitar's massive frame, it reflexively took a step back.
Wattson's heart sank.
"Don't be afraid!" he said quickly, soothing it. "Stay confident, just like always. Trust yourself—you're the best!"
Wattson's encouragement worked. Ampharos steadied itself, then finally raised its head and met Tyranitar's gaze head-on.
Its nerves were still there, but the bond was clear: Ampharos trusted Wattson, and it wanted to live up to that trust.
Once both Pokémon were set, Watt waved the flag again.
The third match began.
This was different from the first two. Both sides had put forward a truly strong Pokémon, and the intensity jumped immediately.
At the opening, they traded mid-to-long-range attacks.
Ampharos fired Signal Beam.
Tyranitar answered with Dark Pulse.
Two differently colored blasts met in the air—then detonated with a violent explosion.
Smoke rolled across the center of the battlefield. Ampharos started to ready another attack to punch through the haze—
—and then it felt a faint trembling underfoot.
Its eyes widened.
Tyranitar burst through the smoke, charging straight at it.
That vibration wasn't from the explosion at all.
It was from Tyranitar itself—like an armored vehicle hammering across the floor.
Startled, Ampharos hurriedly launched Thunder Shock. The current struck Tyranitar cleanly.
Tyranitar roared—and kept coming, tanking the damage without slowing.
In truth, Ampharos wasn't weak in close combat. With techniques like Fire Punch and Thunder Punch, and the ability to cripple opponents with Thunder Wave, it could fight up close against most Pokémon without fear.
But for some reason, facing this Tyranitar—this brutal, heavily armored monster—it felt hollow inside.
It didn't want to fight it up close.
Instinctively, it wanted to solve the problem from mid-range, where it could breathe.
Wattson sensed that hesitation immediately.
But Tyranitar was already in its face, and Ampharos wasn't helpless at close range. There was no reason to run.
"Focus!" Wattson barked. "Thunder Punch!"
Ampharos grit its teeth. With nowhere else to go, it forced itself forward to meet the clash—its fists crackling with electricity as it stepped in.
And that was exactly what Natsui had been waiting for.
Seeing Ampharos commit to closing the distance, Natsui's smile deepened.
"Tyranitar—don't dodge. Ram straight through!"
Tyranitar lowered its posture, bracing its head and shoulder armor like a battering ram. Its pace didn't just hold—it accelerated.
Ampharos tried to pivot, planning to slip to the side and counter with Thunder Punch as Tyranitar passed.
But Tyranitar was bigger, heavier, and explosive over short distance.
Before Ampharos could complete the dodge, Tyranitar slammed into it.
Bang!
Ampharos felt as if it had been hit by a speeding truck. It was launched backward, tumbling through the air.
The collision itself didn't deal catastrophic damage—but it did something more important.
It stole Ampharos's footing.
And Natsui didn't let the opening go.
"Press it! Thrash!"
Most people knew what Thrash meant.
It was a reckless, hot-blooded rush—throwing everything into raw offense. It came with a drawback afterward, but the power was brutal. Trainers usually used it when the opponent couldn't evade.
Right now, Ampharos—just crashing down and struggling to reset—was exactly that kind of target.
Ampharos looked up.
Tyranitar was already there, looming over it.
Under Ampharos's stunned gaze, Tyranitar's eyes flushed red. It raised both arms high—
—and smashed down.
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Pokémon Legend — Status: Ongoing — Latest Chapter: 710 — Next: 800 (Coming Soon)
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