Lily of the Valley Conference Hall.
Under the spotlight, the dome of the Lily of the Valley Arena echoed with the excited voice of the commentator:
"Ladies and gentlemen! SinnohChampionCynthia is facing off against KantoChampionLance!"
Lance's Charizard-colored orange and white cape flapped, and the first Poké Ball drew a scarlet arc.
After an angry roar, Salamence's scarlet wings conjured a hurricane, and Lance's cape flapped wildly in the gale.
"Salamence, Dragon Dance!"
As expected, although he changed his initial ace to RedGyarados, Lance's Salamence could also sweep the team with Dragon Dance.
In fact, the overall strength of Mega Salamence is much stronger than Mega Gyarados.
The strength of Mega Salamence has been among the top five Mega Pokémon for years, earning it the nickname "Little Rayquaza."
As for a certain 102-10...
Let's not even mention it.
Of course, Cynthia has Garchompite.
Cynthia's command sounded at the same time,
"Togekiss, Air Slash!"
Cynthia's Togekiss has the Serene Grace ability.
The Serene Grace ability makes additional effects of attack moves more likely to activate, and Air Slash has a 30% chance to make the target flinch.
Under the blessing of Serene Grace, this probability reached a terrifying 60%!
Togekiss flapped its wings and unleashed Air Slash, and Salamence suddenly let out a painful roar.
And the Air Slash accurately hit a vital spot!
From Salamence's pained expression, the commentator could accurately judge this.
"Air Slash hit a vital spot! And it flinched!"
Qinglv: "This is the heavens wanting Lance to die."
Akin: "Hitting a vital spot and flinching, no one else can do that."
Cynthia pressed her advantage:
"Togekiss, Thunder Wave!"
In its flinching state, even if Lance wanted Salamence to use its tenacity to dodge, Salamence couldn't.
Seeing Salamence fall into a paralyzed state,
Lance made a decisive decision,
"Come back, Salamence."
If he didn't switch, it would be cut down by Serene GraceAir Slash.
"Go, Dragonite!"
The orange-yellow Dragonite, with a pair of small wings, unleashed an Ice Punch as soon as it appeared.
But Cynthia also simultaneously switched in a new Pokémon, Glaceon!
This Ice Punch had no effect on Glaceon.
Four times weakness to Ice is a symbol of strength,
Dragonite happens to be four times weak to Ice...
"Cynthia predicted Lance's switch!"
In the group chat, Lt. Surge whispered: "Actually... generally speaking, it's the same even without predicting."
"Glaceon, Ice Beam!"
"Dodge!"
Dragonite, relying on its speed, managed to dodge this highly effective Ice Beam.
...
Lance likes to use Dragon Dance to push for aggressive suppression,
And Cynthia happens to be able to adapt to this style,
But in this situation, Cynthia also has a fallback plan.
As the battle progressed, Lance successively switched in Kingdra, Haxorus, and Hydreigon.
Cynthia also continuously switched Pokémon in response,
After Lance stubbornly dragged out Salamence's paralysis,
"I'm going in! Salamence, Mega Evolution!"
Contrary to what Akin and the others guessed, or rather, teased,
Lance's Salamence was indeed holding Salamence's Mega ite!
A tidal wave of rainbow light emanated from Lance's Mega Bracelet, and Lance's eyes became incredibly sharp.
"Salamence has Mega Evolved!"
After Mega Evolution, Salamence's wings resembled a blood moon, and its forelimbs were tucked close to its body, making them seem to disappear.
After Mega Evolution, Salamence's ability also changed from Intimidate to Aerilate.
Aerilate solved the problem of Salamence lacking powerful Flying-type moves, and it has excellent speed and decent bulk.
With the appearance of Mega Salamence,
The atmosphere in the venue reached a new climax.
But Lance miscalculated.
Because Cynthia's trump card this time was neither Garchomp nor Lucario,
But Glaceon.
"Then I'm going in too."
Cynthia's lips curved slightly, revealing her Z-Ring, on which was clearly an Ice Z.
Chilling azure light enveloped Cynthia,
The cold wind lifted the hem of Cynthia's cobalt Blue trench coat, and her golden hair fluttered in the wind.
Cold air continuously emanated from Glaceon and Cynthia,
Cynthia placed her hand on the Ice Z of her Z-Ring, her eyes instantly becoming sharp as she crossed her arms over her chest,
Her arms crossed again and extended forward,
"Countless shimmering ice crystals..."
As Cynthia's movements ended, several azure beams shot from around Cynthia towards Glaceon in the arena,
The Z-Move's mark appeared in front of Glaceon,
"Subzero Slammer!"
"It's here, Cynthia's unused Ice Z-Move!"
February was already winter, and with Subzero Slammer, the temperature in the arena dropped sharply.
"Miya!"
Glaceon, howling, became like an ice machine, instantly pulling the venue's temperature to its lowest.
Solid ice rapidly spread from Glaceon's feet, and an iceberg rose from the ground!
Ice crystals shimmered in the sunlight, and Glaceon, standing atop the iceberg, looked like a pure white rose.
"So cold..."
Many people hugged their arms, shivering.
A beam thicker than Glaceon's body swept down on Salamence from above!
A spiky iceberg covered the entire field, then scattered into a sky full of snowflakes!
Lance's reserved Mega Salamence was precisely his latest trump card.
"What?!"
This was completely unexpected by Lance.
"Subzero Slammer hit!"
Salamence's Mega Evolution ended, and it lost its ability to battle.
Rui Xi commented: "It's useful, but the move name is a bit cringey."
Da You disagreed:
"What's cringey, it's super cool!"
This time, Li Wei sided with Da You.
"Whether it's chuunibyou or not depends on who uses it!"
...
"Milotic, Ice Beam!"
Hydreigon was frozen solid by Ice Beam,
"Hydreigon is unable to battle!"
But soon, the weakened Milotic was taken down by Flygon's Solar Beam.
Overall, both sides had their victories.
"Spiritomb, Trick Room!"
In the Trick Room, the naturally faster Haxorus's steps became very heavy.
Red: "Cynthia's Trick Room should be targeting Dragon Dance."
Qinglv: "I regret not participating a bit, Ice Z, Mega Salamence, this time it's a grand display."
However, there was no use in Qinglv regretting, because the registration period had already passed, and the schedule for the first stage was already set.
Even if Qinglv wanted to participate, he would have to wait until the next session.
Blue: "Then participate next time, there will only be more and more."
Qinglv: "That makes some sense."
Qinglv's lips curved slightly, already considering persuading Red to participate in the next session.
In the Trick Room, Spiritomb and Haxorus knocked each other out.
The commentator roared: "Both sides only have one Pokémon left!"
"Go! Dragonite!"
"Go, Garchomp!"