Chapter 51: Finals Battle
Ryan returned his Poké Ball to the tournament organizers for recovery, while he sat in the stands to watch the upcoming match.
Draco, with the same red hair as Lance, but with a buzz cut, looked incredibly capable. His explosive muscles bulged out his T-shirt, making Ryan envious.
Perhaps inspired by Ryan's Mewtwo, Draco sent out Dragonite as his opening move, achieving a one-on-six sweep. Though Dragonite was gasping for air and about to collapse, it still had a sliver of health left.
Ryan stroked his chin in thought, considering Beedrill's chances of winning. After a Mega Evolution, his chances of winning were only 60%, but that was enough. His mission was to turn that 60% into 100% and let Beedrill prove himself!
After the match, everyone had lunch and discussed who would win between Ryan and Draco. Ryan rested on the sofa in his room in the Pokémon Village. There were no matches in the afternoon, allowing the trainers to rest well before the finals in the evening!
"Wouldn't it be risky for Beedrill to battle Dragonite?" Lillie's voice came from behind.
"How did you know?" Ryan asked, without turning around.
"I've been traveling with you for so long, how could I not know your personality? Are you sure?" Lillie said.
"Sixty percent."
"Go for it."
"Yeah."
No extra words needed—this was their understanding. Ryan closed his eyes and rested quietly, preparing for the final match.
That evening, after dinner, the finals of the Indigo League began. Ho-Oh's flames burned fiercely on the torch, and the stadium lights illuminated the venue like daylight.
The late autumn temperature was already a bit chilly, but it couldn't dampen the crowd's enthusiasm. As the announcer spoke passionately, Ryan and Draco entered the arena.
The two shook hands in the center, and Draco said, "I've always wanted to battle you. Let's see who's better—your Mewtwo or my Dragonite!"
"I'm sorry to disappoint you, but it won't be Mewtwo versus Dragonite, but I'll still win," Ryan said calmly.
"Oh? I'll wait and see. I'll force your Mewtwo out," Draco replied.
The two separated and took positions at opposite ends of the field. As the bell rang, they sent out their first Pokémon: Nidoking versus Haxorus.
"Dragon-type... Nidoking, Ice Beam!" Ryan said, taking the initiative.
"Haxorus, Surf!" Draco commanded.
Haxorus launched a massive wave towards Nidoking. Nidoking's Ice Beam swept through the wave, freezing it and shattering it. But as the ice fell, Nidoking charged forward, its horn piercing Haxorus's body, knocking it flying and rendering it unable to battle.
"Horn Drill? I was careless. I didn't expect your Nidoking to be so fast. Go, Gyarados!" Draco recalled Haxorus.
A massive Gyarados appeared on the field. Ryan smirked: "They really are planning to succeed Lance—all Dragon and Flying-types."
"Thunderbolt!" Ryan shouted.
"Hydro Pump!" Draco commanded.
Gyarados completely ignored Nidoking's Thunderbolt. A single blast of its Hydro Pump sent Nidoking flying, where it slammed into the ground and rolled several times before fainting.
Ryan watched as Gyarados's health was reduced by only a third, and he couldn't help but admire Draco's extreme training approach. He had thoroughly conditioned Gyarados's special defense. With its Water/Flying typing, Thunderbolt should deal super effective damage, yet it only managed to reduce its health by a third. You could imagine how strong Gyarados's conditioning was.
This wasn't a video game, after all—individual training made all the difference. Even though Ryan's current Pokémon had significantly higher base stats than ordinary Pokémon, they couldn't match the long-term conditioning of veteran trainers. Ryan's system allowed him to display Pokémon stats, but when it came to experience and specialized training, he couldn't compete with seasoned trainers' Pokémon.
For now, Ryan could only help his Pokémon reach their potential; how far they could grow from there depended on their own efforts. What he lacked most right now was time to develop that deeper bond and training.
"Return, Nidoking," Ryan recalled his Pokémon. "Charizard, you're up!"
"I've got you covered! Gyarados, Hydro Pump!" Draco called out.
"But you're too slow! Charizard, Dragon Claw!" Ryan shouted.
Gyarados launched a Hydro Pump at Charizard, but Charizard took flight, weaving around the water blast. Dragon energy formed around Charizard's claws as it delivered an uppercut that slammed Gyarados's gaping mouth shut. Then, dodging Gyarados's retaliatory bite, it maneuvered around and slashed at Gyarados with a series of Dragon Claws.
"Gyarados, Aqua Tail! Drive it back!" Draco frantically shouted.
"Too slow! Charizard, final Dragon Claw!" Ryan commanded.
Gyarados's tail whipped up with tremendous water pressure, striking at Charizard. But Charizard, empowered by Ryan's bond, achieved perfect synchronization with its trainer. With swift aerial maneuvers, it dodged the Aqua Tail's damage and landed on Gyarados's head. With a powerful Dragon Claw strike, it slammed the massive Pokémon to the ground, ending the battle.
"No matter how strong its defense is, without speed, it's just a sitting target," Ryan said calmly.
"Then let's see who's faster. Go, Pidgeot!" Draco recalled Gyarados and sent out his next Pokémon.
Ryan couldn't help but think to himself: He really is aiming to be the next Dragon-type Elite Four member! All Flying-types! Pidgeot's Pokédex entry mentioned it could fly at Mach 2—twice the speed of sound, roughly 2,400 kilometers per hour. Ryan had to wonder who wrote these Pokédex entries. That speed was incredible!
But it also demonstrated Pidgeot's remarkable velocity. Ryan didn't dare underestimate it. "Charizard, Dragon Claw!"
"Pidgeot, show them speed—Aerial Ace!" Draco called out.
Pidgeot soared high into the sky, then dove toward Charizard with unerring accuracy. Ryan narrowed his eyes. "Intercept it, Charizard, then follow up with Flamethrower!"
Charizard sensed the attack and, crossing its claws, blocked Pidgeot's Aerial Ace. It then grabbed Pidgeot's beak and flung it away, following up with a blast of flames that sent it tumbling through the air.
"Pidgeot, Sky Attack!" Draco commanded.
Pidgeot flew high and began glowing with intense energy as it dove, slamming its body into Charizard with tremendous force. Ryan responded, "Protect, then Dragon Claw!"
Charizard's Protect barrier absorbed Pidgeot's Sky Attack, and then Charizard's claws struck back, knocking it down.
Draco looked at his panting Pidgeot and said, "Pidgeot, final move—Brave Bird!"
"Wait, you know both Sky Attack and Brave Bird?" Ryan exclaimed in surprise.
The difference between Sky Attack and Brave Bird was significant—the former required a charging phase but dealt massive damage, while the latter caused recoil damage to the user but could be executed immediately. In reality, Sky Attack's charging time could be minimized by a fast Pokémon, so unless you had the Rock Head ability or didn't mind the recoil, most trainers would choose Sky Attack over Brave Bird.
"Charizard, Flamethrower!" Ryan commanded.
Pidgeot flew toward Charizard at high speed, enduring the flames, and slammed into Charizard with all its strength. The impact sent both Pokémon flying apart, leaving trails of energy in the air.
Charizard fell back, clutching its shoulder, temporarily unable to use its claws effectively. Pidgeot glided across the battlefield, dragging a long trail on the ground before finally collapsing, unable to battle.
(End of Chapter)
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