The stadium had become eerily quiet.
The giant scoreboard glowed above the battlefield.
Grand Final Score
Elior
2 pokemon remaining
Serena
1 pokemon remaining
One Pokémon. Against two. Yet no one in the audience believed the battle was over. They had all witnessed Elior overcome impossible odds before.
Elior threw his Poké Ball high into the air.
"Thundrion!"
A pillar of golden lightning crashed onto the battlefield.
Thundrion emerged with a fierce roar. Electricity danced across its body as it locked eyes with Garchomp.
The crowd erupted.
"THUNDRION!!"
The commentators spoke with concern.
"This is an incredibly difficult battle for Thundrion."
"Garchomp's Ground typing makes Electric attacks ineffective."
Kai nodded.
"Elior knows that."
"He didn't send out Thundrion to win with electricity..."
"He sent it out because he has another plan."
The referee dropped his flags.
"Begin!"
Serena attacked first.
"Garchomp! Earthquake!"
Garchomp slammed its claws into the battlefield. The entire stadium shook violently. Cracks spread beneath Thundrion's feet.
Elior: "Jump!"
Thundrion leaped into the air just before the ground split apart.
"Iron Tail!"
Thundrion's tail gleamed like polished steel as it descended.
CRASH!
The attack struck Garchomp's shoulder.
The Dragon-type slid back only a single step.
The crowd gasped. Its durability was unbelievable.
"Stone Edge!"
Massive stone pillars erupted from the battlefield. Thundrion darted between them with incredible speed. One rock clipped its side. Another struck its leg.
It stumbled.
Elior clenched his fist.
"Use Agility!"
Blue energy surrounded Thundrion.
Its speed doubled. It became a blur racing around the battlefield.
Garchomp turned, trying to track it.
For the first time...Serena narrowed her eyes.
Elior: "Now!"
"Iron Tail!"
Thundrion struck from behind. Before Garchomp could recover—
"Brick Break!"
Another clean hit landed. Then another. The crowd exploded with cheers.
For the first time in the match...Garchomp dropped to one knee.
Instead of panicking...Serena smiled proudly.
"You've become even stronger."
She looked at Garchomp.
"Let's end this."
Garchomp stood once more. A powerful draconic aura surrounded its body.
The wind itself seemed to tremble.
"Dragon Rush!"
Garchomp exploded forward with unbelievable speed.
Thundrion tried to evade.
It dodged once.
Twice.
But the third charge connected.
BOOOOOOOM!!
Thundrion was launched across the battlefield. It rolled several times before slowly standing again. Its breathing had become heavy.
"You're doing great!"
Thundrion answered with a determined roar.
It charged again.
"Iron Tail!"
"Dragon Claw!"
The attacks collided. Steel met dragon. The impact echoed across the stadium.
Neither Pokémon gave way.
Both Trainers raised their voices at the same time.
Elior: "Wild Charge!"
Electricity wrapped around Thundrion.
Although Garchomp was immune to Electric-type damage, Wild Charge still allowed Thundrion to crash forward with tremendous physical force.
Serena: "Outrage!"
Garchomp roared.
Its body became engulfed in crimson dragon energy. The two Pokémon collided head-on.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!
A shockwave swept through the entire stadium. Dust covered the battlefield.
Silence fell.
Slowly...The smoke cleared.
Thundrion stood for a brief moment.
It looked toward Elior.
Then...
It smiled.
Its legs gave out.
It collapsed.
THUD...
The referee raised the green flag.
"Thundrion is unable to battle!"
The audience applauded loudly. Thundrion had pushed Serena's ace farther than anyone expected.
But Garchomp...Remained standing. It was covered in injuries. Its breathing was ragged. Its body trembled from exhaustion.
Serena gently smiled.
"Thank you..."
Elior slowly walked forward. Only one Poké Ball remained on his belt. The black-and-gold Poké Ball. It pulsed with an ancient light. He picked it up.
The entire stadium fell silent.
Even Serena's expression became serious.
Elior smiled.
"Partner..."
"The championship..."
"Is ours to decide."
The Poké Ball burst open. A pillar of black-and-gold light pierced the sky.
The eclipse above the stadium returned.
Eclipse Lunashade slowly descended onto the battlefield. Its crimson eyes met Garchomp's.
Neither Pokémon looked away. The crowd erupted into the loudest cheer of the entire tournament.
The Luminara League Championship...
Would now be decided by one final battle.
TO BE CONTINUED...