The Ever Grande Conference finals arena was deafening, the heat waves nearly tearing the clouds in the sky apart.
This was the Hoenn region's grand event, held every few years, and today was its climax.
Ariel stepped onto the arena grounds, feeling the solid ground beneath his feet, while the roar of the crowd sounded like a tsunami in his ears.
Spotlights shone down from the dome, illuminating him and the figure at the other end of the arena, leaving nowhere to hide.
Lance—that name was nearly synonymous with legend in the Kanto and Johto regions—was standing right there.
He wore his signature red cape, his red hair dazzling under the lights, his expression as calm as ever, yet carrying a pride born from his bloodline.
Drake's words still echoed in his ears.
This battle was not just a fight for the title of Champion, but also a battle for the pride of the younger generation of the region.
"Now, the Ever Grande Conference finals, begin!"
The referee raised the flag high and swung it down sharply.
"Go, Gyarados!" Lance was the first to throw out a Poké Ball.
A red light flashed, and a Gyarados, far larger than the average, slammed heavily onto the field, kicking up a circle of dust.
It was not Lance's famous Red Gyarados, but the ferocity radiating from its very bones was even more intense.
It coiled there like a blue mountain of flesh, its savage dragon-like head held high as it let out a deafening roar.
"Roar—!"
An invisible pressure instantly spread out, sweeping across the entire arena.
"Weavile, I'll leave it to you."
Ariel threw his Poké Ball.
A black and red figure landed gracefully; it was Weavile.
Its frame was slender, and compared to the Gyarados opposite, it was like a child facing a giant.
The aftermath of the roar swept over, causing Weavile's body to tremble visibly, its movements slowing for a split second.
Ariel's eyes narrowed.
Intimidate ability, huh... A big gift right at the start, directly reducing Weavile's physical attack.
"Contestant Ariel has sent out Weavile! Against Gyarados, this is a very bold and highly targeted choice!"
The host announced loudly, igniting the emotions of the audience.
However, there was not a trace of panic on Lance's face.
"Gyarados, Dragon Dance!"
As the command was issued, the massive Gyarados displayed agility that defied its size, spinning rapidly around itself and whipping up gusts of wind.
Rings of red light lit up and faded on its body; it was on the verge of successfully boosting its stats.
"Trying to make up for the speed gap with stat boosts?"
Ariel's thoughts raced, "Then let's see who's faster! Weavile, Ice Punch! Interrupt it!"
Cold energy condensed on Weavile's claws, instantly forming a pair of ice-blue gauntlets. It lowered its body and shot forward like an arrow released from a bow, skimming across the ground!
"Stop Dragon Dance, counter with Aqua Tail!"
Lance's voice was steady and powerful; they chose not to continue Dragon Dance, but to counterattack immediately!
Gyarados roared, its massive tail wrapped in surging water, sweeping out like a giant blue whip with overwhelming force!
Bang!
Ice and water collided violently in mid-air, ice chips scattering and water spraying everywhere.
Weavile's figure was sent flying by the immense force, tumbling several times in the air before barely landing, carving two deep marks into the ground.
And Gyarados's tail, struck by the Ice Punch, was now covered in a thin layer of ice, causing it to shake it uncomfortably.
The audience let out a gasp.
"What incredible strength! That Weavile actually managed to take Gyarados's attack head-on!"
"The size difference is too huge, how can it fight in Close Combat like this?"
Ariel's gaze, however, remained locked on the field; he saw an opportunity.
"Now, Weavile, Hone Claws!"
Taking advantage of the brief stiffness while Gyarados shook its tail to dispel the cold, Weavile did not retreat. Instead, it crossed its claws, creating a harsh "shing, shing" sound as if two sharp blades were being honed against each other.
A sharp aura radiated from it; the attack power reduced by Intimidate was now restored!
"Oh? Seizing the opportunity to boost yourself? A good judgment."
Lance's lips curled slightly, but he made no move to stop it, "But do you think that's enough?"
He raised one hand.
"Gyarados, Rain Dance!"
Gyarados roared at the sky, and a strange wave spread out.
The clear sky above the arena instantly turned gloomy, thick dark clouds gathering out of thin air. In just a few seconds, large raindrops began to pour down, instantly shrouding the entire arena in a curtain of rain.
Splash—
The rain hammered against the ground, splashing up countless droplets, and the air became humid and cold.
Ariel's heart skipped a beat.
Rain? Gyarados's rain team?
No, Gyarados's ability is Intimidate, not Drizzle... This is pure skill-based field control!
"It's not over yet!"
Lance's voice pierced through the sound of the rain, "Gyarados, use Hurricane!"
Hurricane, a powerful Flying-type move, with 110 power, but a low accuracy of only 70.
"Roar!"
Gyarados opened its massive maw, and a visible, chaotic airflow mixed with countless raindrops erupted, transforming into a Twister that connected the sky and earth, wreaking havoc across the arena!
The rain made the trajectory of the Hurricane even more chaotic and unpredictable.
The entire arena was thoroughly disrupted by the gale and heavy rain, vision was severely obstructed, and one could only vaguely see Weavile dodging clumsily at the edge of the storm.
"Gyarados has used Rain Dance! Followed immediately by Hurricane! In rainy weather, Hurricane's accuracy increases significantly! Contestant Lance is trying to change the environment of the entire arena!"
The host's voice was full of excitement.
Ariel's brows furrowed tightly.
Hurricane in the rain is almost guaranteed to hit.
If this continues, Weavile will be worn down to death!
However, just as Ariel was considering countermeasures, Lance made a move that surprised everyone.
He raised the Poké Ball in his hand.
"Return, Gyarados!"
A red light shot out from the Poké Ball, and under the cover of the Hurricane, it precisely recalled the still-rampaging Gyarados.
Immediately after, he threw a second Poké Ball without hesitation.
"Go, Kingdra!"
The red light disappeared into the curtain of rain, a figure appearing and disappearing within it.
"What?!"
The host practically jumped out of his seat, "After creating an absolutely advantageous weather condition and using field control moves, Contestant Lance has actually chosen to switch Pokémon immediately! Gyarados's mission is already complete! This transition, this judgment—it's just so smooth, so perfect!"
The entire audience was in an uproar; only then did they realize that from Rain Dance to Hurricane, and now to this switch, everything had been within Lance's calculations.
In the curtain of rain, Kingdra's figure gradually became clear.
It was like the true master of this rainy weather, surrounded by water vapor, each movement silent yet impossibly fast.
Ariel's pupils constricted sharply.
He watched the blue figure shuttling freely through the heavy rain at an incredible speed, and one term instantly popped into his mind.
Swift Swim!
The ability that doubles speed in rainy weather!
So that's it.
Gyarados's Rain Dance and Hurricane were not for itself at all, but to pave a royal road to victory for the Kingdra that would appear next!
Ariel looked at Weavile, whose figure was somewhat unstable in the wind and rain, and then at the Kingdra that had turned into a phantom in the rain.
This final battle was several times more difficult than he had imagined.
***************************
Enjoying the story? Don't forget to drop a review, leave a comment, and smash that like button! Every Power Stone helps push the story further—thanks for reading and supporting! 🚀