A bone-chilling cold swept over them.
The temperature was dropping at terrifying speed.
Large amounts of white frost condensed in the air.
Even the air itself seemed to freeze.
The entire space took on a deep, dark-blue hue.
Crack!!
Crack!!
The intense chill had already spread out from the battle arena and seeped into the audience stands.
It had to be remembered that this was still July or August, the hottest time of the year.
But the temperature everyone felt right now made the spectators wonder, in a daze, whether they had suddenly been thrown into a frozen polar region.
When they looked up, the blazing sun was clearly still hanging high in the sky.
But when they lowered their heads, a fine layer of frost had already covered their skin.
The organizers immediately activated the protective barrier.
It enveloped the entire massive battle arena, preventing the energy from leaking out.
"Everyone, please don't worry!"
"The protective barrier was developed using the Lighthouse Alliance's latest technology!"
"The materials used are precious type-boosting gems of every attribute!"
"It can completely withstand any leaking energy!"
The announcer's voice rang out through the loudspeakers.
After being reassured like that, the spectators who had been preparing to leave stayed behind and continued watching the battle.
Inside the transparent protective barrier, white ice crystals could clearly be seen rapidly spreading and covering the inner wall of the barrier.
"Roar!!"
Mega Charizard X roared.
Facing the frost spreading toward it, it opened its mouth and spat out a stream of deep-blue flames.
The scorching, high-temperature flames—
This time, they had absolutely no effect.
The spreading frost was like ice that had not melted for ten thousand years.
It was not affected in the slightest!
In fact—
Fine frost even climbed onto the pillar of fire, slowly freezing it over!
Clang!!
The frozen flames, still curled in the shape of burning fire, fell to the ground and gave off a crisp sound.
In the next second, cracks spread across them, and they shattered into countless ice fragments.
"How is that possible?!"
Ukyo's brows furrowed tightly.
He had never expected Articuno to be this powerful.
It could even freeze Mega Charizard X's blazing flames!
"So this is the power of a third-tier Legendary?"
Helpless against the spreading frost, Ukyo could only watch as Mega Charizard X's body was slowly wrapped in ice.
His heart sank to an unbearable degree.
Looking at Articuno, who was flapping its wings in the air and controlling that powerful ice-element force, Ukyo felt an enormous gap between them.
As expected.
Even after Charizard had evolved into Mega Charizard X, it was still completely no match for the opponent.
"Roar!!"
Mega Charizard X let out an unwilling roar.
The next second, its blue body became an ice sculpture, standing there in silence.
"It's over!"
Shuzo chuckled softly.
The chill in his tone was as cold and eerie as the temperature of this frozen space.
He reached out his hand from afar.
Crack!!!
A crisp sound rang out.
In an instant, countless spiderweb-like cracks covered the layer of ice around Mega Charizard X.
In the next second, it shattered apart.
"Awooo…"
Mega Charizard X let out a sorrowful wail.
Its body fell heavily to the ground.
Its eyes had already turned into swirled spirals. It had lost the ability to battle.
"Next one."
Shuzo waved his hand.
Articuno descended from the air and landed beside him.
He reached out and rubbed Articuno's head.
Articuno showed an obedient expression.
Ukyo's face was gloomy. He took a deep breath.
He recalled Mega Charizard X.
Then he took another Poké Ball from his waist.
"Go! Incineroar!"
"Woah!!"
...
Six minutes later.
Facing Articuno at full power—
Not only Incineroar, but even Ukyo's final Pokémon, Typhlosion, could not escape the fate of being instantly defeated.
Once again, Shuzo won the battle with overwhelming dominance.
On the battle arena, Shuzo now looked like a reigning king.
He spread his arms wide, intoxicated as he accepted the tidal wave of cheers and applause coming from below.
"What a shame."
In the backstage lounge, Himeko sighed softly after seeing this scene.
She had not expected Shuzo's Articuno's true strength to be far greater than she had imagined.
Even Ukyo's Mega Charizard X had not been able to hold on for long.
It looked like among all the current contestants—
Perhaps she was the only one who could defeat him!
(End of Chapter)
[200 Power Stones = 1 Extra Chapter]
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