"If you're bringing out Zebstrika, then I'll call upon this partner. Take the stage, Hisuian Braviary!"
Feng Che released his Pokémon, and a collective gasp rippled through the audience. This Braviary was massive, far larger than its modern counterparts. Its plumage was a stark, regal white with black underbelly feathers, but the most striking feature was the eerie, flickering purple flame-like patterns on its crest and wingtips.
"I've never seen that Pokémon before! It looks incredibly majestic," one spectator exclaimed.
"It looks like an ancient form from the Sinnoh region—the Hisui era. They're supposedly extinct or extremely rare, found only on remote, untouched islands," an older trainer noted, leaning forward in his plush sofa.
Sasaki Sho hesitated, his confidence wavering for a split second. "It looks like a Braviary... but the energy feels different."
"This is a Braviary unique to the ancient Hisui region," Feng Che explained, letting out a sharp whistle. "He's a stouthearted fellow."
The Braviary responded with a soul-shaking Battle Cry. The shockwave was so physical that even Zebstrika, despite its aggressive nature, flinched and retreated several steps.
"Don't let it intimidate you, Zebstrika! Stay calm!" Sho shouted, though he was secretly alarmed. Just a roar threw my ace into a state of panic? This bird is dangerous.
Sho cast aside his arrogance and focused. "Zebstrika, use Spark!"
Golden electricity erupted from Zebstrika's mane, arcing upward toward the flying predator.
"Braviary, use Confusion!"
Braviary's eyes glowed with a pale, haunting blue light. Using its psychic prowess, it seized the expanding electrical discharge in mid-air, halting its progress as if the lightning had hit an invisible wall.
"Zebstrika, set the stage! Electric Terrain!"
Zebstrika slammed its hooves down. Jagged yellow bolts rippled across the ground, coating the entire arena in a humming grid of electricity.
"Now, Ion Deluge!"
Glowing golden particles swirled around Zebstrika, supercharging its body. This move ensured that any Normal-type attacks Zebstrika used would be converted into devastating Electric-type strikes.
"He's well-prepared," Feng Che thought. "He's likely running a full Electric team specifically to take me down. Braviary, stay high! Watch the current!"
Braviary soared into the rafters and rained down a barrage of Air Slashes. The crescent-shaped blades of vacuum whistled through the air like a storm. Zebstrika, however, turned into a blur of golden light, zig-zagging across the field with thunderous speed.
Shadows in the Stands
In a secluded section of the VIP seating, Sabrina sat with her legs crossed, watching the match alongside Lt. Surge.
"That challenger is insufferable," Sabrina remarked, her eyes tracing the purple flames on Braviary's head. "He clearly came here to ruin Feng Che's opening day. Surge, do you think Feng Che will pull this off?"
Surge grinned, adjusting his dog tags. "Don't sweat it. The kid's got this. That Zebstrika is strong, but Braviary hasn't even broken a sweat yet. More importantly, Sabrina, how are the preparations at the Sevii Islands?"
Sabrina's expression turned cold. "President Goodshow has secretly mobilized a large force to the Sevii Islands. They're trying to capture Lugia. But my sources tell me Lorelei is conducting her own investigation. She doesn't want the League—or anyone—disturbing the guardian."
"The Kanto power struggle is a mess," Surge analyzed. "The League under Goodshow, the Elites under Agatha, and us in Team Rocket under Boss Giovanni. It's a three-way stalemate. No one wants the other side to get a Legendary."
"As long as we don't destroy the islands, Lorelei might turn a blind eye to our presence if we help block the League's capture team," Sabrina added with a faint, knowing smile. "After all, the Sevii Islands are her home. If the League starts a war there, she'll unleash her ice army, and nobody wants to see a 'Cold War' turn literal."
The Tide Turns
Back on the field, Zebstrika narrowly dodged another Air Slash. It leaped into the air, its body cloaked in a golden shroud of electricity as it lunged at Braviary.
"Braviary, Aerial Ace!"
Just as Zebstrika was about to collide, Braviary vanished in a flash of speed, reappearing instantly behind the zebra. With a powerful buffet of its wings, it sent a localized gale slamming Zebstrika into the ground.
Zebstrika tumbled, skidding across the rocky terrain. A sharp stone jaggedly cut into its flank. It let out a pained cry as blood began to seep from the wound.
"Zebstrika! Are you okay?" Sho called out, panic rising.
The pain, however, didn't break Zebstrika. It ignited its temper. A massive surge of electricity erupted from its mane, vaporizing nearby pebbles into fine dust. It stood up, draped in a flickering suit of golden lightning armor.
"Zebstrika, use Thunderbolt!" Sho yelled, his face flushed with adrenaline.
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