The weakened Noivern was quickly overwhelmed by Gardevoir's Psychic and fell.
But at that moment, Lin Yu realized he was in trouble.
His remaining Pokémon were Gardevoir, Pupitar, and Latias.
Pupitar was practically useless on the Flying Field.
That left… Latias.
In a way, only Gardevoir could keep fighting for now.
But her stamina had already been drained heavily in the previous two battles.
Only two paths lay before Lin Yu:
Either trigger Gardevoir's Mega Evolution,
or send out Latias.
Otherwise, his chances of winning were slim.
"Go, Dragonair!"
Xiaoye showed no sign of fatigue after using Dragon Master Power once — it looked like she could amplify two more times easily.
Her Dragon Power was just that enduring.
Sure enough,
the moment Dragonair appeared, its level skyrocketed.
In the blink of an eye, it hit Level 49.
Lin Yu let out a long breath.
"Dragonair, Dragon Dance!"
[Gardevoir, interrupt it with Psyshock!]
Even with the [Sanction] effect negating half its boosts, he couldn't just let it dance uninterrupted.
"Protect!"
A faint shimmering barrier blocked the Psyshock entirely.
Lin Yu froze.
Wait — it used Protect while setting up Dragon Dance?
[Forget it. Gardevoir, we're going all out — Psycho Storm!]
Psycho Storm poured every last drop of Gardevoir's psychic energy into a single, devastating tempest.
Better to unleash everything in one strike than fight a fully boosted Dragonair.
"Gardevoir! (Understood, Lin Yu!)"
Gardevoir could feel her opponent's power was higher than her own.
Her expression turned deadly serious.
Psychic power was usually invisible, intangible.
But the attack she unleashed now made every floating stone slab rattle violently, as if being pulled by an invisible force.
The Metagross high above, keeping the field aloft, had its eyes closed — but now it snapped them open in shock, staring straight at Gardevoir.
Its own psychic power was being disturbed.
"Abort Dragon Dance! Protect!"
Xiaoye couldn't miss such an overwhelming aura.
But what move was this?
Huge in range, and unbelievably powerful?
An invisible psychic vortex materialized, slamming into the Protect barrier with a sound like clashing metal.
Crack.
Xiaoye's eyes widened in disbelief as the barrier shattered.
The crowd was even more stunned.
Greninja's Thunderous Kick of the Thunderbird was one thing —
but now Gardevoir had another bizarre, custom ultimate move?
"Dragonair?!"
The arena erupted.
"Incredible! Another custom move! Lin Yu's Gardevoir has unleashed a one-of-a-kind technique! Just how high is his trainer talent?!"
On the Elite Four platform, the elderly Ghost-type Elite sighed.
"Each generation surpasses the last. The future belongs to you young ones."
Others praised Ye Rong and Shui Rourou.
"You two called it right. This provincial champion from Hunan is truly extraordinary."
"Xiaoye only has Vikavolt left, and it's already injured. Lin Yu still has two unrevealed Pokémon. I think we have our champion."
On the field,
the storm faded. Gardevoir floated weakly to a slab, exhausted.
The [Agonizing Strike] Entry activated,
dealing an extra 10–15% damage to Dragon-types — its super effective target.
Dragonair fainted instantly from the blow.
"Dragonair and Gardevoir are both unable to battle! Both Trainers, send your final Pokémon!"
Lin Yu held Latias's Poké Ball.
He hesitated when he saw Xiaoye send out her Vikavolt.
Xiaoye smiled brightly when she noticed his gaze.
She had fought seriously this time!
Now her brother couldn't make excuses anymore.
But that wasn't what troubled Lin Yu.
It was Latias's fame…
Latias, of all Pokémon.
"Whatever. I've already drawn this much attention — why hold back now?!"
"Go, Latias!"
Lin Yu pressed the button.
Latias appeared in a flash of light.
Crimson-red, sleek, jet-like body, bright clear eyes…
The moment Latias emerged, the entire stands fell into confused silence.
Latias?
What Pokémon was that?
"She's so cute! Wonder how strong she is?"
"I swear, every one of Lin Yu's Pokémon is either cool or gorgeous — this new one's perfect!"
Only a few spectators from the Water Capital froze.
They rubbed their eyes, staring dumbfounded at the flying Latias, stammering:
"La… Latias?!"
To the people of the Water Capital,
Latias was their guardian, their legend.
Now they were being told someone had actually befriended their sacred symbol?
"Eerie~"
A clear, melodic cry echoed across the arena.
In a single instant, Latias circled the entire stadium.
"So fast!"
The crowd gasped at her speed.
On the Elite Four platform:
"This boy… he actually caught a Legendary?!" the elderly Elite Four member gasped in disbelief.
After all Lin Yu had already shown, nothing had truly shocked her — until now.
A Legendary Pokémon?
That was a different level entirely.
Pseudo-Legendaries could be obtained with enough wealth and connections.
But Legendaries…
They were once-in-a-lifetime miracles.
"I never thought he'd hold back Latias until the very end…" Ye Rong murmured.
Lucky it was the Flying Field.
Knowing Lin Yu, he probably would've sent Pupitar out first otherwise — just like he'd used Riolu as a lead in the provincial tournament.
"Unlimited potential. Truly unlimited."
The other Elite Four members nodded in awe.
For Mythicals and Legendaries, it was never the trainer who chose them —
they chose the trainer.
Only those they recognized could earn their loyalty.
Most Legendary and Mythical Pokémon never formed permanent bonds with humans.
At most, they'd cooperate temporarily for a common goal, then part ways once the task was done.
To earn a genuine, lifelong partnership with a Legendary…
It was nearly unheard of. Each had its own will, its own long, ancient life, having seen countless humans come and go.
But this Latias had come from Lin Yu's Poké Ball.
That meant they were true partners.