The Luminara League Stadium fell completely silent. Thousands of spectators held their breath. Millions watched from their homes across the Luminara Region.
The giant screen displayed the two semifinalists.
Luminara League Semifinal
Elior Vs Kai
The referee stepped into the center of the battlefield.
"This is a full battle!"
"Each Trainer may use six Pokémon!"
"Substitutions are permitted."
"The battle ends when all six Pokémon of one side are unable to battle!"
He raised both flags.
"Begin!"
The audience erupted into cheers.
Kai calmly smiled.
"I'll set the pace."
He threw his first Poké Ball.
A burst of icy mist spread across the battlefield. Froslass appeared gracefully, floating silently above the ground. The temperature inside the stadium immediately dropped. Tiny snowflakes began drifting through the air.
The commentators shouted,
"Kai opens with Froslass!"
"An excellent choice! It's fast, unpredictable, and specializes in battlefield control!"
Elior looked at Froslass carefully.
He smiled.
"Let's begin."
He tossed his Poké Ball.
A pillar of fire burst onto the battlefield.
Infernarx landed with a mighty roar. The flames surrounding its body instantly melted the thin layer of frost forming on the ground. The crowd exploded with excitement.
"Infernarx!"
"Infernarx!"
Kai adjusted his gloves.
"Your partner has become much stronger."
Elior nodded.
"So has yours."
Froslass floated silently. Infernarx lowered its body, ready to spring forward.
Neither Pokémon blinked.
Kai: "Froslass, Hail!"
A freezing wind swept across the arena.
Dark clouds gathered overhead. Within seconds, snow began falling heavily. The battlefield transformed into an icy field.
The audience gasped.
Commentator:
"Kai changes the battlefield immediately!"
"This weather favors Ice-type Pokémon!"
Elior remained calm.
"Infernarx..."
"Use Flamethrower!"
Infernarx inhaled deeply. A massive torrent of flames shot across the battlefield. The intense fire instantly melted much of the ice. Steam filled the arena. Visibility dropped dramatically.
Kai smiled.
Exactly as planned.
"Now!"
"Double Team!"
Inside the thick steam...Froslass created dozens of identical copies. Every direction looked the same. Infernarx looked around carefully.
The audience searched desperately.
"Where's the real Froslass?!"
Nobody could tell.
Suddenly—From behind—
"Shadow Ball!"
A sphere of ghostly energy struck Infernarx's back.
BOOM!
Infernarx stumbled forward.
Elior: "Steady!"
Infernarx quickly regained its footing.
Its eyes narrowed.
Elior closed his eyes. Instead of watching...
He listened.
The sound of the wind...
The movement of the snow...
The crackling flames...
Then—
He smiled.
"Left side!"
"Fire Spin!"
Infernarx slammed its fist into the ground. A spiraling tornado of flames erupted across the battlefield. Several illusions vanished instantly.
One remained.
The real Froslass.
"Dragon Claw!"
Infernarx charged.
Its claws glowed emerald green.
Froslass attempted to retreat.
Too late.
SLASH!!
The attack connected. Froslass was sent sliding across the frozen battlefield.
The audience roared.
Instead of looking worried...
Kai smiled.
"Excellent."
"Now activate it."
The ice beneath Infernarx suddenly glowed. Everyone gasped.
Earlier...
While hiding in the steam...Froslass had secretly used Spikes beneath the snow.
Infernarx stepped backward. Sharp ice spikes erupted beneath its feet.
It cried out in pain.
Commentator:
"Incredible strategy!"
"Kai wasn't trying to attack directly!"
"He was preparing the battlefield!"
Elior Changes His Plan
Elior realized something.
"He's controlling the field..."
He couldn't keep Infernarx fighting recklessly. Otherwise every movement would cause more damage.
He smiled.
"Then let's fight differently."
"Infernarx!"
"Flame Charge!"
Infernarx surrounded itself with blazing fire. Instead of charging at Froslass...
It dashed around the battlefield. Every step melted more ice. The hidden spikes disappeared beneath the intense heat.
The audience erupted into applause.
Kai's eyes widened slightly.
"...Interesting."
Froslass glided effortlessly across the snow. Infernarx sprinted through blazing flames. Fire met Ice repeatedly.
Flamethrower.
Ice Beam.
Shadow Ball.
Dragon Claw.
Neither Pokémon managed to land a decisive blow. The pace became faster and faster. Even the commentators struggled to keep up.
Kai suddenly raised his hand.
"Froslass!"
"Destiny Bond!"
The stadium became eerily quiet. A dark aura surrounded Froslass.
The commentators immediately shouted,
"Destiny Bond!"
"If Infernarx knocks Froslass out now, it could be taken down as well!"
The audience gasped. Elior's eyes narrowed. He immediately understood Kai's strategy. Kai wasn't trying to win with raw power. He wanted to force Elior into making mistakes.
Infernarx growled. Froslass floated silently within the swirling snowstorm.
Neither Trainer gave another command.
They simply watched each other.
Waiting.
Planning.
Searching for the smallest opening.
The entire stadium fell silent once again.
Even the wind seemed to stop.
The first knockout of the semifinal had yet to happen.
And everyone knew...
The real battle was only beginning.
TO BE CONTINUED...