Chapter 64: The Frozen Battlefield
Semifinal – Part 2
The entire stadium was silent. Snow continued to fall across the battlefield.
The hailstorm created by Froslass had transformed the arena into a frozen landscape. Visibility was low, and every breath produced white mist.
On one side stood Infernarx, flames dancing around its body.
On the other floated Froslass, surrounded by the eerie aura of Destiny Bond.
Neither Trainer moved.
Neither Pokémon attacked.
The tension was so intense that even the commentators lowered their voices.
"One wrong move could decide this entire semifinal..."
Kai smiled.
"What's wrong, Elior?"
"Afraid to attack?"
Elior didn't answer. He knew exactly what Kai wanted. If Infernarx knocked out Froslass while Destiny Bond was active, Infernarx would fall with it.
Instead...
Elior smiled.
"Infernarx..."
"Don't attack Froslass."
The audience looked confused.
Kai narrowed his eyes.
Elior: "Use Flamethrower... on the battlefield!"
Infernarx roared and unleashed a massive stream of fire—not at Froslass, but across the icy arena. The flames spread rapidly. The frozen ground melted into pools of water. The snowstorm weakened as hot steam rose into the air.
Within seconds, the battlefield looked completely different.
Kai's smile faded.
"You changed the terrain..."
"Instead of attacking my Pokémon."
Elior nodded.
"Pokémon battles aren't just about landing stronger attacks."
Kai quickly regained his composure.
"Froslass!"
"Freeze-Dry!"
A beam of icy energy shot through the steam. It struck Infernarx before it could fully react. Infernarx staggered backward.
Ice crystals spread across its left arm.
"Now!"
"Shadow Ball!"
Another direct hit.
Infernarx slid several meters before digging its claws into the ground.
It was beginning to tire.
Infernarx Fights Back
Elior clenched his fist.
"Dragon Claw!"
Infernarx rushed forward.
This time Froslass didn't retreat.
Instead...
It floated upward.
The attack barely missed.
"Ice Beam!"
A freezing ray struck Infernarx from above. The Fire-type roared in pain.
The audience gasped.
Kai had completely controlled the battle's rhythm.
Elior looked at Infernarx. He could tell his partner was beginning to lose too much stamina. There was no reason to force the matchup.
He raised a Poké Ball.
"Infernarx, return!"
The crowd applauded.
Kai smiled.
"A smart decision."
Infernarx returned in a flash of red light.
Elior threw another Poké Ball.
A flash of blue light appeared.
Mystveil floated gracefully onto the battlefield.
The audience cheered.
"Elior switches to Mystveil!"
The commentators nodded.
"A Psychic-type against Froslass! This battle is becoming even more tactical!"
Kai: "Shadow Ball!"
Elior: "Reflect!"
A shimmering barrier appeared.
The Shadow Ball exploded against it.
The impact shook the field, but Mystveil remained unharmed.
Mystveil! Psychic!
Mystveil's eyes glowed bright violet.
Invisible psychic power surrounded Froslass.
For the first time...
Froslass struggled to move.
Kai's expression changed.
"...So strong."
Breaking Free
Froslass suddenly released a burst of ghostly energy.
The Psychic grip shattered.
Immediately—
"Blizzard!"
A gigantic storm of snow engulfed the battlefield.
The audience could no longer see either Pokémon.
Through the Storm
Inside the blizzard...
Mystveil closed its eyes.
Instead of relying on sight...
It sensed Froslass's movements.
Elior: "Now! Psybeam!"
A multicolored beam pierced the snowstorm.
It struck Froslass directly.
BOOM!
The ghostly Pokémon crashed to the ground.
The crowd erupted.
Froslass Refuses to Fall
Slowly...
Froslass floated back into the air.
It was breathing heavily.
Kai smiled proudly.
"Excellent."
"Let's finish this together."
The Final Exchange
Kai: "Shadow Ball!"
Elior: "Psychic!"
The two attacks collided.
Neither attack gave way.
The battlefield shook violently.
Then...
Froslass suddenly disappeared into the snow.
"Shadow Sneak!"
It emerged directly behind Mystveil.
The ghostly strike landed cleanly.
Mystveil cried out.
Elior: "Recover!"
A gentle green light restored some of Mystveil's strength.
The audience applauded Elior's quick thinking.
Both Pokémon floated across from one another.
Froslass was exhausted.
Mystveil was also showing signs of fatigue.
Snow continued to fall.
Kai slowly adjusted his gloves.
Elior took a deep breath.
The first Pokémon of the semifinal still hadn't fallen.
But everyone in the stadium could feel it.
The decisive moment...
Was only seconds away.
TO BE CONTINUED...