It missed!
Fantina's heart sank.
Sandstorm control… Swords Dance boost… then the next move should be—
On the spectator platform, Rei Akagi let out a huge yawn.
Looking at the stunned expressions of Fantina, as well as Gastly whose eyes were practically sparkling with excitement, he lazily began explaining.
"As an experienced and powerful Trainer, most battles follow a certain battle logic."
"Take Champion Cynthia for example."
"She successfully used Swords Dance, predicted Will-O-Wisp, and used the combination of Sandstorm and the Sand Veil Ability to dodge the burn."
"So according to that battle logic, the next move must be an unavoidable full-field AoE attack for Ceruledge."
"That means—"
Before he could finish—
A cool and decisive female voice cut through the raging sandstorm.
"Garchomp—"
Rei Akagi smirked and calmly said two words:
"Earthquake."
"—Earthquake!"
Cynthia's command matched his prediction perfectly.
"Raaah—!"
A roar like it came from the abyss erupted from the center of the sandstorm.
The dragon's roar instantly drowned out the howling wind.
Then the earth let out a pained groan.
Violent shockwaves spread outward from Garchomp like a tidal wave.
The sturdy battlefield floor was brutally torn apart by an invisible force.
Cracks spread across the ground like spiderwebs as debris flew everywhere.
At that moment, Melissa, Fantina, and a suddenly fired-up Gastly all stared at Rei Akagi in disbelief.
"You—You actually predicted it! Boss! How did you know what Champion Cynthia was thinking?!"
A flash of inspiration struck Fantina's mind.
"I know… it must be telepathy between lovers!"
Compared to the ridiculous Fantina, Melissa's reaction was far more serious.
Her gaze lowered slightly.
The small spark in her heart that once wanted to challenge Rei Akagi again completely extinguished.
From a small clue, you see the bigger picture.
If someone could so accurately predict a Champion-level Trainer's strategy, then the seemingly carefree young man in front of her possessed unfathomable strength.
At the very least—
Master-level.
The gap between them was already insurmountable.
Thinking back to their earlier battle, Rei Akagi had indeed shown impressive strength.
But she never imagined that it was probably only the tip of the iceberg.
So he wasn't a rookie Trainer at all!
He was definitely smurfing that day!
Tch.
How can someone be this annoying?!
Fantina's nonsense made Rei Akagi's forehead fill with black lines.
He instantly regretted explaining the battle.
Why can't you just be quiet like your sister?
"Gastly~"
Gastly floated closer, staring at Rei Akagi with worshipful eyes.
Boss is so strong.
This emperor must keep working hard too!
(〃'▽'〃)
On the Battlefield
Fantina stared at Ceruledge, which was barely holding on after the shockwave.
His heart trembled.
He clenched his fists tightly.
Just two moves… and I'm already forced into this position.
So this is the strength of a Champion…?!
"Ceruledge! Quickly—Protect!"
Just before the shockwave engulfed it, a pale green barrier expanded around Ceruledge.
The sandstorm howled.
The tremors gradually subsided.
The protective shield shattered soon after, but Ceruledge had barely managed to block the remaining damage from Earthquake.
Cynthia didn't press the attack.
She allowed Fantina a moment to breathe.
But Fantina had his own pride.
He suddenly raised his head, his gaze blazing.
His booming voice pierced through the sandstorm.
"Champion Cynthia, please don't hold back!"
"Fight with your full strength!"
Full strength…?
Cynthia smiled.
She casually brushed her wind-blown golden hair back and took out a customized lipstick.
Her crimson lips parted slightly as she applied it gracefully.
At the top of the lipstick—
The Key Stone suddenly erupted with dazzling rainbow light.
The light flowed outward and connected with Garchomp.
"Garchomp—Mega Evolve!"
Blinding white light enveloped Garchomp's entire body.
Its form changed dramatically within the radiance.
When the light faded—
Mega Garchomp descended onto the battlefield with a far more savage and violent appearance.
The fin-blades on its arms expanded into enormous scythe-like weapons.
Sharp bone spikes emerged from its abdomen.
Thick armor covered its body.
A terrifying aura of destruction exploded outward.
Even the raging sandstorm seemed to pause for a moment.
"Raaah—!"
The roar of completed evolution was filled with raw power and brutality.
Feeling the overwhelming pressure, Fantina was shaken.
But the stubborn pride of an Elite Four member ignited within him.
So this is the aura of a Champion.
Get a grip.
I'm Fantina!
The Ghost-type Elite Four of Eastern!
Besides… the battle isn't over yet!
This round—
The advantage is mine!
"Ceruledge!"
A determined glint flashed in his eyes.
"Destiny Bond!"
The sandstorm intensified.
Ceruledge spread its twin blades.
Its shadow writhed like a living creature, expanding upward to form a massive spherical shield around it.
A sinister aura of death radiated outward.
Yet the attack Fantina expected never came.
Aside from the chaotic swirl of sand—
There was no sign of Mega Garchomp.
Cynthia smiled calmly.
"Mega Garchomp—Swords Dance."
Once again, she had read Fantina's command perfectly.
Another terrifying roar echoed through the sandstorm.
Only the faint glow of violent crimson eyes flickered in the storm.
"How is that possible?!"
Fantina completely lost control of his expression.
Being read so thoroughly felt unbearable.
Garchomp's Attack has risen to +4!
There was no retreat left.
A fierce glint flashed across Fantina's eyes.
He rolled up the sleeves of his robe.
On his wrist was a bracelet embedded with a Ghostium Z crystal.
A powerful spiritual connection instantly formed between him and Ceruledge.
Cross arms.
Draw a circle.
Spread hands.
His movements were strange yet fluid.
As he completed the motion—
The battlefield's light suddenly dimmed.
Countless black shadow tentacles emerged from the void, twisting and intertwining.
The entire arena was dragged into a boundless realm of darkness.
"Ceruledge—Never-Ending Nightmare!"
Within the shadow barrier at the center of the field, Ceruledge's figure blurred.
It seemed to merge with the darkness itself.
Its speed surged.
Purple ghost flames blazing on its blades erupted violently.
Like claws tearing through the night sky—
Ceruledge broke through layers of sandstorm and charged toward the glowing crimson eyes.
A strike meant to perish together.
But—
"Take the hit. Then grab it and use Stone Edge."
Cynthia spoke calmly, completely unfazed by the eerie surroundings.
"Raaah—!"
Mega Garchomp roared thunderously.
Facing the ghostfire blades, it did not dodge.
Its massive scythe-arms crossed before its chest.
CLANG—
A piercing metallic crash rang out.
Ceruledge's full-power strike only left two shallow white marks on Mega Garchomp's hardened scythe-arms.
It didn't move an inch.
The next moment—
Mega Garchomp's giant scythes snapped together.
They locked Ceruledge's twin blades in place, immobilizing it completely.
Then—
Violent Rock-type energy gathered beneath Mega Garchomp.
The ground trembled violently.
Massive jagged stone pillars erupted from the earth like a rising dragon.
Each spear-like column shot upward with unstoppable force—
Impaling toward the trapped Ceruledge.
There was no escape.
Ceruledge was blasted away like a kite with its string cut.
It traced a miserable arc through the air before crashing heavily near the edge of the arena.
Dust exploded into the sky.
The surrounding dark domain faded like a receding tide.
The eerie shadow tentacles vanished without a trace.
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