The aftermath of the explosion gradually faded, and soon everyone could see the state of the battlefield.
A dirt-covered Hydreigon was struggling to get back into the air.
Meanwhile, Shaymin had already collapsed neatly to the side, clearly having lost the ability to battle.
One versus five!
After consecutively defeating Meganium, Ludicolo, Roserade, and Sceptile, Hydreigon went on to take down the Mythical Pokémon Shaymin as well…
Its strength was absolutely suffocating!
Even though it now looked a bit battered and hadn't managed to levitate again for a while, the spectators still firmly remembered its majestic presence.
"Hydreigon, let your teammates handle the rest now."
"Hy..." X3
A low dragon cry rang out. Hydreigon looked at the crowd cheering enthusiastically, and finally, with a bit of lingering intent, gave a nod to Sato.
A flash of red light. Both Sato and Elite Four Sen recalled their Pokémon.
"This is the last one… Go, old partner!"
Across from him, Elite Four Sen sent out his final Pokémon; it was the very first Grass-type Starter Pokémon of the Pokémon League.
Venusaur!
"VEEE… NUSAUR~"
Venusaur exuded tremendous presence and roared loudly the moment it appeared.
On Sato's side, Gengar had already quietly taken its place on the battlefield, calmly watching its opponent roar.
At that moment, the referee gave the signal.
"Battle… CONTINUES!"
"Venusaur, Mega Evolve!"
A multicolored light flared up, and Venusaur roared excitedly. Hanging from its ear was its exclusive Mega Stone.
Soon, a larger Venusaur with even more vibrant flowers blooming on its back appeared on the field, with its strength nearing Champion level.
Gengar continued to look on with composed detachment, still making no move to attack.
Seeing this, Sen didn't hesitate and gave the command: "Venusaur, Power Whip!"
Venusaur let out a loud roar, and two thick vines glowing green suddenly extended from its back, sweeping forward in a crisscross motion.
Gengar still didn't move. But just as the Power Whip came near its body, a loud empty echo rang out; it couldn't advance any further.
The Power Whip had been blocked. On both sides of Gengar, two impenetrable Spatial Barriers had already formed.
After all these years, and having inherited a Domain, Gengar's "being" had undergone a tremendous change despite still retaining the appearance of its species.
Spatial energy was now its most proficient and fundamental power.
And Sen was unsurprised by this scene, Power Whip had only been a basic probe.
At the same time, fresh green grass was already sprouting across the ground, and the air filled with colorful spores, silently spreading across the arena.
Grassy Terrain + Paralysis / Sleep / Poison Powder!
[Combo Move: Floral Dominion]!
Gengar... still watched calmly.
Its surroundings had long been completely sealed by Spatial Barriers!
"Gen~"
Without needing Sato's command, Gengar gave a nod toward Venusaur. When it lifted its head again, its golden pupils locked eyes with Venusaur.
Hypnosis!
A strong wave of drowsiness enveloped Venusaur. In the next second, it could already feel itself drifting off to sleep.
"VENUSAUR, AMNESIA!"
Just before it collapsed, Sen's command reached Venusaur's ears.
Amnesia activated instinctively, and then… Venusaur forgot how to fall asleep.
It snapped awake!
Sato raised an eyebrow. Even though he was already certain of victory, he still couldn't help but mutter, "…What the hell."
It could forget status conditions… and boost its stats at the same time?
This Venusaur was kind of impressive.
What it didn't know was that, now fully awake, Venusaur was also feeling both embarrassed and angry.
In its [Floral Dominion], the opponent was always the one to get paralyzed, fall asleep, or be poisoned first…
How could it be that this time, it nearly got caught by the opponent's trick instead?
Unacceptable!
"VENUUU!"
With a furious roar, Venusaur gave its body a violent shake, and the five petals on its back instantly scattered.
The next second, the five enormous petals began spinning rapidly without wind, whooshing as they shot toward Gengar.
Petal Dance!
Clang…
Clang! Clang! Clang!!
Clang…
The five Petal blades were like giant slicing machines, and they clashed with Gengar's Spatial Barrier almost instantly.
The ear-piercing cutting sound spread through the entire arena, causing many to cover their ears instinctively.
Shockingly, Venusaur was cutting through space itself!
And it just might… succeed?
For the first time, the calm Gengar showed a look of surprise. Its chubby hands extended to reinforce the Spatial Barrier and block the incoming Petal blades.
In terms of raw Attack power, the Petal Dance had clearly reached Champion level.
No wonder Venusaur had become Sen's new ace…
Mega Evolution + Floral Dominion + Petal Dance.
Venusaur now had true offensive capabilities!
It had forged its own path to becoming a Champion!
Unfortunately, its opponent was Gengar, and with a Domain, it stood even higher than the Mythical Pokémon Shaymin.
"Hn. Shadow Ball!"
"Gen~"
Gengar extended one hand forward and lifted the other to the side. Dozens of Shadow Balls materialized out of thin air like they cost nothing.
With a wave of its chubby hand, all the Shadow Balls shot toward Venusaur, with a few targeting the Petal blades to try and interfere with their pressure.
On the other side, watching the dozens of Shadow Balls rush in, Venusaur showed no fear at all.
Its body slightly lowered, revealing that it had already completed Ingrain without anyone noticing, using the Grassy Terrain to continuously restore stamina.
The earlier Amnesia had already raised its Special Defense, and its natural bulk made it even sturdier.
As long as it stood on the ground, Venusaur had no fear of being knocked out instantly.
Not even by a Champion level opponent!
Venusaur didn't even bother dodging the incoming Shadow Balls.
"Venuu… VENUU~!"
It shouted excitedly, and a dazzling red glow flared around its body.
Work Up: boosting both Attack and Special Attack by one stage!
Venusaur was still stacking buffs on itself.
The next second, the Shadow Balls arrived with a whoosh, landing one after another on Venusaur's body.
Then!
"VENUSAAAAUR!"
A powerful roar echoed out, as green light continuously shimmered around Mega Venusaur's body; its stamina and wounds visibly recovering at a rapid rate.
A barrage of Shadow Balls, even from a Champion level attack, still failed to deal any fatal damage to Venusaur.
Even the Petal Dance hadn't ceased, still cutting away at the Spatial Barrier nonstop.
'This Venusaur… must be the partner you're counting on to break into the Champion level, right, Sen?'
Sato looked toward Sen, who was visibly proud and satisfied, and thought to himself.
Judging by the current situation, Venusaur had nearly reached the threshold of Champion level.
All it needed was just a liiiittle more of a push, one final variable!
'So then…'
"The reason a Champion is a Champion is because they've already carved out their own path..."
The battle continued. Gengar's second wave of Shadow Balls was already charging.
Venusaur was still busy stacking buffs, but that didn't stop the Trainers and Pokémon on the field from listening to Sato's sudden speech.
"Venusaur, you've already stepped onto your own path. Why not take it even further!?"