"Oh my god—Dragapult actually escaped from Dragonite with a single U-turn!"
The commentator's face was flushed red as he shouted at the top of his lungs.
Inside the lounge, Steven Stone couldn't help the corner of his mouth twitching.
This scene… wasn't it exactly the same as what had happened back at the Chen family farm?
Phoebe jumped to her feet, pumping her small fist excitedly.
When Dragapult had been grabbed by Dragonite just now, she'd been certain Chen Shi was about to lose.
Who would've thought the situation would turn around like this—Dragapult slipping free at the critical moment with U-turn.
Even Cynthia's eyes curved with a faint smile.
…
The instant Dragapult reappeared, Lance froze for a split second—then reacted immediately.
"Dragonite—Extreme Speed, into Ice Punch!"
"Draaagon!"
Dragonite roared and shot forward at blinding speed, icy energy rapidly coating its clenched fist.
Using a move during Extreme Speed wasn't something exclusive to Cynthia's Lucario.
Lance's Dragonite could do it too.
The corner of Chen Shi's lips lifted slightly.
Finally—you're taking the initiative. Otherwise, I really wouldn't have had a clean way to deal with you.
"Dragapult—Shadow Sneak!"
"Pult!"
Dragapult flicked its tail—and vanished from the battlefield.
Dragonite's Extreme Speed and Ice Punch struck nothing but air.
The next instant, Dragapult appeared behind Dragonite, Shadow Sneak crashing down hard onto its back.
"Now, Dragonite—tank it and counter with Ice Punch!"
Lance roared, his blood fully ignited.
He knew Dragon Dance baiting was no longer possible. So he chose to go on the offensive.
The earlier Extreme Speed and Ice Punch had been feints—the real goal was to force Dragapult to reveal itself and trade blows.
That meant Dragonite would take Shadow Sneak head-on.
Lance didn't want a stalemate. This match needed a winner.
So he chose to trade damage.
In simple terms—whoever collapsed first, lost.
At such close range, with Dragapult committed to the attack, Ice Punch landed cleanly as well.
"Puuult—!"
Dragapult cried out in pain.
"Dragapult, hang in there! We can't lose!"
"Dragon Darts!!!"
Chen Shi's roar echoed across the stadium.
The crowd outside erupted even harder, countless spectators rising to their feet, cheering both sides.
Everyone knew it—
The battle had reached its climax.
The champion was about to be decided.
"Pu…uult!"
Dragapult roared.
With two sharp bangs, the Dreepy on its head shot forward like cannon shells.
"Dragonite—Dragon Rush!!!"
Lance threw his arms wide, shouting wildly, his face burning red with adrenaline.
"Draaaagon!"
Dragonite beat its small wings. A colossal dragon-shaped phantom surged up behind it as it charged straight at Dragapult.
Relying on brute power alone, Dragonite smashed through both Dragon Darts—though it took heavy damage in the process.
"Dragapult—Dragon Pulse, push it back!"
Chen Shi swung his fist downward fiercely. His previously pale face flushed red again, bloodshot eyes blazing.
"Pult!"
Dragapult rasped hoarsely, drawing on every last shred of strength to unleash Dragon Pulse at full power.
Dragonite was like a blazing meteor, fueled by fury and resolve, charging forward without hesitation.
Its body carved a brilliant arc through the air—
Dragon Rush sharpened like an incomparably lethal blade, cleaving straight through the raging Dragon Pulse.
Dragapult's eyes went wide. It desperately forced more energy out, trying to reinforce the Dragon Pulse.
"Dragapult—go!!!"
"Dragonite—break through!!!"
Chen Shi's and Lance's shouts rang out at the same time.
In the arena, the lounge, and in front of countless TV screens, everyone stared, breath held.
After a brief deadlock—
Dragonite broke through to Dragapult's position.
An earth-shattering explosion followed.
"BOOM—!"
Both Dragapult and Dragonite were blown backward, slamming hard into the battlefield.
The next second, the two Pokémon struggled to their feet at the same time, eyes blazing with ferocity.
"Dragapult—hold on! Shadow Sneak!"
Chen Shi glanced at it anxiously, then his gaze hardened.
"Pult!"
Dragapult forced itself to endure the pain and vanished once more.
Lance shouted immediately, "Dragonite! Let's see who collapses first!"
"Ice Punch!"
"Draa…gon!"
Dragonite clenched its teeth, eyes blood-red. Sensing danger from behind, it spun and hurled its Ice Punch.
Bang!
Bang!
Two heavy impacts echoed.
Dragonite was struck by Shadow Sneak.
Dragapult took Ice Punch head-on.
Both were sent flying, crashing down hard onto the ground.
This time, neither Pokémon could get up immediately.
Both struggled on the ground, refusing to give in.
Dragapult planted a claw against the earth, trying to force itself back into the air.
But its body felt completely drained—
Not even a trace of strength remained.
Just as Dragapult was about to give up—
Images flashed through its mind.
Swampert gritting its teeth and holding on.
Charizard's all-out eruption.
Metagross disobeying its Trainer's orders.
Florges shining with unmatched brilliance.
And Chen Shi—three Mega Evolutions, his face deathly pale.
Scene after scene flickered past like a kaleidoscope.
So many companions gave everything they had… just to give me this final chance.
I can't let them down.
I can't lose.
I said I'd win this victory for Chen Shi.
I won't break that promise.
I won't lose.
I will win!
Chen Shi stared at Dragapult on the ground, his breathing suddenly growing rapid.
Faces surfaced in his mind one after another—
His grandfather. His grandmother.
Professor Oak. Cynthia. Steven. Phoebe.
Ash, Gary, Yuko.
And Swampert. Charizard. Metagross. Florges.
He didn't want to lose.
He couldn't lose.
His breathing quickened further, pink light flaring brighter and brighter in his eyes.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
He couldn't tell if it was his heartbeat—or Dragapult's—pounding in his ears like a war drum.
The world slowly faded away.
First the sky.
Then the Silver Conference stadium.
Lance. Dragonite.
Finally, even the battlefield itself vanished.
Everything went pitch-black.
In the darkness, Chen Shi could see only one thing—
Dragapult, curled into itself not far away, its body trembling uncontrollably.
Fear and helplessness flickered in its eyes, as if the entire world had already collapsed.
"So… this is what you feel, deep down?"
Chen Shi walked toward it, step by step, each one unbearably heavy.
He opened his arms and gently pulled Dragapult into an embrace.
And in that instant—
A tearing, soul-rending pain flooded his chest.
It was agony so intense it felt like his very soul was being ripped apart.
Chen Shi's eyes reddened as he choked out softly,
"So this is how it feels…?"
"…It hurts this much."
…
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