"I've learned much from this battle, Elite Grimsley. It shows me I still have many inadequacies in my training," Feng Che remarked politely as he recalled his Venusaur.
On the field, staff members summoned a group of Excadrill, directing them to repair the cratered and battered terrain. Grimsley, meanwhile, looked utterly despondent. Caitlin watched him from the stands with a look of pure disdain; in her mind, Grimsley was a disgrace to the Unova Elite Four.
But Feng Che is getting terrifyingly strong, Caitlin mused. Back when they traveled together, his growth hadn't seemed quite this explosive.
The tournament continued:
Chuck vs. Clemont: Chuck's Machamp managed to sweep Clemont's team of three.
Norman vs. Lucian: In a shocking turn, Norman's Slaking single-handedly defeated the Sinnoh Elite Four member.
The arena erupted in whispers. Another "mere" Gym Leader had toppled an Elite Four member.
"Are Gym Leaders all monsters now?" Caitlin muttered, twirling a strand of hair. "Lucian's strength is on par with mine, yet he was dismantled by that Slaking. If there were a vacancy in Hoenn, Norman could be an Elite Four tomorrow."
Finally, the captaincy of Squad 6 came down to Feng Che, Chuck, and Norman. They drew lots to decide the brackets; Feng Che drew the bye, while Chuck and Norman faced off in a peak-level duel. Ultimately, Chuck's Machamp was no match for Norman's Slaking, which flattened it with a single, devastating punch.
Now, it was time for the final showdown: Feng Che versus Norman.
The Duel of the Titans
"Feng Che, it is an honor to test my skills against yours," Norman said, standing tall across the field after Nurse Joy had fully restored his team.
"Go, Vigoroth!"
Norman sent out an Elite-level Vigoroth. Unlike its evolution, Slaking, Vigoroth was a bundle of chaotic, never-ending energy. Its red crest bristled, and it flexed its sharp claws, which glinted with a suspicious purple hue under the stadium lights.
Treated with toxins, Feng Che noted instantly. He didn't use this Vigoroth against Chuck. Is he setting up for a Facade strategy?
Facade is a move that doubles in power if the user is poisoned, burned, or paralyzed. In the hands of a Normal-type specialist like Norman, it could be world-ending.
"Go, Sirfetch'd!" Feng Che countered with his noble bird.
"Vigoroth, Swords Dance, then follow up with a continuous Slash!"
Vigoroth danced with frantic energy, its attack power surging. It lunged forward, claws leaving three distinct white trails of energy in the air. Sirfetch'd didn't flinch; it raised its massive leek-leaf shield, the impact ringing out like steel on steel.
"Sirfetch'd, stay calm. Watch its rhythm!"
"Vigoroth, Flamethrower!"
The white ape opened its mouth, exhaling a pillar of fire. Sirfetch'd used Aerial Ace to slip through the flames, lunging forward to thrust its leek spear into Vigoroth's back—only to find it had struck an Afterimage.
When did it switch? Even with his psychic aura, Feng Che struggled to pinpoint the true Vigoroth.
"Vigoroth, from the ground! Upper Hand!"
The earth erupted. Vigoroth burst from below, its fist slamming into Sirfetch'd's shield and knocking it high into the air. It followed up with a claw swipe toward the bird's throat.
"Sirfetch'd, Aerial Ace again!"
Sirfetch'd became a brown blur, flickering behind Vigoroth. It looked disheveled, feathers ruffled from the sheer pressure of Norman's offense, but it successfully retrieved its shield.
"Vigoroth, enough games. Use Facade!" Norman commanded.
"Here it comes," Feng Che whispered.
Vigoroth turned its claws on itself, delivering a shallow scratch. Its face turned a bruised purple as the toxins entered its system. Immediately, black temporal arcs of kinetic energy erupted from its body. The pain didn't slow it down; it acted as a violent catalyst.
"Sirfetch'd, show him the results of our training!"
Sirfetch'd began to pant heavily, its eyes turning a deep, dark crimson. Black wisps of energy drifted from its feathers. This was a state Feng Che had cultivated: a "Darkened" mode that mimicked Sirfetch'd's battle-crazed state without the need for alcohol. It put a massive strain on the bird's body, but its speed and power reached a fever pitch.
The brown streak and the black-arced white streak collided in the center of the arena with a sound like a thunderclap.