"Seismitoad, Power Whip!"
Summer figured that Piplup's Water-type moves would be ineffective against Seismitoad, so he decided to go straight for offensive damage.
"Ice Beam."
If Water-type moves won't work, can't I simply use Ice-type moves?
Piplup pointed the toy sword in his flipper directly at the charging Seismitoad.
Ice-blue energy transferred from Piplup's body to the toy sword he wielded.
An ice-blue point of light gradually appeared at the sword's tip, then released four zigzagging beams of icy energy!
The Ice Beam struck Seismitoad, freezing it solid into a massive ice sculpture.
"Aqua Jet, charge!" Summer shouted.
Crack crack!
The ice shattered as a torrent of water enveloped Seismitoad, using the water's propulsion to burst forward with speed far exceeding its previous attempts!
"Whirlpool!"
A water tornado rose around Piplup's position.
Seismitoad slammed headfirst into the swirling barrier surrounding Piplup, but unlike Crobat before, it wasn't immediately repelled.
Both sides were locked in a struggle!
Bang—
Both combatants bounced back a short distance from each other.
It's just taking advantage of the fact that Piplup's physical strength isn't exceptional!
"Power Whip!"
At this distance, Seismitoad could easily close the gap.
Seismitoad raised its arm, which began glowing green, and charged toward Piplup.
"Ice Spinner!"
Piplup, gripping the toy sword, quickly traced a circle on the ground.
A block of ice suddenly formed beneath him, and Piplup stepped onto it, beginning to spin rapidly.
Bang!
Piplup, riding the ice, sent Seismitoad flying backward, and the green-glowing arm ultimately failed to connect with Piplup.
Seismitoad struggled to its feet from the ground. Having been struck by both Ice Beam and Ice Spinner, the accumulated damage was considerable.
After all, in terms of raw offensive power, it was outmatched by Piplup.
This type-advantaged Power Whip simply couldn't land on its target.
"Can you do it, Seismitoad?!"
Summer was growing anxious. If that Power Whip managed to connect, it would definitely inflict significant damage on Piplup.
But it just couldn't hit!
"Piplup!"
Whoosh!
At least I always have the advantage!
Piplup felt relieved that Steven had purchased numerous TMs before the tournament.
Otherwise, without access to Water-type moves, he would truly be at a disadvantage.
"With this level of strength, you trash-talked before the battle?" Steven was genuinely surprised. Surely that can't be right?
"Then use Earthquake!"
Summer was both angry and frustrated. How could Seismitoad be so close yet still unable to land a hit on Piplup?
Seismitoad slammed the ground forcefully, unleashing Earthquake once more!
"Water Pulse!"
"Piplup!"
Piplup raised the toy sword in his flipper, channeling Water-type energy as a blue sphere gathered at the sword's tip!
Crack crack—
Huh?
What's that sound?
Snap!
The toy sword in Piplup's flipper couldn't withstand the concentrated energy and suddenly shattered!
"Piplup?! w(ﾟДﾟ)w"
Buddy!
Why are you breaking just after I drew you?!
Bang!
A rock suddenly protruded from beneath Piplup's feet, launching him into the air.
Piplup, airborne, watched helplessly as the fragments of his sword hilt scattered across the sky, his large eyes filled with bewilderment.
Without the distraction, Seismitoad's Earthquake struck Piplup directly!
Piplup fell heavily to the ground before stumbling back to his feet.
Piplup looked down, staring blankly at his small flippers.
My sword... it shattered...
"Perfect opportunity! Seismitoad, Power Whip!"
"Piplup, snap out of it! I'll buy you another one after the battle!" Steven quickly called out.
That Power Whip attack was no laughing matter.
Piplup raised his head in a daze, observing the furiously charging Seismitoad.
Its raised arm still glowed faintly green.
It's all your fault...
It's all your fault!
If it weren't for you!
My sword wouldn't have broken!
An expression of pure anger appeared on Piplup's face, his eyes widening with fury, causing Seismitoad to hesitate in confusion.
Not cool, buddy?
What does this have to do with me?
Didn't you break it yourself?
Bewildered or not, Seismitoad still closed the distance to Piplup, and its raised arm came crashing down!
"Piplup!!!"
How dare you break my sword!!!
Sizzle—
Blinding white light erupted around Piplup!
Steven quickly raised his arm to shield his eyes from being blinded by the intense radiance.
The white light emanating from Piplup engulfed the entire arena!
Powerful energy was released, forcing Seismitoad back several meters!
It just wanted to land a Power Whip—what did it do wrong?
"Is this evolution?! Piplup is beginning to evolve!" The commentator expertly donned his sunglasses and announced excitedly.
"But this evolutionary light—it's the most intense I've ever witnessed!"
Piplup's form began to gradually transform while bathed in the brilliant white light.
His small body grew larger, and his limbs lengthened proportionally.
But the evolution wasn't finished!
After a brief pause, Piplup's newly changed form began transforming again!
Steven didn't dare look directly, fearing that lowering his arm would blind him.
But isn't this lasting unusually long?!
Piplup's body grew even taller, now nearly matching Steven's own height.
His originally round head became smaller and more streamlined, with a crown-like formation appearing atop it.
His flippers became broader, and his neck appeared adorned with a long, pointed collar.
The white light persisted for approximately a minute before beginning to fade.
Steven finally lowered his arm, gazing at the tall figure on the field with disbelief.
"It couldn't be..."
"How is that possible!"
On the opposite side, Summer stared in absolute astonishment at the figure bathed in diminishing white light.
"This, this, this..." The revelation even made the commentator stutter.
He had never witnessed such a phenomenon before.
It was undeniably shocking.
The white light completely dissipated.
Piplup appeared to have leaped directly from infancy to full maturity.
His skin had turned navy blue, with lighter blue patterns adorning his body.
His yellow beak had extended into three prominent horns, resembling a crown.
The blue "V"-shaped collar at his neck extended outward dramatically, lending him an even more regal appearance.
"Piplup..." Steven muttered in a daze.
First, Aron had angrily evolved into Lairon.
Now, Piplup had furiously evolved into Empoleon?!
"Piplup has undergone a two-stage evolution! Skipping Prinplup entirely and evolving directly into Empoleon!" the commentator shouted excitedly.
"According to historical records, in the ancient Sinnoh Region, Empoleon was revered as the 'Lord of the Waves'! It is a Pokémon that has been worshipped in Sinnoh since ancient times!"
The commentator accepted a reference book from a staff member and proceeded to explain to the captivated audience.
"Aw-bop?" Empoleon examined his new form, his expression devoid of emotion.
His originally cute "Piplup" cry now sounded aloof and commanding.
Buzz!!!
A tornado of water suddenly surged around Empoleon!
This wasn't the result of the Whirlpool move, but rather the manifestation of surging energy within Empoleon himself!
Empoleon's powerful aura enveloped the entire battle arena!
He stared intently at the astonished Seismitoad standing not far away.
You dared to break my sword?
"Aw-bop..."
Empoleon raised his wing-like flipper, and frigid air permeated throughout his entire body.
Whoosh!
In a single instant!
The ground became covered in a thick layer of ice!
The battle arena was instantly transformed into a frozen battlefield!
Upon the flat icy surface stood a massive ice sculpture and a spiral tower of ice stretching straight toward the sky.
Crack!
The spiral ice formation shattered into fragments too small to be seen with the naked eye.
Like frozen light falling from above, the crystalline particles scattered throughout the entire arena.
Empoleon walked slowly toward Seismitoad, which remained frozen within the ice sculpture, unable to break free.
He stopped directly before the frozen mass.
Empoleon slowly raised his flipper, aiming it at Seismitoad trapped within the ice.
A silvery-gray metallic luster glowed along his appendage.
He plunged it fiercely into the ice sculpture!
Bang!
The ice sculpture immediately exploded into countless fragments!
Empoleon's impassive gaze slowly shifted downward.
It resembled exactly that...
The Lord of the Waves, surveying all creation below!