The next day.
It was the day of the Ever Grande Conference finals.
The stadium was packed, with many people even standing.
All to watch this final match.
"Ahem! We've finally reached the finals of this Ever Grande Conference!"
"I believe all our viewers are very much looking forward to this showdown!"
"Ryosuke, who has made it to the finals this time—if I recall correctly, this is his third time reaching the final stage."
"The other is Steven Stone, who debuted this year and has been unstoppable, making it all the way to the finals!"
"Ahem, without further ado, let's invite both Trainers to the arena!"
With that, Steven and Ryosuke entered the arena.
Steven, wearing a casual black suit that fluttered with the gentle breeze, walked slowly into the arena, cradling a shiny Honedge in his arms.
Normally, a Trainer could carry six Pokémon.
This was because they were afraid of not being able to take care of too many Pokémon.
But Steven was a bit different.
When Steven set out on his journey, Joseph applied to the League for an increased number of Pokémon he could carry.
Steven could now carry twelve Pokémon.
Both Trainers shook hands in the center of the arena.
"Please give it your all," Ryosuke said to Steven with a smile.
Ryosuke also understood his likely outcome.
It was better to lose with dignity.
"Alright," Steven nodded lightly.
Since you asked me to, how can I say no?
Both sides took their positions.
"Steven Stone from Mossdeep City versus Ryosuke from Littleroot Town!"
"Both Trainers, please send out your Pokémon!"
"Go, Skarmory!"
Steven's first Pokémon was still Skarmory.
"As expected, it's Skarmory…" Ryosuke's gaze sharpened, and he threw a Poké Ball into the sky.
Bang—
A flash of white light.
A large blue canine appeared on the field, with some yellow fur on its head and body.
Manectric!
"Did you guess that my first Pokémon would be Skarmory?" Steven was momentarily surprised, then smiled.
The only Pokémon he had revealed in previous matches were Skarmory, Empoleon, and Lucario.
Two of them were weak to Electric-type moves, so it was easy to guess.
Even though Skarmory's Special Defense was slightly weaker, the strength gap between the two Pokémon was too large for Manectric to cause significant damage.
"Awooo!"
"Battle—start!"
"Iron Defense!"
"Electric Terrain!"
Huh?
No entry hazards?
Ryosuke was a bit confused. Skarmory was sent out first but didn't set up any entry hazards?
Besides, Manectric primarily used Special Attacks, so what use was Iron Defense, which boosted Physical Defense?
"Awooo!"
Manectric emitted crackling electricity, covering the field!
Electric Terrain could increase the power of Electric-type moves for Pokémon.
Since it was an all-out effort, Steven had to make Skarmory deal some damage.
Just setting up entry hazards would make the commentator overlook Skarmory's role.
"Shock Wave!"
"Endure it and use Tackle!"
Shock Wave was extremely fast and functioned like a homing attack, making it almost impossible to avoid.
Crack!
Skarmory dove down, enduring the golden lightning, and crashed into Manectric.
Manectric's body was sent flying, tumbling several times on the field before coming to a stop.
"Thunderbolt!"
Ryosuke's expression was serious as he quickly shouted.
That hit had almost knocked Manectric out instantly.
"Awooo!"
Manectric stood up and let out a long howl toward the sky.
The sky above the arena instantly became covered with dark clouds, and a bolt of lightning struck Manectric, causing its body to glow with golden light and electrical arcs!
"Agility," Steven said calmly.
Given Thunderbolt's accuracy, it would be easy for Skarmory to avoid it with Agility.
Unless it was raining now.
But after that bolt of lightning struck, the dark clouds immediately dispersed.
It was clear skies now!
Whoosh—
Thick lightning burst forth from Manectric!
With crackling sounds, it shot straight toward Skarmory!
Skarmory rapidly flapped its wings, and with its increased speed, it deftly dodged the lightning!
It immediately dove down!
As Manectric controlled the lightning to sweep toward Skarmory, Skarmory continuously dodged it.
"Tackle!"
Bang—
Skarmory slammed into Manectric, sending the latter flying once more.
It landed heavily on the ground.
"Manectric is unable to battle! Skarmory wins!"
"Come back, Manectric." Ryosuke recalled Manectric. He hadn't expected Steven's Skarmory to be so strong.
Indeed, just watching and actually facing it felt completely different.
"This Skarmory is even stronger than my Sceptile…"
Even Manectric's Shock Wave couldn't deal much damage to it?
Ryosuke gritted his teeth and threw out his second Poké Ball.
"Go, Blaziken!"
Blaziken had white feathers and a "V"-shaped comb, with bandages wrapped around its wrists, and its muscular legs looked incredibly powerful.
This guy—he wouldn't happen to have the Hoenn starters, would he?
First Sceptile, now Blaziken.
"Blaze Kick!" Ryosuke shouted.
"Blaze!"
Blaziken merely bent its legs slightly, then instantly burst forth with astonishing leaping power!
Flames burned fiercely as it kicked powerfully toward Skarmory.
"Brave Bird!"
You like to clash head-on, do you?
Then let's go!
Skarmory's Physical Defense was already excellent, not to mention the Iron Defense it had used at the start of the battle.
Skarmory flapped its wings, sharply ascended, then dove down!
Golden aura burned around Skarmory, gradually transforming into a large bird!
The golden bird spread its wings, silently crying out as it collided with Blaziken's Blaze Kick!
Bang—
The two moves collided in the air, instantly erupting in thick black smoke that enveloped both of them.
Suddenly, Blaziken's body fell from the thick smoke, trailing wisps of smoke.
"Fire Blast!" Ryosuke roared suddenly.
The falling Blaziken abruptly opened its eyes, its body turning crimson, and scorching energy surged across its surface.
Blaze!
"Blaze!"
Blaziken roared as it opened its mouth, spitting out a large fireball.
The fireball suddenly expanded mid-flight, forming the kanji character for "big"!
"Skarmory, dodge!"
From the black smoke, the airflow generated by Skarmory's flapping wings dispersed the smoke, revealing a kanji-shaped flame hurtling toward its face.
Bang!
Skarmory flapped its wings, trying to dodge, but the flame struck its right wing.
However, it only left an inconspicuous scorch mark on Skarmory's right wing.
"Wing Attack!"
"Blaze Kick!"
Blaziken landed on both feet, looking up at Skarmory, which was charging straight down.
Flames ignited on its feet as it kicked out toward the approaching Skarmory!
Skarmory's wings glowed white, and its eyes showed no fear of Blaziken's flames.
Bang—
After a simple collision, both were forcibly separated by the other's attack.
Skarmory suddenly spread its wings, stabilized its retreating form, and landed firmly on the ground.
Blaziken's situation was not so good.
Its entire body was sent flying backward, crashing heavily to the ground.
"Blaziken is unable to battle! Skarmory wins!"
"Could Steven Stone be planning to sweep with just Skarmory?! We should know that Skarmory has recovery moves like Roost."
"So all that damage will be fully recovered after Roost! No… wait! Steven Stone recalled Skarmory!"
Steven recalled Skarmory into its Poké Ball, then opened another Poké Ball in his palm.
Bang—
Lucario appeared!