The referee sat atop Aegislash, hovering above the field.
The venue was splendid and magnificent, featuring a huge opposing field at the center, and the spectator stands on both sides were completely packed, except for Lucas's spot.
Everyone was waiting for the contestants to appear, anticipating the upcoming exhibition match.
Vulpix lay in Lucas's arms, staring intently at the center of the field.
The referee began giving the classic opening speech. Finally, under the referee's direction, all the lights in the venue dimmed, and then the lights of one entrance brightened.
"Let us welcome the Champion of the Johto Region—Lance!"
Enthusiastic cheers erupted in the venue, and then a figure walked out from the brightly lit entrance.
He had thick eyebrows and large eyes, bright red hair, and most notably, a cape flowing behind him. Lucas almost wanted to ask if he had welded the cape onto his body.
Lance stepped onto the field, spun around once, and then raised his hands, causing the cheers in the venue to erupt again.
When the audience had mostly finished cheering, the referee spoke again.
"Next to appear is a Pokémon research scholar, an immensely powerful Pokémon Trainer, and also the Champion of the Sinnoh Region—Cynthia!!!!"
The lights on the other entrance brightened, and the venue fell silent.
Following that.
Clack, clack, clack.
The sound of high heels echoed, and a figure emerged from the entrance.
She had golden hair and was wearing the same clothes Lucas saw her in the first time they met: long wide-leg pants and her signature trench coat.
Cynthia elegantly walked out of the entrance, finally standing on the field with her hands on her hips, radiating dominance.
Instantly, the atmosphere in the venue exploded.
The cheers threatened to blow the roof off. Finally, Cynthia placed a forefinger on her cherry lips.
The venue slowly quieted down again.
Seeing this, Lucas continuously stroked Vulpix in his hands, sighing internally at how incredibly popular Cynthia was.
"Shoo."
Vulpix struggled free, jumped out of Lucas's arms, and found a spot to sit down.
Being stroked by him in Lucas's arms easily made it sleepy.
Instead of picking Vulpix back up, Lucas snatched the Gengar beside him's snacks and happily started munching.
(.—.")
Gengar looked at the snacks in Lucas's hand, felt wronged for a moment, and then pulled out another tub.
Munch, munch, munch~
"gengar sound"
The referee on the field had already handed the stage over to Cynthia and Lance.
"Please guide me, Champion Cynthia!"
"Please guide me."
Cynthia's eyes were cold.
She absolutely wouldn't lose today; someone was watching.
Lance flicked his wrist, and a Poké Ball flew out in a magnificent arc. Immediately after, a gigantic Gyarados appeared in the center of the field.
Gyarados emerged from the Poké Ball, slammed its tail against the ground, and then roared angrily toward Cynthia.
Cynthia, meanwhile, elegantly tossed out her Poké Ball, and Togekiss made a dazzling entrance.
The battle was imminent.
Gyarados's mouth steamed with frost as it lunged at Togekiss with a Bite.
Togekiss dodged, then struck Gyarados with a Dazzling Gleam. Gyarados endured the hit, seized the opportunity, and clamped its jaws around Togekiss with an Ice Fang.
The clash of tactics and Pokémon strength overwhelmed Lucas.
Was this what a Champion-level battle was like?
Trainers would react correctly at lightning speed, even preparing for the next move.
Lance's Gyarados perfectly demonstrated the beauty of power; its mighty aura filled the entire field. With a body several times larger than an ordinary Gyarados, it launched a highly aggressive counterattack, even after enduring a Thunderbolt against the type-disadvantaged Togekiss.
However, since the opponent was Cynthia, Lance could only seize a gap to switch out Gyarados, finally sending out an equally ferocious Pokémon.
Looking at the Pókemon that resembled a Pterodactyl, Lucas couldn't help but laugh out loud.
It's here, the world-famous meme.
Dodo Bird!
Gyarados and Aerodactyl: one Water/Flying, one Rock/Flying.
The "Dragon" Elite Four, Lance!
Cynthia also seized the gap when Aerodactyl launched its attack, recalled Togekiss, and sent out Lucario.
Unlike regular battles, Champion-level Pokémon will deliver the most devastating blow if they seize the right moment.
Lucario decisively defeated Aerodactyl with a Bullet Punch, but was subsequently taken down by a Thunder Punch from the Dragonite Lance sent out next.
Cynthia recalled the downed Lucario, then pressed her slender finger, making a Poké Ball appear in her hand.
She lightly kissed the Poké Ball before powerfully throwing it out.
"Soar through the skies, my partner."
"Kao!!!"
A jet-like silhouette suddenly descended from the sky and roared at the opposing Dragonite, causing goosebumps to rise on everyone present.
Extremely aggressive!
This was the conclusion Lucas reached while watching Garchomp completely unleash its imposing aura live.
With Garchomp's appearance, Cynthia's aura also grew much stronger.
Ace versus Ace.
Neither side's momentum gave way.
"Dragonite, Ice Punch!"
"Outrage!"
Garchomp crashed into Dragonite, blocking the Ice Punch with Outrage, then forcing Dragonite to retreat.
"Outrage!"
The aftermath of the battle blasted a huge crater into the field. Watching the intensely physical and spectacular battle, Lucas felt the blood in his body gradually begin to boil.
This is a battle! This is the battle I've always dreamed of!
Garchomp and Dragonite collided again, sparks flying from their eyes.
Next to him, Dash, full of passion, directly ripped out the neighboring seat.
Gengar was sitting properly, watching the battle intently, even forgetting to eat its snacks. The next second, it felt itself flying up.
"gengar sound?! ∑(°A°:"
I was hit flying?!
It turned its head and saw Dash looking at it with an apologetic expression.
Oh, scared the ghost out of me. I thought I was knocked away by them.
Dash carefully placed the seat back in its original position. Gengar wiggled its large butt, found a comfortable spot, and continued watching seriously.
All the Pokémon nearby were watching the battle seriously, but Lucas felt utterly cold inside.
My wallet has shrunk again.
Lucas continued watching the battle, and when he saw Dragonite seize the opportunity to use Dragon Dance, Cynthia's mouth curved into a smile.
Lucas thought to himself, "Oh no, it's over."
The next second, Garchomp vanished from Dragonite's side. The second after that, another airplane appeared on the field, delivering a point-blank Dazzling Gleam.
Double effectiveness.
Before losing consciousness, Dragonite desperately held on and took down Togekiss with an Ice Punch.
Both sides only had one Pokémon left.
Throwing out their Poké Balls simultaneously, Garchomp and Gyarados appeared on the field at the same time.
Lance waved the cape behind him with his hand, revealing the bracelet on his wrist.
"gengar sound!"
Does our house have one of those stones too?
Seeing Gengar's questioning gaze, Lucas nodded, then focused intently on Lance.
"Tear apart everything before your eyes!"
"Gyarados!"
"Mega Evolve!!!"
"Roar!!!"
The Mega Stone on Gyarados's forehead connected with the Key Stone on Lance's hand. Subsequently, two immensely strong lights merged, generating a powerful aura that blew away all the dust on the field. After the familiar symbol lit up, Gyarados's form on the field changed.
Two long whiskers grew from its lower jaw, and simultaneously, the fins on its back broke through the skin and spread out, resembling gigantic wings.
So cool!
Lucas couldn't help but say so internally.
The powerful gust generated after the Mega Evolution blew away all the debris on the field. Since Lucas's position was the closest and best, most of the debris flew toward him.
Gothitelle instantly appeared in front of Lucas, its eyes flashing. It stretched out its hands, blocking all the debris, which then fell onto the ground one after another.
The rest of the debris was blocked by the venue maintenance staff.
Gengar looked at Lucas.
Although it didn't speak, Lucas could still guess what it wanted to express.
He nodded gently.
We can do it too.
Gengar clenched its fists and happily swayed its body.
Just like a child.
But the next second, Dash held it steady with a hand.
"nihai."
Sit properly! You're disturbing me!
Gengar shrank its neck and sat down properly.
"Gyarados! Dragon Dance!!"
The familiar tone.
Gyarados forcibly used Dragon Dance.
Garchomp saw this. The red glow in its eyes intensified, and it was inexplicably angry.
Forcibly using Dragon Dance in front of Garchomp was maximum provocation this time.
Lucas looked at Cynthia expectantly.
Would she choose to Mega Evolve?
Apparently not.
Under Cynthia's command, Garchomp lunged forward with Thunder Fang.
Gyarados met the attack, frost steaming from its teeth.
Boom!
Both sides hit each other, and Garchomp grabbed Gyarados.
The next second, the field began to shake.
Gyarados was forced to take an Earthquake.
After several more rounds of fighting, Gyarados fell regretfully after Garchomp seized an opportunity.
The Mega form faded, and the Gyarados, reverting to its normal state, lay unconscious in the center of the field.
Garchomp roared towards the sky!
Truly worthy of being the strongest Pokémon Champion before Leon appeared.
The strongest ace Pokémon.
The cheers in the venue were continuous.
The lights shone on Cynthia. Listening to the cheers, Cynthia walked over to Garchomp and reached out her hand.
Garchomp gently lowered its head, allowing Cynthia to massage its head properly.
"You worked hard, Garchomp, we won."
Garchomp nodded softly.
Lance recalled Gyarados and walked up to Cynthia.
"I still can't beat you, Champion Cynthia."
Cynthia reached out and shook the hand Lance offered. An exhibition match definitely required interaction.
"You're getting stronger, Lance."
Lance was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter.
"Really?"
Cynthia nodded, then left the entrance with Lance.
The cheers in the venue continued unabated.
Lucas stood up and walked to the entrance of the passage. Before long, several figures appeared before him.
"That was hard work."
Lucas said upon seeing Cynthia.
Cynthia smiled sweetly, "I am invincible."
Lance: ???
Gengar floated over to Garchomp, hugging its snacks.
"gengar sound—"
Do you want some?
Garchomp squinted, took the snacks, and started munching heartily.
Gengar didn't forget to share with the Dragonite beside it.
Dragonite held the golden berry stick in its hand, looking puzzled. Seeing Garchomp eating so happily nearby, it tentatively put the stick into its mouth.
So delicious!
Then it looked at the can in Gengar's arms.
Seeing this, Gengar showed a friendly smile and handed the can directly to Dragonite.
Dragonite accepted it without reservation. Gengar pulled out another can, and the three Pokémon happily munched away nearby.
Garchomp felt much better. Its mood had been slightly depressed after two Pokémon used Dragon Dance right in front of it during the fight, but getting delicious snacks right after the battle instantly lifted its spirits.
Lucas looked at Lance beside him, noting the thick eyebrows and large eyes.
"This is Lance, the Champion of the Johto Region."
"Hello, I've heard much about you."
Lucas handed Vulpix to Cynthia, who had extended her hand, and then extended his own hand.
Lance extended his hand and shook Lucas's.
"He is the owner of a Breeding House, Lucas, and also a very powerful Pokémon Breeder."
Lance's eyes lit up.
Pokémon Breeder?
He then looked at Gengar and Lilligant and the others.
Every single one of them exuded a powerful aura, except for Mime Jr.
However, Mime Jr. was clearly beloved by these Pokémon, as it burrowed in among Gengar and the others.
Garchomp was bending down to share its snacks with Mime Jr.
You should know that Garchomp's snacks, apart from Cynthia and its good sisters like Lilligant, had never been eaten by anyone of the opposite sex.
....
Power Stones PLZZZZZ
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