Amid thunderous cheers, Aiden Flint stepped back onto the battlefield to face Hoenn's third Elite Four member—the Ghost-type specialist, Phoebe.
"The next match of the Elite Four Challenge! Challenger Aiden Flint versus Elite Four Phoebe! Each side may use six Pokémon! Elite Four Phoebe will move first!"
"Battle—begin!"
As the referee's voice fell, Phoebe's first Pokémon materialized on the field.
Dusknoir's pre-evolution—Dusclops.
"Ding! Dusclops's current attributes are as follows:"
Pokémon: Dusclops
Level: 69
Ability: Pressure
Type: Ghost
Potential: Gold
Bond Evolution: Not unlocked
Mega Evolution: Not unlocked
Moves: Shadow Punch, Fire Punch, Ice Punch, Thunder Punch, Confuse Ray, Future Sight…
Level 69.
Normally, this Pokémon would have evolved into Dusknoir by now.
But even Elite Four-level Trainers, impressive as they were, were still insufficient before Aiden.
"Umbreon, you're up."
Umbreon stepped onto the battlefield.
Level 74.
Mid-stage Champion-tier.
From the moment it appeared, the pressure shifted completely.
"Umbreon—Dark Pulse!"
Dark-type energy naturally countered Ghost-types.
If executed perfectly, Umbreon could potentially sweep the entire lineup.
But there was a danger.
Ghost-types frequently carried Destiny Bond.
One misstep, and it would become mutual destruction.
"Dusclops—Shadow Punch!"
Shadow Punch was a sure-hit move.
Ghost-types and Psychic-types were notorious for being difficult opponents.
But when raw strength formed absolute suppression—
Tricks lost meaning.
Shadow Punch struck first, slamming into Umbreon's head.
Yet Dark Pulse followed immediately, erupting in a wave of sinister energy that blasted Dusclops off its feet.
From a typing perspective, Sidney should technically counter Phoebe.
So why was Phoebe ranked higher?
Clearly—
She was a master of fighting against unfavorable matchups.
You could say that again, Lance.
…
"Dusclops is unable to battle! Umbreon wins!"
One-hit knockout.
Phoebe's expression shifted instantly.
"Go, Banette!"
"Ding! Banette's current attributes are as follows:"
Pokémon: Banette
Level: 71
Ability: Insomnia
Type: Ghost
Potential: Gold
Bond Evolution: Not unlocked
Mega Evolution: Not unlocked
Moves: Night Shade, Will-O-Wisp, Shadow Ball, Phantom Force, Shadow Sneak, Destiny Bond…
"Destiny Bond again… troublesome."
The moment Aiden saw the move on Banette's panel, he frowned slightly.
Sure enough—
Phoebe opened with Destiny Bond.
Without hesitation, Aiden recalled Umbreon.
The black fox vanished in a flash of red light.
Arcanine appeared instead.
Phoebe exhaled lightly. "Switching Pokémon? That's fine. At least you won't sweep me with just one."
"Banette—Phantom Force!"
Banette vanished instantly.
Aiden's eyes narrowed.
"Arcanine—Flare Blitz!"
Flames erupted across Arcanine's body, transforming it into a blazing meteor.
No matter which direction Banette emerged from, it would crash into fire first.
Aiden's psychic sense locked onto the hidden movement.
"Behind you. Full speed!"
Arcanine pivoted sharply.
Flare Blitz collided head-on with Phantom Force.
Less than two seconds of resistance—
Banette was sent flying.
"Now—Fire Blast!"
A roaring inferno engulfed Banette completely.
When it fell, its body was scorched black.
"Destiny Bond again!"
"Extreme Speed—then finish it with Flare Blitz!"
Before Banette could complete the incantation, Arcanine blurred into motion.
Extreme Speed closed the gap instantly.
Flare Blitz detonated at point-blank range.
Banette collapsed.
"Ding! Arcanine has defeated Banette. Gained 5,637 experience points. Level increased. Current level: Lv71!"
Two down.
Phoebe inhaled deeply, steadying her emotions before sending out her third Pokémon.
This time—
Dusknoir.
Dusclops's evolution.
Level 73.
A true powerhouse.
Arcanine fought at full capacity.
After a grueling clash, it barely managed to defeat Dusknoir—
But its stamina was nearly depleted.
Winning against a stronger opponent, and taking down two in a row—
Arcanine had already performed brilliantly.
"Dusknoir is unable to battle! Arcanine wins! Since Elite Four Phoebe has lost three Pokémon, we will now have a ten-minute intermission!"
Compared to Sidney, Phoebe was far more troublesome.
It took nearly half an hour to clear her first three Pokémon.
Those Destiny Bond tactics were truly disgusting.
Aiden narrowed his eyes.
Second half—
He would need to raise the intensity.
Across the field, Phoebe was deep in thought.
How could she at least take down one of Aiden's Pokémon?
She was the third-ranked Elite Four member.
And Aiden hadn't even revealed his real core team.
If she still ended with zero knockouts—
Even with Destiny Bond in her arsenal—
Wouldn't that be humiliating?
Her lips twitched.
She absolutely refused to be remembered as the Elite Four member who accomplished nothing.
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