As the tornado spun faster and faster, the slicing winds within it became increasingly terrifying.
Lucario's endurance was extraordinary—but even it could not withstand the endless barrage of cutting air blades forever.
Blue aura burst from Lucario's body, forming a refined armor of Aura around it. With the assistance of that power, Lucario finally broke free from the vortex.
When it emerged, its body was covered in wounds, and its stamina was nearly depleted.
But before Lucario could even catch its breath—
Bangila's second attack was already waiting.
Bangila let out a thunderous roar. The cry echoed like a dragon's fury, and its presence surged instantly to its peak.
Golden energy gathered in its mouth.
Under the blazing sun, the light was blinding.
"Hyper Beam!"
Lucario had expected open sky beyond the storm.
Instead—
A devastating beam of light engulfed it.
With no preparation and no defensive footing, even Lucario could not withstand a direct hit in that condition.
The impact blasted Lucario hundreds of meters backward before it finally stopped. Smoke rose from its body as it collapsed, unable to continue battling.
Cynthia calmly recalled Lucario, a genuine smile lighting her face.
It had been a long time since she had felt this exhilarated.
Since becoming Sinnoh Champion, very few battles had stirred her like this.
It wasn't simply Sam's strength that moved her. She had faced Trainers stronger than him before.
What excited her was his potential.
Standing alone at the summit was lonely.
And now—
She had finally found someone who might one day climb high enough to stand beside her.
"Sam," Cynthia said warmly, "you are a truly respectable Rival. So to show my sincerity… I'll use my strongest partner."
"Come out, Garchomp."
A powerful figure descended onto the battlefield.
Blue body. Blade-like fins. Eyes sharp as a predator's.
Garchomp.
Sam's expression turned serious.
He knew Garchomp's reputation far too well. In games, in battles, in every portrayal—Cynthia's Garchomp was her absolute ace. A near-unstoppable force that crushed opponents without mercy.
Pokémon: Garchomp
Type: Dragon / Ground
Strength: Champion — Peak
Potential: —
Evaluation: This Garchomp has reached the pinnacle of its species. It is a king among its kind. There has never been one superior. One more step… and it may enter the realm of legend.
Sam's heart tightened.
The last time he had seen such an evaluation was on a colossal Dragonite.
So this was the height of a true top Champion.
Before reading the evaluation, he had still entertained faint hopes of victory.
Now—
Those thoughts faded.
But surrender?
Never.
They hadn't surrendered before the giant Dragonite.
They wouldn't surrender now.
This mountain might be unreachable today—
But mountains exist to be climbed.
"Bangila," Sam shouted, "go all out! Awaken Shukaku's power!"
Bangila stomped the ground.
Energy surged into the earth, and the once-solid battlefield began to crumble into sand. Golden grains spread rapidly, turning more than half the terrain into a desert.
But this was no ordinary sand.
It pulsed with Bangila's will, swirling like living entities.
A massive sand tail formed behind Bangila.
Purple markings spread across its body, glowing with demonic intensity.
It resembled a tailed beast standing amidst a sea of sand.
Cynthia watched with open curiosity.
Such a transformation was rare even for her.
Bangila's power surged to frightening heights.
"Now!" Sam roared. "Giga Impact!"
If you were Godzilla, you couldn't rely only on long-range attacks.
True power meant charging forward.
"Giga Impact!" Cynthia responded instantly.
Bangila lunged, wrapped in violent energy.
Garchomp moved far more subtly.
No roar.
No dramatic buildup.
Just calm focus.
It gathered strength like a routine motion—almost casual.
And yet—
When the two collided—
Garchomp's power prevailed effortlessly.
Flashy force meant nothing before absolute strength.
Bangila was launched backward, crashing heavily to the ground. It lost its ability to battle instantly.
At the final moment, Garchomp had clearly held back. Otherwise, the outcome would have been far worse.
So this…
…was the power of a true peak Champion.
Sam stood quietly.
Then he stretched his shoulders and smiled.
"Thank you for the lesson, Cynthia."
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