The sudden reversal stunned the entire arena.
A wave of murmurs swept through the stands.
"How is that Blaziken that fast?"
"That acceleration—did you see that?"
"It's Speed Boost."
"No wonder… that explains everything."
"I heard that ability is incredibly rare."
…
In the main seating area, Richard's expression turned cold.
Sebastian had completely misread the situation.
Blaziken's speed had been building right in front of him, and he'd practically handed it the momentum.
"Fool…"
The confidence Richard had shown earlier was gone, replaced by restrained anger.
Beside him, Rowan's smile widened.
"Richard… are you reconsidering your position already?"
"The people you brought in don't seem particularly convincing."
A quiet chuckle followed.
Richard's jaw tightened.
…
On the battlefield, Sebastian stared at the fallen Swampert in disbelief.
He swallowed and shot Nathan a sharp look.
"Your Blaziken has Speed Boost?"
Nathan gave a small nod.
"I suppose I should thank you."
Sebastian's expression tightened.
Before he could send out his next Pokémon, Nathan pressed the advantage.
"Blaziken, Fire Punch—Grovyle."
Blaziken surged forward.
Its acceleration was so sudden that much of the audience struggled to follow it. A red streak cut across the field, and in the next instant, its flaming fist was already in front of Grovyle.
Aaron's pupils narrowed.
"Grovyle—Sage Art, Wood Release: Wood Barrier Jutsu."
Grovyle brought its hands together once more.
The ground split as a massive wooden shield rose to intercept the attack.
Blaziken's Fire Punch struck it head-on.
The impact echoed across the arena.
Cracks spread rapidly through the barrier.
A heartbeat later, the Wood Barrier shattered under the force of the blow, fragments scattering through the air.
Through the fractured opening, Grovyle met Blaziken's steady gaze.
A fresh surge of speed rippled through Blaziken's body—Speed Boost triggering again.
Its movements grew even sharper, even harder to follow.
Now operating far beyond its initial pace.
Absurd.
"Slowbro, Ice Beam."
Emma's command cut through the chaos.
A blue-white beam shot straight through the opening Blaziken had torn in the barrier.
The timing was precise.
One attack shattered the defense. The other followed without hesitation.
Grovyle had no time to evade.
The Ice Beam struck it squarely.
"Grovyle!"
It cried out as the force of the impact hurled it backward.
The type advantage made the blow especially punishing.
If not for the enhancements from its Wood Bloodline Limit, that strike alone would have ended the match for it.
"Blaziken—finish it."
"Quick Attack."
Nathan's voice remained steady as he gave the command.
Blaziken lunged forward in a blur.
But Aaron reacted first.
"Return, Grovyle."
A flash of red light.
Grovyle was recalled just in time.
Blaziken's Quick Attack struck empty air.
"Blazi…"
As if the recall had disappointed it.
Aaron's eyes narrowed.
"Careful," he muttered under his breath.
"Don't get ahead of yourself."
A faint smirk tugged at his lips.
"I'll clip those wings soon enough."
Being looked down on by a fire chicken?
Absolutely not.
Meanwhile, Sebastian felt a flicker of grim satisfaction watching Grovyle nearly get overwhelmed.
In truth, he had intentionally delayed sending out his second Pokémon. If Aaron also lost one, his own mistake wouldn't stand out as much.
Now that Grovyle had been recalled, he finally made his move.
"Archeops—come out."
A burst of light flashed as a strange, ancient bird Pokémon with a reptilian head and feathered body took to the air.
Archeops.
Its status panel appeared in Aaron's vision.
[Name: Archeops]
[Gender: Female]
[Nature: Timid]
[Types: Rock / Flying]
[Ability: Defeatist]
[Base Stats Total: 567]
[Level: Elite (Mid Stage)]
[Pokémon Potential: Champion Level]
[Known Moves: Wing Attack (Proficient), Rock Throw (Mastery), Quick Attack (Proficient), Double Team (Proficient), Ancient Power (Proficient), Agility (Proficient), Quick Guard (Proficient), Acrobatics (Proficient), Crunch, Dragon Breath, Steel Wing...]
[Description: Archeops, the First Bird Pokémon and the evolved form of Archen. Despite its fierce appearance, it has a cowardly nature...]
Aaron reached for a Poké Ball and flicked it forward.
"It's decided—"
"You're up, Frog Boss."
Want to test speed?
Then let's see who's faster.
A sharp smile curved at the corner of his mouth.