"BOOM!"
In the end, Kingdra failed to escape.
The descending Thunder struck it squarely, electricity exploding across its entire body with a deafening crackle.
"Kingdra!"
Kingdra cried out in pain as black smoke rose from its body, but it managed to endure the attack.
Its Water/Dragon typing left it taking only neutral damage from Electric-type moves, and with its solid Special Defense—not to mention Dragon Pulse having weakened the incoming Thunder—it had barely managed to stay standing.
Darren laughed.
"You really did this to yourself, you know."
He gave Ricky a mocking grin.
"Using Rain Dance against my Luxray? You practically handed me the win."
Ricky grimaced.
He had been so focused on activating Kingdra's Swift Swim that he had overlooked the obvious problem: Thunder became frighteningly reliable in the rain.
"Don't celebrate yet."
His expression hardened.
"Kingdra, Smokescreen!"
"Kingdra!"
Kingdra lowered its snout and released a thick cloud of black smoke. Within seconds, nearly half the battlefield disappeared behind an opaque curtain.
Darren merely smiled.
"You think hiding in smoke is going to work against Luxray?"
Ricky frowned.
"Luxray, keep your eyes on it. Use Charge!"
"Lux!"
A sharp gleam passed through Luxray's eyes as it stared straight into the smoke. Yellow electricity began gathering around its body, sparks crackling through its mane as it entered a charged state.
Once Charge was complete, Luxray's next Electric-type attack would be significantly stronger, while its Special Defense rose as well.
Ricky immediately realized that waiting would only make things worse.
"Kingdra, hit it with Dragon Pulse!"
"Kingdra!"
A cry rang out from somewhere inside the smoke.
A moment later, a blast of draconic energy burst through the darkness and tore across the battlefield toward Luxray.
Luxray's pupils narrowed.
Then it moved.
As though it had seen the attack coming from the very beginning, Luxray slipped aside just before Dragon Pulse reached it.
"BOOM!"
The attack slammed into the spot where it had been standing and blasted a deep crater into the battlefield, sending chunks of stone flying.
Darren's grin widened.
"Perfect. Luxray, finish this with Thunder!"
Charge had already done its work.
Electricity wrapped around Luxray's body in dense arcs, making it look like a beast born from the storm itself.
"Luxray!"
It raised its head and roared.
Thunder rumbled overhead as yellow light flashed through the rainclouds.
Then a massive bolt of lightning came crashing down directly into the smoke.
Not somewhere near Kingdra.
Directly at it.
Ricky's eyes widened.
How the hell does it know where Kingdra is?
There was no time to figure it out.
"Kingdra, Protect!"
"Kingdra!"
Kingdra reacted instantly. A transparent barrier snapped into place around its body just as the lightning reached it.
For a split second, Protect held.
Then the barrier cracked.
"BOOM!"
The charged Thunder smashed through it like glass.
The protective field shattered into countless fragments of light, and the remaining electricity struck Kingdra head-on.
"KINGDRA!"
Its entire body convulsed beneath the blast. Black smoke poured from its scorched scales until it looked less like a Dragon-type Pokémon and more like an overcooked seahorse.
Then it collapsed heavily onto the battlefield.
Kingdra was out.
Luxray had taken down two of Ricky's Pokémon in a row.
"Kingdra!"
Ricky called out in alarm.
The referee immediately raised his flag, visibly pleased with the result.
"Kingdra is unable to battle! Ricky, send out your final Pokémon!"
Ricky stared at the fallen Kingdra for a moment before recalling it.
"Come back. You did well."
His face looked like he had just swallowed something painfully sour.
Across the battlefield, Darren laughed.
"Come on, Ricky. Just surrender."
He casually rested a hand on his hip.
"There's no shame in losing to me. You're pretty good for a freshman. Maybe in another year you'll actually be able to give me a real fight."
That smug little speech immediately made Ricky's expression even worse.
He pointed straight at Darren.
"Not a chance!"
Darren raised an eyebrow.
"I'd rather die than surrender!"
...