Under the spotlight, the dome of the Lily of the Valley Arena echoed with the excited voice of the commentator:
"Ladies and gentlemen! Sinnoh Champion Cynthia is facing off against Johto Champion Lance!"
Lance's Charizard-colored orange and white cape billowed, and his first Poke Ball traced a scarlet arc through the air.
After an intimidating roar, Salamence's scarlet wings conjured a hurricane, and Lance's cape flapped wildly in the gale.
"Salamence, Dragon Dance!"
As expected, although he had changed his initial ace to Red Gyarados, Lance's Salamence could still sweep entire teams with Dragon Dance.
In fact, the overall strength of Mega Salamence was significantly greater than Mega Gyarados.
The strength of Mega Salamence had ranked among the top five Mega Pokemon for years, earning it the nickname "Little Rayquaza."
As for a certain 102-10...
Let's not even mention it.
Of course, Cynthia possessed Garchompite.
Cynthia's command sounded simultaneously.
"Togekiss, Air Slash!"
Cynthia's Togekiss had the Serene Grace Ability.
The Serene Grace Ability made additional effects of attack moves more likely to activate, and Air Slash had a 30% chance to make the target flinch.
Under the blessing of Serene Grace, this probability reached a terrifying 60%!
Togekiss flapped its wings and unleashed Air Slash, and Salamence suddenly let out a pained roar.
And the Air Slash accurately struck a critical hit!
From Salamence's anguished expression, the commentator could accurately judge this.
"Air Slash scored a critical hit! And it flinched!"
Green: "This is fate wanting Lance to lose."
Silver: "Critical hit and flinch—no one else has that kind of luck."
Cynthia pressed her advantage.
"Togekiss, Thunder Wave!"
In its flinching state, even if Lance wanted Salamence to use its fortitude to dodge, Salamence couldn't.
Seeing Salamence fall into a paralyzed state, Lance made a decisive decision.
"Return, Salamence."
If he didn't switch, it would be overwhelmed by Serene Grace Air Slash.
"Go, Dragonite!"
The orange-yellow Dragonite, with a pair of small wings, unleashed an Ice Punch as soon as it appeared.
However, Cynthia also simultaneously switched in a new Pokemon—Glaceon!
This Ice Punch had no effect on Glaceon.
Four times weakness to Ice was a symbol of strength.
Dragonite happened to be four times weak to Ice...
"Cynthia predicted Lance's switch!"
In the group chat, Lt. Surge whispered, "Actually... generally speaking, it's the same even without predicting."
"Glaceon, Ice Beam!"
"Dodge!"
Dragonite, relying on its Speed, managed to evade this super effective Ice Beam.
Lance favored using Dragon Dance for aggressive offensive pressure.
And Cynthia was perfectly capable of adapting to this style.
But in this situation, Cynthia also maintained a backup plan.
As the battle progressed, Lance successively switched in Kingdra, Haxorus, and Hydreigon.
Cynthia also continuously switched Pokemon in response.
After Lance stubbornly endured Salamence's paralysis condition,
"I'm going all in! Salamence, Mega Evolution!"
Contrary to what Silver and the others had guessed—or rather, teased—
Lance's Salamence was indeed holding Salamencite!
A tidal wave of rainbow light emanated from Lance's Mega Bracelet, and Lance's eyes became incredibly sharp.
"Salamence has Mega Evolved!"
After Mega Evolution, Salamence's wings resembled a blood moon, and its forelimbs were tucked close to its body, making them appear to vanish.
After Mega Evolution, Salamence's Ability also changed from Intimidate to Aerilate.
Aerilate solved the problem of Salamence lacking powerful Flying-type moves, and it possessed excellent Speed and decent bulk.
With the appearance of Mega Salamence, the atmosphere in the venue reached a new climax.
However, Lance had miscalculated.
Because Cynthia's trump card this time was neither Garchomp nor Lucario.
It was Glaceon.
"Then I'm going all in too."
Cynthia's lips curved slightly as she revealed her Z-Ring, on which an Ice Z-Crystal was clearly visible.
Chilling azure light enveloped Cynthia.
The cold wind lifted the hem of Cynthia's cobalt green trench coat, and her golden hair fluttered in the breeze.
Cold air continuously emanated from both Glaceon and Cynthia.
Cynthia placed her hand on the Ice Z-Crystal of her Z-Ring, her eyes instantly becoming sharp as she crossed her arms over her chest.
Her arms crossed again and extended forward.
"Countless shimmering ice crystals..."
As Cynthia's movements concluded, several azure beams shot from around Cynthia toward Glaceon in the arena.
The Z-Move's symbol appeared before Glaceon.
"Subzero Slammer!"
"It's here—Cynthia's previously unused Ice Z-Move!"
February was already winter, and with Subzero Slammer, the temperature in the arena dropped sharply.
"Miya!"
Glaceon, howling intensely, became like an ice-generating machine, instantly pulling the venue's temperature to its lowest point.
Solid ice rapidly spread from Glaceon's feet, and an iceberg rose from the ground!
Ice crystals shimmered brilliantly in the sunlight, and Glaceon, standing atop the iceberg, resembled a pure white rose.
"So cold..."
Many people hugged their arms, shivering.
A beam thicker than Glaceon's body swept down upon Salamence from above!
A spiky iceberg covered the entire field, then scattered into a sky full of snowflakes!
Lance's carefully reserved Mega Salamence had been precisely his latest trump card.
"What?!"
This was completely unexpected by Lance.
"Subzero Slammer connected!"
Salamence's Mega Evolution ended, and it lost its ability to battle.
Claire commented, "It's effective, but the move name is a bit cringeworthy."
Alan disagreed.
"What's cringeworthy? It's super cool!"
This time, Wayne sided with Alan.
"Whether it's cringeworthy or not depends on who uses it!"
"Milotic, Ice Beam!"
Hydreigon was frozen solid by Ice Beam.
"Hydreigon is unable to battle!"
However, soon after, the weakened Milotic was taken down by Flygon's Solar Beam.
Overall, both sides had traded victories.
"Spiritomb, Trick Room!"
In the Trick Room, the naturally faster Haxorus's movements became extremely sluggish.
Red: "Cynthia's Trick Room should be targeting Dragon Dance."
Blue: "I regret not participating a little. Ice Z-Crystal, Mega Salamence—this time it's quite a spectacle."
However, there was no use in Blue regretting it, because the registration period had already passed, and the schedule for the first stage was already set.
Even if Blue wanted to participate, he would have to wait until the next session.
Green: "Then participate next time. There will only be more and more opportunities."
Blue: "That makes sense."
Blue's lips curved slightly, already considering persuading Red to participate in the next session.
In the Trick Room, Spiritomb and Haxorus knocked each other out.
The commentator roared, "Both sides only have one Pokemon left!"
"Go! Dragonite!"
"Go, Garchomp!"