"Gholdengo, Recover."
At Dylan's command, Cynthia's pupils tightened.
Recover—a Normal-type move that restored a massive amount of health. If Gholdengo managed to pull it off, then all the damage her team had worked for so far would mean nothing!
"Lucario, Earthquake!"
But at this range, could it really close in in time?
Cynthia immediately gave her order.
Lucario let out a sharp cry, clenched its fist, and slammed it into the ground.
Rumble!!
The battlefield trembled violently, shockwaves bursting outward.
Gholdengo's body glowed with white light, its wounds knitting rapidly. The last thread of light sank into its chest—its health nearly back to full—just as the quake reached it.
The tremors hammered into Gholdengo, making it flinch in pain. Ground was still a punishing weakness.
"Bone Rush!"
Cynthia pressed the assault.
Lucario clasped its hands together, summoning two bone staves and rushing forward.
A Ground-type Bone Rush—a rare move, almost unique to Cubone's line, Mandibuzz, and Lucario itself.
"Shadow Ball! Keep it away."
Dylan ordered calmly.
Gholdengo extended its hands, forming multiple small shadowy orbs instead of one large one.
A volley of miniature Shadow Balls flew outward like bullets.
Lucario's staves spun in a blur, deflecting several, but the sheer number overwhelmed its defense.
One broke through—then another. The blasts struck Lucario, sending it flying back.
"Shadow Ball."
With a push of its arm, Gholdengo fired a full-powered sphere at the airborne Lucario.
"Lucario!!"
Lucario twisted desperately, teeth gritted, forcing its body to spin midair.
Gasps rippled through the stands as the Shadow Ball narrowly grazed past its waist.
Dylan raised an eyebrow.
"Earthquake!" Cynthia's tone hardened.
Lucario landed, slid several feet, then hammered the ground again.
Rumble!!
The tremors surged toward Gholdengo.
"Protect," Dylan said with a smirk.
A shimmering green barrier unfolded, absorbing the quake.
Cynthia's lips pressed thinly, brows knitting tighter.
"Disappointed?"
Dylan's voice cut across the arena.
"If I'd made Gholdengo jump, it would've triggered the Stealth Rock and Spikes your Gastrodon set up. That would've let Lucario close in for melee. But here…"
He smiled faintly.
"…this is the World Championship stage, Cynthia. Not a Gym battle."
He recalled Gholdengo into its Poké Ball. It had already done its part—but between field hazards and its lack of close-combat skill, keeping it in wasn't wise.
"My second Pokémon."
He tossed another Poké Ball.
"Aegislash, to the field!"
White light burst, revealing the eerie sword-and-shield Pokémon, hovering silently in the air.
The moment it appeared, a Stealth Rock detonated—but Aegislash, in Shield Form, only faltered slightly before resuming its calm float.
Beep~ Aegislash. Steel/Ghost-type. Royal Sword Pokémon.
Ability: Stance Change.
Moves: King's Shield, Head Smash, Sacred Sword, Swords Dance, Iron Head, Shadow Sneak…
Leon's eyes widened. So Dylan also has an Aegislash? I never heard of this…
Aegislash was powerful, yes, but also incredibly demanding—only a true master could wield its potential.
And if anyone could, it was Dylan.
"…Aegislash."
Cynthia's expression grew grave. She knew this species well—it could be terrifying in the right hands, or clumsy in the wrong ones.
But with Dylan? There was no question.
"This one's been with me a long time," Dylan admitted, brushing his nose. "Funny enough, I've barely used it in real battles. Today feels like the right chance. Cynthia, experience its true strength."
Her heart sank. If Dylan was saying that, then this Aegislash was even stronger than Gholdengo.
She raised her Poké Ball. "…Return, Lucar—"
Clang!!
A shimmering wall snapped into existence behind Lucario. The recall beam fizzled harmlessly against it.
Cynthia's eyes narrowed.
"Block," Dylan said, smiling faintly.
Aegislash's Normal-type move—similar to Mean Look—locking Lucario in place.
"You're not walking away so easily."
"Air Slash."
The blade slid free of its shield, Aegislash's stance shifting. With one slash, a razor-sharp wave of air screamed down toward Lucario.
"Extreme Speed!"
Cynthia's voice cut sharp.
Lucario blurred in white light, darting aside and closing in like a bullet. Its speed was astonishing.
But Dylan only shook his head. "Pointless. Extreme Speed doesn't work on Ghost-types."
Lucario could use it for movement, yes—but not to land a hit.
Still, Cynthia pressed on silently. She knew this. She was only buying distance.
"Lucario!"
With another leap, it lunged straight for Aegislash.
"Shadow Ball."
Dark energy gathered at the sword's tip—then launched at point-blank range.
Too fast! Lucario couldn't possibly—
"Detect!"
Cynthia's shout rang out.
Lucario's eyes gleamed. At the last possible instant, it twisted in an unnatural arc, the Shadow Ball missing by a hair.
The crowd roared. That Detect had been razor-thin!
"…Impressive," Dylan admitted, raising a brow. "But futile."
"Dark Pulse!" Cynthia countered.
Lucario thrust out its palm, unleashing black waves of energy.
Clang!!
The sword snapped back into its shield—King's Shield igniting in a translucent barrier.
The Dark Pulse splashed uselessly against it.
Cynthia's stomach dropped. It switched stances that fast?
Before she could recover—
"Sacred Sword."
The blade flared blue and cleaved downward.
The strike slammed into Lucario's chest.
It screamed, flung brutally into the dirt, leaving a crater.
"Air Slash."
The follow-up wave of air scythed down, exploding where Lucario had fallen.
When the smoke cleared, Lucario lay limp in the pit—unconscious.
"Lucario is unable to battle. Aegislash wins!"
The referee's voice barely carried over the stunned silence—then the crowd erupted in disbelief.
"That was Cynthia's ace!"
"It didn't even move from its spot the whole time…"
"This Aegislash feels even stronger than Leon's…"
In the stands, Caitlin's hands twisted into her dress, face pale.
"Caitlin? What's wrong? You look unwell." Hilda leaned closer, frowning in concern.
The noblewoman forced a weak smile. "…I'm fine. Just tired."
But inside, her heart raced.
Champion Dylan, please… don't be so merciless to Cynthia! You're going too hard!
(End of Chapter)