Bruno stared at his defeated Blaziken with wide eyes. THis Fire-Fighting-type lay motionless on the scorched grass.
Bruno had trained Blaziken himself for years. He had raised it from a Torchic. Every punch, every kick, every flame had been perfected through endless hours of work. Now it was down in one single move. Bruno's hands tightened around the Poké Ball as he recalled his partner.
'How did that attack bypass Protect?' Bruno thought. ' And I am pretty sure that It did not dodge the Flamethrower. It became intangible. The energy passed right through him. Then it appeared behind Blaziken and struck with full force. Attack and defense in one move? What move is Phantom force even?'
From her VIP box high above the stadium, Agatha leaned forward. Her eyes narrowed as she watched the slow-motion replay on the giant screen.
She replayed the moment again and again. Lee vanished when Flamethrower washed over him. The fire passed through empty space. Then he reappeared behind Blaziken. Protect formed instantly, but the attack went straight through it. The punch landed with devastating power. Blaziken flew forward and crashed hard.
Agatha muttered to herself. "Phantom Force. That is what he called it. The Annihilape did not dodge. It became intangible. It stood there in such a way that even energy attacks passed through him. Normally such attacks still hit Ghost-types, but this move made him completely untouchable for a moment. Then he traveled through the ground and struck from behind. Since he was tangible again, the Protect barrier could not stop him. A devastating combination of evasion, repositioning, and raw power."
She leaned back in her seat. "A very strong move. But I am sure it comes with limitations. Such power cannot be used continuously. It probably takes time to charge or leaves him vulnerable afterward. Still… who is the real Ghost specialist here? Me or that brat? How did he manage to get his Pokemon learn such a move?"
The announcer's voice boomed across the stadium. "Did you see that, folks? That Annihilape just did… I do not even have words to explain what just happened! It vanished completely! The Flamethrower went right through empty space! Then it appeared behind Blaziken and smashed through Protect like it was nothing! One hit! One single hit! And an Elite Four Pokémon is down!"
.
Gladion looked at Lee. The Annihilape's eyes still glowed red. His fists clenched and unclenched. Rage poured off him in waves. He was not in his right state of mind.
"Yeah," Gladion thought. "He is not thinking clearly right now."
He raised Lee's Poké Ball. "Return, Lee."
The Poké Ball shook violently for a few seconds. Lee tried to resist. Angry growls echoed from inside. But he did not burst out. It was just a tantrum. Gladion sighed in relief.
"I forfeit Lee," Gladion said clearly.
The referee blinked in surprise. Bruno frowned. The crowd let out a collective gasp, then boos rained down. They wanted to see more of the terrifying Annihilape. Gladion was the only trainer in three regions with one. Some people had come specifically to watch him.
Bruno stepped forward. "Why did you do that?"
He thought that Gladion was thinking that he did not need his annhilape to win the match. He was being underestimated.
Gladion answered politely. "Your Hypnosis might have looked like it did not work but it did. He was not in the right mindset to continue. I did not forfeit him because I think you cannot give me a challenge. His rage was beyond normal parameters. Consider it that your pokemon did not let him in a state that he could fight in."
Bruno's frown softened. He nodded slowly. "I understand. That level of rage is dangerous. Thank you for your honesty."
Gladion thought, 'Of course Lee could have clean-swept his team. Annihilape are very powerful. But I am pretty sure he would have ended up killing one of Bruno's Pokémon. Besides, I promised Guy a good fight today.'
Bruno looked excited again. "Then let us continue with what we have left."
He threw his next Poké Ball. "Go, Hariyama!"
The massive Pokémon landed with a heavy thud. Its body was round and powerful. It clapped its hands together and waited.
Gladion smiled. "Let us go, Guy."
Machamp appeared in a burst of light. Four arms flexed. The crowd went wild.
Guy struck his classic pose. Both arms raised high. His muscles bulged.
[YOUTH!] he shouted at the top of his lungs.
The entire stadium answered back. "YOUTH!"
Thousands of voices shouted the word together. Fans jumped up. Signs waved. Guy was not just a fighter. He was a phenomenon.
On PokéGram he had millions of followers. He posted daily workout videos. He gave fitness tips. He motivated people with speeches about the power of youth. He was the top fitness and gym influencer in the world. People loved him.
Guy turned to the crowd and raised one fist. [The burning spirit of youth will shine brighter today! Every punch! Every kick! Every drop of sweat! It is all for the power of springtime within us! Let us show the world that hard work and passion can overcome anything! YOSH!]
The stadium exploded again. "YOSH!"
-----Author Notes------
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