No matter which it was, John didn't care.
Because his Zoroark would destroy it without mercy!
"Zoroark, Spear Pillar!" John extended his hand and snapped his fingers.
Immediately, with Zoroark as the center, an invisible force began spreading. The battlefield's appearance gradually transformed, slowly becoming an altar with broken walls scattered everywhere.
The altar's manifestation resisted the wind and snow, causing Ninetales' figure to become visible again, though the chill brought by the snow hadn't disappeared.
In the deepest part of the broken altar, John stood on the trainer's platform, but at some point, a statue of Arceus had appeared behind him, magnificent and imposing. It made John seem like a king destined to rule the world.
Zoroark stood not far in front of John, his gaze locked onto Ninetales. His cold, blood-red eyes flickered with gleaming light as he swung both hands upward, creating two black portal-like holes. Palkia and Dialga in their Origin Forms crossed through time and space to arrive!
The Illusory King Field was Zoroark's exclusive domain as the 'King', it could create various illusions. "Spear Pillar" was the name John had specially chosen for this Arceus altar.
Because in the games, this exact scene existed in the Sinnoh Region under that very name!
Seeing two brand new Pokemon debut, the auditorium immediately became lively again.
"What kind of Pokemon are these two? I don't recognize them, but they're so magnificent!"
"Referee, this person released two more Pokemon, isn't that a foul?"
As a king from two thousand years ago and also a champion, John's Zoroark had gone far beyond ordinary illusions. His phantasms deceived not only vision, but also hearing, smell, touch, and even psychological sensations.
Though clearly Ghost-type energy with illusion properties, it made people feel utterly real.
The referee looked confused, he also doubted whether these two Pokemon truly existed. After all, this was the first time such a thing had happened on the battlefield.
In the past, at most a Shellder would be knocked off a Slowbro's tail.
But now, Elite Four John was using one Pokemon while summoning additional Pokemon that weren't part of his registered roster. According to battle rules, releasing two Pokemon simultaneously in a Single Battle was grounds for forced disqualification. What's more, John had apparently released three Pokemon. Should the match be suspended?
However, instructions from the head referee's office soon stopped those about to pause the match.
The instructions were simplen just six words: "Match proceeds normally" and "Continue."
Both trainers on the battlefield remained focused on battle, not noticing the referee's confusion.
Magnus looked curiously at the two summoned Pokemon before John.
He also wondered if John had sent multiple Pokemon to fight. After all, the aura and oppressive presence emanating from these two Pokemon felt extremely real. Judging by their overwhelming presence, these were definitely legendary Pokemon, and among legendaries, they belonged to the top tier.
Following this line of reasoning, Magnus immediately confirmed these two Pokemon should be illusions.
After all, if John truly possessed two such powerful legendary Pokemon, he could simply release them to crush him directly, no need for such elaborate tactics.
Moreover, if he remembered correctly, John had called this Pokemon Zoroark, and wasn't Zoroark's ability precisely Illusion?
His logical chain was perfectly sound!
To deduce that such realistic existences were merely illusions in just ten seconds, he was a genius!
In the entire National Stadium, probably only John's senior brother, Luck, first student of Saul Badman recognized Palkia and Dialga in their Origin Forms.
He stared at the two phantoms on the battlefield, murmuring continuously, "Pokemon that exist only in murals, gods worshipped by super-ancient civilizations!"
"Ninetales, Ice Shard!" On the battlefield, Magnus called out softly and took the offensive. No matter what Pokemon it was, on the battlefield, you could only fight it.
Ninetales flicked his tail in place.
Those tail segments looked like branches covered with winter ice and snow, but were actually soft, warm white fur. When thrown through the air, they brought countless crystal snowflakes, incomparably gorgeous.
But hidden beneath this beauty lay endless killing intent.
Countless ice shards magnified instantly mid-air, transforming from tiny crystals into sharp, thick ice spikes. They sliced through the air with friction sounds like gunshots.
Meanwhile, phantom Palkia was using Spacial Rend.
The phantoms of Palkia and Dialga responded accordingly. At this moment, they also displayed the swiftness that hadn't been present when John had conquered Zoroark two months ago.
Cold ice shards descended from the sky, ready to smash Zoroark's head to pieces.
Presumably, this was why Magnus named this technique "Ice Cannon."
Zoroark grinned coldly, his figure becoming increasingly blurred. His sharp claws were extended, and black Dark-type energy swirled like quicksand that couldn't be blown away by wind in his palms.
Ninetales exerted force with his forelegs, leaping into the air, spinning mid-flight, and swinging his tail again. In the blink of an eye, his soft tail was encased in ice, instantly transforming into a massive Ice Hammer.
Phantom Dialga was using Dragon Rush.
Zoroark didn't attack immediately, his eyes locked onto Ninetales, ready to dodge.
John had no Ice-type Pokemon and wouldn't train any in the future. After all, there really wasn't much worth cultivating in the Ice-type family.
Dodging and weaving, Zoroark easily avoided Ninetales' ice cannon.
"Ice Hammer!" John and Magnus issued attack commands simultaneously.
No, that wasn't quite accurate. There was no need to train ordinary Ice-type Pokemon, but for legendary Pokemon, if he could catch a Kyurem in the future, he'd still train it.
"Zoroark, Agility!" John commanded.
Zoroark's figure burst forth immediately, his ghostly speed leaving afterimages even in motion.
Meanwhile, Palkia and Dialga prepared to attack.
"Modified Icicle Spear move? Or combined some moves with Icicle Spear?" John secretly speculated but didn't dwell on it further.
Although Zoroark had never seen Palkia use Spacial Rend, Gardevoir could perform it.
"Night Slash!"