"Chaaah~!"
Noticing that Infernape had burrowed underground with Dig, Samurott frowned.
If this were another kind of battlefield, the solution would be simple—fire off a move like Hydro Pump. But here, in a volcanic terrain, would Hydro Pump even work?
Before Samurott could think it through, a terrifying wave of heat surged from the tunnel below. Without hesitation, Samurott darted back, creating distance while reinforcing its stance.
Just as it retreated, molten magma burst out from the tunnel, but Infernape's silhouette was nowhere to be seen.
Watching this, Paul couldn't help but recall that iconic anime battle—Infernape against Ninjask, and his chest tightened.
As expected, the next moment, Flint cried out:
"Now—Flare Blitz!"
"Waaaahhh!!!"
A furious roar erupted from underground, and the entire battlefield was instantly set ablaze in a crimson glow. Rivers of molten lava churned violently.
"BOOM!"
The earth cracked apart, and the battlefield erupted like a volcano. Waves of fire and magma burst skyward, a disaster descending upon the arena.
The explosion engulfed everything, a fiery storm stretching hundreds of meters into the air. Even escaping upward offered no refuge.
"Detect, Sacred Sword!"
Facing the inferno, Samurott's eyes glowed a sharp blue. Reading through the flames, it raised its dual Seamitars high. The twin blades fused into one radiant white sword, slicing down through the tide of magma.
The inferno consumed Samurott's silhouette completely. Just as everyone thought it was lost to the flames—light burst forth.
The white sword cleaved through the blaze, and Samurott burst free. Riding a rushing torrent, it hovered midair, Seamitars sharper than ever.
The eruption subsided, leaving only waves of heat sweeping the arena. From the scorched earth, Infernape leapt out.
Panting heavily after unleashing such a devastating attack, it realized Samurott was virtually unscathed. Its expression now darkened.
That strike—boosted by the terrain—was powerful enough to seriously wound or even fell Cynthia's Garchomp in one hit. Yet Samurott had forced its way through with Detect and Sacred Sword.
Their eyes locked across the battlefield. Sparks seemed to fly in the silence.
"Air Slash!"
"Flamethrower!"
"Chaaah~!"
Samurott dove, Seamitars flashing in blurred arcs, sending crescent-shaped wind blades downward.
Infernape didn't evade. From its mouth roared a Flamethrower, colliding head-on with the wind blades.
The clash raged, but fire was gradually overwhelmed by slicing air. Samurott closed in rapidly, and at the perfect moment—its blades crossed, unleashing a devastating Aerial Ace.
Frustrated yet unyielding, Infernape countered with all its strength, fists crackling as it launched Thunder Punch head-on.
BAM!
The collision unleashed a shockwave, scattering boulders like paper.
"Chaaah~!"
Samurott's eyes narrowed, its power surging once again. The force overwhelmed Infernape, knocking it back.
"Razor Shell Barrage!"
Samurott charged, blades swinging like crashing waves, each strike heavier and sharper than the last.
"Power-Up Punch!"
Refusing to give ground, Infernape met each strike, fists glowing with relentless energy. Their clash exploded into a ferocious storm of blows, shaking the battlefield apart.
"Ka~!"
Suddenly, the ground beneath Infernape tilted and crumbled. Its footing faltered, throwing its rhythm off—just for an instant.
Seizing the opening, Samurott's eyes flashed with the piercing light of Detect. With a precise swing of its Seamitars, it deflected Infernape's incoming Power-Up Punch. In the same motion, its blades surged with water and thrust forward like a sudden torrent.
In the blink of an eye, the strike pierced through, landing cleanly against Infernape.
One strike… then another—strike after strike!
Infernape staggered as its offense broke apart, its rhythm shattered. Samurott pressed the advantage mercilessly. With Detect enhancing its awareness, it read every movement, every twitch of Infernape's body. Its torrent-like blades fell again and again, drowning Infernape within a storm of slashing waves.
"Chaaah~!"
With the final cut, Samurott spun its Seamitar once in its grip before sliding it back into its sheath. Landing cleanly in front of Paul on the least-damaged part of the arena, it didn't spare a glance back.
Moments later, Infernape collapsed helplessly to the ground, unconscious.
"Infernape is unable to battle! Samurott wins!" The referee declared.
Cheers erupted from the stands.
"Awesome! That Samurott is so cool!"
"That's the legendary Hisuian Samurott, I want one too!"
"Even after facing that terrifying Flare Blitz, it came out unharmed. Unreal…"
"Those cold eyes, that razor-sharp aura, the sheer presence… I'm in love!"
"Ninetales was strong too, but compared to Flint's Ninetales that got one-shot, but this one's on another level!"
"..."
The crowd, which just yesterday had jeered at Paul with righteous fury, now cheered him like die-hard fans.
"Truly powerful…" Flint sighed as he returned Infernape to its Poké Ball. His voice carried both admiration and a faint bitterness.
"It feels like you didn't even push your Samurott to its limit. Next time, I'll battle you again—and see just how strong it really is."
With that, he exited the stage quietly, leaving all the glory to Paul and his Samurott.
"You did well. Take a rest." Paul said simply.
"Cha~," Samurott replied, calm as ever.
But Paul didn't bask in the adoration. The moment Flint left, he recalled Samurott into its Poké Ball without hesitation and walked off stage.
To him, today's cheers and fleeting honor meant nothing—not until the true battles and true glory arrived.
...
Later, inside a study-like room, a man with long blue hair, sharp glasses, and a tailored red suit sat writing in a notebook. His presence radiated calm intellect.
He was Lucian, the Psychic-type Elite Four member of Sinnoh.
Lucian's task was simple but vital, analyzing Paul's tactics and predicting which Pokémon he would use in the next round.
Whether such predictions held weight was uncertain. But out of respect for his opponent, and to maximize his own chances of victory, Lucian would prepare as thoroughly as possible.
"Metagross, Ursaluna, Aggron, Torterra, Ninetales, Hisuian Samurott…"
One by one, he crossed the names off his notes.
"So far, Paul hasn't repeated a single Pokémon. Is he deliberately rotating them—to showcase his entire roster?" Lucian mused.
His gaze shifted to the names still unmarked:
Monferno, Froslass, Drapion, Garchomp, Electivire.
"Monferno hasn't been used yet, so it's probably not something he plan to use. Even if he do, it's not a big deal."
"That means the next three he sends out will almost certainly be among these remaining four or five."
The prediction came easily enough. But strategy? That was another matter entirely.
Paul's Pokémon were, in Lucian's words, "abnormal" and "unorthodox." They couldn't be countered with conventional tactics. Crafting a battle plan was near impossible.
Still, assembling an appropriate lineup in response—that, at least, was within reach.
Lucian closed the notebook, and eyes glinting with quiet determination.
The true battle was yet to come.
(End of Chapter)
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