[Lv. 46 Sceptile ♂ / Elite]
"Sceptile!"
Juan frowned slightly. He didn't understand why Gary had switched out Breloom—who had only taken a Blizzard but could still fight—for another Grass-type.
"Gary, why aren't you using Breloom?" Juan asked, curious.
"Because Breloom can't move easily on this terrain," Gary answered coolly. "I don't like wasting time. It's better to finish things quickly."
"I see. Then show me how fast your Sceptile really is," Juan replied with a confident smile.
Gary shot a glance at Whiscash, who glared back, then issued a command. "Sceptile, use Energy Ball!"
"Tile!"
Sceptile opened his mouth and fired a glowing green orb straight at Whiscash.
"Whiscash, Surf!" Juan commanded.
"Whii–caash!"
Whiscash slammed its fins against the water. Controlled by psychic finesse, the water surged into a towering ten-meter-high wave, lifting Whiscash atop it as it rushed toward Sceptile.
The Energy Ball struck the incoming wave, creating a gaping hole—but it wasn't enough to stop the massive wall of water from crashing down.
"Now, Aqua Tail!"
Whiscash leapt from the crest of the wave, its tail surrounded by a swirling cloak of water as it chopped downward toward Sceptile.
"Leaf Blade!" Gary countered.
"Tileaah!"
The leaves on Sceptile's wrists extended and sharpened into twin blades of glowing green light. With a forceful push from his legs, Sceptile launched himself upward to meet the incoming Whiscash.
Clang!
The Leaf Blade clashed with Aqua Tail in midair. The impact sent Sceptile tumbling back toward the ground, while the collapsing wave washed over the field, carrying Sceptile several meters backward.
Juan's decades of experience showed—Gary was struggling to counter Whiscash's wave-riding assault strategy.
Riding the wave allowed Whiscash to strike from above, combining the Surf's pressure with his own attack. And once Sceptile jumped, he lacked the aerial stability to land decisive hits.
"Whiscash, use Surf again!" Juan called.
Once more, Whiscash rode a surge of water, aiming to repeat his overwhelming combo.
"Sceptile, cut through the wave with Leaf Blade—ignore Whiscash for now!" Gary instructed.
"Zaa!!"
Sceptile charged head-on. With swift X-shaped slashes, he tore a clean path through the cascading wave, creating a tunnel as he darted through.
The wave collapsed uselessly around him, and Whiscash dropped from the height of the broken crest.
"Now! Quick Attack, then Double Team and follow with Leaf Blade!"
With a burst of speed, Sceptile became a green blur, rushing toward Whiscash.
"Use Mud Bomb to intercept!" Juan countered quickly.
"Whaaa!"
Whiscash spat a flurry of mud projectiles, but they struck only illusions. Sceptile's clones danced through the air, dodging every shot.
From below, several Sceptiles surged upward, wrists glowing as they each readied a Leaf Blade. Whiscash blinked, panicked—unable to tell which was real.
Slash!
One blade found its mark—striking Whiscash hard in the abdomen.
"W-WHII–CASH!!"
The fish Pokémon wailed in pain. Its belly—the most vulnerable part—had been hit dead-on by a super-effective Grass-type move. Whiscash immediately lost the ability to battle.
Splash!
It dropped back into the water with a loud crash, floating to the surface moments later, eyes spinning.
"Whiscash is unable to battle. Sceptile wins!" Sebastian declared from the side.
Though his tone was neutral, his eyes betrayed a flicker of surprise.
The Sootopolis Gym, known to be the Hoenn League's final Gym, wasn't a place many trainers passed through easily. Juan's strength was undeniable.
Most challengers barely managed a win—if any. And yet, Gary hadn't lost a single Pokémon so far. The battle had been one-sided.
"As expected from a Trainer chosen by Wallace himself," Juan said, smiling. "Then for the final round… I will bring out my strongest partner."
Gary's eyes lit up. "I'm looking forward to it."
Here it comes—the one Pokémon that had pushed even Pikachu to the limit.
"The Pokémon I'm calling on now is my most trusted companion—one who has fought beside me in countless battles. Milotic, it's your turn!" Juan called, throwing a Dive Ball.
Whoosh!
With a flash of blue light, the majestic Milotic emerged, its serpentine form elegant and imposing.
"Milooooo~!"
"Scep…tile…"
Sceptile's jaw dropped slightly. He couldn't take his eyes off Milotic.
Although neither Pokémon was Dragon-type, both belonged to dragon egg groups—and their designs naturally appealed to one another. Sceptile was smitten.
"Sceptile, focus. He's male," Gary said flatly.
"...Tileaah? QAQ"
Heartbroken. Sceptile immediately recoiled in emotional damage.
Without hesitation, Gary returned him to the Poké Ball.
"Come back."
[Lv. 62 Milotic ♂ / Elite]
Juan's Milotic was no joke—its power was easily at Elite-tier. For any rookie trainer, defeating it would be impossible.
"Since you've sent out your ace, Mr. Juan," Gary said, pulling out a special Heal Ball with a pink hue, "it's only fair I respond in kind."
"Oh?" Juan asked, intrigued. "Let's see what you've got."
Gary nodded. "I've found the perfect rival for your Milotic. Come on out!"
He tossed the Heal Ball.
Flash!
"Laaaaa!!"
From the burst of light emerged a sleek, aerodynamic Pokémon that hovered just above the water—its body a gleaming mix of cobalt and white.
Latios.
[Lv. 66 Latios ♂ / Legendary]
Juan's eyes widened in disbelief.
"L-Latios...!"
Even Sebastian, who rarely showed emotion, flinched slightly.
A Legendary Pokémon. Not a Mirage. Not a simulation. The real deal.
"I never expected… the opportunity to battle a Legendary Pokémon," Juan murmured. Then his lips curled into an excited grin. "Gary, show me what your Latios is made of!"
"Gladly," Gary said.