Chapter 580: Sinnoh's Champion Battle (4)
~Third POV~
[Sinnoh Region, Pokémon League – Champion's Room]
*GASP*
Then, with a gasp and an incredible surge of pure willpower, Togekiss trembled, a faint glow emanating from its body as it fought against the paralysis, "KISSS!!! (NO! I CAN'T FAIL NOW!! NOT… YET!!!)"
*FLASH*
The glow intensified, radiating off Togekiss's body. Gradually, shakily, it managed to push itself back up once more, its eyes glazed, but burning with an almost desperate resolve. It had broken free from the paralysis!
[Togekiss has healed its Paralysis out of its sheer determination, so it wouldn't worry Cynthia!]
Azure blinked, seeing this as he thought, shocked, 'The hell… even my opponents get the friendship mechanic assist!'
Cynthia watched, her eyes wide with a mixture of excitement and profound respect, thanking her Pokémon, "Unbelievable! Togekiss, you truly are magnificent!"
She then turned her gaze to Gallade, a new intensity in her eyes. She said calmly, eyeing them with caution, "But I must commend you, Azure. And Gallade… that paralysis was quite unexpected."
Internally, Cynthia's sharp mind raced, piecing together the puzzle. She had observed the Psychic Spoon's changing colors, 'First white for Aerial Ace, then that powerful golden shield for Delta Shield.'
And now, just before the paralysis, she had seen the spoon flicker to an almost imperceptible orange before the hit. A cold, precise realization dawned on her, thought stunned, 'That's it! Gallade isn't just conjuring a weapon; it can imbue other moves into its Psychic Spoon! The color is the tell-tale sign – yellow for Electric, orange for Fire, perhaps violet for Psychic…'
She nodded slowly, a new layer of respect for Azure's ingenuity forming, thinking, 'I need to be very wary of that Psychic Spoon now.'
Cynthia called, her voice regaining its usual calm, "Alright, Togekiss, let's show them what true agility is! Evasive patterns, high speed!"
Togekiss, still wobbly but determined, took to the air, its movements now incredibly erratic. It zipped and swerved, a white blur against the black backdrop, making it an almost impossible target.
Azure commanded, adapting quickly, "Gallade, pursue with Aerial Ace!"
*SWISH-SWISH-SWISH*
Gallade lunged, its Psychic Spoon flashing. Each slash was impossibly fast, but Togekiss, flying like a startled bird, dodged every attempt, its agility amplified by Cynthia's sharp commands.
Cynthia suddenly roared, her voice cracking with fierce energy, "Sky Attack, Togekiss! Give it everything you have!"
*FWOOSH-ROAR*
Togekiss soared high, gathering the vibrant, destructive energy of Sky Attack once more, becoming a gleaming, deadly missile. Azure barked, the precision in his voice unwavering, "Double Team, Gallade! Scatter!"
*SHIMMER-SHIMMER-SHIMMER*
In an instant, Gallade multiplied. Six identical Gallade appeared, surrounding the incoming Togekiss, making it impossible to predict the real one. Togekiss, however, was no stranger to illusions. With a powerful roar, it unleashed the gathered energy of Sky Attack in a wide, explosive burst.
*BOOOOM*
The fake Gallade copies shattered like glass, dissipating into motes of light and sound. The explosion cleared, revealing the real Gallade, poised and ready.
Azure yelled, "Now, Aura Sphere!"
Gallade quickly charged an Aura Sphere, its energy gathering rapidly. But as it prepared to launch, Togekiss, even after destroying the copies, was already closing in, its remaining momentum carrying it forward. The Aura Sphere wouldn't be enough.
Azure shouted, overriding his previous command in a split second, "End this with Strong Style Psyblade, Gallade!"
The Psychic Spoon, glowing a fierce orange, roared to life once more, imbued with potent psychic energy. Togekiss, weakened and exhausted, tried to veer away, but its movements were too slow, its energy too depleted.
*SHIIIING*
*CRACKLE-SLASH*
The Psyblade tore through Togekiss with devastating force, the psychic energy erupting around the Jubilee Pokémon. It let out a final, pained cry, its form shimmering before it collapsed completely, falling silent and still onto the black floor.
*Thud*
Cynthia let out a slow, appreciative breath. She retrieved Togekiss's Poké Ball, her fingers gently caressing the surface. She whispered, her voice filled with genuine admiration, "You were magnificent, Togekiss. You fought with incredible spirit. Thank you."
She then turned her gaze to Azure, a profound respect in her eyes, stating in an impressed tone, "Truly impressive, Azure. That was a masterclass in adapting to the flow of battle, and Gallade's Psychic Spoon is even more versatile than I could have imagined from my research."
Azure allowed himself a small, tired smile, relief washing over him. He praised, giving his Pokémon a thumbs-up, "You too, Cynthia. Togekiss was incredibly tough. Gallade, you were amazing!"
Gallade lowered its Psychic Spoon, which flickered and dissolved back into pulsating psychic energy, its form still radiating with power. It met Azure's gaze, a quiet sense of accomplishment shining in its eyes.
Azure thought, wiping a bead of sweat from his brow, 'This battle is going exactly as I expected in terms of intensity; Cynthia is relentless, pushing every advantage. Losing four Pokémon already shows just how much she's making me work. But Gallade held its own, and now we're ahead. 1 Pokémon left for her, 2 for me. But her last one is her partner and ace, Alpha Garchomp.'
*Shiver*
The thought sent a jolt of renewed determination through him. But he was prepared to continue his dance.
Cynthia, however, was already focused on the grand finale. With a flourish, she called forth her ace, the Pokémon that had won countless battles and etched her name into Sinnoh lore, and declared, "Garchomp, it's time!"
*POP*
A tremor ran through the ground as the mighty Dragon/Ground-type Pokémon materialized, a fearsome roar ripping through the air, "GRAOOOO!!!!"
This was no ordinary Garchomp; this was Alpha Garchomp, larger, more imposing, its scales glinting with an ancient power. Around its neck, glinting fiercely, was its held item, the [Garchompite]. It had briefly clashed with Azure's Infernape earlier, sustaining minor damage before both were called back, a mere prelude to its true power.
Azure's Gallade was already on the field, a beacon of focused energy. Its [Galladite] glimmered on its chest, and with a soft whoosh of psychic energy, it had conjured its signature Psychic Spoon, a blade of pure psychic force.
It had just defeated Cynthia's Togekiss, the one she had just recalled, earning it a boost from its prior Calm Mind usage, its Special Attack and Defense now at +1. Gallade stood poised, a warrior ready for its ultimate test. Its sapphire eyes, usually calm, were now burned with intensity.
Cynthia's voice, though calm, cut through the tension with the sharpness of a razor, "Garchomp, Draco Meteor, a shower!"
*ROOOOAAARRR*
Garchomp's maw opened, and a torrent of glowing, star-like projectiles launched skyward, arcing high before beginning their devastating descent towards Gallade. The air crackled with destructive potential.
Azure didn't hesitate. His hand shot up, his fingers curling around the Omni Ring on his wrist, and he declared, "Gallade, Mega Evolve beyond your limits!"
*WHOOSHING*
A brilliant flash of light enveloped Gallade with raw power. Gallade's body elongated, its arm blades sharpened and extended, and with another whoosh of psychic energy, a second Psychic Spoon materialized in its other hand. Mega Gallade now stood, a dual-wielding paragon of Psychic and Fighting power, its speed and attack exponentially boosted.
Azure commanded, his voice ringing with renewed vigor, "Now, Mega Gallade! Cleave through that meteor shower with Fury Cutter!"
Mega Gallade blurred into motion, a white and green streak…
*SWISH-SWISH-SWISH*
Each Psychic Spoon became a whirlwind of precision, meeting the incoming Draco Meteors…
*CRACK—SHATTER*
The meteors exploded into harmless sparks of energy, Mega Gallade weaving through the debris, deflecting and destroying with impossible speed. It was a breathtaking display of agility and power, emerging unscathed from the celestial assault.
Cynthia murmured, a glint of appreciation in her eyes, "Excellent!"
She wasted no time ordering, "Garchomp, Dragon Claw!"
*WHOOOSH*
Mega Garchomp surged forward, its claws glowing with draconic energy. It struck, a powerful swipe aimed at Mega Gallade.
Azure countered, "Dual Chop!"
Mega Gallade met the assault head-on, its Psychic Spoons glowing with Fighting-type energy!
*CLANG—CLANG*
The blades clashed against Garchomp's hardened claws, each strike landing a super-effective blow.
*CRACK*
A faint crack appeared on Garchomp's scales from the force. But even as it dealt damage, Mega Gallade felt the backlash.
*Shinng*
A jolt of pain shot through its arm as it made contact. Cynthia's Alpha Garchomp possessed the Hidden Ability Rough Skin, dealing damage to any foe making physical contact. Bit by bit, Mega Gallade's health chipped away, a slow, insidious drain.
Cynthia, ever observant, noticed the subtle shifts in Gallade's Psychic Spoons. She warned, her voice suddenly sharper, "Garchomp, avoid its blades when they glow differently! They can imbue strange moves!"
*Woooosh*
As if to prove her point, one of Mega Gallade's Psychic Spoons began to glow with a faint orange hue, intended for a Will-O-Wisp. The other pulsed with a dizzying purple, ready to unleash Confuse Ray.
*Swooosh*
But Garchomp, thanks to Cynthia's sharp command and its own vast battle experience, expertly parried, ensuring its scales made no contact with the glowing blades this time. It dodged and weaved, an ancient predator anticipating every move.
Azure inwardly clicked his tongue, 'Tch… Cynthia was truly on another level. Her ability to read the flow of battle, to anticipate my tactics, was unparalleled. I remembered how her Togekiss had been taken by surprise earlier by a potent paralysis from one of Gallade's imbued moves, but Garchomp was simply too experienced.'
Cynthia, observing Azure's slight frustration, felt a familiar resolve harden within her. The battle was close, far too close for comfort. Azure's potential was immense, and her Garchomp, even in its Alpha form, was being pushed.
She knew what she had to do. She murmured to herself, her hand instinctively going to her pocket, "This can't last forever. I won't allow Azure the pleasure of winning against me in this rematch, not with such high stakes."
A faint tiredness flickered in her eyes, a premonition of the energy about to be expended, but it was quickly banished. With a swift, elegant motion, Cynthia pulled out a lipstick from her pocket. Azure's eyes widened, a flicker of confusion crossing his face. Then, as she uncapped it, revealing a shimmering Key Stone embedded in its tip, his eyes snapped open in absolute shock whispered, "No way…"
Azure breathed, a rare lapse in his composure as he thought, stunned, 'She can perform TWO Mega Evolutions?!'
He had witnessed her Mega Evolve her Lucario in a previous battle, a powerful display. This was unprecedented. Most trainers could only Mega Evolve one Pokémon per battle. Cynthia was truly in a league of her own.
*NNNNGH*
*WHOOOSH*
Cynthia pressed the Key Stone. A blinding pillar of light erupted from Garchomp, with even greater power than Gallade's. The Alpha Garchomp swelled, its body becoming even more monstrous, its claws becoming more jagged, its maw widening.
Mega Garchomp, the Mach Pokémon, roared its defiance, the very ground trembling under its amplified power, "GRAOOOO!!!"
Cynthia, though feeling a drain on her own energy from the double Mega Evolution, maintained her calm. She thought, her gaze unwavering, 'Despite this power-up, Mega Gallade also has a lot of potential. This match could still go either way. Azure is not one to be underestimated.'
She commanded, her voice steady, "Mega Garchomp, Dragon Claw!"
*BOOOOM*
Mega Garchomp lunged, a terrifying blur of dragonic fury. Its claws, now even sharper, glowed with dark energy.
Azure yelled, recovering from his shock, "Psycho Cut, Gallade! Meet it head-on!"
*SSSHHHWWING*
*SSSHWWING*
Mega Gallade's Psychic Spoons became twin blurs of light, slicing through the air with precision!
*CLANG-CLANG-CLANG*
It met Mega Garchomp's Dragon Claw with a barrage of concentrated Psycho Cuts, parrying and striking, drawing the Garchomp into a dangerous close-range dance. Both were attempting to strike the other.
Azure thought, a smirk playing on his lips, 'Perfect. We're close enough.'
Azure commanded, "Now, Gallade! Point-blank Aura Sphere!"
Mega Gallade gathered a ball of pulsing azure energy between its hands, a potent Aura Sphere forming rapidly, ready to be unleashed at point-blank range, ensuring a direct hit on the trapped Mega Garchomp.
But Cynthia, seeing through his strategy, simply smirked. She ordered, "Garchomp, spin around while using Sandstorm!"
*HNNNNNGG*
*WHOOSH*
Mega Garchomp roared, its body rotating at incredible speed. The Sandstorm it generated wasn't just a weather effect; it became a furious vortex of sand and wind, a swirling wall of protection.
*WHOOOOOOSH*
Gallade's Aura Sphere slammed into the rapidly generated sandstorm, not contacting Garchomp. The sand vortex not only successfully repelled and dissipated the Aura Sphere, but the swirling sand also lashed out, striking Gallade at the same time.
*THWACK*
Sand pelted Mega Gallade, stinging and buffeting it backwards. Cynthia's smirk widened, a rare, almost mischievous expression. She mused aloud, her voice carrying over the whipping sand, "Your 'Counter Shield' technique, Azure, is quite handy. I've seen your Rotom and Togekiss use it enough times to understand and add it to my own arsenal."
Azure's expression morphed from frustration to grudging acknowledgement. He mentally groaned, remembering how he'd developed the Counter Shield months ago, 'She copied my own strategy against me!'
*THUD*
Mega Gallade was pushed back, the whipping sand hindering its movements. Then, with a sudden earth-shaking THUD, Mega Garchomp stomped its foot, and the ground around Gallade erupted, trapping it in a whirling vortex of sand—a potent Sand Tomb.
Azure barked, hoping to escape the damaging trap, "Teleport, quick!"
*SWF*
With a shimmer, Mega Gallade vanished, reappearing several feet away, just outside the Sand Tomb's immediate radius. But that proved to be a mistake.
Cynthia commanded, a feral glint in her eyes, "Pursuit!"
*VWOOSH*
Like a shark sensing blood, Mega Garchomp lunged, its massive body blurring through the lingering sandstorm. Its claws slashed through the air where Gallade had just reappeared after using Teleport.
*SHUNK*
The attack connected, not quite a full hit, but a glancing blow that still delivered painful damage as Gallade was trying to reorient itself. Azure countered, trying to turn the tables, "Dual Chop again!"
*Whoosh*
Mega Gallade responded, its Psychic Spoons flashing, attempting to strike but met with space instead. Garchomp had already vanished in the swirling chaos of its own Sandstorm, its form obscured by the raging winds.
Azure gritted his teeth and thought, 'Damn it! Garchomp is utilizing the Sandstorm not just for damage, but for cover and mobility.'
But quickly, a plan formed in his mind as he commanded, "Gallade, Mean Look to lock it down! Follow with Hypnosis!"
*SNAP*
Mega Gallade's eyes glowed, trying to fix Mega Garchomp in its gaze; then a wave of hypnoptic energy began to emanate, seeking to lull the Dragon into slumber. But Cynthia was one step ahead.
She countered, "Sandstorm Counter Shield, again!"
*WHOOOSH*
The swirling Sandstorm around Mega Garchomp intensified, becoming an even denser, more impenetrable vortex. The hypnotic wave from Mega Gallade was repelled, harmlessly dissipating against the centrifugal force of the perfected Sandstorm…
*BOOOM*
And from within that very vortex, Mega Garchomp lunged, a terrifying silhouette in the churning sand. Its claws glowed with dark energy, catching Gallade off guard. Cynthia declared, "Shadow Claw!"
*ROOOOAAARRR*
The attack was impossibly fast, aimed directly at Mega Gallade. Azure's eyes widened, then narrowed with fierce determination barked, "Gallade! Delta Shield!"
With incredible speed, Mega Gallade crossed its Psychic Spoons, and a shimmering, multi-layered shield of psychic energy erupted around it – a vibrant blue on the outside, a soft green within. It was a potent combination of Reflect and Light Screen, forged into a single, formidable barrier.
*VVVWHOOOOM*
The Shadow Claw slammed into the Delta Shield, and for a moment, it held, a barrier of pure defense. Azure felt a surge of relief, 'It blocked it!'
Delta Shield was his ultimate defense, a move he'd painstakingly designed.
But Cynthia merely smirked. Her eyes gleamed with cold calculation commanded, "Clever. Combining Reflect and Light Screen into a Delta Shield. But even the strongest shields have a breaking point. Garchomp, Brick Break! Break that shield!"
*NNNNGH*
Mega Garchomp roared, its body radiating Fighting-type energy. Its claw, still crackling with dark power, became infused with raw striking force…
*CRACK*
It slammed into the Delta Shield with all its might.
The shimmering barrier, designed to absorb special and physical attacks, was not meant to withstand a direct, shield-breaking move like Brick Break…
*SHATTER*
With a sound like splintering glass, the Delta Shield shattered, dissipating into glittering psychic dust. Azure and Mega Gallade were momentarily stunned, a flicker of shock crossing their faces. The ultimate defense, gone in an instant.
But this left their guard down in that moment. A moment Cynthia sized.
Cynthia commanded, leaving no room for recovery or a counterattack, "Now, Garchomp, Shadow Claw!"
*SHUNK*
Before Mega Gallade could react, before Azure could even issue a defensive command, Mega Garchomp's Shadow Claw tore through its defenses, landing a devastating blow. The impact sent Mega Gallade reeling, its Mega Evolution energy flickering wildly before it collapsed, reverting to its normal form with a final, pained gasp.
*POOF*
Gallade lay unconscious, defeated. The shock of its ultimate defense failing had left it vulnerable, unable to adapt to the sudden change.
Cynthia observed the scene with a calm, discerning gaze. She noted, her voice devoid of taunting, purely observational, "Your Pokémon aren't used to having their ultimate defense fail, are they, Azure? They don't adapt to the sudden change of strategy as quickly as they might otherwise."
Azure slowly returned Gallade to its Poké Ball, his hand lingering on the device. He whispered a silent thanks, "You fought incredibly, Gallade."
Then, he looked up at Cynthia, a rueful smile on his face, confessing, "You're right. I… I got too used to it. Too used to people not figuring out the Delta Shield or not having a counter for it. I didn't install the adaptability into my Pokémon for when an opponent did know how to dispel it. That was a mistake on my part."
Cynthia nodded, a hint of understanding in her eyes, and stated, "Considering your vast win records, it's completely understandable. When you constantly win, the possibility of an opponent overcoming your ultimate tactics and gaining such an advantage can sometimes be overlooked."
Azure nodded in agreement, running a hand through his hair. The score was now 5 of his Pokémon defeated, and 5 of Cynthia's were defeated. He was down to his last 1. He was left with his powerful Infernape against Cynthia's Alpha Mega Garchomp, which was still amid its fearsome Sandstorm.
And yet, despite the overwhelming odds, a wide grin spread across his face. The game wasn't over. Not by a long shot.
Azure looked at the floor, the realization stinging more than the loss of the round. He added, "I... I got arrogant. I thought the Delta Shield was an absolute. I didn't train him to recover from a shatter."
He looked at her, a wry smile finally returning to his face, praising her, "You really are something else, Cynthia."
She reminded him, though not unkindly, with a smug expression, "I am the Champion. And I am still standing."
Azure took a deep breath. The air was still dusty, the smell of smoke and scorched stone lingering. He reached for his final Poké Ball. The one that had been with him since the beginning of his Sinnoh journey.
Azure said calmly, his voice regaining its steel and posture composed, "You're right… I fell into a rhythm. I started playing it safe because I was afraid to lose my win streak. But this isn't about streaks anymore."
The two strongest trainers in Sinnoh stood face-to-face, their final Pokémon ready to decide the fate of the title. The room was black, the cubes were glowing, and the air was on fire. The ultimate showdown was far from over.
/////
A/N: Hope you like the chapter!