The Battlefield.
Although Alder didn't possess Sam's skill to see exact levels, his years of experience told him everything he needed to know.
The aura from Sabrina's Espeon was dense and dangerous.
It was a worthy Rival.
"Go! Volcarona!"
Alder sent out his Ace, the Sun Pokémon.
[Pokémon: Volcarona]
[Gender: Male]
[Type: Bug / Fire]
[Ability: Swarm (Power of Bug-type moves increases when HP is low)]
[Level: 69 (Champion Peak)]
[Potential: Champion Peak]
[Skills: Quiver Dance, Fiery Dance, Flame Charge, Fire Spin, Bug Buzz, Giga Drain, Heat Wave, Flamethrower, Hurricane...]
[Condition: Excellent]
Alder had the home-court advantage. Furthermore, Volcarona (Bug/Fire) had a massive type advantage over the Psychic-type Espeon.
As soon as the referee announced the start, Alder made the first move.
"Volcarona! Use Bug Buzz!"
"Omm~!!"
Volcarona was fast. Its six orange wings vibrated at a high frequency, generating a terrifying sound wave that distorted the air as it blasted toward Espeon.
Alder's strategy was sound. Bug Buzz wasn't just for damage; the loud noise was intended to isolate Espeon, making it impossible for the Pokémon to hear its Trainer's voice commands.
However, Alder didn't know much about true Psychics.
Sabrina didn't need words.
With a single thought, she issued a mental battle command directly into Espeon's mind.
(Espeon. Light Screen.)
"Eee!"
Espeon cried out softly. A transparent, geometric wall of light materialized instantly in front of her.
Light Screen. It halved the damage of Special Attacks.
The sound waves crashed against the barrier, their power significantly dampened.
Sabrina commanded again mentally.
(Psychic Terrain.)
"Eee~!"
Espeon's eyes glowed blue. Psychic energy overflowed from her body like mist, covering the entire stadium floor.
Bathed in this weird, colorful energy, the power of Psychic moves was boosted by 30%, and priority moves were blocked.
"Psychic Terrain!" Alder recognized the move immediately.
He was momentarily thrown off by Sabrina's silent command style; it made her reaction time instant, but as a Veteran Champion, he adjusted quickly.
"Volcarona! Use Quiver Dance!"
"Ommm!"
Volcarona began to flap its wings in a rhythmic, mystical pattern. As it danced, its Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed all began to rise.
Meanwhile. Opelucid City.
While the eyes of the entire Unova Region were glued to the TV screens watching the Title Match, a dark shadow was moving quietly.
Outside the ancient Opelucid Gym.
A group of Team Plasma grunts in uniform was hiding in the shadows.
Standing among them was a man who stood out completely. He wore a black suit with a red 'R' on the chest.
He looked ordinary at first glance, but his aura was suffocatingly oppressive. He stood with the posture of a true Emperor of the Underworld.
It was Giovanni, the leader of Team Rocket.
Flanking him were two subordinates, Maxie (former leader of Team Magma) and Archie (former leader of Team Aqua).
The three of them exuded a pressure that eclipsed even the actual leader of this operation.
Ghetsis, the mastermind behind Team Plasma, stood nearby.
Despite being surrounded by his own men, he looked less majestic than Giovanni.
"Giovanni," Ghetsis asked, his voice low.
"Are you sure about this? Is that thing really in the hands of Drayden?"
Giovanni turned his head. He looked directly into Ghetsis' mismatched eyes.
"Ghetsis," Giovanni said flatly.
"If I lie to you... What benefit do I gain?"
Facing Giovanni's commanding gaze, Ghetsis felt a pang of inferiority for no reason.
But in front of his own grunts, he couldn't afford to look weak. He needed to maintain his image as the Sage.
"I'm just checking with you," Ghetsis retorted, trying to sound firm.
"After all, attacking an official Alliance Gym is not a trivial matter. If we fail..."
A gleam of disdain flashed in Giovanni's eyes.
"An ordinary little raid makes you this scared?" Giovanni scoffed coldly.
"Ghetsis. You truly have a tough job."
Giovanni didn't hold back. He insulted Ghetsis right in front of the Team Plasma grunts.
Ghetsis's face turned ugly. His remaining eye twitched.
"Giovanni," Ghetsis growled.
"Are you teaching me how to do things?"
Giovanni took a step forward, his gaze focusing sharply on Ghetsis' face. The pressure around him spiked, terrifying the nearby grunts.
"That's right," Giovanni said bluntly.
"I am teaching you how to do things."
Maxie and Archie stepped up behind Giovanni, crossing their arms and staring down Ghetsis.
Even though this was Unova, and they were surrounded by Plasma soldiers, Giovanni had no fear. He knew that if he wanted to, he could slaughter everyone here in two minutes.
After a long, tense silence, Ghetsis was the first to look away. He had folded.
Ghetsis gritted his teeth and signaled to his hidden troops.
"Action!"
"Roger!"
The surrounding Team Plasma grunts rushed out of the shadows, releasing their Pokémon as they stormed the gates of the Opelucid Gym.
If Sam were here, he would know exactly what they were after.
They were targeting the Gym Leader, Drayden.
Specifically, they were after his heirloom.
DNA Splicers.
The ancient tool capable of fusing the Ice Dragon Kyurem with the Black Dragon Zekrom (or the White Dragon Reshiram).
While the world was distracted by the glitz and glamour of the Champion battle, the evil organizations that had been hiding in the dark finally revealed their fangs.
----------
Want to read ahead.
You know where
patreon.com/ PikaTL (Remove the spaces)