But there was nothing Yozora could do.
After all, Arcanine's greatest strength lay in its blazing Fire-type moves; beyond that, its main arsenal consisted of Take Down and Extreme Speed.
Even though Swampert's spirit had been rattled by fear, going head-to-head against a higher-level powerhouse like Swampert was anything but wise.
In short, when facing Swampert, Arcanine's disadvantage was painfully obvious. Yozora never expected too much out of this matchup.
For now, he could only capitalize on the harsh sunlight to boost Arcanine's flames and squeeze in as much damage as possible.
"Swampert, use Protect!" Harrison commanded.
Swampert planted all four feet firmly into the ground, its eyes flashing with crimson light. A shimmering blue barrier instantly enveloped its body, blocking the surging inferno head-on.
But the firestorm raged on. Under the blazing sunlight, the flames only grew stronger. Half a minute later, the blue barrier finally shattered, and the searing torrent crashed mercilessly onto Swampert's body.
"It hit! But… the effect doesn't look too great…" the announcer exclaimed.
The flames had already lost much of their power after breaking through the shield. On top of that, Swampert's natural resistance dulled the impact further.
When the blaze finally subsided, Swampert bore no visible injuries—only a faint sting from the fire that licked at its hide.
"Good. Swampert, counterattack with Mud Bomb!" Harrison ordered sharply.
Swampert opened its massive maw and spewed out a barrage of dark mud projectiles, like bullets from a heavy machine gun, firing relentlessly toward Arcanine.
Within moments, the assault battered Arcanine, coating its golden fur in sticky clumps of black muck. Its once-noble mane now looked filthy and weighed down.
Yozora's expression darkened.
The mud didn't just look unsightly—it slowed Arcanine down.
Mud Bomb might not pack devastating damage, but its slowing effect was critical!
"Follow up with Rock Tomb!" Harrison barked.
The words had barely left his mouth when enormous boulders materialized above Arcanine, plummeting like the wrath of Mt. Silver itself.
Arcanine darted desperately, but its movements had been hampered.
After evading three stones in succession, the fourth came crashing down and pinned it brutally.
Boom!
Arcanine roared in pain, taking another heavy blow.
Worse yet, Rock Tomb also slowed its movements further.
As the battle wore on, the harsh sunlight faded. Clouds drifted in, smothering the blazing sun overhead.
Harrison glanced at the sky, a satisfied smile tugging at his lips. "Swampert, finish it with Hydro Pump!"
With the sunlight gone, Water-type energy surged back in full force.
Swampert reared back, its jaws bursting with pressurized torrents.
BOOM! The high-pressure Hydro Pump slammed into Arcanine, sending it flying like a ragdoll.
"Arcanine is unable to battle! Swampert wins!" the referee declared.
As Arcanine collapsed, the oppressive aura it carried faded, and Swampert roared triumphantly, its momentum soaring to new heights.
For a moment, its presence was overwhelming.
"As expected of Harrison! Such overwhelming strength, putting Yozora in a rare disadvantage…" the announcer marveled.
So far, Harrison had only lost his Mightyena, while Yozora had already lost both Tangrowth and Arcanine.
Since the start of the Silver Conference, this was the very first time Yozora had fallen behind in a match—now, in the semifinals!
"Go, Dragonite!" Yozora quickly sent out his third Pokémon.
A flash of white light, and Dragonite soared into the arena.
Harrison's eyes narrowed. In his judgment, Dragonite should have been Yozora's trump card, kept for the finale. For it to appear so early meant only one thing—Swampert was exerting pressure.
"It seems my Swampert is forcing his hand," Harrison chuckled.
"Swampert, open with Hydro Pump!"
The battle reignited instantly.
"Take flight, Dragonite!" Yozora commanded.
Dragonite's wings thundered, lifting it high as Swampert unleashed its Hydro Pump.
But Dragonite's speed was simply too great. The Hydro Pump missed again and again, failing to even graze its tail.
With Dragonite's Speed Boost ability triggering repeatedly, it only grew faster by the second.
"Dragonite, Dragon Rush!"
From high above, Dragonite evaded another Hydro Pump with ease, its body bursting with radiant golden light.
Dragon-shaped energy cloaked its form, its aura swelling with draconic might.
With a roar, Dragonite dived like a comet, dragon energy crackling violently around it.
BOOM!
Swampert couldn't dodge in time. Dragon Rush slammed into it head-on, shaking the battlefield with explosive force.
"What incredible power! But what's the result?" the announcer shouted.
When the dust cleared, Dragonite and Swampert were locked in a raw struggle, palms clashing in a contest of brute force.
Though badly battered by Dragon Rush, Swampert still held strength enough to retaliate.
"Excellent! Swampert, now use Superpower!" Harrison roared.
Swampert's arms bulged with terrifying strength, pressing Dragonite back with raw force.
Dragonite grunted, its arms trembling under the pressure.
But Yozora merely smiled. "Dragonite, use Seismic Toss!"
Dragonite abruptly stopped resisting, shifting its weight.
Swampert's eyes went wide. Its momentum betrayed it, sending its huge frame stumbling forward into Dragonite's grasp.
With practiced ease, Dragonite spun, swung the heavyweight high, and hurled Swampert to the ground with bone-shattering force.
CRASH!
The battlefield cracked wide open. Swampert lay deep in the fissure, eyes glazed white—unable to battle.
The crowd erupted in wild cheers.
"Come back, Swampert. You did well." Harrison recalled it, then looked at Dragonite with admiration.
"That Dragonite is truly formidable… Blaziken, your turn!"
With a cry, Blaziken leapt gracefully into the arena.
Its sharp eyes gleamed with fiery resolve, flames flickering fiercely at its ankles.
For Harrison, Blaziken was his true ace. After battles that had honed its power, it had finally reached Elite Four level—freshly advanced.
Elite-tier, first stage.
Beyond Blaziken, Harrison had three more Pokémon—secret weapons, each weaker individually but chosen for a specific purpose.
Before the match even began, he had crafted his plan: Blaziken would take down Yozora's Dragonite, while the other three were reserved to counter the real threat—Azumarill.
In his view, Azumarill was even more dangerous than Dragonite. He was prepared for a three-for-one exchange if necessary!
"Wow! Both trainers are sending out their aces early! What outcome awaits?" the announcer cried.
"Dragonite versus Blaziken, begin!" the referee signaled.
"Dragonite, take to the sky—Hydro Pump!" Yozora ordered.
Gathering surging water energy in its maw, Dragonite soared upward, launching a torrent down toward Blaziken.
But Blaziken's agility was unmatched. With one explosive leap, it bounded back several meters, narrowly evading the jet.
At that moment, golden light flared beneath its feet, and the flames at its ankles burned brighter.
Speed Boost had activated—Blaziken's speed spiked another thirty percent!
"Of course… Harrison's Blaziken even has its Hidden Ability. No wonder it was able to defeat Ash's Charizard…" Yozora thought grimly.
Still, Dragonite wasn't finished.
Its Hydro Pump swung wide, forcing Blaziken to retreat again—but this time the torrent struck cleanly, blasting it off its feet.
"Blaziken!" Harrison shouted, alarmed. He couldn't afford to lose it—not before it brought Dragonite down.
Even at Elite-tier, Blaziken couldn't take too many Water-type strikes.
Back against the wall, Harrison clenched his fist. "Blaziken, Mega Evolve!"
Brilliant light engulfed the arena.
Blaziken's form shifted, fire streaming into twin blazing plumes from its wrists. When the light faded, Mega Blaziken stood tall, its gaze cold and its aura brimming with newfound might.
Its power and speed skyrocketed.
"Mega Evolution—it's here! The first Mega Pokémon of this Silver Conference!" the announcer roared in excitement.
The crowd went wild, cheering thunderously at the rare sight.
Even Yozora grinned. "Now this… this is getting interesting."
"Blaziken, Flamethrower!"
Mega Blaziken unleashed a torrent of searing fire.
The flames were so intense that even Dragonite felt its scales prickle. Without waiting for Yozora's command, it banked hard, dodging the inferno.
"Chase it down!" Harrison shouted.
Mega Blaziken sprinted at lightning speed, flames spitting from its beak as it pursued relentlessly. Dragonite was forced into a defensive retreat, weaving desperately, but Blaziken's fire still scored repeated hits.
Soon, Dragonite's body was scorched, burns marring its scales.
Even Dragonite couldn't hold out forever.
"Dragonite, ascend!" Yozora called.
With a powerful beat of its wings, Dragonite soared high above.
Mega Blaziken's fire chased upward, but flames had limits. Beyond dozens of meters, the attack fizzled out.
At last, Dragonite caught its breath.
"Now—Dragon Rush!"
Dragonite dove, cloaked in draconic energy, tearing through the air like a thunderbolt.
"Blaziken, Blaze Kick!"
Just before the impact, Mega Blaziken vanished upward in a high leap.
It appeared at Dragonite's flank, one blazing kick slamming squarely into its side.
CRASH!
Dragonite was sent hurtling into the ground, smoke and dust erupting as it struck hard.
When the haze cleared, Dragonite lay unconscious.
"Dragonite is unable to battle! Blaziken wins!" the referee declared.
The first half ended with Yozora at a clear disadvantage.
Ten minutes later, the second half began.
Harrison once again sent out his Mega Blaziken, which retained its evolved state as long as the battle continued.
Yozora had only three left: Suicune, Eevee, and Azumarill.
But against Mega Blaziken, even Dragonite had fallen—what chance did Eevee stand?
Without hesitation, Yozora sent out Azumarill.
"As expected, Azumarill… Blaziken, return." Harrison smiled faintly and withdrew his ace.
The match was far from over.
(End of Chapter)