🎆 Happy New Year! 🎆
Thank you all for the amazing support throughout this year. 💙To celebrate the arrival of the new year, here is a special New Year code:
🎁 Code:NewYear: F3B16
📅 Code validity:
Start: December 30, 2025 at 11:55 p.m.
End: January 2, 2026 at 11:00 p.m.
Enjoy it and let's start this new year strong. 🚀✨Here's to an amazing 2026! 🎉
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"Magmar has lost the ability to battle...!"
With the referee's announcement, the final result was sealed. The arena fell into an instant of silence... only to immediately erupt into a wave of cheers.
"That Shellder... won! That whirlpool...!"
In the lounge of the ring leaders, everyone present watched Shellder's dazzling performance in shock, left completely speechless.
"This Ethan... His ability to train Pokémon is just too incredible."
"Neither Sandslash, nor Cacturne, nor even this Shellder would normally be considered especially powerful Pokémon, but in his hands, they're completely different!"
Electric Beast, watching Ethan Black as he waved to the crowd, shook his head with a trace of admiration.
"Yes... his skill as a breeder is truly remarkable."
The other leaders also sighed, silently acknowledging his talent.
On the other hand, Rachel Blake had her eyes fixed on Shellder. As a Pokémon Hunter, she could perceive more than the others.
"That energy fluctuation... without a doubt, it's psychic energy. That whirlpool was a combination of Aqua Ring and psychic-type energy."
"But Shellder's evolutionary line shouldn't be able to learn psychic-type moves... Unless... could it be Psychic-type Hidden Power?"
Her gaze flickered: she already had an answer in mind.
Meanwhile, in front of Ethan Black, another challenger from the Pokémon Blue Horizon Club was stepping onto the stage.
The Pokémon Blue Horizon Club had clearly come to provoke, so this wasn't a simple battle against a leader, but a true confrontation between clubs. That's why, after defeating Elias Drayton, another representative of the Pokémon Blue Horizon Club immediately appeared to challenge Ethan Black.
"It's not over yet?"
"Well, better that way... I can just let Shellder show the results of its recent training."
Ethan Black looked at the new challenger with interest: this time, it turned out to be a rather attractive young woman.
"Go, Bellossom!"
The trainer threw her Poké Ball, and a beautiful Pokémon appeared on the field, the Sun Stone evolution of Gloom: Bellossom.
"That Shellder in front is Water-type. With Bellossom, a Grass-type, we have the advantage."
"Bellossom, use Magical Leaf!"
The young woman clenched her fist as she gave the order.
At once, shining leaves appeared around Bellossom, transforming into sharp blades that flew straight at Shellder.
"Counter Shield!"
Ethan Black's voice rang out calmly.
Boom, boom, boom!
Water surged once again around Shellder, spiraling and wrapping around its body. The magical leaves slammed into the current, but were instantly pulverized.
"Hydro Pump!"
Shellder fired Hydro Pump. Bellossom tried to dodge, but an invisible force held it in place.
Before it could break free, the torrent struck it head-on, hurling it against the protective barrier.
Although as a Grass-type it resisted Water-type moves, the gap in power was enormous. Combined with the sheer force of Hydro Pump's impact, Bellossom was knocked out in a single blow.
"Bellossom is unable to battle, Shellder wins!"
The referee hesitated for a moment at such a clean victory, but finally made the declaration.
"What power in that Hydro Pump! In the fight against Magmar it wasn't as obvious, but now... it took down Bellossom in a single strike! It's unbelievable."
The Water-type leader of the Pokémon Nightstar Club couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.
"What's going on with this Shellder?"
"If I'm not mistaken, Shellder learns a move called Shell Smash... Could it be that this one was born with Shell Smash as an innate talent?"
Another leader added the possibility, leaving the others stunned.
The move Shell Smash reduced Defense and Special Defense, but greatly boosted Attack, Special Attack, and Speed.
If the theory was true, then the power behind Hydro Pump was fully explained.
"A Shellder with innate Shell Smash...?"
Not far away, Rachel Blake's eyes also widened.
Just then, she saw Shellder unleash Hydro Pump once again, sending a Shiftry flying.
"Maybe its awakened psychic power is influencing it too..."
"What luck... With that Psychic-type Hidden Power and Shellder's abundant mental energy, its psychic abilities are no longer inferior to those of a true Psychic-type Pokémon!"
She shook her head, aware that Ethan Black deserved credit as well. After all, obtaining Hidden Power was extremely difficult, and if he had discovered and trained it, it meant he had done his homework.
Moreover, by creating move combinations such as Aqua Ring reinforced by Hidden Power, his ability to develop strategies was truly outstanding.
Boom, boom, boom!
The battle continued. Aside from Elias Drayton, the other members of the Pokémon Blue Horizon Club weren't especially strong, and none could withstand Shellder's attacks.
Aqua Ring kept it restored and energized, so even after so many battles, Shellder remained fresh, firing Hydro Pump without losing power.
Boom!
Another Hydro Pump sent Ampharos flying before it had time to react.
"Ampharos is unable to battle!"
With the referee's call, the crowd erupted into jubilation.
With Ampharos defeated, the Pokémon Blue Horizon Club now had nine consecutive losses. Only the final match remained!
"Ten in a row! Ten in a row! Ten in a row!"
The cheers shook the entire stadium, driving the atmosphere to its peak.
"The last opponent..."
Ethan Black murmured, gazing toward the resting area of the Pokémon Blue Horizon Club.
Suddenly, a burly man rose slowly. Calmly, he removed the hood covering his head.
(End of chapter)