"It's over... The difference between the two is really too great."
Seeing that scene, the guests couldn't help but sigh.
When they turned their gaze toward Damian, he was completely stunned.
His main Pokémon, Swampert, had been defeated in a single blow by a Shuckle! At that moment, he even began to question his own life.
That caused Damian's following commands to completely fall apart, allowing Ethan, relying only on Charizard, Cacturne, Magmortar, and Shuckle, to close the battle.
When the final scoreboard stopped at 0 to 6, the entire stadium once again inhaled a breath of cold air.
No one expected a semifinal to end with a result like this. And the most terrifying thing was that... Ethan had won far too easily!
"Suddenly I really want tomorrow's final to arrive!"
A spectator had stars in his eyes. Both of their performances that day had been incredible!
Tomorrow's battle would definitely be a clash of evenly matched forces!
...
"Shuckle, you did very well today."
Back in the resting area, Ethan released all of his Pokémon to congratulate them.
Especially Shuckle. The power of that Energy Cannon from the move Hidden Power had truly left him speechless.
While developing the ability to produce pokéblocks, Shuckle also absorbed the energetic residues that remained from them.
In reality, even without using the move Hidden Power, Shuckle could already face Professional-level Pokémon by relying on moves like Rollout, Gyro Ball, and Rock Throw.
But after releasing that Energy Cannon, the power of its attacks had risen directly to another level. And since obtaining the ability to produce pokéblocks from the Water of Life formula, the cannon's power had increased even further.
That was why the scene occurred where Shuckle eliminated Swampert in a single blow.
Of course, the price was enormous: it consumed an entire jar of pokéblocks! That move was basically spending money on a grand scale.
However, seeing the satisfied expression on Shuckle's face, Ethan smiled and stopped feeling bad about the expense.
As long as Shuckle was happy, a jar of those pokéblocks was a price he could accept.
...
Another day passed.
Today the final of the winners' bracket would be contested.
The winner would become the champion of this edition of the tournament for the World Championship slot!
Adrian Vs Ethan.
"So we've finally reached this point... This final step... I'll have to give it everything. After all, the reward for first place is really generous!"
Ethan took a deep breath and looked at Adrian, who was standing on the other side of the field.
"Ethan... is really very strong."
Adrian also fixed his gaze on his opponent.
An elite Pokémon Breeder, elite Pokémon Researcher, and elite Pokémon Trainer?
Recalling the information he had about Ethan, his expression became increasingly serious.
After so many battles, what people talked about the most were Ethan's special breeding methods.
Especially that Shuckle from yesterday's match. After showing that terrifying attack that eliminated Swampert in a single blow, it had caused a real shock in the breeding world.
It was hard to imagine how Ethan had trained that Shuckle. That was not a power that a normal Shuckle could master!
"Ethan's Pokémon can't be judged with common sense."
Adrian made an internal decision and looked seriously at his rival.
At that moment, the big screen announced who would attack first.
"I start?"
"Then go ahead... my first partner."
Adrian had the appearance of a polite and refined young man.
He looked at the result on the screen and threw his Poké Ball.
With a flash of white light, a Pokémon similar to a sea slug appeared, with a leaf-green head and back and a sky-blue belly.
It was Gastrodon, a Water/Ground-type.
"Gastrodon... It seems he's prepared against my sandstorm team. Against Adrian... I'll have to bring out my main ones from the beginning."
Ethan frowned when he saw Gastrodon. Then he looked at Adrian, who was squinting while waiting for his choice.
"In that case... my first Pokémon will be him!"
He took a deep breath and opened his Poké Ball.
Facing a Water/Ground-type Pokémon like Gastrodon, Ethan unsurprisingly released Cacturne, a Grass-type with the Water Absorb ability.
"Just as expected, Cacturne."
"Come back, Gastrodon. Now it's your turn."
Seeing Ethan's choice, Adrian immediately withdrew Gastrodon.
Then he threw another Poké Ball, and with a sinister smile Gengar appeared on the field.
"Gengar?"
Ethan frowned.
In terms of types, Cacturne's Dark type was effective against Gengar. But its Grass type was vulnerable to Gengar's Poison type.
A battle with advantages for both sides.
However, Cacturne was clearly more useful for countering Gastrodon.
So when he saw Gengar come out, Ethan took his Poké Ball to withdraw it.
"Stop him! Use Mean Look!"
Suddenly, Adrian gave the order.
A dark glint crossed Gengar's eyes as it fixed its gaze on Cacturne.
At the same time, Ethan's Poké Ball fired a red beam toward Cacturne. But when the beam tried to return it, a mysterious force repelled it.
"It's Mean Look!"
Ethan's face suddenly changed.
The move Mean Look prevents the opponent from fleeing the battle.
Cacturne could no longer be withdrawn!
"So it was all planned... That Gastrodon was only to force me to bring out Cacturne."
Ethan immediately understood and ordered the move Ingrain.
If he couldn't switch, then he would have to face it head-on.
"Cac!"
Cacturne used the move Ingrain and quickly the field filled with roots.
"Gengar, Will-O-Wisp!"
Gengar also acted, summoning flames that began burning the roots that were advancing.
"It seems Ethan was completely countered..."
Lucas and Marcus watched with serious expressions.
Cacturne, with the Water Absorb ability and Grass type, countered Gastrodon far too well.
Adrian's signature Pokémon was Alakazam, a Psychic type. And Cacturne's Dark type could neutralize or even be immune to Psychic-type moves.
In addition, Cacturne's Destiny Bond move was extremely troublesome. Adrian's intention was to trade Gengar for Cacturne.
"It seems I was careless..."
"Then... Cacturne, use Ingrain to the maximum!"
Ethan sighed. His opponent clearly came prepared.
Cacturne activated Ingrain to the maximum and began absorbing moisture.
Before long, the ground began to turn sandy under its effect.
"Preparing the terrain for what's coming?"
"Gengar, Sludge Bomb!"
Adrian intensified the attack.
Finally, Cacturne fell under Gengar's fierce offensive. But the move Destiny Bond also left Gengar without strength.
First exchange: a tie.
But strategically... Adrian held the absolute advantage.
"Cacturne and Gengar are unable to battle. Player Ethan will send out his next Pokémon first."
The referee raised the flag, causing cheers in the stadium.
"Amazing!"
"It's not just Pokémon strength, it's also a duel of trainers."
"It's the most intense battle I've ever seen!"
"In the first exchange I ended up at a disadvantage... Without Cacturne, facing Gastrodon and Alakazam will be difficult." Ethan thought and threw his Poké Ball.
With the sandstorm rising across the field, Tyranitar appeared.
In the video games, the later weather has the advantage. But in reality, what matters is not who activates the weather first, but its intensity.
Therefore, in the real world, sending out the weather summoner first does grant an advantage.
(End of Chapter)