"After filling up, it's time for today's main event," Sheba added contently.
He and most of the trainers attending the celebration were here more for enjoying battles than aiming for ranks and rewards.
To him, external things were secondary; the robust physiques of Pokémon were what mattered most.
"Wait, Sheba..." Lance tried to stop him.
But failed.
"The rules of the celebration don't allow battle invitations to be refused. Even if you want to fight, get in line," Sheba said with a smile.
He knew Lance wanted to battle Natsuhiko too, so he took the initiative.
What if Lance defeated Natsuhiko? Wouldn't that mean he'd miss his chance?
As for battling Lance?
That didn't require waiting for the celebration. If he challenged Lance, it was rarely refused.
"How about it, Natsuhiko?" Sheba looked at Natsuhiko.
"Alright."
Natsuhiko nodded cheerfully.
"Straightforward!"
Lance stared blankly at Natsuhiko, who agreed immediately.
You're not usually like this, Natsuhiko, are you?
Why did you agree so quickly?
Natsuhiko shook his head internally.
This move was giving Lance a chance, but Lance didn't understand.
With Victini around, how could he lose?
Though cheating is shameful...
Ahem.
Very soon.
The two stood ready, and a section of the plaza immediately cleared.
The celebration's referee appeared at once.
Natsuhiko and Sheba, having secured numerous victories, were already quite famous, quickly drawing spectators.
And the crowd grew bigger and bigger.
Natsuhiko VS Sheba!
"Chako-y!"
Togekiss flew to the front of Natsuhiko.
And Sheba's Pokémon was still his female Machamp.
After a day of battles, Machamp's condition remained excellent, its four fists clenched with a "ka-ka" sound, showing no sign of timidity.
"Togekiss, a Flying-type Pokémon?" Sheba glanced at Togekiss, his expression becoming serious.
Although he didn't know how strong Natsuhiko was, being praised so highly by Lance, Sheba dared not underestimate him.
"Nimi?"
Sitting invisibly on Natsuhiko's shoulder, Victini blinked.
Its perception of the world differed from others.
On Natsuhiko, it saw a halo of victory—not very bright, but solid and resilient.
On Sheba stood a fiery sun-like orb, burning brightly and radiantly.
Two completely different victory auras.
As Victini observed, the referee's banner had already fallen.
Sheba and Natsuhiko both immediately focused their spirit.
"Machamp, bodybuilding!"
"Ni-k!"
Machamp flexed its muscles, striking a bodybuilder's pose and stance, with unending energy surging into its muscles.
"Togekiss, Air Slash!"
Unlike Sheba's amplifying strategy, Natsuhiko opted for a direct attack.
"Dodge!"
However, what Natsuhiko didn't anticipate was Machamp ending "bodybuilding" much faster than expected.
Before "Air Slash" hit, Machamp rolled backward, dodging the attack with a bridge-like maneuver.
With that move, Sheba gained an advantage.
Yet Machamp's well-built muscles being so supple was something Natsuhiko hadn't foreseen.
Seeing this, Lance shook his head internally.
Sheba's expertise lay in rapid "bodybuilding," his signature training method; given that Natsuhiko had never battled against Sheba, not knowing was normal.
But Sheba using that move indicated he was serious.
"Ghost Face!"
"Ni-k!"
Right after Sheba issued the command, Machamp responded.
A menacing, pitch-black, eerie ghost face swiftly went toward Togekiss.
Machamp immediately set into motion, following the ghost face closely.
If "Ghost Face" hit Togekiss and significantly reduced its speed, Machamp, arriving promptly and closing in, would reveal its horrifying strength to Togekiss.
Clearly.
Sheba, with his wealth of battle experience, had his strategies for dealing with Flying-type Pokémon that counter Fighting-types.
Watching Machamp's rapid advance, kicking up dust with each step and causing the ground to quake, the spectators worried for the adorable Togekiss.
Only Lance remained calmly indifferent.
If Natsuhiko was that easy to deal with, he wouldn't be Lance's esteemed friend he always admired.
Sheba's series of combo strikes certainly caught Natsuhiko off guard.
However.....
Natsuhiko's eyes flickered with psychic power, telepathically linking with Togekiss, not daring to relax even slightly.
Togekiss transformed into a streak of white light; the extreme speed from "Divine Speed" not only allowed it to evade the nuisance of "Ghost Face" but also increased its distance from Machamp once more.
The three feathers atop its head glimmered as "Triple Attack" swept across.
"Ni-k!"
Turning to defend, Machamp had no choice but to face it head-on.
"Celestial Grace" trait activated.
Machamp fell into "Paralysis" state.
Sheba grinned.
"Machamp, Bullet Fist!"
Yet Machamp, clad in thread-like currents, stepped forward, rapidly closing in on Togekiss.
"Perseverance" trait!
Natsuhiko, witnessing this scene, furrowed his brow.
Buzz—
Togekiss had to once again use "Divine Speed" to pull back.
With Machamp's augmented "bodybuilding," and its activated "Perseverance" trait fists, even with the advantage of Flying-type attributes, it dared not take a hit lightly.
"Use Bullet Fist on the ground again!" Sheba waved his hand, finally revealing his secret move against Flying-type Pokémon.
Boom!!
The ground erupted instantly; Machamp shot upward.
Leaping towards Togekiss.
Natsuhiko's eyes flashed.
"Chako-y!"
Togekiss let out a low call, enveloping itself in energy.
Divine Bird Fierce Strike!
Sheba had special training for Machamp's "bodybuilding" technique, while Natsuhiko had a secret weapon for Togekiss.
"Powerful Vanilla" was instantly consumed.
"Divine Bird Fierce Strike" formed immediately.
Boom!!!
The collision in mid-air exploded with intense sound, rippling air blasting outward, causing onlookers to step back several paces from the shockwave.
Bam!!
Machamp stumbled, retreating backward.
Togekiss shook its head slightly, and two "Air Slashes" were immediately unleashed.
Pow pow!!
Hit Machamp.
Causing it to fall into "Wither" state.
Battle ended... Lance thought to himself.
——————
PS: Out of time, post first then edit, 11,000 words delivered, requesting monthly tickets~~