Leveling up on the battlefield…
Tyranitar was actually breaking through in the middle of the fight!
Once, there was a flying fish¹[1] Pokémon that broke through just as Tyranitar was about to smash it…
That time, Tyranitar lost in bitter frustration!
But now, it was Tyranitar's turn to claim the protagonist's script and begin its reversal comeback…
After forcefully withstanding Garchomp's fierce attacks again and again, Tyranitar finally "broke through" under pressure, reaching a height it had never achieved in its previous life…
Elite Four level!
In a daze, Sato remembered the first time he met Tyranitar…
Back then, it was just a tsundere little shota full of "seriousness".
Now… now it had grown into an overwhelmingly dominant titan!
And it was also the very first Elite Four level Pokémon that Sato had personally raised from "zero".
Tyranitar's advance didn't last long, but under Cynthia's orders, Garchomp had already been waiting patiently off to the side.
No sneak attacks. No deliberate interruptions. Cynthia just calmly stood by and waited for Tyranitar's transformation to complete.
And then… the battle continued!
"Garchomp, Brick Break combo!" "Tyranitar, Ice Punch combo!"
This time, Sato's command had no frills.
Straight-up collision? The newly Tyranitar wasn't afraid at all!
"TYRAAAAAN!"
"GAARR!"
With two thunderous roars, Tyranitar and Garchomp's fists collided once again.
But the clash didn't stop there!
Left-hand Brick Break versus Left-hand Ice Punch followed right after.
Next…
Iron Tail vs Aqua Tail…
Iron Head vs Take Down…
Low Kick vs Stomping Tantrum…
Move after move, used effortlessly by both Garchomp and Tyranitar. Garchomp had a slight edge in offense, but Tyranitar's defense was superior. For a while, the two battled to a standstill.
Each impact rang out with a heavy, muffled thud; like the sound of drums echoing in the hearts of everyone present…
True battle drums that stirred the soul!
Gradually, Garchomp's movements began to slow, and more cracks appeared on Tyranitar's armored body.
Both Pokémon refused to dodge, choosing instead to clash head-on with perfect mutual understanding.
Naturally, this meant absorbing the full brunt of each other's attacks!
At this point, there was only one thing a Trainer could do…
BELIEVE IN THEIR PARTNER WITH UNWAVERING FAITH!
You must never say things like, "If this doesn't work, we'll just forfeit."
If you really wanted to quit, why didn't you do it earlier?
Thus, the [Trainer Move: Revival Roar] was born!
"Tyranitar, GIVE IT YOUR ALL!"
"GARCHOMP, DON'T GIVE UP!"
"CHOOOMP!"
"TYRAAAN!"
Both sides, once flagging with fatigue, suddenly regained their fighting spirit. Their attacks became sharp again, every strike now carrying their full power!
"AHHHHHH!
Suddenly, a gasp echoed through the arena. Several female fans even instinctively shut their eyes!
On the battlefield, Garchomp's Brick Break had landed squarely on Tyranitar's right shoulder, sending it staggering backward, about to fall!
But just at that moment, Tyranitar twisted its body with all its might and unleashed a sweeping tail strike.
It wasn't a special move. Just a plain, forceful tail sweep. But it caught Garchomp off guard while its focus was momentarily relaxed, tripping it to the ground…
Both Pokémon… fell down at the same time!
But neither Tyranitar nor Garchomp was willing to give up. Both struggled to rise again, unwilling to lose the match just like that!
Very quickly, they stood up once more!
Panting heavily…
Eyes locked on each other…
Filled with unshakable determination to win!
"Let's settle this once and for all!"
Cynthia looked at Sato and suddenly said.
"Alright!" Sato nodded in agreement. There was nothing to hesitate about; win or lose, this battle had already been a huge win for Tyranitar!
"Garchomp, Giga Impact!"
"Tyranitar, let's use… Giga Impact too!"
"GARRRR!"
"TYRRRR!"
With two furious roars, Tyranitar and Garchomp launched forward, left and right, each transforming into a spiraling energy cone of yellow and purple…
Whooosh༄
BOOOOOOOOOOM!
They collided with a thunderous crash!
The violent impact of their collision triggered an explosion on the battlefield, and a mushroom cloud rapidly rose into the air, almost blocking out the sunlight across the entire arena.
The full-force clash of Elite Four lvl Pokémon was terrifying beyond belief!
When the thick smoke gradually cleared, both Garchomp and Tyranitar were lying quietly on the ground.
Such an intense energy collision had clearly overwhelmed the two "culprits" behind it.
…Whoosh~
༄🏴
The referee raised the flag high and began solemnly announcing the match result.
No doubt about it.
Sato and Cynthia had tied!
"WOAHHHHHH!"
And once again, the audience erupted into the loudest roars yet.
The exhibition match mission…
Perfectly completed!
---◓---
After recalling their Pokémon, Sato and Cynthia exited the stage amid the cheers and roars, and met again backstage.
As soon as they saw each other, Sato offered Cynthia a sincere word of thanks.
Tyranitar's breakthrough and the final result were both largely thanks to Cynthia.
Garchomp had given Tyranitar just the right amount of pressure to advance, and the tie at the end helped Tyranitar build a solid sense of confidence.
Otherwise, to suffer defeat right after a breakthrough would've been harder to accept than losing outright.
But Cynthia merely shook her head and said to Sato, "Mmh! Congratulations~"
No matter what, a Pokémon breaking through to Elite Four level was always worth celebrating.
"If you're free later, want to grab lunch together? My treat."
Sato extended an invitation, thinking it was a sure thing. But to his surprise, Cynthia declined.
"Sigh...I wish I could, but there's still a lot going on in Sinnoh. I only squeezed in this trip, and I've got a flight soon."
"I see..." Sato replied instinctively. After a brief pause, he added, "Then let me take you to the airport."
"Sure-"
"No need to see her off!"
Just as Cynthia was about to agree, a slightly aged voice suddenly spoke from behind Sato.
"President Goodshow!" Cynthia was the first to see the visitor and immediately greeted him.
"Mm~ Long time no see, Cynthia-chan!"
Clearly, Charles Goodshow and Cynthia knew each other… and seemed to have a fairly familiar relationship.
Sato stood to the side, unsure whether he should ask why he was being stopped from sending her off.
Fortunately, Charles Goodshow took the initiative to explain.
"Sinnoh has been a bit unstable lately. The underground organizations have been stirring.
The Sinnoh President has already sent a request for support to Headquarters. Since you're free, why don't you go with Cynthia for a bit?"
Sato: … ( °ー°〃)?
Then, without asking for Sato's opinion at all, Charles turned to Cynthia and continued, "You've seen Sato's strength for yourself. If he goes all out, he can hold his own against a full Elite Four member.
From now on, he's the first batch of support Trainers sent by Headquarters. Heh~ Use him as you wish!"
Sato, internally: 'What do you mean "use me as you wish"!? I'm the spiritual symbol of the new generation across both Kanto regions… don't I deserve a little respect!?'
At last, Charles Goodshow seemed to realize Sato was still standing there. He casually asked, "So, you going?"
"...Yeah."
Only then did Charles Goodshow nod in satisfaction, thinking to himself, 'Sato, this is as far as I can help you… GAMBARE!
•
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¹.Wallace-kun hahah.
[1] Wallace-kun hahah