"So that's how it was? Then there's no need to hold back in this battle."
Ethan stroked his chin while thinking about which Pokémon to send out in that confrontation.
...
Time passed very quickly.
In the afternoon, the third battle began.
After an entire noon of rivalry fermenting, the fans of both teams entered the stadium looking at one another with open hostility.
Within that atmosphere, the members of both teams stepped onto the field.
"Are we really going to do it this way?"
Already on the platform, Ethan suddenly asked Captain Jason, who was beside him.
"This time, we have to return that previous humiliation to them once and for all!" Jason clenched his fist slightly.
Honestly, last time they had lost in truly disastrous fashion.
Now was the time for revenge.
"Alright, then." Ethan nodded and turned his gaze toward the team of Rivergate City Pokémon University, whose members showed mocking expressions.
"The battle begins."
Seeing the tension between both teams, the referee spoke calmly.
Next, both sides took out their Poké Balls and released their ten Pokémon at the same time.
"That Pokémon is... Tyranitar!"
Seeing the figure rising on the field, the spectators were immediately startled.
Tyranitar, as one of the most representative among the so-called Disaster Pokémon, mastered the ability to raise sandstorms, so naturally the public knew it well.
But due to the League's strict control over that kind of Pokémon, they were almost never seen in competitions.
So this was the first time most people had seen a Tyranitar in battle, and that silhouette resembling Godzilla was truly impactful.
At the same time, the other Pokémon of Ironvale City Pokémon University's team also appeared on the field.
All of them were Rock-type Pokémon, capable of resisting the damage from the sandstorm and, furthermore, benefiting from its effects.
"It's a sandstorm team! That kind of weather team is a tremendously powerful tactical formation."
After clearly seeing Ironvale City Pokémon University's entire lineup, the spectators began to exclaim in surprise: this time, Ironvale City Pokémon University was clearly playing with a team strategy.
"Sandstorm tactic!"
"If I remember correctly, the strong point of Rivergate City Pokémon University's team is precisely the rain tactic, right?"
At that moment, someone among the audience made that observation, which also startled the others.
"Then... Ironvale City Pokémon University's team has decided to face them head-on!"
Upon hearing that, many spectators immediately reached the same conclusion.
"Now this is getting interesting!"
Realizing the tactical intentions of both teams, the audience filled with anticipation.
"Tyranitar, use Sandstorm!"
"Pelipper, use Rain Dance!"
As soon as the battle began, both sides activated their weather moves at the same instant.
Immediately, one part of the field was wrapped in violent winds, while on the other side the sky became covered in dark clouds.
"This is really about to begin!"
All the spectators watched nervously.
In a clash between weather teams, control over the weather almost always determined the outcome of the battle.
"My God, what is happening!"
At that moment, an incredulous voice echoed through the stadium.
Tyranitar's sandstorm advanced like an avalanche and, in an instant, completely swallowed the rain clouds in the sky.
The Quasi-Elite-level Pelipper, in front of Tyranitar, was unable to offer the slightest resistance!
"That Tyranitar is also Quasi-Elite level!"
"How terrifying! Its control over the sandstorm even makes me think of an Elite-level Pokémon."
In the guest area, the guests also began discussing it.
Gazing at Tyranitar's sandstorm, all of them showed great surprise.
If only mastery over the weather was compared, they truly had the feeling that Tyranitar could even rival an Elite-level Pokémon.
Whoosh, whoosh...
On the field, the wind roared fiercely.
In barely an instant, the terrifying yellow sand completely covered the entire stage.
"We won, our university team won!"
The students of Ironvale City Pokémon University immediately began cheering.
"Hmph, we only lost the contest of weather moves."
The students of Rivergate City Pokémon University answered, although from the tone of their voices, it was evident that they already lacked quite a bit of confidence.
Their gazes turned toward the field, but none of the Pokémon's figures could be seen there anymore.
"Eh... the sandstorm seems to be starting to weaken!"
At that moment, a student suddenly shouted.
And indeed, the storm began to lose strength and slowly dissipate. But by then, the field had already been completely buried under the yellow sand.
On top of the sand, the five Rock-type Pokémon of Ironvale City Pokémon University's team remained standing upright.
In contrast, the five Pokémon of Rivergate City Pokémon University's team were buried under the sand, with only some parts of their bodies still visible.
Although it was not clear what exactly had happened in the middle of that storm, it was evident that the five Pokémon of Rivergate City Pokémon University had already completely lost the ability to battle.
"They all fell in such a short time!"
"What terrifying power! That Tyranitar's strength is incredible!"
Seeing that, the entire stadium inhaled sharply.
That could no longer even be called a battle. It was overwhelming superiority, absolute overwhelming superiority.
"You... are too weak."
Captain Jason showed a broad smile and, looking at Rivergate City Pokémon University's team, raised his thumb... only to turn it downward afterward.
(End of chapter)