Turtonator shifted its body. Now that it had finished Shell Smash, it could still use Overheat one more time.
The flames lingering across the battlefield finally faded. Shiro watched the last traces disappear, then sent out his next Pokémon.
"Go, Haunter!"
Haunter was level 42 now, and its biggest advantage was speed. Turtonator was a glass cannon. It hit hard but broke easily. As long as Haunter could close the distance and strike first, that would be enough.
"Haaunnteer!"
Haunter floated onto the battlefield with a mischievous grin. It hadn't been in a fight for quite some time, so the chance to finally step in made it thrilled.
Shiro shouted quickly.
"Use Confuse Ray!"
Haunter's grin widened. Its form flickered, fading in and out, while it raised its claws and created a strange, rainbow-colored glow above the battlefield.
The colors mixed chaotically, blending into a hypnotic light that could lure any Pokémon into a daze.
Confuse Ray sent the opponent into confusion. In the games it sometimes caused self-damage or failed attacks; in reality, it made the mind foggy and unresponsive to commands.
After advancing to Gym-level, thanks to previous rigorous training, Haunter had become very proficient in its mastery of moves, with an extensive move pool.
But the moment that eerie glow appeared, Raihan showed no panic. He didn't even look worried. Instead, he let out a light laugh.
"What a pity. If only it were Drakloak…"
He murmured quietly.
Ahead of him, Turtonator glowed red-hot, half buried in the battlefield. A terrifying energy swelled inside its shell.
BOOM!
A deafening blast rang out. The audience barely caught sight of Haunter forming its Confuse Ray before a storm of fire and smoke swallowed everything.
The psychic barrier surrounding the field had never shone so brightly. It hurt to look at.
Anger and confusion erupted from the stands.
"What the hell is going on?!"
"I think that was a move? I didn't even see—"
"Was it Haunter's or Turtonator's? What kind of move makes something like that?! You've got to be kidding!"
"Damn it, that barrier looks like it's about to break!"
"My eyes! Damn!"
At the referee's stand, Ryan's legs shook uncontrollably. If not for the rail in front of him for him to hold onto, he might have collapsed. He never imagined Raihan would dare to use a move like this in a Champion Cup match.
"Th–that's Explosion!"
Ryan forced out the words.
"It's Turtonator! After boosting its Attack with Shell Smash, it started using Explosion the instant Haunter came out!"
"Explosion…"
On the field, Shiro's expression darkened. The mushroom-cloud-like blast faded slowly, and Haunter, with dizzy spiral eyes, rolled all the way to his feet from the shockwave alone.
Thankfully, it hadn't managed to get close to Turtonator. If it had been any nearer, that Explosion might have blown it into a real ghost.
"A self-destruct tactic… to use it this way. Looks like there are still powerful Pokémon waiting behind to clean up," Shiro muttered to himself as he took out a Poké Ball to recall Haunter.
On the other side, Raihan also withdrew his half-dead Turtonator.
* * *
In the stadium lobby, the contestants fell silent, stunned by the massive Explosion.
The earlier Overheat had been intense enough, but Explosion was on another level. It wasn't just an attack; it was mutual destruction.
"That must be one of his trump cards…" Leon's expression barely changed, though thoughts stirred in his mind.
Shiro had reacted fast and took back Corviknight in time. If the one fighting Raihan had been him, that Overheat would have probably caused one of his Pokémon to lose fighting ability, and the next one sent out definitely wouldn't be able to withstand Explosion either.
That Turtonator could actually self-destruct and take down at least two Pokémon. Even his Charizard couldn't withstand a blast like that. If he got hit by that in a finals match, he'd fall into a huge disadvantage… he might even be forced to concede.
Leon whispered again, "He definitely has more prepared…"
* * *
"Shiro really helped Leon scout out a lot of Raihan's power."
At the top-floor office of the company headquarters, Rose ran a hand through his black hair, a smile on his face.
Raihan's strength was indeed formidable. Even though Shiro had caught him off guard at first due to lack of information, he clearly still had trump cards left.
Only one Elite-level Pokémon had been sent out so far. Raihan must have at least one more in reserve, and Shiro hadn't even used his Drakloak yet.
Oleana, standing silently to the side, spoke in a calm voice. "Should we begin preparations for the arrest?"
Arrest?
Rose paused to think, saying nothing.
Both Raihan and Shiro were stronger than expected. It was still premature to assume Raihan would win for sure.
Raihan, from a prestigious clam, should logically have stronger backup. But Shiro still had a Dynamax Band. If he used it recklessly…
"Prepare now?" Rose asked back, raising an eyebrow. "Are you confident Raihan will win?"
Oleana adjusted her glasses lightly, her gaze turning cold. "Before the battle started… I had our staff meet Raihan. We gave him something. A newly improved Dynamax Band. One that controls Dynamax energy far more easily than the old model."
"Heh…" Rose tugged at the hair hanging down by his temple. "Good work, Oleana. Prepare the arrest."
* * *
Back at the battlefield.
"What an unbelievable attack…" Ryan almost lost his voice. His tongue felt stiff. Luckily, the audience had been startled by the Explosion as well. The lingering effects of the blast on the battlefield still gave him a moment to catch his breath.
"Now, both Raihan's and Shiro's Pokémon are unable to battle. Trainers, please send out your next Pokémon!"
As soon as he finished, both trainers simultaneously threw their Poké Balls.
"Come out, Duraludon!"
"Go, Bewear!"
Before Raihan stood Duraludon, its entire body silver and metallic, looking like a steel beast. Opposite it, Shiro sent out the fluffy, teddy bear-like Bewear.
In appearance and size, Duraludon was fierce and towering, forming a stark contrast to Bewear. Yet both were straightforward, power-oriented fighters. Fundamentally, they weren't all that different.
Shiro focused his senses and checked Duraludon's data.
[Name: Duraludon
Type: Steel/Dragon
Level: 50 (Gym)
Ability: Light Metal
Held Item: None
Moves: Leer, Metal Claw, Rock Smash, Hone Claws, Metal Sound, Breaking Swipe, Dragon Tail, Iron Defense, Focus Energy, Dragon Claw, Take Down, Protect…]
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