"Do you really think you can defeat Gabite with that strategy?"
"Impossible! Gabite, get out and use Dragon Claw!"
Lucien Foster's firm voice echoed across the field. In an instant, Gabite's figure burst up from the ground, shattering the earth beneath it. The roots chasing after it barely managed to surface before Gabite, with a swift motion, slashed them apart.
"Gabbtt!"
Gabite pushed itself off the ground and soared into the air. Its claws extended, and brilliant green shadows of energy surrounded them, radiating overwhelming dragon-type power.
"Still haven't learned your lesson, huh? Gabite, finish off Cacturne!"
Lucien grinned arrogantly, knowing that Cacturne couldn't move after using Ingrain.
Whoosh!
With a slicing sound, Gabite landed and dashed forward at incredible speed, its claws glowing with dragon-type energy as it struck toward Cacturne.
In the blink of an eye, the little dragon appeared before Cacturne and unleashed the full force of its attack. The claws hit directly, sending Cacturne flying through the air and crashing violently against the stadium wall.
"Oooohhh!"
The crowd erupted in cheers. Lucien's fans roared with excitement at the sheer power of the blow. With that impact, Cacturne couldn't possibly have survived — the battle was over!
"It's finished."
Lucien smiled confidently.
"Oh, really?"
At that moment, Ethan slowly lifted his head, a faintly amused smile on his lips.
"What did you just say?"
Lucien's expression stiffened.
Boom!
Suddenly, Gabite collapsed heavily to the ground... and didn't move again.
"Wha—what's going on?"
"Why did it just fall like that?"
The entire crowd was dumbfounded. Nobody understood what had just happened.
"Gabite! What's wrong?!"
Even Lucien, completely bewildered, shouted anxiously.
"That move... was it Destiny Bond?"
From the stands of the Arcaia City Pokémon University, someone muttered uncertainly.
"Yes. That was the Destiny Bond move. Cacturne can learn it."
The captain of the university's reserve team, Rowan Thorne, spoke firmly. Everyone fell silent in shock.
That meant Gabite had fallen victim to Destiny Bond — Cacturne had dragged it down with it in defeat.
"Damn it, I knew it! That Ethan's a manipulative genius!"
"He used a severely wounded Cacturne to take down a perfectly healthy Gabite... Incredible!"
Brandon Hayes leapt to his feet. He finally understood — his own loss to Ethan had been completely justified.
"So cheap!"
"Ethan, can't you win with some honor?!"
The die-hard fans — the total fanatics — began shouting furiously. To them, Ethan's tactics were pure trickery.
"Idiots... that was a brilliant move."
The students of Arcaia City Pokémon University could only shake their heads. Their gazes filled with admiration — that kind of tactical battle was exactly their style.
"The tables have turned."
"Now, a poisoned Salamence versus an almost unscathed Sandslash..."
Someone commented, and tension rippled through the crowd.
Could Lucien Foster — the trainer with three pseudo-legendary dragons — actually lose to Ethan Black?
"Lose? Impossible!"
Lucien's face darkened. He threw a Poké Ball and released his Salamence, still suffering from poison.
Ethan also threw a Poké Ball, sending out Sandslash once again. Before even receiving a command, Sandslash immediately dove into the tunnel it had dug earlier.
"That bastard... is he planning to hide underground and stall with Dig?"
Everyone instantly grasped Ethan's intention.
"You won't get away with that."
"Salamence, fire Flamethrower into the tunnel!"
Lucien's expression grew grim — gone was the calm confidence he had shown earlier.
"Groaarr!"
Salamence, furious and poisoned, roared violently. It raised its head, gathering fiery energy in its throat before spewing a torrent of flames straight into the tunnel.
Boom!
The flames roared through the ground, racing along the tunnels Sandslash had dug.
Moments later, several columns of fire burst out of the earth, shooting blazing tongues of flame into the sky.
"Did he get it?"
The audience watched tensely, waiting for the result.
But seconds passed — and Sandslash did not emerge.
"Could it have been completely wiped out?"
The stands buzzed with murmurs.
Then, just as everyone assumed Sandslash had been defeated, its body suddenly burst up from the ground, gasping for air.
It had managed to evade the flames by weaving through the maze of underground tunnels, but the effort had left it exhausted.
Though Dig allowed it to move freely underground, oxygen was scarce there — and Salamence's fire-type attack had burned even more of it away. Deprived of air, Sandslash had no choice but to surface for breath.
"There you are."
"Salamence, dive down and use Dragon Claw!"
Seeing it appear, Lucien gave the immediate order.
"Groaarr!"
Salamence roared and swooped downward, its claws glowing with dragon-type energy.
"Sandslash, Sand Whirl! (Rapid Spin + Sand Attack!)"
Ethan reacted quickly.
Sandslash spun rapidly on the spot, whipping up a massive vortex of sand that surged violently through the battlefield.
Boom!
With a powerful slash, Salamence tore through the swirling sand—
But when the dust settled, Sandslash was nowhere to be seen. It had vanished underground once again.
"You—!"
Lucien's face twisted in frustration.
"Damn it! Ethan's planning to wear down the poisoned Salamence until it collapses on its own!"
Brandon jumped to his feet, finally realizing Ethan's strategy. Could it be that Lucien — with all his mighty dragons — would be defeated by sheer tactics alone?
(End of Chapter)