The fierce battle at Sinjoh Ruins showed no signs of slowing. Sparks of electricity and fire illuminated the battlefield as Delphox's blazing aura clashed with the eerie, shadowy presence of Mega Banette.
At that moment, Mega Banette narrowed its eyes and reached behind with its left hand. A powerful current of electricity surged through the air, instantly entangling Delphox.
The sudden attack caught Delphox off guard. Her expression shifted as Mega Banette closed in, compressing a mass of shadowy energy in its palm before detonating it right against her.
The explosion sent Delphox hurtling backward, shifting the momentum of the battle once more.
She hadn't anticipated such an unpredictable move. The blinding light of the electricity left her temporarily unable to open her eyes, while the numbing pain clouded her thoughts in a swirl of confusion and panic.
A second crushing force followed. Mega Banette struck her from behind, causing another jolt of pain to race through her body. As she tumbled forward, the flickering flame on her wand dimmed.
A familiar sensation—one she had felt before.
But instead of panicking, Delphox instinctively steadied herself, adjusting her center of gravity to regain control. As she quieted her mind, clarity returned. She knew she had to stay composed; if she allowed Mega Banette to overwhelm her, the battle would be lost.
She recalled the very first time she met Klein.
It had been on a rainy day.
Back then, Klein had just left Hoenn and arrived in Kalos, not to challenge the local league, but to embark on a solitary journey—training to become stronger.
Building his Sandstorm team required significant improvements, and he was determined to refine his strategy.
Unbeknownst to him, he had drawn the attention of a certain curious Pokémon.
He had been grieving.
From the very first glance, she had noticed how different this human was. Beneath his sorrow, there was an unwavering determination that set him apart from others. It intrigued her.
As the rain poured down, Klein walked on in silence. Delphox—then just a Fennekin—watched him from a distance. Eventually, the cold rain got to her, and she let out a small sneeze, unintentionally revealing herself.
Klein turned toward her.
Fennekin's face flushed red in embarrassment, hesitant to meet his gaze. But instead of ignoring her, Klein approached.
"Fire-types shouldn't be wandering around in this kind of weather."
He gently lifted her by the ears and draped a piece of clothing over her, shielding her from the cold.
Feeling the warmth of his hands, and seeing the faint sorrow in his eyes slowly fade, Fennekin had an unfamiliar feeling—a sense of empathy. Without thinking, she nuzzled into his hand, seeking comfort.
Captured?
No, Delphox would argue that she was the one who had captured him.
"I would never let my dear Trainer down. Because among all Pokémon, I am the most elegant and majestic of them all. Now watch as I show you what true, unmatched beauty looks like!"
A multitude of violet flames shaped like hearts danced in the air before merging back into the fire behind her.
With an intense burst, the flames formed massive fiery wings, violently twisting in the air. The electromagnetic bindings shattered instantly. She adjusted her elemental balance mid-air, twisting her toes gracefully at the last second before landing effortlessly.
Her dazzling twin wings of violet fire cast a majestic glow across the battlefield. Her eyes burned with fierce determination as the flames on her wand finally took their true shape.
This was her most powerful technique.
Against an opponent like Mega Banette, Delphox had no choice but to unleash her full strength.
She steadied herself, scanning the surrounding darkness. Mega Banette could strike from any direction.
Hidden within the shadows, Mega Banette silently watched, gripping its Electromagnetic Blade, poised like an assassin waiting for the perfect moment.
Delphox remained motionless, appearing as if she were merely holding her ground, waiting for the right time to act.
A single breath.
A flash of darkness.
Mega Banette struck.
Its blade, moving at inhuman speed, pierced directly into Delphox's body.
A perfect strike.
Yet—Delphox didn't waver.
She caught the blade with her bare hand.
Her free hand thrust forward, channeling all of her energy into her wand's flames.
An enormous pillar of fire erupted.
Blast Burn!
One of the most powerful Fire-type moves, a technique that scorched everything in its path in an uncontrollable inferno.
The blazing column of fire engulfed the shadows, causing the very air to distort from the sheer heat. Mega Banette reappeared, its body trembling as though struck by lightning. The intense heat coursed through it, locking its limbs in place, trapping it within the raging inferno.
The terrifying flames spread rapidly, consuming Mega Banette's form. Burn marks began appearing all over its body.
But even in the face of devastation, Mega Banette refused to surrender.
It activated Prankster, forcing the residual flames around it to redirect—hurling them back toward Delphox in a desperate counterattack.
Delphox gritted her teeth. She was unable to move, but she had one final trick.
She detonated the Fire Lotus she had set up beforehand.
With Imposter copying Prankster, her spectral flames ignited faster than expected. The explosion detonated right in Mega Banette's face.
The relentless assault proved too much.
Mega Banette collapsed, its body reverting back to normal—defeated.
Delphox, though injured, forced herself to stand. She turned toward Claydol, where Florges was already using its healing abilities to restore its strength.
Meanwhile, Tyranitar raised several Sand Shields, enclosing both Delphox and Florges for protection. Claydol's Extrasensory linked with them, amplifying their recovery.
"An impressive Delphox, but she cannot serve as the second core of your Sandstorm team. She lacks the synergy needed to strengthen your strategy."
A dual-core strategy required flawless integration. Though Delphox was formidable, her role was primarily that of an individual fighter rather than a team enhancer.
"Hippowdon, Rhyperior—come forth!"
Klein tossed two Poké Balls into the air. With thunderous footsteps, Hippowdon and Rhyperior joined the battlefield, regrouping with Tyranitar.
The double Sand Stream effect took hold. As both Pokémon unleashed their abilities, a brutal sandstorm consumed the ruins. The once-ancient structures began to wither under the relentless assault of wind and grit.
"Hippowdon, use Sand Tomb!"
Boom!
The battlefield transformed into a vast desert as massive waves of sand engulfed the entire area. A giant Hourglass Sandstorm formed overhead—this was Klein's true battlefield manipulation technique.
Despite losing Tentacruel, he had still managed to recreate his Twin Island battlefield strategy using two Sand Stream Pokémon.
Sakaki let out an impressed whistle.
"I've seen it before, but this battlefield technique is truly remarkable. Unfortunately for you, my Mirror Property Gengar squad doesn't fear your sandstorm."
Klein slowly lifted his head. His voice was calm.
"This time, my target is Giratina."
"What?!"
Before Sakaki could react, the concentrated sandstorm erupted into a massive whirlwind, engulfing the entire dimension. The sheer force of the combined Pokémon's Sandstorm abilities far exceeded normal limits.
From within the storm, the true ace revealed itself.
Rhyperior's eyes glowed with a savage light.
Deep in the shadows, Swampert grinned. With Mega Banette—the biggest disruptor—defeated, the tide of battle was about to shift.
The Ghost army wouldn't last much longer.
The counterattack had begun!
(To be continued…)