The live-streaming platforms were buzzing with excitement over the epic battle between Klein and Will. Enthusiastic viewers had already compiled a full breakdown of every move used in the first round.
The match had lasted barely three minutes, yet the sheer frequency of attacks was insane.
Most battles involved a back-and-forth rhythm—one move per turn, allowing Pokémon time to recover between actions.
But in this Elite-level duel, the combatants never stopped attacking.
Some viewers mocked others for being surprised—this was the difference between Elite Four-level Pokémon and ordinary ones.
A regular trainer facing an Elite Four member?
Their Pokémon would barely get one move off before being buried under a barrage of relentless attacks.
"Damn, I always thought that cold-faced guy was just acting cool, but he's actually terrifyingly strong!"
In a TV station office, a young female reporter kept replaying the final clash between Tyranitar and Bronzong.
For the first time, she realized just how powerful the Sandstorm Elite truly was.
[Battlefield]
With Hippowdon vs. Jynx, the second round began.
Jynx immediately fired a Blizzard, but Hippowdon exhaled a powerful burst of sand, nullifying the attack.
At the same time, Hippowdon yawned lazily.
A Yawn attack.
Jynx staggered slightly, feeling the drowsiness kick in. But before it succumbed, a pink heart-shaped projectile shot forward—
Attract.
The attack landed directly on Hippowdon.
Both Pokémon fell asleep simultaneously.
The battlefield fell silent.
Without hesitation, both trainers recalled their Pokémon.
Klein's Hippowdon was crucial for maintaining Sandstorm control. He couldn't afford to let it sleep on the battlefield.
Likewise, Will needed Jynx for later strategies.
A mutual tactical withdrawal.
"Next up—Lucario!"
As the Poké Ball burst open, a violent aura exploded across the battlefield.
Lucario was sitting cross-legged in midair, surrounded by a field of intense mental energy.
Despite being a Fighting/Steel-type, Lucario's Aura mastery made it seem more like a Psychic-type Pokémon.
Opposite him—
Will released his next Pokémon.
A purple, pig-like Pokémon hopped onto the battlefield, giggling mischievously.
Grumpig.
An expert in manipulation and a master of mental control, Grumpig used the black pearls on its body to amplify its Psychic abilities.
Lucario narrowed his eyes at the opponent.
There was something about that fake smile that made him instantly despise it.
Before anyone could react—Lucario vanished.
Whoosh!
In a blink, he reappeared right behind Grumpig, forming a Shadow Ball in his palm and launching it at point-blank range.
"Power Gem!"
The pearls on Grumpig's body gleamed, releasing a beam of radiant energy that shattered the Shadow Ball midair.
Grumpig laughed gleefully.
But Lucario was already gone.
It was an illusion.
Lucario had planted a false image in Grumpig's mind.
The Shadow Ball Grumpig had destroyed?
It was never real.
The real Shadow Ball was still in Lucario's hand—and he was already behind Grumpig again.
This was Lucario's battle style.
Using his Aura to predict his opponent's next move, he created double illusions—one in his movements, and one in his opponent's mind.
This was why Scizor hated sparring with him.
Unlike Scizor's straightforward combat style, Lucario relied on deception.
BOOM!
The real Shadow Ball slammed into Grumpig's back, sending it flying across the field.
When Grumpig crashed down, its fake smile had vanished, replaced by pure rage.
The black pearls on its neck glowed fiercely.
A wave of Psychic energy exploded outward.
The very air around them trembled.
For a moment, even the sandstorm in the sky seemed under Grumpig's control.
"This… this is why Psychic-types in the anime were so broken."
The sheer power of Grumpig's unleashed Psychic energy sent chills down the audience's spines.
But Lucario did not move.
Instead—he smirked.
His fist clenched.
A dark purple energy burst forth.
"Shadow Shield."
A gigantic, spherical shield of Shadow Energy materialized, completely blocking Grumpig's Psychic attack.
Then—
The Shadow Shield sharpened into a piercing spear.
It struck—straight at Grumpig's throat.
For a moment—
Grumpig stared in shock as its head detached from its body.
"AAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!"
Will screamed in agony and dropped to one knee, blood trickling from his lips.
He gritted his teeth, forcing himself to stand as his Psychic connection snapped Grumpig out of the illusion.
When Grumpig opened its eyes, it was soaked in sweat.
Lucario was still sitting cross-legged, meditating calmly, having never even moved.
That entire sequence?
A mental nightmare.
Everything—the Shadow Ball, the fake Shadow Shield, the attack that "beheaded" Grumpig—was all an illusion planted into its mind.
"He used Meditate to reflect the Psychic energy back into Grumpig's subconscious?"
Karen's eyes widened.
Beside her, Agatha nodded.
"From the very beginning, Lucario manipulated the entire fight. Grumpig never stood a chance."
Pryce's expression darkened.
"This round… Will is going to lose."
Grumpig desperately charged at Lucario, releasing a brilliant burst of energy—
Lucario simply raised one palm—
And countered with a devastating blast of Aura Force.
BOOM!
Grumpig was sent flying.
It crashed down, unmoving.
"Grumpig is unable to battle!"
The referee declared Lucario the victor.
Will's expression stiffened.
He looked at Lucario, who had now powered up twice with Meditate.
After a long pause, Will finally chose his next Pokémon.
"Slowbro, let's go!"
A Slowbro appeared on the battlefield.
Lucario, sensing no immediate threat, attempted to read its mind—
Only to find… absolutely nothing.
A bottomless void.
Lucario frowned for the first time.
This thing… wasn't thinking at all.
(End of Chapter)