"Gardevoir? Who is that young man? Champion Diantha is using her ace Pokemon against him! How exciting!"
"I know, I know! He used to be the Kanto region Champion. His name is Blue!"
"Really? I'm from Kanto myself, and I've never heard of a Champion named Blue!"
The truth was, many people from Kanto and Johto had no idea Blue had ever been Champion. His fame was minimal, even in his home region of Kanto, he wasn't particularly well-known among ordinary people. Compared to Diantha, a world-famous actress and top-tier Champion, Blue's public recognition was virtually nonexistent.
"Gardevoir~"
When trainer and Pokemon achieved perfect synchronization, using the Key Stone and Mega Stone as a medium, their bond transformed into raw power!
Rainbow light flashed brilliantly as Gardevoir evolved into Mega Gardevoir. Its appearance became even more elegant, wearing what looked like a flowing white gown, with its heart now fully crystallized and visible on its chest.
The appearance of Mega Gardevoir immediately triggered excited cheers from the audience.
"Mega Gardevoir is absolutely gorgeous!"
"No matter how many times I see it, I'm always captivated by Champion Diantha and her Gardevoir! This must be true love!"
"Love your ass! You're just being a pervert!"
"What pervert? I'm appreciating art!"
"Right, right! We're viewing this with a critical eye!"
Beautiful Pokemon like Gardevoir always attracted attention wherever they appeared.
However, Blue wasn't about to hold back just because his opponent and her Pokemon were beautiful. Pokemon battles didn't need sentimentality!
"Rhyperior, use Rock Wrecker!"
The sound of cannon fire erupted continuously.
Massive rock projectiles launched from Rhyperior's palm cannons like artillery shells, one after another in rapid succession.
Normally, a Pokemon's Rock Wrecker would fire maybe five shots at most. But Blue's Rhyperior seemed to have unlimited ammunition, firing relentlessly in a mad barrage without pause!
Mega Gardevoir had barely landed before being forced to Teleport again to avoid the onslaught.
However, there was no question that repeatedly using Teleport consumed far more stamina than firing Rock Wrecker.
This forced Diantha to seriously consider how to break through Blue's strategy.
But before Diantha could formulate a counter-strategy, Blue switched tactics first.
"Rhyperior, use Rock Slide!"
Rhyperior pulled back its cannon-like arms and condensed an even more concentrated mass of rock energy, firing it straight up into the sky above the battle stage.
Immediately, the entire battlefield was showered with a massive rockfall!
No matter where Mega Gardevoir teleported, it would be hit by falling rocks.
Moreover, Rhyperior's Rock Slide wasn't ordinary. Each rock that hit the ground exploded like a bomb with tremendous force!
After teleporting down, Mega Gardevoir immediately erected a protective barrier to block the rain of explosive rocks from above.
But Blue had been waiting for exactly this moment.
"Hammer Arm!"
Rhyperior charged forward, its massive fist cocked back for a devastating blow.
Just as the punch was about to connect with Mega Gardevoir, Diantha urgently issued a command.
"Psychic!"
Powerful psychic energy condensed into near-physical force, not only attempting to stop Rhyperior's advance but actively trying to push the massive Pokemon backward and launch it away.
Rhyperior wasn't blown away, but its forward punch slowed dramatically under the psychic pressure.
And Blue followed up with what would be his final command of this match—the decisive one.
"Rock Wrecker."
Rhyperior's fist continued driving toward Mega Gardevoir, but inside its cannon-arms, a terrifying amount of energy was gathering.
BOOM!
BOOM!
BOOM!
The sound of cannon fire echoed throughout the entire Ho-Oh Festival stadium.
When the artillery barrage finally ceased, Rhyperior confidently turned and walked back to Blue's side of the field. Its opponent, Mega Gardevoir, lay collapsed before Diantha, body covered in black soot from the explosions. Its Mega Evolution had been forcibly canceled, and its eyes had become swirls.
"Gardevoir is unable to battle! Rhyperior wins! Trainer Diantha has no remaining Pokemon, therefore the victor is Blue!"