Three versus three.Yozora and Ryūnan were once again evenly matched.
Yozora's Pidgeot, Graveler, and Gengar had all fallen in battle. He still had three Pokémon left to fight, including Machoke.
Ryūnan's Miltank, Aerodactyl, and Gyarados had also been defeated. He too had three remaining—Dragonair, Flygon, and one more.
But though the score was tied, anyone with sharp eyes could see it clearly: Yozora held the overwhelming advantage.
All three of his remaining Pokémon were at full strength.
Ryūnan might have "three" left on paper, but in truth? Dragonair was already running on fumes, barely holding onto the last thread of stamina.
And Flygon? Even if it still had half its health, it was trapped in sleep. The moment it was sent out, it would only take hits—and possibly be eliminated before it even woke up.
"Unbelievable! Are rookies these days really this ferocious? One thing is Ryūnan—he's a prodigy of the Blackthorn Clan, blessed with dragon power and backed by his family's vast resources. It's only natural that he'd be strong. But what about this Yozora? Where in the world did he come from?"
"Exactly! Both are rookies, yet he's suppressing Ryūnan head-on. This guy is going to soar sky-high in the future!"
"In any case, this year's Indigo Conference is going to be wild! With so many new geniuses colliding against the established powerhouses… hoo, just imagining it gets the blood pumping!"
As the match passed its midway point, the audience buzzed with amazement at the battle between Yozora and Ryūnan.
"Truly strong," Ryūnan muttered, eyes locked on Yozora, a strange emotion in his chest.
He had always believed himself unrivaled among his peers. With his dragon power, with his family's resources, he should have been untouchable.
And yet here was Yozora, standing as his equal—no, surpassing him.
Why? What right does he have?!
"Return, Gengar. Good work." Yozora smiled as he recalled his Pokémon. Compared to Ryūnan's tension and unease, he was utterly relaxed.
On the surface, Ryūnan still had three. But in reality, he had only one that could still fight properly.
Yozora, meanwhile, had three in full form. Aside from Machoke, he still had Beedrill and Charizard waiting as his finishers.
"Go, Machoke!" Yozora sent his Pokémon onto the field once more.
Truthfully, Machoke's level was far too low to stand against Dragonair.
But Dragonair was already spent, down to its last breath. Against that, Machoke had more than enough qualification to fight!
"Machoke!" The Pokémon raised its arms high, roaring to the storming sky as rain poured down.
In moments, the rain soaked its body through, but Machoke didn't flinch. Such a drizzle was nothing to it—its physical might remained unshaken.
Ryūnan, however, smiled coldly. "Dragonair, Thunderbolt!"
Dragonair let out a low cry, the horn atop its head sparking. A bolt of lightning split the sky, streaking down like a serpent of thunder, biting hard into Machoke's body.
Bzzzt! Electricity exploded across Machoke's soaked frame, super effective!
Rain didn't boost Electric-type moves—but water still conducted.
And Machoke, drenched to the bone, took the full brunt of the strike.
But… Dragonair's strength was too far gone.
Even with type advantage, even with the rain, it simply lacked the power to knock Machoke out.
Had it been at its peak, Dragonair could have felled Machoke in an instant. Even without the rain's aid, it would have been enough.
But now? Panting, exhausted, its reserves depleted, the attack couldn't finish the job.
Machoke staggered, fresh burns etched across its body—but its fighting spirit only blazed hotter.
"Good! Machoke, charge in and use Cross Chop!" Yozora commanded.
Roaring, Machoke lunged forward, arms crossing. Energy flared into brilliant light, forming a glowing cross-shaped blade that slashed toward Dragonair.
From Ryūnan's perspective, Machoke's speed looked pitiful, slowed by its level and species limits. He still didn't take it seriously.
Even with Dragonair near collapse, Ryūnan felt secure.
Just one more strike, he thought. One more Thunderbolt, and Machoke would fall.
Confident, he ordered calmly, "Dragonair, dodge and counter with Dragon Tail!"
The rain made his voice clear, audible even to the audience.
But Dragonair didn't move.
Its crimson eyes locked onto Machoke's, frozen in defiance.
"Cross Chop!"
Boom!
The attack slammed home, Dragonair shrieked, and its body collapsed to the ground. Eyes shut, stamina gone, it could no longer rise.
"Dragonair is unable to battle! Machoke wins!" The referee's voice rang out through the downpour.
Ryūnan froze, eyes wide in disbelief.
"Why…?"
He had felt it—Dragonair's fierce determination to defeat Machoke. Yet why hadn't it dodged?
Had it avoided that strike, a single Dragon Tail would have ended things easily!
He didn't understand. His experience, despite his genius, still lacked depth.
He had yet to grasp Machoke's nature—its gift, its will.
Meanwhile…
Having defeated an opponent far above its level, Machoke threw back its head and roared with triumph.
By game terms, Dragonair had been around Level 57, Machoke only about 42. Normally, it wouldn't have stood a chance.
But today, it seized the moment, struck the blow—and victory was its reward.
Adrenaline surged, its spirit soared, and experience flooded in…
And then—
Shiiing!
Without warning, a brilliant white glow burst forth from Machoke's body, shining through the rain. The light of evolution!
"It's finally happening." Yozora's eyes lit with joy.
Machoke had long since met the conditions for evolution. All it lacked was the catalyst.
Now, with this victory, the opportunity had come.
The glow faded—
Machoke had evolved into Machamp!
Like its pre-evolution, it stood tall and humanoid. But now it bore four mighty arms, each bulging with power.
And with its Huge Power ability, every muscle seemed capable of tearing the world apart. Its aura surged skyward, domineering and unrestrained.
Yozora extended his Aura, sensing—Commander-tier, peak level!
In a single leap, Machoke had transformed into Machamp, jumping from the beginning stage of Commander-tier all the way to its peak.
Its strength had skyrocketed!
(End of Chapter)