The ground split open as two Pokémon used Dig simultaneously, colliding beneath the surface.
The result was inevitable— Chimchar was struck by Garchomp's sharp fin, sent flying out of the ground, and lost its ability to battle instantly.
A one-hit KO.
Paul had expected this outcome.
After all, Dig was a move that had a type advantage against Chimchar.
"Hmph, just as I thought… this thing is worthless."
Paul recalled Chimchar, his patience with it already wearing thin.
He had raised its level, but not only had it failed to activate the Blaze ability under pressure, it hadn't even evolved yet!
At this level, Chimchar should have evolved long ago!
Hearing Paul's dismissive remark, Cynthia frowned slightly.
Not a word of encouragement for his own Pokémon—just cold indifference?
Dawn and Anabel, standing nearby, were visibly upset.
"Ugh, what kind of Trainer is this?!"
"Does he even care about his Pokémon?"
Paul ignored their reactions and sent out his next Pokémon.
"Weavile, get ready to battle!"
Cynthia's gaze sharpened slightly.
"Ice-type Weavile against my Garchomp… an interesting choice. Let's see how you plan to fight."
The crowd, which had gathered to watch, was also intrigued.
"That first Pokémon got taken down in one hit… I wonder how this Weavile will fare."
"Watching someone challenge the Champion is exciting. If he has a solid strategy, we might even learn something!"
Paul tuned out the chatter around him.
To him, spectators were nothing more than weaklings who didn't understand real battles.
"Weavile, use Blizzard!"
"Weavile!"
Weavile's forehead jewel gleamed with a crimson light as it unleashed a powerful Blizzard.
Cynthia didn't issue a command—Garchomp instinctively raised its arm fins to block the attack.
Despite Blizzard being a move that Garchomp was quadruple weak against, the Champion's Pokémon stood firm, barely fazed.
"That's insane…"
Paul's expression darkened.
"Dragon Rush."
The moment Cynthia gave the order, Garchomp leaped high into the air.
Its head spikes radiated energy, and its piercing gaze locked onto Weavile with an overwhelming aura of bloodlust.
Dragon Rush—an attack that not only delivered immense power but also instilled fear, making it nearly impossible to evade.
Weavile shivered in place, paralyzed by sheer terror.
Escape was impossible. Dodging was futile.
"Damn it! Weavile, use Ice Beam—twice!"
Weavile desperately fired two Ice Beams in succession, but Garchomp twisted midair, dodging both with ease.
BOOM!
Dragon Rush struck head-on, sending Weavile flying.
The impact was devastating—Weavile fainted instantly.
Another one-hit KO.
Paul's face remained impassive as he recalled Weavile.
"Murkrow, get ready to battle."
The large, dark-feathered Murkrow appeared, flapping its wings with a menacing presence.
Cynthia's expression remained unreadable.
Paul smirked.
"Murkrow, use Haze!"
A thick, dark fog billowed across the battlefield, obscuring the area.
Cynthia quickly responded.
"Garchomp, don't get caught in it—move back."
As Garchomp leaped back to avoid the haze, Paul's plan unfolded.
Without a sound, Murkrow had silently maneuvered behind Garchomp.
Now, Garchomp's back was exposed.
"Brave Bird!"
"Caw!!"
Murkrow let out a piercing cry, tucking in its wings as it dove at full speed like a missile.
Cynthia remained unfazed.
"Use Giga Impact."
A golden-purple aura erupted around Garchomp as it countered Murkrow's Brave Bird with overwhelming force.
The two attacks collided midair.
BOOM!
A deafening explosion rocked the battlefield.
Murkrow let out a shriek as it was blasted out of the sky, crashing hard onto the ground.
Once again, a one-hit KO.
The moment Garchomp landed, Paul's lips curled into a twisted grin.
Finally.
Finally, he had forced Cynthia's Garchomp to use Giga Impact.
This move, though immensely powerful, came with a drawback—a brief moment of immobility.
And that was the opening Paul had been waiting for.
Dawn's eyes widened in realization.
"Anabel, I get it now! That was Paul's plan all along! He deliberately sacrificed Chimchar, Weavile, and Murkrow just to bait Garchomp into using Giga Impact!**
"Because of the move's side effect, even Champion Cynthia's Garchomp can't move for a brief period!**
"Which means… Paul's next Pokémon is going to be something with high attack power, so he can strike while Garchomp is immobilized!"
Anabel, a veteran Trainer with near-Elite strength, nodded in understanding.
"As expected of someone aiming for the top."
Paul's eyes gleamed as he sent out his next Pokémon.
"Torterra, get ready to battle!"
"Grrraaaaah!!"
The massive Torterra stomped onto the battlefield, its sheer weight cracking the ground beneath it.
"Use Giga Drain!"
Vines extended from Torterra's shell, instantly ensnaring Garchomp.
Energy surged through the vines, rapidly draining Garchomp's strength.
The Champion's Pokémon winced, its health being sapped away.
And Paul wasn't done.
As the vines receded, Garchomp planted its fin into the ground, refusing to fall.
The audience held their breath.
Did Paul… just find a way to hurt Garchomp?
If it weren't for Garchomp's sheer resilience, it might have already collapsed.
Paul smirked, his voice laced with confidence.
"Torterra, use Frenzy Plant!"
"RAAAH!!"
The earth split apart.
Massive thorned vines erupted from the ground, hurtling toward Garchomp at full force.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
--------------
T/N:
Access Advance Chapters on my
P@treon: p@treon.com/PokePals