Chapter 266

"Zacian! Jump up!"

Faced with a massive and unavoidable attack like Earthquake, the best way to avoid it is to Splash high into the air. Zacian's jumping ability can even allow him to pause briefly in the air, and during this time, he can minimize the damage from the Earthquake.

Don't even think about it!

However, what Qiao Ran didn't expect was that Cynthia had already anticipated his actions, or rather, had already anticipated the commands he might give.

Having used Earthquake, Garchomp had already taken to the air and hovered above Zacian.

Garchomp! Stomping Tantrum!

Following Cynthia's command, Garchomp's feet began to be enveloped in a yellowish-brown energy as it rapidly descended towards Zacian. If hit, Zacian would undoubtedly fall into an even more terrifying situation.

Besieged from above and below, a bead of cold sweat slid down Qiao Ran's forehead. To resolve the current situation, he had to confront one of the enemies. Fighting the Garchomp in the air was an unwise choice. On the contrary, Zacian, who was now leaping into the air, offered another path.

"Behemoth Blade!"

The Long Sword in Zacian's mouth burst forth with blue light, its length increasing several times in an instant. In that instant, her sword also slashed in one of the directions.

Not the Garchomp in the sky, but --

--ground!

"Boom!!"

A dazzling sword light flashed past everyone's eyes, as if absorbing all the light. For a moment after the sword light flashed, everyone's vision seemed to go dark.

With Zacian's Sword strike, the ground, which had been trembling violently, split in two, and the terrifying shaking ceased.

"What?"

This sudden action caught Cynthia off guard, and she couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

At that moment, after unleashing a sword strike, Zacian performed a beautiful somersault in mid-air and landed...

He steadied himself on the ground beside him.

As for Garchomp, it could only quickly stop its attack in mid-air to avoid crashing into the ground.

"A good judgment."

A smile crept onto Cynthia's lips. She had used this string of moves on many trainers, but only Qiao Ran would Trainer something so reckless.

Who would have thought that such a method could disrupt the earth's energy, which was originally abundant in the ground, thereby stopping the violent tremors?

And that Pokémon, the legendary Sword Hero, trusted Qiao Ran completely during this battle, executing even such commands without hesitation.

The relationship between Pokémon and their Trainer was even stronger than she had imagined.

"Let's continue!"

This wasn't the boy's limit. If it were only this, she still wouldn't be satisfied. He wasn't at his full potential yet, but she desperately wanted to continue.

Garchomp, Sandstorm!

Interesting battles are also a rare treat for her, and she learns different experiences in the process. As she spoke, Whirlwind of sand began to swirl around Garchomp, and gradually, yellow sand swept through the entire room.

Levitate on the edge of the Battle Court Sabrina created an invisible space around herself to protect against the Sandstorm; however, her face was expressionless.

"..."

Before her, the once excellent Battle Court had cracked into a chaotic mess, with yellow sand still swirling Battle Court.

One was using Earthquake indoors, and the other was randomly slashing the ground with a sword, calling it a friendly match.

These two guys... really didn't care about her at all?

The Sandstorm sweeping through the room continued, but for Qiao Ran, this skill had no effect on him.

Neither Zacian's attributes nor his Aura Power could ignore the endless yellow sand; to him, these things were merely a backdrop adding color.

"Zacian! Play Rough!"

To effectively strike an opponent, you still need to rely on Fairy Type skills, and Zacian's Fairy type can indeed do just that.

Pink energy condensed on the blade Zacian launched its first attack on the Garchomp opposite it.

"Oh? And it's moving so fast, and it wasn't even affected by the Sandstorm?"

Cynthia across from her seemed to have noticed this as well, but it was precisely because of this that she seemed to have discovered something more.

She didn't have much information on these legendary Pokémon, especially the legend of Galar, and she couldn't immediately grasp their attributes. However, this didn't prevent her from making logical judgments. Sometimes, what was revealed during battle was enough for her to deduce the truth.

"Only Rock-type, Ground, and Steel-type Pokémon can avoid losing status effects and HP during Sandstorm."

"The ground and Rock-type don't seem suitable for this Sword Hero, so there's only one possibility left."

To become Champion, you not only need knowledge of Pokémon training and the ability to work in sync with your Pokémon, but also the ability to think strategically during battles.

"--Steel Steel-type!"

She got the result she wanted just from Zacian's reaction. Even though the Sandstorm skill didn't interfere with the opponent at all, it was worth it as long as she got this information.

What's most important on the battlefield?

Strength?

No—it should be intelligence!

"Garchomp, keep the Earthquake going!"

Cynthia issued another command to Garchomp, and this time, she clearly used a more targeted move.

Steel-type is an extremely powerful type, providing Pokémon with a great deal of resistance, but against Ground-type, it's like paper.

Amidst the raging Sandstorm, Garchomp once again thrashed its body, its paws stomping the ground, energy emanating from its body and seeping deep into the earth beneath its feet—

Click!

The few remaining intact sections of the ground on the field began to shake once more. This time, Garchomp gave Zacian no chance, launching Earthquake attack as soon as it swooped down.

"Dragon Claw!"

Garchomp's scythes emitted a blue light and extended outwards, like scythes reaping lives, as they slashed towards Zacian.

Not far ahead of it, the energy of the Earthquake was also approaching Zacian.

"Release two skills at the same time, is that cheating?" Qiao Ran's back was already soaked with cold sweat. In front of Cynthia, he didn't even have a moment to catch his breath. Her attacks were Pressure at all times, but he still had to face her together with Zacian.

He hasn't lost yet.

"Zacian! Play Rough!"

The force of Earthquake is definitely not something you can withstand. Rather than taking the Earthquake, it's better to engage in close combat with Garchomp. You might be able to gain a chance of survival. Not only did Qiao Ran think this way, but Zacian's thoughts were not much different from his.

Amidst the raging Sandstorm, Zacian's body Splash high into the air, moving at high speed.

It charged straight toward Garchomp and, in doing so, crossed the area affected by the Earthquake.

"Good."

Cynthia praised Qiao Ran, saying that his choice was indeed correct.

When facing Pokémon that uses Earthquake, the best solution is not to run away, but to get your Pokémon close to the opponent. If you get close enough, the damage from the Earthquake will also be transferred to you.

The two Pokémon's "swords" clashed in the yellow sand. Protected by the thick sand curtain, the figures of the two Pokémon were faintly visible, and everyone could only catch a glimpse of them at certain moments. However, the three gleaming blades remained constantly lit.

However—just as the two Pokémon were battling it out with their moves, Cynthia changed her tactics once again.

"The choice is right, but what if I do this?"

"What?"

Without any command or warning, Garchomp simply stomped its foot lightly during the sword clash.

"Boom!!!!"

The ground beneath the two Pokémon's feet was instantly torn apart, shattered Rock-type flew in all directions, and even the sweeping Sandstorm scattered.

The deafening sound echoed in everyone's ears.

Just a moment ago, Garchomp unleashed Earthquake right beneath its own feet!

"Ugh!"

Qiao Ran felt as if he had been hit by a heavy hammer; the intense vibration and pain made him clutch his chest.

In the center of the Battle Court, amidst the ruins of Rock-type, the battered and bruised Zacian rose from the Stone Blocks and shook the dust off its fur.

On the other side, Garchomp also seemed a bit disheveled, but its condition was clearly much better than Zacian's.

"If it's just a matter of swordsmanship, Garchomp is no match for it."

During the previous exchange of blows between the two Pokémon, Cynthia had already discerned this. Although Zacian's abilities were weaker than Garchomp's, she still made up for it with her experience, and—she even took advantage of the gaps in her attacks to Garchomp's skin.

"However, if you want to get close to Garchomp, you have to consider the consequences."

Her Garchomp isn't just about Close Combat. As Champion, she has to deal with all sorts of different challengers, and she has her own strategies for dealing with any Pokémon.

Zacian, biting her sword, was already breathing heavily. Being able to fight such a powerful Pokémon for so long had already exhausted her stamina.

However, she still wanted to bring victory to Qiao Ran.

Unfortunately, the opponent's strength was simply too great. Even after giving it her all, she still couldn't reach the opponent's limits.

"You've done very well, Zacian."

Qiao Ran could sense her feelings, and this sense of unwillingness would become their motivation to improve.

However, thanks to this battle, Qiao Ran and Zacian also clearly realized what the ceiling above them—that even higher ceiling—actually looked like.

"It's about time it ended."

Standing opposite Qiao Ran, on the other side of the shattered Battle Court, Cynthia smiled gently and took out a small stone from her pocket.

"Let me show you our full power!"

Garchomp!

"-- Mega Evolution!"

"Mega... Evolution!"

The moment Cynthia pulled out the Key Stone and Garchomp's body began to glow, not only Qiao Ran, but even the Gym Trainer watching the battle widened their eyes in astonishment.

Mega Evolution is a newly recognized evolutionary form by the Pokémon League. This evolution occurs during battles between the Pokémon and its Trainer. Pokémon that undergoes Mega Evolution not only takes on a completely new form but also experiences a significant increase in battle power. Although the power of Mega Evolution disappears after the battle, the fact that it can be used in battle is enough.

"That Garchomp... it can actually Mega Evolution?!"

Nian Hongyu's body was trembling, which meant that in the battle just now, her opponent hadn't used their full strength either?

If someone with this level of combat power could also Mega Evolution, just how terrifying would they become?

"..."

Not only her, but even Qiao Ran, facing Cynthia, was trembling slightly. The "surprises" Cynthia had given him were already far too many.

"Zacian, are you afraid?"

"No."

Zacian never felt fear, even when facing the Garchomp whose appearance was changing, becoming increasingly ferocious, with countless spikes protruding from its body and its scythes on its hands becoming sharper. Zacian still watched coldly.

"Come on, Qiao Ran."

Cynthia waved to the boy opposite her, her face still bearing her usual smile. However, in that smile, Qiao Ran saw not a gentle mythologist, but a proud Pokémon League Champion.

Beneath her long, slightly wavy Golden hair, the one eye that was visible gleamed with the light of Trainer.

I told you, I would show you everything about me.

"Strength."

"So let me see—just where your limits really are right now!"

There will be no regrets in this battle.

"Um!"

Qiao Ran closed his eyes and took a deep breath—it seemed that what followed was truly the final battle.

"Zacian!"

"Aww!!"