Hammerlocke Stadium.
The battle between Ash and Roland was fiercely contested.
Both sides had scored wins and suffered losses.
Cynthia watched the match backstage.
Just like Li Wei, Cynthia found it hard to say who would win. Their chances were fifty-fifty.
Roland had drawn first blood, defeating Melmetal.
Then Infernape had defeated Electivire.
Afterward, Pikachu and Salamence had traded blows, each gaining the upper hand in turn.
But in the end, both Trainers had withdrawn them in unspoken agreement.
They had decided to save their aces for last.
Seeing Ash send Greninja out again, Roland made her choice.
"I choose you, Leafeon!"
A graceful Leafeon landed lightly, its fur green as leaves, with sharp leaf blades extending from its forehead and tail.
It tilted its head slightly, studying its opponent with calm, jewel-like eyes. A fresh, leafy scent radiated from its body.
"Greninja still has the type disadvantage, and it took a Thunderbolt earlier."
Sabrina said softly, "Facing a healthy Leafeon with a type advantage is a serious gamble."
"But Ash's Greninja knows Aerial Ace."
Li Wei saw things a little differently from Sabrina.
Ash-Greninja had defeated opponents despite a type disadvantage before. For Ash, that was hardly an insurmountable challenge.
"Begin!"
As the referee's voice rang out,
"Leafeon, take the initiative! Leaf Blade!"
The leaves around Leafeon's neck extended into sharp blades of energy that sliced through the air, heading straight for Greninja.
"Dodge with Aerial Ace!"
Greninja blurred, evading the slashing Leaf Blade with incredible speed.
As it dodged, it spun around and counterattacked Leafeon with a strike infused with Flying-type energy.
But Leafeon was just as astonishingly fast. It hopped lightly backward, sweeping its Leaf Blade around to parry the Aerial Ace kick.
"Don't give it a chance to breathe! Swords Dance!"
Long swords materialized around Leafeon,