Nimbasa Gym.
With the help of Volt Absorb,
Zeraora passed through Emolga's Thunder,
not only unharmed, but with even greater momentum.
Even before the battle began, Li Wei had been keeping Zeraora's Ability-Volt Absorb-under wraps.
Only now did it truly bare its fangs.
Fire Punch landed cleanly.
Bam! Emolga crashed to the ground like a kite with its string cut, unable to battle.
The entire arena fell silent again for a moment.
Then even more frenzied cheers and applause erupted!
"That's incredible! It actually broke straight through Thunder with Fire Punch?! Is that even something a Pokémon can do?!"
The sight was simply too stunning.
One Trainer explained, "That's normal. Zeraora's Ability must be Volt Absorb. Thunder doesn't work on it."
Zeraora's string of dominant displays made the atmosphere in the arena incredibly tense and electric.
The media cameras stayed fixed on the battlefield. Everyone held their breath, waiting for Gym Leader Elesa's final ace.
Elesa recalled the defeated Emolga. Rather than looking disheartened after losing two key partners in a row, she showed a flicker of excitement at facing such a formidable opponent.
Elesa was searching for a feeling-the feeling of battling.
Lately, Elesa had lost a little of her interest in Pokémon battles and had been focusing on her modeling career.
It was at the Battle Festival in Jubilife Pokémon Theme Park, when she saw Zeraora battle Lapras...
that Elesa gradually rediscovered the joy of battling.
But not all of it.
That was why Elesa wanted to have a Pokémon battle with Li Wei and Zeraora, leading to this invitation.
It was also why she chose to challenge them despite knowing there was a significant gap in their strength.
Elesa took a deep breath and recalled Emolga, her gaze turning utterly serious and respectful.
"You're amazing... Li Wei,