Galar Region, Wyndon Stadium.
The battle between Cynthia and Lance was nearing its end.
After taking a Flamethrower at point-blank range, Spiritomb, whose strength had already been hanging by a thread, fainted.
"You did very well, Spiritomb."
Cynthia wasn't surprised. Spiritomb had already carried out its task perfectly.
Looking at the burned Salamence, Lance had no choice but to withdraw this cornerstone of his team early.
Through the nonstop battling, Lance and Salamence actually managed to outlast the burn.
Sensing Salamence's powerful desire to fight,
Lance sent Salamence out again.
Cynthia sent Togekiss out in response.
"Salamence, Dragon Dance!"
"Togekiss, Air Slash!"
Togekiss's Serene Grace activated,
and the flinch successfully interrupted Dragon Dance!
A second Air Slash followed immediately,
and Salamence flinched again, unable to move.
The third Air Slash
finally knocked out Salamence, who had been unable to fight back.
Lance chose to send out Charizard,
and Cynthia swiftly switched in Milotic!
But Lance's Charizard also had a thoroughly nasty moveset.
"Charizard, Thunder Punch!"
"Milotic, Surf!"
Dragonite forced its way through the towering waves and landed a Thunder Punch on Milotic.
Already low on stamina, Charizard and Milotic both fell. "Charizard and Milotic are unable to battle!"
The situation was clear. Lance had only two Pokémon left-Dragonite and Hydreigon.
Cynthia still had Lucario and Garchomp.
As expected, Lance sent out Hydreigon and traded it for Lucario in a double knockout.
The championship final
had finally reached its last one-on-one showdown.
The commentator roared,
"It's come down to one-on-one again!"
"Dragonite versus Garchomp!"
Wyndon Stadium reached the final climax.
After a fierce, drawn-out battle,
the situation on the field was clear: Lance's ace, Dragonite, faced Cynthia's ace, Garchomp, across the battlefield.
Suffocating tension filled the air.
Every spectator held their breath,
waiting for this final moment.
Lance attacked first.