Under the crowd's awed gazes, Xia You took out a Poké Ball and recalled Greninja.
The old man serving as referee cleared his throat and announced loudly, "Swanna is unable to battle. Therefore, the winner of this Gym Challenge is the challenger!"
After his announcement and a brief silence, the stands erupted into animated chatter, mingled with amazement and disbelief.
"A clean sweep! It really was a clean sweep!"
"That black Pokémon was way too strong! I couldn't even make out that clone assassination move just now!"
"Skyla's three main Pokémon... all lost, just like that? Imagination Battle didn't help at all!"
"Is this what a battle between truly strong Trainers looks like? It feels completely different from what we usually see..."
The young Pokémon Trainers looked at Xia You with awe, curiosity, and a trace of longing, but what they all shared was the heartfelt admiration in their words.
Today's "special live battle," the first in a long time, had undoubtedly opened the door to a new world for them, showing them what truly high-level battles looked like. Of course, it also made them realize that Skyla's Imagination Battle... was not entirely accurate.
At least... not against someone this strong.
On the other side of the battlefield, Skyla silently recalled her defeated Swanna.
She stood where she was, her head lowered as she stared at the Poké Ball in her hand, remaining motionless for a long time.
The bitterness of defeat, the confusion of having her imagined scenarios utterly shattered, and reflections on her own abilities and those of her Pokémon-all these emotions intertwined within her.
Still, she was an enthusiastic, positive person at heart.
A moment later, she raised her head. The complicated expression on her face had faded, replaced by a mixture of disappointment, realization, and rekindled