Boom!
Something enormous seemed to have fallen, slamming into the ice and shaking the entire Ice Field. The ensuing cracks of shattering ice made Pryce's heart lurch as well.
When the Mist finally began to disperse, Pryce instinctively stepped forward to get a clear look inside, only to see Abomasnow lying motionless on the ground. Beside Abomasnow, Gardevoir stood looking down, panting slightly.
What happened? We lost!?
Pryce frowned.
By all rights, Abomasnow should have held the advantage within the Mist and tracked Gardevoir by scent. How had Abomasnow ended up being the one to fall!?
Unlike the troubled Pryce, Xia You had kept track of the battle inside the Mist in real time through Telepathy.
Within the Mist, Gardevoir had relied on Xia You's commands. Pokémon Trainer and Pokémon had worked together, striking several times in succession and attacking relentlessly with Confusion until they finally brought Abomasnow down.
Abomasnow, on the other hand, had fought on instinct without Pryce's help and was naturally no match for Gardevoir.
Telepathy had certainly made a major contribution this time, creating a two-against-one situation in an environment with extremely low visibility.
After waiting a long time and seeing that Abomasnow still had not moved, Xia You finally said, "Looks like I've won."
Pryce gave Xia You a long look, then smiled softly.
"Young man, your future truly knows no bounds. Not only have you won a championship, but your Pokémon are so outstanding too. Never mind when I was your age-even now, I'm far from being your match!"
"You're too kind." Since someone had complimented him, Xia You naturally had to return the flattery. That was only proper courtesy. "You're the one who's still going strong in your old age. I think that if I reached your age, I might no longer be