The battle of Seafoam Islands (1)

Beneath the desert inferno, all life was extinguished. Although Misty Terrain could cover the field and help their side's moves avoid interference from status conditions, that oppressive desert atmosphere finally made the Yin-Yang Freak's expression change drastically.

Countless grains of fine sand covered every Pokémon on Gongping's side, providing protection that strengthened their special defense. At the same time, the sand could sense their opponents' next moves, buying enough time for the support Pokémon to stall.

After Gardevoir seized Drapion's Battle Armor Ability, the Yin-Yang-Faced Freak finally realized how terrifying the Sandstorm King before him was. He no longer held back, and the bracelet on his wrist burst with dazzling dark light.

"Gardevoir, Mega Evolve!"

Enveloped in dark light, the pale blue Gardevoir instantly turned pitch-black, standing on the field like a legendary black widow. Without a word, the threads of Confusion around Gardevoir grew denser, linking every Pokémon together.

First copying Protean and then exchanging it with the other Pokémon before undergoing Mega Evolution prevented Protean from being overwritten and erased.

Greninja struck first, launching Water Shuriken at high speed. Yet Mega Salamence swept an icy gaze across the field from midair, and another tremendous Hyper Voice tore through the air, carrying billowing sand straight toward Incineroar.

Mega Salamence's all-shredding Hyper Voice was the strongest firepower on the battlefield. No matter how ingenious the tactics, relying on Mega Gardevoir alone to withstand those devastating sound waves would make it impossible to hold their ground.

Psychic threads shot across the sky, connecting to Drapion's entire body. The black Mega Gardevoir clenched one hand, and under that delicate control of Confusion, Drapion and Greninja swiftly switched positions.

With a thunderous roar, Hyper Voice struck!

Rapidly switching types through Protean, Drapion, who had used Rock Tomb and Iron Tail, quickly moved in front of Mega Gardevoir, relying on a fourfold resistance to withstand Mega Salamence's sweeping sound waves.

As Mega Salamence's sound waves struck, Drapion coldly weathered their assault. Yet despite the increased resistance, Drapion's ears still hurt while staring fixedly at the vicious Pokémon overhead.

When the sound waves dispersed, Drapion roared angrily and sent countless rocks flying, trying to slow Mega Salamence's movements. Scizor, however, appeared in a flash, unleashing countless Bullet Punches to shatter the obstructing barrage of rocks.

Countless clouds of sand fell from above, slamming directly into Drapion. At the same time, Mega Gardevoir switched positions on the field, bringing Pangoro back. Pangoro leaped with remarkable agility, lunging straight at Scizor with Fire Punch backed by Iron Fist.

At some point, countless grains of sand had tangled around Pangoro's feet. Tyranitar pulled hard, and Pangoro's body sank involuntarily as Scizor rained down countless Bullet Punches in a tremendous, surging assault!

Seeing this, Mega Gardevoir swiftly exchanged Abilities. Having used Fire Punch, Pangoro switched to the Fire type through Protean. Air currents howled past, and the flames on Pangoro's fists blazed in the dry air.

Endless flames burned around Pangoro, who charged forward like a ferocious beast wreathed in fire. Mega Salamence blasted a vortex from both wings, instantly scattering the flames as another tremendously powerful Hyper Voice descended.

Mega Gardevoir reacted quickly, switching positions on the field once again. Drapion crossed both arms, stubbornly blocking Mega Salamence's second Hyper Voice while shooting out the rocks surrounding Drapion, successfully striking Mega Salamence!

The tangled fighting crisscrossed the battlefield. Lucario, Scizor, and Mega Salamence served as the main attacking force, battling Drapion, Pangoro, and the Muk from the Alola Region. Meanwhile, after switching positions, Greninja and Swampert held their breath as they faced each other.

During the earlier battle at the research institute, Swampert's composure and outstanding intelligence, along with that stunning Water Gun just now, had aroused Greninja's keen interest and the determination to pit their skills against each other.

Greninja's figure flashed, and a powerful kick shot out. Yet when the kick struck Swampert's body, Swampert turned into a puddle of icy water and vanished before Greninja. Under Greninja's astonished gaze, the icy water became a vortex that entangled Greninja.

From the very beginning, Swampert had used Substitute and Ice Punch as a deception, fooling Greninja's eyes.

Swampert lay calmly concealed directly beneath the ground, a distinctive glow rippling across Swampert's body. Using Curse to raise both defense and attack, Swampert kept watch on Greninja and the situation on the field.

Swampert did not rush to attack. Protean was simply too troublesome, so Swampert chose only to evade and strengthen up, seeking an opportunity to finish the opponent in one strike.

Greninja's eyes scanned rapidly. Suddenly, a blast of hot air whistled past, and Greninja abruptly retreated several steps. With a thunderous explosion, Swampert burst from the ground, waves of hot air rolling endlessly all around.

The power of Curse erupted, blazing throughout Swampert's body with tremendous ferocity. Concealed beneath the raging sand, Swampert waited alongside Gongping for the best opportunity to defeat the enemy in one strike.

As the wisest of the six Pokémon, Swampert always secured the rear, helping Tyranitar arrange changes to the battlefield while considering the best moment to break through the enemy.

As though sensing Swampert's thoughts, Greninja gave no room to think. Water Shuriken swiftly transformed into a long blade, and Greninja wielded it in an exceptionally dazzling display of swordsmanship.

As the blade slashed down, Swampert caught it barehanded. After blocking Greninja's attack, the water around Swampert spread outward with its heat, becoming a dense white steam. Greninja choked on the boiling air and had to retreat several steps.

Up to this point, the two King-level Trainers had been probing each other. Because Mega Salamence had instantly defeated Cacturne with Hyper Voice at the outset, the Yin-Yang Freak's arrangements had been left somewhat on the defensive. Still, as a veteran King, he could keep Gongping firmly tied down even with five against six.

Although the residents could not leave Seafoam Islands amid the strange changes, the Pokémon League's surveillance satellites could capture everything.

The enormous projection screen displayed the terrifying changes above Seafoam Islands, and several Kings of the Pokémon League drew sharp breaths.

"According to the information provided by Dr. Fuji, the culprit most likely opened a passage to the Reverse World on Seafoam Islands."

At Pokémon League headquarters, Agatha listened to the staff member's analysis with a grave expression. "Even a single opening would allow the Reverse World's energy to destroy and devour all of Seafoam Islands."

Several years earlier, energy from the Reverse World had leaked once in the Hoenn Region, directly destroying the city where it originated. Records showed that the Reverse World's energy had been about to spread throughout the entire Hoenn Region before two Trainers stopped it.

While Agatha was thinking about that incident from years ago, a staff member behind her suddenly reported another update. "Madam Agatha, the latest satellite images show that the anomaly over Seafoam Islands has disappeared, but the main peak looks very strange now."

The enormous, hazy, chaotic black hole in the images had disappeared. In its place stood a desert domain shaped like a gigantic hourglass. Both sky and earth were covered in desert, with countless sandstorms raging through the middle.

Lorelei studied it for a moment, sounding somewhat uncertain. "That fighting style... is Gongping's Sandstorm Team going all out?"

"An opponent who can force him to go all out is probably a King too."

After staring at the images for a long time, Lorelei breathed a sigh of relief. Then, seemingly remembering something, she turned to Agatha. "What about the Supreme League's response?"

That freak in the Pikachu mask could very well be a Regional King. Such a sensitive identity would inevitably put quite a few higher-ups on edge.

"No response yet. A King-level criminal really is a headache. Just who brought this menace to Kanto?"