Torrential rain gathered over the battlefield as a Pelipper took flight, its Drizzle ability causing heavy rain to pour down. The rocky terrain was instantly shrouded in a watery curtain, the downpour washing over blade-like stone pillars and creating a misty white spray.

"Smart matchmaking, huh?" Lu Ye muttered. "Sandstorm teams always end up against rain teams..."

"Yogi..." Larvitar stood in the pouring rain, dumbfounded as it looked up at the soaring Pelipper.

"Screee!!" Pelipper gathered surging water energy in its beak, preparing to unleash a massive hydro blast.

"Use Hydro Pump!!" Wen Nai commanded.

"Dodge into the crevices." Not using the Dig move, but simply utilizing the terrain to minimize damage.

"Yogi!" Like a child burying its face in cake, Larvitar plunged headfirst into the ground!

Boom!!

The Hydro Pump came crashing down, washing over rock layers and earth. Larvitar was sent flying by the tremendous impact, its soaked body slamming against a stone pillar.

Crack!

The pillar shattered, burying Larvitar under rubble. However, an energy membrane behind Larvitar's scales dispersed like armor, continuing to channel power into the small Pokémon.

"This... this is!" The commentator exclaimed in shock. "A Weakness Policy! Teacher Lu's countermeasure against type disadvantages!"

This Pelipper was holding a Damp Rock to prolong the rain. As the downpour intensified, Wen Nai frowned tightly, sensing impending danger.

"Pelipper, gain altitude!" Wen Nai ordered instinctively.

From within the rubble, piercing red light erupted through the broken rocks as Lu Ye commanded: "Larvitar, Rock Slide!"

Boom!!

The debris trapping Larvitar suddenly surged upward, hovering around Larvitar under the influence of Rock-type energy. Like planets orbiting a sun, Larvitar stood amidst the circling stones, its gaze sharp.

"Yogi! (▼へ▼メ)"

Then, boulders wrapped in white light launched at the airborne Pelipper like catapult shots with pinpoint accuracy!

Splash!

The watery curtain of heavy rain was pierced repeatedly by rocks that shattered against Pelipper, sending the waterfowl tumbling from the sky!

"Holy crap, Teacher Lu's Rock Slide actually hit!"

"The Sandstorm Monarch won't tolerate defeat by other weather conditions!"

"Weakness Policy plus Rock Slide - this is Tyranitar's... offspring!!"

Wen Nai was momentarily dazed. This rapid shift between offense and defense far exceeded her trainer level. But she clearly recognized she needed to counterattack now!

"Pelipper, use Protect followed by Water Pulse!" Wen Nai shouted.

"Scree!!" The battered Pelipper struggled to flap its wings as it fell, its injuries severe. Lu Ye wouldn't give Wen Nai any chance to set up defenses with such relentless assault.

"Continue, Larvitar," Lu Ye said. "Close in and use Crunch!"

Larvitar charged toward Pelipper's landing point, leaping up just as the water bird tried to recover.

"Yogi!"

Bam!!

The fang-shaped white light of Crunch exploded against Pelipper. As the waterfowl crashed down, the heavy rain gradually ceased, giving way to sunlight.

Amidst the silence, Larvitar's rain-washed scales gleamed. It panted slightly before crossing its tiny arms in a cocky pose.

"Yogi!"

"Please send out your next Pokémon!" The referee's voice broke the silence.

The audience erupted in uproar!! No one expected Larvitar to overcome its 4x Water weakness and decisively defeat Pelipper in rainy conditions.

Spectators buzzed with excitement as fans exclaimed:

"You're an inverse-type master too?!"

"Weakness Policy is single-use - Teacher Lu went all out this match!"

"Ash's Gible won next door too... are you guys teaming up to grind your pseudo-legendary babies?!"

Lu Ye looked at the panting Larvitar, sensing its determination through his Power of Transcendence:

"Return, Larvitar."

"Yogi!" Larvitar stubbornly shook its head.

It had to keep fighting. This was the perseverance of a pseudo-legendary, the pride of a future monarch! If Sirfetch'd was the noble knight protecting others, from the day it hatched, Larvitar had known its destiny.

It embodied a champion's strength, dominance, and arrogance! Though currently just a little foodie...

Lu Ye blinked. Was his hungriest baby actually the most battle-hungry? Thinking back, Larvitar had joined him just as his perspective began changing...

Lu Ye's expression turned serious as he nodded. "Go, Larvitar!"

"Yogi!!"

The Sandstorm Monarch's... offspring stood among the stone pillars, roaring at the emerging Spiritomb!

"Grrraa..." Spiritomb hunched over, shrinking back fearfully before looking to Wen Nai. With determined eyes, Wen Nai nodded, the Keystone at her chest emitting a sharp rainbow light.

"Prove our bond, Spiritomb!" Wen Nai's braids fluttered in the wind, her face serious. "Mega Evolve!!"

The audience buzzed with excitement. Mega Evolution, rare in Sinnoh, pushed the atmosphere to its peak!

Brilliant white light enveloped Spiritomb. The spikes on its head grew sharper, its eyes turned into blood-red gemstones, and the red gem on its chest expanded before detaching to form an incredibly hard crimson crystal shield in its hands!

"Mega Spiritomb has incredible defensive stats!" the commentator explained. "Incidentally, this red gem shield shrinks when attacked until Mega Spiritomb eventually eats it and reverts!"

"Grrraa!" Mega Spiritomb grinned wickedly with its crystal shield, then froze. It noticed Larvitar staring intently at its red gem, drool trickling from the corner of its mouth.

"Yogi... (¯﹃¯)"

"GRRAA!!" Mega Spiritomb looked horrified, feeling a soul-deep tremor!

"Show courage, Spiritomb!" Wen Nai had once been as lonely as the Spiritomb hiding in caves until they became friends. Now was the time to prove their bond and climb to greater heights as trainer and Pokémon!

"Use Shadow Claw!"

Hiding behind its huge gemstone, Spiritomb suddenly charged, its shadow extending to slash at Larvitar with spectral claws! Larvitar punched against the Shadow Claw, then looked up to see Spiritomb leaping high.

"Zen Headbutt!!" Wen Nai commanded.

"GRRAA!!" Mega Spiritomb grinned viciously, swinging its glowing red crystal down at Larvitar!

Suddenly, the ground around Larvitar collapsed as numerous rocks rose like meteors from all directions, bombarding Spiritomb.

Boom!!

"Grrraa!" Spiritomb's attack faltered as it hastily retreated behind its indestructible gem to block the Rock Slide.

Crack!

As rocks shattered, Larvitar pounced on Spiritomb, jaws gaping wide. "Crunch!" Lu Ye ordered.

Crunch!!

Where its fangs bit down, red crystal fragments flew as cracks spread across the gemstone. "Grrraa!" Mega Spiritomb's grin stiffened as it quickly hoisted its gemstone to retreat.

But Larvitar pursued relentlessly, its blunt horn smashing into Mega Spiritomb, who barely blocked before staggering back!

When Mega Spiritomb fell clumsily, Larvitar stomped the ground, sending shockwaves crashing toward it.

The Essence of Earth - Stomping Tantrum!!

"Spiritomb!!" Wen Nai gasped.

Crack—

Spiritomb's huge red gem shattered, reverting to the small crystal on its chest as its Mega state dissolved. It collapsed to its knees, eyes swirling before fainting.

"Spiritomb is unable to battle!"

A red beam recalled Spiritomb as Wen Nai gently comforted it. Applause surged toward Lu Ye and Larvitar, the stadium erupting!

"Damn... it took out Mega Spiritomb in its basic form!"

"That Stomping Tantrum was almost Earthquake-level!"

"Wait till it evolves - then it'll get actual Earthquake!"

"Battlefield maintenance crews should blacklist Teacher Lu!"

In the stands, Grandma Kukuno sipped from her thermos, watching Larvitar intently. As a Ground-type Elite, she recognized exceptional training when she saw it. She could scarcely imagine its dominance once it mastered both sandstorm and earth power systems.

Grandma Kukuno's stern expression softened as she chuckled ruefully. "Truly the younger generation's era now~"

On the battlefield, Lu Ye understood Larvitar's determination to win. Standing firm on the earth, the little one's stamina gradually recovered, its gaze resolute.

"Yogi! (▼へ▼メ)"

Though not technically legal, it was a real passive effect...

"Leftovers built in?" Lu Ye mused. "Only Giovanni could give you an extra item slot!"

Wen Nai's final Pokémon was the so-called "Dragon Slayer" - Huge Power Azumarill. She'd hoped to leverage Pelipper's rain to secure one win, but with Spiritomb defeated, Larvitar's Dragon Dance made Azumarill too slow to keep up.

"Use Aqua Tail!" Wen Nai ordered.

Azumarill swung its watery tail at the ground, trying to counter the surging seismic waves. But under Stomping Tantrum, even Azumarill's movements slowed irrecoverably.

Boom!!

The shockwaves overwhelmed Wen Nai's last Pokémon as Larvitar stood triumphantly on the battlefield, cockily raising its head.

"Yogi!!"

The crowd's cheers erupted - this was a flawless solo sweep by Larvitar. Even in the neighboring arena, Ash's Gible with its Draco Meteor couldn't compare to this three-Pokémon sweep!

"Baby Larvitar going HAM!!"

"Another flawless victory, again!!" Nᴇw novel chapters are publɪshed on novel_fіre.net

Wen Nai exhaled, putting hands on hips with a wry smile.

"Not bad for first year Top 16... try again next year!" she consoled herself. More importantly, she'd learned much from this battle.

During post-match formalities, she bowed respectfully. "Thank you for the guidance!"

"You're welcome," Lu Ye smiled. "Your talent is obvious... Steven didn't misjudge you."

"Really?!" Wen Nai's eyes sparkled as she cheered. "Thank you, Teacher Lu!"

The cheerful girl departed to prepare for the upcoming Unova Conference while Lu Ye exited through player tunnels, avoiding reporters to meet Ash and others.

"T-Teacher Lu!" Ash ran over excitedly, slightly stammering. "The bracket... results are out! I'm matched against Paul!" he said eagerly.

"Is that so..."

Lu Ye looked up at the main venue's bracket display. The screen showed Quarterfinal matchups - Lu Ye would face a trainer named Yuto.

"Please don't tell me that's the unlucky guy who fought Darkrai in the anime finals..." Lu Ye muttered.

Notably, Paul and Ash were in Group A, while Lu Ye and Darkrai were in Group B. This meant Ash wouldn't face the legendary-spamming trainer - Lu Ye would battle him directly instead.

Ash remained too excited to realize this as Lu Ye rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

Seems I'll need to utterly destroy Darkrai in Pokémon battles too, not just card games!

The Top 16 concluded officially. As Lu Ye took Larvitar to the Pokémon Center, a black-dressed girl wearing a mask sidled up suspiciously.

"Psst... want some Full Restores? Premium stuff!"

"Drop the act, The Girl!" Lu Ye fake-coughed. "Careful or concerned citizens might report you!"

"Teach-er Lu!" She enunciated each syllable, removing her mask with a grin. "Special discount if you buy now~"

Lu Ye paused as the Dive Ball at his waist shook slightly. Squirtle couldn't resist medicine deals! But with recent game revenue, finances were comfortable... and military supplies shouldn't be skimped on!

Lu Ye declared boldly: "I'll take your entire stock!"