Rumble rumble—

The battle arena rose from underground, lush green grass spreading everywhere—it was the “Grassy Terrain”!

On the Grassy Terrain, Grass-type moves gain a significant power boost.

This was the very field where Ash’s Sceptile, in the anime, once decisively defeated Darkrai with a Leaf Blade.

And on Teacher Lu’s team, there was also a swordsman skilled in Leaf Blade!

“Both sides, please send out your Pokémon simultaneously!” the referee blew the whistle.

“Go, Sirfetch’d!”

A beam of white light shot out from the commemorative Poké Ball, revealing a pure white Sirfetch’d holding a sword and shield, its gaze sharp and focused.

“Gah!ヽ(`Д´)ﾉ”

The Galarian Farfetch’d’s most praised feature was its wild, piercing eyes.

Due to scarce resources, they developed a combative nature—every one born a natural warrior.

This was the source of their Fighting type.

Battle was the nature and honor of a warrior!

“This cracked-shell cutie is so cool!”

“Go, Farfetch’d~!”

“Gah~(´థ౪థ)σ” Ducklett’s expression was stern, sorrow welling up inside.

I’m obviously the weakest in the team, why do I have to start the match~

“Starting with Sirfetch’d against Darkrai’s type advantage, huh.”

Bruno rolled up his sleeves, folded his arms, and nodded, “It has the type advantage.”

“But,” Ash’s eyes widened as he pointed to the field, “Darkrai isn’t starting!”

In front of the cloaked Darkrai stood a Drapion clad in deep purple armor.

Drapion’s body was covered in sharp spikes;

its hooked claws gleamed coldly, and its tail stinger oozed deep green venom!

“Drapion is the first Pokémon Darkrai sends out!”

The commentator said in surprise, “This is the first Pokémon he’s shown this tournament besides Darkrai!”

Throughout the whole Lily of the Valley Conference in the anime, Darkrai only showed Darkrai and Latios.

He always started with Darkrai first, so Teacher Lu had Sirfetch’d lead the way.

Never expected my prediction to be wrong!

“This time I miscalculated.” Lu Ye’s eyes sharpened, “I have to take this seriously!”

Darkrai’s expression was cold and indifferent, recalling what he promised Darkrai a few days ago—

Because Darkrai almost lost its fighting spirit, he didn’t start it first...

It was a lucky accident. Darkrai shook his head and focused his gaze.

“Drapion, use Poison Jab!”

“Ssshk!” Drapion’s tail glowed brilliantly white, transforming into sharp poison spikes that launched like a missile swarm toward Ducklett.

Boom boom boom!

Continuous explosions raised dust clouds. Sirfetch’d lifted its leek shield, its afterimage becoming a huge shield wall, blocking one missile after another!

“That’s Sirfetch’d’s ‘Detect’!” the commentator explained, “Comparable to Protect, it’s said to use intuition to foresee and block moves!”

“Poison Jab hits five times max, and it hit five times—this is Teacher Lu’s luck!”

“Intuition activated, is this the Swordsman Duck?”

Your strategy has been seen through!

“Gah!” Newest update provided by novel(ꜰ)ire.net

Sirfetch’d took a deep breath to calm its racing heart, lifted its leek blade, and charged forward!

The sword slash blew across the grass, emerald energy surging into the blade as a sharp Leaf Blade swung out fiercely!

Clang!!

The harsh clash of metal rang out.

“Ssshk!”

Drapion’s armor cracked open, its eyes glowing blood red as venom sprayed from its mouth!

“Gah!” Ducklett raised its shield, the surface corroded by venom, white steam rising with a hiss!

Suddenly, the rising danger forced Sirfetch’d to retreat.

“Ssshk!” Drapion’s sharp pincers crossed, slashing two purple beams forward, forming an X-shaped cross of poison blades slicing the wind!

“Hiss—”

The audience held their breath, as if they could already see the brutal wounds!

At that moment,

Sirfetch’d raised its blade high, golden aura gathering around its body. Golden wings like Ho-Oh’s rose behind it, forming the afterimage of a giant bird slowly spreading its wings to soar!

If you’re my brother, come chop me down·Golden Big Wings!

“Brave Bird, full attack!” Lu Ye shouted.

“Gah!ヽ(｀Д´)ﾉ” Sirfetch’d slashed violently;

the blade formed a golden giant bird that screeched as it dove toward the X-shaped cross poison blades!

Boom!!

A fierce explosion and rumbling shock.

The audience’s hearts skipped a beat as they looked toward the center of the field.

The cross poison blades were all sliced apart by the golden light, the blade strike continuing toward Drapion!

Boom!!

The powerful recoil pushed Sirfetch’d back several steps. It planted its sword into the ground to stabilize itself.

Dust filled the air, and Drapion’s snarling figure froze in place.

A breeze drifted, and a severed blade of grass fell onto Drapion’s claw.

Thud!!

Drapion collapsed, unable to continue fighting. Darkrai’s Poké Ball on the big screen dimmed!

“Drapion has lost battle capability!” the referee blew the whistle.

Teacher Lu took the first point, the crowd erupting in an ‘ohhhhh’ wave.

“After that Brave Bird, you still owe me two lives at least!”

“I’m starting to like Farfetch’d!”

“Is that liking? You just want its body!”

The pure white Sirfetch’d stood amid cheers, expression proud, elegant and flawless.

“Gah~(つД`)”

My legs went numb... but it’s no big deal, no one should notice~

“First point secured!” Ash said excitedly from the stands.

“Sirfetch’d took quite a strong recoil.” Bruno folded his arms, frowning slightly, “I’m worried it can’t face Darkrai next.”

“Why worry?” A-Jin wiped his nose, “This Sirfetch’d has even fought Arceus!”

Bruno was momentarily stunned, murmuring, “So… that powerful aura is from facing strong opponents…”

On the battle field, Darkrai quietly recalled its Pokémon.

“As expected, Drapion can’t stop you.”

Darkrai took out a Poké Ball, his eyes sharp.

“What about this one!”

A fierce wind rose, red light surged with overwhelming pressure—the natural intimidation of a mighty dragon.

“Th-This is!”

The crowd widened their eyes, looking up at the darkened clouds. A huge crimson-winged dragon glared downward.

Its metallic blue-green scales, fierce horned face, and blood-red wings like blades.

“Roar!!” Salamence unleashed a fierce roar, its Intimidate ability activating fully, silencing the crowd!

The commentator swallowed nervously:

“This is the Dragon-type pseudo-legendary, one of the kings of dragonkind—Salamence!!”

Salamence’s wings blocked the sunlight, whipping up a howling gale.

Darkrai stood beneath Salamence, looking at Sirfetch’d with a hint of surprise.

Even facing Salamence’s Intimidate, Sirfetch’d’s expression did not waver!

“An Intimidate ability, huh.” Darkrai thought, “No wonder it’s a champion’s Pokémon...”

“Gah!(´థ౪థ)σ” Sirfetch’d stiffened.

I want to go rest now~~

“Flying types do counter you, after all.” Lu Ye smiled and took out the commemorative ball, “Come back, Sirfetch’d!”

Seeing Lu Ye recall Sirfetch’d, Darkrai’s expression grew even grimmer.

He knew Teacher Lu had a Sylveon... according to the Quartz Conference intel, Salamence wasn’t an easy opponent.

But Salamence hadn’t yet made a move in this tournament.

He wondered how its power compared to Sirfetch’d.

Darkrai frowned slightly, deciding to observe for a turn using Protect.

“Go, Sylveon!”

Lu Ye threw the Poké Ball gracefully into the air. A champion’s elegant appearance would surely raise his style points in such a tournament.

The crowd’s gaze was drawn, expressions shifting.

A pure white, graceful Sylveon leapt lightly from the Poké Ball, eyes closed gently, pink-and-white ribbons fluttering at its sides.

Its Fairy Aura shimmered softly in the sunlight, the bows radiating gentle waves like ripples extending toward the stands.

The audience, tense from Salamence’s Intimidate, relaxed and smiled:

“Such a cute Sylveon!”

“So beautiful!”

“They say only kind-hearted trainers can evolve Sylveon—”

Before the words finished, Sylveon landed lightly, opening its round eyes with a sudden change in expression.

“Bui! (〝▼皿▼)”

Audience: “...”

More tense than before, how did that happen...

“Roar…” Salamence flapped its wings stiffly, glancing back at Darkrai.

In the shadow beneath Darkrai’s feet, Darkrai bubbled, “I’ve seen this Sylveon too. Deadly!”

“What kind of accent is that?” Darkrai paused, deep in thought.

Constant switching is costly, especially with Protect as a defense.

Better to observe the situation for now!

“Quick Attack!” Teacher Lu commanded, using Sylveon’s reserved move.

Darkrai looked over, frowning slightly.

Sylveon blurred into a white streak, the eye only catching afterimages!

“Fly high,” Darkrai said, “Use Hurricane nearby!”

Salamence flew vertically upward, flapping its wings as it became the eye of the storm;

the hurricane formed a protective barrier.

The fierce wind howled, whipping up grass and stones, dark clouds lowering, vision dimming!

Lucian pushed up his glasses, looking at the faintly broken barrier around the field, expression grave.

Sylveon’s speed increased instead of dropping, approaching with sudden leaps, emitting a high-pitched, ethereal cry!

“Bui~!”

Fairy Aura, high pitch!!

The high-pitched sound transformed into a piercing shockwave, easily tearing through the raging tornado and sweeping toward Salamence inside!

“Roar!” Salamence growled low, feeling deep dread.

Fairy types’ suppression of Dragon types was on full display!

Darkrai’s expression was serious as he commanded sharply, “Use Protect!”

Whoosh!

At the same time, Salamence folded its wings, its body glowing with a jade shield—it was the Protect move!

The high-pitched cry shattered the barriers around the arena;

Lucian’s eyes twitched wildly as Salamence’s shield cracked with a ‘crack’ sound.

“Come back—”

Darkrai took out a Poké Ball, pupils widening sharply.

A shimmering reflective wall bounced back the red beam Darkrai fired, preventing him from recalling Salamence!

“Th-This is!”

The commentator paused, “Lu Ye has restricted his opponent’s switching!”

The scene felt familiar;

Ash recalled the Onix tying up Pikachu, nervously scratching his head.

“I remember this move...”

Ami explained softly, “It’s Nassi’s specialty—setting up barriers to cause visual illusions or restrict switching.”

In the Kanto vs Johto gym leader match, Nassi used the move Light Screen with the Magic Wall doll to create a “transparent room,” overcoming Bug-type gym leader Apen through type advantage.

Restricting switching was a key part of that tactic!

A-Jin unusually serious, folded his arms and whispered:

“This is the tactic of a dirty trainer...”

The crowd came to their senses with a stir.

“This is the old-school all-out trainer style, I love it.”

“Is this even legal?!”

“Darkrai’s Poké Ball is a red and white Poké Ball—that’s suspicious no matter how you look at it!”

“You reported Teacher Lu, and Teacher Lu reported you back!”

Darkrai took a deep breath.

Gazing at Salamence hovering in the sky, his eyes sharp.

“The match is far from over!”

“Salamence!” Darkrai suddenly stretched out his hand and commanded, “Dragon Claw!”

“Dragon Claw is the ultimate Normal-type move, a collision that uses all power in one strike!”

The commentator said, “Wait, over here on Teacher Lu’s side!”

“Sylveon.” Lu Ye commanded, “Dragon Claw!”

“Clash of ultimates?!”

“This is Fairy Aura, the Dragon-slaying hero Sylveon!”

“Roar!!” Salamence unleashed a furious roar, eyes blood red, emitting sharp white light as it dove down.

Tearing through the clouds, a white streak crossed the sky.

On the ground, Sylveon’s snowy body glowed faintly, eyes fierce, low to the ground on all fours.

“Bui! (#｀皿´)”

Boom!!

The entire arena shook, the audience shivered.

Salamence’s eyes showed shock the moment it collided with Sylveon.

Fairy Aura enhanced Dragon Claw, and this Sylveon fought with fierce power!

Salamence was blasted out of the arena fence, deeply embedded, its massive body showing clear dents in the scales!

Rumble rumble—

The arena trembled;

the crowd recovered and burst into cheers!

“Fighting an egg with a stone, you’re making a fool of yourself!”

“Dragon-type pseudo-legendary? Did you ask Sylveon first?”

“This Sylveon might just crush Darkrai!”

Hearing this, Darkrai in the shadow flared with fury.

Crush me?

No one can show off in front of me, Darkrai!

But Pokémon can... because I’m actually quite friendly...

Darkrai shrank further into the shadow.

“Salamence has lost battle capability!” the referee raised the flag.

Ash looked at the big screen;

Darkrai’s two Poké Balls dimmed.

Meanwhile, Teacher Lu’s Poké Balls for Sirfetch’d and Sylveon shone brightly.

In just ten minutes, the score was instantly 2:0!

“Teacher Lu is getting serious.” Flint put his hands in his pockets.

Cynthia crossed her legs, smiling faintly, “He has to be.”

Lucian looked at the fragile barrier around the field and sighed:

“I’ll go reinforce the Light Screen...”

Lucian, wearing a deep red suit and holding a book, sent out Bronzong to cast Light Screen.

Then he nodded politely to the two trainers and walked to the sidelines with a worn expression.

Besides this Psychic Elite Four member, no other staff could handle the aftermath of this battle...

Darkrai brushed back his long hair, reflecting on the last battle.

He had overlooked Teacher Lu’s strategy and failed to recall Salamence.

After all, this was a champion who valued both tactics and strength!

Darkrai adjusted his breathing, tossed back his cloak, eyes deep and focused.

“Go, Excadrill!”

Boom!!

The bulky Excadrill landed, causing the arena to shake slightly.

“Roar!!” Excadrill’s body was made of hard rock, draped in orange armor;

its two huge claws could fire powerful rock cannons.

By the stands, Xiao Yin appeared beside him quietly, whispering, “This Excadrill is very well trained.”

A-Jin jumped in surprise, “Weren’t you vending? When did you get here?!”

The girl sighed lazily, propping her chin, “No one’s buying;

rather than keep vending, I’d rather watch Teacher Lu’s match.”

Ami gave her a seat;

the two squeezed together;

Xiao Yin sat with A-Jin nearby.

Bruno’s attention stayed on the field as he munched a steamed bun:

“Excadrill’s Rock Cannon is no joke...”

“But after firing, it gets stiff.”

No one knew how to counter Ground types better than Xiao Yin, since his dad was Giovanni, the Earth leader.

Xiao Yin said, “That’s when Teacher Lu strikes back.”

Looking at Excadrill’s dull rock body, Lu Ye pondered:

“This should be right up Larvitar’s alley.”

However, glancing at the Grassy Terrain, Lu Ye made up his mind.

This battle might become the big swordsman’s breakout fight!

“Excadrill!” Darkrai commanded sharply, “Rock Cannon!”

“Roar!”

Excadrill stomped the ground, extending its huge claws;

rocks bulged like muscles as debris flew up.

Boom!!

Huge rocks slammed like cannonballs toward Sylveon. Sylveon dodged with Quick Attack, glowing with a shimmering reflective wall.

Crash!

The reflective wall broke;

the Rock Cannon exploded on Sylveon, scattering stones!

Dust swirled as Sylveon stood on the battered field, shaking its head, eyes icy cold.

“Bui! (艹皿艹)”

“Took the Rock Cannon with the reflective wall...” Darkrai frowned slightly.

“Come back.” Lu Ye recalled Sylveon, the red light enveloping it.

“Bui!” Sylveon shot a displeased glance.

After communicating with the Power of Transcendence, the little one reluctantly flew back into the ball.

Seeing Teacher Lu switch Sylveon back in,

Darkrai’s heart sank with rising anxiety.

On the field, Excadrill was stiff and unsettled.

Before it stood a Sirfetch’d “making a second appearance”!

“Gah!” Sirfetch’d smiled confidently facing the immobile Excadrill.

Today the big sister is tanking damage;

I’m the damage dealer~

I’m feeling pretty awesome~!

Lu Ye said, “Leaf Blade!”

“Gah!” Sirfetch’d moved its short legs, sword and shield in hand, charging across the Grassy Terrain.

The blade gleamed crystal clear, with a critical hit chance shining red with deadly precision!

As it passed Excadrill’s massive form, Excadrill froze, a flicker of surprise on its face.

“Gah~” Sirfetch’d looked like a swordsman sheathing his blade, calm and upright, holding sword and shield steady.

Thud!!

Excadrill crashed down.

Even with its “Sturdy Rock” ability, Excadrill couldn’t withstand that lethal strike!

“Instant kill!” the commentator said dryly, “Sirfetch’d instantly defeated Darkrai’s Excadrill!”

Sirfetch’d had already fought hard, yet

Thanks to type advantage, Ducklett had one-shot Excadrill, achieving a one-versus-two in the semifinals!

The whole arena went wild.

“No way, Teacher Lu’s Sirfetch’d did a one-versus-two?!”

“A ten-year fan, the weakest Ducklett actually grew strong!”

“Ducklett forever the god!!”

Sirfetch’d was calm and collected, arrogantly glaring at the serious Darkrai, “Gah!”

Lu Ye’s eyelid twitched.

Oh no, this duck’s gotten cocky!

“This Sirfetch’d really seems strong...” Darkrai’s mood grew complicated as he whispered to Darkrai.

“Let’s get rid of it first.” Darkrai’s expression turned serious as he replied.

“Gah!? w(ﾟДﾟ)w”

I heard all your loud scheming~!

Whoosh!

Sirfetch’d’s blade shone bright, showing rare fighting spirit, standing proudly on the Grassy Terrain.

“Gah!ヽ(`Д´)ﾉ”

The opponent doesn’t seem very strong either—

I’ll deliver righteous punishment!

Who dares to stand against me? Only I, the great Farfetch’d!

...