Chapter 0613：Prediction and Switching Are Fundamentals（Three-in-One）

"Elite Four Lucian's Espeon is unable to battle—"

The commentator's booming voice echoed through the arena.

"The score is now 1:0!"

The Eeveelution showdown had concluded with Sylveon's glorious victory.

The crowd's cheers and applause showered the battlefield.

"That's Pixilate for you!"

"Sylveon in a hurry? More like Sylveon in a fury!"

"All hail Sylveon-sister—!"

Sylveon's Pixilate ability converted Normal-type moves into Fairy-type while boosting their power.

Whether unleashing arena-wide Hyper Voice or delivering the decisive Giga Impact, this Sylveon embodied aggression.

In Kalos folklore, Sylveon often appeared as fairy-tale princesses—graceful and delicate.

Yet historical records also described Sylveon hunting prey with pink-white ribbons.

The difference between water nymphs and valkyries.

Natsume's Sylveon-sister epitomized this violent combat style!

Sylveon adjusted its bow, scorch marks marring its snowy fur, yet its gaze remained razor-sharp.

"Sylveon~!"

Lucian found the contradictory harmony moving.

Recalling his gem-dimmed Espeon, he pocketed one hand and studied the overhead screen.

"Still manageable..."

His lavender glasses gleamed as he adjusted them.

Though trailing 1-0, Natsume had already revealed three Pokémon:

Togepi, Arcanine, Sylveon.

With most movesets exposed... future commands would be simpler.

The real threat was Natsume-sensei's remaining Pokémon!

Lucian's palms grew damp as he locked eyes with Natsume.

Just as Steven's ace was always that silver Metagross...

For Natsume-sensei? That final piece had to be Gengar!

But.

"Can I truly predict Natsume-sensei and Gengar's strategy...?" Lucian's brow furrowed deeply.

The root issue remained unsolved—

Toxic, Perish Song, Hypnosis... Natsume-sensei's Gengar wasn't just powerful, its tactics were unpredictably versatile!

"Conference Champion Natsume takes the first victory!" the commentator announced. "With half their teams revealed, the match reaches its climax!"

The arena erupted in cheers.

"Lucian's probably sending out that one next," Flint remarked from the VIP seats, scratching his red afro.

Cynthia nodded slightly, the black velvet at her neck shifting.

"Type-disadvantaged, but one of Lucian's few physical attackers... A logical choice."

As for Natsume—

Her gaze lingered on the black-haired young man, a faint smile touching her lips.

After all they'd experienced in Sinnoh, his resolve had tempered like steel.

And Gengar's true power... would soon be unveiled!

Though wounded, Sylveon's exceptional Special Defense made it a persistent threat.

Lucian's eyes sharpened as he threw an Ultra Ball.

"Gallade, go!"

The ball opened with a poof, releasing white light that materialized into a duelist-like Pokémon.

"Gallade!"

Gallade's elbow blades gleamed as it bowed courteously toward Natsume.

Natsume returned the gesture with a smile.

His student Wally had also raised a Gallade.

It was like a swift swordsman equally skilled in offense and defense—a loyal guardian.

Thus, Natsume held particular fondness for Gallade.

"Male Kirlia evolve into Gallade using Dawn Stones!" Green cheerfully explained.

"There are male Gardevoir too," Gold added, arms crossed. "They can breed with female Machamp—"

Silver: "...Shut up."

Gold: "This is academic discussion!"

Lucian had likely deciphered Natsume's defensive rotation strategy.

Against the battle-worn Sylveon, Gallade held a stamina advantage.

And the still-sleeping Arcanine would struggle against Gallade's relentless assault!

Lucian's lips curved faintly as he commanded: "Gallade, Psycho Cut!"

Hummm—

Gallade's eyes glowed crimson, the heart-shaped crest on its chest pulsing as it charged forward with blades extended.

At close range, its elbow blades suddenly radiated meter-long pink energy—

A visible, razor-sharp slash!

The crowd tensed.

Livestream viewers equally held their breath.

"Sylveon-sister, hang in there!"

"Easy to say, hard to do!"

"Sylveon..."

Sylveon bared its fangs in a low stance—

But locked in Giga Impact's recoil, it couldn't counterattack!

A red beam abruptly recalled it mid-battle.

Simultaneously, Natsume's next Poké Ball flew.

Predicting Gallade's strike and switching to a defensive counter—

Perfect timing!

The livestream erupted in cheers.

"Once recoil ends, Sylveon-sister's Giga Impact would wreck Gallade!"

"But who's taking the hit now?"

"Here comes Intimidate Arcanine!"

White light revealed the towering, dependable Arcanine—

Still asleep, yet its Intimidate ability activated instinctively with a warning roar!

"Arcanine!!"

The intimidating aura rippled outward.

Lucian frowned slightly.

Though Mega Gallade's Inner Focus ability nullified Intimidate, wasting its Mega Evolution on Perish Song would be pointless.

Stick to the plan—restrict Gengar first.

"Gallade," Lucian commanded sharply. "Continue battling!"

Gallade's blades dimmed slightly as it unleashed another Psycho Cut!

Slash!

Arcanine roared furiously as the wound split open—its eyes snapping awake with tiger-like intensity!

The Rotom-cam zoomed in, sending the livestream into chaos.

"Holy—Arcanine's awake?!"

"Insta-waking from sleep?!"

"Protecting its teammates!"

Natsume's team boasted powerhouses like Blastoise—

And critical-hit specialists like Sirfetch'd that ignored stat changes—

But none matched Arcanine's perfect blend of loyalty and ferocity as it unleashed a deafening roar!

"Arcanine has awoken!" the commentator shouted. "Could this turn the tide?!"

"Arcanine," Natsume ordered. "Flamethrower!"

"Arcanine!"

Orange flames engulfed Gallade's crossed blades—

BOOM!

The explosive heatwave forced Gallade back several steps, its assault momentarily halted as the crowd roared.

Lucian's frown deepened.

Did Natsume predict my rotation and prepare this counter?

This feeling of being read... is unbearable.

His eyes suddenly sharpened with resolve.

Forget strategy—overwhelm them with brute force!

"Gallade," Lucian declared. "Psycho Cut!"

"Gallade!"

Charging through lingering flames, Gallade's blades formed an X-shaped slash that bisected the fire pillar.

CRASH!

Without hesitation, it raised glowing blades for another strike—

"Arcanine..." Arcanine staggered but locked furious eyes with Gallade.

Even Lucian froze momentarily.

Two consecutive Psycho Cuts...

Not only is it absurdly tanky, it's completely derailed my plans!

Arcanine retaliated with savage bites, the two locked in violent struggle.

Clang! Clang!

Gallade's blade-shield deflected each attack with perfect form.

The audience watched the deadlock breathlessly.

Lucian pocketed one hand, brow furrowed.

The battle seems even, but Arcanine's hanging by a thread.

One Drain Punch could end this while recovering HP...

But with Ghost-type Gengar immune to Fighting waiting in reserve—

I can't gamble on Natsume-sensei's rotations!

"This is Sleep Talk's limitation," Cynthia murmured from the VIP seats.

"To maximize offense, Natsume likely skipped Morning Sun."

"That's insane!" Flint gaped.

Cynthia's gray eyes remained fixed on Natsume.

"He trusts his commands... and his Pokémon."

"Arcanine!"

'Arcanine—Flare Blitz!' Natsume's The Power of One telepathy resonated.

Sacred flames engulfed Arcanine as its mane ignited—

Transforming into a golden meteor streaking toward Gallade!

Lucian's pupils contracted.

Using recoil-heavy Flare Blitz at 1 HP?!

This is why I hate battling unpredictable Fire-types!

"Achoo!" Flint sneezed abruptly.

"Natsume-sensei's Arcanine is ridiculously tenacious!" Aaron gasped.

"Heh, never underestimate Fire-types," Flint grinned. "Miracles are their specialty!"

Unyielding flames and indomitable spirit—that was Flint's creed.

BOOM!!

The collision scorched Gallade's blades black, sending it skidding back a full meter.

The recoil's thud echoed through the arena.

Against all odds, Arcanine stood firm—its Rainbow Wing accessory shimmering as it glared at Gallade!

"Holy—!"

"Precision survival skills?!"

"Arcanine's hanging on by a thread!"

"Is that Entei in disguise?!"

Amid the uproar, Natsume studied Lucian's pensive expression.

He's guessing my rotation...

And betting you'll greedily preserve Gallade's HP.

Because Gallade was Lucian's Mega Evolution candidate—the key to sweeping after containing Gengar's Perish Song!

"Gengar," Natsume whispered to the shadow-dwelling Gengar. "Get ready to switch in."

"Gengar~!" Gengar muffled a giggle, nodding confidently.

"Is Natsume-sensei sacrificing Arcanine?" Aaron's cowlick swayed as he turned to Cynthia. "To save rotation time?"

Switching was effective—but wasted precious command tempo.

For trainers, every second counted.

Before Aaron could get an answer, Flint interjected: "Arcanine's pushed to its limit... Staying would just clog the field."

"In singles, sacrificing it is logical."

Cynthia remained silent.

Logically, she agreed—a near-fainted Arcanine extracting one more move from Gallade was already profit.

Yet instinct told her Natsume wouldn't abandon any teammate... even if acceptable.

"Is Natsume-sensei forfeiting the switch...?"

Lucian studied the desperate Arcanine, eyes narrowing.

Pity... My Gallade knows recovery too!

Second 1: Lucian commanded: "Drain Punch!"

Second 1: Natsume's Luxury Ball recalled Arcanine in a red beam.

Second 2: Gallade's blade glowed white as it struck—

Second 2: Gengar materialized from shadows, grinning: "Gengar~"

WHOOSH!

The punch phased through Gengar harmlessly.

Fighting-type immunity!

Gengar stuck out its tongue: "Gengar~~Ψ(￣∀￣)Ψ"

The crowd needed moments to process this microsecond-perfect switch.

Even Champions and Elite Fours were stunned.

"H-he!" Aaron stammered. "Natsume-sensei calculated this?!"

Flint looked queasy: "Fluke, right? Otherwise that's broken..."

"Red and Giovanni once battled down to 0.5-second margins," Cynthia mused.

"Or perhaps it was coincidence."

In their legendary duel, Red had clinched victory by half a second.

Now Natsume-sensei had timed both Lucian's command and Gengar's immunity!

"Natsume-sensei switches to Gengar!" the commentator rasped. "Gallade's Drain Punch failed!"

The arena erupted.

Livestream chats flooded with rocket-gift effects:

"That command was SICK!"

"Against this, I'd just disconnect!"

"My brain's fried... This is Natsume-sensei's prediction!"

Lucian wiped sweat, meeting Natsume's calm smile.

An inexplicable chill ran down his spine.

After this... overtime awaits.

But I'll fight for every vacation day!

"Gallade."

Lucian eyed the retreating purple menace. "Earthquake!"

"Gallade!"

Gallade's blades smashed the ground—

CRACK!

Seismic waves radiated outward, debris flying as the arena trembled.

"Blade range lacking? Earthquake compensates!"

"Ground double-super effective on Gengar!"

"This might be an instant KO!"

If Gengar still had its Levitate ability, Natsume would've charged in blindly.

Alas, Natsume-sensei's Gengar possessed Cursed Body instead.

But at least it could still fly—

"Gengar, Gravity!"

"Gengar~" Gengar raised its tiny hands skyward, floating upward like a balloon as it manipulated gravity.

Debris from the Earthquake swirled into the air, coalescing under immense gravitational force into a massive meteorite—

An overwhelming sight that inspired both awe and terror!

CRACK!

The battlefield cratered under the dual assault of quake and gravity.

Lucian stared upward, pupils contracted, swallowing hard.

Natsume-sensei... Since when was THIS in Gengar's moveset?!

"Gengar! "

Holding the meteorite aloft, Gengar grinned from ear to ear—a delightfully horrifying sight.

BOOOOOOM!

As the meteorite descended, spectators gulped, cold sweat dripping.

"Suddenly I'm feeling physical pain..."

"Poor Elite Four Lucian!!"

"Gallade, return!"

At the critical moment, Lucian recalled Gallade—

Substituting the battered Bronzong instead.

The levitating bell looked up at the incoming doom, its intricate patterns dimming.

Bronzong: o(TヘTo)

The Bronze Special - Mask of Agony Edition

KABOOM!!

The meteorite struck dead center, creating a massive crater with cracks radiating outward—

At its epicenter lay Bronzong, eyes swirled in defeat.

The arena fell deathly silent, still processing the meteor's impact.

The referee blinked, ears ringing, before raising his flag.

"B-Bronzong is unable to battle!"

Bzzzt—

On screen, two of Lucian's Poké Ball icons darkened.

The score now read "2:0"!

The silent arena erupted instantly.

Rotom, like some artificial simpleton, kept bowing repeatedly in the livestream.

"Thanks for the Super Rocket from 'Rocket Delivery,' Rotom~!"

"Boss is generous, boss is healthy, boss spends wisely, Rotom~!"

Pokémon do grow to resemble their Trainers… That’s an undeniable truth.

Lucian slid a hand into his wine-red pants pocket, sighed softly, and adjusted his purple tinted glasses.

Just as I predicted before the match…

Either take down Gengar, then let Gallade sweep.

Or lie down and let Gengar sweep me outright!

From the VIP seats—

Silver murmured, "If Gengar is dealt with… None of Natsume-sensei’s remaining Pokémon can stop Gallade’s Drain Punch."

Bruno gave Silver an approving glance and nodded. "Exactly. That’s also why Natsume-sensei chose to switch earlier."

Natsume-sensei’s prediction of the Drain Punch command was so brilliant that Bruno was still replaying it in his mind. He even wanted to challenge Natsume-sensei to a no-holds-barred battle.

Though his reputation wasn’t the best—last time he sent a challenge, he ended up screwing Red over…

Bruno coughed loudly.

Gold scratched his head. "Huh? Isn’t this a huge lead?"

Crystal explained, "In a 6v4 singles match, it’s common for one Pokémon to sweep three or even four in the late game."

Gold suddenly understood. "Oh! So Gengar’s gonna sweep three too!"

Silver: "……"

Out of everyone here, Gold might actually understand Natsume-sensei the best…

"After a brief intermission, Elite Four Lucian sends out his fourth Pokémon!" the commentator announced.

Lucian still had a Gallade in good condition in reserve.

Now, he tossed an Ultra Ball.

A Girafarig emerged in a flash of white light—a long-necked creature with yellow and black stripes.

"Girafarig~!" Girafarig raised its forelegs with a gentle cry, while the tiny head on its tail bared its teeth.

The commentator added, "Girafarig is one of Elite Four Lucian’s signature Pokémon, having dealt heavy blows to opponents countless times in the Champion League!"

Gold crossed his arms. "Old man Oak—ahem, Professor Oak has a Girafarig too."

Crystal: "……"

You were totally about to say "Old Man Oak" just now!

Lucian’s Girafarig had the ability Inner Focus, which not only made it immune to Intimidate but also sharpened its mental fortitude.

Additionally, Girafarig’s tail could think independently, allowing it to attack even with its back turned.

Natsume remembered Lucian’s Girafarig well… According to Cynthia, it was another "cheesy" Pokémon skilled in Hypnosis.

Natsume smirked.

Even the Sinnoh Champion is on my side. What chance do you have?

"Gengar, Dark Void!" Natsume commanded.

Though called Dark Void, its effect was closer to Shadow Ball—

After all, this was the move that had once struck down Arceus.

Similar to the Dark Void used by the Darkrai of Alamos Town, it dealt damage… though its sleep-inducing odds were lower than Hypnosis.

"Gengar!" Gengar levitated midair, gathering chaotic energy between its hands before hurling a pitch-black vortex straight at Girafarig!

The Dark Void tore through the air with terrifying force, making Bruno tense slightly.

Natsume-sensei’s Gengar was on par with Grandma Agatha’s—no, it had already surpassed the Ghost-type Elite Four’s!

As the dark vortex surged forward, Lucian forfeited offense and called out:

"Girafarig, Work Up!"

"Girafarig!"

Girafarig lifted its forelegs, the blue glow in its deer-like head and tail-head intensifying.

BOOM!!

The vortex exploded violently, shrouding the arena in thick black smoke. The audience gasped.

Even against Darkrai, no one had realized this chubby little guy packed such power!

BOOM!!

The vortex exploded violently, shrouding the arena in thick black smoke. The audience gasped.

Even against Darkrai, no one had realized this chubby little guy packed such power!

Tobias brushed back his long gray hair and muttered to Darkrai:

"Top students score 100 because that’s the maximum—just like how Gengar one-shot you."

Darkrai: "……Just release me already."

As the smoke cleared—

The scorched crater in the battlefield was unmistakable.

Girafarig barely stood its ground, the Focus Sash on its tail-head crumbling away as it fought to stay conscious. "Girafarig…"

Even at Elite Four team levels, it had nearly been one-shot by Gengar—

Lucian’s gaze lingered on Natsume-sensei as he exhaled faintly.

This was a Champion who mastered strategy…

All I can do is fight with everything I have.

Lucian gracefully retrieved an Ultra Ball—inside, Gallade’s eyes gleamed like blades.

"Girafarig," Lucian’s voice sharpened. "Baton Pass!"

Gold blurted out: "Holy—Lucian, you bushy-browed bastard, you’re running Baton Pass too!?"

Bruno narrowed his eyes. "That Calm Mind earlier was all for Gallade’s setup…"

Natsume frowned slightly—for the first time in this duel, he felt genuine pressure.

Mega Gallade wasn’t just devastatingly powerful—its speed was exceptional too!

"Gengar~" Gengar stood firm on the battlefield, crimson eyes gleaming, its grin stretching wide with excitement.

Girafarig dissolved into red light, returning to its Ultra Ball as Gallade emerged, twin blades gleaming, its aura surging to new heights.

"This is the final round—"

Lucian reached into his wine-red suit jacket, pulling out an elegant book. A feather bookmark slipped free—embedded at its tip was a dazzling Key Stone.

"Gallade!" The heart-shaped crest on Gallade’s chest pulsed red as radiant evolution light engulfed its body, illuminating the entire arena.

"Gallade, Mega Evolution!" Lucian commanded.

"Gallade—!"

Gallade threw its head back with a cry, spreading its arms as its elbow blades elongated under the evolution light, transforming into red-and-white longswords.

The audience gasped, the arena erupting in shock.

"Elite Four Lucian… just pulled out Mega Evolution!?"

"He’s never been pushed this far in the Champion League before!"

CLANG!

As the light faded, Gallade faced Gengar, its snow-white cape billowing dramatically.

A warrior of grace and elegance—Gallade, the white knight.

Natsume stared at Mega Gallade and muttered, "My Sirfetch’d is just as good…"

"Sirfetch’d~~(っ╥╯﹏╰╥c)" Inside its Premier Ball, Sirfetch’d snickered happily.

The spectacle of Mega Evolution was breathtaking—grand, dazzling, electrifying.

The crowd roared, rallying behind Gallade and Lucian.

"Elite Four Lucian!"

"Gallade, you’ve got this!!"

The big screen zoomed in on Natsume’s face, as if waiting for his reaction.

Livestream viewers weren’t having it.

"Is the director trying to start something!?"

"Wait… the director might be one of us!"

The composed young man simply smiled, raised a hand skyward—then clenched his fist.

The entire arena fell silent, as if gripped by anticipation.

His glove’s Key Stone shimmered, radiating blinding light.

"Gengar—"

Natsume’s Key Stone erupted with brilliance.

"Mega Evolution!!"