Chapter 0593: The Sandstorm Tyrant…’s Baby!

Torrential rain poured over the battlefield as Pelipper took flight, its Drizzle Ability unleashing a relentless downpour.

The Rock Field was instantly shrouded in a watery veil, the rain pelting the jagged stone pillars and kicking up mist.

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

"Larvitar..." Larvitar stood drenched in the rain, blinking up at the soaring Pelipper.

"Pelipper!!" Pelipper's beak glowed as it gathered a surging torrent of water—Hydro Pump primed to fire!

"Use Hydro Pump!" Winona commanded.

"Dig into the rocks." Not the move Dig, but simply using the terrain to mitigate damage.

"Larvitar!" Like a kid burying their face in cake, Larvitar slammed headfirst into the ground!

BOOM!!

The Hydro Pump crashed down, scouring the battlefield. Larvitar was blasted backward, crashing into a stone pillar—

CRACK!

The pillar shattered, burying Larvitar in rubble.

But the energy film on its back dissolved like armor, surging into its body!

"Th-This is—?!" The commentator gasped. "Weakness Policy! Natsume Contestant's counter to type disadvantage!"

This Pelipper was holding a Damp Rock, extending the rain.

Yet despite the worsening storm, Winona frowned, a sense of danger prickling her instincts.

"Pelipper, gain altitude!" she ordered on impulse.

From the rubble, a crimson glow erupted as Natsume calmly said: "Larvitar, Rock Slide."

BOOM!!

The shattered rocks levitated, swirling around Larvitar in a storm of Rock-type energy.

Like planets orbiting a sun, Larvitar stood at the center, eyes sharp.

"Larvitar! (▼へ▼メ)"

Then—the rocks shot forward like cannonfire!

CRASH! CRASH! CRACK!

The barrage punched holes through the rain, smashing into Pelipper midair! The water bird tumbled downward, battered and bruised.

"The Sandstorm Tyrant won't bow to another weather!"

"Weakness Policy + Rock Slide—this is the Tyranitar... of the future!!"

Winona stared blankly. This level of tactical play far surpassed her skills as a Trainer.

But she snapped back to focus—now was the time to strike back!

"Pelipper, Protect into Water Pulse!" she shouted.

"Pelipper—!" Pelipper flapped weakly, its injuries severe.

But Natsume wasn’t the type to let shields go up unchallenged.

"Keep going, Larvitar," he said. "Close in with Crunch."

Larvitar charged toward Pelipper's landing spot—then leaped, fangs bared!

"Larvitar!"

CHOMP!!

The jagged energy fangs exploded on impact, sending Pelipper spiraling into the ground.

The rain ceased. Sunlight broke through the clouds.

Silence.

Then—

Larvitar's rain-washed scales gleamed as it panted, before smugly planting its hands on its hips.

"Larvitar!"

"Contestant, send out your next Pokémon!" The referee's voice shattered the stillness.

The crowd ERUPTED.

No one had expected Larvitar—with its 4x water weakness—to dominate Pelipper in a rainstorm.

"Since when did YOU become a type-disadvantage specialist?!"

"Weakness Policy is a one-time item! Natsume-sensei went all out!"

"Ash's Gible won earlier too... Are you guys just grinding pseudo-legendary babies?!"

Natsume glanced at the exhausted but determined Larvitar, telepathically urging:

"Return, Larvitar."

"Larvitar!" It shook its head fiercely.

It had to keep fighting.

This was the pride of a pseudo-legendary—the unyielding spirit of a future king!

If Sirfetch'd was the noble knight who protected others...

From the moment it hatched, Larvitar had known its destiny.

It would embody a Champion's strength, dominance, and indomitable will!

...And also be a tiny gourmet.

Natsume paused.

Wait, is the most battle-hungry one actually... the foodie rookie?

Then it hit him—Larvitar had joined right as his own mindset began shifting...

His expression turned serious.

"Go, Larvitar!"

"LarvitarI!!"

The Sandstorm Tyrant's... offspring stood tall, roaring at the newly sent-out Sableye!

"Sableye..." Sableye hunched, flinching back before glancing at Winona.

Winona met its gaze, nodding firmly.

Her Key Stone flared with light.

"Show them our Bond, Sableye!"

Her braids whipped in the wind as she thrust her hand forward—

"MEGA EVOLUTION!!"

The stadium shook.

Mega Evolution—rare in Sinnoh—sent the crowd into a frenzy!

Sableye glowed white, its form shifting:

The spikes on its head sharpened.

Its eyes turned blood-red gemstones.

The ruby on its chest expanded, detaching to form a massive shield!

"Mega Sableye boasts incredible defenses!" the commentator yelled. "Fun fact—that ruby shield shrinks when hit, and once it's gone, Sableye EATS IT and reverts!"

"Sableye!" Mega Sableye grinned wickedly—until it noticed Larvitar's stare.

Larvitar was fixated on the ruby shield, drool slipping out:

"Larvitar... (ˉ﹃ˉ)"

"Sableye?!" Mega Sableye panicked, a primal fear gripping it!

"Stay strong, Sableye!"

Winona had once been as lonely as the Sableye hiding in caves—until they became friends.

Now was the time to prove that bond and climb higher as a Trainer!

"Use Shadow Claw!"

Sableye dashed behind its shield, then lashed out with shadowy claws!

Larvitar blocked with a punch—only for Sableye to leap high above.

"Zen Headbutt!!"

"Sableye!!" Mega Sableye slammed the ruby shield downward like a hammer!

BOOM—!

But before impact—the ground beneath Larvitar ERUPTED!

Countless rocks shot up like meteors, pummeling Sableye midair!

"Sableye!" It yanked the shield up, barely blocking the Rock Slide barrage!

CRACK!

The ruby splintered as Larvitar lunged, jaws wide—

"Crunch."

CHOMP!!

The fangs sank into the shield, fractures spiderwebbing across it.

"Sableye?!" Mega Sableye stumbled back, but Larvitar wasn't done.

Its blunt tail WHIPPED forward, knocking Sableye off balance!

Then—

Larvitar STOMPED the ground.

The earth trembled, a shockwave blasting Sableye off its feet!

Giovanni's Technique · Bulldoze!!

"SABLEYE!!" Winona gasped.

CRACK—

The ruby shield shattered, reverting into a small gem on Sableye's chest as its Mega form dissolved.

It collapsed, swirling eyes dazed.

"Sableye is unable to battle!"

A beam of red light recalled Sableye into its Poké Ball as Winona whispered soothing words.

The arena erupted in applause for Natsume and Larvitar, the crowd going wild!

"A first-stage Pokémon just took down a MEGA Sableye?!"

"That Bulldoze was practically an Earthquake!"

"Once it evolves, it’ll probably get the real deal!"

"Someone add Natsume-sensei to the stadium repair blacklist!"

In the stands, Granny Bertha sipped from her thermos, her gaze locked onto Larvitar.

As a Ground-type Elite Four, she could instantly recognize the exceptional breeding behind it.

Imagine the sheer dominance once it masters both sandstorms and earth-shaking techniques...

Her stern expression softened as she shook her head, murmuring into her tea:

"Truly the era of the young..."

On the battlefield, Natsume sensed Larvitar’s unyielding will to win.

Standing firm, Larvitar’s HP gradually ticked upward, its eyes blazing with determination:

"Larvitar! (▼へ▼メ)"

"Illegal? Maybe. But it’s working."

"Natural Leftovers?" Natsume mused. "Boss Giovanni really gave it a free item slot!"

Winona’s final Pokémon was Azumarill, the so-called "Dragon Slayer" with its Huge Power Ability.

She had planned to leverage Pelipper’s rain for a last-ditch victory.

But with Sableye down and Dragon Dance in play, Azumarill couldn’t keep up with Larvitar’s skyrocketing speed.

"Use Aqua Tail!" Winona commanded.

Azumarill slammed its watery tail into the ground, trying to counter the tremors—

But Bulldoze slowed it to a crawl, leaving no room to fight back.

BOOM!!

The shockwave swallowed Azumarill whole.

Larvitar stood triumphant, puffing its chest out:

"Larvitar!!"

The crowd roared.

A complete sweep—by a single Larvitar!

Even Ash’s Draco Meteor-spamming Gible in the next arena paled in comparison!

"LARVITAR, GO OFF!!"

"Another sweep?! This is getting ridiculous!"

Winona exhaled, hands on her hips, and chuckled wryly.

"Not bad for a first-year Top 16 finish! Next year’s my year!" she reassured herself.

More importantly, she’d learned more from this battle than any lecture.

Post-match, she bowed deeply to Natsume. "Thank you for the guidance!"

"You’re welcome," Natsume smiled. "Your talent’s undeniable. Steven wasn’t wrong about you."

"Really?!" Winona’s eyes sparkled. "Thank you, Natsume-sensei!!"

With renewed energy, she skipped off to prepare for the Unova League in a few months.

Natsume exited through the contestant tunnel, dodging reporters, and regrouped with Ash.

"N-Natsume-sensei!" Ash stammered, out of breath. "The brackets—they’re out!"

"I’m facing Paul!" he said, fists clenched in excitement.

"Is that so..."

Natsume slowly looked up at the main stadium’s giant bracket screen.

The quarterfinals lineup flashed:

Natsume vs. Yuuya (some poor soul who’d likely get Tobias’d in the finals).

Ash vs. Paul (Group A)

Natsume vs. Tobias (Group B)

Meaning—Ash wouldn’t face Tobias.

That honor goes to me.

Ash, still hyped, hadn’t pieced it together yet.

Natsume stroked his chin, deep in thought.

Guess I’ll have to Explosive☆KO Tobias in battle too, not just cards...

……

With the Top 16 concluded, Natsume headed to the Pokémon Center—

When a suspicious figure in a black dress and face mask sidled up to him.

"Psst... hey, buddy. Full Restores. Top-shelf stuff. Interested?"

"Cut the act, Green," Natsume coughed pointedly. "Or some ‘concerned citizen’ might report you."

"Natsume. Sensei." Green peeled off her mask, grinning. "Buy now, and I’ll throw in a discount~"

Natsume paused.

The Dive Ball at his waist shook slightly.

Blastoise had zero resistance to high-grade potions.

And lately, funds weren’t an issue...

"Never skimp on military supplies!"

Natsume squared his shoulders.

"I’ll take your entire stock!"