Pokémon: Starting with a Volcarona

In the blink of an eye, Mewtwo unleashed an aura even more intense than that of Goodra, completely overwhelming it!

"Goodra, don't give the opponent any chance—Aqua Tail!"

Feeling his heart race under the pressure, Griffin instantly gave his command.

He had already witnessed how terrifying Nathan was as a trainer.

With over 8,000 battles under his belt—

Even if many were low-level fights, Griffin was still just a greenhorn by comparison in terms of experience.

And Nathan's strength, even among the world's top-tier prodigies, was something most trainers could only dream of attaining.

Yet…

Griffin didn't fear Nathan in the slightest.

Watching as Goodra whipped its tail, the force behind it resembled a tidal wave.

Even without a direct hit, the pressure could be felt clearly.

"Teleport!"

With that thought alone, Mewtwo vanished from its original spot.

Goodra's attack smashed into the ground, instantly shattering a large portion of the battle arena!

Even the flying debris had terrifying destructive force.

"So this is… the power of Mewtwo…"

Raising a hand to his forehead, Nathan couldn't help but marvel.

He himself couldn't even perform Teleport, but Mewtwo wielded it as though it were second nature!

That said, he still felt a creeping fatigue—

Partly from Mewtwo's condition, and partly from the strain of synchronization.

"Looks like I need to finish this quickly."

"Psychic!"

Nathan locked eyes with Goodra.

Mewtwo's eyes glowed blue, and Goodra was immediately lifted into the air!

As if picked up by a giant's invisible hand, Goodra was flung across the field!

A loud crash followed as it slammed into the far wall, embedding itself into it with a thunderous impact.

But Griffin showed no panic at the sight.

Dragon-type Pokémon were known for their toughness, after all.

Calmly, he called out, "Go into Outrage mode, Goodra!"

At his command, the previously sluggish Goodra snapped its head up.

Its formerly docile appearance now turned fierce and terrifying!

"Goooodraa!!"

With a wild roar, Goodra ripped itself from the wall and charged back into the arena.

No commands were needed now.

Goodra unleashed another Aqua Tail directly at Mewtwo!

The dragon had returned—

Fully embodying the concept of raw, destructive power!

"Impressive strength," Nathan remarked coldly, watching Goodra rampage.

Outrage was certainly a strong move.

With its buff, Goodra's Aqua Tail became truly monstrous.

However…

Teleport!

Ice Punch!

Fire Punch!

Flamethrower!

Ice Beam!

Under Nathan's control, Mewtwo went into full arcade-fighter mode, unleashing a seamless combo of elemental attacks!

It was fast, brutal, and overwhelmingly effective.

Even the thick-skinned Goodra cried out in pain.

Though it still had the speed and power boost from Outrage, its reactions were clearly slowing.

Still, it continued to fight relentlessly, leaving the battlefield in ruins.

It was the embodiment of destruction itself.

This wasn't just metaphor—

It was why legends and myths always depicted dragons as terrifying monsters to be slain by heroes.

From Siegfried in the West,

To Nezha flaying and dismembering dragons in the East.

"But it's time to end this."

Seeing Goodra's strength fade, a cold glint flashed in Nathan's eyes.

Rock Tomb!

He didn't throw stones.

Instead, rocks emerged directly from the earth, attempting to bind Goodra.

Even as Goodra violently smashed through the rocks, turning them nearly to powder, it was too late.

Thunderbolt!

Discharge!

Volt Tackle!

A volley of Electric-type attacks surged forth.

The sky darkened as black clouds blocked out the sun.

Blue lightning flickered in the gloom—like a god's wrath on the verge of descending!

"Final move—Thunder!"

Using Mewtwo's immense power, Nathan forcefully triggered the ultimate move.

The words barely left his lips when the first bolt of lightning came crashing down!

An earsplitting thunderclap followed, so loud it nearly deafened everyone nearby.

When the smoke cleared and Goodra reappeared—

Its entire body was charred black.

It had exited its Outrage state.

Its aura was weak.

It could no longer battle.

"Unbelievable… Defeated before even forcing the opponent's ace onto the field. This is the first time I've experienced something like this…"

Scratching the back of his head, Griffin sighed and recalled Goodra.

Compared to Nathan, he was starting to doubt whether he was truly a top-tier prodigy at all.

After all, Elite-level Pokémon were incredibly rare across the entire country.

And yet, two of his had just been crushed right at the finals of the national championship!

…

"Come forth, my third Pokémon!"

Pulling out his third Poké Ball, Griffin sent out yet another Elite-level Pokémon.

For most trainers, unless they were veteran champions, this lineup should've been an absolute powerhouse.

Yet Nathan hadn't lost a single Pokémon.

Even so, Nathan ended synchronization mode and recalled Mewtwo into its Poké Ball.

That last Thunder hadn't just drained Mewtwo—

It had worn him out as well.

"Come out—Zeraora!"

Seeing the Incineroar on the opposing side, Nathan summoned his ace.

Seriously…

If not for Mewtwo, and if Volcarona hadn't already reached Champion level—

He might not have even made it to the finals of the national tournament.

"Incineroar, Flare Blitz!"

Before Nathan could even issue a command, Griffin took the initiative.

It seemed that, in a clash between trainers, the only thing Griffin could still aim for was to strike first.

But that first strike didn't faze Nathan one bit.

"Zeraora, dodge it."

As flames erupted from Incineroar's body, Nathan calmly gave his order.

Even in his fatigued state, he had already anticipated Griffin's move.

"Zoar!"

With a low growl, Zeraora transformed into a streak of blue lightning, instantly widening the gap between it and Incineroar.

Even though Griffin's Incineroar had clearly undergone speed training—

Nathan's Zeraora was still faster!

Like it had eaten the Thunder-Thunder Fruit!

"Mind your distance. Indra's Arrow!"

"Hyper Beam!"

The two trainers gave their commands almost simultaneously.

A dazzling blue arrow and a devastating beam of destruction collided mid-air!

"Interesting. Growing stronger through defeat and battle… You really are a genius."

Nathan glanced at Griffin, unable to help but compliment him.

But Griffin's expression darkened, feeling like Nathan was mocking him.

In front of this freak, who would dare call themselves a genius?!

"You're not gonna use that evolution of yours?"

"INCINEROAR, FIRE FANG!"

Speaking with a near-gritted voice, Griffin unleashed Incineroar's combo move.

Or rather than a combo, it was more like a physically specialized Fire Fang!

In a limited battlefield like this, such a tactic was highly effective against Zeraora.

Even though it didn't land a hit, the pressure was enough to noticeably increase Zeraora's stamina drain!

"Then, as you wish—Zeraora, Bond Evolution!"

(End of Chapter)