Pokémon: Starting with a Volcarona

With a look that said "just as I expected", Nathan spoke without hesitation.

If Griffin could think of this tactic, how could Nathan possibly have missed it?

Never mind the countless battles in this world—be they tedious or intense—

In his previous life, just from watching livestreams, Nathan had seen every dirty trick in the book.

Griffin's little mind games? Too easy to see through.

"Vol!"

At Nathan's command, the pure white flames around Volcarona rapidly surged in intensity!

What had once been holy white flames turned crimson under the escalating heat!

Using the tornado summoned by Gyarados, a crimson inferno formed and swirled violently around Volcarona—

And it continued to grow!

"Holy sh*t!"

Even someone as composed as Griffin couldn't help but curse at the sight.

Fortunately, the broadcast system had an automatic censorship feature. The moment it detected a banned word, it replaced it with a long beep—

"What now? What's your next move?"

With both hands in his pockets, Nathan smiled at Griffin and asked, eyes gleaming.

Though Gyarados had the type advantage, Nathan was far from someone to be underestimated.

Besides, Volcarona had undergone special training for this kind of situation a long time ago.

The cataclysmic Solar Storm, boosted by Gyarados' wind, now truly seemed capable of destroying the heavens and the earth.

Even without Volcarona actively controlling it, it was only a matter of time before the entire field was engulfed.

"Damn… so this is the power of a Champion-level Pokémon. Even just warming up, the pressure is unreal."

Griffin furrowed his brows and finally let out a long sigh.

He had been harboring some wishful thinking: type advantage, Volcarona's shaky foundation...

But now, after seeing how effortlessly Volcarona conjured such a powerful Solar Storm, Griffin was forced to face reality.

Volcarona—

Its Champion-level strength far surpassed what he had imagined.

"Gyarados, you feel it too, don't you? That overwhelming strength on the other side?"

"That's what it means to feel despair!"

"Against such a foe, let's give it everything we've got!"

As he shouted, Griffin's Gyarados let out a thunderous roar.

Its usual fierce aura had now become outright savage—

It was as if the dragon's blood within had been completely awakened, fully unleashing its primal nature.

If it had been any ordinary Pokémon standing in front of Gyarados now, it might not even have had the courage to lift its head!

…

"Gyarados! Water Domain !"

At Griffin's roar, Gyarados finally unleashed its completed signature battlefield technique—

Water Domain!

But it wasn't a simple, brute-force flooding of the battlefield—

That would just waste energy and show no finesse.

Instead, dozens of floating water bubbles—like something out of a dream—drifted gently across the field.

Just looking at it, it was hard to believe that Gyarados, of all Pokémon, had created such a childlike, playful scene.

Yet hidden within those beautiful, dreamy bubbles—was deadly power!

One of the bubbles brushed against the Solar Storm and burst.

And the next second—

That bubble, which had moments ago reflected sunlight in a peaceful shimmer, now revealed its demonic nature upon exploding!

It was like witnessing a pure water-based bomb go off.

Even a Pokémon as massive as Snorlax would be drenched and blasted away by just one of those bubbles!

Unbelievable power. Unbelievable skill.

Together, it becomes the realm of the Elite Guardians!

"Whew… As expected of you. As expected of a true Elite battle…"

Watching the cascading explosions of dreamlike bubbles, Nathan couldn't help but praise it.

If Volcarona hadn't reached Champion rank, not even Bond Evolution would have helped—

The type disadvantage was simply too much.

Coupled with this battlefield skill?

Any Pokémon with a type disadvantage against Gyarados wouldn't even have a chance.

Allow me to show you Volcarona's true power!"

With a sudden lift of his right hand, Nathan shouted:

"Volcarona—Silver Moon!"

This wasn't Bond Evolution.

It was a unique combo move that Volcarona had only recently perfected—

Silver Moon!

"Vol~!"

At Nathan's command, Volcarona let out a cry, its beautiful eyes shining with silver light.

Its previously crimson and white flames were now entirely silver!

Silver flames!

Though they weren't as terrifying as the indestructible black flames of Amaterasu, these silver flames feared no water.

They didn't clash with the water—

They devoured it.

As if burning through the very fabric of space itself, the flames consumed all water without making a sound.

This—was Volcarona's true power.

Silver Moon — The Flame That Burns Through Space!

"It's not over yet! Gyarados—Dragon Dance! Endless Hydro Cannon!"

Even in the face of overwhelming power, Griffin didn't give up.

And neither did Gyarados.

They were betting everything—

His reputation as the most talented rising star, and Gyarados' pride as a brutal force of nature!

With the boost from Dragon Dance, the dreamy water bubbles transformed—

Into a terrifying, relentless barrage of water cannons!

The Elite rank was a watershed moment—

And now, under Griffin's full power, that line was drawn clearly for all to see.

There was a world of difference between ordinary trainers and the true Elite.

They are not just trainer with Elite Pokémon but trainers who had skill and technique.

Like the difference between mortals and gods.

Beyond the Elite, there were Champions.

And maybe even higher realms—

But without question, this was the line that separated the extraordinary from the ordinary.

"Vol!!"

In the face of such power, Volcarona held nothing back.

Its terrifying Champion-level energy erupted without restraint!

The silver flames surged like fangs from some mythical beast.

Wherever they went—nothing survived.

"Unbelievable! This is more exciting than every past national tournament combined!"

"Yeah! The past ones were either one-sided stomps, or straight-up boring."

"Remember the guy from three years ago? Whipped out his Elite-level Pokémon and wiped the field in one move!"

"Exactly! This time's different! It's way more powerful and way more thrilling!"

…

As they watched the battle—far more intense and captivating than anything before—

The crowd was fired up.

Just when they thought they were getting tired of watching battles,

The final showdown turned out to be the best yet!

It was like a foodie, stuffed to the brim—

Suddenly seeing their absolute favorite dish.

Even if their stomach burst, they'd still devour it!

"Ugh…!"

Eyes locked on the field, Nathan instinctively clutched his left eye, which was now throbbing with intense pain.

Backlash.

The recoil of a power too great.

Just like how throwing a full-strength punch will always send shockwaves back up your arm—

The stronger the target, the stronger the recoil.

And the Silver Moon flame was simply too strong.

There was no way Volcarona could use it recklessly.

After all, it was a power Volcarona had only recently developed.

"So painful… but this isn't enough, Volcarona!!"

Even as he felt like his eyeball might explode from the pain, Nathan grinned—

A twisted smile of determination.

He didn't need to give another order.

He had already activated their synchronization bond behind the scenes.

But even without it, the connection between Nathan and Volcarona went beyond words.

"Vol!!"

Hearing Nathan call its name, Volcarona's eyes flared open—

And with a burst of explosive energy, it powered up once more!

The silver flames engulfed the entire battlefield,

Like a silver moon shining in broad daylight.

Not just space—

Even time itself seemed to be burning.

"Gyarados!!"

Eyes wide, Griffin didn't forget his partner.

But when the silver flames finally faded—

All the bubbles had vanished.

And Gyarados lay collapsed on the ground, its once-fierce expression completely gone.

"Gyarados is unable to battle—Volcarona wins!"

"Let's all congratulate Nathan for creating a miracle—

Becoming the youngest Champion in the history of the National Tournament!"

(End of Chapter)