Pokemon: Sandstorm Elite

The sandstorm raged, and Cradily stood firm amid the shifting dunes, its tendrils pulsating with raw power.

Tiny droplets of water coalesced into a venomous purple liquid, forming Cradily's next attack—

Toxic Spikes.

The poisonous barrage shot forward, but Mega Gardevoir tried to evade—only to find that the sandstorm had transformed into whirling barriers, trapping it within a maelstrom of dust and grit.

Will's telepathic link with Gardevoir faltered.

For the first time, his synchronization was completely disrupted.

He couldn't sense Gardevoir's movements clearly.

He looked up, his expression grim—

Gardevoir was completely encased in the sandstorm.

There was no way out.

"Damn it… I finally got rid of Klein's weather setters earlier, but this Cradily… it's extending the Sandstorm's duration even further?"

The realization hit him like a brick.

It wasn't just a weather setter—

It was a sandstorm manipulator.

No time to hesitate.

If escape wasn't an option—

Then force a breakthrough!

Ghostly blue flames ignited around Mega Gardevoir's hands, forming an inferno of Will-o'-Wisps.

A surge of fiery energy exploded outward, colliding with the swirling sands, sending shockwaves across the battlefield.

But before the fire could reach its mark—

Cradily's venomous fluid shot forward once again, piercing Mega Gardevoir's body!

The poison took hold instantly.

Mega Gardevoir's body trembled as the toxin coursed through its veins, sapping its strength.

High above, a massive sphere of flames formed, Mega Gardevoir's final Hidden Power: Fire attack.

It streaked downward like a meteor—

But Cradily remained unfazed.

The ground split open, revealing brilliant multicolored stones—

Ancient Power.

The two attacks collided—

BOOM!

A blinding silver light engulfed the battlefield.

When the light faded—

Cradily stood unscathed.

And then—

Its Ancient Power effect triggered.

A surge of energy coursed through its body, enhancing every stat at once!

The battle had become a war of attrition.

Mega Gardevoir fought fiercely, trying to disrupt the sandstorm, but Cradily's control over the battlefield was too overwhelming.

It absorbed the moisture from the ground, reinforcing itself once again—

A second stat boost.

Mega Gardevoir lashed out, forming a colossal silver Psychic hand, slicing through the storm.

But Cradily anticipated the attack.

With lightning-fast precision, its rock tendrils expanded, slamming into Mega Gardevoir's body.

Rock shards erupted in midair, scattering across the battlefield.

Toxic fluids splashed across Mega Gardevoir's pristine form, further corroding its already weakened state.

The once elegant, pristine Mega Gardevoir now looked disheveled and battered.

Its flawless beauty was gone, replaced by gruesome, festering wounds.

For a Pokémon so proud of its appearance, this was a humiliation beyond words.

A snarl of rage escaped Mega Gardevoir's lips, its Psychic energy surging in an uncontrolled burst.

Will screamed in pain, clutching his head as the mental backlash hit him.

Mega Gardevoir had lost control.

"Shit—it's going berserk!"

High above, the very air trembled, as if reality itself was about to fracture.

But at that moment—

Cradily moved.

Its tendrils shot out, wrapping around Mega Gardevoir, pinning it in place.

The ground split apart again, releasing the stored-up moisture that had been accumulating beneath the battlefield.

A torrential burst of pressurized water erupted—

Direct hit!

Mega Gardevoir let out one final, agonized wail—

Before Cradily lifted it high—

And threw it out of bounds.

"Mega Gardevoir is unable to battle!"

The referee's voice echoed across the silent stadium.

For a moment—

No one spoke.

The once unbeatable, radiant Mega Gardevoir had been reduced to a mangled, trembling mess.

It slowly reverted to its normal form, collapsing onto the battlefield.

Cradily, however, was not done.

It wiggled its tendrils happily, as if feeling guilty for ruining Gardevoir's face.

Then, as if to make amends, Cradily spat out a glowing, nutrient-rich substance, gently coating the wounded Gardevoir.

A hush fell over the stadium.

Klein and Will both exchanged glances, each understanding the gesture for what it was.

Will exhaled.

"…Thanks."

Klein nodded. "My Cradily can be a bit… unorthodox."

With Gardevoir defeated, the outcome was decided.

Will's final two Pokémon—Jynx and Xatu—tried their best to recover, but—

Without the sandstorm disrupted, Cradily remained an immovable force.

Jynx succumbed quickly, while Xatu managed to land a few clean hits—

But the moment Swampert entered the battlefield, it was all over.

Will was defeated.

Final Score: 5-6.

The Johto Elite had lost.

"YES!!!"

Agatha burst into laughter.

"A fantastic battle! What do you think, Pryce?"

Pryce's face twisted sourly.

"Hmph… It was decent, I suppose."

Will gritted his teeth but managed to force a smile.

"I won't stop here," he muttered. "I'll fight my way back to the top."

Klein extended a hand.

"I look forward to our next battle."

They shook hands.

Despite the victory, Klein's expression remained unreadable.

He left the battlefield without celebrating, as calm and detached as ever.

Yet, before he could fully exit—

A figure stepped in his way.

A young girl with burning resentment in her eyes.

She glared at him.

"Enjoying your victory, Klein?"

Her voice was icy.

"I bet you are. Just like you enjoyed destroying Rosa's life."

Klein's footsteps halted.

He sighed.

"Move."

The girl didn't budge.

"You're nothing but a fraud, Klein." Her voice trembled. "One day—I'll expose you for what you really are."

Klein said nothing.

Without even glancing at her—

He brushed past her and walked away.

(End of Chapter)