Pokemon: Sandstorm Elite

"Tangrowth, use Grassy Terrain!"

"Tangrowth, Swords Dance!"

Within the dimensional battlefield, Rika faced off alone against Blake, the leader of Team Dim Sun. As the lush green grass spread across the barren space, a rich, forest-like atmosphere enveloped the area, making the once desolate void burst with life.

Despite Blake's aggressive opening, Rika remained calm and composed. "A false nature is still false. It's meaningless."

As Blake's Grassy Terrain took effect, Rika's Tangrowth swiftly lashed its vines, sending a flurry of petals into the air. A thick floral fragrance filled the battlefield, completely masking the scent of the grass.

This dense aroma served as Tangrowth's unique sensory method. With both Grass-type Pokémon setting up their respective strategies, Blake and Rika simultaneously released their second Pokémon onto the field!

"Breloom, use Spore!"

"Torterra, Frenzy Plant!"

Rika's second Pokémon was Breloom, a dual Grass- and Fighting-type. Under its command, a shower of spores rained down onto the battlefield. Once detonated, these spores would unleash a powerful sleep-inducing effect.

This Breloom, once trained by Rika's childhood friend, now played a crucial role in her team for this battle. The endless cascade of spores descended, transforming into a relentless powdery assault.

However, Blake and his Torterra were equally experienced. With a swift activation of Frenzy Plant, the Grassy Terrain surged in response—massive, hardened vines erupted from the ground, piercing through every single spore before they could take effect!

Even as the spores were shattered into fine dust, Blake's Tangrowth remained unshaken. Stimulated by the Grassy Terrain, its countless vine tendrils thickened instantly, forming an impenetrable net that swiftly isolated the drifting powder.

Rika carefully observed the battlefield, but soon realized an unexpected development—Blake had already released his third Pokémon. A green blur flashed across the field—Sceptile, its Leaf Blade in hand, dashed straight toward Rika from the side!

At this critical moment, Breloom, positioned at the frontlines, swiftly swung both fists. Two Mach Punches shot forward in rapid succession. Sceptile reacted instantly, flipping mid-air to evade the first strike, then using its tail to parry the second punch.

But in the blink of an eye, Breloom reappeared directly in front of Sceptile, its fist radiating with powerful energy as it struck forward.

Such incredible reaction speed! This Breloom's combat instincts...

Blake was slightly puzzled. Given Rika's aristocratic demeanor, he hadn't expected her Grass-type Pokémon to exhibit such a decisive and aggressive fighting style.

As the two Pokémon clashed in midair, heat surged through Breloom's body. It raised its right arm forcefully, using it as a shield to block Sceptile's ferocious tail strike.

Boom!

Breloom's fist trembled slightly, and its arm was nearly forced backward from the sheer power of the impact. If not for its rapid Mach Punch movements, it might have been completely overwhelmed.

Landing gracefully, Sceptile pressed its toes against the ground and darted to the side before lunging forward. Its left fist, now wielding a sharp Leaf Blade, slashed upward in a rapid flurry, each motion carrying the precision of a coiled spring unleashing its force.

Breloom, constantly evading, didn't dare to slow down. Its left arm suddenly extended, its fists glowing brightly as it prepared to counter.

A muffled impact resounded as Breloom attempted to match Sceptile's speed and power. However, even with its expertly executed Mach Punches, it couldn't gain an even footing in the exchange. Its stance wavered under the relentless assault.

In just a short span of time, Sceptile launched a rapid, multi-directional onslaught. Each strike was stronger than Breloom's Mach Punch, pushing it further into a desperate defensive state, seemingly never granting it a moment to counterattack.

Meanwhile, across the battlefield, Rika sent out her Venusaur. A massive cloud of toxic spores erupted into the air. Seeing this, Sceptile leaped into the air to avoid the poisonous dust, but Breloom didn't dodge—instead, it willingly inhaled the toxins.

The moment the potent poison entered its system, a strange energy surged through Breloom's body. Purple streaks spread across its skin as its strength was rapidly restored.

Poison Heal!

Outside the ruins of Sinjoh, Klein and Sakaki's battle raged on. Tyranitar, struggling under the effects of numerous curse-inflicted attacks, began to lose control over its Sandstorm ability.

Meanwhile, in the skies above, Mega Salamence soared with terrifying ferocity, sweeping across the battlefield with overwhelming might.

A thunderous roar tore through the air, leaving no chance for any Ghost-type Pokémon to escape. The sheer destructive force of its Hyper Voice sent shockwaves across the battlefield, even causing the mighty Giratina to feel an immense pressure.

Mega Salamence's rampage had reached its peak. Below, Sakaki's Giratina dissolved into countless ghostly shadows, plunging the surroundings into darkness. Yet even within the pitch-black void, Mega Salamence's eyes remained locked in a savage glare.

As waves of Shadow Force surged toward it, Mega Salamence's energy output soared once more. There was only one thing in its mind—obliterate everything in its path!

Four years ago, during the Hoenn War, Mega Salamence had fought as a core combatant. It had not forgotten Klein and Rosa's vendetta against the Kamiyama family. With its eyes burning red, it attacked without restraint, unleashing a Hyper Voice of unparalleled power.

High above, the two Dragon-type Pokémon clashed in a spectacular aerial battle. Meanwhile, the ground battle grew even fiercer.

Mega Banette, taking full advantage of its Prankster ability, moved as if it were untouchable. Its spectral form flickered unpredictably, making it nearly impossible to track. With its dual blades swinging wildly, it resembled a demonic entity on the battlefield.

Scizor and Lucario, reacting swiftly, launched a simultaneous assault on Mega Banette. However, with a ghostly flicker, it vanished. Suddenly, it tossed its dual blades into the air, grabbed both opponents by their arms, and effortlessly flung them away.

Catching its falling Fire Blade and Thunder Blade mid-air, Mega Banette accelerated toward its targets once more. As the trump card of the Kamiyama family, its power far exceeded that of ordinary Ghost-types.

On the sidelines, Delphox swiftly waved its wand, causing Lucario and Scizor to switch positions. However, the ghostly flames from Mega Banette's Fire Blade relentlessly pursued them, splitting into twin projectiles.

Against the unpredictable ghostly flames, Lucario and Scizor each adopted different strategies. Scizor used Agility to flicker across the battlefield, expertly dodging the flames.

Lucario, on the other hand, channeled its Focus energy. With a burst of psychic force, it attempted to dissipate the ghostly flames. Its eyes gleamed as it unleashed a powerful Aura Pulse, shattering the spectral fire at the last moment.

Yet at that instant, Mega Banette materialized right in front of Lucario.

With its Prankster ability active, its body was now wreathed in ghostly fire, its attacks becoming even more erratic and unpredictable. But just as it was about to strike, Delphox and Lucario swapped positions again!

Electricity and fire intertwined as Mega Banette let out a sinister laugh. Its Thunder Blade crackled with energy, unleashing a barrage of electromagnetic waves that filled the narrow battlefield with dazzling silver sparks.

Faced with such a formidable opponent, Delphox didn't dare lower its guard. Its wand flicked forward, summoning a whirlwind of fiery leaves that ignited into chains of flame, shooting toward Mega Banette.

As Mega Banette dodged, a strange energy fluctuation surged from Delphox's wand.

To counter the Prankster-powered Mega Banette, Delphox had no choice but to attempt a special technique it had yet to fully master…

(To be continued…)