Chapter 1408

Inside the dazzling arena.

As the Gigantamax Double Axe Battle Dragon unleashed its third Gigantamax move—Gigantamax Steel, its three-move Hero's Time arrived.

"Roar..."

Amidst the earth-shaking roar, its body gradually shrank back to normal size.

Zhulan laughed: "Great opportunity! Pogokis! Once more, Gigantamax Fairy!"

"Pori~~~!"

The Gigantamax Pogokis let out a clear, high-pitched cry, and the colorful meteor shower fell for the third time from the sky, smashing into the Double Axe Battle Dragon, which could no longer continue using Gigantamax moves to counterattack.

Countless spectators gasped—could the Double Axe Battle Dragon be forced off the field again!?

The answer is no.

Elise nervously clenched her fist, the command she had prepared long ago blurted out: "Dig!"

Other Gigantamax moves might be questionable, but like Gigantamax Fairy, which descends from the sky, it can certainly be avoided by using Dig!

It's just that the effect isn't as good as the Subterranean Ambush that burrows into another dimension.

Amidst flying dust and dirt, at the very moment before the colorful meteor shower hit the ground, the Double Axe Battle Dragon dug up the broken soil layer and dug as deep as possible.

Ground-type moves are destined to have no energy attack effect on Flying-type Pokémon, so this move, like the Dragonite's Extreme Speed earlier, is purely for evading the opponent's attack.

But unlike the unfortunate Dragonite, the Double Axe Battle Dragon successfully dodged the meteor shower from above, and even though the strong vibration caused it some damage,

to a thick-skinned, meaty Dragon-type Pokémon, it's hardly worth mentioning.

It didn't even suffer as much damage as the recoil from the earlier clash between Gigantamax Steel and Gigantamax Fairy.

The instant the bombardment ceased, the Double Axe Battle Dragon immediately began digging toward the ground.

Since Pogokis is a Flying-type Pokémon, it can no longer detect the opponent's position through subtle vibrations.

Moreover, the arena was filled with swirling smoke and mist, obscuring everything, and Elise couldn't give it any hints.

To ensure it wouldn't be hit by Pogokis's Magical Shine the moment it surfaced, the Double Axe Battle Dragon had to return to the ground before the smoke cleared.

This obvious truth Zhulan naturally understood: "Tailwind!"

"Pori~"

Likewise, the Pogokis, having returned to normal size, flapped its wings, summoning a gentle breeze that gave it speed, and also dispersed the thick, wall-like smoke that had been continuously bombarded by Gigantamax moves.

But at the same time, the Double Axe Battle Dragon had already reached the ground, and was right near Pogokis.

"There's only one hole on the ground..."

Zhulan realized this guy had returned the same way for the sake of speed.

What boldness!

Did Zhulan assume Pogokis wouldn't pay attention to the entrance?

Zhulan thought the Double Axe Battle Dragon had guessed correctly—even she herself had defaulted to creating two openings after Dig, like Subterranean Ambush.

"Magical Shine!"

She had no hesitation, decisively issuing the attack command.

But since the Double Axe Battle Dragon had returned the same way to seize the initiative, Elise had already shouted her command a step earlier: "Double Axe Battle Dragon! Roar!"

The words fell.

The dragon gripping the blood axe inhaled deeply, unleashing a visible, terrifying sound wave toward the Pogokis about to glow.

"Roar——!!"

Shattered ground sent countless rocks flying, the arena still echoing with deafening booms, like a milky-white storm exhaled by it, suddenly slamming into Pogokis.

Pogokis's body flew uncontrollably backward, forced back into Zhulan's waist-mounted Poké Ball.

The host immediately shouted: "Roar worked! At the critical moment, the Double Axe Battle Dragon drove Pogokis away!"

A single Dragon-type Pokémon facing a Fairy-type Pokémon basically has no chance of winning.

Elise, who aspires to become a Dragon Master, clearly understands this, so the moment she saw Zhulan send out Pogokis, she prepared to force it off the field.

Moreover, the effect of Roar lies in forcing out a random replacement Pokémon.

Therefore, this move is highly likely to disrupt Zhulan's original plan.

Currently, both sides have only used one system, and the rules do not limit the number of system uses—meaning Zhulan can still Mega Evolve.

But in her team, the only known Pokémon capable of Mega Evolution are Mega Garchomp and Mega Lucario; however, if any Pokémon unable to Mega Evolve is switched out, Elise's side would gain an advantage...

This logic is understood by many, so everyone nervously stared at Zhulan's waist.

Even the close-up camera focused on her waist where the Poké Balls hang.

Bang!

White light burst forth.

The Pokémon replacing Pogokis that appeared in the arena was the Flower Rock Monster that had left the field several rounds earlier.

"Good luck!"

The host couldn't help but praise: "Zhulan contestant still hasn't revealed her third Pokémon!"

To a large extent, luck is also part of strength.

Elise felt regret that her scheme failed, but being able to bring back the Flower Rock Monster is better than shouting out Mega Garchomp.

"Taunt!"

"Roar!"

Still starting with Taunt, the Double Axe Battle Dragon roared, releasing a black-red light wave at the Flower Rock Monster, which had just appeared not long ago and was again sealed from using status-changing moves.

Zhulan's expression was somewhat strange: "Indeed calm, even though Gigantamax didn't achieve its effect..."

Although the Flower Rock Monster is in poor condition, the Double Axe Battle Dragon isn't doing much better either.

First, the earlier clash caused it not-insignificant damage; second, the thin mist field greatly reduced the power of its sole Dragon-type move.

Even with Dragon Dance's boost still active, defeating Pang Yan Guai wouldn't be as easy as before.

With the advantage on her side, Zhulan was perfectly happy to keep grinding against the Double-Axe Battle Dragon, preferably until both were mutually destroyed.

"Icy Wind!"

"Hyper Voice!"

Pang Yan Guai and the Double-Axe Battle Dragon seemed to have returned to the starting point, howling cold currents and roaring sound waves colliding in the shattered arena, kicking up vast clouds of dust and smoke.

Zhulan said calmly, "Here it comes again! Foul Play!"

"Mika!"

Scanning the smoke-filled arena, Pang Yan Guai cried out, wicked souls swirling around it on guard; in a split second, eerie red light accompanied by a massive black shadow shattered the smoke and dust — the Double-Axe Battle Dragon she had predicted.

But unexpectedly, the Double-Axe Battle Dragon didn't use Dragon Dance to boost this time; it wielded its axe-fangs glowing with blood-red radiance, stabbing toward Pang Yan Guai like a sharp blade!

"Migue!"

Pang Yan Guai coiled around its body a step ahead, redirecting its form as if moving a thousand catties with four taels, slamming it hard onto the ground, but that only made the pair of blood-red giant axes shine even brighter, the black light clinging to them burning like flames!

Ignoring its own balance, the Double-Axe Battle Dragon swung its head, chopping at Pang Yan Guai at point-blank range!

"Roar!"

Bang!

The wicked soul took the hit; smoke billowed and quickly dissipated.

"Payback!"

The announcer shouted, "Attacking after the opponent attacks, a move with doubled power! Foul Play became the fuel for Payback!"

"A direct attack, huh."

Zhulan had thought Elise would choose Dragon Dance to feint again.

After all, with Dragon-type moves' power lowered, boosting multiple times to try to knock out Pang Yan Guai was the superior choice.

It was precisely because she thought the opponent would keep using Dragon Dance that she didn't have Pang Yan Guai use Phantom Force to dodge, wanting to let the Double-Axe Battle Dragon eat a heavy hit.

The damage was reflected back, but she didn't expect Elise to be so straightforward—

No.

Is it caution?

Zhulan smiled faintly, "Want close combat? I'll grant your wish! Shadow Ball!"

"Mika!"

Pang Yan Guai trembled as it spun its wicked souls, brewing a massive dark energy ball in the blink of an eye and firing it at the Double-Axe Battle Dragon.

"Dodge!"

"Roar!"

The Double-Axe Battle Dragon nimbly dodged, blood light reappearing on its twin axes — Payback again!

Bang!

Both Pokemon took hits in succession, both sides' stamina plummeting linearly, especially Pang Yan Guai, having taken two Paybacks in a row, every aspect of its condition already at the limit.

Seeing this, Zhulan waited for the Double-Axe Battle Dragon to charge at Pang Yan Guai roaring once more, then played her trump card, "Destiny Bond."

There was no doubt the reason she wouldn't let Pang Yan Guai switch out was precisely to use this move to make the Double-Axe Battle Dragon go down with it.

However, Elise is someone who admires Zhulan so much.

How could she not know the reason Pang Yan Guai stayed in instead of being switched for Togekiss.

"Dragon Dance!!"

Elise's words made the Double-Axe Battle Dragon, poised to attack, change its stance.

It circled Pang Yan Guai, twisting its body as if dancing, orange-red light flaring up, adding Attack and Speed to this battered body once more.

Zhulan's prediction failed, her expression still calm, "Phantom Force!"

With two Dragon Dances, its speed was already enough to surpass Pang Yan Guai; at such close range, continuing with Destiny Bond might get her killed halfway through.

Create distance first!

"Dig!"

Elise shouted at the top of her lungs.

You dig, I dig too!

The moment Pang Yan Guai vanished from the field, the Double-Axe Battle Dragon tore open the ground and hid underground.

Only rubble covered the field now, and Elise and Zhulan gazing at each other.

The announcer shouted, "Both Pokemon have concealed their movements! So who will laugh till the very last moment?"

The alternate dimension isn't somewhere to stay long; Pang Yan Guai isn't Mega Gengar, it has to come out of the alternate dimension sooner or later.

The Double-Axe Battle Dragon is just waiting for the moment Pang Yan Guai's keystone body falls to the ground.

But the real decision-making power in this match still lies with Zhulan and Elise.

Zhulan must confirm the Double-Axe Battle Dragon's position through ground vibrations, to find the spot furthest from it, so Pang Yan Guai has time to use Destiny Bond after emerging.

Elise must spot Pang Yan Guai's landing point the first instant, directing the Double-Axe Battle Dragon to strike it down.

Victory or defeat lies in a single thought from both sides.

"Hmph..."

Zhulan smiled faintly.

Dig?

For her, this matter couldn't be simpler.

"Pang Yan Guai! Come to me!" She suddenly shouted, Pang Yan Guai instantly confirmed the landing point, opening the Phantom Force exit.

At the same time, Elise followed up shouting, "In front of you! Charge!"

Rumble—

The ground began to shake violently.

It was as if a colossal creature was about to burst from the earth and attack the Pang Yan Guai that had opened the Ultra Wormhole.

But contrary to everyone's expectations, Zhulan did not use Destiny Bond. "Foul Play!"

Bang!

The ground bulged high, and immediately afterward the Haxorus burst out from beneath the Pang Yan Guai, directly launching this Pokemon into mid-air.

The Pang Yan Guai glared at it viciously; Foul Play coiled around its neck, and using this Pokemon's power it swung the opponent around, borrowing force to strike force, redirecting a thousand catties with four taels!

Thud!

Both crashed heavily to the ground.

Rising smoke and dust covered the two of them.

The grappling of the two Pokemon was not like the previous clash of Gigantamax moves, full of heart-shaking visual impact, but the contest of technique contained within it kept many Trainers watching without blinking.

Victory or defeat for Champions often hinges on a single thought, so fast that the off-field audience can barely react.

The smoke and dust gradually dispersed.

Under the gaze of countless people, they saw the scene inside the arena.

The Haxorus slowly stood up, looking down at the Pang Yan Guai whose Foul Play had already returned to the sealing stone, black rings floating above it. "Roar—"

Before the roar and the cheers from off the field had fully risen, it completely lost its strength and collapsed on the ground.

Two Dragon Dances had boosted the Haxorus's Attack to an unprecedented height.

But it also gave the Pang Yan Guai a way to defeat it without relying on Destiny Bond.

【Foul Play】.

Using the opponent's attack to attack the opponent.

Wah!

Thunderous applause rang out inside and outside the arena.

Deng Pei entered the field and announced the result of this battle. "Haxorus and Pang Yan Guai are simultaneously unable to battle!"

In the stands, Xiaozhi clapped in admiration. "What a pity! If only it had been a little faster!"

The Speed-Style Master gave a speech.

In his view, as long as the Haxorus could take down the Pang Yan Guai faster, this victory would have belonged to Alice.

Little did he know, he would soon have to pay the price for his speed-style tactics.

In the waiting room, An Xier's thoughts were much the same as Xiaozhi's.

Baimu was noncommittal. He said: "Rather than regret speed, regret luck. If the Pokemon brought out by Roar had been Minun, Azumarill, or Roserade, Alice would have had an easier time winning this match."

In the original plot, Zhulan's chosen ace Pokemon were Azumarill and Minun.

The former was instantly killed by Excadrill's Horn Drill; the latter was defeated by Haxorus's Wide-Area Destruction.

【151】 The former was instantly killed by Excadrill's Horn Drill; the latter was defeated by Haxorus's Wide-Area Destruction.

It seemed luck was on Alice's side.

But the actual situation was, without a bit of luck she really couldn't win.

After Excadrill luckily used Horn Drill to finish off Azumarill, it was immediately blasted into a ditch by the roadside by Minun's Hydro Pump.

And Xiaobawang Dragonite likewise achieved nothing; it was caught in close quarters by Minun and taken out directly by an Iron Head.

Even more miserable than Excadrill.

It shows there is a fundamental gap in strength between the two sides' Pokemon.

In the current battle, Alice has begun to embrace the power of Gigantamax, but her hard strength still has a gap with Zhulan, causing Dragonite and Haxorus to be worn down in turn by the Pang Yan Guai.

The good news is—Zhulan's Gigantamax is gone too.

The bad news is—Zhulan still has Mega Evolution, her third Pokemon is at full condition, Togekiss has only minor stamina loss.

Does Alice's last Pokemon really have the possibility of turning defeat into victory?

Baimu gazed downward, only hoping Alice wouldn't lose even more miserably than in the original work.

Actually, this situation is quite normal; a newly minted Champion without cheats, how can they compare to a veteran Champion?

Xiaozhi is the exception, the only one under heaven...

Uh, the existence of three shares.

So the other veteran Champions can't do anything about three cheat-walls, they can only bully bottom-of-the-food-chain types like Alice.

The true bottom originally was Ailan, unfortunately he was kicked away by Baimu, losing the chance to take the field and embarrass himself.