Chapter 1425

Roar!!

The Gigantamax Fangtooth Shark let out a furious roar, its feet slamming heavily into the ground, shattering the earth which instantly trembled violently—more violently than any previous quake—ferocious fissures spreading from beneath its feet like a slumbering beast awakening.

Boom—!!

Its towering form was instantly engulfed by countless clouds of dust and debris shooting skyward!

They howled as they hurled toward the Gigantamax Scallion Soldier like a landslide of small rock mountains, attempting to completely bury it!

But in the instant before, a crimson-gold energy fist descended from the heavens like a tunnel-boring shield machine breaking through rock, slamming fiercely into the core of the rock torrent, attempting to shatter the Gigantamax Earth's impact with this single strike.

In an instant, the energy fist collided with the rock torrent with a deafening crash, the former suddenly suppressing the skyward pile of stone, once again creating a murky air wall nearly level with the top row of spectator seats; the entire arena shuddered violently, as if on the verge of collapse.

The shockwave caused the protective devices to tremble incessantly, eliciting screams from many spectators.

The scene before them was akin to watching a fully immersive film, stirring heartfelt excitement.

They watched the expanding waves of air ripple outward, seeing nothing else but layer upon layer of swirling dust clouds.

Shortly after.

The dust slowly settled, and the arena's scene gradually became clear.

Suddenly, they saw the battlefield now resembled a meteorite impact from beyond the heavens—parts of the edge raised high, the center irregularly sunken, countless large and small stones standing upright.

The originally clear boundary lines had dissolved into nothing.

This was utterly different from the original anime plot, where no matter how devastating a Pokémon's move—whether world-destroying explosions or even digging holes—the battlefield would always restore to its original state.

Meanwhile, the battling Pokémon stood on opposite sides; after using their three Gigantamax moves, they had returned to normal size—the Fangtooth Shark hovered midair, while the Scallion Soldier stood atop a rock.

Both bore a thin layer of dust on their bodies, and the air was filled with sand.

Evidently, the sandstorm created by the Gigantamax Rock had not been entirely destroyed by the shockwaves from Gigantamax Earth and Gigantamax Fist, leaving a remnant behind.

Orange-red light enveloped the Scallion Soldier's body, the third Gigantamax Fist once again granting it an attack boost.

Of course.

To be precise, it was two times.

After all, the first boost was neutralized by the attack-lowering effect of Gigantamax Dragon Ride.

"Gigantamax time has ended! Neither side managed to defeat the other!" the host exclaimed, taking a deep breath: "Truly a grueling endurance battle!"

The most critical aspect of a full six-on-six battle is its extremely long duration; for two evenly matched trainers, the match could last several hours.

Zhulan and Ash's battle had already been underway for over an hour—not just a trial for the Pokémon, but equally so for the trainers.

It's not as if standing still and issuing commands incurs no fatigue.

"Return!"

Zhulan narrowed her eyes, intuition telling her she should have Fangtooth Shark use Dragon Tail to knock down the twice-boosted Scallion Soldier.

But she genuinely worried that during this time, Scallion Soldier might directly topple Fangtooth Shark with a Meteor Assault.

This was absolutely possible.

First, Fangtooth Shark had used Scale Shot twice; though its negative effects had been slightly weakened through training, they remained crucial; second, the opponent's condition was excellent—so good that Zhulan felt quite astonished, as if they were performing beyond expectations—

Ah!

It was that massage!

Zhulan instinctively wanted to check the player preparation room, recalling Bai Mu's evaluation of Ash's Pokémon:

"Quality rest is key to boosting combat power, and massage happens to be the most suitable way for your Pokémon to rest right now."

Zhulan didn't know whether to feel happy or helpless.

But no matter what, Ash's performance today truly let her fight with great enjoyment—far more enjoyable than battling Bai Mu!

"Please! Roserade!"

Bang!

Light flashed.

Roserade appeared for the third time, standing elegantly in the deep pit.

The host shouted: "Zhulan's trainer has sent out Roserade again! Its burn condition—gone!"

Without a doubt.

The Roserade now on the field bore no trace of burns on its body.

Ash stared blankly: "Natural recovery?"

He had indeed begun paying attention to opponents' Pokémon traits; Roserade's Natural Cure trait allows it to heal status conditions.

But even if healed, the prior damage would not be restored.

Roserade's current stamina is truly not optimistic; facing the spirited Scallion Soldier, it likely won't last more than a few rounds.

Zhulan didn't care—she had her own plan!

Ash quickly commanded: "Double Chop!"

"Ga!!"

Scallion Soldier responded, raising its scallion-white sword glowing with emerald light, charging fiercely toward Roserade.

Zhulan's command followed closely: "Leaf Storm!"

"Li duo!"

Roserade lifted its twin flowers, suddenly shooting out vast amounts of glossy green leaves from within, forming a vertical tornado vortex that stirred up ground dust, mixed with airborne sand and stone, and surged fiercely toward the charging Scallion Soldier!

Ash shouted: "Cut it open!"

He didn't let Scallion Soldier raise its shield to block or dodge, but directly ordered it to cleave the Leaf Storm!

Is that even possible?

Under the unwavering gaze of all spectators, Scallion Soldier suddenly swung its scallion-white sword, the emerald light attached to it instantly transforming into a sharp blade of sword qi, shooting out like a flying blade!

Hum!

Sword Qi slashed horizontally through the Flying Leaf Storm, actually splitting it cleanly in two, instantly shattering it completely!

Facing the remaining swirling emerald-green leaves, Cong Youbing waved the Scallion Sword repeatedly, like the most masterful swordsman, slicing every single one in half, shattering them into a sky full of emerald-green light motes.

Two Attack boosts had already granted Cong Youbing the power to slay gods who block the way, slay Buddhas who block the way!

Zhulan keenly realized her choice just now had been correct; seeing Cong Youbing rapidly close in on Roserade, she immediately shouted: "Poison Jab!"

"Rida!"

Roserade abruptly thrust its two flowers forward; viscous poison formed a deep purple glow on their surfaces, then lunged forward like stabbing needles!

Seeing this, Cong Youbing immediately swung his long sword in a fierce chop.

Emerald-green radiance and deep purple light intertwined; massive force traveled through the clash point into Roserade's body, making it unavoidably get blown away when the energy exploded.

However, due to the current field's slope, Roserade didn't manage to fly far before crashing heavily to the ground.

Cong Youbing quickly gave chase; the Scallion Sword still cloaked in emerald-green light, the power of its consecutive slashes clearly pushed to its peak!

This strike — Roserade likely wouldn't be able to withstand it!

Zhulan called out loudly: "Toxic!"

"Rida!"

Roserade let the Scallion Sword pierce its body, while simultaneously its blue and red flower bouquets, coated in surging poison, sprayed toward Cong Youbing!

"Throw the sword, use the shield to block!"

"Gah!?"

At the critical moment, Xiao Zhi's command made Cong Youbing instinctively hurl the Scallion Sword in hand, while raising the shield to guard his chest.

Roserade was directly stabbed in the chest by the flying Scallion Sword, while the poison it sprayed out splashed entirely onto the Scallion Leaf Shield, not a single drop touching Cong Youbing's body.

"Ri... da."

Roserade stared blankly at this scene, then powerlessly lowered its two flower bouquets.

Its eyes closed — it had fainted outright.

The referee entered the field: "Roserade is unable to battle! Cong Youbing wins!"

The announcer shouted: "Toxic blocked by the shield! Contestant Xiao Zhi used a throwing-sword tactic at the final moment!"

"Sai! What a throwing-sword tactic!"

Queen Leiguanwang praised without end.

Baimu turned his head to look at it; Queen Leiguanwang instantly coughed awkwardly twice and said: 'This sovereign is unconventional.'

Indeed quite unconventional.

Truth be told, fighting up to now Baimu still didn't dare confirm whether Xiao Zhi could really win.

Both sides' performances were much stronger than in the original plot; although there weren't many especially brilliant maneuvers, at least there were fewer orders that made one's brain hemorrhage.

In the original, the MVP Mega Lucario Z replaced Pikachu to take the field, while the latter as the final ace — does it have a chance to beat Mega Lucario Z and Garchomp?

I'm afraid it depends on whether Cong Youbing can share some of the burden for it.

Baimu gazed at Cong Youbing; the two Attack boosts were quite crucial, and not getting hit by Toxic was equally crucial — at least ensuring it wouldn't be taken out that quickly.

However, the Sandstorm's stamina drain also had to be considered.

Don't be fooled by Cong Youbing still having fight left; how many more attacks it can actually unleash is hard to say.

Suddenly.

The camera on the big screen locked onto Cong Youbing. Or rather, it locked onto its Scallion Leaf Shield.

One could see the originally fresh-glossed shield now riddled with holes; it seemed Roserade's attack, while appearing not to have damaged Cong Youbing, had also destroyed its vital weapon.

"Gah..."

Cong Youbing was greatly shaken in spirit.

There is a rumor that this kind of Pokemon regards the great scallion it nurtures with its own fresh blood as its life; once the great scallion withers, Cong Youbing might never battle again in this lifetime.

Such sayings are certainly exaggerated, much like the Pokedex's consistent style. But to some extent, they also prove the great scallion's importance to Cong Youbing.

Xiao Zhi likewise sensed Cong Youbing's mood was off, and shouted a reminder: "Cong Youbing!"

"Gah? Gah!"

Cong Youbing quickly snapped back, forcing himself to tear his gaze away from the damaged Scallion Leaf Shield.

He stepped forward briskly; as Zhulan recalled Roserade, he pulled the Scallion Sword from the ground.

Zhulan looked at it thoughtfully, and said to the Poke Ball: "Good work, Roserade. Next up……

"Feel the Aura! Lucario!"

Bang!

Deep blue light bloomed.

Mega Lucario Z appeared a second time; dense Aura power gathered inside and on its surface, like flowing liquid.

It stared at Cong Youbing not far away, as if wanting to see through the opponent's true state.

Xiao Zhi: "Brick Break!"

Zhulan: "Bullet Punch!"

The two Pokemon activated in succession.

However, clearly Cong Youbing took a step forward first, yet in the end it was Mega Lucario Z that appeared before him first and threw a punch!

Its fists gleamed with metallic luster; Steel-type energy gathered on the surface, Aura condensed within, granting its fists power beyond imagination, and making its fists fast to the point of blurring!

Bang bang bang—

Terrifying explosive sounds echoed continuously throughout the arena.

Cong Youbing raised sword and shield to hurriedly parry; Brick Break, which held the type advantage, was surprisingly unable to do anything to Mega Lucario Z.

Fortunately its two boosted Attacks weren't for nothing; the heavy, forceful chops forced Mega Lucario Z to swing its fists repeatedly to cope.

The mutual fierce attacks from both sides kicked up dust and smoke all around, and each time the swirling sandstorm drew near, it was blown apart by the surging air currents, so that to the spectators, the two Pokémon seemed to be enveloped in a strange vacuum shield.

It was as if nothing else was allowed to exist inside except them.

Ash kept shouting: "Come on! Scallion Soldier!"

Zhu Lan, on the other hand, remained silent, her eyes fixed intently on the scallion-leaf shield in Scallion Soldier's hand, which it was using to block Super Lucario Z's punches.

Needless to say.

Though Scallion Soldier had never boosted its speed, it could actually withstand the punch speed of Super Lucario Z, which was truly surprising.

And when a leaf detached from the surface of the scallion-leaf shield, Zhu Lan showed a satisfied expression: "Lucario! Continue using Close Combat!"

"Roar!"

Super Lucario Z responded with a loud cry; just as the Bullet Punch ended, a reddish-brown glow clung to its fists, and it launched a second fierce assault on Scallion Soldier.

The dense attacks left Scallion Soldier no room to catch its breath.

"See through!"

"Ga!"

Scallion Soldier's eyes glowed slightly; this time, instead of blocking with offense, it used a more clever method, seeing through the force point of Super Lucario Z's punches and applying the technique of using four taels to deflect a thousand jin, thus dissolving the force to the greatest extent possible.

Inevitably, the scallion-white sword and scallion-leaf shield became the focal point where the punch shadows landed.

Super Lucario Z's fists were repeatedly "slid" aside, and unable to fully release its power, it suddenly halted; at the moment Scallion Soldier raised its shield, both fists shot out like dragons, boom! as if two cannons firing straight ahead!

Boom!

The heavy force poured entirely onto Scallion Soldier's shield, also launching its body into the air, flying backward.

"Ga!"

Scallion Soldier adjusted its posture in midair and landed steadily.

This final blow, like withstanding an attack too strong to bear, exceeded the limit of what "seeing through" could endure.

Fortunately, it did not—

While Scallion Soldier was thinking, a sudden change occurred!

The leaves at the bottom of the shield in its hand kept separating and falling, until the ground was covered with them!

The scallion-leaf shield had shattered!

Scallion Soldier stood frozen in place.

The host exclaimed in shock: "Scallion Soldier's shield was shattered by Super Lucario Z!"

"Indeed."

Zhu Lan revealed a smile of no surprise.

The earlier Bullet Punch and Close Combat were precisely aimed at Scallion Soldier's shield.

This way, it could not only shock Scallion Soldier's mind but also prevent it from using the shield to block subsequent moves.

"It's time! Lucario! Aura Sphere!"

"Roar!"

Super Lucario Z indifferently raised its arm, holding a single hand before it to condense a deep blue sphere that made the air tremble.

The sphere grew at a visible speed, and in the blink of an eye, it became comparable in size to its upper body!

This Pokémon, more skilled in special attacks, finally revealed its fangs at this moment, determined to take down Scallion Soldier and then, together with Land Shark, help Zhu Lan secure the final victory!

Rumble—

Dust and smoke swirled, enveloping the spinning Aura Sphere, its gleaming light dimming the arena's illumination.

"Scallion Soldier!"

"Ga..."

Scallion Soldier regained its senses from the shattered scallion-leaf shield, gazed at the enormous Aura Sphere in the distance, and tightened its grip on the remaining scallion-white sword.

Now, how should it defend?