Chapter 612: Holding On and the Ace

The move "Sleep Talk" has a very simple effect: it allows a Pokémon to use moves it has learned while asleep.

However, "Sleep Talk" merely ensures that Goodra isn't left at mercy while in the "Asleep" state, preventing it from becoming a stationary target.

Furthermore, this move carries a degree of randomness; with bad luck, it could randomly select "Splash," though fortunately, Splash isn't in Goodra's move pool.

Even in the previous emergency situation, Hearing Hearing Nimo restrained her impulse, saving "Sleep Talk" specifically for this moment.

Even though Geeta, as the Top Champion, is incredibly strong and understands many Pokémon intimately, humans inevitably have oversights; no one can cover every possibility.

The momentary shock flashing in Geeta's eyes upon hearing Hearing Nimo call out "Sleep Talk" proved that Hearing Nimo's reasoning was correct.

As for what comes next, it all rests on luck—no, on the "bond" between herself and Goodra!

"Nuu..."

Goodra, lost in dreams, let out a sound akin to a murmur; though clearly asleep, it stood up as if sleepwalking.

Amidst the billowing thick smoke generated by the exploding Dragon Darts, the flickering of two emerald lights was strikingly conspicuous.

The next instant.

Accompanied by the pained cries of two Dragapult minions that hadn't yet retreated, that elongated green light lashed out like a whip toward the two Dragapult minions closest to it.

The thick smoke was consequently whipped apart, revealing the scene within.

Upon seeing the "twin-tail" antennae hanging down beside the closed-eyed Goodra, Hearing Nimo instantly realized which move Goodra had selected via "Sleep Talk."

"Power Whip!"

Even though Grass-type attacks are resisted by Dragon types, without the energy protection released when Dragapult fired its "Dragon Darts," the physical constitution of the two Dragapult minions simply couldn't withstand this strike.

"You've worked hard."

Geeta took out two Poké Balls to recall the two fainted Dragapult minions, comforting them softly.

Dragapult is a peculiar Pokémon; when gathered together, they function as a single entity, yet this doesn't prevent them from being recognized as separate individuals when split apart.

Regarding the rules, although the Dragapult minions have lost their ability to battle, Dragapult itself isn't counted as having lost eligibility to fight; it's just that its signature move, "Dragon Darts," is temporarily unusable.

Hearing Nimo's counterattack, reliant on luck, was brilliant, but it merely changed the move Geeta ordered Dragapult to use to finish off Goodra from "Dragon Darts" to "Dragon Rush."

Even though Goodra finally awakened at the critical moment, the last thing it could do was barely spit out a deep purple energy orb, unleashing a Draco Meteor that encompassed even itself.

After inflicting some damage upon Dragapult, Goodra completely lost its ability to battle.

Thus, Dragapult had defeated two of Hearing Nimo's fighters in succession; the advantage Hearing Nimo had painstakingly created was leveled, and both sides returned to the same starting line.

—No, because Decidueye and Ursaluna were still in their current states, looking at it now, Hearing Nimo was actually the one at a disadvantage.

Standing before her were Dragapult, which had completed four Dragon Dances; Flamingo, which had taken one of Ursaluna's "Earthquakes" but retained mobility; and one final "ace" that hadn't yet appeared!

"... Ursaluna!"

Hearing Nimo took a deep breath and threw the Poké Ball in her hand.

She had few choices left, and there was no point in hesitating anymore.

A red light flashed.

"Roar!"

Ursaluna, eyes bloodshot and brimming with fury, let out a deafening roar; the powerful sound waves nearly shattered the rubble scattered across the battlefield.

It still harbored deep resentment over being struck by Dragapult's Dragon Tail earlier!

Bears are intelligent, cunning creatures with strong desires for revenge; Ursaluna swore it would utterly crush Dragapult!

"Headlong Rush!"

"Dragon Claw!"

The battle was nearing its conclusion; neither side wasted words, instead settling their minds to engage in fierce combat.

Both sides had played almost all their tactical cards; now was the time to verify the results and clash with raw power.

Dragapult, enhanced by four Dragon Dances, moved like a phantom; while appearing and disappearing unpredictably, its strength was in no way inferior to Ursaluna, which had fully ignited its ancient bloodline via the "Flame Orb" and "burning life force."

Although launching a long-range "Hydro Pump" would offer greater advantage, Geeta still ordered Dragapult to engage Ursaluna in intense close-quarters combat.

One side had completely unleashed the primal ferocity originating from ancient times, while the other possessed an exceedingly clear understanding of its own strength.

For a moment, Dragon Claws and Xiong Zhang constantly collided; Dragapult's slender tail struck the peat layer on Ursaluna's body with "Wide Guard," only to be painfully grabbed by the opponent, who then swung it like a whip, slamming it onto the ground.

This pure contest of physical strength made even Kiku stop her commentary, subconsciously focusing her full attention on the match, afraid of missing even the slightest detail.

Just at the moment when Dragapult, now bearing numerous scars, used "Phantom Force" to vanish into a shadow and appear behind Ursaluna.

Hearing Nimo unleashed the fastest hand speed of her life, recalling Ursaluna with one hand while executing a switch!

"Decidueye, Spirit Shackle!"

Decidueye didn't even bother to watch the Poké Ball Hearing Nimo threw land on the ground, letting it roll away across the uneven battlefield.

Suffering from the effects of "Toxic" and injuries caused by the earlier Glimmora attack, its stamina was now like a candle flickering in the wind; even a slight graze would likely prevent it from standing for the time being.

Even so, despite pain radiating from everywhere on its body, Decidueye gritted its teeth, shaking off its feathers and drawing its bowstring to the limit with the fastest speed of its life, seizing this hard-won instant when Dragapult emerged from its Phantom Force stealth state.

Twang!

The crisp sound of the vibrating bowstring echoed atop the Paldea League summit; with a "whoosh," an arrow wrapped in shadows shot through the air.

The next instant, the enraged Dragon Tail of Dragapult, having reacted, loomed larger and larger in Decidueye's eyes; with stamina nearing its limit, there was absolutely no possibility of it enduring the blow.

It was impossible even relying on bond and perseverance.

Yet, before completely losing consciousness after firing its fastest arrow ever, Decidueye's eyes reflected the sight of its feathered arrow burying itself deep into the earth, completely piercing Dragapult's shadow.

Seeing this, it waited contentedly as its consciousness plunged into the abyss.

Although Glimmora had taken so much advantage of it, surely it had contributed to breaking the deadlock for the team?

Boom!

After a loud crash, Decidueye was knocked down by Dragapult like a tattered sack, yet the scattered feathers couldn't completely hide the panic surrounding Dragapult.

Before it could break free from Spirit Shackle, not only was it unable to be recalled into a Poké Ball for a switch, but even the speed it used to toy with Ursaluna was now completely unattainable!

As Decidueye was recalled into its Poké Ball, a familiar roar made Dragapult treat the situation with extreme caution.

Watching the Ursaluna that had reappeared, each breath exhaling steam-like white mist, stepping heavily toward him, Duraludon bared its teeth and waved its short, Tyrannosaurus-like foreclaws.

Come on, fight! Who's afraid of whom!

"Duraludon is unable to battle!"

In the livestream, Arven, as if suddenly losing all strength, slumped into his chair, yet his gaze remained fixed firmly on the screen, refusing to look away.

It was too close! If not for the sacrifice of the Rillaboom, which used "Infernal Parry" to restrict Duraludon's switching and movement while Duraludon was caught off guard, relying on Duraludon's agility and strength, it could have truly swept the team!

However, having only defeated Duraludon, the injuries accumulated on the Ursaluna had reached a point that could no longer be ignored.

With the burning effect of the Flame Orb affecting it constantly, whether it could defeat the Flutter Mane might determine the entire match's outcome!

Noticing that Nemona had recalled Duraludon in the screen and sent out the Flutter Mane, Arven "whoosh" sat up straight, casually picked up a Grandma Ju Zi orange from beside him, and, with a mischievous smile, cut the feed.

"The battle that will decide the match's outcome is about to begin, but before that, please let Arven introduce this product from Luo Mu's farm to everyone..."

At this moment, Luo Mu did not yet know that Arven was once again running an extra "stop-start" advertisement for his own farm. Instead, he watched as the Ursaluna, enduring the Flutter Mane's "Tera Blast," charged up like a frenzied ferocious beast, its paw wrapped in earthy-yellow light slamming hard onto the Flutter Mane.

Luo Mu deeply suspected that Professor Oak had suspicions of academic fraud.

Is this what your Pokédex said: "Unlike the Flutter Mane's gorgeous appearance, its personality is actually very ferocious"?

Facing this "desperate" ferocity of the Ursaluna, the Flutter Mane, which had previously been showing off its ferocity in front of the Goodra, now acted like a quail, only able to run frantically around the field chased by the Ursaluna.

Because the Flutter Mane's own condition was not particularly good, its "Follow Me" ability could not function at all in front of the Ursaluna; after all, it could not "follow" the "Sturdy" ability triggered by the Flame Orb.

This resulted in the Flutter Mane being completely no match for the Ursaluna in terms of strength.

Luo Mu remembered that the Flutter Mane's move pool included "Skill Swap" or "Trick," which would have been perfect to counter the Ursaluna, but he didn't know what Nemona was thinking; she seemed to have no intention at all of issuing such an order.

The Flutter Mane could only reluctantly set up "Trick Room" before being knocked to the ground by a single paw strike from the Ursaluna, completely losing consciousness and unlikely to get up for some time.

This also meant the Ursaluna had successfully completed a double knockout!

"This is the beauty of power, but its will is indeed worthy of applause."

Luo Mu clapped slowly, a slight smile appearing on his face.

Now, Nemona had only one Pokémon left.

However, this Pokémon might be more difficult to deal with than any Pokémon Nemona had sent out before.

Luo Mu's gaze fell on Nemona, who seemed to have breathed a sigh of relief and was anxiously asking if the Ursaluna could still hold on.

Do not relax; the real test is just beginning.

"Come back, Flutter Mane."

While raising his hand to recall the Pokémon, Nemona lightly exhaled a breath.

With the battle situation developing to this point, he had to admit that Nemona had completely exceeded his expectations; carelessly, he had truly gotten serious.

He couldn't help but smile joyfully, "Ah ha! Ah hahahaha! You cannot relax yet!"

"This is my last Pokémon; if you can defeat it, then you are a new Champion-level Trainer!"

"Appear, my General!"

A flash of red light appeared; a Kingambit, identical in appearance to the Kingambit Luo Mu and Great Tusk had encountered in that bamboo forest, but with an aura completely incomparable, sat quietly on its stool made of hair.

If the Kingambit in the bamboo forest was the head of the mountain bandits, then Nemona's Kingambit was a seasoned veteran general; just its aura alone brought an indescribable, terrifying oppressive pressure to the Ursaluna and Nemona.

Especially the sharp greatsword on its head, reflecting cold light under the sun's rays; even the hardest metal would likely be cut in two by a single strike.

The moment the Ursaluna was stared at by that sharp gaze, feeling immense pressure, it couldn't help but assume a posture of full alertness.

Dark + Steel type, Nemona's true General, Kingambit, reporting for duty!

Knowing that defeating the Kingambit would secure victory for herself, Nemona chose to launch an immediate attack without hesitation.

"Ursaluna, Earthquake!"

Although the Ursaluna's condition was not great, relying on its type advantage, it should have been able to pose a certain threat to the Kingambit.

That way, the Pawmo that would appear next would have ample room to perform!

"Roar!"

The Ursaluna threw its head back and roared; a powerful shockwave, following its right foot slamming heavily to the ground, swept destructively toward the sitting Kingambit.

Under the sweep of "Earthquake," even the Kingambit would have to bear a considerable cost!

But Nemona didn't expect that at this moment, Nemona would take a crystal from his pocket.

"Shine with the light that guides the Trainer, Kingambit!"

Crack—

Accompanied by the Tera Orb thrown by Nemona, hovering in mid-air and radiating light, the crystalline shadow encompassing the Kingambit shattered instantly.

Countless shards of light gathered into a brilliant Tera Crown, while several Tera Balloons, making the Kingambit look somewhat comical, slowly lifted its body into the air.

The Ursaluna's Earthquake missed!

"Tera Flying!?"

Nemona's eyes widened; she never expected Nemona to pull out a Tera type that exceeded her expectations.

Originally, she thought the worst case was that the Kingambit's Tera type would be Dark, meaning Earthquake simply wouldn't be super effective.

She never expected it to be Tera Flying, which directly immunizes against Ground-type moves!

"Tera Blast."

Nemona smiled and snapped his fingers.

On the Kingambit's greatsword, sky-blue crystalline light began to gather, then transformed into a torrent of light pouring forth.

"No good, endure!"

Even though Nemona reacted immediately, ordering the Ursaluna to use the highest-power move theoretically available to it.

She still underestimated the current state of Nemona's Kingambit.

In just a single exchange, the Ursaluna, buffed by Same-Type Attack Bonus + Sturdy + Endure, was swallowed by the Tera Blast.

The Ursaluna, which had always crushed its opponents with force, was instead crushed by the Kingambit.

Gazing at this scene, Luo Mu sighed and murmured, "So, this is the general of the endgame."

(End of Chapter)