“Roar!!”

Pupitar threw back its head and roared. Gray-green armor bristled with spikes, whipping up a sky full of yellow sand.

The sandstorm swept the stadium;

swirling grit blurred vision, yet the sheer ferocity of the veteran Pupitar remained palpable.

Undisputed core of the Sandstorm Team—compared to other systems with variable weather options, the sand team had only one true monarch.

Teacher Lu shouted, “Bangiras!”

“The headset crowd just exploded.”

“Why are you yelling so loud?”

“Old Pup’s on the field, I’m hyped!”

Larvitar had somehow wandered back inside and stood staring at the screen where the raging Pupitar loomed, eyes faintly shining.

“Yoji… (✪ω✪)”

Wants to grow stronger.

And then eat more tasty things!

Hidden within the sandstorm, Galarian Diglett’s gaze was cold;

the drills on its forearms and brow glinted sharply.

This was the fierce tough guy among the sand brothers—the true ground dragon, Galarian Diglett!

In Verdanturf Town, within a mansion full of mineral collections.

Steven’s sky-blue eyes were deep;

a faint smile tugged at his lip, radiating absolute confidence.

A Trick Room core built around Aggron and Hypno;

a “spike-toxic” stall team centered on Corviknight and Cradily.

Steven’s tactical literacy was superb—this was a versatile, almost perfect Hoenn champion!

On-screen, Pupitar faced away, the reversed spines along its back sharp and lethal.

Galarian Diglett wore a Momentum Sash on its brow, its aura like a piercing drill capable of instantly wiping out two Pokémon in front of it.

Cradily extended its tentacles, suction cups fixed to the ground;

Hypno floated and spun in the air.

“Hypno’s likely setting up Trick Room, or maybe Ally Switch,” Cynthia said.

Teacher Lu nodded: “It could also be Protect.”

“Which one is the streamer anyway?”

“Mengmengda used Coaching, Teacher Lu’s stats shot up!”

Teacher Lu explained: “If it’s Ally Switch, two-point Cradily probably can’t be taken away;

if it eats a Pomelo Fruit I’ll explode.”

Reading the chat fans’ spicy comments, Lu Ye vetoed them one by one:

“Galarian Diglett Earthquake triggers Old Pup’s Weakness Policy? That exchange would be too costly.”

“Double Rock Slide? Double Rock Slide could work, if it doesn’t miss.”

It looked reckless, but that seemed the best way to handle the Hypno that knew Ally Switch.

Elsewhere, Steven closed his eyes slightly.

Hypno held a Momentum Sash, so Steven didn’t fear a one-hit knockout.

Using Protect to seize Teacher Lu’s item slot or move slot would be the smart play.

Because Pupitar might not be holding Weakness Policy—locking moves with a Choice Scarf was also very possible—

“Hypno, use Protect!”

Steven ordered. “Cradily, use Toxic Spikes on Pupitar!”

As the battle ignited.

Lu Ye narrowed his eyes and read ahead:

“The problem is, Steven can’t not account for double Rock Slide.”

“Read Hypno’s Protect.” Lu Ye said. “Galarian Diglett, Swords Dance!”

“Teacher Lu’s being so greedy today?!”

“So greedy it’s insane!”

Amid the whirling sand, Galarian Diglett with boosted Swords Dance moved first. It brandished its steel-like claws and its razor brow, folding them together to turn its whole body into a drill. Spinning at astonishing speed, its momentum climbed;

even Mega Metagross would have to avoid its blade!

Galarian Diglett became a drill burrowing through the sandstorm, kicking up clouds of dust.

My drill can pierce the sky!

Buzz—

Hypno’s compound eyes flared red;

its spinning body shimmered with a green barrier—Protect.

Fans flooded the chat in disbelief—Teacher Lu actually read that perfectly!

“Who can withstand that Galarian Diglett?”

“This is the Sandstorm Team’s absolute damage!”

Steven frowned slightly.

On the other side, Pupitar erupted in a roar. A fist crystallized with ice and slammed toward the grounded Cradily!

Ice Punch!

Double-weakness and Pupitar’s brutal power aimed to one-shot Cradily!

Boom!!

A blast of wind howled;

tiny ice shards fell through the sandstorm. Lu Ye frowned.

Cradily actually withstood the supposedly guaranteed Ice Punch, its tentacles flying toward Pupitar and oozing deep purple toxin.

Toxic!

“Holy—what kind of garbage power is that, Old Pup?!”

“So that’s what old Pup without Weakness Policy looks like? (lol)”

Teacher Lu’s read worked… but this Cradily held an Icicle Berry, perfectly reducing the impact of Ice Punch.

Cradily wasn’t severely hurt;

its eyes flickered yellow in the darkness and its tentacles swayed gently—Recover was about to trigger!

Cynthia frowned slightly and murmured:

“Ice, Steel, and Fighting are Cradily’s weaknesses... Considering the sand team often carries Ice moves to fill gaps, an Icicle Berry is a suitable choice.”

“That thing’s called a Liba Fruit.” Lu Ye frowned. “The problem is Pupitar’s poisoned…”

Amid the yellow sand, Pupitar showed pain as deep purple poison spread across its body.

Forcing Pupitar to stay in the field might see it worn down to death by Cradily’s Recover!

“Come back, Pupitar.”

Teacher Lu decided to save Pupitar and threw a switch Poké Ball.

“Go, Rotom!”

Washed Rotom flapped its tiny ion wings and floated above the field like a drum washing machine.

Galarian Diglett, powered by Swords Dance, charged forward irresistibly. Sand filled the air;

glinting steel gnashed through the storm and lunged at Cradily!

This was Rock’s double weakness—Galarian Diglett’s Iron Head!

“Why not Earthquake or Rock Slide?” A-Jin asked curiously in the chat.

“Earthquake won’t affect Hypno. Or Teacher Lu might fear Steven switching in Corviknight, which would void Earthquake. Iron Head at least guarantees a hit.”

Red pondered: “As for Rock Slide…”

“Probably worried Rock Slide would miss.”

The battle wasn’t out of control.

Steven extended his arm:

“Hypno, Ally Switch;

Cradily, use Leech Seed!”

Hypno’s eyes flashed red;

it flickered and instantly swapped places with Cradily.

Galarian Diglett’s goal-driven Iron Head struck Hypno with spiraling drills, hitting Hypno squarely!

Buzz—

Hypno winced;

the Momentum Sash fell off, having absorbed that lethal blow!

Meanwhile, the swapped-in Cradily’s Leech Seed latched onto Rotom’s position.

The newly sent-in Wash Rotom was ensnared by thick vines, and energy flowed steadily toward Cradily!

Fans sucked in a breath.

“Quality play from Steven!”

“You reap what you sow—Teacher Lu got punished by Ally Switch.”

“Gross, that Cradily’s dirty!”

Cynthia placed a slender hand under her chin and frowned: “I initially thought the Trick Room core with back-up Aggron was Steven’s strategic intent…”

Lu Ye took up the line:

“So it turns out to be Protect-to-Seed-and-field-control?”

I didn’t expect dignified Steven to use such a dirty tactic!

“But it really works.” Cynthia smiled slightly.

“That’s enough.”

Lu Ye decided to go all-in.

“Galarian Diglett, Rock Slide!”

Galarian Diglett swung its sharp claws and sent massive boulders crashing down toward Hypno and Cradily with thunderous sound!

Fans swallowed hard.

“With Swords Dance boost, this could be a double KO!”

“But does Rock Slide really have a 90% hit rate…?”

Under all eyes.

Hypno’s body shone with Protect’s green barrier, taking many rocks;

Cradily looked up at the raining Rock Slide—no way to dodge!

At the critical moment, Steven recalled Cradily and sent out Corviknight.

“Caw!!”

Corviknight took the falling Rock Slide head-on, using its 140 Defense to barely endure, breath ragged and near collapse!

“Ohhhhhh!”

“Rock Slide didn’t miss!!”

Yet Corviknight didn’t trigger Sturdy;

instead, it extended its beak to its own armor, flew up, snatched the Pomelo Fruit, and chewed a big bite!

“Corviknight’s holding a Pomelo Fruit too?”

“Holy—this isn’t a Trick Room squad, it’s a receive team!”

At this point, Steven’s tactical intent was fully revealed.

Hypno’s “Trick Room system” was merely a ruse.

The real plan centered on Corviknight and Cradily as a receive team, then pushing forward with the tailwind-invincible Mega Metagross!

“Steven got me,” Lu Ye said.

“This is one of Steven’s common tactics.” Cynthia smiled.

Lu Ye felt oddly off and said:

“I thought he always just brawled with Mega Metagross…”

At the same time.

Rotom charged, wrapped in electricity, colliding with Corviknight—Volt Switch!

Sparks flashed across the field;

fans held their breath.

In theory, Corviknight is doubly weak to Electric;

Volt Switch could carry off the bleeding Corviknight…

But the bulky Corviknight likely invested in Special Defense, so whether it would be KOed was uncertain!

The Leech Seed vines bound Rotom, and its HP drained into Corviknight as a glowing orb.

Crackle!!

Volt Switch’s electricity exploded;

Corviknight clung to life, its silver armor scorched and scratched!

“Receive teams are disgusting!”

“Finally know what it’s like to face Teacher Lu.”

“Old Pup returns!”

Rumble!

Sand still whipped about;

Pupitar stood tall within the storm, deep-purple poison coursing across its body, but its eyes ferocious.

“Caw!” Corviknight flapped in the sky, a green Protect barrier shimmering, guarding against Galarian Diglett’s Rock Slide.

Large boulders continued to smash at Hypno.

Hypno had achieved its important role of confusing and stalling, and was buried by Rock Slide—knocked out of the fight!

“Holy—Rock Slide hit two turns in a row!”

“This probability isn’t natural. Who are you?”

Aimed at Steven’s switch position, Lu Ye said solemnly:

“Pupitar, Crunch!!”

Reading Steven’s switch!

Pupitar roared, thundered forward;

even poison couldn’t dampen its ferocity.

Steven narrowed his eyes, a dazzling white light appearing before him as a breeze stirred his pale-blue hair.

“Do it, Metagross!”

“Kongkin!!”

Platinum Metagross glowed white, its head forming an X, four metallic arms braced on the ground, eyes flashing a piercing red.

“Roar!!”

Pupitar exploded into a savage roar;

dark, toothlike light gathered in its jaw and it lunged to bite Metagross!

Boom!!

Toothed rings of light detonated on Metagross.

In the rising black smoke, Metagross’s gaze was icy—still standing tall on the field.

Powerful defense was one of Metagross’s proudest strengths!

Sand roared;

under the Sand Veil trait, Galarian Diglett’s speed was astounding and it struck first.

Galarian Diglett swung its sharp claws and sent massive Rock Slides at Corviknight!

Rumble!

“Come back, Corviknight.” Steven recalled and swapped: “Cradily, time to work!”

Cradily appeared on the field.

However, there was no time for a turnabout;

sharp rocks shattered on Cradily and buried it instantly!

Teacher Lu shouted: “Open with stacking Swords Dance—the dragon-type pseudo-God on the ground is Galarian Diglett!”

“Pokémon senryu’s even appeared.”

“Professor Oak must be pissed!”

The scene became 4:2.

Galarian Diglett used Rock Slide to secure a double KO.

The chat exploded;

the audience’s excitement peaked.

“Today, before the three pseudo-Gods, I Galarian Diglett am the only god!”

“The drill is a man’s romance!!”

Thunder echoed through the stadium.

Steven took off the keystone brooch that glittered on his suit’s lapel.

In an instant, dazzling rainbow light burst across the stadium;

the white Metagross’s body was shrouded by blinding Evolution light.

The Rock Slide that was destined to hit Metagross didn’t—this was Teacher Lu’s only and crucial miss!

“Holy shit, Rock Slide whiffed!”

“Wait, Rock Slide only just whiffed now?”

“Is that Steven and Metagross’s bond?!”

Even in Pokémon: Battle, there remained an intangible bond.

Teacher Lu recalled that in his past life’s national finals, a champion’s Heracross held a Destiny Knot that had a 10% chance to hold at 1 HP when receiving a lethal hit.

That champion’s Heracross repeatedly endured lethal hits and turned the tide with three consecutive counterkills.

That was the famous ‘Heracross’ incident—the real-life source of ‘show some backbone.’

After all.

If you can’t trust your own Pokémon, what kind of trainer are you!

Steven’s pale-blue hair fluttered;

in a suit and with a friendly smile, he kissed his keystone brooch lightly.

“Metagross, Mega Evolve!” Steven called aloud.

“Kongkin!!”

The X on Mega Metagross grew grander;

red light flashed in its eyes as metallic arms extended into steel claws, shining with a frosty gleam.

A fierce aura spread across the Mega Metagross.

Sand filled the air;

the speedy Mega Metagross clenched its fists and crashed into the ground with brutal force!

Instantly, a terrifying tremor tore through the field as if a roaring beast ripped at Pupitar and Galarian Diglett.

Fans looked pale and swallowed hard.

Mega Metagross’s strength was simply overwhelming!

Rumble!

Dust billowed;

Pupitar seemed swallowed by the quake, and Galarian Diglett’s Momentum Sash fell off as well.

The battle reversed under that savage Earthquake.

Larvitar stared at the fallen Pupitar on-screen;

its eyes grew resolute.

“Yoji… (▼へ▼メ)”

On the field, Steven’s Mega Metagross towered as Corviknight hovered above.

Lu Ye threw a ball:

“Decided—go, Garchomp!”

The sandstorm still raged;

Garchomp’s eyes glowed scarlet, disappearing into the storm like a fierce hunter.

Lu Ye would no longer gamble on Rock Slide’s probabilities—he ordered Galarian Diglett to use Iron Head to take out the weakened Corviknight.

Galarian Diglett’s drill gleamed cold as it leaped and spiraled into Corviknight!

Boom!!

“Galarian Diglett triple kill!?”

“Garchomp: Oh no, I’ve become a diglett!”

The field showed Mega Metagross fighting three at once.

Steven remained composed and commanded:

“Use Earthquake!”

“Kongkin!!”

Mega Metagross slammed a metallic fist into the ground;

the powerful tremor swallowed Galarian Diglett.

However, Garchomp crossed its twin scythes and conjured a green Protect barrier!

Rumble!

Garchomp emerged unscathed, and a white glow appeared beside it.

Wash Rotom reappeared, forming a numbers advantage.

Fans’ lips turned dry, fully feeling the tactical dance on a razor’s edge.

Mega Metagross’s speed was superior, but Garchomp was four-times weak to Ice—

Steven’s white Metagross almost certainly carried Ice Punch!

“Bad news: Garchomp’s four-times weak to Ice. Good news: Rotom has Ally Switch.”

“Here it comes—the classic Ally Switch!”

In Verdanturf’s mansion, Steven inhaled deeply;

his eyes were profound.

Should he read Lu Ye’s Ally Switch and attack Rotom’s spot first, or…

In thought, Lu Ye solemnly declared: “Garchomp, Mega Evolve!!”

Brilliant light rose;

Garchomp’s twin scythes gleamed crimson, its jaw grew more pronounced, and white, bone-like spikes covered its body.

The sandstorm surged;

Sand Force filled Mega Garchomp, its eyes a deeper crimson!

Steven felt his heartbeat thudding and smiled excitedly;

then he’s stern and said:

“Metagross, Ice Punch!!”

“Kongkin!!”

Mega Metagross roared, all four metallic arms swung open and clenched;

ice crystals gathered into a frigid fist.

Drawing a white trail, Mega Metagross struck in the center, aiming at Rotom’s position!

Boom!!

Cynthia’s eyes flashed with a hint of brilliance.

The crowd held its breath, but Wash Rotom was at critically low HP, chewing a tree fruit!

Fans gasped, stunned.

“Holy—Rotom actually held on!”

“Teacher Lu didn’t Ally Switch, our youth is complete!”

“That’s a Leoba Fruit.” Teacher Lu explained. “It’s harder to meet the conditions than a Pomelo Fruit, so that item slot is hidden.”

“Wash Rotom’s double Ice resistance can tank that Ice Punch… Even if Garchomp is KOed, I still have a shot—”

During Teacher Lu’s commentary, Rotom glowed with a brilliant Electroweb that struck white Metagross!

“Because Metagross will be paralyzed.”

Lu Ye said, “So there was no need for Ally Switch.”

“Ohhhhhh!!”

“He got Teacher Lu to act!”

“As it turned out, Electroweb Missed and Steven pulled a one-versus-three reverse. (lol)”

Lu Ye: “Viewing the result, it’s fine—”

“Garchomp.” Teacher Lu said grimly: “Earthquake!!”

“Graa!!”

Garchomp’s eyes flash scarlet;

it brought down its blood-red scythes, slamming into the ground.

The scythes sank into the earth, splitting monstrous cracks;

the terrifying tremor shook the field and battered white Metagross.

“Kongkin!!”

In Metagross’s enlarged pupils,

the titanic Earthquake rolled in like an earth-tearing calamity, exploding thunderously!

Rumble!!

The screen displayed the victory mark.

In the lagging livestream, Lu Ye calmly said:

“I told you, I never use Ally Switch.”

“Steven read the switch first… watch my streams more and you won’t do that.”

In an instant, chat flooded with gifts and flashy effects!

“Teacher Lu is awesome!!”

“Get pumped—I’m going to play a match of Pokémon Battle!”

Whether anticipating Steven’s read or the timing of switches,

Teacher Lu handled the sand system expertly and used Earthquake at precisely the right moments.

Aside from Giovanni’s guidance in Essence of Earth—

this was also part of Teacher Lu’s deep bond with Earthquake.

With the win over Steven, Teacher Lu climbed to third in world rankings.

Steven dropped one spot. Master Ma, sleeping on Armor Island, inexplicably topped the list.

Fans gradually forgot their earlier intent to 'salt the lemon.'

They were lost in the tactical duel between Steven and Teacher Lu.

“Removing breeding elements, the core game between trainers is rock-paper-scissors,” Lu Ye said. “Of course, more important is the bond with Pokémon.”

“Trusting Haunter’s Hypnosis, trusting Pachirisu’s ‘watch me,’ trusting Heracross’s Revival—”

Teacher Lu smiled: “Pokémon battles are meant to showcase the trainer and Pokémon’s conviction, not cold-hearted data chasing.”

Moved fans couldn’t help but spam question marks.

“You and Garchomp have a bond?”

“Nonsense, that’s clearly with Mengmengda!”

“My bond with Leng Wuqin? Then it wouldn’t be Leng Wuqin. (lol)”

Suddenly, Lu Ye blinked and loudly announced:

“Thanks to ‘ResultI’mFirst’ for ten Super Rockets—generous boss!!”

“What? It’s Steven’s ID!”

“Steven is out of it!!”

“So Old Pup really took hits the whole match…”

The simulation against Steven ended.

Lu Ye planned to play a materials match against A-Jin, then upload the Sandstorm Team tutorial to major sites.

Even Giovanni of the Earth might learn a few ‘dirty tricks’ (scratch that) …some techniques.

Also, considering Sand Veil was Pupitar’s core trait, Lu Ye consulted Cynthia about the whereabouts of a second Pupitarite.

“As for the evolution stone…” Cynthia thought for a moment and said, “The Kalos region’s battle facility should have clues.”

“Kalos’s battle facility?”

“There’s a place called the Battle Castle where local gym leaders visit;

winners can be titled and rewarded…”

At that moment,

“Yoji… (▼へ▼メ)”

Larvitar recalled the earlier images, puckered its little face, clenched its tiny fist, expression serious.

Reforge the glory of the sandstorm—we cannot shirk this duty!