Pokémon Adventures: GAMER PATH

~Third POV~

[Kanto Region, Indigo Plateau – Stadium, Stands]

The Dex Holders all held they're breath seeing the match reaching its climax. Blue was the first to mutter out in a serious tone, "They're finally going all out now… down 2 Pokémon each and both unwilling to lose… this is going to get messy…"

They nodded as Green eyes narrowed, seeing the match as she muttered, "Yeah… from this point on, it could be anyone's match."

Gold and Silver were baffled seeing the older seniors be this serious with Azure and Red using they're Saur and Pikachu. But they don't know exactly how strong they are to understand the seriousness of it.

Crystal and Yellow understood with solemn expressions. Yellow knew how strong Azure's Pikachu was. They battled against Lance, in the past, someone who was undeniably stronger than her by a large margin.

For Crystal, she knew just by seeing it in action, it was strong back in Johto. Seeing the seriousness of them, they remained quiet, watching the match reach its end, finally begin between the champions' final Pokémon…

/////

[Kanto Region, Indigo Plateau – Stadium]

The final act of the Tenth Pokémon League Tournament was reaching its climax. Both Red and Azure were down to their final two Pokémon, with Azure's Partner Pikachu on the field along with Red's Saur.

With Red having activated Saur's Overgrow ability, enhancing Grass-type moves by 50% would be an uphill battle for Azure. His Pikachu has the air advantage thanks to its Magnet Rise. As of now, each move would depend on the other's actions and commands to see which was the right choice.

Red's lip curled into a grim line. He swiftly ordered seriously, "Saur, use Vine Whip to bring that Pikachu down!"

*Whip*

Two thick, thorny vines shot from Venusaur's back, lashing through the air like green pythons aiming at the sky. However, Azure countered as he ordered, "Oh no, you don't! Pikachu! Agility!"

*Zoooom*

But Pikachu avoided the Vine Whips, turning into a blur of motion. Pikachu zipped left, ducked right, the vines smashing into the ground where it'd been a fraction of a second before, avoiding confrontation.

*Thud*

Landing onto ground level, Pikachu smirked, awaiting orders. Azure smirked as he commanded, "Extreme Speed, Pikachu!"

*Zoooom*

Pikachu shot forward like a golden bullet, slamming into Venusaur's thick leg. Saur grunted, surprised by the force, flinching from the pain.

Red eyes narrowed, seeing this as he bit his lips as he thought surprised, 'Extreme Speed?! When the heck did his Pikachu know Extreme Speed!! And when can I teach Pika that move!'

Shaking his head, seeing Azure's Pikachu use Extreme Speed, he focused on the battle. Red countered, "We're not so easy, Azure! Saur, Razor Leaf!"

*Pew*

A storm of sharp-edged leaves filled the air, a deadly green whirlwind aimed straight at Pikachu. Azure's eyes narrowed as he countered, "Dodge and use Strong Style! Iron Tail Pikachu!"

*Shinng*

Pikachu leaped, spinning in mid-air as its tail glowed with a metallic sheen. Pikachu didn't aim for Saur. Instead, it slammed its hardened tail into the ground, kicking up a massive cloud of dust and debris.

*Poof*

The Razor Leaf storm was lost in the smokescreen. Red admitted, squinting, trying to locate Pikachu, "Clever… Very Clever Azure. But you can't hide forever! Saur, gather the light! Solar Beam!"

*Shiii*

In the heart of the dust cloud, the petals on Saur's back began to glow with an intense, blinding white light. Azure knew he had only seconds.

Seeing the golden opportunity given Azure yelled, "Pikachu, run! Straight at him! Agile Style! Extreme Speed!"

*Zoooom*

Pikachu burst from the dust cloud, its little legs pumping furiously. The glow from Saur was reaching its peak.

Red eyes narrowed as he roared, "NOW! SAUR, FIRE!"

*PEW*

A colossal beam of pure solar energy erupted from Saur's flower, incinerating the air as it rocketed towards the tiny mouse. Having been boosted by its Overgrow ability and revealing its Held Item [Miracle Seed], boosting its Grass Moves by 20%!

Azure's eyes widened, seeing the danger. But narrowed as he roared, trusting his Partner Pikachu greatly, "Pikachu, spin! Then use Electro Ball!"

*Zzzzz*

Pikachu didn't stop running. Pikachu leaped into the air, spinning like a top, and unleashed a torrent of crackling, raw electricity forming into a golden ball of electricity….

*ZAP*

… The Electro Ball wasn't aimed to block the beam, but to ride on top of it as Pikachu surfed through the beam, striking Saur directly, even as the Solar Beam shot past. Both Red's and Saur's eyes widened seeing the powerful enhanced Electro Ball, empowered by Pikachu's [Light Ball], land upon Saur.

*BOOOOOM*

The explosion of electricity on Saur's body was immense. The giant Pokémon roared in pain, its Solar Beam wavering for a critical moment.

Pikachu was clipped by the edge of the energy blast, sent tumbling across the field, but it skidded to a halt, scorched and panting, but still standing. Both Pokémon were battered, breathing heavily.

The stadium was silent, every eye locked on the two combatants. Red clenched his fist as he ordered fiercely, "It's all or nothing! Saur! LEAF STORM!!!"

Azure's eyes narrowed as he saw Saur gathering power as he thought bitterly, 'This was it. The ultimate Grass-type move that Red could use. Solar Beam wouldn't be enough, so his chancing it with Leaf Storm. Shame he doesn't know Frenzy Plant but…'

*Woooosh*

The leaves on the tree on Saur's back start to glow light green, and it releases a cyclone of wind and glowing light green leaves from the tree towards Pikachu. Red gritted his teeth as he thought seriously, 'You have to pull through, Saur! Damage Pikachu as much as you can! You can do it!!'

The cyclone closes in, coming at Pikachu. Azure grinned as he pulled out a Z-Crystal specifically… Pikashunium-Z.

/////

[Alola Region, Melemele Island – Pokémon School]

When Azure was caught in the view, equipping his Z-Crystal, his former classmates and teachers in the Pokémon School in the Alola Region's eyes widened, seeing this. They were all cheering for him throughout the Tenth Pokémon League Tournament, either from School or at home.

Samson Oak's eyes widened seeing this as he grinned eagerly, "An unknown Z-Crystal?! My god, that boy didn't tell me!"

Prof. Kukui nervously rubbed the back of his head as he casually said, "Well, he'd done it again, surprising us. But still, that Red kid is no joke to force him to use up his Z-Move this far in and not in the end game."

The rest of the students nodded in awe, seeing they're homeland Z-Moves being used in a high-stakes match like this. Azure's former Classmates Kiawe, Lana, Mallow, Sophocles, and rival Ilima cheered for him to win.

"(Mallow) Beat that Red, Azure!"

"(Lana) Show us a splash of victory, Sky!"

"(Kiawe) Show him the fiery passion of Alola!"

"(Sophocles) Give us an electric win for Alola!"

"(Ilima) Just as I expected of my rival."

Samson and Kukui smiled, seeing this. They're students motivated as Prof. Kukui thought curiously, 'Perhaps it's time for the Alola Region to start its own Pokémon League… with Azure showing off our homeland Z-Moves, perhaps this small region would finally get noticed…'

/////

[Kanto Region, Indigo Plateau – Stadium]

Red was too occupied watching the match to notice Azure equip his Z-Crystal to his Z-Power Ring, but he finally did. But by then... it was too late.

Azure and Pikachu perform their Z-Move as he equipped himself with Pikashunium-Z, and he yelled through the chaos, "Let's go all in, Pikachu!! Z-MOVE!! 10,000,000 VOLT THUNDERBOLT!!!"

*SHIII*

Hurling his cap away, it landed upon his Pikachu's head, wearing its trainer cap, Pikachu strikes a series of synchronized poses with its Trainer to build Z-Power…

*RMBL*

Doing so brought forth a dark storm rumbling above them. It then leaps into the air and absorbs electricity from dark storm clouds that have formed above it…

*KABOOOOM*

Pikachu then fires seven bolts of electricity, each a different color of the rainbow, at the opponent. The lightning bolts can be controlled individually by Pikachu, thus changing trajectory and target.

They clashed intensely with Saur's Leaf Strom. Both moves turned into a power struggle of nature itself against the might of electricity…

*BOOOOM*

Both Trainers shielded their eyes as their respective Pokémon put their all into the attacks. All 6 of the bolts managed to keep the cyclone of Leaf Storm at bay, but the seventh bolt, however...

*SHINNG*

… pierced through the eye of the Leaf Storm. Azure grinned, seeing the opportunity to take down Saur revealed itself. A road to victory presented itself.

Azure's voice cut through the chaos, filled with a trust forged over a lifetime of adventure as he yelled, "Pikachu! Let's show them the power of our bond! FULL POWER, STRONG STYLE VOLT TACKLE!"

*Zzzzzz*

Pikachu's body became engulfed in a crackling golden aura, an inferno of pure electrical energy. With a defiant cry, "PIKA-CHUUUU!"

*ZOOOOOM*

Pikachu became a living thunderbolt, rocketing forward, straight into the heart of the Leaf Storm cage, following the trail of its seventh bolt, leading it through the eye of the Leaf Storm…

*WOOOOSH*

Pikachu smashed through the cyclone. Sharp leaves tore at Pikachu, but its momentum was unstoppable. Pikachu met Saur head-on in a cataclysmic explosion of green and yellow energy...

The light was so bright that it forced everyone in the stadium to shield their eyes. Even Azure and Red had to shield them from the attack.

*BOOOOOM*

When the light faded, silence reigned. The dust settled...

*Wooosh*

A gentle wind brushed through the battlefield as the leaves used from the Leaf Storm withered. Saur, the mighty Venusaur, lay on its side, its great flower wilted, and swirls in its eyes...

Standing over it, swaying from exhaustion and the recoil of its attack, was Pikachu. It sparked weakly, breathing in ragged gasps, but was standing.

The referee raised his flag. Then the referee declared in a loud tone, "Venusaur is unable to battle! Pikachu is the winner! Trainer Red, please send out your last Pokémon!"

/////

[Kanto Region, Indigo Plateau – Stadium, Stands]

Seeing the battle end with Pikachu and Saur, the Johto Dex Holders, and Yellow sucked in a deep breath, seeing the battle. Seeing the battle gave them a deeper impression of the strength between Red and Azure.

Green smiled fondly, seeing such an intense match as she muttered, "Those two have truly gotten stronger. It's unbelievable…"

Blue nodded silently in agreement. He then said calmly with an eager expression, "True… but now the finale is finally here. Red's Articuno versus Azure's Arcanine. It has to be during this match up…"

But then Silver chimed in another possibility, getting Blue's attention as he uttered, "Maybe… but wouldn't his Dragonite make sense? Despite Type Disadvantage, it was strong enough to battle Zapdos and win."

The group discussed what final Pokémon Azure would be using. But ultimately stopped as they saw the match moving forward getting their attention…

/////

[Kanto Region, Indigo Plateau – Stadium]

Red recalled his Saur as he silently thanked it happily, "Thanks, Saur, you did well. You can leave the rest to me."

Returning his Pokémon, Red grasped his final reached for his final Poké Ball. He yelled, his voice cutting through the crowd's noise, "This isn't over, Azure! Our battle has only just begun! Go! Articuno!"

*Pop*

He hurled the ball into the air, and from a flash of brilliant white light, a majestic creature emerged with a cry that sent a chill through the entire stadium. Its vast, blue wings scattered crystalline dust, and the temperature on the field plummeted.

Articuno, the legendary bird of ice. It's held Item around its neck, the [Never-Melt Ice], boosting its Ice Type moves by 20% making Azure flinch, seeing it.

Azure's eyes widened slightly. His current Pokémon, his ever-faithful Pikachu, was panting heavily, his small body bruised and battered from his previous victory against Red's Saur, the Venusaur.

As a living legend, Articuno was on another level entirely, and Pikachu, despite his incredible spirit, was at a severe disadvantage. He knew when to push his Pokémon and when to let them rest.

Azure gave his partner a gentle nod. He said calmly with a thankful smile, "Pikachu, you were incredible. You've done more than enough. Take a long rest."

Raising Pikachu's Poké Ball, a beam of red light shot from his Poké Ball, recalling the electric mouse with a quiet hum. Red watched, his gaze unwavering as he asked curiously, raising an eyebrow, "Your Pikachu is a champion, Azure. But he can't stand up to a legend like he is now. Who is your final choice?"

Azure closed his eyes for a second, a silent communion with his final partner. He then gripped his last Poké Ball, the sphere feeling heavy with the weight of the entire tournament.

He smiled as he thought about his final member, as he thought excitedly, 'It takes a legend to defeat a legend. So I'll use the power of the Pokémon Franchise's biggest sellers against Red, the dynamic duo is usually Pikachu and…'

Azure smirked as he threw the ball high into the sky. He declares proudly, "A legend for a legend, Red! It's the only way this can end!!! Let's go.... CHARIZARD!!!"

*Pop*

A colossal, fiery roar answered his call, shaking the very foundations of the stadium. A Charizard erupted onto the field, its massive wings casting a demonic shadow, casting surprised looks from the crowd, especially the Dex Holders of Azure's choice.

It unleashed a torrent of flame into the sky, a direct and defiant challenge to the icy aura of Articuno, "CHAR!!!!"

The two titans, one of blistering fire and one of absolute zero, stared each other down from across the battlefield. The final battle had begun.

Red commanded instantly, "Articuno, Ice Beam!"

Azure roared fiercely, "Counter with Flamethrower!"

*BOOOM*

A spear of pure cold shot from Articuno's beak, met halfway by a spiraling vortex of intense flame from Charizard. The two elemental forces collided with a deafening hiss, engulfing the center of the field in a thick, billowing cloud of steam.

*FWP*

Coming out of the cloud of steam was both Charizard and Articuno as they flew up into the air as they're eyes met. Both took to the skies as Red ordered, "Articuno! Use Ice Beam!"

Azure smirked as they were going to clash again. He ordered fiercely, "Charizard! Strong Style! Flamethrower!"

*Sssss*

*PEW*

Both attacks landed again, but this time in an elemental beam struggle. But unlike before, though Charizard's Strong Style Flamethrower scores a direct hit after overwhelming Articuno's countering Ice Beam.

*Sssss*

Articuno flinches from being hit with fire. Azure is exultant that Charizard can stand up to Articuno, as he encouraged it, "Yes! Way to go, Charizard!"

However, Red remained confident as he calmly said, eyeing them, "Careful. Don't count your victory just yet. Articuno back to the air!"

*Fwp*

But the Legendary bird flies straight back into the air, not looking any worse for wear. Azure's eyes narrowed as he ordered, "Quick use Agile Style Flamethrower!"

*Sssss*

Charizard quickly unleashed a stream of fire at Articuno. But Red countered, "Articuno! Agility!"

*Zoooom*

Thanks to its Agility, Articuno uses its speed to evade the attack and fly right past the Fire Pokémon. Both eyes locked onto each other as they narrowed.

Red, remaining calm and collected, ordered his next move, "Let's go! Spin into a deep dive now!"

*Fwp*

Articuno makes a spin to a steep dive, going after Charizard. Azure quickly ordered, "Now go charge right through it!"

*Fwp*

Charizard flapped its wings, aiming to charge into close combat. Red quickly ordered, "Now! Use Mist followed by an Aerial Ace!"

*Poof*

Articuno opened its beak as it unleashed a cloud of smoke on the battlefield. The Mist was used to disorient Charizard as it tried to locate Articuno.

Azure frowned as he bit his thumb, mumbling to himself, his vision clouded by the Mist in front of him, "Damn it… I can't see what's going on. I can't give Charizard the right command if I can't see what's – "

*SMACK*

*THUD*

Azure's words were interrupted when Articuno slammed Charizard with an Aerial Ace, battering it to the ground with a heavy THUD sound. Charizard stands up, shaking its head from the attack.

Charizard looks up just in time to see Articuno fly straight for him out of the mist cloud. Azure quickly ordered, "Charizard! Dragon Pulse!"

*PEW*

Charizard quickly fires its Dragon Pulse, taking the form of a multicolored dragon-shaped energy from its mouth at Articuno. But Red countered, "Dodge it with Double Team!"

*Wooosh*

Articuno creates afterimages of itself as it avoids the first strike. But Charizard narrowed its eyes as it unleashed a consecutive Dragon Pulse aimed at Articuno.

*PEW*

*BANG*

By firing multiple Dragon Pulses at the afterimages, Charizard managed to get a lucky hit. Arrticuno began to fall seemingly helplessly as Azure seized the moment, "Don't let it go! Grab hold of it before it can recover!"

*Fwp*

Charizard flapped its wings as it began to get hold of Articuno as it fell from the air. But Red smirked as he ordered, "Dodge it, Articuno with Agility!"

*Wooosh*

Charizard rushes in to grab its opponent, though Articuno escapes with ease using Agility, increasing its speed. Azure gritted his teeth as he thought worriedly, 'Not again. Increasing its Speed to +4 with using Agility twice is bad enough… but none of Charizard's Special Attacks are doing any damage. I suppose it is a Legendary Pokémon for a reason, along with its Base 125 Sp. Def stats…'

Having avoided a confrontation against Charizard, Red sweated a bit as he thought cautiously, 'Phew… too close. Keeping my distance is my key to victory here. Azure's Charizard Sp. Atk, we can tank and, if need be, use Roost to recover, but in a head-to-head fight, I gotta be trickier here to win.'

Remaining cautious, Red declared in a serious voice, "Take to the sky, Articuno! Use Ice Beam!"

*PEW*

Articuno opened its beak and unleashed a beam of energy at Charizard…

*CRACKLE*

… the Ice Beam managed to strike Charizard on the wing as it felt the cold. Azure noticed Charizard's wingtips were being frozen. With its wingtips frozen, it caused Charizard to be unstable, not regaining its flight on time from the force of Ice Beam as it fell from a huge height and crashed into the earth again.

*THUD*

Charizard stands up, growling. It looks battered, but Articuno is still unmarked. Azure frowned as he thought, concerned, 'Damn it! Charizard is being pushed to the edge, and with Articuno's speed, we're being pushed to our limits! If that's the case…'

Red pressed his advantage. He didn't allow Azure the chance to counter as he yelled, "It's over, Azure! Articuno, finish it with another Ice Beam!"

*PEW*

Articuno opened its beak as it unleashed a powerful Ice Beam, intending to finish the battle. Azure saw his partner pushed to the very brink of defeat.

The crowd held its breath. Azure breathed in calmly as he muttered, "It was now or never."

A determined smile crossed Azure's face. He raised his arm, revealing a glove holding a single, shimmering Key Stone as he declared proudly, "We're not done yet, Red! We've been pushed to our limits before, and that's where we shine brightest! Charizard, our bond is our strength! Let's show them our true power! Beyond evolution... Mega Evolution!"

*Zzzz*

Azure touched the Keystone. It blazed with light, sending a brilliant stream of energy that connected instantly with the Held Item [Charizardite X], revealing itself to be hanging around in Charizard's fiery tail.

Red's eyes widened, seeing where he hid Charizard's Mega Stone in its fiery tail. Then a rainbow flash of light occurred…

*Shiiii*

… A blinding sphere of evolutionary energy engulfed Charizard. The crowd was on its feet, roaring. Red's eyes widened in shock, seeing the form of Mega Charizard. Breaking from the sphere of evolutionary energy from within the light, a new form emerged.

*CRACK*

Charizard's orange scales hardened and turned a sleek, draconic black. The flame on its tail and erupting from the sides of its mouth burned with an ethereal blue fire. His wings became sharper, more menacing.

*Ssssss*

Charizard let out a roar that was deeper, more powerful, shaking the very foundations of the stadium as the Ice Beam that came at it dispersed under the new intense heat, "Char… ZARRRRD!!!!"

Mega Charizard X had arrived.

Red breathed, watching the spectacle, "No way..."

*CRACK*

With a flex of its newfound power, Mega Charizard X shattered the ice on its wing as if it were glass. It glared at Articuno, blue flames licking from its jaws, "Char… (Round 2 Ice Bird…)"

Sensing the newly empowered Mega Charizard X, Red yelled, refusing to back down, "Articuno, don't let up! Use Blizzard, full power!"

*WOOOOSH*

The legendary bird soared gracefully into the air, its wings beating with powerful, silent strokes. It unleashed a furious storm of ice and snow, turning the battlefield into a frozen wasteland.

Azure's eyes widened, seeing the power of Articuno firsthand. He was awed as he thought, impressed, 'Okay… using a simple Blizzard to make this battlefield a wasteland is scarily impressive in under a few seconds. Suppose there's a reason why they're called Legendary for a reason.'

A maelstrom of snow and ice, far stronger than before, surged towards Charizard. Chunks of ice were being pelted in Charizard's way.

But Azure remained confident as he yelled, punching the air, "Don't let it pin you down, Charizard! Break through with Flare Blitz!"

*Sssss*

Cloaking itself in a suicidal shroud of brilliant azure fire, Charizard became a living meteor. It rocketed upwards, melting the ice storm around it as Charizard charged head-on towards Articuno with stern determination.

Red's eyes narrowed. He gritted his teeth, not wanting this outcome, but could only order, "Meet him with Steel Wing!"

*Shinng*

Articuno's wings glowed with a metallic sheen as it dived, meeting Charizard's fiery charge with its hardened attack. The resulting explosion was blinding, a cataclysm of fire and steel that sent both Pokémon reeling backward.

*BOOOM*

They landed hard on opposite ends of the ravaged field, both panting, both refusing to yield against each other. Azure could feel his bond with Charizard, a burning ember of shared determination.

Red stood just as connected to his Articuno, a silent promise to see this through to the very end. They had thrown every strategy, every ounce of power at each other. Now, only willpower remained.

Both Trainers remained determined. Red swiftly ordered, "Let's finish this! Get above quickly and get above Charizard!"

Azure extended his arm out as he ordered fiercely, "Charizard, get above Articuno! Build up the strongest heat you could muster!"

*Sssss*

Charizard glows bright blue as it begins being build up fire within itself. Both Pokémon zoom higher into the air…

*FWP*

Both trainers grinned as they saw both they're Pokémon reach high into the sky. Azure finally issued the command, "Now! Charizard! Strong Style! Overheat!"

*SSSSS*

Charizard releases his built-up Overheat attack. It then releases a blue fire with a white flame spiraling around its mouth. The blast is so powerful when first used that and becomes weaker when used repeatedly.

But Red issued his command as he yelled, "Articuno! Counter with Water Pulse!"

*SPLASH*

However, the Legendary bird counters with Water Pulse, as it releases a blue ball of energy from its mouth at the incoming Strong Style Overheat. Both attacks collide with Overheat in an explosion and an intense flood of light.

*BOOOOM*

The clash between the attacks created a smokescreen above. Red seized the moment as he casually ordered, "Now! Aerial Ace!"

*Shinng*

Articuno's wings glowed, a light blue. With Red's order, Articuno burst from the smoke and scored a direct hit.

*BAM*

Charizard recoiled in pain as Azure gritted his teeth. Charizard looks tired and very battered, while Articuno is still as strong as ever.

Azure's eyes narrowed as he tried to formulate a plan quickly, as he thought, 'Charizard can't take another attack. I gotta think fast!'

Azure frowned at the dilemma he was currently in. He couldn't use his Z-Moves as he had already used them up. Red, meanwhile, thought, eyeing the battlefield and Azure closely, 'I can't allow Azure to gain a single lead ahead. And judging by Charizard's movesets… it seems to be a close-range combatant. So… close range is a no-go. I've got to attack at a distance!! Time to go all in!'

Filled with determination, Red screamed, his fist clenched tight as he ordered, "This is our ultimate power! ARTICUNO, SHEER COLD!"

Hearing this, Azure ordered to counter Red's move, his voice hoarse, "Charizard, give it everything you have! STRONG STYLE! BLAST BURN!"

*SSSSS*

Charizard stomped a foot onto the ground, which cracked and glowed with molten energy. It sucked in a colossal breath, its throat glowing blue-hot, and prepared to unleash the ultimate fire-type attack.

*WOOOOSH*

At the same time, Articuno glowed a light blue aura as it gathered all the cold energy from the air, a swirling vortex of freezing power forming before it. Both eyed each other, unleashing they're most powerful attacks.

The world seemed to move in slow motion as Charizard unleashed a ground-shattering explosion of pure fire, and Articuno fired a concentrated, all-consuming blast of absolute zero. For a moment, there was only light and sound…

*BOOOOOM*

… till the attacks collided. The stadium vanished in a flash of white and azure. A shockwave erupted from the epicenter, forcing everyone in the front rows to shield their eyes from the power between a Legendary and a Mega Pokémon.

Then, silence…

As the smoke and steam cleared, two figures remained standing. Both were battered, bruised, and barely conscious.

Charizard's flames were little more than embers on his tail. Articuno's wings drooped heavily. They stared at each other for one long, final second.

At the same time, both Azure and Red ordered, "ROOST!"

*Shiii*

Both closed their eyes. Their bodies then become surrounded by an orb of energy, regaining some of their health.

Both Trainers eyed each other with sly grins on their faces. Red was the first to speak in an excited tone, "I guess we'd both be the same thing, huh? But they're could only be one winner here, Azure."

Azure slyly nodded his head as he replied casually to Red, grinning excitedly, "Yeah. But you don't get a battle like this every day when it's high stakes. You gotta enjoy the moment, you know?"

Both laughed out loud as their Pokémon recovered some health. But one could see the burning determination between the two as their Trainers merely spoke to stall time, getting some extra healing mid-battle.

But then their eyes hardened. Red gave the finishing move as he ordered, "You fought the good battle, Azure, but I'll be the one winning! Articuno! Aerial Ace!"

Articuno kneeled slightly, eyeing Charizard with a determined glare before…

*Shinng*

*ZOOOOM*

… it burst forth with powerful agility, launching itself forward. Having used Agility twice with +4 Speed, it far surpassed Mega Charizard X in speed, as its wings shone in Flying Type Energy, prepared to land the blow.

The crowd held their breath, seeing the match continue. Everyone who saw the match knew that if Articuno won and battled the tired Pikachu, it would lead to Red's victory, as everyone watched with anxiety in their hearts.

*Fwp*

Just as Articuno charges in Azure, finally countered, "Now Charizard! Grab it!"

*SMACK*

Charizard stood still, tanking the attack, gritting its teeth, but grinned once Articuno got too close to it. Charizard grabs the glowing wings with its claws, taking both Red and Articuno by surprise.

Red eyes widened as he yelled, "No way!"

Azure grinned as he extended his arm out, punching the air as he yelled, "Go Charizard! End it! STRONG STYLE SEISMIC TOSS!!!"

*FWP*

Azure directs Charizard to perform a Seismic Toss. Charizard brings Articuno in close, flies into the sky, spins around, and spins downward directly into the battlefield for more damage, using the momentum of the dive.

*BOOOOM*

The dust cloud covered the battlefield as both Azure and Red's eyes were laser-focused on the current battle. After the dust cloud settles, Charizard does not move while Articuno struggles to its feet.

The Referee is about to rule Charizard out… But Azure saw a notification pop up that made him smile at his own Pokémon stubbornness.

[Charizard toughed it so you wouldn't feel sad!]

*TMP*

… but Charizard itself began to slowly stand up again. Both struggled to their feet as they began to stand up again.

Charizard stood, swaying on its feet with only sheer willpower. Articuno finally stood up, panting from exhaustion as it stared at the defiant Mega Charizard X.

Then, with a soft, mournful cry, Articuno's eyes closed, and it collapsed onto the icy ground, defeated. Articuno collapses while Charizard manages to stand up.

*Thud*

Charizard took a deep, shuddering breath and let out a weak but triumphant roar, "Char… ZARRRRD!!!"

The referee raised his flag as he declared in a loud tone, "Articuno is unable to battle! Charizard wins! Which means the victor, and the Champion of the Tenth Pokémon League Tournament, is Azure Sky!"

For a moment, there was stunned silence, and then the stadium erupted. The sound was deafening as Charizard reverted to normal again.

Azure fell to his knees, overwhelmed, as Eevee swarmed him, chirping and nuzzling him in celebration. He recalled his heroic Charizard into the Poké Ball, whispering a heartfelt, "Thank you."

Across the field, Red returned Articuno, patting the ball gently. He then walked across the ruined battlefield, his shadow long in the stadium lights.

He stopped before Azure and extended a hand, a small, genuine smile on his face. Red said, his voice filled with respect, "That was a battle for the ages, Azur. You and your Pokémon… you've earned it. Congratulations, Champion."

Azure looked up, taking Red's hand and pulling himself to his feet. He replied respectfully, "You too, Red. You pushed us further than we've ever gone."

As Azure stood on the podium, holding the golden trophy high with Pikachu on one shoulder, coming out of its Poke Ball and Eevee in his arms, he knew this victory was not his alone. It belonged to every one of his partners, to the rival who pushed him to be his best, and to the unbreakable bond they all shared.

/////

A/N: Reach the goal of 200 PS to get a Bonus Chapter!

So, guys, how did you like the rematch between Azure and Red? Was it any good, like the previous match, or better, showing off Mega Evolution along with finally using Mega Charizard X?

I hoped I brought back some nostalgia in the final match. After this, with the MC doing some stuff in between the years to reach the Hoenn Arc, I hoped you guys liked the Johto Arc!