Chapter 21: Before The Festival

At the local school, the weekly sports group was in full swing. A dozen young kids, including cousins Jake and Monika, were darting around the gym, taking part in various activities designed to keep them active. The gym teacher, Mr. Novak, a middle-aged man with a broad smile and an athletic build from his years as a professional footballer, watched with amusement as the kids played tag with some of the smaller, more energetic Pokémon like Pikachu, Zigzagoon, and Buneary.

"Alright, team! Time to wrap it up!" Mr. Novak clapped his hands as the kids gathered in the middle, catching their breath. "Great job today! Remember, it's all about having fun and staying healthy, not just winning."

The kids nodded, some still giggling from their earlier games. Monika, however, had a determined look on her face. She raised her hand and then stood up, tugging on Jake's sleeve to get him to join her.

"Mr. Novak, can I say something real quick?" she asked, her voice eager.

The teacher raised an eyebrow and then smiled, motioning for the cousins to step forward. "Of course, Monika. Go ahead, the floor's yours."

Monika pulled Jake to the front, practically dragging him. He looked around nervously, glancing at Mark Vranitzky, who was already eyeing them with suspicion. But Monika was undeterred, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"So listen, everyone! This weekend there's going to be a festival at our ranch to celebrate Prince Charles' visit!" Monika announced loudly, her enthusiasm infectious. "There's going to be so much fun stuff—food stalls, games, lots of Pokémon to play with, and a live music group! It's going to be amazing, and you're all invited! Bring your parents, friends, neighbors, everyone!"

The room erupted with excited chatter. Some kids were already asking each other if they could go together, others were whispering about which Pokémon they hoped to see.

Monika beamed at the response, and Jake, though a bit shy, felt proud standing beside her. But just as the excitement peaked, a voice cut through the crowd—Mark Vranitzky, his arms crossed and a scowl on his face.

"That sounds lame and useless," Mark muttered, loud enough for everyone to hear.

Jake immediately tensed. He could feel his stomach churn as Mark's words hung in the air. Monika's face flushed with anger, her fists clenching at her sides as she opened her mouth, ready to shout back. But before she could, Mr. Novak stepped in, his voice firm but calm.

"Mark," Mr. Novak said, his tone carrying a warning, "there's a lot of effort that goes into organizing something like this. If you don't have anything nice to say, it's better to say nothing at all."

The gym fell silent. Mark's smirk faded under the weight of Mr. Novak's words, and he shrugged, muttering something under his breath as he slouched back, avoiding eye contact.

Monika relaxed a little, shooting Mark one last nasty glare before turning back to the group. "Anyway," she said with renewed energy, "it's going to be a lot of fun, and we hope to see you all there!"

The kids buzzed with excitement again, and even Jake, who usually didn't like being in the spotlight, couldn't help but smile.

After the announcement, the kids filed out of the gym, still chatting about the upcoming festival. As they grabbed their bags and jackets, Mr. Novak called Jake and Monika over.

"You two did great up there," he said with a grin. "Sounds like it's going to be a fun time. I might even swing by with my family."

"That'd be awesome, Mr. Novak!" Monika beamed.

Jake nodded, still feeling a bit anxious about Mark's words, but grateful for Mr. Novak stepping in.

"Just remember, Jake," Mr. Novak added, sensing the boy's unease, "there's always going to be someone trying to bring you down. You just keep doing what you're doing, and don't let them get to you, alright?"

Jake smiled up at him, feeling a little more confident. "Thank you."

As the kids dispersed, some began making plans for the weekend festival. Physical activities, like relay races or obstacle courses, could be set up with different Pokémon helping or competing alongside the kids. The younger ones were already talking about racing against a Growlithe or trying to beat a Pikachu at tag.

For now, though, the cousins walked out of the gym together, excited for what the weekend held. The festival promised to be a lively event, one that might even make the ranch the talk of the town for days to come.

Both kids were picked up by Jake's grandmother, Anna Lindenberg, after their sports class. Monika, not her granddaughter, but Jake's cousin, climbed into the car as Anna smiled warmly at them both.

"Hi, kids!"

"Hello, grandma."

"Hi, Mrs. Lindenberg."

"So, how was school today? Did you manage to tell the other kids about the fest?"

As they described the scene in the gym and drove back toward the ranch, Anna mentioned, "I hear a challenger's coming today to battle your father, Jakey. Want to watch the match or head home?"

Jake immediately sat up, excitement lighting up his face. "I want to see Dad battle! Let's go to the battlefield, Grandma!"

"And what you, Monika? Shall I drop you home? Or do you want to come and watch?"

Monika hesitated, twirling a strand of hair around her finger. "I don't know…"

Jake, practically bouncing in his seat, turned to her. "Come on, Moni! It's going to be awesome. You'll see Dad's Pokémon fight, and maybe we can even see the prince! He's still at the ranch, right?"

Monika bit her lip, but seeing Jake's enthusiasm, she finally gave in. "Alright, fine. But if it's boring, you owe me!"

Jake grinned. "Deal!"

When they arrived at the ranch, Anna said, "David said they'll be using the water battlefield today. I'll drive you kids closer."

She directed the car toward the ranch's water battlefield. However, as they neared the grounds with battlefield, they encountered an unexpected blockade—a couple of royal guards standing sternly by the sides of the road accompanied by a large Goodra. They motioned for the car to stop. Anna frowned and hit the brakes.

"What is this nonsense?" she muttered, rolling down the window.

One of the guards approached the car. "Apologies, ma'am, but due to the prince's presence, everyone approaching the battlefield must undergo a security check."

Anna's face turned red, and she huffed in indignation. "A security check? On my own property?! I've lived here longer than most of you are alive, and you're stopping me at my own home?"

The guard, unfazed, repeated firmly, "It's protocol, ma'am. No exceptions."

Jake tugged at his grandmother's sleeve. "Maybe we should just walk, Grandma. You can go do your stuff."

Anna clenched the steering wheel but, realizing she wouldn't win this argument, threw up her hands in frustration. "Ugh, fine! Kids, you walk from here. I've got better things to do than argue with these brickheads."

She leaned out the window and addressed the guards. "Make sure they get to the field safely." Then, turning back to the kids, she grumbled, "Go on, and don't let them delay you any longer."

Jake and Monika hopped out of the car, trying not to giggle at Anna's frustration. As they walked toward the guards, Anna shouted, "And for Arceus' sake, don't get into any trouble!"

They waved as Anna turned the car around, and the guards quickly and efficiently checked them over. Only Jake hesitated for a few seconds as the huge Goodra looked down at him. But he smiled and waved at the dragon and to his surprise, the Pokémon smiled back. Once cleared, they made their way toward the battlefield, their excitement building with every step.

The water battlefield was a grand sight, with a wide, shimmering pool at the center and tiered stands surrounding it. Jake and Monika found seats in the front row, eager to cheer on David. He was not there yet, but just as they settled in, a tall guard with black sunglasses approached them and tapped both kids on the shoulder. Both cousins stiffened, their nerves immediately kicking in.

"Follow me," the guard said, his voice deep and commanding.

Jake swallowed hard, and Monika shot him a wide-eyed look. "Are we in trouble?" he whispered.

"I don't know," she replied, her heart racing. They hesitantly followed the guard up the stands, climbing higher until they reached a section near the back where a familiar face was watching the arena: Prince Charles.

The guard motioned them forward and then left, leaving the kids standing awkwardly in front of the prince. Charles looked up, smiling slightly as he saw them.

"Hello," he said, his tone more casual than regal. "It's nice to finally meet some people my age… well, not adult anyway."

Jake and Monika exchanged nervous glances. The prince, up close, looked so much older and more poised than they'd imagined. He was twelve, six years older than Jake and five years older than Monika.

"Uh, hi, Your Highness," Monika stammered.

Charles waved his hand dismissively. "Please, don't call me that. Not when we're alone like this. You can call me Charlie, if you want."

Monika hesitated. "Is that… allowed?"

Charles chuckled and grinned. "I'm not going to get you in trouble for it. Trust me, it's nice to talk to someone without all the formalities."

Still unsure, Jake glanced at Monika, who shrugged. "Okay, uh… Charlie," Jake said cautiously.

Charles smiled, and for the first time, he looked like a regular kid. "I've been here for days, but I haven't had a chance to talk to anyone younger. It's always adults with rules and protocols. It gets really boring."

Monika found her voice first. "That must be tough. I help my mom at the Pokémon center, so I know how strict things can get when you have to follow the rules. But at least I get to talk to people all the time."

Charles leaned forward, interested. "Really? You help at Pokémon centre?"

"Yep, that's right!" Monika nodded smugly.

"What kind of Pokémon do you take care of?"

Monika launched into a description of her work at the Pokémon Center, talking about treating everything from injured Pikachu to overworked Machoke. Jake chimed in about how he had found Charmander's egg and cared for it until it hatched.

"Do you have any Pokémon back home?" Jake asked, his curiosity piqued.

Charles hesitated, then sighed. "We have a lot of Dragon-types at the High Castle, but… they aren't for playing with. They're trained in secret by the royal guards, and I'm not allowed to interact with them much. Mostly, I have to study a lot and learn how to act, how to speak. It's... different."

Jake and Monika's eyes went wide with awe. "Dragon-types? You mean, like Dragonite and Salamence?" Jake asked, his voice full of wonder and excitement. Dragon Pokémon are very rare to see and this kid was talking about them very casually.

Charles nodded. "Yeah. But they're trained for special tasks—nobody's supposed to know how strong they are. It's kind of lonely, really."

Monika tilted her head. "And you said you have to learn how to speak? What does it mean?"

Charles smiled sadly. "Well, languages. English, Czech, German, French… a lot of boring stuff. No time to just chill or play around."

Both younger kids were in awe. They spoke for a while longer, swapping stories about their lives and Pokémon, until the atmosphere shifted. Across the battlefield, David Lindenberg appeared, taking his position. On the opposite side stood his challenger—a tall, muscular man with short-cropped black hair and a battle-hardened expression. His name was Samuel Drakos, a fierce trainer from the Kalos region, known for his aggressive Water-type team and his reputation as a skilled but ruthless battler. Samuel had made a name for himself by reaching the Top 4 of the Unova League tournament a few years ago. He had a solid reputation, specializing in water and fighting-type Pokémon, and many considered him one of the rising stars in the competitive Pokémon world.

Following them was the referee, a senior trainer from the Battle Ranch named Lenka. She was a calm, composed woman in her mid-50s, with short gray hair and a demeanor that commanded respect. Lenka had spent years traveling to places connected to fairy-types, particularly Galar's Glimwood Tangle, before settling at the Lindenberg Ranch. There, she specialized in taking care of the ranch's fairy-types, and her expertise also got her the certificate to judge for a variety of Pokémon battles.

She introduced both the challenger and the Frontier Brain and explained the rules. Particularly that only challenger is able to switch Pokémon and that he is allowed only one switch.

Then she asked the trainers whether they are ready to battle, both David and Samuel nodded their YES.

As Lenka raised her arm to signal the start of the match, Jake and Monika couldn't help but cheer for their father/uncle. 

Both trainers stood at opposite ends of the water battlefield, a large pond surrounded by rocky banks, with ripples gently disturbing its surface. The air buzzed with excitement. Lenka, the referee, stood to the side, her trusty high-leveled Primarina at her feet, ever vigilant in case any unexpected danger arose.

David, standing confidently, reached for his Pokéball. "Let's use the water to our advantage. Dory, you're up!" he called, tossing the Pokéball high into the air. With a flash of light, his Lumineon, Dory, gracefully emerged and swam through the pond's clear water, its sleek, luminescent fins gleaming under the sunlight.

Lumineon

Level: 64

Name: Dory

Gender: Female

Type: Water

Affinity: Water (Full)

Moves: Soak (52), Mud Sport (49), Gust (61), Water Gun (50), Rain Dance (47), Attract (31), Mud Bomb (51), Safeguard (25), Aqua Ring (45), Whirlpool (54), U-turn (50), Silver Wind (60), Tailwind (58), Psybeam (52), Aurora Beam (50), Dazzling Gleam (47), Surf (61), Hydro Pump (63), Giga Impact (50), Steel Wing (47)

Abilities:

Storm Drain – Lumineon draws in all water-type moves, instead of taking damage, Lumineon boosts its sp. attack

Water Veil – Prevents from burn

Weak to: Grass, Electric

Immune to: Water (Storm Drain ability)

Resistant to: Steel, Fire, (Water), Ice

On the opposite end, Samuel Drakos, a seasoned trainer known for his tactical prowess and finishing in the top 4 of the Unova League, took a moment to size up the situation. He nodded to himself and picked a Pokéball from his belt. "Kilowattrel, you're UP!"

With a flash, the electric and flying-type Pokémon Kilowattrel materialized, hovering in the air above the water, its wings crackling with static electricity. The two Pokémon locked eyes, their trainers calculating their next move.

Lenka raised her arm. "Let the battle begin!"

"Dory, let's start with Aqua Ring!" David commanded. Lumineon's body began to shimmer as several sparkling rings of water began circling around the Pokémon, providing continuous healing.

"Kilowattrel, Tailwind!" Samuel countered, and Kilowattrel whipped its wings, sending gusts of wind across the battlefield, boosting its speed.

The crowd could feel the tension building as the two trainers used their opening moves to boost themselves. Lumineon was now gliding through the water with a renewed sheen from the Aqua Ring, while Kilowattrel darted in the air with blinding speed.

"Now, Dory, Mud Sport!" David called, a grin tugging at the corner of his lips. Dory's body shimmered again, this time with a muddy brown aura as she reduced the impact of any upcoming electric-type attacks.

Samuel's eyes widened in surprise. "I didn't know Lumineon could learn Mud Sport!" He hesitated for a moment but quickly regained his composure. "Fine. Kilowattrel, Quick Attack!"

Kilowattrel shot forward in a blur, speeding towards Dory with its newfound agility. "Dive, Dory!" David ordered, and the Lumineon elegantly slipped beneath the water's surface, vanishing from sight.

Kilowattrel dove down, its speed hindered by the water, but it chased after Dory, trying to land its hit. Beneath the water, Dory moved effortlessly, and David saw his chance.

"Now, Aurora Beam!" David commanded. Dory turned sharply and unleashed a beam of bright, icy energy. The rainbow-colored beam hit Kilowattrel square in the chest, propelling it out of the water with a powerful splash. The crowd gasped as the electric bird tumbled mid-air, struggling to regain its balance.

Samuel gritted his teeth. "Enough playing around. Discharge!"

Kilowattrel flapped its wings aggressively, releasing a massive wave of electric energy that crackled through the air, heading straight for the water.

"Jump and counter it, Dory!" David yelled. In one swift movement, Lumineon shot out of the water like a bullet, releasing another Aurora Beam mid-air. The ice and electric attacks collided above the battlefield, creating a brilliant explosion of light and sound.

"Whoa!" Jake gasped, his eyes wide with awe. He turned to Prince Charles, sitting nearby. "Isn't this amazing?"

Prince Charles, or Charlie as he told them to be called, grinned back. "It's incredible! Battles are so much better in person than on YouTube!"

"Electroball!" Samuel's voice rang out, pulling the attention back to the battlefield as Kilowattrel gathered a ball of electric energy between its wings and fired it toward the water.

"Send it right back, Dory!" David responded quickly.

Dory's fin began to glow a bright steel energy, and she leaped out of the water once more. With a powerful swipe of her energy filled fin, she intercepted the Electroball, deflecting it back toward Kilowattrel at even higher speed with precise hit by Steel Wing.

"Dodge it!" Samuel cried.

Kilowattrel barely evaded its own attack, veering to the side in mid-air, but it wasn't quick enough to avoid Dory's follow-up. Another Aurora Beam shot forth from the Lumineon, striking Kilowattrel directly in the side.

Kilowattrel let out a pained cry before plummeting into the water with a splash, unable to continue the fight.

"Kilowattrel is unable to battle!" Lenka announced, her voice clear and authoritative. "David and Lumineon win the first round. Challenger Samuel Drakos, please send out your next Pokémon."

Jake and Monika cheered loudly from their seats, their excitement palpable. Even Charlie clapped, clearly impressed by the intensity and strategy on display.

"Uncle David's Lumineon is awesome!" Monika exclaimed and elbowed Jake's side, her eyes glued to the battlefield.

"Yeah! Dory rocks," Jake replied, pride swelling in his chest.

"Wow! And it only took it one hit to take the bird down!" Charles wondered.

"Yeah, ice attacks are super-effective against flying types!" Monika explained.

As Samuel considered his next move, the energy in the air remained electric, the anticipation of what would come next hanging thick over the battlefield.

Samuel recalled his fallen Kilowattrel, its form vanishing in a beam of red light. He furrowed his brow, evaluating his next move while David's Lumineon, Dory, swam gracefully near the water's surface, her scales gleaming in the sunlight.

"Let's go, Golduck!" Samuel called, tossing his second Pokéball into the air. In a flash, a large, blue, duck-like creature with webbed feet and a gem embedded in its forehead appeared on the rocky bank.

"Continue!" Lenka, the referee, announced, raising her hand.

Without hesitation, Samuel ordered, "Into the water!" With a quick leap, Golduck dove gracefully into the pond, disappearing beneath the surface in a perfect arc.

"Aqua Jet!" Samuel shouted, wasting no time. In a flash, Golduck surged through the water, encased in a stream of pressurized water, speeding toward Lumineon like a torpedo.

"Dory, swim up and use Surf and Gust!" David countered, his voice calm but commanding.

Dory sped toward the surface, conjuring a massive wave that towered over the battlefield. As she created the wave, a gust of flying-type energy swirled around it, pushing it forward with increased speed. The enhanced wave surged toward Golduck, crashing against its Aqua Jet. The two powerful water moves met in a spectacular explosion of water, sending droplets spraying across the battlefield, drenching the rocky shore.

"Confusion!" Samuel called, trying to seize the momentum. Golduck's gem began to glow with a psychic energy as it attempted to gain control over Dory's movement.

But David was prepared. "Silver Wind, now!" he shouted.

Dory leaped out of the water in a stunning display of agility, her fins whipping up a wind infused with bug-type energy. The silvery gust flew toward Golduck, disrupting its Confusion. The bug energy easily overpowered Golduck's psychic attempt, knocking it off balance and sending it tumbling back into the water with a splash.

"Close in and use Aqua Tail!" Samuel barked, switching tactics.

David's eyes narrowed. "Surf, again!" he called, raising his voice over the sound of the battle.

Once again, Dory summoned a towering wave, rushing toward Golduck with immense force. But this time, Golduck was prepared. The water-type Pokémon leaped high into the air, its tail glowing with a bright blue energy as it spinned in the air executing Aqua Tail. With a powerful swing, Golduck's water-infused tail collided with the incoming wave, splitting it in two. The force of the blow sent Lumineon flying through the air, crashing back into the pond.

"Dory, Silver Wind!" David shouted, but Samuel was quick on the counter.

"Power Gem!" Samuel commanded, and Golduck's gem pulsed with rock-type energy before firing a brilliant beam of light. The rock-type move struck Dory before she could regain her bearings, knocking her hard into the water. She struggled to stay afloat, her Aqua Ring slowly healing her, but David could see that Dory's movements were becoming sluggish.

Samuel saw his chance. "Another Power Gem!"

"Dodge and U-turn!" David called, a grin spreading across his face.

Dory, despite her exhaustion, gracefully dodged the incoming Power Gem, her body suddenly glowing with a vibrant bug-type energy. She darted through the water, charging at Golduck with incredible speed. At the moment of impact, Dory hit Golduck with full force, sending it stumbling back. But before Golduck could retaliate, Dory's body turned into a streak of red light and was sucked back into her Pokéball.

The moment Dory disappeared, a new shape emerged above the battlefield. In an instant, David's Swoobat soared above the pond, its heart-shaped nose twitching as it scanned the battlefield below.

Swoobat

Level: 69

Name: N/A

Gender: Male

Type: Psychic / Flying

Affinity: Psychic (Full), Flying (Full)

Moves: Gust (65), Attract (51), Confusion (66 to 67), Air Cutter (67), Imprison (46), Sky Attack (63), Calm Mind (50), Future Sight (44), Hyper Beam (48), Thunder Wave (49 to 52), Light Screen (53 to 55), Reflect (54), Snore (44), Steel Wing (53), Fake Tears (46), Psycho Cut (58), Trick Room (59), Acrobatics (60 to 64), Baton Pass (48), Tailwind (49), Psycho Shift (53), Supersonic (47), Roost (48), Signal Beam (43), Teleport (15 to 16)

Abilities:

Unaware – When attacking, Swoobat ignores the target's stat changes

Simple – Doubles the effects of the Swoobat's stat changes

Weak to: Rock, Ghost, Electric, Ice, Dark

Immune to: Ground

Resistant to: Fighting (double), Grass, Psychic

"Didn't the referee say that David is forbidden to switch Pokémon?" Charles frowned.

"Yes, she did. But he used a move which switches the Pokémon. It's not forbidden." Jake grinned.

Samuel was caught off guard as well. "What just—?"

Before he could issue a command, David didn't miss a beat. "Thunder Wave!"

Electric sparks crackled from Swoobat's wings, sending a pulse of electricity in all directions. The wave of paralyzing energy struck Golduck, freezing it in place as it struggled to move.

"Golduck, Power Gem!" Samuel yelled, trying to take advantage of Swoobat's weakness to rock-type moves. But Golduck's movements were sluggish and uncoordinated due to the paralysis, and it failed to execute the move.

David saw his opportunity. "Finish it, Swoobat! Sky Attack!"

Swoobat's body glowed with brilliant white energy as it ascended high into the air, building momentum. In a flash, it dive-bombed toward Golduck, a streak of light trailing behind it. Golduck, immobilized by paralysis, stood on a rocky outcrop, helpless to defend itself.

With a powerful crash, Swoobat slammed into Golduck, sending it flying into the pond with a huge splash. The force of the impact was undeniable. Moments later, Golduck's unconscious body floated to the surface of the water.

"Golduck is unable to battle!" Lenka declared, raising her hand. "David wins the second round. Challenger Samuel, please send out your final Pokémon."

Samuel clenched his jaw, recalling Golduck with a hint of frustration. "Alright, all or nothing," he muttered under his breath as he grabbed his final Pokéball. With a flick of his wrist, the ball flew into the air, and as it opened, a massive figure began to materialize.

A low, thunderous roar echoed across the battlefield.

Jake and Monika's jaws dropped as the enormous, serpent-like shape of a Gyarados emerged from the water, its scales glistening ominously in the sunlight.

"WOW!" Jake gasped, his eyes wide in disbelief as the Gyarados towered over the battlefield, its fierce eyes locking onto Swoobat.

Monika leaned toward Jake. "This is going to be insane..."

The energy on the field surged as both trainers prepared for the final, decisive round.

Even Prince Charles leaned forward in his seat as the massive water snake Gyarados emerged on the battlefield, its body undulating with raw power.

"That is something," Charles murmured, his eyes wide. "I know it's not a Dragon-type, but we have a few of those back home."

"They should be Dragon-type, right?" Jake grinned at the prince, who nodded with a smile.

"Yes, they can learn a plethora of Dragon-type moves too," Charles added thoughtfully, his gaze fixed on the enormous Pokémon.

"What's plethora?" Jake whispered to Monika not understanding the word.

"It means a lot," she explained with a grin.

Meanwhile as if Samuel had overheard their conversation about dragons, he issued his opening move. "Dragon Breath!"

Gyarados roared, its massive jaws opening to unleash a violent green stream of dragon-type energy aimed directly at Swoobat.

"Use Acrobatics to dodge!" David countered quickly.

Swoobat's body shimmered with flying-type energy as it darted to the side just before the Dragon Breath could hit. The maneuver was swift, but Gyarados wasn't finished. It continued the attack, following Swoobat with its head, the powerful Dragon Breath sweeping across the battlefield as it tried to pin the smaller Pokémon down.

"Keep it up! Hit that Swoobat!" Samuel urged, his eyes gleaming with determination.

Swoobat flew in a zig-zag pattern, deftly dodging the Dragon Breath and getting closer to Gyarados. Once it was within striking distance, Swoobat lashed out with Acrobatics, slamming into Gyarados' side. But the colossal serpent felt the impact, but shrugged it off with a menacing growl.

"Thunder Wave, again!" David commanded, shifting strategies.

"Twister!" Samuel countered.

Electricity crackled from Swoobat, sending a wave of paralysis toward Gyarados just as the enormous water snake conjured a swirling water tornado infused with dragon-type energy. The two moves collided mid-air, both finding their targets. Swoobat was swept up by the sheer force of the Twister, thrown violently into the water below. At the same time, Gyarados roared in frustration as the Thunder Wave took hold, its body stiffening with paralysis.

"Swoobat, are you okay?" David called out, concern edging his voice.

Moments later, Swoobat resurfaced, its wings drenched and its movements sluggish. The Twister had taken its toll.

"Confusion!" David instructed.

Swoobat's eyes glowed with a bright psychic energy, sending a wave of psychic power crashing into Gyarados. The serpent roared in pain, its massive frame shaking under the mental assault, but it remained immobilized by the paralysis.

"Hold on, Gyarados! You can do this!" Samuel urged, trying to encourage his paralyzed Pokémon.

David seized the moment. "Now, Sky Attack!"

Swoobat shot up into the sky, its body enveloped in a radiant white aura as it prepared to unleash its most powerful flying-type move. It dived toward Gyarados with immense speed, its body a streak of light. But just as it was about to strike, Gyarados managed to break free from its paralysis. Without waiting for Samuel's command, it unleashed another Dragon Breath, aiming straight at the charging Swoobat.

The two powerful moves collided in a brilliant explosion of energy. For several seconds, Swoobat's Sky Attack and Gyarados' Dragon Breath clashed, but Gyarados' sheer power proved too much. Swoobat was overwhelmed, sent flying backward toward the rocky bank. It hit the ground with a dull thud, unconscious before it even landed.

"Swoobat is unable to battle," Lenka announced, raising her hand. "David, please choose your next Pokémon."

David grinned, calling out across the field, "Your Gyarados is magnificent, Samuel!"

"Merci," Samuel shouted back, "but let's keep going!"

David considered his next move. Dory the Lumineon was injured and tired, so sending her back in wasn't ideal. He needed something fast, something tricky.

"Let's make this interesting!" he called, grabbing another Pokéball from his belt. In a flash of light, Marcel, a large purple Ambipom, appeared, bouncing confidently on one of the rocks in the pond.

Ambipom

Level: 77

Name: Marcel

Gender: Male

Type: Normal

Affinity: Normal (Full)

Moves: Scratch (43), Astonish (41), Double Team (60), Fury Swipes (76), Double Hit (74), Tail Whip (62), Swift (70), Screech (66), Nasty Plot (72), Mud Slap (63), Protect (67), Water Pulse (69), Brutal Swing (70), Aerial Ace (62), Brick Break (60), Shadow Claw (57), Metronome (50), Taunt (65), Gunk Shot (63), Hyper Beam (71), Fake Out (67), Iron Tail (69)

Abilities:

Technician – Powers up Ambipom's weaker moves

Skill Link – Increases the number of times multi-strike moves hit

Weak to: (Fighting)

Immune to: Ghost

Weakness removed: Fighting

Resistance added: Psychic, Fire

Prince Charles raised an eyebrow, letting out a soft chuckle. "Are you serious? He's going to fight that huge monster with... a monkey?"

Jake quickly came to his dad's defense. "You don't know Marcel! He's really strong! And even faster! Just wait."

"Yeah," Monika agreed. "Jake's right. This is going to be fun!"

Lenka raised her hand. "Continue!"

"Dragon Breath!" Samuel shouted immediately.

David remained silent, watching the battlefield intently. Marcel, however, reacted instinctively, slamming his tail-hand into the water, creating a towering wall of water in front of him. The Dragon Breath tore through the wall, but when the water cleared, Samuel saw not one, but several Ambipoms scattered across the rocky banks—Marcel had used Double Team.

"Twister! Get rid of those copies!" Samuel ordered.

David, smiling, leaned forward. "Get close, Marcel. Use Gunk Shot!"

The real Ambipom and its copies leaped across the battlefield, dodging the swirling Twister with incredible speed. As they neared Gyarados, each Ambipom clapped their tail-hands together, forming a ball of toxic sludge between them. In unison, they hurled the poison projectiles at Gyarados.

"Dodge it!" Samuel shouted.

But Gyarados was too big a target and did not know which Gunk Shot was real and which was from Double Team.

The serpent let out a roar as the Gunk Shot hit, and its body glowed with a sickly hue, signaling that it had been poisoned.

"Twister again!" Samuel cried, growing desperate.

"Get on him!" David shouted back.

Gyarados whipped up another Twister, sucking in water and swirling violently, dispelling most of the Double Team clones. But the real Ambipom, along with a few remaining copies, leaped onto Gyarados' massive frame, clinging tightly to its scales.

"Underwater! Get rid of them!" Samuel ordered.

With a massive splash, Gyarados dove into the water, taking Ambipom with it. As soon as it submerged, all of the remaining copies vanished, leaving only one Marcel clinging onto Gyarados' tail.

"Aqua Tail to shake it off!" Samuel called.

Gyarados thrashed, water surging around its body as it prepared Aqua Tail. Marcel was flung into the air by the force of the attack, but David remained calm.

"Fake Out! Lock onto its head!" David commanded.

Marcel's body glowed with energy as he twisted mid-air, appearing on top of Gyarados' head in a blur of speed. He struck hard with his tail-hands, making Gyarados flinch and crash its head into the water.

"Now, Fury Swipes!" David followed up.

Both of Marcel's tail-hands gleamed as he relentlessly swiped at Gyarados' head. Thanks to Marcel's Skill Link ability, each strike landed, dealing continuous damage. And the poisonous status of Gyarados was worsening his conditions.

"Thrash!" Samuel shouted in desperation.

Gyarados, now furious, began thrashing its body violently, trying to dislodge Marcel. But the nimble Ambipom dodged each wild swing, continuing to strike with Fury Swipes. The larger Pokémon's rampage eventually subsided, leaving Gyarados disoriented, poisoned and confused.

"Now!" David commanded.

Marcel's tail-hands glowed with immense power as he unleashed a Hyper Beam straight at Gyarados' head.

"Nooo!" Samuel cried.

The beam hit Gyarados hard, but it wasn't enough to knock the serpent out. Gyarados, now free of its confusion, roared furiously.

"Dragon Breath, now!" Samuel shouted.

David grinned. Marcel, unlike most Pokémon, could move right after using Hyper Beam thanks to its intense training and high level of the move.

"Jump!" David called out.

Marcel leapt into the air just as the Dragon Breath was about to hit. He performed several loops in the air, gaining momentum, before spinning toward Gyarados with a powerful Brutal Swing.

"Crunch!" Samuel retaliated.

Both Pokémon clashed mid-air, dark energy crackling between them. The impact sent both Ambipom and Gyarados flying in opposite directions, crashing into the water.

Lenka waited for the water to settle before making her call.

Gyarados swam up towering over the whole battlefield with its terrifying presence, but then the poisoning by Gunk Shot manifested again and the exhausted serpent fell back into the water with its eyes closed. Marcel on the other hand climbed up onto one of the rocks and started dancing around.

"Gyarados is unable to battle!" referee declared. "Since David's Lumineon and Ambipom are still able to fight, David is the winner!"

Jake and Monika erupted in cheers, jumping up and down in excitement as David claimed victory.

After Lenka declared the match finished, Samuel and David met on one side of the battlefield, shaking hands in mutual respect. Their conversation was quiet, but the intensity of their battle lingered between them. Meanwhile, the kids were excitedly chattering with Charles.

"... and that Gyarados was so impressive and so strong!" Jake exclaimed, gesturing with wild enthusiasm.

"Yeah, but I still can't believe it was knocked-out by that little Ambipom!" Charles was still in awe of the power Ambipom had displayed, despite its smaller size.

"Well, Your High... uh... Charlie," Monika stammered, unsure of how casual to be. "There are different levels of Pokémon and their attacks. Sometimes even a small, high-level Pokémon can take down a bigger one easily." She shrugged, as if the explanation were second nature to her.

Jake nodded after Monika's clarification, a memory flashing of his grandfather's small but fierce Rookidee having much more energy than larger Pokémon. "Yeah… it's not always about size."

Charles, still fascinated by the conversation, leaned in closer. "That's so interesting. I hope David, uh... your dad... uncle... whatever... has time to show me how all of this works."

Before the kids could continue discussing the intricacies of Pokémon battles, something strange happened.

Suddenly, the shadows of Jake, Monika, and Charles began to quiver. Without warning, Pokémon emerged from those very shadows, blinking in confusion. Jake's mother's Decidueye, Maya, and Monika's father's Houndstone, Goofy, who had been secretly guarding the kids, looked around warily, their senses on full alert. From Charles' shadow, a large Dragapult materialized, floating above the ground, its tail connected to prince's shadow with its piercing gaze scanning the area.

"What's going on??" Monika's voice cracked with alarm, her eyes darting around. They had a clear view from the high seats, and they could see that more ghost-type Pokémon were forcefully emerging from the shadows of several people below them, just as confused as the ones with the children.

Jake pointed to a group of shadowy figures rushing toward them, all dressed in black, their movements fast and precise. "What's that? Over there!"

Charles exhaled sharply, his casual demeanor evaporating in an instant. "Something dangerous is happening," he muttered under his breath. "Well, I think I'll see you later." His tone was sardonic, but the urgency was clear as the prince's security agents quickly surrounded him, whisking him away before any harm could befall him.