Pokemon: Sandstorm Elite

Losing the first match left Wulfric with an extremely grim expression. His Psyduck had been the core of his strategy to counter the opponent's Sandstorm team, yet it was utterly overwhelmed by Swampert's sheer brute force.

"Tentacruel, Acid Bomb!"

Wulfric's second Pokémon, Tentacruel, was sent out, immediately releasing a strange, murky green toxin. The corrosive mist melted the icy battlefield, sending up a boiling stench that made Swampert instinctively step back, sensing the danger.

Acid Bomb wasn't particularly powerful, but it could lower special defense, creating an opening to break through Swampert's defenses. Wulfric's tactical awareness was indeed commendable.

However… you're underestimating Swampert.

Klein made his next move. "Ice Punch again—protect yourself and look for an opening."

In an instant, Swampert's body was covered in a thin layer of frost, reducing the corrosive effects of the acid. Then, with an explosive burst of speed, it charged forward aggressively.

He's coming straight at me again?!

Wulfric gritted his teeth at Swampert's reckless assault, a hint of frustration in his eyes. "Pin Missile!"

Tentacruel's numerous tentacles shimmered as it launched a flurry of poisoned spikes, but Swampert suddenly grabbed one with its immense strength and yanked Tentacruel toward itself.

"Damn! Acid Bomb!"

Tentacruel spewed another blast of corrosive liquid, but the thin layer of ice on Swampert's body dampened the effect just enough. That brief second was all Swampert needed to unleash its devastating power.

Boom!

Tentacruel was viciously slammed into the ground. Like a rampaging beast, Swampert's fist radiated intense energy as it prepared to strike again.

Klein's eyes flashed. "Waterfall!"

A powerful surge of water erupted around Swampert, engulfing Tentacruel and sending it hurtling into the air. Then, Swampert leapt up, gripping Tentacruel tightly before diving straight down at high speed.

"Waterfall is more than just a charging move—it's about harnessing that force to maximize impact. It may seem simple, but the power behind it is terrifying."

On the Elite Four's platform, Bruno finally grew serious. He hadn't expected Klein to dominate Wulfric—an Elite Four candidate—so thoroughly with just his Swampert.

"What a remarkable child."

Agatha sipped her tea with a smile, clearly impressed by Klein's battle style.

"Tentacruel, Rapid Spin!"

"Don't let it escape—Ice Punch!"

High above the battlefield, Tentacruel spun rapidly like a high-speed drill, trying to break free. But Swampert refused to let go, enduring the counterattack while accelerating its descent.

A thunderous impact shook the arena as Swampert's Ice Punch struck the waterlogged battlefield, forming a massive frozen lotus. Tentacruel was driven deep into the ice.

A sharp cry echoed as Tentacruel's tentacles snapped from the force, rendering it completely unconscious.

"You're too much! You crippled my Tentacruel!"

Wulfric rushed forward to check on his Pokémon, his face flushed with anger. He hadn't expected Klein to battle with such ruthless precision, devising a nearly fatal strategy in mere moments.

"My apologies. That was my oversight."

Swampert hadn't been able to pull back its strength in time, unintentionally injuring Tentacruel. Klein hadn't expected that outcome either—it was a flaw in Swampert's control. He sincerely apologized.

But Wulfric wasn't in a forgiving mood. He considered filing an official complaint. Meanwhile, the Elite Four members began discussing the matter.

"The match continues. That was an accident—Swampert couldn't have stopped in time."

Lance gave his ruling, and the referee soon declared the battle would proceed. However, Wulfric was now cornered. Swampert still had plenty of fight left, while he was down to his last Pokémon.

"Blastoise!"

Wulfric's trump card—his first and most trusted partner—emerged. A powerful aura radiated from it, while Swampert calmly stepped out from the shattered ice, meeting Blastoise's gaze.

No unnecessary words were exchanged. Even within its Poké Ball, Blastoise had witnessed everything. Without waiting for a command, it began gathering water pressure in its twin cannons.

A Water-type move stronger than Hydro Pump—Hydro Cannon!

A torrential blast shot from Blastoise's cannons, forming a massive stream far more powerful than Psyduck's Hydro Pump. Swampert gritted its teeth, summoning its own surging water energy.

Waterfall versus Hydro Cannon.

The two massive torrents collided midair, sending water crashing in all directions. But Blastoise's water pressure was stronger. Swampert was blasted backward, tumbling several meters.

Although Hydro Cannon had overpowered Swampert, Klein remained composed. The move had a drawback—it left the user briefly sluggish. If it failed to finish the opponent in one hit, it was meaningless.

Blastoise, recovering from its attack, began advancing to seize the momentum. However, just then—Swampert moved!

Using its right foot to absorb the impact, Swampert rebounded, twisting its body mid-motion. Ice Punch charged up in its fist—not to retreat, but to lunge forward!

Lowering its shoulder, Swampert rammed straight into Blastoise's chest!

The unexpected impact forced Blastoise back a step. As it prepared to fire a second Hydro Cannon—disaster struck.

A thin layer of ice had formed over its cannon barrels. During the clash, Swampert's Ice Punch had secretly frozen them!

As the high-pressure water burst forth, the ice caused a backfire. The cannons cracked under the pressure, sending water spraying uncontrollably.

Blastoise staggered, blood dripping from its back where the cannon had ruptured. Dizzy from the shock, it failed to react as Swampert's empowered Waterfall—now fused with Ice Punch—came crashing down.

Despite being at a severe disadvantage, Klein had seized a single opening and turned the tide with unwavering courage, brutal efficiency, and precise judgment.

Blastoise collapsed.

"Battle over! Blastoise is unable to fight! Klein wins!"

The referee, with a complex expression, observed the fifteen-year-old victor. His combat style was classic, brutal efficiency—an old-school warrior's approach.

The audience, however, was far from pleased. Many were outraged by Klein's ruthless battle style, claiming he lacked the elegance of a true trainer and fought more like a butcher.

Klein ignored the murmurs. Instead, he walked over to Blastoise and handed Wulfric a vial of medicine. "This is a special treatment. Blastoise will recover in a few days."

"…Thanks."

Wulfric didn't refuse. Though he despised Klein's battle methods, his priority was healing his Pokémon.

"The match is over. So, Kanto's new Sandstorm Elite?"

While the audience grumbled, the Elite Four saw things differently. After years of fighting Team Rocket and other criminal organizations, they had worried that the next generation might be too soft. But seeing Klein's battle style reassured them.

During the award ceremony, Klein was draped in a specially designed pale yellow cloak and given a small, stone-like ring—symbols of his official induction as Kanto's newest Elite Four member.

One by one, Lorelei, Agatha, and Bruno stepped onto the stage to stand beside him, all four of them waving to the audience.

However, the crowd's enthusiasm was lackluster. Some even left early, dissatisfied with the result.

Kanto's newest Elite Four member, the "Sandstorm Elite" Klein, had already become a highly controversial figure.

But the reporters in the audience were thrilled. A divisive, headline-worthy figure like this would undoubtedly skyrocket their magazine sales.

And, truth be told, for a fifteen-year-old Elite Four… Klein was quite the handsome young man.

(End of Chapter)