Pokémon: When the World Changed Chapter 98 - 96: Exchange Tournament

The next day, in the gym of the Pokémon University of Ironvale City.

The exchange group from the Pokémon University of Duskwell City was greeted by an assigned professor as soon as they arrived at the university.

After a full day of visits and activities, the most exciting mont had finally arrived: the exchange tournant!

"Phew, the strategy is already set!"

"If we all follow it to the letter, we have a great chance of winning!"

In the competitors' resting area, captain Lucas Silver was cheering on the other four mbers.

"Don't worry, captain," replied Alex Baxter. "For the evolution stone and the chance to enter the Greenrock Mountain breeding zone, we'll give it our all!"

Alex Baxter clenched his fist, determination on his face.

"If we lose, there won't be a university for us... what a tragedy," Ethan Black sighed inwardly, though his gaze soon sharpened.

At the sa ti, inside the battlefield, the announcer called in the participants. From both universities, ten trainers exited their respective resting zones and positioned themselves on both sides of the field.

After their entrance, the customary speeches of the professors and administrators leading each team followed. Finally, the official start signal was given.

There was no round of Pokémon introductions. At the referee's order, both teams sent their Pokémon into the field simultaneously. Ten Pokémon positioned themselves at once, and the atmosphere in the stadium exploded!

Since they were on the ho turf of Ironvale City University, the audience was almost entirely local, which drew more than one annoyed huff from the Duskwell City University mbers.

"Go, Typhlosion, use Flathrower!" shouted Brandon Hayes, an impatient trainer who didn't wait a second after the official start of the match.

On the side of Ironvale City University, tang imdiately responded using Psychic, colliding with Flathrower in midair, causing a massive explosion and marking the true start of the battle.

"Sandslash, use Sandstorm!"

Sandslash, responsible for the team's weather, began with Rapid Spin combined with Sand Attack. He activated his mysterious power, and within seconds, a sandstorm covered the entire field.

"A weather move?"

The Duskwell City University professor looked surprised at the strategy, but didn't seem worried; he clearly trusted his students.

"Sandstorm, eh? This field is mine. Go, Rhydon!"

As an elite student of Duskwell City University, the Rhydon trainer knew perfectly how to handle that environnt. Seeing the storm, he laughed and ordered a powerful attack.

BOOM!

"I'm your opponent! tang, use Psychic and stop Rhydon!"

Seeing Rhydon separate from his team and advance alone, Lucas Silver smiled and gave the order to block him.

"Rhydon, break free and use Rock Slide against tang!"

With a roar, Rhydon broke the ntal control. He gathered Rock-type energy and ford a massive boulder, which he launched at tang.

"Psychic!" Lucas Silver ordered precisely.

BOOM!

tang's Psychic pulverized the rock in midair, scattering a rain of fragnts that mixed with the sandstorm.

"Feraligatr, it's our turn!"

Seeing Rhydon in action, Feraligatr's trainer didn't want to be left behind and sent it into the attack, regardless of the storm.

"Idiots!" muttered the ganium trainer. "ganium, cover them!"

Seeing her two impulsive teammates rush into combat, she had no choice but to follow. She ordered her ganium to advance alongside Feraligatr.

"Perfect! Magneton, use Thunderbolt!" shouted Alex Baxter as he saw Feraligatr approaching.

"Pff. Among all their Pokémon, that Magneton is the only one that could defeat Feraligatr. But I won't let that happen," replied the ganium trainer, her eyes shining behind her glasses.

But just as ganium tried to intercept the Thunderbolt, a whirlwind of sand rose from the ground, blocking her path.

It was Sandslash again. The combined move Sand Whirl was a key part of his plan, ant to divide the opposing team.

"ganium, use Razor Leaf!"

Seeing herself blocked by the whirlwind, the trainer reacted quickly. ganium used Razor Leaf and shattered the whirlwind.

"Well done! Shelgon, use Flathrower!"

Just as the whirlwind dissipated, a blaze shot out from the dust. The scorching fla struck ganium head-on, forcing her to retreat.

"We can't just watch! Typhlosion, go!"

The Typhlosion trainer panicked seeing ganium back away and prepared to provide support.

But before Typhlosion could advance, the ground in front of it suddenly broke!

Onix, which had secretly used Dig, erged right in front of Typhlosion. It lifted its massive tail and slamd it down with crushing force.

But Typhlosion reacted just in ti and narrowly dodged the blow!

"Stone Edge!"

Unfazed by the miss, Onix gathered Rock-type energy. Several stone pillars erged from the ground, forcing Typhlosion to dodge tirelessly.

"Very well! Use Rock Throw!"

Taking advantage of Typhlosion being trapped, Onix launched a rain of rocks, hitting it one after another.

At the sa ti, Sandslash used Dig to position itself behind Ampharos. Thanks to its Sand Rush ability, which made it faster under the effect of Sandstorm, Sandslash surprised Ampharos and struck it with Crush Claw, sending it flying.