The storm raged on, snow and sand tearing through the battlefield in chaotic tandem. Tyranitar stood firm, its gargantuan frame battered but unyielding, while Gardevoir lifted its arms, a soft aura of healing energy shimmering in the cold air.

  "Gardevoir, Life Dew!" Milo called out.

  A cool, mist-like glow enveloped Gardevoir and Tyranitar, patching up their injuries just enough to keep them going. Milo let out a breath—this wasn’t much, but it might buy them a little more time.

  Red raised a hand.

  Venusaur moved immediately.

  A bright golden glow erupted from its flower, crackling with energy—

  "Wait, what? No charge time?!"

  The arcade collectively gasped as Venusaur instantly fired a Solar Beam, no delay, no mercy. A column of light blasted through the battlefield like a lance of pure destruction.

  "Oh-hooo, man! Did anyone else see that?! ‘Cause I sure did! I don’t know what kind of battery Venusaur is running on, but that was instantaneous! No charge time, no warning—just bam—Solar Beam straight to the face!" Rotom cackled.

  "What the hell?!" Isabelle blurted out.

  "Oh, come on!" Amélie groaned, throwing her hands up.

  Clara, watching coolly, didn’t even blink. "It’s Red.”

  The Solar Beam collided, and the battlefield erupted in a blinding explosion of light.

  When the dust settled, Tyranitar lay motionless, knocked out.

  Venusaur, barely standing, its body charred and shaking, growled defiantly—only for Gardevoir’s Moonblast to streak through the air, striking true. Venusaur let out a final, guttural sound before collapsing into the frost-covered earth.

  Milo exhaled sharply, tension flooding from his shoulders.

  They had taken down Venusaur.

  But Tyranitar was gone.

  Elliot recalled his fallen Pokémon without a word, already moving.

  Milo frowned. We don’t have time to celebrate. Red won’t stop.

  As if to confirm the thought, Red was already moving.

  His hand barely left his belt before his next Poké Ball flew into the storm.

  The arcade screen shifted, the next Pokémon flashing onto the display.

  Red has sent out Blastoise.

  The battlefield shook as Blastoise landed—its gleaming shell reflecting the icy winds, its menacing twin cannons steaming in the cold.

  Elliot’s next Poké Ball was in his hands.

  "Lucario."

  The second the Aura Pokémon appeared, its body tensed, battle instincts kicking in. The temperature around it dropped a degree as it locked onto Blastoise’s unwavering stance.

  The fight continued.

  "And here we go, folks! Venusaur might be down, but our boys are already in trouble ‘cause Blastoise just hit the field! Will they be able to break through, or is this where the ice-cold reality sets in?!" Rotom taunted gleefully.

  "Okay, but, hold on. What’s up with Blastoise? Why does it look—"

  "Stronger than it should be? Because it is." Clara cut in. "That thing isn’t just tanky—it moves like it’s five weight classes lower."

  Isabelle, still focused on the screen, tilted her head slightly. Clara’s right… it’s not just tanky—it’s fast.

  Floette let out a small, worried trill beside Amélie, who hugged her Mimikyu plush closer. "I swear, Red’s team is just… wrong. I know it’s a simulation, but it feels like he’s fighting with real Pokémon."

  Before Milo or Elliot could issue a command, Blastoise was already in motion.

  The storm barely seemed to touch it as it spun with frightening speed, its shell a blur of motion, kicking up ice and snow in its wake.

  Then—

  Ice Beam.

  The twin cannons snapped forward, and two jagged beams of ice tore across the battlefield, streaking toward Gardevoir with terrifying precision.

  “Gardevoir, dodge it!” Milo shouted.

  But the storm made movement sluggish, and Gardevoir barely had time to react before the Ice Beam struck clean, freezing the ground beneath it.

  “No–!”

  A second blast followed immediately–a Hydro Cannon, fired point-blank.

  The attack erupted on impact, sending Gardevoir flying backward before crashing into the ice-covered terrain.

  The battlefield flickered.

  Gardevoir had fainted.

  Milo stood frozen, gripping Gardevoir’s Poké Ball. The battle was slipping out of their hands.

  But Elliot was already moving.

  "Lucario—go."

  The moment Blastoise turned its cannons toward Milo’s side of the field, Lucario lunged.

  With a single flash of blue energy, it closed the distance in seconds, fists glowing—

  "Close Combat."

  Lucario unleashed a flurry of devastating strikes, its aura-infused punches slamming into Blastoise’s shell like rapid-fire detonations. Each hit sent shockwaves through the storm, the sheer force cracking the ice beneath their feet.

  The arcade crowd leaned in, breathless.

  "Yes! Finally, some damage!" Amélie cheered.

  "Wait—" Isabelle’s voice cut through the excitement. "Look at Blastoise."

  Because, as Lucario landed the final hit of its Close Combat…

  Blastoise was already aiming its cannons downward.

  "Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me—"

  Before Lucario could retreat, Blastoise unleashed a point-blank Hydro Cannon.

  A blast of overwhelming force erupted from its cannons, hitting Lucario mid-strike.

  The impact detonated like an explosion, sending Lucario skidding backward through the snow.

  The screen showed Lucario’s health bar instantly dropping into the red.

  If not for its Focus Sash, it would have been obliterated.

  Rotom practically screeched with laughter.

  "HAH! Did you all SEE THAT?! Lucario lands a full-power Close Combat, and Blastoise just says ‘nah’ and fires a cannon straight into its face?! Brutal! I love it!"

  Milo felt his pulse spike.

  "Lucario, move!" Elliot called sharply, and Lucario, despite being seconds away from collapse, dug its feet into the ice, steadied itself, and stared Blastoise down.

  "Lucario LIVED?!"

  "That Focus Sash was clutch, but it’s barely hanging on!"

  "HOW is Red’s Blastoise so damn fast?! It’s not supposed to be able to move like that!"

  Amélie let out an exasperated wail, nearly shaking Floette in frustration. "HOW?! HOW IS IT BOTH A SNIPER AND A TANK?!"

  Clara crossed her arms. "It’s Red. He picks both."

  Still, as Red’s silent figure loomed above the battlefield, Isabelle couldn’t help but admire Milo and Elliot’s calm under pressure.

  They’d taken down Venusaur. That was something.

  But as the simulation shifted focus to Blastoise’s still-smoking cannons, Isabelle had to admit—Clara was right.

  Red didn’t lose. He was the reason everyone else did.

  Lucario barely stood, body shaking from exhaustion, but it was still in the fight. Togekiss glided into the battlefield, its presence light and airy—a stark contrast to the weight of Red’s suffocating dominance. The fairy-type chirped gracefully, flapping its wings as it took its position above Lucario, soaring through the storm with elegant ease.

  Milo’s fingers twitched slightly before tightening into a fist. No time to hesitate. They had to keep Blastoise from controlling the fight.

  "Togekiss, Light Screen—now!"

  A soft, shimmering barrier cascaded over the battlefield, the air tingling with energy as Light Screen enveloped Lucario, dampening the force of Red’s overwhelming attacks.

  Elliot remained expressionless, but his voice carried the slightest edge of intensity.

  "Lucario, Swords Dance."

  Lucario closed its eyes, its aura sharpening like a blade, energy flowing over its body in fierce, concentrated waves.

  Blastoise stood firm, its icy blue gaze unwavering, cannons smoking from its last devastating Hydro Cannon. The sandstorm howled around it, mixing with the snow—a perfect storm whipping through the battlefield.

  Red hadn’t moved.

  Hadn’t spoken.

  Above his head, a single text bubble appeared in the AR display:

  “...”

  That was it. No gestures. No commands. Nothing.

  It was as him as it gets.

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  A presence so absolute, it needed no wasted words.

  This was Red.

  Milo gritted his teeth. Fine. If he wouldn’t move, they would force him to.

  "Togekiss, Thunder Wave!"

  Togekiss twirled midair, a pulse of golden static bursting outward, arcing toward Blastoise—

  The crowd tensed.

  "Will it hit?!"

  "Come on, Blastoise is too damn fast—"

  "No, look!"

  Blastoise jerked slightly, its body locking up as the Thunder Wave landed.

  Paralyzed.

  Togekiss chirped in triumph, weaving through the sky effortlessly—and right on cue, Blastoise fired another Hydro Cannon.

  The arcade erupted in shock.

  "NO WAY—IT CAN STILL FIRE HYDRO CANNON EVEN WHILE PARALYZED?!"

  "That’s Red’s Blastoise for you. Even when it should be slowed, it still shoots like a sniper."

  Togekiss barely managed to twist out of the way, the sheer force of the blast ripping through the air, sending shockwaves across the battlefield.

  Milo’s heartbeat pounded in his ears. Even paralyzed, even slowed, Red’s Pokémon still fought as if they weren’t hindered at all.

  It wasn’t just strong—it was unrelenting.

  "Lucario, Extreme Speed—move!"

  Lucario blurred forward, dodging the next blast by a hair, maneuvering so fast that its silhouette distorted in the simulation’s storm. It wasn’t just keeping up—it was outmaneuvering Blastoise.

  And then, with speed only possible through sheer force of will, Lucario’s metallic fist shot forward—

  "Bullet Punch!"

  The impact slammed into Blastoise’s shell, jolting its entire body backward.

  Togekiss soared in at that exact moment, unleashing another Light Screen around Lucario.

  Red still didn’t move.

  Blastoise’s cannons shifted.

  The storm howled violently.

  "Lucario, move—!"

  Blastoise suddenly spun like a top, launching itself into the air—its entire body rotating at insane speeds, spraying water and ice in every direction like some frenzied Beyblade from hell.

  The crowd lost it.

  "IT CAN SPIN?!"

  "HOW DOES IT HAVE THAT MUCH CONTROL?!"

  "I SWEAR, THIS THING DEFIES PHYSICS!"

  Even Togekiss, graceful in flight, had to swerve hard to avoid getting caught in the spinning frenzy, barely keeping above the whipping ice beams and torrents of water.

  But then—

  A stutter in the rotation.

  Blastoise froze mid-spin, its body locking up from paralysis—

  "Now’s our chance!" Elliot said, his voice sharper than before.

  Lucario launched forward—

  "Close Combat!"

  Togekiss rained down a Dazzling Gleam from above, light bathing the battlefield in a brilliant, piercing glow.

  Lucario met Blastoise in mid-air—fists smashing into its shell in a flurry of brutal, precise strikes.

  For a split second—It almost looked like Blastoise was done. But then—The storm of battle slowed.

  Blastoise’s eyes snapped open. It was reacting. Even as it was falling—

  Skull Bash.

  A shockwave exploded outward.

  Blastoise’s head collided with Lucario’s chest, sending the aura friend rocketing backward before collapsing into the snow.

  The arcade went silent.

  On the AR screen, both Blastoise and Lucario’s health bars dropped to zero. A simultaneous K.O. Milo stared. Elliot’s gaze remained on the battlefield.

  Red hadn’t moved.

  “Lucario and Blastoise went down together?!”

  “What was that final attack?”

  “I can’t even be mad, that was insane!”

  Amélie clutched her Mimikyu plush so tightly it looked like it was about to burst. "I CAN’T EVEN PROCESS THIS. WHY DOES RED’S TEAM ALWAYS HAVE A FINAL MOVE READY?"

  Clara exhaled, arms crossed. "That’s the thing. It wasn’t a last move."

  Isabelle frowned slightly. "What do you mean?"

  Clara glanced at the AR screen, watching Red’s unmoving figure.

  “He knew. The second Blastoise was about to go down, it already had the reaction locked in. He didn’t command it. He didn’t have to. It just… knew what to do.”

  A beat of silence passed.

  Isabelle’s fingers curled slightly into her sleeves by Azzy.

  No hesitation. No wasted movements. Just pure control.

  The crowd was still in an uproar as the battle screen flickered, adjusting to the next combatant. Above them, the announcer Rotom's voice crackled through the speakers, its synthetic enthusiasm revving up. "BZZZT! Would ya look at that, folks! Red's Charizard has entered the fray, and oh boy, things are about to get HEATED!" The shockwaves of Blastoise’s final Skull Bash still lingered in the air like an unshakable phantom, but Red—unmoving, unreadable—was already ahead. His next Poké Ball flew into the storm with effortless precision.

  The moment it snapped open, the arcade exploded.

  A deep, guttural roar split through the simulation—low and thunderous, reverberating through the arcade. The VR/AR system processed the sound with precision, utilizing directional audio to create an almost tangible presence. The simulated environment not only projected sound but also incorporated force feedback, allowing Trainers to feel subtle vibrations matching the battle’s intensity. Visual fidelity was heightened through dynamic lighting and particle effects, making every ember, spark, and impact appear startlingly real, reinforcing the illusion of being in the midst of an actual high-stakes Pokémon battle. The simulated battlefield pulsed in response, the environment reacting as if it were a real-world clash, the ground trembling beneath an invisible force. Light refractions and particle effects danced across the projected space, reinforcing the illusion of reality, making the battle feel like more than just data—it felt alive. Charizard emerged, its wings slicing through the frigid air, each beat sending ripples through the swirling storm. Fire flickered from its maw as it beat its wings once, twice, dispersing snow and sand alike in a single, authoritative motion.

  The battlefield trembled.

  And then—

  Red lifted his wrist, revealing a metallic bracelet glinting against the storm’s muted light. Embedded within it, a single stone pulsed, dark and fiery in its brilliance.

  A Mega Stone.

  Milo’s breath hitched. Even most high-ranked trainers didn’t have access to Mega Evolution unless they had serious, deep-rooted ties. And even then, the cost was exorbitant, requiring not just financial power but an unbreakable bond between Trainer and Pokémon that exceeded a normal partnership.

  While not officially documented, rare high-level battles had demonstrated a phenomenon—Mega Evolution didn’t just enhance a Pokémon, it linked an energy source between Trainer and Pokémon. In real-world battles, this connection was believed to intertwine their life energies, creating a momentary state of perfect harmony. However, in the VR/AR simulation, this process was replicated through advanced algorithms and feedback systems, ensuring that Trainers could experience the intensity of Mega Evolution without the physical toll associated with real-world usage. What exactly this energy was remained undefined, but those who had observed it theorized that it was the intertwining of their life energies, momentarily achieving a perfect harmony.

  The effects of such synchronization had also been noted—Mega Evolution wasn’t without risk. Overuse, repeated strain, or pushing beyond the Pokémon’s limits could take a visible toll on the Trainer’s body, draining stamina or even causing brief physical weakness. However, in a simulated VR/AR environment like this one, the effects were purely algorithmic, designed to mimic real-world battle conditions without actually endangering Trainers. While the connection between Trainer and Pokémon was replicated, any physical sensations were artificially generated through haptic feedback and immersive sensory cues rather than actual physiological strain. While the connection between Trainer and Pokémon was simulated, the technology replicated the sensation and tactical depth of Mega Evolution without imposing physical strain on the user. For most Trainers, achieving Mega Evolution even once in a lifetime was an unattainable dream, but here, they could experience it within the bounds of safe, controlled combat.

  A single press.

  A single burst of energy.

  The battlefield ignited. "FLAMES! FIRE! AND ABSOLUTE FURY!" Rotom buzzed, sparks flying from its projection. "Mega Charizard X has entered the ring, and let me tell ya, if you ain't sweatin', you're LYIN'!"

  Flames engulfed Charizard, curling around its form like a living entity. Its orange hue deepened to jet black, its wings, once membranous, became spiked and dragon-like, and its eyes burned with an untamed azure flame.

  Mega Charizard X had arrived.

  Milo barely had time to react.

  Corviknight screeched against the biting winds, its armored wings struggling to maintain control. Beside it, Mega Ampharos bristled with static, golden filaments of energy pulsing through its wool, eyes glowing with anticipation. The storm churned, swirling around the three titans poised to strike.

  Isabelle's fingers curled into the fabric of her jacket. Azzy, resting in her arms, trembled slightly, ears twitching. Floette hovered close, her flower clutched tightly, petals swaying in the artificial wind. Across from her, Amélie was practically vibrating in her seat, eyes locked on the battle with an intensity that mirrored the storm itself. Clara, a few seats away, had her hands clasped together, shoulders tense.

  And Red—

  He lifted his wrist, and Isabelle's breath caught.

  The Key Stone embedded within his bracelet pulsed, dark and fiery in its brilliance. The energy rippled outward, an invisible tether linking Trainer to Pokémon. It was an unspoken language, a dialogue beyond words, where intent and will fused in seamless synchronization.

  For the briefest moment, Isabelle saw it.

  A flicker of sadness. It wasn’t just exhaustion or battle focus—it was something deeper. Isabelle felt a pang of unease, as if she were witnessing a moment not meant to be seen. Was it hesitation? Regret? The kind of weight carried by someone who had walked this path far too many times before? She wanted to dismiss it as a trick of the light, a fleeting trick of the storm’s shadows, but the look in Red’s eyes lingered in her mind for just a second too long. Isabelle couldn’t quite place it, but for that fleeting instant, it looked almost like regret, like he was fighting something far beyond the battlefield. A ghost of something lost. And then—

  It was there, in the slight downturn of Red’s gaze. A glimmer of something deeply human, barely visible beneath the weight of expectation, of legend. But just as quickly, it was gone. His expression hardened. A silent command.

  Mega Charizard X moved.

  In an instant, it was upon them.

  A burst of Flare Blitz ignited the battlefield, black and blue flames surging forward in an unstoppable torrent. Corviknight barely had time to react before the inferno swallowed it whole, its steel frame wailing as it was sent hurtling backward. The force of the attack slammed it against the ice-coated terrain, steam rising from where metal met flame.

  Mega Ampharos retaliated.

  A jagged bolt of Dragon Pulse ripped through the air, striking Charizard dead-on. The impact resonated, a thunderous crack splitting the arena, but Charizard stood firm, talons digging into the battlefield. It exhaled sharply, steam rising from its maw, and then—

  Blast Burn.

  The world ignited.

  A sphere of raw, incandescent fire erupted from Mega Charizard X, swallowing everything in its path. "WHOA NELLY!" Rotom practically screamed, static distorting its voice. "That Blast Burn's hotter than a Magmortar on a beach vacation! Can the opposing team even HANDLE that kinda heat?!" The battlefield became a silhouette of destruction, the very air wailing in protest as the move incinerated all opposition. The energy struck Mega Ampharos with cataclysmic force, sending the electric dragon skidding backward, sparks flickering weakly from its frame before it collapsed in defeat.

  The crowd was deafening.

  "What the hell!" someone shouted. "That was insane!"

  Milo’s hands tightened into fists, his breath uneven. Corviknight had been blown back, battered and barely holding on. But even as the dust settled, even as Charizard reared back with burning wings, something cracked beneath its form.

  The recoil. Charizard staggered, its wings faltering for a fraction of a second as the sheer force of its own attack rippled through its frame. Milo’s eyes flashed—an opening.

  Mega Ampharos, battered but unyielding, gathered what remained of its strength. The simulated snow crunched beneath its hooves as it reared back, static surging through its wool. A final Dragon Pulse cut through the frozen air, a lance of draconic energy searing towards Charizard.

  The blast struck true. Charizard let out a guttural snarl, its body rocked by the super-effective blow. But before Ampharos could recover, before Corviknight could even attempt to aid, Charizard was there.

  Red gave no verbal command. He didn’t need to.

  Dragon Claw.

  In a blur of motion, Charizard lunged. Its claws, glowing with a savage, draconic energy, tore through the battlefield. Corviknight let out a final, piercing screech as the strike sent it spiraling into the snow. Ampharos wavered, sparks dimming, before finally collapsing under the relentless assault.

  Defeat.

  The arcade roared. Isabelle felt Azzy tremble in her arms, the tiny Pokémon hiding its face as the overwhelming intensity shook the simulation. Amélie exhaled sharply beside her, hands clenching into fists. Clara barely breathed.

  Milo and Elliot barely had time to react before their next Pokémon were already deploying.

  Elliot’s Metagross crashed onto the battlefield, its steel-plated frame gleaming beneath the artificial storm. Beside it, Milo sent out Rotom-Wash, the electric phantom levitating, its form flickering between static pulses.

  Before anyone could process what was happening, Charizard moved.

  Flare Blitz.

  A searing inferno consumed the battlefield as Charizard charged headfirst, wreathed in fire. Metagross never stood a chance. The impact was instant, a detonation of heat and force as steel met unstoppable flame. The simulation’s rendering stuttered for a moment before reality snapped back—Metagross was gone. One hit. One shot.

  But at a cost.

  Charizard hit the ground hard, steam pouring from its body, flames dimming. The recoil was monstrous—far heavier than before. It staggered, wings dragging, its once-imposing frame momentarily hunched.

  Milo saw his moment.

  "Hydro Pump!"

  Rotom-Wash whirled, its core pulsing before unleashing a torrent of water. Charizard, still reeling from its own power, had no time to react. The Hydro Pump crashed into its chest, sending it careening backward. Steam exploded from its scales as it skidded, finally collapsing onto the battlefield.

  Mega Charizard X—defeated. The screen flickered as Rotom let out a dramatic electronic gasp. "HOLY CIRCUITS, FOLKS! That Hydro Pump just WASHED AWAY our fiery menace! I think I just short-circuited from the SHOCK!"

  The scoreboard updated.

  Time elapsed: 2 minutes, 34 seconds.

  Only three of Red’s Pokémon had been taken down. And yet—

  He hadn’t moved. Not once.

  Milo wiped sweat from his brow. Elliot, however, had only a single bead of sweat trailing down his temple—a singular, perfect drop. Hyperbole? Perhaps. But Red’s presence had that effect.

  The next phase began.

  From Red: Snorlax, Pikachu, and Espeon remained.

  From Milo: Rotom-Wash (healthy), Togekiss (low health), and Mamoswine (full health).

  From Elliot: Excadrill (sent out) and Milotic.

  The battle was far from over. "And just like that, folks, we move into the next round!" Rotom declared, its voice crackling with anticipation. "Red still has three Pokémon left, and he hasn't even BROKEN A SWEAT! Meanwhile, Milo and Elliot? Someone get those two a towel, stat!"