On the field, Pikachu and Sneasler launched into a fierce close-quarters battle.
Sneasler's sharp claws slashed again and again, while Pikachu countered relentlessly with Iron Tail.
However, Pikachu only had a single tail. Faced with Sneasler's relentless pressure, it could only fight while retreating.
Bang!
Another clash—Iron Tail against Dire Claw. As both sides poured in more strength, the result was still evenly matched.
"Yellow, your Pikachu really is strong, but…"
Dylan's lips slowly curled upward, the scene reminding him of Ash and Paul's battle long ago.
Pikachu's Iron Tail locking with Electivire's Brick Break—how similar it was.
Only this time, it was Pikachu's Iron Tail versus Sneasler's Dire Claw.
"But in the end—Pikachu only has one tail!"
"Sneasler!"
Sneasler's eyes filled with malicious intent. Its left claw shot up, glowing with deep purple light.
Dire Claw!
The claw tore straight down toward Pikachu's head.
"Pikachu!" Yellow cried out urgently.
Pikachu tried to pull back and dodge—but the moment it withdrew force, Sneasler's right claw could immediately follow up.
Could it retreat in time?
The answer was no.
Rrip—!
Pikachu narrowly avoided the left claw, but Sneasler's right Dire Claw still struck home.
Pikachu cried out in pain, sent flying backward.
"Poison Jab!"
With a wicked grin, Sneasler pressed forward, attempting to chase.
"Thunderbolt!"
The instant Pikachu landed, a sharp burst of electricity shot out, striking the charging Sneasler head-on.
Boom!
Thunderbolt exploded. Sneasler screeched in fury—but the damage was done.
At the same time, deep purple poison light flared across Pikachu's body. Pain twisted its expression.
Poisoned!
Yellow pressed her lips together. Poison again—without question, it was Dire Claw.
The audience was stunned.
"Damn—what kind of guaranteed status claw is that?!"
"This is insane—every hit causes a debuff?!"
"Dire Claw and Poison Touch both have high activation rates, sure—but not 100%, right?!"
"That Sneasler is crazy strong. Where did he even catch it? It'd fit my Poison team perfectly!"
The crowd buzzed with disbelief.
Yellow couldn't hear them. She was already getting anxious.
Even without Toxic poison, the venom would steadily drain Pikachu's stamina. This fight had to end quickly.
But right now, Pikachu wasn't at an advantage.
"Close in," Dylan commanded calmly.
Sneasler burst forward at high speed.
"Pikachu—Electroweb!" Yellow's eyes hardened. It was time to decide this.
Electricity crackled along Pikachu's tail as it whipped out, casting a net of lightning toward Sneasler.
Sneasler twisted aside at high speed, narrowly evading.
"Volt Tackle!"
Yellow seized the opening instantly.
"Pika-pika-pika!!"
Pikachu slammed its paws into the ground, electricity surging wildly around its body.
This was Pikachu's signature move—a devastating close-range Electric attack.
Raging currents engulfed Pikachu completely. The blinding light made it nearly impossible to look at directly, its power overwhelming.
"Head-on clash?" Dylan raised an eyebrow, then after a brief pause chose to meet it directly.
Sneasler growled low, white light flaring across its limbs as it charged forward.
Close Combat vs. Volt Tackle!
BOOOOM!
In Close Combat stance, Sneasler unleashed a flurry of punches and kicks against the oncoming Volt Tackle. Pikachu pushed forward with everything it had—but still couldn't break through immediately.
A massive shockwave erupted outward. White light and lightning blasted skyward as violent winds roared across the field.
What an incredible collision!
Leon and the other battle-hungry Trainers watched with blazing eyes—this was the all-out battle they lived for.
"It doesn't seem to be overpowering it," Gloria suddenly said.
Volt Tackle couldn't suppress Sneasler's Close Combat. Worse, Pikachu's momentum was weakening—it was running out of strength.
Yellow noticed it too.
…So it still wasn't enough?
She bit her lip.
No.
Absolutely not.
"Pikachu! Don't give up!! Show them everything we've got!!"
Yellow screamed with all her strength. How could this be the limit?!
"Pika—PIKA-CHUUU!!!"
Hearing Yellow's voice, Pikachu clenched its teeth. From its exhausted body, fresh power surged forth once more.
The electricity around it suddenly flared brighter, swelling violently. Lightning shot skyward, illuminating every spectator's eyes and leaving them stunned.
Dylan couldn't help but chuckle.
Sneasler's Close Combat finally collapsed, completely overwhelmed. Volt Tackle broke through and slammed directly into Sneasler.
BOOOOM—!!
The deafening explosion shook the arena. Wild lightning surged everywhere, even disrupting the giant screen into static.
The entire stadium fell silent.
As the smoke slowly cleared, a small figure staggered out.
"Pi… pi…"
Pikachu panted heavily, pain etched across its face. Purple poison light and golden electricity flickered across its body—the poison gnawing at it, the recoil from Volt Tackle tearing it down.
The wind blew the smoke away completely.
At the bottom of a massive crater, Sneasler lay unconscious.
Yellow finally let out a breath.
She did it.
She beat Sneasler.
"One-one-one version, no errors!"
"Sneasler has lost its ability to battle—Pikachu wins!" the referee announced.
On the restored screen, Sneasler's icon dimmed.
The arena exploded.
"What the hell was that?!"
"That was Volt Tackle?! Are you sure that wasn't a Z-Move?!"
"Cheats again! Total cheats!!"
"That Sneasler tanked that? I'll eat a ton on stream! That lightning was insane!"
Everyone was shaken by the terrifying electric blast.
"Wonderful—truly wonderful!" Dylan applauded Yellow, smiling warmly.
"That Volt Tackle was magnificent. I'm impressed."
There was no doubt—that attack had been extraordinary. Whether it was Yellow's Viridian power amplifying Pikachu, or Pikachu refusing to disappoint her…
Either way, it was breathtaking.
Hearing Dylan's sincere praise, Yellow smiled brightly. Exhausted Pikachu also managed a very human smile.
"But the battle isn't over yet," Dylan said, recalling Sneasler.
"So next—let this one be your opponent."
He released his third Pokémon.
"Glimmora."
After that explosive burst, there was little left to say.
Pikachu's condition was already dire—and it was poisoned. Glimmora paid a small price but defeated Pikachu.
Yellow's final Blastoise was paralyzed and unable to turn the tide.
"Blastoise has lost its ability to battle. Glimmora wins."
"Yellow has no remaining Pokémon. This match goes to Dylan. Yellow is eliminated. Dylan advances."
The referee declared the result.
"The winner is decided! After an intense battle, victory goes to Dylan! Let's give him a round of applause!"
Thunderous applause filled the stadium.
"The process was incredible," May said while clapping. "She took down two of Champion Dylan's main Pokémon."
"Absolutely," Steven agreed. "And those weren't ordinary mains—they're clearly top-tier even within Dylan's team."
"Truly amazing~! That Volt Tackle was gorgeous," Wallace said sincerely.
"A Pikachu pulling off something like that… terrifying."
On the field.
"Good work."
Yellow recalled Blastoise, looking nervous as Dylan approached, Glimmora floating beside him.
She fidgeted anxiously.
She'd done her absolute best—but still only defeated two of his main Pokémon. Would he be disappointed?
Dylan stopped in front of her, smiled softly, and reached up to straighten her straw hat.
"That was an excellent battle, Yellow. You've grown—and I'm very happy."
He then patted her shoulder gently.
Yellow froze, her eyes lighting up.
"But… I only defeated two of your Pokémon," she said shyly.
"Better than I expected," Dylan laughed. "And I didn't hold back this time."
"Keep working hard. I'll keep waiting for you to challenge me again—understand?"
"Yes!!"
Yellow nodded hard, breaking into a huge smile, her eyes curved like crescents.
The camera caught the moment—
the smiling girl, the gentle man looking at her.
So harmonious and warm that most viewers smiled along unconsciously.
"Yellow's really improved," Gloria said cheerfully.
"Next up is your match, old man. Don't disappoint us."
She glanced at Giovanni—if he won too, then the top four would be completely dominated by Kanto!
"Heh—don't worry," Giovanni replied calmly.
After all… he was Giovanni.
A mere Galar 'monster'—
He'd win.