Team Rocket’s Second-in-Command!

If this continued, Electrode's only fate would be to be whittled down and defeated.

Especially since Ditto's repeated use of Shadow Claw failed to trigger Electrode's Static ability.

Jun knew he couldn't just sit back and let this happen.

However, Ditto's transformation into Gengar had completely disrupted his initial strategy.

Originally, he planned to use Explosion to take Ditto down in one decisive move.

But Explosion, being a Normal-type move, was ineffective against the Ghost-type Gengar.

His carefully laid tactics were rendered useless.

To make matters worse, the slippery Ditto-Gengar left him with few options to deal any substantial damage without resorting to wide-area moves like Explosion.

As Electrode struggled more and more under Ditto's relentless assault, Jun finally made a difficult decision.

He recalled Electrode, opting instead to send out his trump card.

"Jun has decided to switch out Electrode after struggling against Luo Yuan's Ditto tactics. What Pokémon will he send out next?"

The commentator, Kyosuke, speculated aloud.

The audience erupted with cheers of encouragement for Jun.

Their support wasn't necessarily for him to win but rather to prolong the match. The battles had been so one-sided that the tournament was already halfway through, far quicker than anyone expected.

Had Jun known their thoughts, he might've coughed up blood in frustration.

Determined, Jun pulled out an Ultra Ball.

This was his strongest Pokémon, usually reserved for the final moments of a match.

But Jun realized that if he didn't use it now, it might be too late to turn the tide.

"Go, Hydreigon! Sweep them all aside!"

"Roooaaar!"

A chilling, guttural roar echoed across the battlefield as the fearsome Hydreigon emerged.

Its ominous purple, black, and blue color palette made it look even more menacing.

Hydreigon floated effortlessly in the air, its Levitate ability allowing it to hover without needing to flap its six wings. All three of its heads growled lowly, while its tail swayed, seemingly itching to destroy anything in its path.

"Hydreigon… a formidable foe."

Hydreigon, the pseudo-legendary of the Unova region, was a Dark/Dragon-type Pokémon, perfectly countering Ghost-types like Gengar.

Luo Yuan quickly assessed its strength.

As an experienced trainer with psychic abilities, Luo Yuan could tell from Hydreigon's aura alone that this was a champion-level Pokémon.

"Troublesome indeed," he muttered, acknowledging the challenge.

Emboar, Beartic, and now Hydreigon—Jun had already revealed three champion-level Pokémon. These powerful partners were the reason he made it to the finals.

In comparison, Pokémon like Crawdaunt and Electrode, which were merely near-champion level, had been easy prey for Ditto.

But this Hydreigon was a true test.

---

Faced with the intimidating Hydreigon, Ditto grew visibly cautious.

Then, its body shimmered and rippled as it transformed.

In an instant, it became a shiny version of Hydreigon, its purple and black hues replaced with lighter shades, and its teal markings now a more vibrant green.

The real Hydreigon regarded its "imposter" with outrage.

Seeing this blatant mimicry as a challenge, it let out a deafening roar before charging forward like an arrow released from a bowstring.

Ditto-Hydreigon held its ground.

The two Hydreigon clashed midair, their fangs and claws colliding in a chaotic, violent spectacle.

Flames, beams, and bites flew as the two dragons traded blows. A Dragon Breath here, a Dragon Pulse there—the air sizzled with the intensity of their battle.

Although Ditto-Hydreigon had Luo Yuan's mental guidance for precision and strategy, it also lost the ground advantage it enjoyed in prior battles.

Without its Earth affinity, Ditto's naturally weaker stamina began to show.

Though it held a slight advantage for now, Luo Yuan knew it couldn't last.

Instead of switching Ditto out for another Pokémon, such as Charizard or Garchomp, Luo Yuan decided to let the battle play out.

For one, Ditto's situation wasn't dire enough to warrant an immediate change.

For another...

"It's finally getting interesting," Luo Yuan said, cracking his knuckles.

He glanced at Jun with a faint smile. "Don't disappoint me."

Before Jun could respond, Luo Yuan connected with Ditto through their psychic link, taking direct control of the battle.

The shift in tactics was immediate.

When Hydreigon lunged with Crunch aimed at Ditto's wing, Ditto didn't dodge outright or meet the attack head-on, as it might have before.

Instead, it performed a precise barrel roll midair, narrowly avoiding the attack while glowing with a red aura.

Work Up.

Ditto-Hydreigon's Attack and Special Attack rose sharply.

In the next instant, its wings glowed silver, blocking Hydreigon's Iron Tail with Steel Wing.

Clang!

The metallic clash reverberated, but Ditto-Hydreigon was already countering.

"Dark Pulse!"

A wave of sinister energy radiated from Ditto, surging toward Hydreigon.

The real Hydreigon reacted quickly, firing its own Dark Pulse to meet the attack head-on.

However, Ditto's boosted Special Attack gave it the upper hand. Its wave of dark energy overpowered Hydreigon's, forcing it back.

The stalemate dragged on, but Luo Yuan wasn't about to let it become a drawn-out battle of attrition.

Sharing Ditto's perspective through their psychic link, he waited for the perfect angle.

Then, Ditto-Hydreigon suddenly intensified its Dark Pulse, overwhelming Hydreigon momentarily.

Taking advantage of the opening, Ditto unleashed a brilliant, violet energy beam.

"Dragon Pulse!"

The Dragon Pulse pierced through the fractured Dark Pulse like the first ray of dawn breaking through the night, slamming directly into Hydreigon's center.

Boom!

The resulting explosion sent Hydreigon tumbling through the air, trailing smoke and debris.

Its massive body crashed toward the ground like a kite with its string cut.

"Hydreigon!" Jun shouted, his voice tinged with panic.

Perhaps spurred by its trainer's call, Hydreigon managed to recover just before hitting the ground.

With a mighty beat of its six wings, it stabilized itself midair, growling in defiance.