Pokemon: Psychic Master

Crushing.

A complete and total crush.

It was clear that Emboar was likely Goodrian's starter Pokémon.

But the gap between Johan's Gengar and Goodrian's Emboar was enormous.

That Shadow Ball?

It wasn't Emboar's stamina bar that limited its survival — it was Emboar's own body that couldn't handle any more damage.

Even if Emboar had two or three health bars, the result would've been the same.

The match seemed easy for Johan, but the crowd loved every second of it.

Massive Shadow Balls, ridiculous Hydro Pumps, absolute freezing techniques…

The Indigo League Finals were delivering on every level!

And even if it felt like Johan was facing Baby Cup opponents, his battles were nothing but serious.

"Goodrian still has one last Pokémon!"

The crowd gasped at the reminder.

Goodrian was down to his final Pokémon?

Was Johan about to sweep another opponent without losing a single Pokémon?

Goodrian chuckled helplessly.

Why had he been struggling so hard?

But then he noticed something:

Gengar was still on the field.

Despite being visibly drained, Johan hadn't recalled it.

Goodrian's eyes lit up.

Maybe… I can knock out one of his Pokémon?

If he could defeat even one of Johan's Pokémon, it would be the greatest accomplishment of this entire tournament.

His determination returned.

"Go, Haxorus!"

The dragon roared as it emerged. Its olive-green armor gleamed under the lights, and its ax-like red jaws gleamed with deadly precision.

Seeing Haxorus, Johan raised an eyebrow.

"He's still holding back a trump card?" Johan muttered.

So this was Goodrian's real ace.

"If it were Hydreigon instead…"

If it had been a Hydreigon, the element of surprise might've allowed Goodrian to take down Gengar.

But with Haxorus?

It wasn't happening.

"Dragon Dance, Haxorus!"

Goodrian wasted no time, going straight for a power-up move.

Sure, Gengar could divide stamina with Pain Split, but that would only bring both of them to half health.

And judging from how exhausted Gengar looked, there was no way it could fire off another giant Shadow Ball.

Goodrian clenched his fists.

"Just one hit… That's all I need."

Haxorus spread its arms wide, spinning into a Dragon Dance.

Its aura surged, growing more ferocious with every movement.

"That Haxorus looks terrifying!"

"Is this Goodrian's real ace?"

"He's not giving up yet!"

But Johan didn't follow the expected playbook.

As a true strategist, why play the obvious moves?

He smirked.

"Encore."

Goodrian froze.

Encore?!

The crowd gasped.

Haxorus, caught mid-dance, began spinning again.

And again.

And again.

It couldn't stop.

"Goodrian's Haxorus is stuck in Dragon Dance!"

Up in the VIP seats, Cynthia giggled softly.

Her Garchomp gritted its teeth, grinding its jaw so hard it made a "grkkk grkkk" sound.

"Oh no," Cynthia teased her Pokémon. "Are you mad Gengar's pulling this on someone else now?"

Everyone could guess what would happen next.

"Pain Split."

Gengar grinned and shared its remaining stamina with Haxorus, leaving both Pokémon drained.

But that wasn't all.

"Thunder Wave."

Blue-purple sparks crackled in Gengar's hands.

The paralysis hit Haxorus head-on.

"Toxic."

A glob of venom splattered across Haxorus's olive armor, sinking in and leaving a purple sheen behind.

"Will-O-Wisp."

Ghostly blue flames ignited across Haxorus's body.

Burning.

Poisoned.

Paralyzed.

Haxorus never stopped dancing.

It just kept twirling in place, an absolute status effect mess.

The entire arena was silent.

No one knew how to react.

"Johan has crossed the line!"

"This is beyond unfair!"

Goodrian didn't know what to say.

Johan sighed.

"Let's be nice, Gengar."

"Finish it."

"Hex."

The final spell took down Haxorus.

With a look of relief, Haxorus collapsed onto the field.

Goodrian silently recalled his Pokémon.

"I shouldn't have dared to think I could take down one of Johan's Pokémon…"

For a long moment, the crowd remained stunned.

Was the finals… over?

"Ladies and gentlemen!" the announcer finally boomed. "The champion of this year's Indigo League Tournament has been crowned!"

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Fireworks exploded overhead.

Confetti rained down in a cascade of colors.

"JOHAN WINS!!"

"HAHAHA!!"

Professor Oak burst out laughing.

"Just like me in my youth… Bag-holding strategies always win."

Flannery was bouncing in her seat.

"He's the champion!!"

In the crowd, Ash clenched his fists, staring at Johan in awe.

"I'll become a champion too!"

At center stage, Johan and Gengar stood beneath the rain of confetti.

Johan released his Pokémon.

"Everyone, come out."

Gengar appeared with a grin and shades.

Ninetales wrapped its tails around Johan's arm.

Tinkaton hefted her massive hammer.

Dragonair fluttered gracefully overhead.

Kubfu stood proudly, wide awake.

And Rotom, floating nearby, blinked with surprise.

"Rotom," Johan smiled. "Take a group photo."

Rotom tilted its head.

"Me?"

Johan nodded.

"Of course. You're part of the team."

"You've been with us the whole time."

Gengar and the others nodded in agreement.

Rotom's screen flickered, glowing bright red.

"R-Roto!!"

The team gathered around Johan, pulling him into a tight group hug.

Confetti floated down around them.

"Three!"

"We are…"

"Two!"

"The Champions!!"

"One!"

CLICK!

Under a shower of colored ribbons, the Indigo League Champions celebrated together.

Back on the podium, Professor Oak approached Johan.

With a smile, he held out a massive trophy and a silver feather.

"Congratulations, Johan! You and your Pokémon have made history."

Johan took the trophy, laughing with his team.

Then he paused.

"Professor…"

"…Can I cash in this feather instead?"

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Powerstones?

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