Ch.75

Immediately Claydol used Light Screen followed by Reflect. Mamoswine used Amnesia and Mist again to rebuff himself and keep his stats unchanged. Then Claydol quickly flew toward Mamoswine who released an Ice Beam right as Claydol closed the distance. 

Claydol cried out in pain as the Ice Beam struck them point blank, before pushing through the pain and using Body Press to slam into Mamoswine. Mamoswine grunted as the impact struck him in the face, tanking the hit. Mamoswine, right after used Heavy Slam, crushing Claydol under his immense weight. 

Right after Mamoswine crushed Claydol, they used Endure, quickly drawing in all their power. Seeing Claydol about to use Selfdestruct or worse Explosion, I told Mamoswine to attempt to use Fissure, followed by Endure if it fails. 

Mamoswine focused and then released Fissure, but it failed even with the move mastery making the chances over 50% to succeed. Then Mamoswine used Endure as Claydol released an explosion that broke the two invisible barriers leaving the last just barely staying intact. Then the arena quickly added several new layers in emergency response drawing more energy in to power the heavier barriers. 

As the explosion and dust settled down, we saw both Pokémon standing there, but each was heavily damaged. Mamoswine was bleeding heavily from the attack, while Claydol had thier whole body all cracked looking ready to fall apart into dust. Steven and I both withdrew our Pokémon making the round a tie. 

I then brought out Milotic as Steven released his Cradily, an ancient Pokémon that could be brought back from a fossil. The crowd was excited to see this as it is very rare to see old Pokémon, as trainers rarely get a hold of them. The battle quickly started after each of us brought out our next Pokémon. 

Milotic like normal used Rain Dance and Aqua Ring, as Cradily used Ingrain followed by Leech Seed. However, Milotic is able to dodge the Leech Seed that Cradily spits out toward her. Milotic then quickly charged up an Ice Beam, as Cradily charged up more Grass Type energy. 

Both released their next move at the same time, as Milotic released an icy beam at Cradily who was unable to dodge. The beam struck Cradily just as a giant root came out of the group and whipped itself at Milotic. Milotic tried to dodge the move but wasn't fast enough as it struck her sending her flying into the invisible barrier. 

Milotic cried out in pain as she slammed into the barrier, before picking herself up and having a large gash in her side. However, it was quickly closing due to her Aqua Ring and the rain storm. Milotic then followed up with another Ice Beam, as Cradily charged up more Grass Type energy.

Once again Milotic used Ice Beam which struck Cradily who cried out in pain as more of its body became frostbitten. Just as Milotic released her move, Cradily released theirs, using Mega Drain on Milotic. An invisible force struck Milotic draining her energy and health, using it to restore Cradily. 

Milotic cried out as she collapsed on the ground in pain, before slowly getting up as Cradily looked almost as good as new again. Seeing Milotic on the losing end, I withdrew her, giving Steven the win for the first time today. I then sent out Leo who could hopefully take on the rest of his team. 

As Leo appeared he let out a roar and released his aura, which made Cradily collapse on the ground as everyone went quiet. Only a handful of people here have met God-ranked Pokémon and knew what one was when they saw it. The ones who did stare at Leo in surprise and awe, while everyone else was doing the same but thought Leo was only Emperor Ranked. 

Right as the battle started, Leo didn't give Cradily any time to react and slammed into them using Fire Blitz. The power behind the attack was strong enough to uproot Cradily and send them crashing into the invisible barrier. Cradily didn't even let out a cry as they were knocked out immediately upon being struck. 

Steven gritted his teeth, as only his ace is Emperor Ranked, with the rest being King/Queen Ranked. Steven then sent out Skarmory who let out a metallic screech on appearing. However, Leo just stared at them uninterested, with the battle being right after. 

Once again Leo moved before Skarmory could react slamming into them using Fire Blitz and knocking them out as they struck the barrier. The crowd was going crazy seeing Leo one-shotting both Steven's Pokémon. Steven then sent out our next victim, Armaldo, another rare ancient Pokémon. 

However, like the last two, Leo took them out in one move as people were now chanting Leo's name. Steven looked very annoyed before sending out his last and ace of his team, Metagross, who appeared to be a shiny version of his kind and Emperor Ranked. However, it seems Metagross just entered the Emperor stage, meaning Leo can still win this in one or two moves. 

As soon as the battle started, Leo charged Metagross with Fire Blitz again, however, just as Leo struck Metagross used Protect. Leo struck the invisible barrier, bouncing off of it harmlessly. Metagross then dropped the move and used Hammer Arm, which struck Leo in the side making Leo grunt in pain. 

Leo however, easily pushed through the pain and used Sacred Fire, a signature move of Entei and Ho-Oh. The rainbow of colors, washed over Metagross as the heat from the move broke the first invisible reinforced barrier. Then as Leo stopped the move, we saw Metagross just barely conscious. 

Before Leo could finish Metagross off, Steven withdrew them. Leaving Leo and I the winners as the crowd cheered for us. Then we headed to the Pokémon center, where my Pokémon were quickly healed as Steven stayed behind to heal his whole team. This time I went back out to the arena and did a solo interview. 

Steven then appeared and they asked him some questions before we left the arena. By the time the battles were over it was just past noon. I then spent the rest of the day with our family. The following day came, with Cynthia and I heading to the arena before everyone else again. 

However, this time they interviewed all three of us together about the quarter-finals. We each gave our opinions before heading to the waiting area. Then the staff came in, informing us that I was chosen as the random one to automatically move to the semi-finals. That would leave Cynthia and Leon as the two to battle today. 

"Good luck," I say kissing Cynthia before taking my leave. 

"Lucas, so you are the one they chose to move on," my Dad says seeing me enter the VIP box our family has been using to watch the battles. 

"Yeah, I'm surprised they didn't have Cynthia and I battle just for some drama or views," I say picking up my son as he runs over to me excited to see me again so quickly. 

"The league is probably trying to get on the good side of the soon-to-be new Pokémon Master," my Dad says as everyone nods their heads. 

"What makes you think I can beat Oak?" I say knowing that I can beat him, but it will be a hard-fought battle. 

"I doubt even Oak has a God Ranked Pokémon, and if he does, he only has one. We know Leo isn't the only one on your team to have reached that rank," Dad says to me with a smirk as everyone else nods their heads. 

"True…" I say unsure what else to say. 

"How do you think they are going to fill up the time, with just one battle on the schedule?" Cynthia's Aunt says while seeing them set some things up on the field. 

"Apparently they are holding a small Pokémon beauty contest, you guys didn't check the online page?" I say giving them confused looks as everyone looks embarrassed they didn't. 

"So they are holding a Pokémon beauty contest, which will start today, with the quarter-finals tomorrow. The semi-finals the day after, and the finals on the same day as whoever battles Professor Oak. You could have signed up online a few weeks before the competition," I say to them shrugging. 

"I believe Cynthia and Diantha both signed up for it too," I say thinking about two main famous people taking part in the competition. 

"Oh, she didn't tell us!" Cynthia's Grandmother says while looking down to see them almost done setting up the stage area. 

"Guess she thought you knew, since it was advertised on the online page," I say shrugging as we all take our seats seeing the contest about to start. 

Several dozen men and women walk out with their chosen Pokémon for the competition. Cynthia was using Milotic for the competition, as Diantha was using her Gardevoir. After several hours, the competition ends with both Cynthia and Diantha moving on to the next round. 

Then lunch came where we ate in the VIP box, while Cynthia came up too. We all congratulated her on moving up in the Pokémon beauty contest. Afterward, it was time for her to battle Leon, once again we all wished her luck. Cynthia smiled at us before leaving, but not after getting a good luck hug from our son. 

"Go, Mom!" Blaine shouts as Cynthia walks onto the arena waving to the crowd. With Leon doing the same, the two shake hands before walking to spots. 

The battle starts shortly after, with Cynthia and Leon appearing equal in terms of strength. As both are taking the other's Pokémon back to back, with Garchomp coming out against Leon's ace, Charizard. Both Pokémon squared off roaring at the other, with both appearing to be in the late stages of Emperor/Empress Rank. 

However, after several intense minutes, with both Pokémon becoming heavily injured and Charizard looking slightly better being able to fly. Leon won the match, with the crowd going crazy. However, we all were sad seeing Cynthia lose, though it would mean we would face each other next. 

"Booooo!" Blaine shouts seeing Leon win against his mom. 

The two had their interviews before Cynthia came up to meet us. Afterward, we all went out again however, Cynthia was not that upset since she gave it her best. Plus now she made her mark in the world taking her place as one of the currently strongest trainers in the world. 

The following morning, I left everyone behind as I headed to the arena. Where Leon and I met to have an interview together before our big battle. The interviewers tried to get me upset by asking me leading questions about yesterday's battle, however, I just ignored the questions or gave them neutral answers. 

Then the time came for the Pokémon beauty contest again, with Cynthia and Diantha both moving on again to the finals, along with two others. Leon and I walked out waving to the crowd. We shook hands before walking to our spots, but not before the President gave a quick small speech about whoever wins here will get to possibly become the next Pokémon Master.