"Welcome back, everyone! For this next bout, we have two of the biggest known minds lined up here, as David Ishihara takes on Genis Sage!" the announcer said. "Let's see which of these two big brains out thinks the other!"
"I'm actually surprised by this matchup. Of all people to face off with, I didn't think I'd end up facing you." Genis said.
"I admit, I'm surprised too. I mean, the fact that you were able to defeat Raine the way you did. That's quite the brainpower you've got. I keep mentally telling myself not to underestimate you." David said.
"You say that now, but I know how that brain of yours works. As soon as you step into gear, you can come up with military-grade strategies easily. It did certainly help out against Odin." Genis said.
"I know. But admittedly, I'm still nowhere near Leops' level of cunning. Heck, not even Cheetah's for that matter. I still have a long way to go before I can say such." David said.
"Hahaha… You're too modest for your own good, sometimes. You know that?" Genis asked. "But enough about that. A lot of people have been wanting to see some strategic action here, so we better not disappoint."
"I get that. So let's not waste any time. Let's go!" David said as they both take their positions at the pitch.
"Let the battle begin!" the referee said.
"I'll start things off with Leafeon!" Genis said sending out Leafeon.
"Let's go, Bronzong!" David said sending out Bronzong.
"Making me work for it, huh? Works for me. Leech Seed!" Genis said. Leafeon plants seeds in Bronzong that sap at its health.
"A smart move but grass type moves aren't going to work well on a steel type like Bronzong." Sci-Twi said.
"Yes, but Genis knows that Bronzong doesn't have anything that can deal any lasting damage on Leafeon. So, he's having Bronzong chip away at Leafeon while Leech Seed does all the work." Leopardmon said.
"Let's start this off right. Gyro Ball!" David said. Bronzong starts forming into a ball and charged at Leafeon. The attack managed to deal considerable damage. "Gonna have to finish this fast. Flash Cannon!" Bronzong fires a blast of light at Leafeon, managing to take it out.
"Return!" Genis said. "Now for something with some bite! Let's go, Umbreon!" he said sending out Umbreon. "Now, Dark Pulse!" Umbreon dealt a powerful blast of dark energy at Bronzong.
"Nice. A Dark Type is perfect against Bronzong and its psychic type traits." Starlight said.
"Well, here's a little surprise. Use Body Press!" David said as Bronzong rushed at Umbreon, slamming its body onto it.
"I was expecting that. Umbreon, use Crunch!" Genis said as Umbreon bit into Bronzong and took it down. "Now, let's heal you up. Use Moonlight!" he said as Umbreon's lines glowed as it slowly healed.
"That's going to cause problems if I don't act fast." David said recalling Bronzong. "You're up, Beautifly!" he said sending out Beautifly. "Go! Infestation!" he said as Beautifly sent bugs to swarm at Umbreon, preventing him from being switched out. "Got you right where I want you! Now, Bug Buzz!"
Beautifly hit Umbreon hard with its Bug Type move, but thanks to Moonlight healing it, Umbreon was able to hang on.
"I had a feeling you'd try to exploit Umbreon's Bug Type weakness. You have to plan ahead if you want to win!" Genis said. "Umbreon, Dark Pulse again!"
Umbreon fired back at Beautifly, whose greater speed let her evade the attack.
"Finish it up with Giga Drain!" David said. Beautifly drained Umbreon's health and healed herself, making Umbreon faint.
"Beautifly is as strong as ever, David." Genis siad. "But a lot of my Pokémon can exploit her weaknesses. Like this one for example. Let's go, Glaceon!" he said sending out Glaceon.
"An Ice Type now. True that has some advantage since Beautifly is a Flying Type...but that might not be the case considering who Genis is facing." Starlight said.
"Interesting. We might have to work for this one. Now, Psychic!" David said.
Beautifly fired a Psychic Type attack as it hit glaceon dead on.
"Nice hit David, but how about this?! Glaceon, Blizzard!" Genis called. Glaceon fired back as Beautifly was hit in return.
"You can take it. Bug Buzz, one more time!" David said.
"Heh...Had a feeling you'd pull that. My trump card for my Glaceon! Mirror Coat!" Genis said.
"Oh that's not good…" David muttered.
Glaceon was coated in a magical barrier as Bug Buzz bounced off it and went back to Beautifly with twice the power.
"Genis is one smart kid." Hope said. "Saving a move like Mirror Coat for the last second is pretty clutch."
David recalled Beautifly. "So much for that. Hmm… This should do nicely. You're up, Vulpix!"
David sent out Vulpix as she landed on the ground.
"This should be easy. Glaceon, Blizzard!" Genis called as Glaceon attacked.
"I think not. Flame Charge!" David said.
"I guess Genis is a little out of loop but…" Starlight said as Vulpix hit Glaceon dead on, taking it out. "Ice Types don't fare well to fire."
"Should've seen that coming." Genis said. "Okay… Oh, I still have something! You're up, Octillery!"
"Now that's a good choice. Octillery has the advantage because of its powerful water moves and its sharpshooting." Titanica said.
"Hmm… I might need to put some effort into this one. Extrasensory!" David said. Vulpix fired and hit Octillery.
"So you wanna play it like that? I can do that! Octillery, Water Pulse!" Genis called as Octillery fired back. "Keep that up! Now, Octazooka!" Octillery then blasted ink in Vulpix's face, lowering its Accuracy.
"Okay, now for something with some force into it. Energy Ball!" David said. Vulpix fired at Octillery, which hit on contact dealing damage.
"Not hard enough, David! Octillery, Water Pulse one more time!" Genis called as Octillery finished off Vulpix.
David recalled Vulpix. "You're up to bat, Mightyena!" he said sending out Mightyena.
"Octazooka!" Genis called as Octillery fired at Mightyena.
"Now, Assurance!" David said. Mightyena then struck Octillery with a powerful attack, which made the octopus faint after taking the last attack from Vulpix.
"Down to two. Looks like it's time. Brace yourself for Gallade!" Genis said sending out Gallade.
"Gallade against a Dark Type? That's an odd choice." Connor said.
"A good one though. Fighting Types have a great advantage over Dark Types like Mightyena." Hope said.
"Gallade, let's do this! Close Combat!" Genis said as Gallade got in close and started beating away at Mightyena.
"Let's see…Now, Sucker Punch!" David said. Mightyena moved first as he struck at Gallade with a big hit. "Now, Shadow Ball!"
"Slash it apart, then use Psycho Cut!" Genis called. Gallade did so as he sliced up the Shadow Ball and then cut into Mightyena. But they both saw that Psycho Cut had no effect.
"You need to study up more, Genis. Don't you know that Psychic-Type moves have no effect on Dark-Types?" David asked.
"Of course! That's why you picked Mightyena!" Genis realized.
"Well, it's too late for that now! Dark Pulse!" David said. Mightyena obliged and blasted Gallade away.
"A shame...that brings me down to my last Pokémon." Genis said sadly.
"You don't seem too choked up about that." David said.
"Of course I'm not. See...the last one...is a secret weapon I saved for this moment! A Pokémon...that will earn my victory! Let's go, Coalossal!" Genis shouted sending out a large rock like creature.
"At last, we get to see it! Rolycolys' final evolution!" Frosta called.
"Bzzt! Coalossal, the Coal Pokémon and the evolved form of Carkol! A Fire and Rock Type! It's usually peaceful, but the vandalism of mines enrages it. Offenders will be incinerated with flames that reach 2,700 degrees Fahrenheit." Rotomphone said.
"Now for something that will really turn up that heat! It's time to Gigantamax!" Genis said recalling Coalossal. He threw its ball into the air as Coalossal popped out and increased in size. When it reached full height, it was even more colossal than before, making a mere mountain look like a hill compared to it.
"Update! Its body is a colossal stove. With Gigantamax energy stoking the fire, this Pokémon's flame burns hotter than 3,600 degrees Fahrenheit." Rotomphone said.
"Now...you all are about to witness something truly amazing! Let's go, Coalossal! G-MAX Volcalith!" Genis shouted as Coalossal burned bright as from David's side of the field, the ground ripped apart as flames and magma erupted from it, taking down Mightyena in one hit.
"Whoa! Talk about a hot eruption! You could toast the planet with that kinda heat!" Hope said.
"And here's the fun part...even after this move, any Pokemon you send out will slowly take damage for awhile." Genis said.
"I appreciate the warning, but… I don't think I need Froslass for this one." David said. "Instead, I'll bring out this guy. Let's go, Swampert!" he said bringing out Swampert.
"Interesting choice. But even with Swampert having the advantage, he's still taking damage from the effects of G-MAX Volcalith." Genis said as Swampert slowly took damage.
"Do I seem like I'm concerned about that? I'm about to show you the bonds between us!" David said recalling Swampert. His Pokéball enlarged as he tossed it in the air, Dynamaxing Swampert.
"Okay then David. Let's end this!" Genis said. "Coalossal, finish this with Max Flare, now!"
"Max Geyser!" David said.
"Genis had a good strategy but...there was one flaw. Coalossal is both Rock and Fire. So if it's hit with a powerful Water Type move…" Robin said as the attack hit Coalossal with massive force before causing an explosion.
"An instant One hit KO!" Yang said.
"Coalossal is unable to battle. Swampert wins! The winner and the second finalist is David Ishihara!" the referee said.
"That's right folks. Now we'll have both titans: David Ishihara and Titanica, face off in an epic free for all for a chance to face Leon!" the announcer said as the audience cheered.
Genis sighed. "I had everything planned out, and still you outwitted me. That battle is the reason I can't keep up with you David. I realize now I still have a lot to learn. Both with Pokemon and combat tactics. But I will catch up to you someday. Count on a rematch someday, no matter where we are or what we do."
"I'll be looking forward to that." David said. The two then shook hands as the crowd applauded.
"This next match is gonna be good. David and Alice battling each other, and the chance to battle Leon on the line." Hope said.
"Its kinda ironic because David's the Champion of the Hoenn Region." Hagakure said.
"One of them. You're forgetting about me." Sectonia said.
"Oh, wait… you two are Co-Champs? Sorry, I didn't know Sectonia." Hagakura chuckled.
"It's fine. David's the one that's more regarded as such due to his tactical mind." Sectonia said.
"This is gonna be a great challenge for Alice. She'll have to find a way around his strategies. But can it be possible to beat him? I don't think David's ever lost a battle." Hope said.
"You'll never know until both trainers hit the field and fight to find out." Fuyuhiko reminded.
"That's right. Besides...I have no doubt...that I can beat him. I'll rise above him...and win." Titanica said. "I didn't come this far...just to back down now."