The Pantheon

The Indigo Conference - Part III

Ashley bounced a little on her toes, grinning as the crowd roared around her. Top 16. The match hadn't even started, and she could already feel the energy buzzing under her skin. And honestly? She loved it.

She glanced across the field at Assunta, who looked all serious and focused, arms crossed and Rhydon already standing tall in front of her. Ashley tilted her head and offered a short, casual wave. Assunta didn't return it. Cool. So, they were going full intensity. She could play that game.

"Alright, Pluto," Ashley said as she unclipped the Pokéball and tossed it forward, "let's show them what you've got."

The white flash of light resolved into her Absol—sleek, gleaming, and shiny, which made many people in the stands actually gasp. Pluto shook out his mane like he was expecting compliments and immediately lowered into a crouch, eyeing the Rhydon with unbothered calm. The guy had presence. She'd give him that.

Her other teammates—Mars, Apollo, Chione, Janus—were still tucked away in their Poké Balls. That was the whole point. Save the powerhouses and unusual Pokémon for later, keep the edge in surprise. She wasn't about to blow her full hand now.

Assunta didn't waste time. "Rhydon, Stone Edge!"

"Protect!"

Pluto shimmered behind the green shield just as a jagged stone burst from the ground, slamming into the barrier with a thud. Ashley didn't flinch. Rhydon had power, no one was denying that. But power wasn't everything.

She snapped her fingers. "Set up a Substitute, then get moving!"

Pluto moved fast—almost too fast for his size. He slipped backward, creating a shadowy double of himself as the real one slid out of view, circling wide. Ashley kept her eyes locked on Rhydon. That Pokémon could do damage, but it was slower and less reactive than her Pantheon. Ashley just needed to keep the pressure steady.

"Rhydon, Earthquake!"

Well, so much for subtle.

The battlefield cracked and shook. Ashley planted her feet hard, watching Pluto leap away from the trembling ground. The Substitute shattered, but it had done its job—bought just enough time to reposition. Pluto didn't wait for orders; he lunged in and struck Rhydon low with Iron Tail, right between the knee joint and the base. It didn't topple the beast, but it made him grunt and take a half-step back.

Assunta's eyes narrowed. "Megahorn."

"Double Team!"

It was a close one. The horn came within a breath of hitting Pluto's actual form before he scattered into five, then ten copies, darting in and out of the battlefield like shadows.

Ashley cupped her hands around her mouth. "Weather Ball!"

It came from the left—maybe the sixth clone. A crackling sphere of swirling, sandy energy slammed into Rhydon's flank, catching the edge of its shoulder. Sandstorm had already been activated earlier in the round when Pluto first entered; she liked giving him options. Versatility was part of the deal.

Rhydon snarled, turning wildly, trying to locate the real one.

"Future Sight," Ashley said calmly.

Pluto flicked his head once. It didn't look like much. Nothing changed on the field. But she saw it—his eyes narrowed, his breathing slowed, his stance shifted. That move was already on its way.

Assunta frowned. She probably knew it too.

"Thunderbolt!"

Ashley blinked. "Wait, since when does Rhydon—?!"