"This is Arena No. 4. The first-round battle will be between Trainer Nando and Trainer Paul!"
The announcer's voice echoed throughout the packed stadium, where every seat in the audience was filled.
On the battlefield below, Paul and Nando stood on opposite sides, silently waiting for the match to begin.
"The first Pokémon is always an exciting choice! Let's see what our two competitors will send out!"
As the words fell, both Nando and Paul grabbed a Poké Ball and threw them into the air simultaneously.
"Go, Roserade!"
"Metagross, get ready for battle!"
"Rosé~"
"Grroo~"
Roserade landed gracefully and spinning elegantly, while Metagross descended with an intense, piercing gaze.
"Trainer Nando will have the first move. Let the battle begin!"
The referee announced the start of the match.
"Roserade, use Grass Whistle!"
"Rosé~"
A smirk appeared at the corner of Roserade's mouth as a leaf materialized at its lips. A melodious tune resonated through the air, drifting in all directions. Every creature that heard the Grass Whistle felt drowsy, their movements slowing as the hypnotic sound took effect.
"Psychic!"
The moment the tune reached Metagross, it remained unmoved. A surge of powerful psychic energy enveloped its entire body, easily blocking the hypnotic sound waves.
At the same time, thanks to its ability to multitask, Metagross directed its extrasensory power toward Roserade, forcefully slamming it into the ground and cutting off the enchanting melody.
"Roserade, use Petal Dance!"
Despite being repeatedly slammed into the ground, Roserade's flowers glowed with vibrant energy. A storm of petals erupted around it, breaking free from the psychic hold and sweeping toward Metagross.
"Agility!"
Just as the petals closed in, Metagross' massive silver body vanished in a blur, darting across the battlefield at extreme speed, effortlessly dodging every single petal.
"Magical Leaf!"
Nando quickly adjusted his strategy. The petals transformed into countless green leaves, locking onto Metagross as they chased it down.
"Meteor Mash!"
Metagross swiftly raised its forelimbs and launched itself forward like a meteor.
BOOM!
The incoming Magical Leaves shattered upon impact, scattering into fragments.
"Dodge quickly!"
Realizing that Magical Leaf had no effect, Roserade attempted to sidestep, moving gracefully across the battlefield.
However, after only a couple of steps, an unseen force locked onto it—Metagross had used its Psychic abilities to hold Roserade in place! Helpless, Roserade could only watch as the Meteor Mash closed in…
BANG!
The two Pokémon collided, and Roserade was sent flying across the battlefield.
"Psychic!"
Before Roserade could even hit the ground, Metagross unleashed a powerful psychic blast, striking it mid-air and sealing its fate.
Roserade crashed to the ground, its head tilting as it drifted into unconsciousness.
"Roserade is unable to battle! Metagross wins!"
The referee declared.
"Whoa! What an incredible match! Trainer Paul's Metagross isn't just a rare shiny Pokémon—it's also overwhelmingly strong!"
"With its overwhelming offense and terrifying speed, it took down Roserade with ease!"
"Let's see how Trainer Nando responds to this formidable Metagross."
The announcer's voice energized the crowd as excitement filled the stadium.
"Return, Roserade. You did great."
Nando withdrew Roserade into its Poké Ball and after a moment of observation, he pulled out his next choice.
"Go, Altaria!"
"Riaaa~"
A melodic cry echoed across the battlefield as Altaria took to the skies, its cotton-like wings fluttering gently as it soared gracefully.
"Heh… A Flying-type, huh?"
Paul smirked upon seeing Altaria.
"Altaria, use Dragon Dance!"
Upon Nando's command, Altaria began a mystical dance mid-air, performing an ancient ritual that increased its attack and speed.
However…
"Gravity!"
Being a highly versatile Pokémon, Metagross had mastered the move Gravity over time. A mysterious purple glow emerged from its body, enveloping the entire battlefield in an intense gravitational field.
"Ahh!"
Within the heavy gravity zone, Altaria's body trembled. Just as its Dragon Dance was about to complete, it was forcibly pulled to the ground, and unable to maintain its flight.
"It knows Gravity too?"
Nando's expression darkened.
He had anticipated that Paul's Ninetales would know Gravity—but he hadn't expected Metagross to possess the move as well!
"Cotton Guard!"
Realizing that Metagross was gathering energy for a major attack, Nando acted quickly. Knowing that Altaria wouldn't be able to dodge under these conditions, he opted for a defensive maneuver.
"Riaaa~"
A soft green glow surrounded Altaria as its cotton-like feathers expanded, becoming fluffier and significantly increasing its defense.
"Amazing! That's a major boost to its defenses!"
"Alright. Meteor Beam—fire."
Paul's voice was calm and decisive.
That's right—Metagross had indeed been preparing a powerful attack, but it wasn't a physical one.
After absorbing cosmic energy to boost its special attack, Metagross unleashed a devastating beam of energy that tore through the battlefield, striking Altaria directly before it could react.
BOOM!
A massive explosion shook the stadium, dust and fragments scattering in all directions. Altaria's form vanished within the rising smoke.
With Metagross' special attack boosted, a Rock-type Meteor Beam striking a Flying-type Altaria was nothing short of devastation!
Seconds later as the dust settled, Altaria lay motionless in a crater, its body covered in dust and fragments.
"Altaria is unable to battle! Metagross wins!"
The referee announced once again.
"Oh no! Danger! Big danger! Trainer Nando is in serious trouble!"
"Roserade and Altaria have both been taken down effortlessly by Metagross. What will Trainer Nando do now?"
"What Pokémon will he send out next?"
The announcer's voice carried excitement and suspense through the air.
Nando recalled Altaria, his mind was racing as he analyzed his remaining Pokémon.
"Metagross is powerful. It's already boosted its speed, its attacks are overwhelming, and its Psychic control is on another level. Which one should I send out?"
Going over his options, Nando knew that only two of his Pokémon could put up a fight—Lopunny and Kricketune.
In this critical moment, after a rapid thought process, he made his decision.
With a determined look, he tossed his final Poké Ball into the air.
"Kricketune, I choose you!"
A confident and battle-ready Kricketune landed on the battlefield, its stance exuding a warrior's spirit.
"Wow! Trainer Nando's final Pokémon is Kricketune!"
"In this decisive moment, Kricketune steps up!"
"No matter how strong Metagross is—it doesn't matter! Kricketune will strike!"
"I believe in it! I believe it will create a miracle!"
As Kricketune made its grand entrance, the announcer, a passionate fan of the species, erupted into an excited cheer.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you want to access advance chapters, please visit: patreon.com / PMadz_23