c128: Kartana
Sceptile's body shimmered, its Agility still active, and it narrowly avoided Metagross's incoming Meteor Mash.
"Sceptile, use Night Slash!"
Master Lin quickly countered, calling upon a Dark-type move.
While Dark moves weren't super effective against Metagross, they at least bypassed its Psychic typing unlike Grass-type moves, which Metagross resisted.
Master Lin grimaced. Grass-type techniques were mostly ineffective, and this particular Metagross judging by its build and precision was far stronger than the Sceptile he'd used in his early Hoenn travels.
Twin arm blades surged with dark energy as Sceptile launched forward, Night Slash crackling violently.
"Metagross, counter with Hammer Arm!"
Chen Xiaoxiao stayed composed and issued her response instantly.
Metagross raised one of its massive metallic limbs. Just as Sceptile lunged close to deliver Night Slash, Metagross's robotic arm came down like a piston.
BOOM!
The impact reverberated through the stadium. Sceptile was blasted backward before its blades could land, letting out a painful cry as it crashed into the floor.
Its body went limp, eyes spiraling the hit had drained the last of its stamina.
"Sceptile is unable to battle! Metagross wins!"
The referee raised a flag and declared the result promptly.
"Metagross, nice work!"
"Wow! It really is a pseudo-legendary!"
"Chen Xiaoxiao, we love you!"
Cheers erupted from the stands as fans celebrated Metagross's clean win.
"Come back, Sceptile," Master Lin said, recalling his partner with a flash of red light. He handed the Poké Ball to a staff member for immediate treatment.
"Your Metagross is truly impressive," he admitted to Chen Xiaoxiao.
"It's not bad. Your Sceptile was fast and precise. But unfortunately for it, Steel resists Grass and Metagross's typing gives it a strong matchup."
Chen Xiaoxiao responded with humility, though the truth was more complex.
Metagross, despite being part of her core team, wasn't even her strongest Pokémon. Since capturing Ampharos in the Ilex Forest arc, Metagross had only ranked middle-tier in her lineup.
"Gym Leader, please send out your next Pokémon," the referee prompted, noticing that Chen Xiaoxiao wasn't switching hers.
"Well then—time to step it up. Go, Kartana!"
Master Lin's next Poké Ball burst open, revealing an unfamiliar shape.
—Kartana
Gender: Genderless
Level: 80 (Elite-tier peak)
Type: Grass/Steel—
Appearing no taller than 30 cm, the creature looked like a sharp, folded piece of origami, with white paper-like limbs and yellow blades for arms.
"What is that thing?"
"Why isn't it in the Pokédex?"
"Is it a new species?!"
The crowd buzzed in confusion.
"That's... Kartana?!" Chen Xiaoxiao's eyes widened. "An Ultra Beast?! Don't tell me... Master Lin accessed Ultra Space!"
Master Lin caught her expression. "Oh? You seem familiar with it?"
"My Solgaleo back when we traveled through Ultra Space once reacted to something with a similar aura."
She deflected the question smoothly.
"Well, perhaps after this match, we can compare notes."
"I'd be honored," she replied, concealing her eagerness. Information-sharing with someone like Lin could be invaluable.
"Battle begin!"
The referee gave the signal.
"Metagross, use Psychic! Keep it at bay!"
Chen Xiaoxiao knew that close combat with Kartana was risky. Kartana's Attack stat was one of the highest ever recorded in any known Pokémon far surpassing even most pseudo-legendaries.
Metagross's body glowed purple as it channeled a wave of psychic energy straight toward Kartana.
"Kartana, Psycho Cut!"
Despite being a Grass/Steel-type, Kartana executed a Psychic-type attack by slashing through the air, creating a razor-thin psychic blade.
CRASH!
The two psychic attacks collided in a shockwave of energy. Although Kartana lacked Psychic STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus), its absurdly high Attack stat allowed Psycho Cut to hold its own cutting through Metagross's psychic force like paper.
"Kartana, use Sacred Sword!"
Master Lin didn't let up.
Kartana charged forward, forming a shimmering blade of pure fighting energy around its arm. The move bypassed stat changes perfect against a defensive Pokémon like Metagross.
"Metagross, Protect!"
A transparent green wall flared to life in front of Metagross just as the Sacred Sword struck.
CLANG!
The sword rebounded with a metallic screech.
"Now Hammer Arm!"
Seizing the moment, Chen Xiaoxiao gave the counterstrike.
Metagross swung down hard, aiming for Kartana!
"Kartana, evade and counter with Night Slash!"
Kartana dipped to the side, barely avoiding the blow. Its arm pulsed with dark energy and slashed directly at Metagross's side.
THWACK!
Metagross stumbled, reeling from the hit.
"Endure! Then follow with Brick Break!"
Even though it was weakened, Metagross held its ground and retaliated.
Its massive claw came crashing down again, this time infused with Fighting-type energy.
"Double Team! Avoid it!"
Master Lin responded quickly.
Kartana blurred into a dozen mirror images, surrounding Metagross. Unable to track the real one, Metagross adjusted its swing, shifting from a direct strike to a sweeping motion.
BOOM!
The ground cracked from the impact. All clones vanished except one.
Kartana staggered slightly, it had been grazed.
"That hit must've landed! Kartana's Defense is sky-high, but its Special Defense is paper-thin. One more good shot should end it!"
Chen Xiaoxiao's mind raced.
"Metagross, Psychic! Finish this!"
Psychic energy surged again as Metagross focused its willpower into one last blast.
"Kartana, Protect! Quick!"
Lin knew the stakes. He hadn't expected Kartana to be hit during Double Team, and couldn't afford a clean psychic hit.
The barrier shimmered just in time to absorb the incoming wave.
"Now! Sacred Sword! End this!"
Kartana lunged again, this time with ferocious precision.
Its glowing blade cut through Metagross's armor with a direct hit.
CRACK!
Metagross let out a mechanical cry and collapsed unmoving.
"Metagross is unable to battle! Kartana wins!"
The referee raised his flag.
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