The quartet makes their way through the labyrinthine corridors of Pokémon Home, the air buzzing with anticipation. The Battle Arena awaits them, a sanctuary of strategic combat where Pokémon and Trainer can test the limits of their partnership.
The Battle Arena door slides open. They all step inside.
Valeria's eyes widen as she takes in the sheer scale of the arena. It's far larger than it appeared from the outside, seemingly defying the building's dimensions. Holographic projectors line the walls, capable of conjuring any environment imaginable. For now, though, the arena is set to a neutral, grassy field, reminiscent of a classic Pokémon battleground.
Valeria smirks at Franklin. Franklin smirks back.
Valeria and Franklin stride confidently towards opposite ends of the battlefield, their determination palpable. They halt at designated Trainer platforms, each marked with a symbol indicating their respective sides. They release their Pokémon. Valeria grips her Premier Ball tightly and, with a flick of her wrist, sends it soaring into the arena. With a burst of light, Beldum materializes, its metallic body gleaming under the arena lights. It floats calmly in the center of Valeria's side of the field, its single red eye fixed on its opponent.
Franklin mirrors Valeria's actions, tossing his own Poké Ball. Ralts appears. Ralts stands there calmly. It looks ready to battle.
Before the battle starts, Valeria stares at Franklin. "Don't expect me to go easy on you just because you're my brother, Franklin!" Valeria says.
Franklin retorts with a grin. "I wouldn't have it any other way, Valeria. Besides, Ralts and I have a few tricks up our sleeves. Are you ready to lose?"
Valeria laughs. "In your dreams! Beldum and I are going to crush you! Get ready to face the might of science!"
Franklin smirks. "I'm not scared!"
Orion looks at both of them. "Alright, are you two ready?! Each Trainer will command one Pokémon. The first Pokémon unable to battle will be declared the loser!"
Latias floats to the side, her form shimmering slightly as she adjusts her camera. "Don't worry, everyone! I'm going to record the entire battle! This will be a great promotion for Pokémon Home!" Latias says.
Valeria and Franklin nod, their focus sharpening as the moment of truth approaches.
Orion clears his throat. "Very well then, let the battle... BEGIN!"
"Alright, Ralts! Use Growl!" Franklin commands, eager to gain an edge. A wave of unseen force emanates from Ralts, heading towards Beldum. Ralts unleashes a cute cry that is meant to intimidate.
Valeria, unfazed by Ralts's attempt to weaken her partner, takes a tactical approach. "Beldum, you can do this, use Tackle." She is not one to back down from a challenge, and she is confident that Beldum can handle whatever Franklin throws their way.
Beldum, listening to its trainer, begins to float faster. Beldum then speeds towards Ralts, its small body becoming a blur as it picks up momentum. Franklin is not caught off guard by Valeria's direct approach. He has a plan of his own.
As Beldum gets closer, Ralts executes Double Team! It becomes difficult to hit. Ralts is getting faster than what the eyes can see!
"Oh, so you're gonna run away? Don't be scared, Val! Is this a real test?" Franklin taunts, attempting to get under his sister's skin. "Just make sure not to trip over those big brains of yours!"
Valeria simply smirks, ignoring the jab. Her eyes narrow as she analyzes the situation, her mind already racing with possibilities. "Just because you can become evasive, doesn't mean you can avoid all attacks, Franklin," she retorts, adjusting her glasses with a confident glint in her eye. She refuses to let Franklin's words distract her from the task at hand.
"Now use Disarming Voice and show us you mean business!" Franklin commands.
Ralts begins to glow. A burst of energy then surges from its tiny form, a wave of enchanting sound heading straight for Beldum.
"Hmph! Too bad that move is only effective if you can hit your target." Seeing her opponent's action, Valeria quickly formulates her plan. Knowing she can't evade a direct hit, and having no other defensive options, Valeria will just have to be faster and evade!
"Okay, Ralts, time to spice things up!" Franklin says, a mischievous glint in his eyes. Ralts' eyes begin to glow, channeling his psychic power. Ralts begins to charge, ready to confuse Beldum.
"You can't handle the heat!"
"You wish! You will soon realize it will come biting you from behind." Valeria knew she had to connect. It's her only way to win! With a smile, Valeria orders, "Show him our new trick! Beldum, Iron Head!"
Beldum, with a surge of metallic energy, begins to glow. It starts to charge forward, its head now a weaponized battering ram. The metallic energy intensifies, forming a shimmering aura around Beldum's head, transforming it into a formidable weapon.
Beldum slams into Ralts with Iron Head!
The impact sends Ralts flying backward. The sound of metal against flesh reverberates through the arena. Ralts is sent crashing into the ground. Ralts barely moves.
The arena falls silent as everyone watches to see if Ralts will get back up.
"Ralts!" Franklin cries, concern etched across his face. He watches anxiously as his partner struggles to rise, its body trembling from the force of the blow. The Iron Head attack, a newly learned technique, had clearly packed a punch.
Ralts is a fairy type, and Iron Head is a steel type move, so the move is super effective.
Ralts gets up.
Beldum floats back.
"Ralts, are you okay?!" Franklin asks.
Ralts nods.
Valeria smirks.
"Wow, what an Iron Head! Now that's what I call a move!" Latias exclaims, adjusting her camera to capture the aftermath. "The look on Ralts's face was priceless! I can't wait to see what happens next!"
"Okay, Ralts, we can still do this! Just use Confusion!" Franklin exclaims. "I know you can!"
Valeria smirks. "Not if I can help it. Beldum, use Tackle now!"
Beldum flies, as Ralts uses Confusion. The Confusion attack is fired. Beldum is confused.
Beldum continues to fly forward, but its flight pattern is not steady. Its movement is sporadic and shaky.
"Oh no!" Valeria exclaims. "Beldum, focus!"
Beldum struggles to regain its composure, but the effects of Confusion are too strong. It spirals out of control.
"Now, Ralts, use Tackle!" Franklin yells.
Ralts then speeds towards Beldum!
Beldum continues to fly erratically, and Ralts slams into Beldum.
"Beldum!" Valeria yells.
Ralts bounces back and Beldum falls to the ground. Beldum barely moves.
Beldum gets up.
"Okay, Ralts, keep using Confusion!" Franklin exclaims.
"Oh no you don't!" Valeria cries. "Beldum, use Iron Head now! Snap out of it!"
Beldum starts to glow, as it continues to struggle against confusion. Beldum manages to steady itself, and resumes its flight pattern.
"Now! Iron Head!" Valeria cries.
Beldum is moving quickly!
Ralts prepares another Confusion attack, but Beldum is too fast. The Iron Head connects. The sound of metal against flesh echoes. Ralts falls to the ground.
"Ralts!" Franklin cries.
Ralts struggles, but Ralts cannot move. Its eyes are swirly. Ralts is unable to battle.
"Ralts is unable to battle! Beldum wins! The victor is Valeria!" Orion says.
Latias cheers. "Wow, what an incredible battle! Beldum and Valeria pulled through! I can't wait to upload this! This is the best advertisement ever!"
"Yes!" Valeria cries. "We did it, Beldum!"
Valeria is excited and runs towards Beldum. Valeria hugs Beldum.
Franklin is quiet and walks towards Ralts.
Franklin returns Ralts to its Poké Ball. "You did well, Ralts. Take a good rest."
Franklin walks to Valeria.
Valeria stops cheering and looks at Franklin. She stops smiling.
"Good job, Valeria! I didn't think you and Beldum would win. That Iron Head sure is strong." Franklin says.
"Thanks. You and Ralts were amazing too. I barely won." Valeria says. "Good game."
***
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