Pokemon: With Title System

Chapter 9: Mega Gardevoir

Under such an attack, Gardevoir's Double Team illusions were rendered completely useless.

Following Asahi's command, the illusions faded like bursting bubbles, and Gardevoir's true form appeared in the center of the battlefield.

Facing the tsunami, Gardevoir raised its two blue arms, crossing them in front of its chest.

Psychic!

Its eyes glowed brightly with blue energy as psychic power surged and concentrated, blasting a hole straight through the incoming wave!

Splash!

The tsunami rushed past Gardevoir, narrowly missing its body, leaving it completely unharmed.

A precise strike.

Perhaps Gardevoir's raw strength wasn't on par with Gyarados'.

But when comparing a concentrated Psychic attack to the dispersed force of Surf, the outcome was predictable.

After two failed probing attacks, Lance was now convinced that Asahi's Gardevoir was on the same level as his Gyarados.

It might be slightly weaker, but only by a small margin.

"It's time to get serious… Gyarados, Crunch!"

Splash!

The crimson figure burst out of the crashing waves, opening its massive jaws to chomp down on the Gardevoir floating mid-air with Psychic energy.

From a distance, it looked as if Gyarados was about to swallow Gardevoir whole!

Gardevoir noticed Gyarados at the last moment, but the massive Pokémon was already too close. With Gardevoir's low physical defense, being bitten could lead to devastating consequences!

Fortunately, Asahi reacted swiftly.

"Use Teleport!"

Asahi's voice echoed in Gardevoir's mind through telepathy.

Shing!

A psychic ripple surrounded Gardevoir as it disappeared just before Gyarados' jaws snapped shut.

Crunch!

Gyarados bit down on empty air, its sharp teeth clashing with a metallic clang.

Though its first strike missed, Gyarados wasn't discouraged.

Its enormous head turned sharply, quickly locking onto Gardevoir's new position. It lunged again, forcing Gardevoir to repeatedly use Teleport to evade its relentless assault.

During this sequence, Asahi did consider ordering a counterattack.

However, Gyarados used its tough, durable body to tank Gardevoir's rushed counterattacks, focusing solely on its relentless offensive.

The two clashed back and forth in midair. While Gardevoir managed to leave a few scratches on Gyarados' crimson scales, Gyarados shattered Gardevoir's psychic barriers and left it with minor injuries in return.

Though it appeared even on the surface, the reality was that such small injuries barely affected Gyarados, while Asahi felt heartbroken seeing Gardevoir hurt.

This was the first time Gardevoir had been injured since reaching quasi-Elite level. It felt like the pain was hitting him directly in the heart.

Seeing Gyarados' attacks becoming fiercer, Asahi hesitated no longer.

"Let's use that!" Asahi said telepathically.

The intensity of Gyarados' attacks made it clear that if this continued, defeat was inevitable!

Gardevoir turned to glance at Asahi, meeting his gaze. After a brief pause, it nodded in agreement. Just before Gyarados lunged again, Gardevoir used Teleport to create distance.

On the sidelines, Asahi tore the Keystone necklace from around his neck.

On the battlefield, Gardevoir placed its hands over its heart, revealing a dazzling, multicolored Mega Stone.

Seeing this, Lance froze.

"That's…"

Before he could finish, the Keystone in Asahi's hand resonated with the Mega Stone in Gardevoir's hands, releasing a brilliant light!

Mega Evolution!

A radiant, rainbow-colored sphere enveloped Gardevoir.

Moments later, the light faded, revealing a figure draped in a flowing black gown and wearing elegant black gloves.

Mega Gardevoir descended gracefully, exuding an air of languid elegance.

At the same time, Gyarados roared and charged forward again. But with a casual wave of its hand, Mega Gardevoir unleashed a surge of psychic force, knocking Gyarados off course and slamming it hard into the ground.

"What is this?" Lance asked, stunned by the transformation.

Asahi smiled slightly. "Mega Evolution. A brand-new evolution method."

He had researched this beforehand—Mega Evolution had been discovered in the Kalos region, though it hadn't yet been introduced to other regions. Asahi wasn't worried about drawing too much attention.

"Mega Evolution?"

Lance vaguely recalled reading about it in a research paper from Kalos.

But there was no time for further thought—the battlefield dynamics had shifted drastically with Mega Gardevoir's transformation.

Previously, Gyarados could trade blows with Gardevoir, relying on its tough scales and brute force. Now, however, Mega Gardevoir was utterly dominating the fight.

With its heart unshackled, Mega Gardevoir's psychic energy surged exponentially.

Attacks that barely fazed Gyarados earlier now posed a significant threat.

Under the force of a single Psychic blast, Gyarados didn't dare take a direct hit and had to dodge repeatedly.

The roles of hunter and prey had reversed.

Now it was Lance and Gyarados who were in a difficult position.

The game of cat and mouse lasted ten minutes. During that time, Lance and Gyarados tried various tactics—relentless barrages, creating decoys with Substitute, even launching desperate counterattacks.

But every strategy was effortlessly dismantled by Mega Gardevoir's enhanced psychic power.

Finally, Gyarados, drained of its last ounce of strength, collapsed to the ground after being struck by a decisive Psychic blast, unable to continue battling.

"I've lost," Lance said as he looked at his fallen Gyarados.

His expression was complicated. He had hoped Gyarados, immune to type disadvantages, could recover the dignity lost with Dragonair's defeat. Instead, it had fallen as well.

"I only won because of Mega Evolution," Asahi said modestly.

He hadn't deluded himself into thinking his overall strength surpassed Lance's.

He still remembered how Gyarados had pressured Gardevoir before the Mega Evolution. Victory had relied entirely on that transformation.

Once Lance acquired a Mega Stone in the future, Asahi wouldn't have the same advantage.

"There's no need to make excuses for me. A loss is a loss," Lance said, shaking his head as he recalled Gyarados into its Poké Ball. "You've taught me a valuable lesson today—never underestimate a trainer."

"Oh, not at all…"

"Heading to the Pokémon Center? Coming with?" Lance asked, gesturing toward Gardevoir, who was gently blowing on its injuries.

Asahi glanced at Gardevoir, who was adorably puffing at its wounds, and smiled. "No need."

Under Lance's surprised gaze, Asahi extended his hand, releasing the power of Viridian.

A soft green light surrounded his palm, which he gently passed over Gardevoir's scratches and bruises. Instantly, its injuries healed, leaving no trace behind.