Team Rocket’s Second-in-Command!

Luo Yuan stepped into the arena, greeted by a tidal wave of cheers.

Compared to the semifinals, the finals had drawn an even larger crowd, their enthusiasm filling the packed stadium to its brim.

For a rookie trainer, this scene could have been overwhelming—enough to rattle nerves and induce crippling stage fright.

But Luo Yuan's mental fortitude was far beyond that.

His expression remained calm as he strode steadily toward the battlefield.

Looking up, his gaze locked onto his opponent: Yuma.

Their eyes met in midair, and Luo Yuan noticed a flicker of excitement in Yuma's eyes.

"You've impressed me," Yuma began. "I've been watching your matches since the first round. I won't deny it—you're strong."

Luo Yuan raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

Most trainers he faced began with taunts or boasts. A compliment was a novel approach.

Still, he remained silent, sensing Yuma wasn't finished.

"But I hope you've got more to show than what I've seen so far," Yuma added with a confident smirk. "Otherwise, this championship will be mine."

Luo Yuan chuckled inwardly. The praise had merely been a setup for Yuma to elevate himself.

Flatter your opponent, then raise your own standing. Clever.

Without responding, Luo Yuan simply gestured to the referee to start the match.

Yuma wasn't offended by the lack of reply; he was just as eager to begin.

"Let the battle commence!"

The referee's flag came down, and both trainers simultaneously threw their Poké Balls.

Two beams of light shot forth, revealing their chosen Pokémon.

Luo Yuan's pick immediately drew attention.

Instead of his towering Dragonite or the versatile Ditto that had shone in the semifinals, he chose a Pokémon that had not yet appeared in the tournament.

It had a dull, faded yellow exterior, a crude crayon-drawn face resembling Pikachu, a wooden tail, and a wobbling, unsteady gait.

It was unmistakably not Pikachu.

"What is that?" murmured many of the Kanto audience members, unfamiliar with Mimikyu.

But a few recognized it, including the commentator Kyosuke and Yuma.

"Luo Yuan's lead is Mimikyu, a Ghost and Fairy-type Pokémon often seen disguised as Pikachu!" Kyosuke explained to the crowd.

"However, this could spell trouble for Yuma…"

The confidence on Yuma's face had already faded.

Hovering before him was his own opening Pokémon: Altaria.

To counter Luo Yuan's Dragonite, Yuma had brought out his ace right away.

He had even prepared for the possibility of facing Ditto and planned accordingly.

But he hadn't anticipated Luo Yuan sending out a Pokémon that had yet to appear in the tournament.

Caught off guard, Yuma knew he was in a tight spot.

Altaria, being a Dragon and Flying-type, was completely nullified by Mimikyu's Fairy-typing.

Half its arsenal was already rendered useless before the battle had even begun.

Yuma hesitated, tempted to recall Altaria immediately.

But Mimikyu moved first.

With a sharp snap, it lunged forward, moving with startling speed.

Unlike the sluggish, shambling movements typical of Mimikyu, Luo Yuan's Pokémon darted like a blur.

Two Shadow Claws emerged, black and jagged, slashing toward Altaria.

Startled, Altaria dodged to the side, throwing Yuma's strategy into disarray as he struggled to track its movements.

Once Mimikyu began its assault, it showed no signs of relenting.

When its Shadow Claw missed, it seamlessly transitioned into launching a Shadow Ball.

The dark orb of energy formed instantly and shot toward the airborne Altaria.

"Altaria, Dragon Pulse!"

Forced to adapt, Yuma directed Altaria to counter.

With a deep cry, Altaria unleashed a beam of purple energy.

While Dragon Pulse had no effect on Mimikyu itself, it was perfectly capable of neutralizing the incoming Shadow Ball.

The two attacks collided midair, locking in a tense stalemate for over ten seconds before Altaria's Dragon Pulse overpowered the Shadow Ball and triggered an explosion.

The resulting shockwave rippled across the battlefield, but neither Pokémon seemed affected.

Luo Yuan was unfazed by Altaria's successful defense.

Though this Altaria wasn't as strong as the one he had faced aboard the S.S. Anne, it was clearly a formidable, Champion-tier Pokémon.

Had it failed to deflect the Shadow Ball, Luo Yuan might have suspected foul play.

"Altaria, Feather Dance!"

Having successfully blocked the attack, Yuma shifted gears.

He wasn't planning to let Altaria clash head-on with Mimikyu any longer.

Instead, Altaria's soft, cloud-like feathers scattered into the air, forming a barrier between itself and Mimikyu.

The feathers floated gently, but their incredible elasticity could drastically weaken physical attacks like Shadow Claw.

With its defense set, Yuma gestured for Altaria to return, signaling his intent to switch Pokémon.

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T/N: Mimikyu is cute