Two beams of light erupted from the Poké Balls.
On the field stood Medicham—a nimble, humanoid Pokémon balanced in a perfect Meditate stance, its baggy pants fluttering like a yogi master's.
"What an... interesting posture," Natsume muttered, checking his Pokédex.
[Medicham - Fighting/Psychic
Ability: Pure Power
Gender: ♀
Held Item: Expert Belt
Moves: Force Palm, Zen Headbutt, High Jump Kick, Mind Reader...]
The setup matched his predictions.
That Pure Power ability was particularly troublesome, massively boosting its physical strength.
The dual typing also resisted Fighting moves—
not that Natsume planned to use any.
"Sirfetch'd." He glanced at his Sirfetch'd, already puffing its chest.
"Sirfetch'd!" It eyed Medicham disdainfully.
Even with Inner Focus, Medicham tensed under its gaze.
This opponent... is a seasoned warrior.
Maylene tightened her bandaged nose.
No retreating—even against Natsume-sensei!
"Medicham, Meditate!"
The Pokémon clasped its hands, aura swirling as its power doubled.
In the stands, Brawly grinned. "I battled her before."
"Didn't expect her Meditite to evolve for this tournament."
Chuck studied Sirfetch'd's calm demeanor.
Not his aura Pokémon... yet that pressure...
"Is this synchronization between trainer and Pokémon?" he murmured.
Natsume had no intention of letting Maylene set up.
"First Impression!"
Sirfetch'd's leek gleamed as it lunged—
faster than Quick Attack.
A monocle chain dangled from its right eye, boosting critical hits.
Strike first, strike hard!
Maylene smirked. Perfect.
"Zen Headbutt!"
A super-effective counter—
or so she thought.
"Too reckless!" Brawly gasped.
"No," Chuck narrowed his eyes. "Both are feints."
Maylene had prepared for Natsume's counterplay.
If Sirfetch'd blocked, her High Jump Kick would finish it.
But then—
"Leek Toss!"
The Sirfetch'd hurled its weapon like a javelin.
THWACK!
Medicham staggered, clutching its side.
No poison? Maylene rallied. "Zen Headbutt, again!"
Medicham blurred forward—
BAM!
Sirfetch'd skidded back, barely shielding in time.
...
"Natsume-sensei anticipated High Jump Kick," Brawly noted.
"But without its leek, how does Sirfetch'd fight back?"
"It doesn't need to."
Chuck pointed at the shield now gleaming metallic.
"Iron Defense!" Natsume commanded.
Maylene's eyes widened.
The leek toss wasn't offense—
it bought time to fortify.
"People focus on the leek... and forget the shield."
Natsume smiled. "After all, Sirfetch'd shares Aegislash's title—'Sword and Shield Legendary'!"
"Knock Off!"
With two Iron Defenses, Sirfetch'd tanked another Zen Headbutt.
HP critical, it charged—
"Sirfetch'd! (σ;Д)σ"
This time... I'LL carry!
SLAM!
The shield smashed Medicham's wounded side—
SNAP! The Expert Belt flew off.
Knock Off's damage doubled against held items...
Plus a critical hit.
TRIPLE DAMAGE.
Medicham collapsed to its knees—
but mustered one last Force Palm.
"Sirfetch'd!" The Sirfetch'd casually swatted the energy blast aside—
then bonked Medicham's head with its shield.
BOOM!
"Winner: Natsume!!"
Silence—then deafening cheers.
Brock stared. "That Sirfetch'd was just caught, wasn't it?"
To execute commands flawlessly...
To land a match-winning crit through sheer will...
How did they sync so fast?!
Maylene gulped at Sirfetch'd's serene expression.
It looked... effortless?
Was it toying with me?!
She sighed. "...Expected, I guess."
Natsume, however, noticed Sirfetch'd's trembling legs.
That Force Palm should've KO'd it...
Unless—
His eyes widened.
Sirfetch'd had pretended to retrieve its leek—
standing motionless mid-reach—
before finally collapsing.
"Holy crap, that's savage!"
The crowd roared with laughter.
"Even fainting with style! Typical Natsume-sensei's Pokémon!"
Returning Sirfetch'd, Natsume whispered:
"Good job, 'Leek Pancake.'"
The Premier Ball stayed still—
it had given its all.
But to spectators?
That dramatic faint cemented Sirfetch'd as the ultimate showoff.
"SIRFETCH'D IS KING!!"
"NATSUME-SENSEI, KEEP STOMPING!"
A red beam flashed—
Squirtle emerged, adjusting its sunglasses.
"Squirtle?!"
An opponent strong enough to defeat Sirfetch'd?!
Sweating, it clenched its tiny fists.
Fine.
I'll handle Natsume's next battle!
...
Gurkinn's breath hitched at Squirtle's aura.
At my age... I can't fully draw out Korrina and Lucario's potential.
If she trained under him...
He shook his head.
"Without proper tribute... how could I ask?"
This power... humbled even him.
Meanwhile—
Brawly shadowboxed wildly. "I NEED to battle Natsume-sensei!"
Chuck sighed.
Only one trainer comes to mind who could match him...
"Perhaps... Blue Oak."
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