"Mii~"
'That'll teach you not to make such a mess again next time.'
Only after venting its frustration did Mew casually toss a clump of energy at Torterra, fully healing it.
When Torterra slowly opened its eyes, it was met with the sight of Paul and several of his teammates—Ninetales included standing before it.
"Raaa~"
Torterra let out a slow, somewhat sheepish cry. Its gaze toward Paul was tinged with embarrassment.
It never expected to be soundly defeated by Electivire, despite its newly achieved Champion-level breakthrough and its type advantage. If Electric-type moves had worked on it, it would've been a total one-sided wipeout.
"You did well. Once you're more familiar with your power and abilities, you won't lose like this again."
Paul gently patted Torterra's head in comfort.
At the end of the day, Torterra had only just reached the Champion level. It hadn't fully adapted to its new power. Against an opponent like Electivire, who had already surpassed Champion-level limits and integrated new powers with its body, defeat was nothing to be ashamed of.
Besides, even Mewtwo had been upset by Electivire before. Losing to it was understandable.
In fact, thanks to Paul's training and a series of fortuitous encounters, his trio—Torterra, Garchomp, and Electivire had long exceeded ordinary expectations. Though newly promoted Champions, their battle prowess rivaled the ace Pokémon of regional Champions.
With Pokémon like these, Paul saw no need for criticism.
If he had to scold anyone, it'd be the ones who hadn't even reached Champion level.
"Raaa~"
Torterra nuzzled Paul, any lingering dissatisfaction in its heart soothed.
"Woo~"
Ninetales smiled and let out a soft call, encouraging her good friend—
'Sister Raccoon will always understand you and support you, Turtle!'
"Raaa…"
"..."
"Chaah~"
"Aggrr~"
"Grroo~"
"Draah~"
Just then, Electivire, having only just escaped Mew's wrath, landed—only to be instantly surrounded by six Pokémon led by Samurott.
"Gaaar~"
Garchomp observed the group encircling its older brother. Something felt off. Weren't those positions supposed to be his?
The six Pokémon, stunned and full of admiration, congratulated Electivire on its breakthrough before bombarding it with questions about how to grow stronger.
Electivire had always been strong, but mostly due to high level and speed. It had never possessed absurdly overwhelming abilities like now.
But after this single breakthrough, it had mastered so many abilities and gained so much power that the six most power-hungry Pokémon couldn't help but be envious.
Though each had their own paths to explore for a lifetime, gaining new abilities and elevating their existing powers was even better.
"Vireee~"
Feeling the genuine awe and respect from the surrounding Pokémon, Electivire was elated. Without holding back, it generously shared its experiences with its teammates.
"Vireee~"
'The easiest way to get stronger was to fully develop one or several of your own abilities, then fuse or push them to evolve into something new.'
Electivire explained Paul's past teachings along with its own insights, using its powers as examples. Both the Pokémon and Paul nodded repeatedly in agreement.
Electivire had gained many new abilities, but at their core, they could be categorized under three themes: electricity, magnetic fields, and psychic energy.
Foremost among them were its older abilities—Electromagnetic Acceleration, Magnetic Field Boost, and Thunder Pursuit Lock-on.
Its four new powers also tied back to those core themes: Thunder Armor, Magnetic Amplification, Magnetic Interference, and the Electric-Magnetic Domain.
Thunder Armor: Forms armor from electric energy, enhancing the user's latent power and Electric-type moves. Until the armor is broken, it drastically reduces damage taken and deals contact damage to opponents.
Paul had conceived this concept long ago and had Electivire test it. Initially, the energy cost made it inefficient and it was shelved. Only after Electivire reached Elite Four level did it become viable. Absorbing Electrum Crystals later made it even more cost-effective.
Magnetic Amplification: A supercharged version of the "Limitless Drive" strategy. Through self-stimulation (boosting Attack and Sp. Atk) and magnetic field manipulation, it enhances the defenses of Pokémon with Plus/Minus traits. Developed through field creation and synergy with Electivire's Motor Drive ability, it boosts all five stats in battle—Attack, Sp. Atk, Defense, Sp. Def, and Speed.
This ability, fusing multiple moves and traits, could be considered one of the strongest self-buffing techniques in the Pokémon world.
Electric-Magnetic Domain: A special battlefield created from thunder and magnetism, constantly damaging opponents with a high chance of paralysis. All movements within the domain are detected by Electivire.
Magnetic Interference: Uses electromagnetic manipulation to disrupt opponents' movements and conditions, even Ground-types are affected.
This last ability might seem unremarkable, but it's terrifying in practice. Mewtwo once lost to Electivire because it didn't shield itself with psychic energy and got caught in this disruption.
Four new powers each rooted in electricity, three based on magnetism, and harmonized through psychic energy.
Electivire had used psychic power to forge a path tailored perfectly to itself.
Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap...
Paul applauded, smiling with satisfaction. He said only one thing in the end:
"Electivire… you've grown."
"Vireee..."
Electivire froze, surprised by the rare praise.
Joy and warmth flooded it, and its memories flashed back to all the moments spent journeying with Paul—from the time it was just a cocky baby Elekid swearing it would become his strongest partner and flatten every rival...
"Vireee!"
Its eyes sharpened with resolve. It turned to glance at Mewtwo.
It might not be Paul's strongest partner yet. Mewtwo still stood in its way!
'One Electrum Crystal devoured, my fate is mine to command!'
"?"
Mewtwo glanced at Electivire, puzzled at its sudden surge of emotion, but it didn't ignore it. It gave a solemn nod in return.
Every Pokémon has its pride. Mewtwo's was its talent and power.
It believed that while it hadn't reached the absolute peak yet, its talent was second to none.
As Paul watched his Pokémon spiral once more into a contest of strength, he didn't intervene.
This kind of healthy competition was ideal, it should never stop.
Suddenly, he noticed Mew off to the side, rolling its eyes in exasperation.
'Limit breakthroughs? Power-ups? God-tier talent?'
Maybe those things mattered to other Pokémon but to Mew, they were meaningless. It had them all by default.
Gifted from birth, favored by the gods, capable of transforming into any species, and wielding nearly every ability.
'Little Mew is just built different!'
Thinking this, Mew proudly held its head high until Paul's voice interrupted:
"Mew, do you happen to have any spare Electrum Crystals, Dragon Crystals, or other elemental energy crystals?"
Paul's intention was simple. If just a few crystals could turn Electivire and Garchomp into near-divine beings, more resources would make the rest of his team just as formidable.
Forget Champion level, Master Class would be within reach.
"Mii?"
Mew froze. Its happy face became guarded and serious.
'You want what?'
"To let the others absorb them and grow stronger." Paul said bluntly.
"Mii~"
Mew was stunned.
'Electrum Crystals? Dragon Crystals? Highly condensed, pure elemental matter formed by nature itself?'
These were mythical treasures most Legendary Pokémon never even saw in their lifetimes, the kind of thing Regigigas used to forge the Regis and Paul was feeding them to ordinaryPokémon?!
And not just feeding them, letting them eat multiple?!
Mew looked at Electivire and Garchomp, realization dawning.
'So that's why their aura felt familiar, they'd consumed these crystals!'
'Who was the lunatic who gave you that many?! And you fed it to them?! What if their tiny brains exploded?!'
Mew suddenly felt its worldview shatter. It had never imagined anyone would actually swallow elemental crystals.
"Can't eat them? What about elemental plates? If they're digested, what happens?"
Paul pressed further.
"Mii?"
Now Mew was really baffled.
Crystals were one thing, but elemental plates? And they digested them?
Was Paul's Pokémon's stomach a black hole?! How do you digest stone tablets?
This defied science. This defied logic. This defied everything!
Paul: "Torterra didn't eat them, just absorbed one. Electivire swallowed two and absorbed both."
Mew: ???
Seeing the pure confusion and horror on Mew's face, Paul could only shake his head.
The difference between Mews, it seemed, was vast.
The Mew from the anime? Sweet and innocent. Hand over a few candies, and it'd happily exchange armfuls of crystals and even help protect the Pokémon during digestion.
This one? Stingier than a Galarian Meowth.
While Paul and Mew chatted, Electivire and Mewtwo started fighting again.
This time, however, the same Electivire that had overwhelmed Torterra stood no chance against Mewtwo.
Though Mewtwo, like Electivire and Garchomp, had only just reached Champion level, it was still the most exceptional being.
Perhaps its abilities hadn't grown much yet, but in terms of raw power and level alone, it still outclassed Electivire.
If it were any other mythical Pokémon, Electivire might have held the upper hand.
But Mewtwo wasn't like the others. Beyond its level and typing, it had something most didn't:
A brain.
It clearly understood both its weaknesses and Electivire's strengths. So from the very beginning, it unleashed its strongest techniques to shut Electivire down.
Mewtwo: 'I acknowledge your strength, Electivire. You even defeated me once.
But if I strike before you can power up, shield against your magnetic interference, shatter your Thunder Armor with Psystrike, and disrupt your domain with psychic waves...What will you do then?'
The result was clear: Electivire couldn't respond, it got completely wrecked.
"Vireee~"
'So my goal of dominating the squad was Hell Mode all along, huh…'
Lying flat after the match, Electivire finally saw it clearly. All the strongest teammates had some way to counter it:
Mewtwo's psychic abilities nullified its attacks, and Garchomp and Torterra's Ground typing ignored its electricity.
Electivire realized the truth, but its fighting spirit remained undimmed.
A true powerhouse fights through adversity and never retreats!
It would forge its own path through hardship, crushing each obstacle in turn!
(End of Chapter)
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