Just as Metagross was about to enter the high-tech building, a brown figure abruptly appeared in front of it, spreading its arms as if to block Metagross from entering.
In its hands were three indicator lights—red, yellow, and green—flashing rapidly.
---
Pokémon: Beheeyem (Psychic)
Level: 80
Potential: Blue
Ability: Telepathy
Held Item: None
Gender: Male
Moves: Psychic Terrain, Confusion, Growl, Imprison, Teleport, Psybeam, Guard Split, Power Split, Headbutt, Zen Headbutt, Recover, Calm Mind, Wonder Room, Psychic
TMs: None
Egg Moves: Disable, Astonish, Psych up, Destiny Bond
---
'Sure enough'—Julian had been wondering why, even after being in this Ruin for nearly half a day, he hadn't run into a single wild Pokémon. Sure, there were fewer Pokémon in the Ruins, but not none.
Now one had finally appeared—and it was even a peak Elite-level Pokémon.
Beheeyem: "Leave."
A cold, emotionless voice echoed in Julian's mind.
Telepathy.
Julian's expression darkened slightly. This Pokémon had no manners whatsoever and clearly lacked awareness. Couldn't it tell that Metagross was stronger than it?
Beheeyem really couldn't tell. Metagross wasn't releasing its aura, making it seem like just an ordinary Elite-level Pokémon.
This area was likely Beheeyem's territory, and Julian and Metagross had intruded, so of course it wasn't happy.
From this perspective, its temper was actually decent—it hadn't attacked outright but chose to issue a warning instead.
"Meta!"
Metagross floated forward, ready to teach this reckless Pokémon a lesson, but Julian stopped it.
"Wait. Let someone else handle this."
To Metagross, taking down a peak Elite like Beheeyem would be effortless—and therefore useless for training.
Several of the Poké Balls on his waist shook eagerly, their occupants volunteering for battle.
After a moment's thought, Julian called out: "Arcanine!"
As the Poké Ball opened, a majestic dog emerged with a shower of embers.
"Arf~"
Arcanine: "As expected, I'm still the favorite."
---
Pokémon: Arcanine (Fire)
Level: 75
Potential: Blue
Ability: Flash Fire
Held Item: Hardened Charcoal
Gender: Male
Moves: Leer, Ember, Howl, Bite, Flame Wheel, Helping Hand, Agility, Extreme Speed, Reversal, Flamethrower, Crunch, Fire Fang, Roar, Retaliate, Play Rough, Take Down
TMs: Protect, Fire Spin, Hyper Beam, Dig, Sunny Day, Giga Impact, Heat Wave, Wild Charge, Psychic Fangs, Blast Burn, Burn Up, Incinerate, Thunder Fang, Flame Charge, Body Slam, Eruption, Heat Crash
Egg Moves: Flare Blitz, Overheat, Double-Edge, Outrage
Note: Fire-type moves are boosted by 20% due to the Fire Crystal.
Note: Possesses the Flame of Life, allowing one Rebirth—after revival, potential rises to Gold, but level resets to zero.
---
Kartana's Poké Ball was shaking violently, expressing intense dissatisfaction—it clearly believed this kind of opponent should be cut down by its own blade, not handed over to a dumb mutt like Arcanine.
Julian patted Kartana's Poké Ball. Of all his Pokémon, this guy had the strongest battle lust.
Sensing Arcanine's hostile gaze, Beheeyem's red-yellow-green lights flickered rapidly, and it shifted into a battle stance.
"Metagross, help contain the shockwaves," Julian said.
If two Elite-level Pokémon went all out, the aftermath of their clash would reduce the surrounding high-rises to rubble. The buildings themselves didn't matter, but the data inside couldn't be lost. They had to minimize collateral damage.
"Meta~"
Metagross nodded.
"Arf~"
Arcanine: "Boss Metagross, I'll one-shot this guy. No need to bother containing anything."
Beheeyem immediately became enraged. 'One-shot me? I'll one-shot you instead!'
Furious at Arcanine's arrogance, Beheeyem fired a Psybeam—strong enough to instantly KO an average early-stage Elite Pokémon. Though wild Pokémon were scarce in the Ruins, every one of them was formidable.
In response, Arcanine opened its mouth and launched a Flamethrower, scorching fire clashing head-on with the Psybeam. The two attacks struggled briefly for a moment before the Flamethrower overpowered and dispersed the Psybeam.
Whoosh!
Beheeyem Teleported away just in time—the spot where it had stood was now a molten crater, a testament to Arcanine's power.
The lights on Beheeyem's hands flickered even faster. It realized now how dangerous its opponent was, but retreating was out of the question—that would be too humiliating.
Flare Blitz!
Arcanine's body ignited in roaring flames. Its explosive leg muscles propelling it forward at blinding speed.
Beheeyem couldn't dodge in time—it was slammed full-force by Flare Blitz. The violent impact sent it flying like a meteor, crashing backward through the air.
Metagross swiftly erected a Light Screen behind it; otherwise, Beheeyem might've punched right through the skyscraper.
And honestly, if it had gone through the building, it would've dispersed some of the impact force.
But instead, Beheeyem crashed directly into the Light Screen—hard. The barrier didn't break.
BAM!
Beheeyem hit the unyielding Light Screen and rebounded like a springboard, sent flying once again. The combination of the original impact and the rebounding with even greater force, compounding its injuries.
As Beheeyem hurtled backward through the air, Arcanine grinned, leaping high before slamming down like a falling mountain.
Body Slam!
If that landed cleanly, Beheeyem would probably be done for.
Whoosh!
Fortunately, Beheeyem managed to use Teleport just in time.
Arcanine looked a bit frustrated. To be honest, Pokémon that could use Teleport were a real pain to deal with. Just when you were about to land a hit—poof! They were gone.
Beheeyem reappeared to Arcanine's left and immediately slammed a Zen Headbutt into the flaming dog's side.
Arcanine didn't even budge. It just turned its head and stared at Beheeyem, still pressed against its flank.
Beheeyem: "…That didn't hurt?"
Arcanine gave a dopey nod. "Eh, a little."
Thanks to the Flame of Life it had consumed, Arcanine was now a literal tank—its HP pool rivaled even Metagross's. An attack like that was barely a scratch.
'You ram into me, I'll take a bite out of you. Fair trade.'
With a snarl, Arcanine clamped its Fire Fang straight into Beheeyem's body. At this close range, even Teleport couldn't save it now.
Beheeyem shrieked in agony as the searing fangs sank deep.
A few seconds later, Arcanine loosened its jaws, and Beheeyem dropped to the ground with a heavy thud, completely unconscious.
Julian tossed a Poké Ball and captured it. A Pokémon at the peak of Elite-level was incredibly valuable—especially since Beheeyem was a relatively rare species.
Arcanine trotted over to Julian, puffing out its chest with pride, its eyes gleaming like 'Well? How'd I do?'
Patting the good boy's head, Julian said, "Good job."
The praise sent Arcanine's tail wagging like a damn helicopter blade.
*****
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