Thump. Thump. Thump.
Five darts struck the steel plate in rapid succession. Pinsir staggered backward with each hit but gritted its teeth, fighting against the relentless assault. Lady Luck had clearly abandoned the bug Pokémon today.
Greninja's Kings Rock activated, forcing Pinsir into a flinching state. Paralyzed and unable to move, Pinsir was caught in the surrounding Whirlpool, disappearing beneath the churning water. When the vortex finally collapsed, Greninja gracefully backflipped to land in front of John, while Pinsir lay motionless on the ground, defeated.
Despite its formidable defense, Pinsir's stamina had proven insufficient against John's strategy.
Guzma inhaled sharply, already recognizing John's terrifying battle prowess from this opening exchange. "Where'd you come from?" he growled through clenched teeth. In Guzma's estimation, John was easily as powerful as any Island Kahuna, maybe stronger.
"Next," John commanded, his voice carrying a hint of challenge.
Guzma hurled another Pokeball into the arena. This time, he released Vikavolt, a sleek, beetle-like Pokémon resembling a flying spacecraft with its slender, electric-charged mandibles. John recognized it immediately as a powerful special attacker, though its speed left much to be desired. In another life, he might have wanted to train one himself.
Guzma's strategy was clear: counter Greninja with electric attacks.
"Thunder!" Guzma bellowed.
Vikavolt's mandibles crackled with energy before discharging a massive bolt of lightning that illuminated the battlefield.
John had anticipated this exact move. He'd already withdrawn Greninja's Pokeball, recalling the water ninja before the electric attack could connect.
"Garchomp, you're up!" The Pokeball burst open with a flash.
The lightning strike, thick as a fire hydrant—crashed down precisely where Greninja had been standing a moment before. In its place now stood Garchomp, bathing in the electric assault with what could only be described as contentment.
"Gaaaaar!" the dragon rumbled, clearly enjoying the ineffective attack like it was nothing more than a refreshing shower.
Guzma didn't switch Pokémon. With Vikavolt's Levitate ability protecting it from Garchomp's ground moves, he felt confident enough to press forward. He pulled out his Bug-Z crystal and slammed it into his Z-Ring.
"Vikavolt, Z-Move: Savage Spin-Out!"
Guzma struck a pose resembling a hunting mantis. Responding to its trainer's movements, Vikavolt shot out thick white silk threads that bound Garchomp tightly, yanking the dragon into the air. Vikavolt's rear sparks pulsed with power as it used its mandibles like twin swords, wrapping them in pale green energy before diving at the suspended Garchomp.
"A Z-Move based on X-Scissor?" John raised his hand calmly. "Garchomp, Mega Evolution, then Dragon Claw!"
Multicolored light erupted from Garchomp's form. Even bound by silk threads, the transformation began immediately, draconic energy tearing through the restraints. Garchomp's form shifted dramatically, its arms morphing into scythe-like appendages resembling crescent moons, each coated with dark green energy.
The dragon slashed downward through the air!
Zizizi!
The bloody scythes collided with Vikavolt's mandibles like legendary weapons meeting in battle, showering the field with energy sparks.
The clash lasted only a second.
BOOM!
Mega Garchomp drove Vikavolt straight into the ground, the bug crashing into the soil with such force that it didn't rise again. The insect Pokémon lay defeated, overwhelmed by Mega Garchomp's devastating physical power.
Against such raw strength, only Pokémon with matching offensive capability, exceptional defenses, or resistances to dragon-type moves stood a chance—and Vikavolt had none of these advantages.
"GAAARRR!" Mega Garchomp unleashed a triumphant roar, clearly unsatisfied with such fragile opposition.
Guzma's breath caught in his throat. A Mega Garchomp? The realization hit him like a physical blow, the trainer standing before him had certainly surpassed the Island Kahunas in strength! Unless the actual Guardian Deities intervened, Guzma couldn't imagine anyone defeating John.
"Got any more?" John called out. "If not, just surrender now!"
Mega Garchomp's eyes glowed crimson, its twin scythes twitching in anticipation of further combat.
"This ain't over yet!" Guzma roared. Hadn't he formed Team Skull specifically to overthrow the Kahunas and Trial Captains? He wouldn't go down so easily!
With a swift motion, Guzma hurled two Pokeballs simultaneously.
Scizor and Golisopod materialized on the battlefield, rain glistening off their red and white armor respectively. These were Guzma's elite guards, the pinnacle of Bug-type offense and defense, both level 70 powerhouses.
"First Impression!" Guzma commanded.
Scizor moved first, its crimson armor slowing it slightly, but its raw power was enough to maintain impressive speed. It dashed across the muddy terrain, transforming into a scarlet blur that cut through the rain. Its pincers wrapped in a cold, metallic light as it aimed straight for Garchomp's head.
In the games, First Impression was a priority move usable only on a Pokémon's first turn, guaranteed to strike before most other attacks, similar to Fake Out, but slightly slower.
Real battles, however, didn't follow game mechanics.
John didn't need to issue a command. Mega Garchomp had already raised its arm, slashing with another Dragon Claw, the dark green energy resembling the Dragon Rush from the games, though far more lethal.
CLANG!
The impact sent Scizor stumbling backward. The moment it recoiled, a white figure vaulted over Scizor's shoulder, Golisopod, also using First Impression but launching slightly slower to create a sequential attack.
"Dragon Dance!" John commanded with a subtle hand motion. If the first First Impression couldn't break through, what hope did the second have?
Facing Golisopod's charge, Mega Garchomp stepped backward with surprising grace, pivoting to avoid the attack entirely. The dragon moved like a dancer, using the momentum of its turn to bring its scythe around with devastating inertia, aiming directly at Golisopod's exposed flank.
"Protect!" Guzma shouted desperately.
Golisopod crossed its armored forearms in front of its chest. The invisible shield of Protect materialized just as Garchomp's attack connected.
"That won't hold," John said with a knowing smile.
Mega Garchomp's crimson scythe tore through the protective barrier as if it were tissue paper, gouging deep into Golisopod's bone-like armor.
CRACK!
The shell fractured under the impact. The Dragon Fang item Garchomp held activated, further weakening Golisopod's defenses. The massive arthropod warrior sailed through the air, crashing into the ruins of a distant villa alongside Garchomp's relentless attack.
When the dust settled, Golisopod remained motionless.