Team Rocket's Second-in-Command!

Seeing Yuma's move, Luo Yuan immediately understood his intention.

Trying to switch out your Pokémon?

Not a chance!

Did this guy really think sending out Mimikyu to counter Altaria was just a coincidence?

Did he seriously believe Zhen Niao and the Rocket Team's top analysts were there just for show?

A sly smile tugged at Luo Yuan's lips. "Mimikyu, use Phantom Force!"

In an instant, Mimikyu leaped into a dark portal that suddenly appeared beneath it, vanishing from sight. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

A moment later, Mimikyu reappeared right in front of Altaria, now free from the barrier of feathers. It had also placed itself between Yuma and his Pokémon.

Yuma, who had just aimed his Poké Ball and sent out its recall beam, was ready to pull Altaria back before Mimikyu's attack could land.

But instead of attacking, Mimikyu stopped in place.

Its entire body began to glow with a dazzling white light.

Dazzling Gleam!

The Fairy-type move fired a radiant burst of light, dealing double damage to Altaria.

More importantly, the intense brightness disrupted the recall beam from Yuma's Poké Ball.

Altaria couldn't be withdrawn!

The attack left Altaria screeching in pain, its tightly shut eyes tearing up from the overwhelming flash.

Yuma was livid. He wanted to curse but swallowed the words as he focused on the urgent matter at hand.

"Altaria!" he called out, his voice strained with concern.

Hearing its trainer's voice, Altaria forced its eyes open. Bloodshot and watering, they mirrored its trainer's seething fury toward Luo Yuan and Mimikyu.

Altaria's anger surged, and its energy flared as it prepared to retaliate.

But before it could act, Mimikyu moved again.

It didn't even bother to change position; it simply swayed slightly, its shadowy body emitting another glow.

"Dazzling Gleam!"

Another burst of brilliance engulfed the area.

Altaria had no time to dodge at such close range.

"Caw—!"

Altaria's cry was a mix of rage and agony.

Now blinded and reeling, Altaria flapped its wings in a panic, flying higher into the sky to distance itself from Mimikyu.

Yuma's gaze locked onto Mimikyu with a burning intensity. He wished he could paralyze it with his glare to buy time for Altaria.

But Yuma's wishes were futile.

The truth was, even Mimikyu felt the strain of consecutive moves like Phantom Force and Dazzling Gleam. It lacked the energy to give chase.

With both Pokémon pulling back, the battlefield returned to an uneasy stalemate.

This time, however, Altaria was heavily injured. Yet, wary of Mimikyu, it dared not lower its altitude to recover with Roost.

The situation was dire.

Yuma couldn't help but feel a pang of regret.

If only I hadn't been so fixated on switching Altaria out...

The self-assured calm he'd worn at the start of the match had long since vanished.

What Yuma didn't know was that even if he hadn't tried to switch out Altaria, Luo Yuan had multiple strategies prepared to counter him.

But Luo Yuan wasn't going to tell him that.

"Mimikyu, Shadow Ball! Keep the pressure on."

At its trainer's command, Mimikyu launched shadowy orbs upward to harass Altaria.

Yuma quickly realized Mimikyu's Fairy-type moves couldn't reach such heights, so it relied on Shadow Ball for long-range attacks.

He had Altaria stay airborne to avoid any closer engagements.

However, while Shadow Ball didn't deal significant damage, the accumulated hits took a toll on Altaria, already weakened from earlier exchanges. Its movements grew sluggish, its breathing labored.

Seeing Altaria falter, Yuma clenched his teeth.

This was his last chance.

He had a move planned for dealing with Dragonite and Ditto, but the current circumstances demanded he use it now—or not at all.

"Altaria!" Yuma shouted, raising his arm.

A brilliant light flared from the Mega Stone on Altaria's neck, resonating with the Key Stone on Yuma's wrist.

"Mega Evolution!" Luo Yuan observed Altaria's transformation without a hint of surprise.

Though Yuma hadn't used Mega Evolution in previous matches, Luo Yuan had thoroughly reviewed his opponent's data. It clearly stated Yuma possessed an Altaria Mega Stone.

In fact, the Rocket Team analysts had bet on Yuma leading with Altaria specifically because of this information.

Given the strengths and typings of Dragonite and Ditto, a Mega-Evolved Altaria—commonly dubbed the "Dragon Slayer"—was the perfect counter to both.

But now...

"It's all over..." Yuma muttered, staring at his Mega Altaria, which had regained a sliver of vitality.

Despite the successful evolution, his meticulously crafted battle plan was in shambles.

Reworking a strategy on the fly was near impossible, especially with his remaining Pokémon ill-suited for the task.

Still, there was no time to dwell on regret.

Yuma had to win this round first.

"Altaria, use Hyper Voice!"

A melodious yet powerful cry echoed from Altaria, the soundwaves rippling toward Mimikyu.

The attack was meant to harm and disorient, targeting Mimikyu's mind as well as its body.

However, before the soundwaves could affect Mimikyu, Luo Yuan's psychic abilities completely filtered them out.

What reached Mimikyu's ears was little more than harmless background music.

Yuma, oblivious to Luo Yuan's psychic expertise, was unaware his mental ploy had failed.

Mimikyu feigned being affected, its head tilting unnaturally, as if its Disguise ability had triggered.

Its body swayed unsteadily, as though ready to collapse at any moment.

Yuma's heart skipped a beat.

Could it be...? Did my Hyper Voice actually work? Is there still hope for a comeback?

---

T/N: is is that allowed

I couldn't find a vic- I mean someone to do endnotes...so here's my obligatory shilling [patreon.com/WiseTL]