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Even a must-hit move like Power Split can't land on Machamp.
What else can I do?
Chris was lost in thought, raising his hand to point toward Machamp.
"Moonblast!"
Gardevoir immediately unleashed its power, raising its hands toward the sky. The once-bright battlefield dimmed, and a radiant crescent moon appeared, hanging high above. In a blink, countless pink energy beams descended like a meteor shower.
The pink meteors exploded into fireworks upon contact with the ground, but they accelerated immediately, converging on Machamp from all directions.
"The control over Moonblast is impressive," Vladimir remarked calmly.
"Wide Guard!"
Machamp spread its arms wide, summoning a translucent brown barrier that shielded it from the barrage of Moonblast.
However, where Machamp couldn't see, a faint pink glow appeared behind it, forming a sharp spike aimed at its back. Just before it struck, a light blue film materialized, blocking the attack.
"My Machamp is enveloped in Aura. To break through its defense, you'll need an attack capable of shattering the Aura," Vladimir explained.
"Don't worry. While Machamp isn't particularly skilled with Aura energy, it's enough to require Gardevoir's full strength to break through."
Chris felt frustrated.
What do you mean my Machamp isn't good with Aura energy, so it can still be beaten? What if it were a Pokémon that's adept at Aura—my Pokémon wouldn't even stand a chance!
But… learning to use Aura energy for defense would be incredible.
"Psychic!" Chris ordered, deciding to press the attack.
Gardevoir's body surged with psychic energy, lashing out like invisible whips toward Machamp.
"Bullet Punch!" Vladimir countered.
Machamp's fists glowed a bright silver as it punched rapidly, intercepting Gardevoir's psychic tendrils with pinpoint accuracy.
"Oh, I forgot to mention," Vladimir continued, "Machamp has learned a high-level technique known as Mind Reader. It's essential for top-tier Pokémon. With it, Machamp can sense incoming attacks from any direction!"
Chris's frustration deepened. This Machamp didn't just have Aura energy—it also had Mind Reader. No wonder it dodged Gyarados's Hyper Beam earlier.
Mind Reader wasn't supposed to be this powerful in the games. It just ensured the next move would hit—not function as an all-seeing defense!
Still, Chris noticed that Machamp's punches were growing slower. That's right, even with all its abilities, it was getting exhausted.
"Substitute!" Chris commanded.
Gardevoir clasped its hands together, and its figure wavered momentarily before splitting into two identical copies.
Although Substitute wasn't a natural move for Gardevoir, it had been taught the technique through a TM.
"Encore, use Psychic!"
"Gardevoir!" the two cried in unison.
Psychic energy erupted again, with twice the force as spiritual tendrils lashed out relentlessly, faster with each strike.
Gardevoir was clearly pushing its limits.
"Protect," Vladimir said, his tone composed.
Machamp shifted into a defensive stance, crossing its arms in front of its chest as a translucent barrier formed, absorbing the barrage.
Despite the barrier shaking violently under the assault, it held strong, refusing to shatter.
"Teleport!" Chris shouted suddenly.
A Gardevoir teleported to Machamp's back in an instant, unleashing another Psychic assault.
The spiritual whips danced and lashed out, while countless psychic tentacles struck from every angle.
Despite being blindsided, Machamp's reflexes seemed almost superhuman. Its crossed arms parted immediately as Gardevoir teleported. With no time to activate Wide Guard, Machamp pivoted sideways, positioning two arms forward and two backward. It adopted a "push" stance, erecting two invisible barriers to block attacks from both directions.
Chris was dumbfounded.
"Is there anything this Machamp can't do?" he muttered.
Protect typically required crossing arms or forming a defensive stance, yet Machamp could execute it effortlessly with just a motion of its hands—even though it still used two arms.
Chris couldn't help but wonder if four-armed Pokémon inherently held an edge. He briefly entertained the idea of raising a Machamp himself.
Still, the "one-handed" Protect barriers seemed slightly less resilient. With sufficient attack power, they could be shattered!
However, pausing to let Gardevoir use Calm Mind would give Machamp the chance to reestablish Wide Guard. There was no time for that.
"Gardevoir, give it everything you've got! Use Psychic!" Chris commanded, voice ringing with determination.
"Garde!" Gardevoirs cried in unison.
Mental energy erupted with overwhelming intensity.
Both Gardevoirs floated midair, their long, flowing white gowns billowing like sails in a storm. Their hair whipped in the wild winds generated by their raw psychic power. The once-invisible psychic tendrils were now so dense they seemed almost tangible.
Tiny cracks began to form on Machamp's Protect barriers.
But it wasn't enough—not yet.
Chris suddenly felt a strange warmth on his arm. Glancing down, he noticed the Key Stone embedded in his Mega Ring glowing faintly.
As he focused on the stone, a wave of emotion surged through him. His heart clenched, and he felt a sudden urge to cry.
The Key Stone was resonating with the MEGA Evolution Stone held by Gardevoir. In that moment, Chris could feel Gardevoir's heart, its intentions laid bare.
Gardevoir's desire was simple yet deeply moving: it wanted to help its Trainer achieve his goals, no matter what.
On the battlefield, Gardevoir's body began to glow with a radiant, multicolored light as the power of Mega Evolution surged through it.