Meditite

In the arena, Meditite's fists suddenly flared with scarlet light. Its fierce punches tore through the air with a piercing shriek.

Yingnan had been frowning ever since Mudkip had traded blows with its opponent. The moment Mudkip was knocked back, he swiftly commanded, "Supersonic!"

Mudkip endured the pain, puffing out its cheeks as a sharp, ear-piercing Supersonic burst forth. Invisible sound waves spread outward like ripples from its body. Meditite's movements visibly stalled, and its formerly precise attacks became disordered.

Meditite shook its head forcefully, trying to dispel the interference caused by the sound waves, but its body began to sway uncontrollably.

Trainer Miura's pupils constricted as he shouted, "Meditite! Quickly, use Confusion to defend!"

Meditite crossed its arms before its chest, instantly forming a blue protective barrier that blocked the following Supersonic waves. But in the instant it was distracted by defense, Yingnan seized the opportunity and shouted passionately, "Mudkip! Mud Shot!"

Mudkip slammed both palms against the ground. Damp mud surged in its palms and condensed into five mud bullets in the blink of an eye. Wrapped in howling wind, they shot toward Meditite's newly formed Psychic Barrier like arrows released from a bow.

The mud bullets struck the barrier's surface, sending ripples across it. The instant the fourth mud bullet hit, the barrier shattered with a boom, and the final mud bullet landed squarely on Meditite.

Having just recovered from Supersonic, Meditite was struck by the mud bullet and became covered in sticky mud, making its movements even slower.

It tried to use Confusion to wipe away the mud on its body, but that only gave Mudkip more openings. Yingnan's eyes flashed as he shouted, "Mudkip, keep using Mud-Slap!"

Mudkip rapidly scooped at the ground with both palms. Plenty of mud it had previously gathered remained on the field, and under the effect of Ground-type energy, it grew increasingly sticky.

Seeing this, Trainer Miura shouted, "Quickly, use Confusion to block it!"

Mudkip hurled mud at Meditite from tricky angles one after another. Meditite controlled its Psychic Barrier to block them, but the continuous Mud-Slaps broke through. Mud splattered squarely across its face, throwing off its newly stabilized footing once more.

Meditite blocked with Confusion while using both hands to wipe the mud from around its eyes. However, distracted as it was, the shield formed by Confusion could not withstand the unending Mud-Slap assault.

As a result, the moment Meditite wiped the mud away from its eyes, fresh mud would splatter across its face again, making it increasingly agitated.

Watching Meditite descend into chaos, Trainer Miura panicked as well and shouted, "Calm down! Counter with Swift!"

Meditite forcefully suppressed its irritation. Dozens of golden stars rapidly gathered around its body and fiercely shot toward the incoming mud.

How could Yingnan give his opponent a chance to catch his breath? He swung his arm sharply and shouted, "Mudkip, charge in! Use Endure, then counter with Rock Smash!"

A faint white glow spread over Mudkip's body, a sign that Endure had been activated. This white light possessed no defensive power. Its purpose was to absorb the damage dealt by the opponent's moves while the user took damage, then return it twofold afterward.

Mudkip charged through the golden stars. Countless golden stars exploded against its body, yet it continued rushing toward Meditite with unwavering steps.

Meditite had only just wiped the mud from its eyes when Mudkip broke through Swift's interception. Red light glowed around its right claw as, empowered by Endure, it struck Meditite with tremendous force.

Trainer Miura's pupils shrank as he cried out anxiously, "Quickly, use Confusion to defend!"

Meditite hastily crossed its arms. Its transparent barrier had only just formed when the force erupted by Rock Smash mercilessly shattered it, before the attack slammed heavily into its chest and sent it flying backward.

"Use Rock Slide!" Yingnan roared with unstoppable momentum.

Mudkip fiercely struck the ground with its right claw. Mud and shattered stones surged into the air, condensing into chunks of rock midair before pouring down upon Meditite like a torrential rain.

Trainer Miura's face instantly turned pale as he shouted, "Quickly, use Swift!"

Meditite endured the intense pain in its chest, rapidly climbed to its feet, and knelt on one knee to gather golden light.

Dense golden stars howled toward Rock Slide. Amid fierce explosions, shattered stones and the lingering glow of the stars swept across the entire field like buckshot.

Smoke from the explosions spread across the arena. Using the smoke as cover, Mudkip charged fiercely toward Meditite once again.

With the smoke everywhere, neither trainer could see what was happening in the arena. They could only silently cheer for their own Pokémon.

Suddenly, Meditite's pained cry of "Naso!" tore through the sky. Meditite was blasted out of the smoke and crashed heavily onto the ground. It struggled to stand, only to collapse again from exhaustion and pain.

At that moment, the filthy Mudkip also rushed out of the smoke.

Trainer Miura called out anxiously, "Meditite, get up!"

With the help of Confusion, Meditite braced itself against the ground with trembling hands and struggled back to its feet. However, Mudkip had already charged right before it like an arrow released from a bow.

Yingnan raised his arm and shouted, "Mudkip! Final Hydro Pump!"

Mudkip took a deep breath, then blasted a powerful Hydro Pump toward Meditite with thunderous force.

Trainer Miura watched the lethal attack with despair filling his heart. He knew defeat was certain. Yet when he saw Meditite face the attack and still cry out "Naso!!!" with an indomitable Presence, Miura suddenly understood. His eyes reddened as he shouted, "Meditite, use Force Palm with everything you have!"

Upon hearing that, a faint smile appeared on Meditite's face, and its usual resoluteness returned. Scarlet light burst from its fists as it threw two punches with all its strength, releasing two shockwaves.

The force of its punches tore through the air and collided head-on with Hydro Pump. The two forces clashed fiercely in the center of the arena. The punch winds held on for a moment before being scattered by the unceasing Hydro Pump.

Meditite seemed to have anticipated this outcome. It threw one final punch at Hydro Pump. There was no Type energy in that punch, only an ordinary swing, yet it struck the heart with profound force.

With the referee's announcement, the spectacular battle came to an end. Yingnan quickly walked to the center of the arena and, alongside Mudkip, watched Trainer Miura check Meditite's injuries before recalling it into its Poké Ball.

Yingnan extended his hand and said sincerely, "That was an amazing battle! You two are really strong!"

Trainer Miura's eyes were red, but he held back his tears as he shook Yingnan's hand. "Thank you! Congratulations on your victory!"

Yingnan scratched his head somewhat awkwardly. "Um... how about adding each other as friends?"

Trainer Miura paused before saying, "Sure!" He took a slightly old-fashioned navigator from his pocket. After they added each other as friends and chatted for a few moments, he turned and left.

Yingnan softly encouraged Mudkip for a few moments, recalled it into its Poké Ball, then returned from the field with a brilliant smile. "Haha! I'm back!"

Xinhai said sourly, "Why are you so damn lucky? You got to meet such a great pair of opponents. Why wasn't it me battling them?" As he spoke, he stepped forward, wrapped an arm around Yingnan's neck, and started roughing him up.

Xinhai could not have been more envious. Ever since they were young, Yingnan's luck had been absurdly good. He could casually buy a pack of Pokémon cards and pull Legendary Pokémon and mythical Pokémon, as though he were the protagonist blessed by the god of luck. Meanwhile, Xinhai had always hit the pity threshold in lotteries in his previous life. He had not expected to remain doomed to the fate of an unlucky loser in this life too.

At that thought, Xinhai tightened his grip. Yingnan, who had still been struggling a moment ago, immediately changed his tune and begged, "Let go, let go! I surrender! I surrender!"

Shali and Eevee watched the scene with smiles, feeling somewhat envious of Yingnan as well for having encountered such worthy opponents.

Only after hearing Yingnan beg for mercy did Xinhai release him. Looking at the panting Yingnan, he said, "You added him as a friend, right? Introduce me to him next time."

Yingnan caught his breath and said, "Don't worry, I'll definitely introduce you."

"And me, me too!" Shali said from the side as she held Eevee.

Yingnan smiled and agreed. "Don't worry. We'll all get to know him then."

Recalling Trainer Miura and Meditite's performance in the battle, Xinhai silently sighed to himself. That indomitable Presence is truly rare. I hope you two can go even farther.

Taking a deep breath, Xinhai looked at Yingnan and Shali. "Let's go. Only my battle remains."

"Let's go, let's go! Let's check out the third arena!" The three of them headed toward the next battlefield with anticipation.