Shiny Poliwhirl

At least compared to the previous two Super-series Pokémon, nothing about it stood out much.

"Level 21. I've only got one Pokémon above level 20 myself."

"Go, Mutant Phanpy."

"Phanpy!"

It looked ready to fight the moment it came out. Clearly, it was itching for a battle after being cooped up in its Poké Ball.

Liu Xin clutched his head. When would it settle down and stop being so hotheaded?

That was clearly never going to happen. The flame on Mutant Phanpy's trunk was proof enough of its fighting spirit.

Misty studied Mutant Phanpy with curiosity and affection in her eyes.

"Is that a Phanpy? It's on fire! It has a Fire type? How fascinating."

"But with the type advantage, your Mutant Phanpy is no match for my Wartortle."

Liu Xin smiled. "Then my Mutant Phanpy might disappoint you."

"Type advantage alone won't beat it. Give them a taste of what you can do."

Whoosh. A fireball flew out with casual ease.

It went out before it even reached Wartortle, but it had served as a warning.

"Wartortle!"

Wartortle was angry now, huffing as it readied itself to fight.

"Then we won't back down. Wartortle, use Water Gun."

A jet of water as thick as its head shot toward Mutant Phanpy.

"Ground Spike."

Spikes of earth erupted from the ground and pierced straight through the Water Gun.

They kept surging forward, losing none of their force.

"Withdraw."

Wartortle pulled into its shell, and the spikes did little damage.

"Here's our chance! Mutant Phanpy, use Tackle!"

Flames wrapped around its body. Its speed surged, and it charged straight at Wartortle.

Wartortle had yet to emerge from its shell when Mutant Phanpy closed in.

"So fast! Wartortle, hang on!"

Thud!

Wartortle was sent flying again. Flames caught on its shell and kept burning.

That was Mutant Phanpy's mutation at work: Armor-Breaking Fire.

Though the flames burned on the shell, Wartortle inside took damage too.

It scrambled out and rolled across the ground, but the flames refused to go out.

"What's going on? Your flames won't go out?"

"That's so strange!"

"But if I take down your Mutant Phanpy first, those flames won't be a problem."

"Water Pulse."

Moisture gathered around Wartortle, slowly forming powerful jets of water aimed at Mutant Phanpy.

Liu Xin noticed that the moisture had been left behind by Super Wooper's Rain Dance in the previous match. There was plenty of it.

As Water Pulse spread, it also slowed Mutant Phanpy, affecting it at least a little.

"Mutant Phanpy, use Flamethrower and Earthquake! Finish it!"

"Phanpy!"

With a roar, it made the ground tremble and crack. The fissures raced toward Wartortle, shaking the earth beneath it.

The attack was dangerous. Wartortle staggered as it tried to dodge the splitting ground.

Spikes of earth shot out without warning, making them nearly impossible to avoid.

The gathered jets of water fired at Mutant Phanpy.

"Fire!"

Flamethrower gathered in Mutant Phanpy's mouth. A huge column of flame burst from its tiny jaws.

It was only one column of fire, but its force was no weaker than the many jets of water.

Boom!

The attacks collided with terrifying force. The flames vaporized the water in their path. A few jets broke through toward Mutant Phanpy, but it made no difference.

The heat had robbed them of nearly all their power, and a small Fireball Technique dealt with the rest.

When the steam cleared, the result was plain. Wartortle was trapped by the Earthquake as spikes erupted around it.

It could not withstand the attack. It fell unconscious, defeated.

Mutant Phanpy breathed out a puff of flame, looking thoroughly pleased with itself.

Misty recalled Wartortle. "That Mutant Phanpy is incredible."

"But I wonder if you can beat my next Pokémon."

She threw a Poké Ball. Purple light flashed, revealing a Shiny Pokémon.

Shiny Poliwhirl:

Level: 22

Attack: 250

Special Attack: 200

Poliwhirl was a bipedal Pokémon with a round body.

Its skin was blue and coated in a slick, sticky liquid. Its round eyes protruded from the top of its head, with tiny nostrils between them.

A black counterclockwise spiral marked its white belly: its internal organs visible through its transparent skin.

Its legs were longer than before it evolved, and it had grown arms.

Its hands looked as though they wore white mittens, while its rounded feet had no toes.

Its Attack was high, and its usual blue had turned green. It was considerably stronger than an ordinary Poliwhirl. This would be a tough fight.

Then again, if it had not been a Shiny Pokémon, it would have struggled to handle Liu Xin's Pokémon.

Sensing the powerful presence before it, Mutant Phanpy roared, its fighting spirit soaring.

Poliwhirl stayed calm and ignored the provocation. Liu Xin watched it enviously.

This was the first time he had seen such a steady Pokémon, but it was not his.

His own Pokémon were all rowdy, eager to fight, and unwilling to listen. It was enough to drive him mad.

"Let's see if you can beat me this time," Misty said.

She had every confidence in her Shiny Poliwhirl. Everyone had seen how formidable Shiny Pokémon could be.

Liu Xin had faith in Mutant Phanpy. "Don't worry. You're in for a surprise."

He did not know what ability the Shiny Poliwhirl had, so it was best to stay alert.

"Bubble Beam."

It was a familiar move for Water-type Pokémon. Small bubbles flew toward Mutant Phanpy.

"Fireball Technique."

Mutant Phanpy quickly spat several fireballs toward the incoming attack. But despite its usual advantage in Special Attack, it was losing this exchange.

It could not break through the bubbles. Instead, they pushed steadily closer.

Isn't its Special Attack far below Mutant Phanpy's?

Why is this happening?

Liu Xin could not make sense of it. Had he missed something?

"Shiny Poliwhirl, get close and use Seismic Toss!"

He could not let it close in. Its Attack was absurdly high. If it caught Mutant Phanpy, the blow would leave it badly hurt.

Liu Xin shouted, "Use Earthquake to keep your distance, then Flamethrower!"

Mutant Phanpy sensed the danger too. It hurried to use Earthquake to hold Poliwhirl back.

Flames gathered in its mouth, ready to fire at any moment.

Thud!

Purple light appeared around Shiny Poliwhirl as its Shiny ability activated. Mutant Phanpy shuddered. The Earthquake stopped, and the flames in its mouth vanished.

Ding! Mutant Phanpy has been silenced and cannot use any moves.