c37: Battle Elite Pokémon in Two Months
"Meowstic, Gardevoir—enter the Pokémon Space first."
After defeating the powerful Conkeldurr, Chen Xiaoxiao swiftly recalled Gardevoir and Meowstic into their Poké Balls. At the same time, she herself vanished from the battlefield and reappeared within the secluded realm of the Pokémon Space.
"Gardevoir, use Heal Pulse to treat Meowstic's injuries first. Meowstic, you did great out there—thank you for your effort!"
"Shanai. (Understood, Xiaoxiao.)"
Inside the calm, ethereal Pokémon Space, Chen Xiaoxiao watched as Gardevoir channeled a gentle wave of pink energy into Meowstic. The psychic-type feline's wounds slowly began to heal, the stress from the previous battle easing from its frame. Chen Xiaoxiao gently stroked Meowstic's fur, affirming her partner's courageous performance.
Once Meowstic looked visibly better, Chen Xiaoxiao turned her attention back to the Poké Ball containing Conkeldurr. She reopened it, releasing the muscular Fighting-type Pokémon.
"Gardevoir, please heal Conkeldurr too. Thank you again."
"Shanai. (Of course.)"
Gardevoir's patience and dedication were commendable. As she used Heal Pulse again, the injuries on Conkeldurr's massive frame began to fade. Slowly, Conkeldurr's eyes opened, his breathing steadying as he regained consciousness under Gardevoir's careful care.
"Conkeldurr, you promised that if I beat you, you'd become my Pokémon and help me build a house. You're not backing out now, are you?" Chen Xiaoxiao asked directly.
Conkeldurr growled softly but shook his head. Faced with several Elite-level Pokémon calmly standing nearby, it had no intention of breaking its word.
Chen Xiaoxiao had initially met Conkeldurr while exploring the Fukuichi Wild Zone—known for its abundance of Fighting-type Pokémon. Unlike many wild Pokémon, this Conkeldurr wasn't aggressive or impulsive. In fact, it had shown an unexpectedly gentle and cooperative disposition.
Their first meeting didn't result in a battle. Instead, the two had communicated calmly, and Chen Xiaoxiao had explained her needs. Conkeldurr agreed: if she could defeat him fairly in battle, he would not only join her team but assist in constructing a building inside the Pokémon Space.
For Chen Xiaoxiao, the priority wasn't about adding another Pokémon to her team—it was solving the long-standing challenge of constructing shelter inside the isolated Pokémon Space. Since only her and her captured Pokémon could enter this dimension, hiring outside contractors was impossible. Neither she nor her current team had the construction knowledge or strength required. It had long been a source of frustration.
Meeting a Conkeldurr here was nothing short of a miracle. Known in both the Pokédex and historical accounts as the Pokémon who taught humans how to mix and use concrete, Conkeldurr was the perfect candidate. It was even mentioned in various Pokémon lore—including Pokémon Adventures—that Conkeldurr passed on early construction knowledge long before machines were common.
"Here, take a look at this blueprint. Do you understand it? Can you build it?" Chen Xiaoxiao asked as she opened her Pokédex and projected a detailed architectural plan onto the screen.
She had commissioned these blueprints from a top design firm, and it showed. The set included floor plans, structural layouts, and immersive 3D models—professional-grade in every sense. Chen Xiaoxiao had spared no expense, and her satisfaction was evident.
Conkeldurr carefully studied the digital projection. After a few moments, he nodded, indicating he could handle the task.
"Fantastic! I'm counting on you, Conkeldurr!"
Chen Xiaoxiao's excitement was hard to contain. She had seriously underestimated Conkeldurr's intelligence and experience. After all, it was Conkeldurr—famously associated with the rival Trainer Trip from the Unova region in the Black & White manga series. That alone should have hinted at its battle prowess and skill.
Interestingly, the historical paradox about Conkeldurr remained: if it evolved via communication-based trade, how did early Conkeldurrs evolve and teach humans concrete usage before such technology even existed? No one had solved that puzzle. Just as no one could explain how Chen Xiaoxiao had the fortune of encountering such a capable Pokémon at precisely the right time.
---
Two months later
"Metagross, Bullet Punch!"
A blur of steel shot across the battlefield. Metagross's four massive legs clenched into iron fists as they rocketed forward, striking with the speed and precision of a high-caliber bullet.
Its opponent, a muscular humanoid with four powerful arms—braced for impact.
Machamp
Gender: ♂
Level: 73 (Elite Peak)
Type: Fighting
Nature: Adamant (Increases Attack, reduces Special Attack)
Ability: Guts (Boosts Attack by 50% when afflicted by a status condition; burn does not reduce attack)
Hidden Ability: Steadfast (Raises Speed by 1 stage if it flinches)
Classification: Elite-tier Totem Pokémon
This Machamp was not just any opponent—it was the Totem guardian of the dense jungle in the northern Fukuichi region, an area Chen Xiaoxiao had been training in for weeks. Its presence here wasn't just symbolic; it was an obstacle, a trial, and a rite of passage for Trainers aiming for the Elite stage.
And Chen Xiaoxiao had risen to meet it head-on.
As early as when Conkeldurr was captured, Chen Xiaoxiao had already gathered intelligence about the strength and typical movement patterns of the wild Pokémon inhabiting this zone. Through their bond, Conkeldurr had shared valuable insight into the dominant species and their territories, including the existence of the powerful Totem Pokémon guarding the jungle Machamp.
Now, Machamp, facing the brunt of Metagross's Bullet Punch, responded without hesitation. One of his four arms ignited with searing flame he countered with a vicious Fire Punch, slamming it into Metagross with a sharp backhand motion.
The fire made direct contact. Even with Metagross's Steel/Psychic typing, the elemental impact was immense.
Metagross let out a pained mechanical cry.
"Metagross! Hold on—fall back with Agility, then hit it with Confusion!" Chen Xiaoxiao commanded quickly, eyes narrowing as she assessed the tactical disadvantage. This kind of close-quarters brawler… I really should be kiting instead of trading blows!
Obeying instantly, Metagross accelerated backward with blinding speed, trailing a shimmering blue afterimage. Then its eyes glowed as it launched a psychic wave—Confusion—straight toward Machamp.
Annoyed by the loss of close proximity, Machamp growled. Noticing the incoming psychic energy, he crossed his arms and summoned a glowing greenish barrier—Protect. The psychic blast slammed against the shield and dispersed harmlessly.
But Machamp wasn't done. Without losing momentum, flames flared from his knuckles once again as he rushed at Metagross with a second Fire Punch.
"Metagross, use Protect as well then follow with Zen Headbutt!"
Another luminous shield formed in front of Metagross just in time. The second Fire Punch collided against it with a thunderous crash.
BOOM!
Sparks scattered from the impact. When the flames around Machamp's fist subsided, Metagross dropped the barrier and instantly focused all its psychic energy to the center of its body then surged forward, skull-first, delivering a devastating Zen Headbutt directly into Machamp's chest.
The hit landed with brutal force.
Machamp was launched backward, crashing through several layers of underbrush before slamming into the trunk of a towering tree.
BOOM!
"Metagross, Meteor Mash—go!"
Chen Xiaoxiao seized the opportunity to press the advantage.
Metagross brought its four massive limbs together, forming a giant comet-like fist. The attack sparkled like stardust as it shot across the battlefield Meteor Mash, a Steel-type finishing strike.
The move came with such speed that Machamp had no time to dodge. He once again threw up a Protect, forming a last-second barrier in front of him.
Chen Xiaoxiao observed carefully. Once the power behind Meteor Mash fades, he's definitely going to counterattack—just like how we did after blocking Fire Punch earlier.
Through their psychic link, she quietly relayed to Metagross: Withdraw a third of your strength—be ready to react.
Sure enough, as the strength of the Meteor Mash dwindled against Machamp's barrier, Chen Xiaoxiao noticed something suspicious Machamp's right leg muscles had suddenly tensed, preparing for a counterstrike.
He's charging a leg-based move… but which one? Low Kick or something else?
She narrowed her eyes, watching carefully. Low Kick's damage depends on the target's weight. Even though I replaced Metagross's Light Metal Ability earlier, it's still a Steel-type heavyweight. A direct hit could hurt.
If it's something like Earthquake instead… that could be devastating.
Better to avoid any direct contact entirely.
"Metagross, Magnet Rise—now!"
Thanks to the power Metagross had conserved earlier, it summoned a strong electromagnetic field around itself. Its heavy steel body rose off the ground, levitating effortlessly.
At that exact moment, Machamp lifted his powerful right leg and stomped the ground with all his might.
RUMBLE!
The earth trembled as a shockwave pulsed outward Machamp had used Earthquake! But when he looked up, expecting to see damage, he was met with the sight of Metagross still floating serenely in the air, untouched.
A flash of surprise crossed Machamp's face.
Chen Xiaoxiao didn't hesitate. "Metagross—Metal Claw!"
Still hovering just under two meters away, Metagross lashed out with a gleaming metallic limb.
The damage from Metal Claw wasn't particularly high in base power but this time, it was different.
Not only was it a STAB move (Same Type Attack Bonus), but Metagross was holding a Metal Coat, increasing Steel-type power by 20%. On top of that, its Tough Claws Ability amplified the impact of contact moves by an additional 30%.
The already-injured Elite-level Machamp shrieked as the claws tore across his chest. His eyes rolled back, spiraling like knocked-out cartoon characters.
GAME OVER.
The jungle went quiet.
Chen Xiaoxiao stood tall, breathing steadily as she lowered her hand. Victory, earned.
---