"Greninja's MEGA evolution?" Harrison was equally stunned.
He had never heard of, let alone witnessed, Greninja being capable of MEGA evolution.
His curiosity wasn't feigned, but now wasn't the time to investigate this phenomenon. He was in battle, and his focus needed to remain on the fight.
Facing this seeming-like MEGA-evolved Greninja, Harrison frowned deeply.
Raw power wasn't scary, what was truly frightening was the unknown.
When Pokémon undergo MEGA evolution, most change their Abilities, and sometimes even their typing.
In other words, John's Greninja could no longer be treated as a typical Greninja.
A never-before-seen Pokemon...
"Kommo-o, Mach Punch!" While everyone was still reeling from the revelation that Greninja could MEGA evolve, Harrison launched his attack. Judging by his choice of move, he was clearly testing the waters.
Kommo-o rushed forward immediately, its powerful thighs covered with metallic scales, both fists ready to strike like a champion boxer preparing to deliver a knockout blow.
Target locked on Greninja.
"Gardevoir, MEGA evolution! Dazzling Gleam!"
John extended his hand and snapped his fingers.
Gardevoir took one step forward, its slender body enveloped by colorful light. With the second step, the light burst outward.
Mega Gardevoir in its elegant black dress stood protectively in front of Greninja, pink energy gathering at its chest!
The message to Kommo-o was clear: Your opponent is me!
Mega Gardevoir launched the ball of light from its hands, and Dazzling Gleam immediately flooded the arena!
A Fighting/Dragon-type like Kommo-o suffered quadruple weakness to Fairy attacks, John had every reason to deploy Gardevoir against it!
Kommo-o instantly switched from Mach Punch to Wide Guard, crossing its arms and condensing a khaki-colored shield to block the attack that threatened to cover the entire battlefield!
BANG!
The sound of shattering glass echoed throughout the stadium.
As Dazzling Gleam's light faded, Kommo-o's Wide Guard shield shattered into fragments!
Simultaneously, Greninja struck like lightning, an Aerial Ace about to connect with Kommo-o's face!
Water-type and Dark-type moves would be resisted by the armored dragon, so Greninja simply changed tactics! Its versatility extended far beyond Harrison's expectations.
But just as the wind-forged dagger in Greninja's hand was about to strike Kommo-o, a peculiar figure suddenly appeared on the dragon's shoulder.
It was Jynx!
Harrison had anticipated Greninja's sneak attack and ordered Jynx to use Teleport for support!
"Reflect!"
A shimmering, crystalline barrier materialized before Greninja.
CLANG!
The Reflect shattered instantly upon impact.
Post-MEGA evolution, Greninja's physical attack power had become truly formidable.
But Jynx's intervention had achieved its purpose. Kommo-o immediately countered with a barrage of Mach Punch!
Having missed its target, Greninja had already retreated, simultaneously launching three Water Shurikens from its hand.
After MEGA evolution, its Water Shuriken had transformed into Ulitimate Water Shurikens, fewer in number but vastly more powerful.
Moreover, Water Shuriken wasn't spherical, placing it outside the immunity range of Kommo-o's Bulletproof Ability!
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
Three muffled impacts resonated through the arena.
The Ultimate Water Shurikens collided with Mach Punch, creating instant explosions!
Water vapor and smoke filled the air.
But this haze didn't conclude the round.
The initial clash between the titans continued!
Mega Gardevoir suddenly teleported behind Kommo-o, clutching a ball of pink energy that was about to detonate.
Jynx's Confusion had already enveloped Kommo-o's surroundings, so the moment Mega Gardevoir appeared, it was detected. Kommo-o raised its arm to form a Light Screen!
The pink energy ball exploded, but this time it wasn't Dazzling Gleam, but a Flash! It was merely a shell crafted to resemble Dazzling Gleam's pink energy, designed to deceive Harrison.
Blinding light erupted, as if the sun had crashed onto the battlefield, so brilliant it was nearly impossible to keep one's eyes open!
Jynx immediately fell into temporary blindness.
Kommo-o, having turned its back on the Flash, escaped the blinding effect.
Harrison and Jynx instantly realized that Mega Gardevoir's target wasn't Kommo-o at all—it was Jynx!
Greninja, using its Aura as guidance, closed its eyes and emerged from the smoke. Wielding a blade in its right hand, it slashed at Jynx with Night Slash.
But Greninja was met by Kommo-o's Mach Punch!
Just as Jynx had protected Kommo-o earlier, now Kommo-o returned the favor!
BOOM!
The fist struck the ground, and Greninja's body shattered into pieces under the impact of Mach Punch. But in the next second, another Greninja stepped onto Kommo-o's fist, clutching a dark blade and slashing at Jynx.
The first Greninja had been a Substitute!
Using Substitute to bait an attack before the real body launched its assault, this was Greninja's signature tactic.
Jynx was immediately sent flying and had already lost her ability to battle by the time she hit the ground.
Kommo-o, now enraged, raised its hand and hurled an Aura Sphere at the fleeing, triumphant Greninja.
Facing the incoming Aura Sphere at point-blank range, Greninja calmly reached to the side of its head as if adjusting an invisible hat.
"Role Play!"
Then it serenely accepted the Aura Sphere's full impact.
When the energy dissipated, Greninja's playful expression was revealed.
Nothing was more taunting than using an opponent's own ability to negate their attack.
Kommo-o nearly went berserk, clearly eager to unleash Outrage.
But strangely, its trainer's follow-up command never came.
The reason was simple, its owner Harrison was under attack himself.
An Espeon was blocking Garchomp's assault with Reflect.
Seeing Espeon, John exclaimed, "No wonder!"
No wonder Harrison had directed Jynx to assist Kommo-o. He'd brought two Psychic-type Pokémon to this duel.
Was he afraid Jynx would be overwhelmed by Mega Gardevoir, so he'd prepared a backup?
As for Garchomp, currently on the offensive, John had released it during the explosion when Greninja's Ultimate Water Shurikens collided with Kommo-o's Mach Punch, a perfectly timed strategic deployment.