Chapter 27: Were These Stats Filled in with Someone's Feet?!
Having agreed to a battle, the two girls made their way outside the Aether House.
Naturally, the children inside were thrilled that their two favorite big sisters were about to have a Pokémon battle, and followed them out with boundless enthusiasm.
As for the battlefield, they didn't need to think twice — there was a perfectly good stretch of open ground right outside.
Caitlin and Acerola took their positions on opposite ends, facing each other from a distance.
"This is so nice! It's been ages and ages since Acerola's had a real battle!"
Acerola looked across at Caitlin, hands clasped behind her back, head tilted to one side, eyes curving into crescent moons once more.
She sincerely hoped Caitlin was as strong as advertised. Otherwise, she'd be disappointed.
"Better watch out, okay, Caitlin? Because I'm really strong. Even Uncle Nanu isn't necessarily a match for me."
Acerola's smile was as adorable as ever.
And the "Uncle Nanu" she'd mentioned was none other than the Island Kahuna of Ula'ula.
"I look forward to learning from you."
Caitlin wore a faint, composed smile. She was ready.
Before coming here, Mammon had already told her that Acerola was an Elite-Four-caliber Ghost-type trainer.
Battling Acerola meant her entire team would be at a type disadvantage. Even so, Caitlin didn't believe she would necessarily lose.
"Okaaay~! Here I come!"
Acerola threw out her first Pokémon — something that looked like a plush doll with a zipper for a mouth. This was Banette, a pure Ghost-type.
Before the battle, the two had already settled on the rules and turn order.
Against Banette, Caitlin led with Alakazam.
The battle officially began.
"I wonder if Caitlin can beat Acerola."
Mammon sat on a stool that the Aether Foundation staffer had brought out for him, watching the showdown between the two girls with great interest.
Emotionally, he naturally wanted Caitlin to win.
But rationally speaking, even if Caitlin was the stronger trainer on raw ability, her team composition put her at an inherent disadvantage.
Ghost was super-effective against Psychic. On top of that, Ghost-type Pokémon fought in slippery, unpredictable ways by nature, and Acerola — an Elite-Four-tier Ghost specialist — understood those methods at a level that could genuinely be called professional. She surpassed ninety-nine percent of all trainers on the planet in that respect, and that was no exaggeration.
At least Mammon had sparred against Caitlin with his Mismagius a few times, so she had some experience fighting Ghost-types.
After expending enormous effort, Caitlin's Alakazam finally managed to take down Banette and secure the first win.
But immediately afterward, Alakazam was defeated by Acerola's second Pokémon, Froslass. Caitlin switched to Gothitelle, only for the match to end in a mutual knockout. Battling from a type disadvantage truly felt terrible.
This was a 3-on-3 match, and the final round saw both trainers send out their aces.
Metagross versus Palossand.
With everything on the line, both sides were going all-out.
Caitlin's Metagross was genuinely fearsome. Even fighting at a type disadvantage, it was overwhelming Acerola's Palossand.
Acerola was stunned. Genuinely, sincerely stunned.
The opposing Metagross straight-up punched through Palossand's Shadow Ball with a Meteor Mash and closed the distance. Right hook — Meteor Mash — directly to Palossand's face. Then a left hook — Ice Punch — another hit.
Palossand countered with Earth Power, but the Metagross simply tanked it. The very next second, two more Ice Punches came hammering down on Palossand like twin sledgehammers.
This was…
Acerola tilted her head.
So this was Metagross? Enormous stamina. Crushing physical attack, with special attack that was still impressive. Physical and special defense equally insane. Speed was slightly lacking, sure, but Bullet Punch covered that gap as a priority move, and its coverage was absurdly broad.
Out of eighteen types, Metagross resisted ten and was weak to only four.
Were these stats filled in with someone's feet?!
Watching the Metagross shrug off Palossand's attacks and pin the sandcastle to the ground for a sustained pummeling, Acerola's eyes went wide.
And Caitlin was supposed to be a Psychic-type specialist, right? Was this really where the Psychic-type battle style ended up — this violent?!
Two more super-effective Ice Punches slammed down, and the huffing, panting Metagross, relying on the sheer physical toughness it had forged through endless training, secured the victory.
Bravo! Bravo!
But the very next instant, a dark light flared across the fallen Palossand's body, coiling around Metagross.
Metagross crashed to the ground as well. That was right — in the instant before blacking out, Palossand had used its inherited move Destiny Bond, forcing a one-for-one trade and taking Metagross down with it.
Neither side had a Pokémon left that could continue fighting. A draw.
"Phew~ Caitlin, you're amazing! I even had the type advantage, and I still almost lost!"
Acerola let out a cute sigh of relief, patted her own cheeks, then flashed Caitlin that crescent-eyed smile and spoke in her sweet, clear voice.
She meant every word.
"Thank you. You're incredibly strong yourself, Acerola. I'd love to spar with you again sometime."
Caitlin shook Acerola's hand. She hadn't won, but her mood was perfectly composed.
If anything, the battle had been easier than she'd expected.
After all, she'd fought against Mammon before. And Mammon's Ghost-type methods were… special.
Compared to that, Caitlin found Acerola's battling style to be downright civilized. Far less pressure.
"Ehehe~ Okay okay okay! Let's exchange contact info. Acerola is so happy!"
Acerola tilted her head cutely, absolutely thrilled. She did love Pokémon battles.
After exchanging contact information with the adorable Acerola, Mammon and Caitlin bid farewell to everyone at the Aether House.
"You have to come back and see Acerola again, okay? Caitlin, keep in touch~!"
Acerola went up on her tiptoes, waving her arms wildly, hammering the point home as many times as she could.
She really liked Caitlin — gorgeous, elegant, and powerful. Mm~ she liked her a lot.
The smile on Caitlin's lips deepened just a touch further as she turned around and waved back.
"Caitlin really does have an incredible charm about her. The children, Acerola — none of them could bear to let you go."
Walking along the path, Mammon glanced at the psychic girl beside him and teased.
"Stop making fun of me. Acerola is a very pure-hearted girl."
Caitlin shot Mammon a look from those beautiful eyes, reaching up to tuck a strand of golden hair behind her ear with a languid air.
"But I'm not at all like her."
It was true. They were very different. She was a member of Team Rocket now. A girl as pure and talented and adorable as Acerola would surely have a wonderful future ahead of her.
"Caitlin, that way of thinking is no good." Mammon raised an eyebrow.
He was about to say more when he pulled out his phone. A message had just been delivered.
"Looks like our luck is good."
Mammon broke into a grin.
"What is it?" Caitlin asked, curious.
"Someone's spotted Tapu Fini."