(A/N: New Patreon: Spankingregret! With how many Patreons have joined lately, you guys are absolutely spanking my chapter stockpile dry… but hey, who am I to complain? Bonus chapter incoming!).
Clang!
Sharpedo's teeth gnawed against the white blade in Greninja's hand, producing a sharp metallic sound that echoed through the chamber.
At the critical moment, Greninja had managed to use Cut to defend itself. But Sharpedo's superior strength immediately forced Greninja backward, slamming it directly into the wall.
A muffled "boom" reverberated through the room.
The impact didn't cause Greninja to vanish—proof that this was the real Pokemon, not the Substitute!
John had no idea how Archie had distinguished between the real Greninja and its copy at a glance. Even the Johto Region's Ghost-type Gym Leader, Morty, famous for his "Ghost Eyes" technique, couldn't tell the difference between a Substitute and the real thing!
But there was no time to ponder this mystery.
Sharpedo's control over Ice-type moves was exceptional. Cold air emanating from its Ice Fang had already begun freezing the white blade Greninja had created with Cut, and the frost was rapidly spreading toward Greninja's arm.
If Greninja's arm froze, its attacks would inevitably slow. If its entire body froze, Sharpedo's next strike could be the finishing blow!
"Vacuum Wave!" John commanded immediately.
The order was directed at Greninja's Substitute.
The copy instantly thrust forward its right hand, launching a light blue shockwave toward Sharpedo.
Greninja's mastery of aura wasn't sufficient to use Aura Sphere, but its proficiency with Vacuum Wave was impressive!
"Aqua Jet!" Archie raised his hand to command, looking curiously surprised that a Dark-type Pokemon had mastered Fighting moves. His plan was to resist the Substitute's attack while finishing off the real Greninja.
Sharpedo immediately burst forth with light blue energy, but instead of continuing its frontal assault on Greninja, it angled downward to avoid the incoming Vacuum Wave.
It was aiming for Greninja's legs now. Even without freezing them, damaging Greninja's mobility would achieve the same result!
"Bounce!" John shouted.
The instant Greninja released its resistance against Sharpedo's pressure, its legs exploded with power, launching its body skyward.
This acrobatic move allowed it to dodge both Sharpedo's Aqua Jet and its own Substitute's Vacuum Wave. After Sharpedo evaded, the Vacuum Wave was now on a collision course with Greninja itself!
Just when John thought Greninja had escaped immediate danger, a rumbling sound erupted from the battlefield floor.
A powerful jet of water burst upward from below! Like a spear shooting from nowhere, it aimed to impale Greninja mid-leap.
Seeing this, John's eye twitched involuntarily.
'I'm still too green at this game!'
What Sharpedo had used wasn't Aqua Jet at all—it was Water Pledge!
Archie, the crafty veteran, had deceived him. He'd called out one move while his Pokemon executed another, catching them completely off guard. This level of coordination revealed extraordinary battle tactics.
In this situation, the deception had worked brilliantly!
Fortunately, they weren't completely out of options.
Facing the water column surging from below, Greninja immediately directed its Substitute to fly into the impact point, sacrificing the copy to shield itself!
"Aqua Jet!" Archie commanded again, raising his hand.
Sharpedo rocketed forward, moving so fast it appeared as little more than a blur of azure light. John could react mentally, but not quickly enough to issue a command.
With each passing moment, Sharpedo grew faster under its Speed Boost ability.
Greninja had copied this ability through Role Play, allowing it to match Sharpedo's increasing speed. But for John as a trainer—especially in a disadvantaged position, providing timely commands was becoming increasingly difficult.
Even with his well-trained eye.
John instantly analyzed that Archie's Water Pledge had targeted the Substitute, not Greninja itself!
Archie's strategy was clear: destroy the Substitute first, then finish Greninja with Ice Fang when it had no protection!
Greninja barely touched down before Sharpedo was upon it again.
Reacting with incredible speed, Greninja cut away part of its own water-form tail, sacrificing some health to create another Substitute in its place. Sharpedo's Crunch attack caught the copy as Greninja retreated toward John.
Facing continuous disadvantage, Greninja needed to end this exchange and regroup for a new strategy.
After tearing through the Substitute, Sharpedo glared at Greninja with obvious frustration but didn't pursue immediately. Instead, it returned to Archie's side.
This round had ended with Greninja losing two Substitutes and suffering an injury to its back.
Meanwhile, Sharpedo maintained its advantage—even though its Speed Boost ability didn't create a gap thanks to Greninja's copied ability, it still had the edge from its earlier Agility boost!
"You're a clever man," Archie said, looking down at John with a winner's arrogance. "The gap between us is already obvious. Do you want to continue?"
The battle wasn't over, but to Archie, the outcome seemed certain.
John didn't answer. His eyes remained fixed on Greninja.
His Pokemon was panting heavily, heart racing. The exchange had consumed significant energy, but simultaneously ignited something within it. Cells throughout its body seemed to activate, its fighting spirit intensifying.
"We're close, but need more stimulation," John murmured. He reached into his pocket and withdrew a crystal, pressing it against the specialized band on his wrist.
"Greninja, Z-move! Black Hole Eclipse!"
A streak of glossy black light erupted from John's body, condensing into a pillar that struck Greninja!
"Greninja!" Greninja's eyes flashed brilliantly as it spread its arms wide. A small black sphere materialized before it, expanding rapidly within seconds. The orb rose skyward, generating a violent gravitational pull that began absorbing everything around it like a true black hole!
Even the room's light was consumed, plunging the entire space into darkness.
"A Z-move? Power from the Alola Region? How interesting," Archie remarked, observing the black hole with casual fascination. "I should visit there sometime."
Looking at the darkness, Archie smiled slightly and raised his wrist, revealing a distinctive watch.
The watch face opened to reveal three gleaming Key Stones!
"Sharpedo, Mega Evolution!"