"Hm? You didn't send out a Dark-type Pokémon?"
"It seems you came straight for my Alakazam. Although Meltan's Steel typing can, to some extent, counter Alakazam's Psychic-type moves..."
"But... as you wish!"
John Davis gently shook his head. In his hand, a Poké Ball enlarged, releasing his signature Pokémon: Alakazam.
After appearing, Alakazam slowly opened its drowsy eyes, and at once a sense of pressure gradually spread from its body, making the spectators feel a chill in their hearts.
"It can influence people's emotions with just its powerful psychic power!"
"This level of psychic power is truly impressive. Combined with Teleport and other Psychic-type moves, it can indeed contend, to a certain extent, with Captain Daniel's Breloom."
Ethan's expression also grew more serious.
However, on the battlefield, Meltan, which was directly receiving Alakazam's mental pressure, showed no abnormal reaction at all. Its eyes continued to spin cheerfully, wearing an innocent and carefree expression.
After all, Meltan was a Mythical Pokémon. Although it was considered the weakest among Mythical Pokémon, in terms of resistance to mental pressure, very few Pokémon could easily affect a Pokémon of this category.
"As expected of Big Brother Ethan's Meltan."
Seeing Meltan's calmness, the students of the Pokémon University of Ironvale City, who had been holding their breath, were finally able to relax a little.
"Well done. Alakazam's mental pressure has been specially trained. The fact that this Meltan can withstand it so easily shows, at the very least, that this battle will be interesting."
John smiled faintly. He knew very well that many opponents had been intimidated by Alakazam's terrifying mental pressure, losing all hope from the very start of the battle. Meltan, at least, had preserved the suspense of the match.
"It seems this Alakazam has the ability Inner Focus."
Ethan carefully observed Alakazam while stroking his chin.
Alakazam has three possible abilities: Synchronize, Inner Focus, and Magic Guard.
If this Alakazam really had the ability Inner Focus, and in addition possessed such powerful psychic strength...
Thinking of this, Ethan's eyes suddenly lit up. Wasn't Lucario's situation very similar?
If he could obtain this method of training mental pressure, could Lucario also develop similar mental pressure?
"Let's test it first. At the very least, I need to confirm this Alakazam's ability."
In an instant, Ethan made a decision and once again fixed his gaze on Alakazam.
"That mental pressure... I suppose it counts as an attack, right?"
"Then now it's my turn. Meltan, use Substitute."
"Zzzt!"
After hearing Ethan's order, Meltan let out a soft sound.
Then, its liquid, mercury-like body began to ripple, and in the blink of an eye another Meltan appeared on the field, floating in the same manner.
"Is that the move Substitute?"
"Alakazam, use Psychic directly!"
John wore a relaxed expression. With Alakazam's psychic power, it was entirely possible to control both Meltan at the same time.
Alakazam let a blue glimmer flash in its eyes, and a terrifying psychic power expanded, turning into a faint blue radiance that enveloped both Meltan.
"It's over. Throw them straight into the ground!"
After Alakazam controlled both Meltan with its psychic power, a victorious smile appeared on John's face.
In midair, realizing it was being controlled, Meltan struggled with all its might to break free. However, Alakazam's psychic power was too strong; relying solely on physical strength, Meltan could not free itself immediately.
"There it is, Big Brother John's Alakazam's terrifying psychic power!"
"Back then, even Captain Daniel's Breloom couldn't break free instantly when controlled by this psychic power. This Meltan won't be able to either!"
The students of the Pokémon University of Blackridge City began to laugh at the scene. It was all too familiar to them; some of their Pokémon had been literally controlled until defeat by that terrifying psychic power.
At the same time, the spectators outside the field also began to discuss Alakazam's fearsome attack. Upon hearing that even Breloom had struggled to break free, everyone sucked in a breath of cold air, beginning to worry about Meltan.
"This psychic power is really strong. It seems this Alakazam almost certainly has the ability Inner Focus. And moreover, John probably masters some special method of training that ability."
Ethan was also somewhat surprised. However, breaking free from that psychic power was not impossible.
"Meltan, activate the magnetic field with all your strength!"
Upon hearing Ethan's order, Meltan's gaze became resolute.
Next, both Meltan and its substitute simultaneously activated their ability Magnet Pull.
As they attracted each other, an extremely powerful magnetic effect was generated, and the two began to move toward one another.
At that instant, Alakazam's expression changed abruptly. Even though it released all of its psychic power, it failed to stop the two Meltan from drawing closer.
Boom!
Suddenly, Alakazam's body shook violently, and its figure involuntarily tilted backward.
In midair, the blue radiance enveloping Meltan and its substitute shattered in an instant. Drawn by their magnetism, the two Meltan collided with each other.
"It broke free!"
John was completely stunned by the scene.
Clear disbelief appeared in his eyes.
That was psychic power from which even Daniel's Breloom could not easily escape, yet Meltan had broken it so effortlessly!
The stadium erupted in exclamations.
The students of the Pokémon University of Ironvale City, who had previously felt pressured after learning of John's terrifying strength, were now euphoric.
John might be strong, but Big Brother Ethan was not weak either!
The Pokémon University of Ironvale City still had hope of victory!
"Now it's our turn. Meltan, use Electromagnetic Cannon!"
As Ethan's voice rang out, the body of Meltan's substitute began to shine intensely with electric currents.
"It's that attack... the Electromagnetic Cannon."
Seeing this, Lucas Silver and the others showed expressions of astonishment.
Back then, Meltan had used this very same Electromagnetic Cannon to repel Captain Daniel's Breloom, even when it was defending with all its might.
From that alone, it was easy to imagine just how devastating this attack was.
Of course, they also knew that the side effects of Electromagnetic Cannon were extremely severe; after using it, Meltan would practically lose all its ability to battle.
But now, Ethan's Meltan was using the clone created by the move Substitute to execute Electromagnetic Cannon. Did that mean it had found a way to avoid the side effects of this attack?
(End of chapter)