EPISODE 38: Outmaneuver 2.0!*

Here comes the plan in which our fate will be determined. There are uncertainties this plan will work in the first place since I assume the champion's brilliance is above the average level hence I will be giving this a fifty-fifty. As for Zeal, she seems to trust me, so I assume this will work.

Zeal makes the first move, running around the hall and into the other side. So if the three fine gentlemen are located in the center, discussing about some tablet, Zeal is on their right while I am on their left. The inner feeling of resistance shrouds me since I lack faith this will work in the first place. My heart skips a beat and I finally time for more action and less talking.

"Hey!" I gather their attention with a yell. They were shocked and immediately tilted their heads to me.

"Oh my. I know you! You're the one who tried to kill me back in my laboratory!" Professor Birch points at me with anger.

"So, you're the so-called Team Rocket? It is an honor to meet one of their agents in person. I am Steven Stone, the champion of the Hoenn Region."

"Bonjour. I am Wallace, a water specialist and a top coordinator of the Hoenn Region. I host the famous Wallace Cup League for young and aspiring coordinators."

"What do you mean so-called?! Team Rocket is a famous organization!" I clarify.

"Forgive me for ruining the organization's reputation, but I recently heard about your appearance here in Hoenn." Steven gestures with respect in response to my rant. Behind Zeal slowly approaches the three of them while holding her Pokeball.

"Hmm, seems reasonable. Anyway, I'm here to gather some details about a legendary Pokemon known as Deoxys. Mind if we- I mean I, borrow that old and obvious tablet you're holding?" I query with a bit of sarcasm, nearly slipping the truth.

"I am sorry, but we believe you and your organization will only use the tablet for the wrong purpose. It is our duty to protect it," says Wallace in a flawless manner. His accent is smooth and fancy.

"Of course not. We're just using it for- um, for... never mind. Enough with this! Hand over the tablet immediately!" I cannot hold my patience longer so I made the decision to demand for our extra objective instead.

"I prefer your passive personality, but now you are being aggressive. If this is how it must be, then I believe the time has come for you to taste the bond I have with my Pokemon! Metagross, you are up!" Steven tosses out his trusty Pokemon partner as the other two watch in the distance, smiling with confidence. Not only does he have a Metagross but also a shiny one. Its silvery hue outmatches my Gardevoir's blue pigment.

Seeing such a Pokemon for the first time, I flinch as I choke my saliva heavily. Inside me is a crying spirit who regrets mingling with them in the first place. I am aware of its power, and there might be a chance that Metagross can save the three of them from my aggressive works.

"From bellow the valleys of Earth, rise and fight!" Zeal tosses her Pokeball from behind, revealing a Pokemon of brute might. I have seen it before and now I see it again. Thankfully it belongs to our side, Zeal's Charizard. If my assumptions are correct, Charizard is Zeal's starter Pokemon.

"Dragon Claw!" Zeal commands directly to her Charizard in order for it to defeat the three of them.

<Char>To my surprise, Charizard just stood like a statue, only releasing two small puffs of smoke from its nostrils.

"Oh great. I remember. Return to your Pokeball!" and just like that, Zeal sends back Charizard. I was already in awe to see the winged-beast but was also in flabbergast to see it not obeying her commands. As for Zeal, she wears an embarrassed look on her face as she sends out another Pokemon instead.

"Froslass, it is up to you!" Zeal sends out a ghost and ice type Pokemon named Froslass.

Its arms are connected to the sides of its head, and flare at the wrists. The flared portion has a dappled light blue coloration. Its hands consist of three small fingers. Froslass's head is shaped similar to a sideways water droplet, and is topped with two ice crystals that resemble horns. Its head has several holes on it, resembling a mask. Through two of these holes, crystal blue eyes with yellow sclerae can be seen. It also has a mouth below this "mask".

"Two against one? Where is the justice in that? Miloti-"

"Leave this to me Wallace." says, the champion with confidence as he looks to us with a malicious smirk.

"Medicham, come out too!" Zeal instructs, sending out another Pokemon.

"Bagon! Your turn to shine." I call out.

Both I and Zeal were communicating with our eyes, trying our best to think of an alternative plan. My hopes were really high after seeing Charizard but then, poof, she sends it back to its Pokeball.

"Medicham, Extrasensory! Froslass, Avalanche!

"Bagon, scratch!"

Just like a corrupted computer screen, the foe glitches as it gets hit by an avalanche from above. As for Bagon, it scratched and scratched one of the four limbs of the foe. Even with the massive amount of damage we've done, Metagross stood firm amidst the conflict.

"Alright Meta-"

"This is our opportunity! Medicham, do what you must!"

<Med~ Med~ Medicham~> Its voice vibrates as a portal from beneath Bagon appears. She falls right into it and suddenly reappears then lands unto Steven's face.

"Great! Now use scratch."

<Bag! Bag! Bag!>Multiple scratches at once are unleashed to the champion's face, bringing down his guard and accidentally dropping the tablet.

"This match has gone too far! Milotic, come out and help!" says, the friend of the champion.

"Blaziken, you're up too!" The professor also joins in the fight.

"Quick Luna!" Zeal alerts me as a portal from beneath forms right in front of my eyes. Like my Bagon, I fall down and teleported to Steven in which I quickly grabbed the tablet. Once again, Medicham sends me to Zeal's side this time. We then returned our Pokemon and made a mad dash through the halls to escape from their sight...