Pokemon: Skybound Chapter 348: 348. Kai vs Mewtwo

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Gardevoir stood tense and focused, her entire body brimming with fighting spirit as she locked eyes with the imposing figure of wtwo.

Even though wtwo's psychic powers weren't directly visible, the slow levitation of pebbles around it betrayed the imnse pressure radiating from its body an invisible storm ready to strike at any mont.

Seeing Gardevoir's war-ready stance, wtwo scoffed and turned to Kai.

"So this is how you really feel? Quite the contradiction from what you said before. I thought we were both outsiders in this world misplaced and misunderstood. I believed we might share so kind of bond after our last eting. And yet, here you are… challenging ?"

Kai shook his head calmly.

He understood. Ever since their last private conversation, when he confessed to wtwo that he was a traveler from another world, wtwo had subconsciously begun to view him as a kindred spirit one just as alien and detached as itself.

But they were fundantally different.

Staring at the silver and violet figure before him, half-feline, half-alien in form, Kai responded solemnly, "You're the only one still lost, wtwo. I've traveled far and wide in this world. I've made friends, found companions… even love. I belong here now. But you? You've been hiding here, watching everything from a distance. And if that doesn't change, you'll always be alone."

wtwo's brow twitched.

No one had ever spoken to it like this before. It didn't care to interact with humans or with anyone it deed inferior. This… struck a chord, though it wasn't ready to admit it.

Kai pressed on. "And you've misunderstood. If I really ca here to capture you, I wouldn't have brought only Gardevoir. She's been viewing you as her greatest rival. That's why, now that we're back in Kanto, I brought her here for a sparring match, nothing more."

"Sparring?" wtwo echoed in disbelief, its tone dripping with contempt. So after all that, it still ca down to a battle!

It knew the truth: if it made even the slightest mistake in this fight, this "friendly match" could turn into an all-out capture attempt.

Rising from its perch, wtwo landed lightly on the ground. Arms crossed over its chest, and it exuded a suffocating pressure that stirred the air, ruffling Kai's hair with invisible force.

Gardevoir stood her ground but the power gap was evident at a glance.

Psychic energy collided mid-air, crackling with static as it surged and clashed.

"I don't mind a challenge from the weak," wtwo declared. "If this is what you want, I'll oblige."

Kai smiled, clearly impressed.

That's more like it. That's the confidence of the strongest artificially created Pokémon. And exactly the kind of spirit worth conquering.

The truth was, if Kai really wanted to capture wtwo, he likely could even without a Master Ball. With the combined strength of his Legendary Bird trio, Gyarados, and Gengar, a full-force assault could give him the edge, especially if wtwo didn't retreat.

But he didn't want to win like that.

Ti was on his side. If he could build trust slowly, if he could earn wtwo's respect, maybe there was another way.

Especially since wtwo still harbored a deep mistrust of humans. Forcing it into a Poké Ball might just lead to rebellion.

But this battle still had value.

Kai knew full well that Gardevoir stood little chance of victory. Still, this was her trial. It was a chance to show wtwo what she was made of and gauge just how far behind she really was.

"Gardevoir, use Psychic!"

Responding instantly to Kai's ntal command, Gardevoir vanished, reappearing behind wtwo in a flash of light. Her energy surged forward, transforming into a powerful wave of psychic force.

It hit ho—but wtwo simply turned and raised one hand. A glowing barrier appeared, effortlessly absorbing the attack.

The gap was clear.

Still, Gardevoir didn't falter. Fueled by determination, she launched a relentless barrage: Magical Leaf. Psychic. Psybeam. Moonblast.

At first, wtwo countered with ease. But as her attacks intensified, even it had to drop the passive stance and fight seriously.

Boom! Boom! BOOM!!

Psychic blasts collided in the air, each explosion shaking the battlefield. Rock crumbled under the pressure. The lake rippled violently. The earth itself was scarred with craters.

Kai stepped back as rubble flew his way, only for Gengar to intervene silently, deflecting debris before it could strike.

"Careful," Gengar warned with a smirk. "These two are going at it. Wouldn't want you caught in the crossfire."

Kai nodded, eyes fixed on the chaos.

wtwo soared into the sky. Gardevoir, wrapped in her own psychic aura, followed both weaving between the jagged stalactites overhead.

The battle escalated, becoming too fast for the naked eye. Kai could only follow their movents through the bursts of light and the occasional telepathic echo from Gardevoir.

Gengar leaned in. "You know, now would be the perfect ti to strike. Want to help?"

Kai didn't hesitate. "No. This is Gardevoir's fight. Like I said we're not here to catch wtwo."

Just then, sothing white streaked through the air.

Gardevoir struck and sent flying, tumbled across the ground, and landed at Kai's feet, battered and barely conscious.

Kai rushed forward, gently lifting her up.

She was in rough shape her body bruised, her energy spent. She'd never looked this beaten before.

"You did great," Kai murmured, heart aching. This was her first real loss and it showed.

Whoosh!

wtwo appeared before him, floating just above the ground, arms still crossed. Its blue eyes glowed faintly, power humming in the air.

It hadn't taken a single scratch.

But its breathing was slightly uneven. It had exerted effort more than expected. Gardevoir had pushed it, even if only a little.

There was no doubt wtwo was still on a different level.

Kai withdrew Gardevoir into her Poké Ball.

"That's enough. She's not your match no point in continuing."

wtwo tilted its head, confused by Kai's decision to stop the fight so abruptly.

Still, it remained wary.

From the mont Kai had entered this place, wtwo had sensed the power hidden behind that Gengar… and the three fierce auras tucked away in the Poké Balls on his belt.

All waiting.

All watching.

If Kai gave the signal, they'd strike without hesitation.

But he didn't.

And that, more than anything, gave wtwo pause.

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