In rainy weather, Thunder is notoriously hard to dodge—everyone knows water conducts electricity.
Caitlin had made up her mind. That annoying Pelipper had to go. If it wasn't dealt with, it would keep resetting Rain Dance and boosting the rest of Dylan's Water-types.
And it wasn't impossible to take down. Pelipper needed to land Flip Turn in order to switch out. If she timed it right, she could shut it down mid-move.
"Pelipper, Flip Turn."
Dylan chuckled as he watched Caitlin seemingly deep in thought. He could already tell what she was planning.
After all, she was staring at Pelipper like it owed her money—her intent couldn't be clearer.
Pelipper squawked, glowing with teal energy as it dove toward Gothitelle.
Caitlin didn't rush to command—closer distance meant higher accuracy.
Ten meters. Five. Three—
"Pelipper, Protect."
"Gothitelle, Thunder!"
Caitlin froze. That Protect had clearly been a read on her timing.
A green barrier flickered around Pelipper just as Gothitelle summoned a golden flash of lightning from the stormclouds above.
CRACK!!
Thunder struck Pelipper's shield, crackling on impact.
"Gothitelle, Thunderbolt!"
Caitlin recovered quickly—Pelipper couldn't Protect forever.
As the shield faded, Gothitelle fired a bolt of lightning straight at the bird.
"Quick Attack."
Pelipper's wings flared, its body glowing white as it zipped out of the way.
WHAM!
Quick Attack slammed into Gothitelle, making her grunt in pain. But before Pelipper could retreat, a retaliatory Thunderbolt surged toward it—too fast.
Pelipper hadn't gotten far before the bolt caught it squarely in the body.
ZZZAP!
A shriek rang out as electricity rippled through the poor bird's soaked feathers—Pelipper was four times weak to Electric.
It wanted to curse. All it did was try to Flip Turn off the field—and she fried it like it was the main threat.
Why not aim that lightning at the actual attackers, you psychopath?!
"Thunder!"
Caitlin's voice now rang with excitement.
Gothitelle's body glowed gold again as the sky cracked open.
BOOOOM!!
Lightning exploded downward. Pelipper hit the ground in a smoking heap.
"It's like the rain was helping the other side instead," Steven muttered with a laugh.
There really wasn't much to say—Caitlin had just gone full zap-mode.
With Thunder and Thunderbolt, she gave Pelipper zero chance to escape.
"Pelipper is unable to battle. Gothitelle wins," Leaf declared.
"Well done, Miss Caitlin. That was the right call," Dylan smiled as he recalled Pelipper.
Pelipper—aka "Mini-Kyogre." Excellent at setting rain, providing utility, and occasionally doing some damage. But its fatal flaw—quadruple Electric weakness—was brutal.
Rain teams weren't just about Water-types. In the games, Thunder has 100% accuracy in rain. So sometimes, a Pelipper would set the rain—only to get immediately Thunder'd by the opponent.
Rough life.
"Now, your next opponent…"
Dylan tossed another Poké Ball.
A sleek black figure landed gracefully, one arm braced against the ground before rising to full height.
A bipedal frog-like Pokémon, entirely jet-black, with large white bubbles on its limbs and a red tongue scarf curled around its neck.
"Ooh~ a Shiny Greninja!" Wallace's eyes sparkled.
Beep~ Greninja. Water/Dark-type. Ninja Pokémon.
Ability: Battle Bond.
Moves: Water Shuriken, Night Slash, Aerial Ace, Hydro Pump, Hydro Cannon, Liquidation…
Info: A ninja-like Pokémon that vanishes like a shadow and strikes with blinding speed, cleaving enemies with blades of water.
"Wait, hold up—'Battle Bond'? Rotom, can you show me that again?" Wallace blinked, peering at the Pokédex.
Greninja was supposed to have Torrent or Protean—where did this third ability come from?
Battle Bond: When it defeats a Pokémon, Attack, Special Attack, and Speed increase. Only activates once per battle. When the bond is strong enough, Greninja transforms.
Transform?
Wallace's brain stuttered. Transform into what?
"A Dark-type Greninja…"
Caitlin narrowed her eyes. With Dark typing, Gothitelle's Psychic moves were useless—but that was fine.
"Careful, Miss Caitlin," Dylan smiled. "My Greninja's quite strong."
Among his Water-types, this Shiny Greninja was by far the biggest surprise.
"It's not at its peak yet, but one day, it'll be the ace of my Water team."
Well, if you don't count legendaries.
When it evolved in the training sim, it unexpectedly gained the Battle Bond ability.
In the games, this was exclusive to special event Greninja—and couldn't be bred.
Clearly, this world had its own quirks. And Dylan wasn't complaining.
Even better, his Greninja didn't just get a stat boost—it could also transform at will into the Ash-Greninja form, gaining both power and cool factor.
"I'm ready," Caitlin replied calmly. If Dylan said it was strong—she believed him.
"Excellent! Let's go then."
Dylan smiled. He'd give her a taste, but hold off on the transformation for now.
"Greninja—Water Shuriken!"
Greninja stood tall, arm raised. A massive spinning blade of water formed and launched forward, cutting through rain and air alike.
At the same time, Greninja charged behind it.
"Dodge!"
Caitlin didn't hesitate.
Gothitelle used psychic energy to float upward.
"Thunderbolt!"
Lightning crackled and surged straight toward the incoming frog.
"Quick Attack!"
Greninja vanished in a flash of white light.
Zoom—!
Caitlin's eyes widened. That speed!
WHAM!!
Before Gothitelle could react, pain exploded across her skull. A blur of black had appeared right in front of her.
"Thunder!"
Caitlin snapped back. If he wanted to rush in—fine. He was asking for it.
"Night Slash."
A black, whip-like leg lashed upward, striking like a blade.
BOOM!
Gothitelle was sent flying, crashing hard onto the battlefield below.
"Gothitelle!" Caitlin's face paled. That hit was brutal.
"Dark Pulse!"
But Dylan wasn't done.
Still airborne, Greninja raised a hand and summoned black energy. Rings of dark power spiraled toward Gothitelle.
KRAKOOM!
Still reeling from the previous hit, Gothitelle had no chance.
The field exploded with dark energy.
Greninja landed soundlessly, arms crossed, watching through the clearing smoke.
Unsurprisingly—Gothitelle had fainted.
"Gothitelle is unable to battle. Greninja wins!"
Leaf was clearly stunned as she announced the result.
A glow radiated from Greninja—Battle Bond triggered, boosting its stats.
"How is it this cool?! That's pure style!" Wallace's eyes sparkled as he gripped Steven's arm.
"Steven! You saw that, right? I need one! I need a Greninja like that!"
"Why are you telling me? That's Kalos' starter," Steven replied flatly.
"I want a Shiny one too! The black color is so chic! Come on, use your connections—hook me up!"
"…???"
Steven stared at him like he'd grown a second head.
"Fine. I'll ask around…"
Wallace beamed.
"That Greninja is seriously powerful…" Caitlin said softly as she recalled Gothitelle.
"It is," Dylan nodded. "One of my most trusted Water-types."
"Now… for my final Pokémon. Please, Dylan, let me show you my full strength."
With a calm smile, Caitlin floated her last Poké Ball into the air.
It opened with a flash—and a massive metallic claw slammed onto the field.
Metagross.
In the stands, Steven and Wallace both sat up straighter.
Beep~ Metagross. Steel/Psychic-type. Iron Leg Pokémon.
Ability: Clear Body.
Moves: Meteor Mash, Psychic, Double-Edge, Flash Cannon, Bullet Punch, Earthquake…
Info: Uses its four legs and massive body to pin prey before crunching them with the jaws on its belly.
It was clearly well-trained. But Dylan's eyes immediately locked onto the gem-like orb embedded in its head.
"Metagross is my ace. And I've been lucky," Caitlin said. "My family happened to acquire a Mega Stone—and it happened to be the right one."
"Please, let me show you."
She raised her right arm. The Key Stone on her bracelet glowed.
"Mita~!"
Metagross growled as light engulfed its body.
Mega Evolution.
"Impressive," Dylan applauded. "You really do have amazing luck, Miss Caitlin."
Steven, in the spectator seats, was practically burning with envy.
Well then...
"If you're going all-out—then I'll do the same."
Dylan grinned.
He hadn't planned on it.
But she started it.
So now—he was going to let Greninja transform.