"Fighting-types rely on excellent agility and overwhelming strength to crush their opponents."
Dylan's tone was calm, refined, and confident.
So where did your Great Tusk demonstrate either of those things?
Mustard couldn't help but grumble internally. That whole last match, Dylan's Great Tusk just kept spamming Play Rough straight into Mienshao's face. That was it.
"Haha~ Well said, as expected of you, little Dandan."
Mustard chuckled brightly, nodding in agreement.
Dylan's expression froze for a second.
...Little Dandan?
Pfft—
Leaf and Lillie couldn't hold back their laughter. What kind of cursed nickname was that?
"Uh, sensei, I think maybe—"
Dylan tried to steer the conversation and hopefully escape this new moniker. He knew Mustard had a habit of handing out 'cute' nicknames. Like how he called Leon "Little Lele."
But "Little Dandan"? He really couldn't take it.
"Little Dandan! My second Pokémon is this one!"
Mustard declared proudly, cutting him off as he tossed out his second Poké Ball.
"Let's go, Kommo-o!"
A flash of light burst forth, and a grey-scaled dragon landed in front of Mustard. Its body was plated in scale-like armor, arms long and muscular, walking upright with a powerful tail tipped in metallic scale rings.
It was the pseudo-legendary: Kommo-o!
'Beep~ Kommo-o. Dragon/Fighting-type. Scaly Pokémon.
Ability: Soundproof.
Moves: Clanging Scales, Clangorous Soulblaze, Close Combat, Boomburst, Outrage, Dragon Dance…
Info: It clashes its tail scales to intimidate enemies. It only fights those who do not fear it.'
Leaf wasn't surprised. Kommo-o was a known powerhouse among Mustard's team.
"Kommo-o, huh? Interesting."
Dylan studied the Pokémon from head to toe. As a pseudo-legendary from Gen VII, Kommo-o was powerful—but not exactly famous. Despite its unique Z-Move and signature moves, it never really gained widespread popularity.
Balanced but not exceptional. Durable but with a glaring four-times Fairy weakness.
But still, a true Kommo-o trained to its peak could be a terrifying threat.
"Return, Great Tusk."
Dylan recalled his first Pokémon.
"Slither Wing, let's go!"
He threw out another Poké Ball, and with a low roar, a massive mothlike creature landed heavily in front of him.
'Beep~ Slither Wing. Bug/Fighting-type. Paradox Pokémon.
Ability: Protosynthesis.
Moves: Leech Life, First Impression, Bulk Up, Close Combat, Lunge, Morning Sun, Earthquake…
Info: This Pokémon's appearance resembles a prehistoric version of Volcarona once described in a mysterious magazine.'
Another Paradox Pokémon.
Dylan preferred to cycle his Pokémon when not in a formal match, to give each of his team time on the field.
"Another Paradox Pokémon? Loo~"
Mustard was intrigued by the feral-looking Slither Wing.
"Indeed. I hope you'll get to experience its strength firsthand."
"Hahaha! Bring it on, Little Dandan! I'm ready! Loo~"
Mustard was raring to go.
"…Fine."
Dylan smiled wryly. Might be better to use Iron Valiant here…
"First Impression!"
Slither Wing lunged forward, its gold cross-shaped eyes gleaming with savage glee. It surged toward Kommo-o with astonishing speed.
As a Bug-type priority move, First Impression only worked upon entering battle—but it packed a punch.
"Kommo-o!"
Mustard called out sharply.
The dragon raised its burly arms in defense, barely managing to brace.
BOOM!
Slither Wing crashed into Kommo-o, forcing the dragon back several steps.
Kommo-o resisted Bug-type moves, so the damage wasn't critical. But Dylan had never intended to rely on it for that.
"Acrobatics!"
Slither Wing spun in the air, flipping its massive body forward. White energy burst from its wings as it slammed toward Kommo-o.
Flying-type Acrobatics—double power when no held item is equipped!
"Fire Punch!"
Mustard didn't expect that.
Kommo-o's fist ignited in flame and swung upward to meet the descending Slither Wing.
CRASH!
Fire met flight. Sparks exploded—but the power behind Acrobatics overwhelmed Fire Punch, and Slither Wing's bulk struck home.
Kommo-o growled in pain. The Flying-type move had a type advantage over its Fighting typing, and while the dragon was sturdy, it wasn't enough to turn the tide.
"Earthquake!"
Slither Wing landed and slammed both forelimbs down.
RUMBLE!
The ground burst with seismic waves, rippling toward Kommo-o.
"Aerial Ace!"
Mustard responded immediately.
Kommo-o leapt into the air, twisting to avoid the Earthquake, then dove at Slither Wing in a silver blur.
Bug/Fighting-type Slither Wing was quad weak to Flying. No wonder Mustard used this.
But Dylan had expected it.
"Zen Headbutt!"
Slither Wing's head shimmered with psychic energy. It met Kommo-o's charge head-on.
BOOM!
The two collided midair.
Psychic energy shattered the silver aura. Kommo-o howled in pain, blown back by the impact.
Psychic > Fighting. Clean hit.
"He actually overpowered Kommo-o…"
"That moth's really cool!"
"Master might lose this round—Kommo-o can't keep up in close combat."
"He needs space to use ranged attacks. But the bug won't let him."
The dojo students were captivated.
They were right—Kommo-o was balanced in stats and had solid special attack, but Slither Wing had gotten in too close, too fast.
There was no chance to create distance.
Mustard's expression tensed. He needed a way to break this rhythm—but the relentless barrage left no time to think.
"One more hit and Kommo-o's finished…"
"Return!"
Mustard finally withdrew Kommo-o. He couldn't risk a full knockout.
"That brings us to the final round," he exhaled deeply.
"Whenever you're ready, Sensei."
Dylan smiled.
Mustard took off his jacket, revealing a sleeveless yellow gi bearing the crossed sword and shield emblem on the chest.
He stepped forward, left hand extended toward Dylan, right hand pulled behind—his classic fighting pose.
"Watch closely, Little Dandan. This is what you came to the Isle of Armor to find…"
"Kubfu!"
He threw his Poké Ball. Light exploded—and a powerfully built black bear landed, feet planted in a fighting stance, paws clenched in fists, red head-fur flaring upward.
The legendary Pokémon: Single Strike Style Urshifu!
"This is Urshifu?"
Lillie's eyes sparkled, and her Rotom Dex zipped over.
'Beep~ Urshifu (Single Strike Style). Fighting/Dark-type. Wushu Pokémon.Ability: Unseen Fist.Moves: Wicked Blow, Focus Punch, Close Combat, Thunder Punch, Detect, Sucker Punch, Aerial Ace…Info: Believes in finishing foes with one blow. Launches a devastating strike with its well-trained fists upon charging in.'
Strong. Very strong.
This was Lillie's third time seeing a Trainer with a legendary Pokémon, outside of her brother. The others were N and Palmer… and technically Leaf, since Dylan had gifted her one of the Galarian Legendary Birds.
"Urshifu!"
Dylan gazed at the commanding figure before him. Between Single Strike and Rapid Strike forms, he definitely preferred the former.
Sure, Single Strike was 4x weak to Fairy—but it looked way cooler.
Too bad it would always lose to Rapid Strike.
Maybe… use some hair gel to spike Rapid Strike's head up and make it look fiercer? Have it mimic the Single Strike pose?
Could work.
"Return, Slither Wing."Dylan snapped back to focus.
"Iron Valiant, let's go!"
He threw his third Poké Ball.
A humanoid Pokémon descended, half-kneeling, then rising in one smooth motion. In its hand gleamed a reversed crimson blade.
The Paradox Pokémon: Iron Valiant!
'Beep~ Iron Valiant. Fairy/Fighting-type. Paradox Pokémon.Ability: Quark Drive.Moves: Spirit Break, Moonblast, Leaf Blade, Night Slash, Psycho Cut, Feint…Info: Shares traits with inventions rumored to be made by mad scientists. Has features resembling both Gallade and Gardevoir.'
Iron Valiant stared down Urshifu with unblinking, mechanical eyes.
"Another Paradox Pokémon, huh? But it doesn't matter—this is Urshifu!"
Mustard grinned wide.
Even against a Fairy-type—Urshifu was king!
"Urshifu!"
He recalled his partner. His Dynamax Band flashed crimson.
Scarlet energy surged into the Poké Ball. It grew massive.
One… two… three!The ball pulsed, and Mustard hurled it into the sky.
"Wushiiiii!"
Dark clouds swirled as Urshifu emerged, now towering in Gigantamax form.
Crimson stripes streaked its body. Its face was twisted in a furious roar. Blood-red head-fur flared, three scarlet clouds circling its head.
Gigantamax Urshifu — Single Strike Style!
'Beep~ Urshifu (Gigantamax, Single Strike Style). Fighting/Dark-type.Ability: Unseen Fist.Info: Said to be the embodiment of fury. Its terrifying roar and appearance are believed to drive away evil from the world.'
It looked absolutely terrifying—but the Dex called it a holy protector?
Leaf squinted up at the colossus. Sure looked like it would punch God.
"A divine avatar, banishing evil with righteous fury…"
Dylan was impressed. The longer he looked, the more he liked it.
"Then I'll Gigantamax too."
He recalled Iron Valiant. His own Dynamax Band pulsed with light.
One… two… three!Iron Valiant grew, rising to match Urshifu's towering form. Three red clouds circled its waist.
"A Gigantamax battle!"Leaf's eyes sparkled.
Last time, Dylan's Necrozma had one-shot Leon's Gigantamax Charizard before it could fight back. She'd never seen an actual Gigantamax clash.
"Yes! This is a real showdown!"
Mustard was ecstatic.
"Urshifu, Max Mindstorm!"
Urshifu couldn't rely on Fighting or Dark moves—Fairy-types resist both. Psychic was the play.
"Max Starfall," Dylan said calmly.
Moonblast transformed into Max Starfall, summoning pink energy above Iron Valiant.
At the same time, Urshifu roared, summoning rainbow energy.
BOOM!Pink stars crashed into Urshifu. Rainbow rings exploded around Iron Valiant.
Both hits landed.
The field glowed purple—Psychic Terrain. Although Max Starfall would have created Misty Terrain, Max Mindstorm overrode it.
But terrain aside, the damage was clear:
"Again—Max Starfall."
Dylan noted the immense impact the first hit had on Urshifu.
It was 4x weak to Fairy. And while its physical defense was solid, its special defense was not.
Iron Valiant launched another pink star.
"Max Guard!"
Mustard panicked. One more hit might knock Urshifu out.
A shimmering wall blocked the star, nullifying the damage.
"Third Max Starfall," Dylan said smoothly.
"You shameless brat—three in a row?!"
Mustard winced. If he tried Max Guard again, it might fail—only a one-third chance to succeed after consecutive use.
He had to risk an attack.
"Max Ooze!"
Urshifu raised its arms, poison erupting from the ground.
BOOM!The third star struck true, slamming Urshifu hard. Poison geysers burst beneath Iron Valiant.
Both Pokémon were hit—but Urshifu crumpled.
The terrain shifted once more to Misty Terrain as Max Starfall's effects took hold.
The clouds dispersed. Gigantamax ended.
Iron Valiant knelt, shrinking back. It was battered—but standing.
Urshifu… wasn't.
"…Urshifu is unable to battle. Iron Valiant wins!"
Leaf waved her flag.
Technically, Mustard still had Kommo-o left. But—
"Nope, nope. I forfeit."
Mustard picked up his jacket and brushed off the dust, chuckling.
Still, he looked a little defeated.
Three battles, all with Fighting-types. And Dylan hadn't used a single actual Fighting-type move.
He really got me good…
Leaf blinked, then nodded. No way Kommo-o, who was also 4x weak to Fairy, could turn the tide.
"Waves upon waves… you're incredible, Little Dandan. Loo~"
Mustard came over with a big smile.
Though not in his prime, Mustard considered himself still quite formidable.
But Dylan had run circles around him.
"You flatter me, Sensei. I only had a type advantage."
"Bah! Don't be modest. I got wrecked."
Mustard grinned.
"Come. Let's talk inside. You lot—back to training!"
He ushered Dylan and the others into the dojo's main hall.
"To be honest," Mustard said, sipping tea, "one reason I built this dojo was to find a worthy Trainer for Urshifu's offspring."
He pulled out a Poké Ball.
"I think you're the one. Take a look."
A burst of light revealed a cream-colored bear cub, standing tall with shut eyes. It launched into an energetic flurry of punches and kicks.
After the routine, it noticed Dylan and froze—then scurried behind Mustard to hide.
"Pfft~ Shy little thing, huh?"
Leaf giggled.
"Haha! Only around strangers. But this cub has incredible potential—even more than its parents."
Mustard rubbed the little one's head.
"Little cub, this is your new Trainer—Little Dandan. Be your best, alright?"
The cub peeked at Dylan.
"Hello. I'm Dylan. Let's get along."
Dylan knelt and extended a hand, radiating a soothing green aura from his Verdant Power.
The cub relaxed immediately.
"Baaah!"
It marched up, posing confidently with one hand on its hip.
"Good energy. Once you've grown strong, we'll come challenge Sensei again."
"Baaah!!"
"Better train hard then, little guy!" Mustard laughed.
"By the way, Dylan—have you decided which form to evolve it into?"
"Hmm…"
Dylan fell into thought.
Single Strike or Rapid Strike, huh…
(Chapter End)