"The mythical Pokémon, Marshadow!"
Wallace looked at the little grayish-black creature. From appearance alone, Marshadow looked quite cute—its big hollow eyes and pudgy little belly even gave it an oddly adorable charm.
But… this was still a mythical Pokémon!
And not just any mythical Pokémon, but one known as the "Guide of Shadows."
"Though… it looks a bit chubby."
After observing it for a while, Wallace's expression turned peculiar.
This Marshadow's belly was slightly "protruding," very much like those middle-aged office workers with a beer belly.
Was that normal?
Wallace wasn't sure—he hadn't seen other Marshadow before.
"For Dylan to send it out as his fourth Pokémon, this Marshadow must be very strong."
Cynthia's eyes flickered. Everyone knew that unless there were special circumstances, Dylan usually arranged his team from weaker to stronger in order.
"That's right, Marshadow's really strong! Its power is even greater than Moltres and Zeraora's."
Lillie said with a bright smile, but then she pouted in a cute little sulk.
"But Marshadow is kinda greedy… if my brother didn't strictly limit its snacks, emmm… it might have ended up like Mew."
Lillie sighed helplessly. She really liked this adorable Pokémon—especially its shy and timid personality, which made both her and Asha adore it even more.
But one thing was worth mentioning—Marshadow loved to eat! And it especially enjoyed hiding snacks in shadows to munch on secretly.
As a result, despite being young, it already had quite the beer belly. Luckily, Dylan's lingering memories of a certain "pig" made him especially strict with Marshadow.
Otherwise, Marshadow really would have become a little chubby ball by now.
"Oh? What about Mew?" Wallace blinked, his curiosity piqued.
"Little Mew, well…" Lillie's pretty face turned awkward, not sure how to explain.
"Rotom, could you introduce Marshadow?" Ilene politely asked the Rotom Pokédex.
"Of course, Roto～" Rotom loved polite people.
'Beep～ Marshadow, Fighting/Ghost type, the Gloomdweller Pokémon.
Ability: Technician
Moves: Spectral Thief, Close Combat, Sucker Punch, Drain Punch, Copycat, Force Palm…
Info: It can slip into the opponent's shadow and mimic their actions and strength. While mimicking, it becomes stronger than the original.'
That's impressive.
Ilene's eyes lit up as she looked at the beer-bellied Marshadow. Slipping into shadows, copying others, and then surpassing them?
That was something else.
On the field—
"Marshadow, huh…"
Steven stared cautiously at the small, adorable Pokémon. He had heard some rumors that Dylan possessed one.
Type-wise, neither side had a clear advantage. Ghost beat Psychic, but Psychic beat Fighting.
That meant the battle came down purely to skill and power. But Steven had full confidence in his Shiny Mega Metagross.
Once it mega evolved, its strength rivaled that of ordinary legendary Pokémon!
"Metagross, Bullet Punch!"
Steven decisively launched the first strike.
The Shiny Mega Metagross roared, its four arms raised as it charged at Marshadow. With the priority boost, its speed was blinding.
"Sucker Punch."
Marshadow crouched low, black light flashing in its eyes as its body melted into a shadowy blur, darting toward Metagross with terrifying speed.
It moved so fast it was almost invisible—just a streak of darkness!
Steven's pupils contracted. That was fast!
But then—
Boom!
A sudden blast rang out. Marshadow had triggered the Stealth Rock hazard mid-charge.
The rocks exploded, forcing Marshadow back with a pained grunt, interrupting its attack.
Marshadow steadied itself on landing, but the next moment, Metagross's massive shadow loomed over it.
Raising its head, Marshadow was met with a hail of Bullet Punches.
Bang bang bang!
The blows were as fast as gunfire, fists raining down. Marshadow barely raised its small arms to guard.
Each punch pushed it back, until one heavy strike sent it flying. But Marshadow twisted midair and landed on one knee.
"Not a bad Bullet Punch," Dylan commented.
Marshadow got up, patted the dust from its belly, and stared at Metagross with those hollow orange eyes, completely calm.
"Blocked it, did it?"
Steven frowned. Marshadow looked barely hurt.
Sure, Bullet Punch wasn't the strongest move, but Mega Metagross's sheer attack power and its Tough Claws ability boosted contact moves significantly.
Even if Marshadow had blocked with its arms, it shouldn't look so unfazed.
"My Marshadow is a lot tougher than most, you know."
Dylan shrugged helplessly. That belly wasn't for nothing.
"…?" Steven blinked. What did that even mean?
Marshadow tilted its head, its innocent expression saying it didn't understand its trainer's words either.
"Bullet Punch!"
Steven pressed on, not overthinking it. Close combat was where Metagross shined, and he had to keep it there.
Metagross surged forward again.
"The same trick won't work twice." Dylan smiled.
"Marshadow."
Marshadow watched as Metagross's fist shot toward it. At the last moment, its body melted into shadow, sinking into the ground.
Metagross's attack struck empty space.
"Use Earthquake on the ground—wait! Metagross, dodge!"
Steven wasn't flustered. His experience told him some Ghost-types could slip into shadows, like Gengar.
But being in the ground didn't make them immune. An Earthquake would still shake them out.
But then Steven noticed something was off—the shadow wasn't vanishing. It was spreading!
His face darkened. Not good!
Metagross immediately tried to pull back.
"Quick reaction, but too late," Dylan said coolly.
"Spectral Thief."
Boom!
A massive column of shadowy energy burst skyward.
Marshadow's signature move, Spectral Thief!
The torrent of darkness engulfed Metagross, its eerie light staining the entire arena.
Orange eyes flickered within the energy, hollow and sinister, sending chills down everyone's spines.
Steven's lips pressed tight. He had underestimated it!
The arena fell silent, filled only by the roar of the energy and Metagross's pained growls.
One second, two, three…
The shadows finally faded. Metagross crashed to the ground, badly injured.
It had taken the full force of a Ghost-type move it was weak against.
Marshadow reformed out of the shadows, its expression still as blank and cute as ever.
"Shadow Ball."
Dylan commanded without pause.
Marshadow formed a black sphere in its hand and hurled it at Metagross.
"Protect!" Steven barked.
Metagross forced up a barrier just in time, blocking the orb.
The shield faded, and it floated back up, only to find Marshadow gone.
"Behind you!"
Steven's warning came too late.
A rift in its shadow opened, and Marshadow lunged out, fist glowing with ghostly light as it slammed into Metagross.
The Phantom Force struck hard, forcing Metagross back again.
Steven scowled. Marshadow's strength was no joke.
"Shadow Punch."
Dylan pressed on.
Marshadow's fists glowed black as it dashed forward—only to trigger another hidden Stealth Rock.
The blast knocked it off balance.
"Zen Headbutt!" Steven seized the chance.
Metagross's body glowed and charged at Marshadow.
But Dylan smirked.
"Dodge."
Marshadow braced itself, half its body melting into shadow again. The Zen Headbutt skimmed harmlessly overhead.
Steven's lips twitched. Seriously?!
"Shadow Punch!"
Marshadow re-solidified and slammed a glowing fist into Metagross's back.
Bang!
Metagross roared in pain.
With Technician boosting the move, Shadow Punch hit much harder than usual.
And Marshadow didn't stop—it hammered another into Metagross's arm, forcing it down.
Metagross staggered, trying to counter.
Its lower arms gleamed with steel light—it was going for Meteor Mash!
Steven smirked. A counterattack—his specialty.
"Pursuit," Dylan's voice cut in.
Marshadow twisted fluidly, slipping right between the twin Meteor Mashes, shocking everyone.
Its leg glowed black as it spun, kicking Metagross square in the head.
The boosted Pursuit landed with a heavy crack.
Thud!
Metagross finally crashed to the ground.
"Spectral Thief."
Marshadow melted into shadow, unleashing another devastating blast that consumed Metagross completely.
Boom!
When the darkness faded, Metagross had reverted from its mega form, fainted.
Steven stared at his partner, silent, his shoulders slumping.
That was his ace…
"Metagross is unable to battle. Marshadow wins."
Leaf announced the result.
Marshadow turned to Dylan, patting its round belly as if asking for a treat.
Dylan shot it a glare, and Marshadow's orange eyes welled up with mock hurt.
Ungrateful trainer! After fighting so hard for him, he wouldn't even spare a little cake.
In the stands—
"That was insane!" Wallace was stunned.
That was Steven's Shiny Mega Metagross! Yet this pudgy little Marshadow had taken it down.
"Amazing～" Ilene gasped in awe.
And that was with Stealth Rock hindering it. Without that, Marshadow might've won without a scratch.
"Part of it is Steven not knowing Marshadow's abilities, but mostly, it's just how strong this one is," Cynthia said, deeply impressed.
It reminded her of Dylan's Shiny Greninja battling Caitlin's Metagross—relying on agility and clever movements against brute force.
Metagross's strength was undeniable, but its lack of speed left it open to someone like Marshadow.
"Lillie, does Dylan have any legends stronger than Marshadow? You know what I mean."
Wallace suddenly asked.
"Let me think…"
Lillie paused, then nodded. She knew what he meant—he was asking if Dylan had any ordinary-tier legendaries stronger than Marshadow.
"Yes, there are. Zapdos, the Kanto one, not the Galar form."
"Emmm… also Articuno, Regidrago, and a Shiny Genesect."
"Huh? And the strongest one?" Wallace's eyes went wide. That many?!
"Definitely Ogy," Lillie answered without hesitation.
(End of Chapter)