March 24th. Tuesday afternoon.
The Psychic-type Master Tournament group stages reached their boiling point.
Many competitors had already been eliminated. Only sixteen elite trainers remained, fighting for eight spots in the elimination rounds.
Among them, the battle between Aiden and Will was undoubtedly the most anticipated.
Though some viewers had doubted Aiden pre-tournament—believing a rookie without international experience couldn't handle Ultra Ball-level competition—the truth proved otherwise:
The Type Master Tournament simply couldn't handle Teacher Azure's intensity!
After four rounds of effortless domination, the already-legendary "Azure Wings" had become a clear championship favorite in viewers' eyes.
As for his opponent Will—while less known internationally, Kanto and Johto audiences recognized him well.
After all, Psychic-types naturally radiated mystique and power. As the strongest psychic user after Sabrina, Will had long been seen as the Elite Four's heir apparent.
Given time, he'd surely follow Sinnoh's path—a smooth generational transition to become the next young Elite Four.
Whether due to hype or pure luck of the draw, this high-stakes match was scheduled as the afternoon's opening battle.
Post-lunch, the Poké Dome overflowed with fans eagerly awaiting a match rivaling the finals in intensity.
Under the crowd's anticipation, DJ Mary and Lance soon appeared on the big screen.
With DJ Mary's opening remarks, the brutal final group stage began!
Only today's winners would advance to the Master Tournament Top 8—earning international points while etching their names in history.
"Go, Teacher Azure! Can we get another 3-0 to see your true strength?"
"I don't even care about the outcome anymore—just curious what hidden cards Teacher Azure will reveal..."
"No wonder—it's impossible to know what else he's prepared!"
"Hang in there, Psychic-type guy! Give our Paldea strategy team enough material—we'll count you as one-third responsible when we clear the Champion evaluation!"
The crowd erupted, especially Aiden's fans.
Soon, both competitors emerged from their tunnels, taking their positions on the battlefield.
"Both Aiden and Will delivered spectacular battles in earlier rounds. Who advances to eliminations first? Today decides!"
DJ Mary set the stage as usual.
The deeper analysis fell to her temporary co-commentator, Lance.
"Currently, we don't know Aiden's starter Pokémon—though he'll likely choose between Lucario and Sylveon."
"Will is a traditional trainer, using pure Psychic-types. This slightly disadvantages him against Aiden."
"Of course—if he counterplays effectively, his victory chances could greatly increase."
Lance summarized briefly.
Honestly, he'd already leaned toward Aiden before the battle began.
Aiden's displayed strength was absurd—nothing like a first-time international competitor...
But as his cards were revealed, Aiden's advantage was actually decreasing.
At least his Lucario and Sylveon counterplay had become mandatory study for advancing competitors.
'So what will you do now, Aiden?'
In eliminations, continuing to dominate while being deliberately targeted won't be easy.
A loss wouldn't be surprising either?
Lance's stern face softened with a smile.
As one of Aiden's earliest acquaintances, he trusted his judgment.
'Aiden was born to be a trainer. His growth might surpass everyone's imagination—becoming an Elite Four or Champion wouldn't shock me.'
This Psychic Master Tournament was just initial proof of that belief.
On the spotlighted battlefield.
Aiden gazed at the masked young man before him, choosing to speak first.
"Hello, Trainer Will."
"Let's have a passionate battle."
His voice cut through the crowd's roar, making Will pause in surprise.
But soon, he too smiled—elegantly placing a hand on his chest in a polite bow.
"Teacher Azure—honored to battle you."
"Opportunities to challenge you online are rare. I never expected to meet first in the Type Masters."
'Another stream fan?' Aiden's expression turned complex.
Counting other seeded players he knew—was this Psychic Master Tournament just a "Azure Wings" stream viewer reunion?!
"Please guide me."
Aiden nodded. Both turned to the referee.
"Battle—begin!"
As the referee announced and hastily retreated to safety, Aiden and Will each threw their first Poké Ball.
Simultaneously, both strategized.
The mind game began now.
In previous rounds, Will had used Xatu, Jynx, Slowbro, and Exeggutor—pure single-type strategy.
Theoretically, Aiden should counter with his already-revealed Lucario, gaining huge advantage.
Will expected this too.
Yet when both Pokémon appeared—even Will, Aiden, and commentator Lance were momentarily stunned.
"Will has deployed a never-before-seen new ace!"
"Not Psychic-type—but Clefable from Mt. Moon, the moonlight Pokémon! Will it be Aiden's downfall?"
DJ Mary's energetic commentary began.
Lance's gaze, however, locked on Aiden's battlefield.
His eyes narrowed.
'Mewtwo…'
After resolving the Viridian Gym crisis with Giovanni, Mewtwo had chosen to follow Aiden to Paldea.
Lance had been completely at ease about this.
As a lifelong "Justice Bringer," he sensed Aiden's unmistakable innate righteousness.
He'd always felt—
'If anyone could earn Mewtwo's ultimate trust through long companionship, it would be Aiden.'
But he never expected this day to come so soon.
How long had passed since Aiden captured Mewtwo—the Legendary Pokémon who'd lost faith in humans after Team Rocket?
And this wasn't an isolated case.
Even more absurd things had happened to Aiden.
Lance had personally witnessed a black Rayquaza suddenly appearing at the Dragon-type Master Tournament's closing ceremony—just to gift Aiden a special Mega Stone.
The spectacle had stunned competitors and spectators alike, even making headlines.
Then there was his seamless coordination with Mew during Giovanni's takedown...
'Was Aiden born with some legendary Pokémon magnetism—like my own Viridian Power?'
But beyond how Aiden captured Mewtwo, Lance was more curious about one thing:
'As Mew's genetic creation, what true strength has Mewtwo developed? Does it match its Legendary status?'
Though this might be unfair to Will...
The moment Mewtwo appeared, Lance already knew the battle's outcome.
Compared to Lance—who knew some background—the other spectators were utterly confused by Mewtwo's debut.
"Wait—can someone explain what Pokémon that is? I've never seen it!"
"Hold on, checking the Pokédex... HOLY SMOKES, IT'S NOT IN THE DEX???"
"Huh? A Pokémon not in the dex? Did Teacher Azure bring some monster from a deep mountain?"
"You're all ignorant—this is Mewtwo. Teacher Azure's gym apprentice. It used to trade blows with us in streams!"
"Seeing it live now... Teacher Azure never hid Mewtwo, but can it actually fight...? Bro, aren't you supposed to be a trainer Pokémon, wait, uhhh, Pokémon Trainer? Why are you competing?!"
"Not just hiding cards, Teacher Azure—you're hiding nukes?!"
Will was equally puzzled.
He'd seen this Pokémon once in Aiden's streams, but knew nothing of its strength.
All he knew—
Its nearly tangible psychic aura proved exceptional Psychic mastery.
Is this the first trump card Aiden saved for eliminations?
The sudden information gap made the match increasingly unpredictable.
Yet Will grew more excited.
"True battles challenge the strong—it's far more interesting!"
"Clefable, use Shadow Ball to seize the initiative!"
Will commanded first, officially starting the clash.
"Aiden first uses defensive Teleport instead of direct confrontation."
"In actual battles, Teleport isn't just for switching—it's highly versatile, more functional than Protect or Detect."
"A simple but powerful psychic application, granting extreme flexibility."
"So locking a defensive move first isn't a problem for Aiden."
Mewtwo nodded in understanding, immediately adopting a defensive stance.
A completely normal scene—but when Mewtwo spoke, viewers were stunned again:
"W-w-wait... THIS IS WRONG! Since when can Pokémon speak human language???"
"This Pokémon already looks humanoid—now it talks? No wonder Teacher Azure wants to raise it as a trainer..."
"Overreacting. This can't even make our Sunshine Gym's table. Loses to average students!"
"...Really? So every Paldean is this skilled?"
"W-well! Beating Mewtwo isn't something to celebrate—you probably can't even earn a Gym Badge!"
"Exactly! Naranja Academy students all surpass Mewtwo! (referring to trainer skill)"
Mewtwo's appearance sparked endless mysteries, making viewers intensely curious about this enigmatic Pokémon.
Meanwhile, Lance spoke again from the commentary booth:
"I know a bit about this Pokémon."
"As Aiden's Psychic-type, its potential is undeniable. Its competitive performance depends on what follows."
"Currently, Aiden's strategy is conservative—he likely plans to analyze his opponent's tactics first, then counter swiftly. This reflects his signature reactive style."
"So—Will, have you considered how to exploit this?"
In the arena, Clefable's Shadow Balls were easily dodged by Mewtwo's Teleport, rapidly increasing the distance between them.
Both still testing the waters.
But Will chose to strike first.
"Clefable, use Minimize!"
Commanding decisively, Will smiled with confidence.
This tactic traced back to Aiden's early stream explaining Chansey battle techniques. He'd memorized it—never imagining he'd use it against the master himself today.
Using it against an unknown Pokémon was risky—if the opponent had wide-range moves, minimizing size would backfire.
But since Shadow Balls couldn't hit Mewtwo anyway—why not try?
He could even treat this as a "homework submission" to Aiden.
"Tsk..."
Aiden's expression darkened as he instantly understood Will's plan.
'What a streamer... why are all my viewers so abnormal?'
One naked Hypnosis starter, one distract & Minimize play—both absurdly dirty tactics!
But recalling he'd taught both moves himself, Aiden almost laughed in resignation.
However, counterplays existed.
"Mewtwo, activate Psychic Terrain!"
Aiden quickly commanded. Mewtwo immediately understood, nodding.
As Mew's genetic creation, Mewtwo manipulated psychic power instinctively. Almost as the thought formed, thick psychic energy spread from its feet.
Where it touched, residual energy formed a pink web on the ground.
For many regions—including Johto locals—terrain effects were somewhat unfamiliar, rarely seen moves.
But thanks to Aiden's streams and his usual supporter Indeedee (a Psychic Terrain specialist), his students knew it well.
Soon, helpful fans explained to others:
Boosts Psychic-type moves. Weakens certain priority moves.
Though its purpose was unclear, it perfectly matched the Psychic Master Tournament theme—possibly Aiden's next trick?
"Clefable, Minimize again, then use Substitute to disappear from the opponent's sight!"
Will ignored Mewtwo's action, executing his plan.
Admittedly, Aiden found this move impressively clever.
Minimize deceived opponents to reduce hit chance. Combined with Substitute to multiply decoys—it could truly make Clefable "vanish."
The invisible Clefable could then safely fire moves like Future Sight, slowly wearing down the opponent.
But...
"Too naive!"
Aiden suddenly roared fiercely before commanding:
"Mewtwo—use Expanding Force!!!"
Expanding Force—one of Psychic-type's best moves.
Not just because it synergized with Psychic Terrain—its power became terrifying within the terrain.
More crucially—
Psychic energy within the terrain resonated, massively expanding Expanding Force's range—reaching anywhere Psychic Terrain spread.
An omnidirectional attack. In reality, even Minimize offered zero evasion!
Anticipating Aiden's command, Mewtwo struck instantly as he spoke—catching the still-Minimizing Clefable off-guard.
Terrifying psychic energy erupted like a tsunami, surging through the Psychic Terrain to attack the entire field indiscriminately.
Including Minimized Clefable.
Though Aiden could barely see Clefable's position, its pained cry confirmed—
This Expanding Force connected, dealing significant damage.
Clefable was well-bred and durable—surviving even Mewtwo's hit.
But clearly, Will's all-in gamble had failed.
"Aiden and Mewtwo's suppression is overwhelming. Will is already in trouble!"
DJ Mary timely summarized.
Of course—viewers already saw this.
"So strong... is every one of Teacher Azure's Pokémon this absurd? How can anyone fight this?!"
"Wait—you mean in Paldea, Mewtwo isn't even as strong as newbies?"
"Y-yes! Don't doubt us—it's true!"
Only now did many Paldean students realize the horror:
They'd casually bragged too much earlier…'
But committed, they had to double down.
'And we weren't wrong!'
Mewtwo's strength has improved, but as a trainer Pokémon, it still loses to us!
What's wrong with that?
Zero problems—it's the absolute truth!
As for Mewtwo the Pokémon being strong... what's that to us?
If you have issues, complain to Teacher Azure—he's the real absurd one. None of his Pokémon are legal!
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