Sirfetch'd raised its shield, executing Iron Defense. The leek shield instantly took on a dull, silver-gray metallic sheen. Perrserker's dagger-like claws slammed into the shield, producing the sharp clang of metal on metal, accompanied by a shower of sparks.
Perrserker: [This duck can actually tank my claws? Impressive.]
Seeing the shield remain unscathed after a barrage of heavy strikes, Perrserker discarded its contempt. Its expression turned deadly serious.
"Probing phase is over. Perrserker, Metal Sound!" Hagen commanded. This Sirfetch'd is truly something. My Perrserker is the swiftest of my second-tier team, yet it couldn't land a scratch during Fury Swipes, Hagen thought.
Perrserker opened its jagged maw, emitting a high-pitched, screeching wail. Amplified by the metallic arena, the sound echoed violently. Sirfetch'd winced, clamping its wings over its ears to block the auditory assault.
"In this enclosed steel environment, the intensity of Metal Sound is at least doubled," Feng Che observed. "If we don't disrupt this noise, Sirfetch'd will be a sitting duck."
"Perrserker, Pay Day!"
The gold coin on Perrserker's forehead glowed brilliantly. Suddenly, the sound of falling coins filled the arena. Numerous golden coins materialized in the air, hurtling toward Sirfetch'd like high-velocity bullets.
"Sirfetch'd, use Sing to counter the noise, then Leaf Blade to intercept Pay Day!" Feng Che countered calmly.
Sirfetch'd opened its beak and let out a loud, rhythmic series of squawks. Quack, quack, quack! The discordant duck calls successfully drowned out the Metal Sound. The arena was now filled with the irritating sound of a frantic duck.
Perrserker: [That's a voice only a mother could love. Disgusting.]
Perrserker waved its hands, firing even more coins. Sirfetch'd, while continuing its vocal performance, spun its leek. The stalk glowed with green energy, extending in length. It met the incoming coins with rapid thrusts.
Clink! Clink! Clink! The coins were sliced clean in half, falling to the ground with a rhythmic metallic patter.
"Now, Metal Burst!" Hagen shouted as the number of coins on the ground reached a critical mass.
Perrserker began to radiate a shimmering silver-gray light.
Perrserker: [Stupid duck has no idea. These coins on the ground are the conduits for my Metal Burst. Once they catch my light, they'll detonate. Goodbye, roasted duck!]
"So that's the plan. Thanks for the tip, Perrserker," Feng Che muttered, having overheard its thoughts. "Sirfetch'd, use Hurricane on the ground! Blow those coins back at him!"
Sirfetch'd pointed its leek upward, creating a localized cyclone, then slammed it downward. The wind vacuumed up the broken coins and surged toward Perrserker.
At that exact moment, the silver light touched the coins. Pop! Pop! Boom! A chain of explosions erupted right in front of Perrserker. The cyclone shattered, sending shrapnel and wind everywhere. Perrserker was caught in its own blast, metallic shards leaving dozens of shallow cuts on its body.
Perrserker: [Damn it! I've been hoisted by my own petard. How did that human know they would explode?]
The metallic cat's wild instincts were fully ignited by the pain. It sharpened its claws against the floor, sparks flying everywhere.
"Great timing on that Hurricane, Feng Che. You caught my Perrserker right when it thought it had won," Hagen praised. "Perrserker, Hone Claws into Slash!"
Perrserker charged, its claws digging deep furrows into the steel floor. It leaped high, bringing its daggers down toward the bird's head.
"Sirfetch'd, meet it with Close Combat!"
Sirfetch'd hopped back twice, dodging the initial strike. Perrserker's claws slammed so hard into the floor that they became wedged in the steel. The cat struggled, pulling frantically to free itself.
"Now!"
Sirfetch'd blurred forward. It used the leek to flip the stuck Perrserker into the air. Then, the stalk moved like a master's spear—a flurry of thrusts known as the "Hundred Birds Greeting the Phoenix"—striking Perrserker dozens of times in a split second.
The bird's strike was so powerful it cracked Perrserker's hardened "armor." The Viking cat crashed to the floor, completely incapacitated. Sirfetch'd leaned on its leek, panting heavily. The intensity of the exchange had drained its stamina significantly.
"Return, Perrserker," Hagen said, recalling his partner. "Congratulations, Feng Che. You've earned my respect. Here is my token."
Hagen handed over a badge crafted from anti-magic iron, featuring a relief of his own face. ...This guy is a bit of a narcissist, Feng Che thought, his lip twitching as he took the badge.
"Next is the Fire Elite, Blaze. His style is as hot as his name. Good luck," Hagen stepped aside.
The Lava Arena
The next room was a vision of hell. The floor was almost entirely submerged in bubbling magma, leaving only small stone pillars for footing. Blaze stood across the heat, his eyes sharp as a hawk's.
"You're here, Feng Che. Here, I'll show you the true meaning of magma. Go, Heatmor!"
He released a Pokémon rarely seen in Kanto. Heatmor, the anteater-like creature, had a red body with orange-yellow patterns and tube-like vents on its back. It sucked air through its tail to fuel its flaming tongue, which it used to melt the exoskeletons of its prey, Durant.
"I don't have many Gym-level Pokémon left; I caught this Heatmor on Death Island recently," Blaze said casually. He watched Feng Che's face closely, looking for a flinch or a flicker of recognition that would prove he had been on the island during the Red Gyarados incident.
Feng Che remained perfectly stoic.
[Feng Che, he's testing you,] Mewtwo's voice echoed in his mind. [The Red Gyarados definitely made him suspicious.]
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