Pokémon: Above the Top

Sato took Caitlin very seriously; after all, she would become an Elite Four in the future, and her strength was undeniable.

At the same time, Sato had found quite a few rumors about this Psychic-type prodigy.

If she lost, Caitlin's Psychic power would spiral out of control, causing massive destruction to the surrounding area. Of course, she rarely lost.

But Sato didn't think he would lose either, so he was quite curious whether the League had any safeguards in place in case Caitlin really went berserk.

'Something to look forward to…'

"BATTLE START!" the referee shouted loudly, waving the flag.

The moment his voice fell, Sigilyph and Gothitelle both activated Miracle Eye simultaneously, Caitlin's command only coming afterward.

Miracle Eye could be activated in a blink, especially since Gothitelle and Sigilyph were clearly already prepared.

No way to dodge!

Sato instantly recognized the situation. He redirected the command that was about to come out of his mouth, completely abandoning any evasive maneuvers.

"Toxic! Swords Dance!"

Umbreon and Sharpedo trusted Sato completely, so they didn't resist being targeted by Miracle Eye.

At the same time, Umbreon's fur stood on end as it sprayed out toxic poison in a wide arc, covering both Gothitelle and Sigilyph.

Not to be outdone, Sharpedo unleashed Swords Dance, greatly boosting its Attack.

Suddenly, both Umbreon and Sharpedo staggered as their bodies were hit by the opponent's Psychic-type move.

"Strike down the insolent demons before you with Psychic!"

'…Here we go again.'

Caitlin's command was still a beat too slow; complete with unnecessary theatrics. But Gothitelle and Sigilyph had already taken action.

"Sharpedo, Crunch, Umbreon, Swagger."

Sato's eyes were full of focus. He decided to completely ignore Caitlin's voice from now on, basing all decisions on the battle itself.

Crunch activated, Dark-type energy surged and easily broke through the effects of Psychic. Sharpedo seized the moment, opened its massive jaws, and lunged at Sigilyph.

Meanwhile, Umbreon didn't use a Dark-type move, but its improved endurance still allowed it to speak clearly.

And Swagger only needed to open its mouth.

"Umbr~umbr… Umbre!"

No one knew exactly what Umbreon said, but Gothitelle instantly became filled with rage. Little yellow birds spun above its head… it was confused, and stronger too.

Unfortunately, that increased power only boosted its Attack, which was useless for it.

"SIGIIIL!"

Sigilyph suddenly let out a cry of pain, but quickly regained its composure. The large single eye on its forehead burst with red light.

Hypnosis!

Caitlin wasn't just issuing commands with her Psychic powers… she very visibly gave Sigilyph a boost.

At such close range, there was no way for Sharpedo to dodge!

However, while helping Sigilyph, Caitlin had forgotten all about Gothitelle…

Glaring wildly, Gothitelle launched Double Slap!

"Umbreon, Sucker Punch, Sharpedo, use Snore."

While Gothitelle was distracted by its confusion and dealing negligible damage with Double Slap, Umbreon struck back with Sucker Punch and sent it flying.

On the other side, Sharpedo, despite being put to sleep by Hypnosis, still heard the command to use Snore, shaking Sigilyph with a sound-based counterattack.

And because Whirlpool had become second nature to it, Sharpedo didn't fall to the ground. It remained levitating.

It wasn't over yet…

Bubbles of poison began to rise from both Gothitelle and Sigilyph, clear signs that Umbreon's Toxic had started to take effect!

"Sharpedo, Sleep Talk!"

Sharpedo, eyes still shut, suddenly lunged forward -unleashing its most practiced move, Aqua Jet- aimed straight at the airborne Sigilyph.

Meanwhile, Caitlin, in her usual broken style, used her Psychic powers to force Gothitelle back to consciousness. Together with Sigilyph, they used Dream Eater on Sharpedo.

A double Dream Eater!

"Umbreon, Protect."

"Umbre!"

Previously, Sato had intentionally not commanded Umbreon to attack, but it had already stealthily moved to Sharpedo's side, using Protect to block the incoming attack on its teammate.

At last, Sharpedo jolted awake from its sleep. It felt a strange emptiness in its mind, but physically… it was stronger than ever!

"Sharpedo, Crunch, Umbreon, Substitute!"

Sato's orders snapped Sharpedo to full awareness. It quickly realized the battle was still ongoing and looked up to spot Sigilyph again.

"Sha!"

Sharpedo intercepted Sigilyph, while Gothitelle turned its attention toward Umbreon.

But Sato had already predicted this, and without hesitation, ordered Umbreon to use Substitute. It successfully blocked the hit!

Then Sato smiled.

Toxic activated again. Gothitelle and Sigilyph were losing more and more health/stamina, and while they were distracted, Sharpedo's Attack and Speed had drastically increased!

So next…

"Umbreon, Psych Up, Sharpedo, full-power Crunch!"

Umbreon's Psych Up targeted none other than its teammate, Sharpedo. Now, Umbreon's Speed and Attack surged to match Sharpedo's boosted stats!

A wave of powerful Psychic energy suddenly surged from not far away and then poured straight into Gothitelle and Sigilyph.

Sato furrowed his brow. Watching Caitlin's hair float wildly, he knew she had begun fully amplifying their power.

Sure enough, Sharpedo -who had been in control- was quickly suppressed.

And Sigilyph began charging up electric energy, preparing to use Charge Beam on Sharpedo.

"Umbre!"

At last, Umbreon's Psych Up succeeded. Its Speed and Attack now boosted to match Sharpedo's!

"Crunch, Assurance."

Sato gave the order again. This time, Umbreon and Sharpedo simultaneously targeted the grounded Gothitelle.

Sharpedo struck first, jaws wide as it bit down hard on Gothitelle, followed instantly by Umbreon's Assurance.

After suffering a Crunch, the additional hit from Assurance dealt damage comparable to Hyper Beam… without even factoring in type effectiveness and STAB!

"G-GOOOOOOTH!"

Gothitelle's scream echoed across the entire field. Against Crunch followed by boosted Assurance, it stood no chance.

Gothitelle…

Defeated!

"SIGIIIL!"

Before Umbreon and Sharpedo could celebrate, Sigilyph's furious cry drew their attention.

Its aura surged wildly, rising in an instant through Mid Ace… High… Peak…

Until it seemed only a thin veil separated it from the Elite Four level, Sigilyph's aura finally stabilized.

Sato looked at it for a moment, then shifted his gaze to Caitlin on the other side.

Her eyes now glowed with blinding violet light… and her entire body was floating mid-air.

'So this is… what it means for Psychic power to spiral out of control?'

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P@treon/Romeloff

150 PS - CHAP