To be the Very Best (Pokémon X Male Reader)

Z-A Arc Chapter 6 - A Paradox in the Making

Zephyr stumbled back, clenching his fist. "Not bad; you're lucky I hadn't harnessed Blacephalon's full power yet..."

Only just managing to stand, I held my waist, muttering. "Don't you know when enough's enough, Zephyr? Give it up."

"Give up? Give up?! No, no! How could I ever give up!? As long as there is work to be done, I will never surrender. I choose you, De-."

The ground began to shake as, out of nowhere, a Paradox Pokemon burst through the mountainside roaring. I gasped. "No way! Great Tusk is one of the past Paradoxes. Why is it here?"

Zephyr smirked. "So, that's how it is? I understand now."

Kieran was forced to battle Great Tusk, quickly overwhelmed by the ambush. Zephyr had, in turn, caused his gaze on me. I stepped back, trembling as Zephyr looked down on me. "Your girlfriend won't be here to save you time. Neither will that shiny rat. I will destroy you; bow my might."

Fumbling for a Pokemon, I held a Pokeball up, already feeling a sense of dread. I was already questioning myself. Zephyr sent out Porygon-Z. A Pokemon I had defeated before, but. Was that a fluke? Pot luck... "Co-Cookie, please, save me."

Espeon stood beside me, ready to do battle despite my doubts. "Cookie, use... Umm, use?"

As the battle began, I quickly realised that I was outmatched. Zephyr's Porygon-Z moved with precision and speed, launching a relentless barrage of attacks that left me stumbling and fumbling for a strategy.

"Espeon, use Psychic!" I called out, my voice wavering with uncertainty.

But my command was met with a mocking laugh from Zephyr. "Is that the best you can do? Porygon-Z, dodge and counter with Tri Attack!"

I watched helplessly as Espeon's Psychic attack missed its mark, leaving us wide open to Porygon-Z's devastating counterattack. With each passing moment, I could feel my confidence slipping away, replaced by a sinking sense of defeat.

Zephyr's taunts only made matters worse, his voice dripping with smug satisfaction as he gloated about his superiority. "You see, Y/N, you're no match for me. My Pokémon are far more powerful than yours could ever hope to be."

I clenched my fists in frustration, my mind racing as I struggled to come up with a plan. But no matter what I tried, it seemed like Zephyr always had the upper hand.

In the end, it was clear that victory was beyond my reach. As Espeon fell to the ground, defeated and exhausted. "Cookie... Not again, what was I thinking?"

"I've been waiting a long time for this. It's finally here." He echoed, seeing Kieran still fighting Great Tusk. "I knew you were special, Y/N. I hate to admit that, but you are. You and that Hisuian Pokemon. It seems these Paradox Pokemon aren't the only ones out of time. There is you."

"H-How do you know that?"

"I have my inside knowledge. You, too, are a walking Paradox. A Paradox trainer, no wonder Paradox Pokemon are so accustomed to you. Why bother searching far and wide for them when they'll come to you." Zephyr said with a sinister smirk. "Porygon-Z, take him out."

I couldn't react in time as I was blasted with a thunderbolt. Falling to my knees, I collapsed, blacking out as Zephyr looked down on me, kicking me in the stomach. "I'm looking forward to seeing how you tick lab rat."

****

Kieran was out of breath, finally knocking out Iron Tusk. He had to go through three party members, but he overcame the Paradox Pokemon. Smirking to himself, this turned into a laugh. "It doesn't matter who I'm facing... I don't lose."

Nemona, Carmine and Brair came running out to see the carnage that had taken place. "Kieran! Are you alright? No way, what Pokemon is that?" Briar whispered, awed by the Paradox Pokemon's presence.

Carmine checked on Kieran. "Are you hurt at all, Kiki? What happened?"

"Get off me. I'm fine." He protested. "Some loser attacked us. He was awfully obsessed with Y/N. I showed him just how powerful I was. Neither Zephyr nor this Paradox Pokemon stands a chance against me."

Nemona stared on, horrified, finding Espeon on the floor knocked out, Y/N's Pokeball belt lying next to him. Picking up Espeon's Pokeball, she looked at Kieran, stunned. "Where's Y/N?"

"Huh, he was right here... He, I was too focused on the Paradox Pokemon."

Zorua kept looking around, crying out for her partner and howling at the sky to no response. "They took him. I didn't even realise. What the hell!"

Nemona ran over to Zorua. She looked up at Nemona, teary-eyed and sobbing. Nemona picked her up, hugging the shiny Pokemon devasted as she shouted out.

"Y/N!!!"