To show sincerity, Li Yuan summoned Huanhuan (Hisuian Lilligant) first.
The rule: One Pokémon per person. If he picked Meowscarada (wait, earlier text said Hisuian Lilligant, but now it says Meowscarada / Magic Mask Cat. Let's assume Meowscarada based on "cat" description and "Flower Trick" later, though the previous prompt mentioned Hisuian Lilligant. The text says "Magic Mask Cat" - Meowscarada. Let's go with Meowscarada, nicknamed Huanhuan).
Correction: The text says "Magic Mask Cat" (Meowscarada). Let's assume Huanhuan is Meowscarada.
Once chosen, he couldn't switch.
Although people thought he could win without Legendaries (his wives were OP), Serena felt she had a chance if it wasn't a Legendary.
"Since Student Li Yuan is going easy, don't blame me for taking advantage." Serena exchanged glances with Valerie. Getting the nod, she stepped up first.
Valerie thought it didn't matter. Li Yuan looked confident.
If he dared not use a Legendary, he was sure of victory.
Would a weakling earn a Legendary's recognition?
But Serena analyzed his Meowscarada. Gym Leader+ level. Her own Delphox could fight it. Maybe she didn't need the Elite-level Pokémon provided by the higher-ups?
She really didn't want to cheat.
"Don't think too much. Use your strongest. Or I can't exert force," Li Yuan advised kindly.
"You're only Gym Leader level. I might not lose," Serena said unconvinced. She was a genius too. Being looked down on sparked her temper.
She knew China had Mega Evolution hacks. But this Meowscarada held no Mega Stone.
"How about a bet? If I win, you go on a date with me," Li Yuan smirked.
"You have so many women, and you want to pick me up?" Serena complained.
"Wives are like money; who complains about having too much?" Li Yuan shrugged.
"And if you lose?" Serena asked, not rejecting the bet.
Seeing his face, a date didn't seem like a loss...
"If I lose, I'll go on a date with you~." Li Yuan smiled.
"You don't lose either way?" Serena put her hands on her hips.
"Plus a pair of Mega Stones."
"Really?" Serena's eyes lit up.
"Even if I lose."
"What are we waiting for! Challenge accepted!"
Serena didn't know where the courage came from to say she accepted his challenge.
Valerie facepalmed. Girl fell into the trap.
But for Mega Stones? That trap smells sweet. Even I'm tempted...
Mega Evolution was strong and cool, almost exclusive to China.
If China and Alola allied, they'd monopolize Mega Evolution and Z-Crystals. Terrifying.
"Come out, Sylveon!" Serena summoned an Elite-level Pokémon.
It belonged to Valerie, transferred to Serena for this mission.
Serena knew Sylveon well; no command issues.
"Don't say I bullied you. Use Mega Evolution if you have it," Serena said confidently. Valerie's Pokémon was strong.
"My Huanhuan has no Mega Stone. But who said Mega Evolution is the only way to power up? There are many boosts in this world. For example... have you heard the phrase 'Blackening makes you three times stronger'?" Li Yuan snapped his fingers.
Huanhuan nodded. A black stone emerged from her forehead flesh.
It emitted black gas. Even from afar, people felt the evil.
A stone that induces depravity?
"Meow... Roar!!!"
The Shadow Crystal (Dark Resonance Stone) released evil power, permeating Huanhuan.
Her cute meow turned into an evil roar.
Black aura changed her form, wrapping her completely. Only crimson eyes shone through, seeking prey.
Through Aura, Li Yuan felt Huanhuan's intellect dropping. Dark power tried to erase her emotions, turning her into a killing machine.
But Li Yuan's Aura shielded her core consciousness.
With this link, even if her emotions were covered by bloodlust, she obeyed her master.
"This is... Pseudo-Elite+?" Serena felt fear.
If Mega Evolution was the light of life, Huanhuan's power was dragging life into the abyss. Extremes.
As a living being, Serena naturally feared this corruption.
"Ready? My new wife~." Li Yuan's will seemed influenced by the darkness; his eyes turned evil.
"Who's your wife! Don't talk like I already lost!" Serena blushed and scolded.
"Let's see how long you last. Huanhuan, Dark Comet Punch!" Li Yuan mimicked a punch.
Huanhuan mimicked him, teleporting instantly in front of Sylveon. A fist wrapped in corrupt black gas smashed toward Sylveon's forehead.
"Bad! Use Protect!" Serena panicked.
Meowscarada can teleport? Since when!
She and Sylveon reacted hastily, erecting a shield.
Ideally, Protect was absolute defense against same-level attacks.
No one had broken a Protect shield in same-level combat yet.
Plus, Huanhuan was lower level than Sylveon. Serena thought she was safe.
Unexpectedly, the black gas on the fist was the nemesis of life. It eroded the shield along its patterns.
Soon, the shield's balance broke. Pop! It shattered.
The fist grew larger in Sylveon's disbelief, smashing her away...