Replacement. Finn's lips tightened. Was that what these Paradox Pokemon were trying to do? A future where all organic life has died out, and the only spark of sentience comes from the buzzing of a cyborg's brain. Finn noticed the resentment in Noah's Hariyama as Iron Hands took a cold, measured step forward.

Maybe the robot takeover was inevitable. Or maybe they could find a way to live together.

Finn turned his attention to his Iron Valiant. They met on a night when Finn's demons crept up on him, and Finn had to conquer them to end this threat to him and his school. Fittingly, Finn named him Jiangjun - a classical name for a mighty general, conquering the battle outside and inside.

"Alright, buddy. Let's see what you're made of."

Jiangjun brushed off Finn's apprehension with a cool, sleek step forward. His arms rotated inwards, its gears priming for combat. And before Finn could even think of what to do, Jiangjun moved first - sparks showered off Jiangjun's armour, charging the ground with an odd power. Jiangjun used Electric Terrain! His feet sizzled where they touched the ground, as if drawing power up into his engine.

Jiangjun's Attack increased!

Stunned, Finn met Noah's gaze.

"Does yours do this too?"

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Noah's Iron Hands moved much faster than a Hariyama would, so blistering quick that Finn almost recoiled instinctively. But if the mecha Hariyama was fast, Jiangjun was almost faster - the cyborg fairy stepped to the side so cleanly, elegantly - a cold algorithm that calculated, like scissors over paper, the optimum distance to avoid compromise.

But what happens when you get two killing programs pitted against each other? Iron Hands managed to land a blow after all, leaving a blemish on Jiangjun's shoulder. From its new position, Jiangjun's red gaze zoomed in on Iron Hands. Electricity crackled around his blades.

As much as Finn was wary of the Paradox Pokemon's merciless nature, he had to admit it... when paired up with a partner so finely tuned for battle, he did feel the cogs of battle grind inside his gut.

"Keep your distance!"

Finn could feel that same electric energy spinning inside him.

Jiangjun took his advice. It kept a careful distance from Iron Hands, but that didn't limit its options. The engine in his chest glowed an explosive pink and unleashed a radiant blast - Jiangjun used Dazzling Gleam!

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Once these future paradox Pokemon got started, they really left mercy behind. Spited by that super-effective attack, Iron Hands flung itself at Jiangjun with astonishing speed. The metal fairy blipped in what sounded like alarm, and a blitz of steel-laced blows smothered it. If Jiangjun were made of blood and bone, it wouldn't have stood a chance, but being inorganic had its benefits too. Somehow, it crawled out of that melee explosion dented but alive.

Now, it was Jiangjun's turn to get angry. Electricity danced across its blades - blades that it detached and formed into a spear-like, double-bladed weapon.

Oh god. This was fearsome, but also really cool.

Finn was getting really into this.

"You're doing great! See if you can get back in -" - and the Iron Valiant improvised on that theme, like a maestro and his instruments of pain. Jiangjun danced around Iron Fist, looking for a blind spot, and then shot inwards, its blades glowing purple - Jiangjun used Psycho Cut!

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