Really, this whole tournament is a gigantic exercise in picking your battles. As much as you cherish Meltan, he's not much of a fighter, especially compared to some of the Pokemon you've seen out there. If you had a Pokedollar for every Charizard and Blaziken you've had to dodge since today started... Well, your wallet would be heavier, to say the least.

But this guy, though? He's just got a Kubfu, and while you're no expert in these things, you're pretty sure that a Meltan and a Kubfu are just about equal. In other words, this has got to be the closest thing to a fair fight you'll ever get. So, best not to let it go to waste, yeah?

"Yeah, sure." You reply, a crooked grin spreading across your face as Meltan hops off your shoulder and strides up to take its place on the battlefield. "But I won't go easy on you, so I hope you're ready to lose, bud!"

"hello mr bear (￣▽￣)ノ lets have ourselves a good clean fight!"

---

Ashley Shepard

The Kubfu proceeds to perform about a dozen different moves all at the same time, focusing its energy and detecting and heading ironly and whatnot. Meltan can barely keep up with all poses and stances and feints, his eye desperately trying to follow the movements, only to make himself dizzy in the process. In the end, all he can do is muster a Headbutt in response, but it's too little and too late to win this clash of skulls.

"gweh!!!"

Meltan is sent tumbling back, clutching his nut-shaped noggin. However, he's not going to give up that easily, no. With distance between him and his opponent, he takes this time to prepare with Acid Armor, melting and resculpting and hardening his body to be more resilient.

It's off to a rough start, but this is nowhere close to over. This next round? You have a feeling it'll go your way.

---

Gimmick, TERA; +15 on Even Rolls.
c8ntpZOW
Meltan LOSES. 2/3 HP Remaining.
Ashley Shepard

Meltan barely even has time to reinforce himself before the Kubfu rushes forth to deliver another series of blows. Sure, the blob might be more durable, but it ultimately means nothing in the face of a faster, stronger opponent. If he's going to have any chance of winning, he's going to have to slow down the Kubfu before things can spiral much further out of control.

"Meltan! Paralyse him!"

"ok!" The Hex Nut declares, allowing static electricity to build up in his body as the bear rushes forth. "(/・・)ノくくく meltan stu--"

But before he can release his Thunder Wave, the trio of Aerial Aces connect, and once again, Meltan is sent tumbling backwards.

Uh oh.

---

Gimmick, TERA; +15 on Even Rolls.
URJZeWz2
Meltan LOSES again. 1/3 HP remaining.
Ashley Shepard

You grit your teeth. The situation in front of you seems hopeless: The Kubfu's assault is relentless, a neverending series of brutal blows that show no signs of slowing down. Poor Meltan just can't keep up, and after eating four powerful attacks in a row, its clear that he's on the ropes. All it'll take is one more good clean hit, and it's curtains for him.

But you're not throwing in the towel just yet. No, things may look dire, but you've got an ace up your sleeve. As the Kubfu readies its finishing blow, you pull the Tera Orb out of your pocket, allowing terastal energy to gather within it for only a moment, before throwing it as hard as you can.

"MELTAN! HIT HIM WITH ALL YOU'VE GOT!"

As the orb touches Meltan, all of the gathered energy is released at once, and the Hex Nut shines red as a crystalline pattern spreads across his body. Now empowered with the might of Tera Fighting, your partner finds his much needed second wind, and as he stares down the incoming Iron Head, his eye shines with determination. In the split second before the Iron Head can hit, Meltan releases a devastating Tera Blast.

"ジェイ絵ジェ (MELTAN KICK)"

---

Gimmick, TERA; +15 on Even Rolls.
Wwj7kJzZ
Meltan WINS. 1/3 HP remaining.
Ashley Shepard

Meltan is quick to seize his perceived advantage, rushing forward to follow up on its Tera Blast with another. In the process, it ends up falling right into Kubfu's trap. It launches forth another Tera Blast that hits the bear head-on, and in doing so, exposes itself to a Counter.

CRACK!

Even having shed his Steel weakness, Meltan is still only a Meltan, and his supply of strength has run out. Thus, after stumbling for a moment, he proceeds to crumple to the ground. The Hex Nut can fight no longer.

Meltan has lost, and Kubfu has won.

"Damn."

---

Gimmick, TERA; +15 on Even Rolls.
YCR|2mKL
Meltan LOSES. 0/3 HP Remaining.
Ashley Shepard

"Yeah, one of these days."

Well, this is a really rough start, isn't it? Two matches in, and you've already got back to back losses on your record. That's a zero percent winrate, which somehow makes it sound even more bleak than it already is.

But hey, you're all warmed up now. You've gotten used to the tournament format, gotten used to battling with Meltan, and now you're ready to fight with all you've got. Now that you've kicked into gears, things'll start going your way and you'll start racking up wins. You think. You hope. Arceus, please, let things get better.

But hey, you've lingered long enough. Time to go find that next match you'll definitely win.

"Later."

---

Ashley Shepard