"Gallade! The opponent is very strong—be careful!"
"Gall!"
Liam carefully sized up Steven's shiny Metagross. To be honest, he didn't have much confidence in securing an easy victory.
As a Steel- and Psychic-type Pokémon, Metagross naturally had strong resistance to Psychic-type attacks—most psychic moves would feel like nothing more than a tickle to it.
On top of that, its Steel typing granted it extraordinary physical defense. Ordinary attacks would barely leave a scratch.
Although Steel-types are normally weak to Fighting-type moves—something Gallade could take advantage of—Metagross also possessed the Psychic type, which resisted Fighting-type attacks. As a result, even Fighting-type moves would only deal normal damage.
From the moment Steven revealed his choice of Pokémon, Liam already knew that after defeating Sceptile, his next opponent would be Metagross.
If Liam wanted an easy win, he could have sent Lolo into battle. With its Dark typing and unpredictable combat style, it would surely give Steven and Metagross a huge headache.
But Liam didn't do that. Even knowing Gallade was at a disadvantage, he still chose to send it out.
He wasn't afraid of losing—this was just a friendly battle. Winning or losing didn't matter much to him.
His real goal… was to train Gallade.
Steven was an excellent opponent. Though still somewhat inexperienced, he was already stronger than most trainers. And thanks to the typing interaction, Metagross wouldn't deal overwhelming damage to Gallade either.
This battle would be perfect for Gallade's growth.
That was Liam's objective.
...….
"It's starting, senior! We're going on the offensive! Go, Metagross—use Bullet Punch!"
"Meta!!"
The moment Metagross entered the field, Steven wasted no time issuing his command!
At once, its four massive alloy arms glowed with metallic light. Its heavy body suddenly leapt into the air, and from above, its arms shot forward like bullets, smashing toward Gallade with incredible speed!
"Dodge it, Gallade! Use Teleport!"
"Gall!"
Despite Metagross's speed, it couldn't catch Gallade using Teleport.
A flash of pink light… Gallade vanished instantly from where it stood!
Metagross's four arms slammed into the ground, sending up clouds of dust!
"Gallade!"
In the next moment, Gallade reappeared directly above Metagross!
"Gallade! Use Close Combat!"
"Gall!"
As Gallade descended, Liam gave his command!
Gallade's blade-like arms and legs flared with intense red light. Using the momentum of its fall, it delivered a powerful punch straight onto Metagross's flat, round back!
BANG!!
A loud metallic crash rang out! Already embedded in the ground from its earlier impact, Metagross was driven even deeper!
And Gallade didn't stop there—
A storm of punches and kicks followed, like a relentless downpour!
The sound of metal clashing echoed continuously!
Metagross shut its eyes tightly, letting out low growls—but it couldn't break free. Its limbs sank deeper and deeper into the ground under the barrage!
"Damn it! We're already at such a disadvantage! This can't continue! Metagross—use Confusion!"
Sweat appeared on Steven's forehead as he reacted quickly, shouting his command!
"Meta!"
Metagross's eyes snapped open!
A blue psychic aura surged around its body. Gallade, still attacking atop its back, was instantly caught and restrained by the psychic force!
Unable to move, Gallade was lifted into the air, suspended helplessly!
"Nice job, Metagross! Now throw Gallade away!"
"Meta!!"
At Steven's command, the psychic energy exploded outward!
Gallade was hurled violently through the air, unable to react due to the massive force. It crashed heavily into the ground, kicking up a huge cloud of dust that swallowed its figure entirely!
"Great! Now break free and use Flash Cannon!"
"Meta!!"
Finally freed from Gallade's assault, Metagross seized the moment. One by one, it pulled its alloy limbs out of the ground.
Then… its two front arms came together!
A powerful metallic glow began gathering between them!
The Flash Cannon was fully charged, but Metagross didn't fire immediately.
Instead… it waited.
As if anticipating something.
Suddenly, from within the dust cloud, a shadow emerged!
At that exact moment, Metagross's eyes snapped open.. a massive beam of white light blasted forward!!
BOOM!!
The Flash Cannon tore through the air and slammed directly into the shadow!
An explosion followed, sending even thicker smoke billowing outward. Visibility dropped to nearly zero—and the figure that had been struck vanished completely!
"Did it work?!"
Steven stared into the smoke with anticipation, his voice uncertain.
"Meta…"
Metagross lowered its arms and returned to the ground, but its eyes remained fixed on the smoke. It let out a low, uneasy rumble.
"Gall!"
Then—
From within the darkness, Gallade's cry rang out!
In the next instant.. a figure burst out of the smoke!
Gallade—completely unharmed—charged forward at high speed, black mist swirling around its body!
"What?! It took a direct Flash Cannon and isn't hurt at all?! What's going on?! Not good—don't let it get close! Metagross, use Metal Claw!"
Shocked, Steven reacted immediately!
Metagross raised one of its arms. White light flowed across it as three sharp steel claws extended outward!
Facing the incoming Gallade, it swung down fiercely. The claws passed straight through Gallade's body!!
"What—?! That's bad!!"
There was no resistance at all! In the next instant, the "Gallade" split into fragments of light and dissipated!
"Be careful, Metagross! That was Double Team!"
Steven finally realized the trick and shouted a warning!
But at that very moment, within the smoke behind them, shadows began to stir wildly!
And the, a multitude of Gallade figures burst out from the haze, each with blade arms wrapped in dark purple energy, surging forward like a tidal wave toward the unprepared Metagross!!