Lionel's mind instantly pulled up the status panel for the Magnemite in front of him:
[Pokémon: Magnemite]
[Types: Electric, Steel]
[Category: Magnet Pokémon]
[Ability: Analytic (studies the foe for openings; going second boosts move power)]
[Moves: Tackle, Thunder Shock, Thunder Wave, Electro Ball, Gyro Ball, Spark, Charge—]
Had it not been announced in advance, this being Beldum's first battle and the stream's gaze fixed on this trial,
Lionel would normally have sent out Tyrantrum.
Dragon plus Rock, with Earthquake mastered, hard-counters Wattson's Electric-types.
But tonight the arena spotlight belonged to Beldum alone.
He looked down at the little one hovering beside him; its red crystalline eyes were locked on Magnemite, body ramrod-straight.
In the past month and a half Beldum's growth had blown past every projection.
Its desert training hadn't been as brutal as Tyrantrum's, yet its talent was off the charts.
During playtime with Feebas and Tyrantrum—and Lionel's stone-tossing game—every move except Take Down had been drilled to the "proficient" stage.
Tyrantrum's staple Ice Fang, by contrast, still sat at proficient, one step from perfect.
Even Lionel had to admit Beldum's genius was frightening.
Among geniuses, there are still tiers.
And after burning his last ten-thousand points on the draw, the daily Energy Clusters had pushed Beldum's energy stores right to evolution's brink.
Now it only needed a set ration of ore each day to reinforce its body for the coming split evolution; soon it would evolve into Metang.
'Don't tense up—stick to the drills.'
Lionel murmured encouragement.
Beldum chimed a bright "ding," red eyes flashing with resolve.
It still remembered the bitter loss to Roselia during the winning-streak family's challenge; it never wanted to feel that helpless again.
Across the field Magnemite spun twice, faint sparks crackling—battle-ready.
Both sides ready!
Walter raised the green flag high: "Mauville Gym challenge, Round One—begin!"
"Magnemite, start with Charge!"
Gym Leader Wattson's order was crisp, anticipation glinting in his eyes.
Lionel's pupils narrowed; he already knew from the panel that this Magnemite's hidden ability was Analytic.
Going second would boost its move power even further.
Charge would raise its Special Defense and power up the next Electric move.
Wattson clearly meant to buff first, then strike, milking the hidden ability for all it was worth.
Though he'd said the Magnemite was newly caught, any Pokémon he chose as lead for a Gym match couldn't be underestimated.
But Lionel had absolute faith in his Beldum—genius comes in grades, after all.
And his shiny Beldum sat at the very top.
On the field Magnemite hovered, round body slowly rotating.
Fine arcs of electricity shimmered around it, crackling through the air.
Like Beldum, it floated by magnetic force.
Yet Beldum could also pivot and accelerate with pinpoint Confusion, moving as if pulled by invisible strings—far more agile.
No comparison.
On top of that, Devon's chairman had shipped over special ores and rare metals to reinforce Beldum's frame.
Those Magnet-laden ores and alloys had not only hardened its steel body but also deepened its mastery over magnetic fields.
Now, aided by both Confusion and magnetism, Beldum was so fast it almost left after-images.
If you want to set up, you won't get the chance!
Lionel's eyes sharpened. "Beldum, Iron Head!"
Ding!
Beldum shot forward, silver frame snapping tight like a compressed shell.
Its red crystalline eyes locked on; Confusion and magnetism erupted together, catapulting it in a lightning straight line—
Boom!
A heavy impact thundered across the arena.
The instant Magnemite's Charge peaked, Beldum's Iron Head smashed into it.
Magnemite's electricity stuttered; the boost was brutally cut off.
The Magnet Pokémon bounced like a struck ball, skidding across the floor before finally steadying itself.
Both Steel-types, yet Beldum acted unfazed, merely adjusting mid-air, red gaze still blazing.
Magnemite's single eye winced, body trembling; the blow had exceeded every expectation.
That speed—!
Acting as both referee and commentator, Walter couldn't help but exclaim: "Beldum's rush anticipated the Charge timing—perfect shutdown!"
Gym Leader Wattson's brow creased. "Magnemite, Thunder Wave—trap its speed!"
Magnemite fought through the pain, releasing a web of crackling static.
The sizzling current spread like an invisible net, aiming to snare Beldum.
A clean hit would cripple its speed; Wattson meant to cage its supernatural agility.
But the moment Thunder Wave was about to connect, Beldum snapped into an impossible mid-air turn.
Its Confusion flared, and like a dancer in a waltz it slid half a meter left, slipping between every electric thread.
The sparking strands scraped past, scorching the floor instead.
Beautiful dodge!
Walter's voice rang with disbelief: "That movement—our Gym Leader's Thunder Wave completely whiffed!"
The stream's chat exploded:
"That evasion was frame-perfect!"
"Isn't Beldum Steel? It's more agile than a Flying-type!"
"I had to replay that pivot three times to see what happened!"
Wattson's frown deepened; Confusion plus magnetic acceleration was nightmarish.
Both Pokémon used magnetism, yet Magnemite couldn't move nearly so freely.
"Now!"
Lionel seized the opening. "Beldum, Encore Iron Head!"
Beldum launched like an arrow, silver streak leaving a ghost-image under the lights.
"Magnemite, meet it with Spark!"
Wattson switched tactics on the fly.
If control wouldn't work, clash head-on!
۞۞۞۞
p-atreon.com/PokeFicLord
40+ Chapters in p-atreon.com.
(Just remove the hyphen to access Patreon normally.)