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Route 9, Unova Region.
Skarmory, Aggron, and Scizor formed a tight circle around their opponent.
In the center stood a silver Shiny Metagross!
Steven leaned casually against a tree with a Pokémon sitting on either side of him.
"Piplup!"
Fight, fight!
Piplup clapped its flippers excitedly. It had watched training battles before, but it had never seen such an intense three-on-one battle at full power!
Riolu watched the battle intently, not wanting to miss a single detail.
Watching Pokémon stronger than itself was also a valuable form of training!
Steven glanced at Piplup, who looked ready to jump into the fight at any moment, and placed a hand on its head.
"I think you've rested enough. Do you want to give it a try?"
Piplup froze and looked up at Steven's gentle smile, which suddenly seemed less reassuring.
"Piplup… o(TヘTo)"
I'll be good, please let me go…
Steven chuckled and rubbed Piplup's head. Honestly, it felt surprisingly nice to touch.
On the battlefield, Scizor made the first move!
Its red figure shot forward instantly, leaving behind blurry afterimages in its path!
Quick Attack!
Clang!
Scizor's pincers struck Metagross, but the impact barely caused any damage.
However, what followed was a rapid series of metallic punches!
Bullet Punch!
The combination of Quick Attack and Bullet Punch was primarily designed to suppress opponents and catch them off guard!
Someone might wonder why Scizor didn't use Agility instead.
Agility requires time to build up speed, and excessive speed also increases the strain on Scizor's body. It's similar to how a maximally boosted Piplup would tire after using just two Hydro Pumps. Quick Attack provides better burst power than Agility for this situation.
However, even Steel-type Bullet Punch wasn't enough to deal significant damage to Metagross. Not to mention, there was still a level gap between them.
Metagross swung its arm to counter, but Scizor pulled back quickly, creating distance.
Scizor's goal was never to inflict major damage with these two moves.
"Kaaah!"
Aggron roared as its thick tail slammed into the ground! The surrounding earth began to tremble as Ground-type energy surged beneath the surface!
Metagross didn't try to float and dodge. Instead, it slammed a fist into the ground, creating a crater on impact!
Earthquake counter!
Aggron's eyes widened in surprise. Its Earthquake couldn't match Metagross's power. It hadn't expected Metagross to remain so alert to its Earthquake. If Aggron took a direct hit from Metagross's Earthquake, it would probably be knocked out immediately.
Scizor's red pincers turned dark gray as it drove a fist into the ground!
Crack—
The ground split instantly, with a crack extending forward!
Boom—
As the fissure passed between Aggron and Metagross, gravel exploded upward, forming a large crater!
If it had been a full-power Earthquake, Scizor wouldn't have been able to block it. However, both sides had used Earthquake to counter each other, which reduced some of the power. At the same time, the ground cracked and the energy beneath the surface exploded directly.
Aggron shot a grateful look at Scizor before quickly rejoining the battle!
Metagross's red eyes shifted to its side. Skarmory had somehow approached Metagross's flank.
As Skarmory drew closer, Metagross swung its metal arm directly, intending to swat Skarmory away.
But Skarmory performed an emergency stop, dodging Metagross's swing! Skarmory flipped its body and used its wings to kick up sand and stones toward Metagross.
Caught off guard by Skarmory's unexpected move, Metagross closed its eyes tightly and shook its head.
"Kaaah!"
Aggron raised one leg and stomped while extending its right arm horizontally. About a dozen rocks quickly rose around it before falling onto Metagross's head.
Boom boom boom—
The rocks piled up, forming a small mountain over Metagross!
"These guys work together quite well," Steven remarked with a smile.
However, Metagross was still in a defensive position.
Boom!
Metagross used Psychic to push the rocks away while its energy spread outward, forcing both Skarmory and Aggron back several meters.
"Metah…"
Metagross turned its head toward Scizor, whose aura had significantly increased.
Scizor was spinning rapidly, and the air currents around it deflected all the scattered rocks!
Swords Dance combined with Counter Shield!
Metagross narrowed its eyes. Counter Shield, huh?
Bang!!!
It slammed its powerful metal arm into the ground, and vast energy spread beneath the surface!
Can you deflect energy from underground?
This move also targeted Aggron at the same time.
Scizor's spinning body stopped abruptly, and it began flying close to the ground using the wings on its back.
Boom!
A diagonally protruding rock, charged with Earthquake energy, thrust toward Scizor.
Scizor's eyes were sharp. It drove a pincer into the ground and spun its body to dodge the thrusting rock!
"Kaaah!"
Aggron roared. Even if it used a move to counter, it would only reduce Earthquake's power. But even the reduced power left it in terrible condition!
Aggron knelt on the ground, breathing heavily.
"Yo!!!"
A golden blur suddenly crashed into Metagross's back, making it tremble slightly. But Metagross didn't move from its position!
Skarmory quickly created distance and began strengthening itself with Iron Defense!
Scizor, the main attacker, had finished its boost, so it could temporarily withdraw from direct combat.
Bang!
Metagross and Scizor clashed head-on. After the Swords Dance boost, Scizor's power was nearly equal to Metagross's!
Neither side dodged. They began exchanging punches directly!
Although Metagross's body was large, its Bullet Punch was no slower than Scizor's!
Both knew the other possessed great power, so they both chose to use the quick Bullet Punch to counterattack!
Continuous metallic impacts rang out, making Riolu's heart surge with excitement!
Scizor's battle style was gradually entering Riolu's heart. Senior… so cool!
"Piplup!!!"
Meanwhile, Piplup was energetically cheering. Go, Big Bro, go, Big Bro!
Steven wasn't sure who Piplup was cheering for, but the enthusiasm was admirable. If he knew Piplup's real purpose for cheering, he might have thrown it into the fight himself.
He turned to look at Riolu's longing eyes, fixed intently on the battle.
Steven suddenly smiled. What is this one's purpose for getting stronger?
"Metah!"
Metagross blocked with both arms, resisting Scizor's continuous Bullet Punches. At the same time, its eyes burst with brilliant blue light as Psychic suddenly activated!
Psychic couldn't control Scizor directly, only pushing it back several meters. However, that was enough for Metagross to launch a counterattack.
Its metal arm suddenly lifted upward! Countless pieces of gravel rose from beneath Scizor's feet!
"Hmm? When did Metagross learn Stone Edge?" Steven was surprised. He hadn't even given it a TM yet.
No, could it be that Metagross modified Rock Slide's technique and learned Stone Edge on its own? Is this Metagross's intelligence at work?
"Hah-sha!"
Scizor began spinning rapidly again, forming air currents that deflected the rising sharp stones! Swords Dance combined with Counter Shield!
Swish—
After neutralizing the Stone Edge attack, Scizor quickly launched a counterattack!
Scizor's only weakness was Fire-type moves, and Metagross's move pool didn't contain any Fire-type moves. Sunny Day didn't count.
However, Scizor's move pool had one move that could deal with Metagross effectively—the Dark-type move Knock Off!
Metagross raised its arm to block Scizor's attack.
Scratch—
A sharp sensation ran through Metagross's arm. Knock Off didn't deal bonus damage because Mega Stones are unaffected by Knock Off. But facing Scizor's incoming pincer, Metagross tried to raise its arm to block, but…
Bang—
Metagross was forced back several steps. After two Swords Dances, Scizor's power had already surpassed Metagross's!
However, this also led to greater stamina consumption for Scizor.
Bang—
Metagross looked behind it. Just now, Skarmory had used Tackle after Iron Defense to attack its back. Even a strengthened Skarmory using Tackle could make Metagross feel some damage now.
Metagross slammed the ground. The earth beneath it shattered instantly!
"Metah!"
Accompanied by Metagross's roar, countless pieces of gravel rose into the air—a wide-ranging Stone Edge!
Fortunately, Skarmory's defense had increased significantly after Iron Defense, and it barely withstood this Stone Edge.
On the other side, Scizor decisively continued with Swords Dance combined with Counter Shield! However, after this Swords Dance, Scizor began breathing heavily.
Maintaining such high-intensity attacks consumed stamina at an exponentially increasing rate.
Scizor crossed its arms, building momentum!
Metagross no longer paid attention to Skarmory. Scizor, with its full offensive power, was its biggest threat.
It threw a heavy, powerful punch directly at the approaching Scizor!
X-Scissor versus Comet Punch!
Bang—
Metagross's fist and Scizor's pincers collided head-on! The collision of immense power created a whirlwind-like blast of air!
"Piplup?! (゜ー゜)"
Piplup was knocked over by the shockwave and hurriedly scrambled back up, looking dazed.
No, Big Bros, was that aimed at me?
It glanced sideways at Steven and Riolu, who seemed perfectly fine.
Case closed—it was aimed at me!
Steven looked down at Piplup's indignant expression and couldn't help but find it amusing.
Riolu had dug its claws into the ground, and Steven was leaning against a large tree. How could they be knocked over like Piplup?
In the midst of the battle, Skarmory quickly stabilized itself in the air, avoiding being blown away by the shockwave.
"Kaaah…" Aggron raised its arm to block the sweeping wind. It quietly activated Earthquake with a tail slam!
Scizor was currently clashing with Metagross with all its might, completely ignoring Aggron's surprise attack! Metagross was the same.
Just as Metagross was gradually being pushed back by Scizor, it raised its left fist!
Bang!
A huge rock, charged with Earthquake energy, suddenly protruded between them, pushing both combatants back!
Metagross retreated steadily for several meters before stabilizing. Scizor, however, wasn't so lucky.
It landed somewhat unsteadily, nearly losing its balance and falling.
Metagross ignored everything else. It had to defeat Scizor first! Without hesitation, it seized the opportunity and flew forward!
Skarmory sensed something was wrong and immediately swooped down toward Metagross with Tackle!
Clang—
Metagross spun its body and slammed a heavy arm into Skarmory, sending it flying into a large tree.
After clearing the obstacle, it used Comet Punch on Scizor!
Scizor had no way to dodge. It could only raise its pincers and swing them out forcefully! This was its last Bullet Punch!
Boom boom boom—
Continuous Bullet Punches bombarded Metagross's swinging metal arm, managing to neutralize Metagross's powerful punch!
Unexpectedly, Metagross raised its arm and used Hammer Arm!
Bang—
This Hammer Arm landed squarely on Scizor, slamming it into the ground!
Looking at the flying sand and stones, Metagross's expression remained exceptionally calm and composed.
The most troublesome main attacker had been dealt with. The remaining Aggron and Skarmory would be much easier to handle.
Even if Skarmory was very durable after strengthening, it still couldn't withstand Metagross's relentless attacks and quickly fainted.
Aggron had an even harder time. One Earthquake could take it down.
Who said Aggron couldn't fly?
The double four-times weakness to Fighting and Ground was simply too devastating. It could only withstand one Earthquake from a Champion-level Metagross due to its exceptionally high physical defense.
However, after Mega Evolution, Aggron becomes a pure Steel-type Pokémon with the Filter ability. Damage from super-effective moves is reduced by a quarter, meaning it has no two-times weaknesses! Ten resistances, one immunity, and only three one-and-a-half-times weaknesses.
Combined with its top-tier physical defense, it has strong defensive capabilities against physical attackers.
Clap clap—
Steven walked forward, clapping his hands and sincerely applauding his Pokémon. They were all excellent.
However, Metagross's supercomputer-like brain had developed a very clear battle strategy.
"Piplup Piplup! ~(￣▽￣)~"
Charge with me!
Piplup held two Hyper Potions in its flippers, waving its arms and commanding Riolu to charge!
Riolu looked at the two Hyper Potions in its paws, nodded, and in the blink of an eye, surpassed Piplup.
"Piplup?! w(ﾟДﾟ)w"
Don't run so fast! Leave Big Bro Metagross for me! I need to make a good impression! Otherwise, I'll pour some water in your Poké Ball too!
Riolu ignored Piplup and ran to the fallen Scizor. It had decided to train with Senior Scizor!
Isn't this the very image it had always dreamed of? Extremely fast burst power, Swords Dance that effectively resolves battles, and a cool, impressive appearance.
Amazing! I can't even imagine what it would be like if I became like that!
Steven took out energy cubes and fed them to Skarmory and Aggron respectively. First, he would let them recover some stamina, and then let those two little ones apply Hyper Potions.
Metagross looked at Piplup, who was respectfully spraying Potion on it. When did this one become so well-behaved?
Pffft—
Piplup even sprayed a small stream of water on Metagross and pulled out a handkerchief from somewhere to wipe Metagross's body.
The main goal was service!
Steven, who had just finished feeding Skarmory and Aggron, glanced over and happened to see this scene.
"No! When did you take my face towel?!"
"Piplup~"
Just borrowing it, hehe~
That handkerchief was the one Professor Rowan had given him when he first met Piplup.
Steven sighed slightly. Seeing how diligent this little one was being, he wouldn't argue over it.
Wait… This little Piplup is suddenly being so attentive to Metagross. There must be some scheme behind this!