"Skarmory is unable to battle!"
The massive wave of water quickly drained through the field's drainage system, revealing the unconscious Skarmory lying on the battlefield.
"You did well, Skarmory." Steven recalled his Pokémon, murmuring softly as he gazed at the Poké Ball in his hand.
Under the rain and being outmatched by two levels, there was no way Skarmory could have withstood Milotic's Surf attack.
Stealth Rock had reappeared on the field, so Wallace would absolutely not switch out his Pokémon.
If Metagross and Scizor could defeat Wallace's Milotic, then Wallace's last Pokémon, Ludicolo, would take damage from the Stealth Rock upon entering battle.
This was Steven's only remaining chance for victory!
"Go, Metagross!"
Steven sent out Metagross once again.
"Metagross!"
Metagross's usually calm expression had vanished, replaced by complete seriousness.
This Milotic's strength was simply too overwhelming!
Steven rolled up his left sleeve, revealing a black fingerless glove. The Key Stone embedded within it shimmered with colorful light.
"Stone's radiance! Transform into our bond!" Steven said in a deep voice.
His finger lightly touched the Key Stone's surface while the Mega Stone attached to Metagross's body burst forth with dazzling light.
Four winding streams of light connected Steven and Metagross together.
"Metagross, Mega Evolve!"
"Metagross!"
Metagross was enveloped in colorful light, its form constantly shifting and changing.
As the light faded, a fleeting rainbow pattern flashed before Mega Metagross appeared in its new form.
The dark clouds beneath the ceiling slowly began to dissipate, and the raindrops gradually lessened.
"Is this your full power, Steven?" Wallace grinned. "Then I must respond with my full power as well!"
"Bring it on, Wallace!"
Steven's smile faded as he commanded in a deep voice, "Metagross, Meteor Mash!"
"Hydro Pump!"
Metagross's body converged inward, rushing forward bravely!
The powerful Hydro Pump, though slightly less potent without the rain's boost, blasted toward the rapidly approaching Metagross!
Metagross gritted its teeth and endured the attack, then suddenly spun to escape the Hydro Pump's range!
Bang!
It crashed directly into Milotic, sending the serpentine Pokémon flying backward!
The damage is wrong...
Steven frowned, thinking to himself.
After Mega Evolving, Metagross had essentially reached Champion-level strength. But the damage dealt was unexpectedly low.
The problem must be Milotic's held item.
Wallace's Milotic was likely using the Marvel Scale ability with a Flame Orb, which increased its defensive capabilities significantly.
"Surf!"
"Stone Edge!"
That towering wave reappeared behind Milotic once more!
Metagross's eyes glowed with blue light, and the ground beneath Milotic began to crack and split. Countless sharp stones emerged from below!
The massive wave crashed down while the sharp stones continuously rose upward!
Boom—
Metagross broke through the massive wave and flew into the air. Milotic perfectly withstood the Stone Edge attack.
"Psychic!"
"Recover!"
The blue light in Metagross's eyes didn't recede—it grew even stronger!
Milotic raised its head, and the wounds on its body from Stone Edge began rapidly healing.
If this continued, all the damage dealt so far would be for nothing. In moments, Milotic would be fully restored.
This is getting difficult...
Seeing his opponent use a recovery move, Metagross concentrated the power of Psychic into a single point!
Milotic's expression showed clear pain.
Metagross's Psychic could deal considerable damage to Milotic. When focused on a single point, it would be even more effective than Meteor Mash.
After all, Milotic naturally resisted Steel-type moves.
"Charge forward! Thunder Punch!"
Metagross rushed forward quickly as crackling electric arcs sparked at the ends of its four massive joined arms.
Steven hadn't used Thunder Punch initially because he knew Wallace would rely on Hydro Pump. Only by boosting Metagross's Attack with Meteor Mash could it maximize its resistance to Milotic's powerful water attacks.
"Hydro Pump!"
There was no other option. For Milotic to deal with Metagross, only Water-type moves were truly effective.
Wallace could only continue using high-powered Water-type attacks to respond.
But the damage from Hydro Pump was still considerable.
Bang!
Metagross's Thunder Punch struck Milotic, pushing it back several meters.
Milotic's elegant body, now sparkling with electric arcs, quickly adjusted its posture and fired a Hydro Pump!
At such close range, Metagross couldn't dodge and took the Hydro Pump head-on!
Its metallic body was battered by the surging water column, forcing it to retreat continuously.
After finishing the Hydro Pump, Milotic panted heavily.
That last Thunder Punch had dealt particularly heavy damage to it. Combined with Metagross's Tough Claws ability after Mega Evolution, contact moves became even more powerful!
"Psychic!"
"Use Coil!"
Milotic's long, smooth body coiled up layer by layer as its stats continuously rose!
As Metagross flew toward Milotic, it concentrated Psychic energy onto a single point once more!
Milotic's eyes were half-closed, its expression pained.
Combined with the previous Thunder Punch damage and the continuous burn damage from its Flame Orb, Milotic's condition wasn't good.
But once Coil was complete, Milotic's Attack, Defense, and accuracy would all increase!
"Thunder Punch!" Steven immediately shouted.
If Milotic were allowed to use Recover again, defeating it would become nearly impossible.
"Recover!"
Metagross charged forward bravely as golden electricity surged from its four fists once more!
Bang—
Milotic used Recover, gritting its teeth to withstand Metagross's Thunder Punch.
After using Coil, its Defense had increased, so Metagross's Thunder Punch could no longer deal the devastating damage it had initially.
Milotic raised its head as the injuries on its body, bathed in white light, slowly healed!
"Stone Edge!"
Metagross quickly manipulated the rocks, causing sharp stones to emerge from beneath Milotic!
"Hydro Pump!"
After Milotic recovered most of its health, even taking a Stone Edge wouldn't be a major problem.
It turned and fired a powerful, thick water column!
Metagross's gaze sharpened as if it had made a certain decision.
"Metagross..."
It's time...
Metagross watched the Hydro Pump heading straight toward it, about to make contact. The distance was too close—it couldn't avoid the attack.
Metagross became enveloped in white light and fearlessly charged forward toward the incoming Hydro Pump!
"Stop, Metagross!" Steven exclaimed in shock, trying to call his Pokémon back.
But Metagross paid no attention, disobeying Steven's command for the first time.
Blinding white light illuminated the entire battle arena. The powerful energy fluctuations forced all three people to retreat several steps.
Steven raised his arm to shield himself, his eyes wide and mouth slightly open in shock.
He hadn't expected Metagross to unleash its remaining power at the very end.
It had used Explosion...
If Skarmory had been defeated by Surf, it would have simply fallen unconscious and could recover with some Hyper Potions after the battle.
But Metagross using Explosion meant it ignited its own energy core, causing tremendous physical damage to itself.
This wasn't something that could be fixed with a simple Potion—it would need to be sent to a Pokémon Center for proper treatment.
This was just an all-out Gym battle between Steven and Wallace. No matter how intense it became, it was still just a Gym battle!
Steven had been prepared to lose before coming here. He'd only gone out to train for a while because he didn't want to lose too badly.
Given more time, Steven felt he could eventually defeat Wallace.
But right now, Steven wasn't ready.
Therefore, knowing he would lose, Steven would never have commanded Metagross to use Explosion.
This was Metagross's own decision.
It was Steven's sharpest spear—able to pierce through any shield!
It was Steven's hardest shield—able to defend against any spear!
Metagross had used Explosion with this conviction in mind...
The white light lasted for several seconds before gradually fading.
Feeling his stamina rapidly draining, Steven knelt on one knee, gasping for breath.
Even after Metagross's Explosion was fully executed, Steven and Metagross remained connected through their Mega Evolution bond.
When the Mega Evolution state was released, Steven's stamina felt as if a large chunk had been suddenly torn away.
Steven raised his head, looking at the now devastated battlefield where a deep crater had appeared!
The crater directly occupied more than two-thirds of the original field!
Steven walked forward a few steps and saw Metagross lying quietly in the deep crater, unconscious.
"Metagross is unable to battle!"
He slowly raised his trembling hand.
The red light of the Poké Ball shone down on Metagross, recalling it into the ball.