Phoebe quickly recalled Banette and sent out Dusknoir!
Dusknoir's dual defenses were extremely high, and combined with its Champion-level strength, it still had the ability to resist against an Empoleon with its Torrent ability fully activated.
"Surf!"
Empoleon's expression was solemn, and with a sweep of its wings, a surging wave appeared!
There were no spectators here, and the opponent was strong, so Empoleon also put away its playful attitude.
It chose to take things seriously.
Dusknoir, who had just entered the field, had its condition worn down by Stealth Rock.
Then it was swallowed by Surf.
Empoleon's power was no less than that of a Champion-level Pokémon.
This hit was enough for Dusknoir to take a beating.
"Thunder Punch!"
While the Surf water had not yet drained, Phoebe quickly shouted.
The special device of the field confined Surf within the area, so when Dusknoir's Thunder Punch struck the water, its electricity would not harm either Trainer.
Zzzzt!
Dusknoir's body surged with electricity, striking the water on the ground.
The entire ground filled with water instantly became electrified, causing Empoleon, whose feet were submerged, to also take damage.
"Aowboh!"
Empoleon cried out in pain, its expression turning grim.
Only when the drainage system had cleared the water did Empoleon recover.
"Hex!"
"Whirlpool!"
Several dark shadows emerged from Dusknoir's body, flying toward Empoleon.
A mass of water surged around Empoleon's body, enveloping it.
Although the dark shadows occasionally cut through the water to attack Empoleon, Empoleon was holding an Assault Vest, so there was no need to worry.
Torrent could directly strengthen Empoleon to its peak, so Empoleon only needed to attack fiercely, and holding an Assault Vest was an excellent choice.
"Thunder Punch!"
"Exert force to disperse, use Hydro Pump!"
Dusknoir took advantage of Hex disrupting Empoleon, and its body quickly rushed forward.
Its raised fist crackled with golden arcs of electricity, making a "zzzzt" sound.
"Aowboh!"
Empoleon burst forth with a powerful aura, using the Whirlpool's water to break through Hex's dark shadows.
Bang!
Dusknoir's Thunder Punch struck Empoleon's chest, and golden lightning coiled around Empoleon's body like a python.
Empoleon endured the pain and raised its wings, aiming at Dusknoir.
A full-powered Hydro Pump blasted out!
Dusknoir was instantly swallowed by the water column, flying backward.
The Hydro Pump suddenly stopped just before the field boundary, being intercepted within the field's range.
Dusknoir, however, flew all the way back, crashing into the wall.
It had already lost its ability to battle.
"Aowboh!"
Empoleon knelt on one knee, gasping for breath.
Dusknoir's physical attack ability was already good, and with its raw strength at Champion level, Thunder Punch could cause considerable damage.
Moreover, when Empoleon used Hydro Pump at close range, some of the water would inevitably splash onto Empoleon's body.
At this moment, many electric arcs still lingered on its body.
Even if Empoleon hadn't directly lost its ability to battle, it wouldn't be able to participate in the next battle.
Phoebe quickly recalled the fainted Dusknoir and sent out Chandelure.
"Calm Mind!"
Chandelure began to power up as soon as it entered the field.
But it still lost a lot of its condition due to Stealth Rock.
If this were a game, Steven would switch Empoleon out, but reality was different.
Steven recalled Empoleon and sent out Aggron, only able to watch as the opponent's Chandelure completed its power-up.
"Kaaoh!"
Aggron roared at Chandelure as soon as it appeared.
"Stone Edge!"
"Flamethrower!"
The flames on Chandelure's head converged, spewing out radiant, blue-green flames!
Aggron gritted its teeth, enduring the flame's onslaught, and with a raise of its claw, countless sharp stones rose from beneath Chandelure!
The sharp stones also heavily damaged Chandelure!
The blue flames facing Aggron abruptly ceased, and it began to pant heavily.
Aggron's Special Defense ability was not high to begin with, and Chandelure had already used Calm Mind once.
So this Flamethrower also caused heavy damage to Aggron.
Both sides were heavily damaged, and there was still Stealth Rock on the field, so Phoebe absolutely could not recall Chandelure.
She would likely continue to attack fiercely.
"Protect!"
"Flamethrower!"
As expected, Phoebe still had Chandelure attack fiercely.
Chandelure's speed was faster than Aggron's. As long as it could defeat Aggron, Chandelure could still face Steven's remaining Pokémon.
Aggron opened a green protective shield, isolating the scorching flames!
"Earthquake!"
"Hex!"
Aggron's tail slammed into the ground, and the entire room seemed to shake.
Phoebe also quickly had Chandelure change its attack.
The blue-green flames disappeared, and several dark shadows emerged from Chandelure's body.
As the dark shadows lunged at Aggron, Chandelure was also struck by suddenly protruding stones.
Both lost their ability to battle simultaneously.
There was no time for words of comfort. The battle between the two sides was extremely fast, both wanting to seize the opportunity.
Recalling Aggron, Steven's next Pokémon was a Shiny Metagross!
And Phoebe sent out Mismagius!
As soon as Mismagius entered the field, it was caught by rapidly surging rocks, wearing down some of its condition.
"Metagross!"
Metagross's body landed on the ground, its gaze extremely calm.
As Mismagius was attacked by Stealth Rock, Steven took off the brooch on the left side of his chest.
Raising the brooch, Steven gently kissed the Key Stone on it, and said in a deep voice:
"Stone's radiance, transform into a bond!"
The Key Stone resonated with the Mega Stone on Metagross's arm, and four winding lines of light connected together.
"Metagross, Mega Evolve!"
Metagross's entire body was enveloped in white light, entering its Mega form!
Bang!
The white light dissipated, and a fleeting colorful genetic chain pattern appeared before Metagross.
A Master-level aura enveloped the entire room.
"Meteor Mash!"
Metagross's four extended arms closed together, like a missile, rushing straight toward Mismagius!
"Mystical Fire!"
Phoebe quickly shouted.
Mismagius, wearing a wizard's hat, quickly unleashed a fireball, striking at the rapidly approaching Metagross.
"Break through it!"
Metagross's eyes narrowed, showing no fear of this Mystical Fire.
If it were Flamethrower used by a Calm Mind-boosted Chandelure, Steven and Metagross would indeed be wary.
Enduring the high temperature of Mystical Fire, Metagross broke through the flames, and a powerful Meteor Mash struck Mismagius's fragile body.
Bang!
Mismagius flew backward, out of the field, and slammed into the wall behind it.
It even left a mark on the sturdy wall.
It's worth noting that Dusknoir, which was hit by a close-range Hydro Pump, didn't leave any marks on the wall.
In short, Metagross was too powerful.
Mismagius was only at Quasi-Champion level, just one step away from Master level.
Not sending out Metagross at the beginning was, firstly, to probe Phoebe's strength.
Secondly, to seize the initiative.
Even Mega Metagross, wanting to sweep through an Elite Four member with six Pokémon, was not an easy task.
Once the most threatening Chandelure was defeated, it was Metagross's time to shine!
Currently, Phoebe has three fainted Pokémon.
For a full-health Metagross, defeating the remaining three was not difficult.
The next Elite Four member should be the Dark-type Elite Sidney, who would be handled by Scizor and Lucario.
Aggron and Empoleon could rest in the next battle.
Phoebe recalled Mismagius and then sent out her fourth Pokémon.
It was a Pokémon resembling a hot air balloon.
Drifblim!
As soon as Drifblim entered the field, it was attacked by Stealth Rock.
For a Flying-type Drifblim, Stealth Rock could still cause considerable damage.
This Drifblim also had Champion-level strength, but it wasn't particularly high.
Steven immediately launched an attack, saying in a deep voice:
"Stone Edge!"
Metagross's closed arms opened, and the "X"-shaped metal on its face glowed.
Several sharp stones rose from beneath Drifblim!
"Minimize!"
Phoebe's expression was solemn, and she could only choose to temporarily avoid the attack.
As long as it didn't take the full brunt of Stone Edge, Drifblim wouldn't be instantly knocked out by Metagross!
Drifblim's body suddenly shrank, weaving through the gaps in the sharp stones!
But it still couldn't avoid being hit by Stone Edge!