The shrunken Drifblim was hit by a few Stone Edges, but it was still heavily damaged.
"Strength Sap!"
The ribbons beneath Drifblim floated up, and its entire body glowed green.
A green light also appeared on Metagross's body, and a ball of green light flew out from within Metagross's body.
Metagross was startled, suddenly feeling its strength being drained away.
If it weren't Mega Evolved, its Clear Body ability would prevent its Attack from being lowered.
However, after Mega Evolving, Metagross's ability changed to Tough Claws.
"Thunder Punch!" Steven quickly ordered.
Strength Sap could convert the opponent's strength into energy to restore itself.
Metagross brought its four arms together and charged forward fiercely.
Electric arcs flickered at the ends of its four arms, and the power of lightning made Metagross's entire body glow golden.
"Drifblim, Minimize and dodge!"
Even with its body minimized, Drifblim's movement speed would not change.
Drifblim's body shrank again, now roughly the size of a Piplup.
But when it tried to move, it was unable to budge.
"What's going on?! Drifblim!" Phoebe was stunned, not understanding why Drifblim wasn't dodging the attack.
The 'X'-shaped metal on Metagross's face was glowing blue!
It had already used Psychic to control Drifblim's movement.
Multitasking was not difficult for Metagross's super brain.
You could even have Alakazam do something like this.
You could even have it use the elemental punches all at once.
But the power certainly wouldn't be maximized.
Bang!
Metagross surpassed the green orb of light flying toward Drifblim, reaching Drifblim first.
Its lightning-infused fist smashed into Drifblim. Metagross concentrated its power into a single point, and even with Drifblim's tiny size, it was useless.
Drifblim was sent flying backward, crashing into the wall behind Phoebe.
Drifblim, which hadn't yet recovered from Strength Sap, still couldn't withstand Metagross's weakened Thunder Punch.
Phoebe recalled Drifblim and sent out her next Pokémon.
The current score was two to four, and her defeat in this battle was only a matter of time.
But she could deplete the energy of Steven's Pokémon for the Elite Four members who would come after her.
"Go, Sableye!"
Sableye was Phoebe's only Pokémon that hadn't appeared yet, and it was her final ace.
Sableye!
Steven looked at this Pokémon with two large gems for eyes. He'd been encountering it a lot recently.
"Yano!"
Rocks flying from all directions struck Sableye's body.
At the same time, the Stealth Rock on the ground caused severe pain in its feet.
"Power Swap!"
Sableye endured the pain in its body and rushed toward Metagross.
"Meteor Mash!"
Sableye rendered Metagross's Psychic ineffective, as it was a true Champion-level Pokémon.
"Metagross!"
Metagross's gaze was stern, and it charged toward Sableye with its arms still clasped together.
The gems in Sableye's eyes emitted a brilliant light, and its two claws swung continuously.
A powerful energy gathered in its claws.
Bang!
Sableye's small body exuded immense power, and for a moment, it was evenly matched with Metagross!
This was the effect of Power Swap.
The stronger the opponent's power, the stronger the power it could unleash.
Both sides were knocked back by each other's power, sustaining some injuries.
But compared to Metagross, Sableye's frame was incredibly fragile.
"Heavy Slam!"
Metagross stabilized itself, and the four small arms on its back spewed flames, providing propulsion for Metagross.
At this moment, Metagross was more like a heavy missile!
"Will-O-Wisp!"
Sableye manipulated its claws, and several ghostly blue flames appeared one by one, converging toward Metagross's rapidly approaching body.
Puff!
Metagross's body sparked with tiny flames, falling into a burned state.
Bang—
But Metagross's Heavy Slam also landed on Sableye.
Sableye was sent flying backward, landing heavily on the field, leaving a long, shallow scratch mark.
Heavy Slam's power is determined by how much heavier the user is than the target.
Sableye's weight was only 11 kilograms.
Unfortunately, Metagross had part of its strength drained and couldn't exert its full power due to the burn.
Otherwise, Sableye should have been knocked out.
"Bullet Punch!"
Looking at Metagross, which was attacking again, Phoebe's tightly furrowed brows suddenly relaxed.
"Sucker Punch."
Sableye's speed suddenly increased, turning into a streak of light, its claws glowing black as they struck the charging Metagross.
But Metagross's attack was also met head-on.
Bang—
The two separated, and Sableye fell to the ground, unconscious.
Metagross panted slightly, small sparks occasionally erupting from its steel body.
Phoebe recalled Sableye into its Poké Ball and sent Banette back onto the field.
Several rocks suddenly appeared around the field, converging toward Banette.
Bang!
Banette cried out in pain, simultaneously crouching down and touching its feet.
"Phantom Force!"
A black hole appeared in front of Banette, and it plunged into the hole without hesitation.
"Psychic," Steven said calmly.
Metagross slowly closed its eyes, and the 'X'-shaped metal on its face glowed blue.
Invisible Psychic power spread throughout the entire field.
No matter where Banette emerged, Metagross would lock onto it immediately.
Swish!
A black hole appeared beside Metagross, and Banette, emanating a ghostly aura, lunged out of it.
But just as it exited the black hole, its body suddenly became unable to move.
"Flash Cannon!"
Metagross rotated its position, aiming at the nearby Banette.
Dense energy gathered on the 'X'-shaped metal.
A Flash Cannon struck Banette squarely.
Boom!
Banette was blasted away, smashing into the wall.
With this, Steven defeated the first Elite Four member, Phoebe, with a record of two to six.
"It's over..." Phoebe recalled Banette into its Poké Ball, playfully sticking out her tongue.
"Congratulations, Steven!"
Phoebe walked up to Steven and chuckled:
"There are three more Elite Four members waiting for you. My task is done, so I'm off!"
Steven watched Phoebe leave, scratching his cheek.
He didn't pay much attention and canceled his Mega Evolution with Metagross.
There was a half-hour rest period, and Steven released all his Pokémon.
He fed Metagross and Empoleon energy cubes made from Sitrus Berries to heal their burns.
Then he pulled out a golden item with nine sharp points and had Metagross use Psychic to make Aggron open its mouth.
He placed a Max Revive into Aggron's mouth, and soon Aggron opened its eyes and stood up, full of vigor again.
He used Potion spray to treat the wounds of the Pokémon that had battled, and also took out energy cubes made from Sitrus Berries.
To restore the Pokémon's stamina.
After doing everything, Steven turned to Lucario and Scizor and said:
"The next battles will depend on you two and Skarmory."
Aggron and Empoleon needed to rest.
Skarmory had the lightest injuries and could continue battling after a short rest.
Among the six Pokémon, only Skarmory would have to face four Elite Four members.
The Stealth Rock and Spikes on the field required it.
Steven only planned to have it attack when there was absolutely no other choice.
Steven raised his hand and stroked Skarmory's head, a bright smile on his face.
The next battle would be the main stage for the mentor-student duo!