As Aiden's voice fell, Metagross's body began to radiate dazzling light.
With the resonance between the Key Stone and the Mega Stone, Mega Metagross emerged before everyone's astonished eyes.
"Ding! Mega Metagross's current attributes are as follows:"
Pokémon: Mega Metagross
Level: 65
Ability: Tough Claws
Type: Steel / Psychic
Potential: Red
Bond Evolution: Not unlocked
Mega Evolution: Mega Metagross
Moves: Zen Headbutt, Confusion, Metal Claw, Flash Cannon, Bullet Punch, Hammer Arm, Explosion…
Affinity: 252
Experience: Encountered in Dewford Town, an outstanding member of the Metagross lineage, eager to surpass Steven's ace Metagross
Hobbies: Battling, eating minerals
At this moment, Mega Metagross's four lower limbs extended forward simultaneously.
Such a scene left Juan and Cynthia momentarily dazed.
Especially Cynthia—she had thought that Aiden's possession of Legendary Pokémon was already shocking enough, but the fact that Metagross could evolve again was something she had never seen before.
If that was the case, could Garchomp also evolve further?
If that were true, her own strength would rise to an entirely new level.
A wave of excitement surged through her heart, and her gaze toward Aiden grew noticeably more fervent.
From the day she debuted until becoming the Champion of Sinnoh, there had never been many men worthy of her attention.
This time, her trip to Hoenn had ended with her being utterly crushed by a man who commanded Legendary Pokémon.
And the more time she spent with him, the more mysterious he seemed.
A powerful curiosity filled her heart and refused to fade.
…
Juan, on the other hand, quickly regained his composure.
He knew that Aiden possessed the three Legendary Pokémon of Hoenn. Although Mega Evolution shocked him, this was still a battle—he couldn't afford to lose focus.
"Kingdra, use Water Pulse!"
With Juan's command, Kingdra surged out of the pool, its seahorse-like snout firing a rapid jet of water.
"Metagross, use Psychic!"
As Aiden spoke, Metagross roared, unleashing an overwhelming psychic force.
No matter how fast the water was, it was still seized by psychic power, unable to escape.
In the next instant, Metagross's eyes glowed blue, and its terrifying psychic force slammed directly into Kingdra—not only freezing its attack midair but also striking its mind, forcibly interrupting its move.
Kingdra cried out and fell back into the water.
"Kingdra, Dragon Pulse!"
"Metagross, locate Kingdra and use Bullet Punch!"
In the next moment, guided by psychic perception, Mega Metagross plunged into the water.
Its four enormous, razor-sharp claws converged, glowing white, as it collided head-on with Kingdra's Dragon Pulse.
Boom!
Even Dragon Pulse was smashed apart by Metagross's fists. Then, its massive fists rained down relentlessly on Kingdra's body.
Under such devastating blows, Kingdra was sent flying straight out of the pool.
When it hit the ground, it had completely lost its ability to fight.
"Ding! Metagross has defeated Kingdra. Gained 1,230 experience points. Level increased. Current level: Lv61. Mega Metagross level: Lv66!"
After defeating Kingdra, the Metagross gifted by Steven—already possessing red-grade potential—had fully joined Aiden's top-tier core lineup.
"Kingdra has lost its ability to fight. Metagross wins. Gym Leader Juan, please send out your next Pokémon!"
Seeing Kingdra fall so easily, Juan felt immense pressure, even though he had mentally prepared himself.
After all, age dulled both Trainers and their Pokémon.
And he was no ordinary Gym Leader—he was once one of Hoenn's Elite Four. After years of running a Gym, his ambition to climb higher had long since faded.
"To defeat one of my main Pokémon… Aiden, you truly possess the potential to reach the pinnacle of the Champion's throne. Next, I'll send out my ace. I'm counting on you, Milotic!"
As Juan released his trump card, Aiden looked at the Level 65 Milotic before him with a trace of admiration.
"Then I'll still use Metagross."
"Milotic, use Hydro Pump!"
"Metagross, Psychic!"
Although Milotic's strength was nearly on par with Metagross, the boost from Mega Evolution was far more than a mere increase in level.
With enhanced base stats and overall power, Metagross's Psychic once again redirected Hydro Pump, preventing it from hitting its target.
Seeing this, Juan's expression changed slightly.
"Milotic, use Dragon Tail!"
Following Juan's command, Milotic let out a soft cry and swung its powerful tail, launching a fierce strike toward Metagross.
Facing this attack, Aiden immediately ordered Mega Metagross to meet it head-on.
"Mega Metagross, Metal Claw!"
After Mega Evolution, Metagross's ability had changed from Clear Body to Tough Claws, significantly boosting the power of contact moves.
Juan knew nothing about Mega Evolution, so he didn't realize that forcing Milotic into close combat would only accelerate its defeat.
But he had no choice.
Metagross's psychic power had already sealed off Milotic's long-range attacks.
In the next instant, the two Pokémon collided.
Milotic barely managed to block the first strike from Mega Metagross.
But Milotic had only one tail.
Metagross had four arms.
Three flashes of white light cut through the air.
Razor-sharp metal blades tore through Milotic's pristine body, blood flowing freely from its ivory-like form, almost staining the entire battlefield pool red.
Juan's heart trembled at the sight.
"Milotic, Recover!"
But how could Aiden allow it to regain its strength?
"Mega Metagross, Flash Cannon!"
Mega Metagross rapidly brought its four arms together, unleashing a blinding beam of white light that slammed directly into Milotic's head.
A deafening explosion echoed across the arena, water spraying everywhere.
When the dust settled, Milotic lay motionless in the pool, having completely lost its ability to fight.
"Ding! Metagross has defeated Milotic. Gained 1,500 experience points. Level increased. Current level: Lv62. Mega Evolution level: Lv67!"
The battle ended with Juan losing two Pokémon in succession, while Aiden's Metagross stood firmly on the battlefield, its body gleaming with metallic brilliance, as if it hadn't taken any damage at all.
At this point, Juan could only grit his teeth and send out his final Pokémon—Whiscash.
Facing this opponent, Aiden calmly recalled Metagross and took out a Master Ball.
A flash of red light erupted.
Kyogre descended onto the battlefield.
Juan: "?? So you're not using Rayquaza… but you're using Kyogre instead?"
…
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