After the brilliant rainbow light faded, both Pokémon had fully completed their evolutions.
"Ding! Shiny Mega Metagross's current attributes are as follows:"
Pokémon: Shiny Mega Metagross
Level: 93
Ability: Tough Claws
Type: Steel / Psychic
Potential: Red
Bond Evolution: Not unlocked
Mega Evolution: Mega Metagross
Moves: Zen Headbutt, Metal Claw, Flash Cannon, Meteor Beam, Bullet Punch, Hammer Arm, Explosion…
Looking at the silver-white Mega Metagross that had stepped into the Grandmaster tier through Mega Evolution, even Aiden couldn't help but feel slightly surprised.
No wonder Steven had been so confident.
If Aiden really didn't use Legendary Pokémon, facing a Grandmaster-level Mega Metagross would indeed be extremely difficult.
But even so—
Aiden's Bond Infernape was currently his strongest non-Legendary Pokémon.
Among all his main Pokémon, Infernape had the highest level. Therefore, once Bond Evolution activated, its attributes appeared before Aiden's eyes.
"Ding! Bond Infernape's current attributes are as follows:"
Pokémon: Bond Infernape
Level: 92
Ability: Iron Fist, Flame Body, Blaze
Type: Fire / Fighting
Potential: Red
Bond Evolution: Bond Infernape
Mega Evolution: Not unlocked
Moves: Fire Punch, Close Combat, Mach Punch, Heat Wave, Drain Punch, Fire Spin, Flare Blitz, Blast Burn…
Friendship: 255
Background: Has lived with its Trainer since birth and already sees him as family. To protect its Trainer, it evolved into its complete form and obtained an even stronger Bond Evolution form.
Preference: Loves its Trainer and wants to become the strongest Pokémon in the world for him.
Not bad.
Infernape's normal level was 86, but after entering Bond Evolution, it had reached Level 92.
That was because Bond Evolution increased its level even more than Mega Evolution.
At this moment, as the two fully evolved Pokémon stared each other down, both felt immense pressure from the other.
For Steven's Mega Metagross, this was the first opponent since obtaining its Mega Stone that could match it in aura.
For Bond Infernape, this was also a rare and worthy opponent.
Originally, Aiden had planned to let his own Metagross Mega Evolve and battle Steven's strongest ace, Shiny Metagross.
But now, it seemed that even if his Metagross underwent Mega Evolution, it still wouldn't be able to defeat this opponent.
That chance would have to wait for next time.
"Mega Metagross, Flash Cannon!"
"Infernape, go! Fire Punch!"
No matter what, the opponent was still a Steel-type Pokémon, naturally weak to Fire-type moves.
So Aiden opened with Fire Punch.
With agile movements, flames surged around Infernape's body as it charged straight toward Mega Metagross.
Seeing this, Mega Metagross naturally refused to let its opponent close in.
In the next instant, countless Flash Cannons fired like a missile barrage, bombarding Infernape one after another!
Facing the incoming beams, Infernape dodged with a flash of movement, avoiding Metagross's attacks.
By the time explosions erupted behind it, Infernape had already silently closed the distance.
The moment Infernape's attack was about to land, Mega Metagross moved under Steven's command.
"That's it—Bullet Punch!"
A terrifying surge of power erupted from Mega Metagross. Its four massive, razor-sharp claws slashed down at once.
Boom!
Infernape and Metagross clashed fist against claw.
After the impact, overwhelming force erupted—
And Mega Metagross was actually pushed back.
"How is that possible?!"
Even Steven couldn't understand it.
Why was his Metagross losing in a contest of raw strength?
Whether in size, weight, or physical structure, his Shiny Metagross should have held the advantage in every way.
Unfortunately, Aiden's Infernape was also a one-of-a-kind existence in this world.
As a Pokémon rewarded by the system, the talent it displayed was far beyond ordinary limits.
"Metagross, use Hammer Arm with all four claws at once!"
Seeing that a one-on-one clash put his Metagross at a disadvantage, Steven immediately issued a new command, intending to use Mega Metagross's four-arm advantage to overwhelm Infernape.
"Infernape, Flare Blitz!"
The next moment, both Pokémon moved according to their Trainers' commands.
Mega Metagross's body erupted with white light, its four claws descending like divine weapons.
Meanwhile, flames roared across Infernape's entire body. Starting from the blazing fire atop its head, the flames instantly wrapped around it completely.
With a furious roar, Infernape charged forward and collided head-on with Metagross!
The stalemate didn't last long.
A massive explosion erupted, sending smoke, dust, and flames surging across the battlefield, completely swallowing both Pokémon.
When the smoke cleared, Mega Metagross's two claws were locked against Infernape's two fists in a fierce contest of strength.
Seeing this, Steven immediately smiled.
"Aiden, you miscalculated this time. My Mega Metagross has four arms."
"Mega Metagross, now—Bullet Punch!"
At Steven's command, Mega Metagross roared. Its remaining two arms instantly gathered dense energy and smashed downward.
"Infernape, Blast Burn!"
Yes.
Metagross had extra arms.
Infernape didn't.
But that didn't mean it couldn't still attack.
As Bullet Punch descended, Infernape let out a fierce roar.
Enduring the pain, it opened its mouth and unleashed scorching flames at point-blank range, instantly engulfing Metagross!
Both sides exchanged attacks directly.
"Infernape, Flamethrower!"
"Mega Metagross, Psychic!"
The fierce battle continued.
Eventually, after an intense back-and-forth clash, both Infernape and Metagross rapidly exhausted their stamina.
At that moment, luck seemed to favor Aiden.
During the prolonged close-range battle, Mega Metagross triggered one of Bond Infernape's three Fire-related abilities and fell into a burn status.
Seeing this, Steven's expression changed instantly.
"Wait… something's very wrong. Infernape doesn't have Flame Body. How could my Metagross be burned?"
"Could it be…?"
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