"Starmie is unable to battle. Gym Leader Misty, please send out your second Pokémon."
After confirming Starmie couldn't continue, the referee announced the result.
Misty recalled Starmie and, without hesitation, sent out her second Pokémon.
"Slowbro, I'm counting on you!"
A pink Pokémon with an unmistakably vacant look stood in place. Its tail was being bitten by an unknown shelled Pokémon with eyes—supposedly a Shellder, but it looked a little different from the Shellder most people knew…
[Pokémon: Slowbro]
[Type: Water / Psychic]
[Level: 45]
[Ability: Oblivious]
[Moves: omitted]
Slowbro—the evolution of Slowpoke.
Compared to the blank, dopey Slowpoke, Slowbro's intelligence jumped dramatically.
A "smart" Slowbro, basically.
But…
This one's Ability was Oblivious…
With those "wise-looking" eyes, it was easy to mistake it for a dopey Slowpoke anyway.
"That Slowbro is…?"
Outside the field, Cerulean Gym's three sisters stared at the familiar Pokémon.
They seemed to remember something.
Wasn't that a Pokémon their parents had left behind?
They never expected Misty could now command the Pokémon their parents left to them…
Seeing Slowbro "on the battlefield" again, the three sisters couldn't help feeling emotional.
"Slowbro, I'm leaving this battle to you. Your opponent is that Metagross. It's really strong—don't let your guard down."
Misty warned Slowbro.
That Metagross was seriously strange, and she didn't want Slowbro taking a big hit.
"Slow…" (I know. I can feel its strength. It's about the same level as me, but its foundation is extremely solid.)
Slowbro treated it like a dangerous opponent.
It never imagined it would stand on the big stage of the Gym Leader tournament again, and in a situation like this.
The opponent was absurdly strong.
Same general level… but the opponent's fundamentals were even more solid than its own?
What was that supposed to mean?
Even though Slowbro's brain was sharper after evolving,
Metagross still made it feel completely lost.
"Klang."
Metagross landed back on the field and stared Slowbro down.
And just like that, the battle continued.
"Metagross, close in with Bullet Punch!"
The opponent was a classic slow Pokémon. As long as Metagross could get in close, a smooth little combo would tilt the entire fight in Grey's favor.
"Slowbro, Withdraw!"
Misty chose a direct defense.
Slowbro's physical defense was solid.
Besides, Metagross was using Bullet Punch, and Slowbro resisted it by typing—taking one wouldn't be a big deal.
"Slow~"
Slowbro turned its back, aiming the Shellder on its tail at Metagross.
A red glow surged, and Slowbro's skin looked tougher and harder.
Clang!
A metallic boom rang out.
With its back to the impact, Slowbro staggered forward a few steps from the force.
Metagross stuck close behind, its metal arms bending slightly.
"Thunder Punch!"
Grey issued the command decisively.
At this distance, if it hit, he'd be fighting in his comfort zone.
But Misty wasn't going to let him have it. "Protect!"
A ridiculously broken move appeared!
A green energy shield instantly formed in front of Slowbro.
Metagross's heavy punch, crackling with electricity, slammed down—yet it dealt no damage at all.
Protect really was that broken.
Misty let out a breath.
Thank goodness Slowbro had the skill to pull out Protect in time.
Otherwise, that Thunder Punch—even with boosted defense—would've been rough.
After that exchange, Slowbro had only taken minor damage.
While Protect's effect still lingered, it turned to face Metagross directly.
Metagross didn't act. It simply waited for Protect to fade.
Grey waited calmly.
Almost no Trainer tries a double Protect, since the odds are low.
Unless it's absolutely necessary, the typical pattern is "Protect, don't Protect, Protect."
It was an unspoken rule by now.
A few moments passed. The shield protecting Slowbro looked unstable, about to disappear any second.
Grey was just about to give his next command—
Misty reacted first, fast and sharp: "Slowbro, Shadow Ball!"
"Slow~"
Ghost energy burst out. An irregular sphere formed in front of Slowbro, carrying a faint sense of malice.
A Ghost-type Shadow Ball!
Against Metagross, a Pokémon with the Psychic type, Shadow Ball would be super effective.
Metagross sensed the threat. The arm it had been preparing to use dropped back down.
It simply stood there, quietly waiting for Slowbro to release the move.
"Huh?"
Misty was surprised.
What was Metagross doing?
It wasn't attacking—just waiting for Slowbro's move?
What was it planning?
Or did Grey have something in mind?
Misty knew Grey's tactics were hard to read, but Metagross's moveset wasn't infinite.
What trick was it supposed to pull?
Instead of attacking while the opponent was slow, it was just waiting.
Was Grey simply too confident in his own strength?
…Honestly, with Grey, that confidence almost felt normal.
Whether on the field or in the stands, nobody could figure out Grey's intention.
Slowbro was slow—why not attack right now?
And just then, Giovanni walked over after finishing his own match.
Already out of the hospital, he leaned against a pillar. Seeing Metagross's behavior, he raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Gym Leader Giovanni—did you see something?"
Someone noticed Giovanni's arrival and, seeing his expression, quickly asked.
"Yes. This battle is about to end soon, if nothing unexpected happens."
Giovanni nodded lightly.
He still acknowledged Grey's strength.
Elite Four level—good enough to catch the eye.
Giovanni kept his voice low, deliberately quiet enough that the people on the field wouldn't hear.
The moment everyone heard even Giovanni say that, they knew this match really was about to wrap up.
In the next instant, Slowbro's Shadow Ball finished charging.
And then—
Whoosh!
Metagross blurred into a streak and vanished from its spot.
Shadow Ball missed on the spot.
Misty: ???
What kind of speed was that?!
What move did Metagross just use?
Teleport? No way.
Wait!
Misty thought of her travel partner Ash's best buddy—Pikachu.
That move Metagross used just now was probably Agility.
But that kind of burst…
Wasn't it completely ridiculous?
Misty's throat bobbed as she swallowed.
Fwoosh—fwoosh—fwoosh!
The sound of air tearing past rang by Slowbro's ear.
Everywhere it looked, there were silver afterimages of Metagross.
That speed made it impossible to lock onto where Metagross actually was…
I think I've got tendonitis. My writing will probably be slower lately and updates might be unstable. I'll try my best to finish writing in the morning and post then.
//Check out my P@tre0n for 30 extra chapters on all my fanfics //[email protected]/Razeil0810