Just as the two sides were locked in a stalemate, a faint white light flashed across Metagross's body:
Iron Defense move activated for the second time!
Immediately afterwards, Metagross's four metal backs sank down, and its massive body lunged forward.
It was "Pounce"!
The Fighting-type Pouncing move landed precisely on Tauros.
Tauros let out a painful cry, and the large Tauros was sent flying like a broken string of wind, crashing heavily to the edge of the field, struggling for a moment before losing his ability to battle.
"Tauros!"
A startled cry rang from the opposite.
At the same time, the surrounding area erupted in thunderous roars.
"Won in one move?!"
"What kind of skill is that? Metagross is terrifying!"
"Tauros with the same strength can probably withstand Heracross's Horn attack."
The live stream chat was flooded with comments.
[Holy crap! It's a Shiny Metagross with the same strength as the Champion? I'm blown away!]
[This Shiny Metagross is terrifyingly strong.]
[At least I've trained at the gym, this difference is just too big...]
Milotic, on the side, immediately used Life Dew.
Tiny drops of green healing energy dripped into Metagross and Tauros.
Looking at the healed Tauros, Ali, with a complex expression, said to Lionel, "You're strong," before turning and leaving.
However, this battle with Ali not only failed to deter challengers but instead ignited the fighting spirit of even more people.
A Hinko immediately stepped forward:
"I'll give it a try! My Heracross won't..."
A flash of infrared light appeared, and a deep blue Pokémon with a thick horn on its head, resembling an enlarged version of a rhinoceros beetle, appeared.
[Pokémon: Heracross]
[Type: Bug, Fighting]
[Category: Unicorn Pokémon]
[Ability: Unseen Sense (When HP drops to a certain level, wind-type moves are greatly enhanced)]
[Moves: Slam, Brick Ball, Pin Missile, Single Hit, Copper, Long Horn, Brick Wall, Bulk Up]
The situation was that Metagross was left on the field.
It was wielding its learned moves, Psychic Fang, Nuclear Impact, etc…
A faint white light shone from Metagross's silver-white metallic back, and a faint afterimage seemed to appear behind it.
A powerful punch slammed towards Heracross.
Heracross tried to throw it, but Metagross used Psychic to slightly restrain it, then firmly pressed down on it, directly losing its ability to battle.
And then… Someone in the crowd spoke up.
But the battle didn't stop.
Next, trainers used common Pokémon like Aipom and Instant Boost, and some even used Fire-type Pokémon like Blaziken, trying to break the pattern with type advantage.
Each battle was clean and decisive, with each battle lasting no more than five rounds. The onlookers were stunned.
While Larvesta watched with fervor, its five antennae occasionally spitting out sparks to cheer itself on.
Milotic gracefully hovered at the edge of the arena, its tail swaying gently, as if cheering for the Pokémon. The performance was spectacular, eliciting applause and cheers.
Although the water droplets from the monster could replenish its energy in time, the continuous battles took a heavy toll on its spirit.
Seeing this, Lionel decided to let Metagross rest, allowing Milotic and Larvesta to practice and familiarize themselves with some new moves.
When Milotic entered the battle, it faced off against the Charge-type Electivire.
However, Milotic was not afraid.
It gracefully manipulated water and Ice Beam to form ice.
It unleashed Thunderbolt on the Thunderbolt side, but it was reflected back by the ice, making it look like a monster facing off against a monster.
It wasn't in a hurry to defeat its opponent, but instead used the opportunity to increase its speed and try to use the newly learned Substitute move, Mirage.
Although the Substitute's range was still somewhat unstable, It can already briefly distract Pierre's attention and draw his attack.
Through constant practice in actual combat, Larvesta has become increasingly proficient in using its Substitute.
Its stamina is somewhat insufficient.
When it cannot unleash its Substitute, it will choose to attack head-on to defeat its opponent.
With Lionel's consecutive victories, the training after being beaten has increased.
Back in the backyard, "team reinforcements" began to arrive, and more and more people came to challenge it, their strength increasing.
This battle, pushed by the ticket system, has actually caused the three elite Substitutes' skill proficiency to rise rapidly: Metagross's Body Press and Pounce skill combination has become popular, and its Sweet Type skill can also successfully create a clear shadow, triggering the skill effect.
Larvesta's Substitute skill release speed has greatly increased, and it can be used normally in battle, even sensing the opponent.
As for Milotic, every battle it fought, controlled by its unique Water/Ice moves, was a spectacular performance, utterly entertaining.
During this time, Lionel also encountered a special Pokémon. He was using a very rare Bug-type Pokémon: Shedinja.
Shedinja was yellowish-brown with a white halo around its head; its floating figure exuded an eerie aura, and coupled with its piercing gaze, it sent chills down one's spine.
Many people in Petelberg who were seeing this Pokémon for the first time instinctively took a half-step back.
"What kind of Pokémon is this? I've never seen it before."
"It looks so strange, a little scary."
Lionel's system panel popped up with the following information:
[Pokémon: Shedinja]
[Type: Bug/Ghost]
[Category: Ghost] [Pokémon]
[Ability: Protect (Only type-specific moves can damage it.)]
[Moves: Dig, Psychic Claw, Shadow Reversal, Psychic Light, Leech Life, Chrysanthemum, Crossfire, Backfire]
"Shedinja?"
Lionel's eyes flashed with interest, a perfect opportunity to witness Protect's previously unseen ability: White Light.
"Metagross, try Meteor Mash."
Metagross responded. A dazzling light emanated from its metal arm, and a meteor-like phantom appeared behind it, even its body glowing with a faint red light.
This perfectly activated the move's effect, boosting its attack power.
Instantly, the powerful, clawless Meteor Mash slammed towards Shedinja.
However, the boy opposite remained motionless, merely watching coldly.
Shedinja seemed even less frightened...
It remained motionless, completely unmoved, letting Metagross aim at it.
An unexpected attack occurred, attempting to pass through Metagross's body, but only leaving a faint ripple, not even a scratch.
The crowd watching from Zone 4 was stunned: "What happened? The attack passed right through?"
"Is this an illusion? It can't hit at all?"
The live stream chat was also buzzing with comments.
[What kind of Pokémon is this? It's so terrifying! Even Metagross's dream couldn't harm it.]
[Any experts recognize this Pokémon? Seeking information.]
[Haha, I know this, but I won't tell you. I can only say that this Pokémon is very strong, but also weak. However, if the streamer doesn't recognize it, he's in trouble; maybe even Metagross will lose.]
Strong yet weak, what does that mean? The common people seek...
Therefore, seek a lesson!
Lionel wanted to try again, so he carefully issued the order:
"Try the strange one, switch to the Thunder Punch."
But the result was still the same.
The ninja's body, as if passing through air, the opponent remained...
unharmed.
Seeing that Lionel indeed didn't recognize his naked ninja, the boy opposite proudly pushed up his chin...
"My Pokémon is invincible! It can't hurt... it!"
The whispers around the ground grew louder, and People were... astonished.
Even the burning insects widened their eyes, looking... confused as they stared at the tiger...
Lionel looked at the boy's confident appearance and almost couldn't bear to use his new technique to defeat him.
Just then, the boy was about to give the order: "Shedinja..."
Having already witnessed the amazing protective properties of the Shedinja, Lionel no longer hesitated.
"Metagross, lock onto it with your psychic powers, use Rock Slide, and defeat it."
Hearing this, the boy opposite him changed his expression, asking, "Of course I know, but I've only heard about it. It's rare to see someone like me personally test the special properties of the Shedinja."
However, it must be said that the Shedinja are indeed quite unique.
Those who don't understand them can easily be misled. Lionel responded calmly.
Just as the two were speaking, a flash of red light appeared in Metagross, and invisible psychic power spread like radar.
The opening, precise, and the new quantity of excitement was precisely created by the intermittent flashes in the void.
Metagross quickly calculated the trajectory of the attack, and the several secret moves that appeared in the void were controlled by its telekinesis and shot at the invisible Shedinja at a tricky angle.
The Shedinja couldn't dodge in time and was only supported by a rock.
The Shedinja, in pain, collapsed to the ground.
After losing its fighting ability, it sat upright.
"It's over just like that? How could the Shedinja just fall like that?"
The crowd was dumbfounded. It was hard to understand.
In the live broadcast, the netizen who said "It's very strong but also very weak" finally started to question:
[The Shedinja is a very special little Pokémon. It possesses a unique characteristic called Wonder Guard]
To people around the battlefield, Lionel asked about it, but Lionel gave up answering.
He simply had Milotic use the Life Dew to heal the molting ninja.
This was the opponent's secret. Lionel didn't want to expose them in public; those who knew would investigate.
Seeing this, the boy withdrew his Shedinja and squeezed out of the crowd without looking back.
A few days later, the netizen who had rushed over finally appeared.
He was a man in his thirties, with a burly build. His face bore the marks of time, and a strong, sparse-feathered leopard ran beside him.
His gray-blue skin gleamed with a wet sheen, and his thick, powerful physique exuded a calm and forceful aura. Just standing there, he radiated a fierce and menacing presence.
"My name is Hirono. I'm from the White City. I watched your live stream and came specifically to chat with you."
"I want to battle against the ...."
When the man said his name, some viewers in the live stream recognized him.
[Hirono, you're amazing! Is that the guy who was in the top four of the Hoenntournament a few years ago? His Swampert was simply divine!]
[No wonder he looked familiar, I was wondering why this Swampert was so imposing, it turns out it's him!]
As Lionel and his opponent were talking, the system screen had already popped up Swampert's information:
[Pokémon: Swampert]
[Gender: Water, Ground]
[Classification: Swamp Pokémon]
[Ability: When swimming power is low, the power of Water-type moves is greatly increased]
[Moves: Rock Throw, Waterfall, Mud, Earthquake, Shockwave, Scrape, Arm, Freeze, etc.]
After seeing the move list on the Swampert's screen, Lionel led...
First, the order was given:
"Metagross, use Magnet Rise."
Almost as yellow electricity crackled across Metagross's surface,
Hirono's command rang out:
"Swampert, use Magnet Rise!"
This was a signature Ground-type move, extremely threatening to Steel-type Metagross.
Hirono wanted to seize this opportunity to directly cripple Metagross.
Fortunately, Metagross's Magnet Rise move was already familiar enough that it couldn't delay any longer.
The next second, a violent tremor erupted from the ground, rippled like waves, and the overlapping waves quickly connected, even affecting the distant crowds.
"Magnet Rise," Hirono's expression changed slightly. But he still continued to give the order: "Swampert, use Waterfall!"
Upon hearing the trainer's command, Swampert turned and leaped into the air, the water carrying its power, even the air cracking with a sound. Lionel said.
The golden gauntlets of the Metagross glowed with a white light, a phantom image that also emitted a clear, sharp hum. With a high "boom," water splashed everywhere; the ground in the area was shaken, and the surroundings trembled slightly.
The Metagross remained suspended in the air.
"Lionel, you've got something there. Swampert, use Muddy Water!"
Blood surged as Swampert let out a low sound; its physical stats spiked as its attack and defense attributes increased. The group immediately shifted into a straight "Transmit energy!" stance. With the power of a thousand, it unleashed its strength from behind.
"Let's use our Meteor Mash too, and meet it head-on!"
Metagross unleashed its power, its golden plating covering its back as it launched a counterattack.
The two Pokémon's arms collided, and a shockwave spread outwards, forcing onlookers to retreat.
Next, Metagross and Swampert engaged in a fierce close-quarters battle, utilizing identical moves like Ice Punch and Body Slam.
Fortunately, Metagross utilized Magnet Rise to avoid Swampert's Ground-type moves; otherwise, Lionel's battle would indeed have been somewhat dangerous.
The battle was evenly matched for a time until the two Pokémon were locked in a fierce struggle.
At that moment, during the stalemate, the trainer called out to stop the attack. He signaled to himself, "I'm not fighting anymore, I'm not fighting anymore. I originally wanted to use Earthquake to surprise you, but I didn't expect Metagross's Magnet Rise to be so effective. You're so skilled at using it that my old friend doesn't have much of an advantage anymore."
He looked at the Swampert and then at the floating, breathing monster, laughing loudly: "I don't mind if you stay here for the next few days. How about switching strategies a few more times? Your Metagross and my Swampert's close-combat skills have a lot in common, so we can train each other."
"I'd love to," Lionel readily agreed. He had already formed this intention when he saw the Swampert's skill panel.
It would be great to spend more time in Petalburg City, training his Metagross further.
He would also call Cynthia regularly to talk to Tyrantrum.
Every time they talked, Larvesta was exceptionally enthusiastic, always rushing to the front of the camera.
It kept squeaking at the Tyrantrum on the screen, its little black feet mimicking battle moves.
One moment it was imitating Metagross's punch, the next it was showing off its own stance, its beaming face like a child boasting to its companions.
Its face was full of pride, as if saying, "Praise me for being awesome!"
The Tyrantrum on the other side of the screen was also very cooperative, shaking its head and letting out a low roar every time it saw Larvesta mimicking the moves. "Hmph," it seemed to be responding, "I know, I know, you're the best."
Cynthia leaned against the deck railing as the sea breeze ruffled her long hair.
Against the backdrop of surging blue waves, Wailord and Tentacruel, among other Water-type Pokémon, occasionally swam past the ship.
"The waters here aren't calm; there are many undercurrents. Without Wailord's help, it would be difficult to proceed," Cynthia smiled slightly, brushing aside her wind-blown hair. She turned the camera to the distant horizon.
"Can't wait any longer? Want to see Deino? At our current speed, it'll probably take another two weeks to reach the Unova region."
"No, no, I'm not in a hurry. I just want to see Tyrantrum," Lionel quickly changed the subject, directing the camera towards the street scene of Petalburg City outside the window.
When Tyrantrum heard Lionel say he missed it, it quickly squeezed into the screen, smiling broadly as if to say, "I'm right here, look all you want."
Cynthia's smile never faded as she watched Tyrantrum's silly, endearing expression.
Not long after hanging up with Cynthia, Lionel received a message from Drake on his communicator.
It was a voice message; the faint sounds of waves and the calls of bird-like Pokémon could be heard in the background.
[Hey kid, Cynthia hasn't arrived in Unova yet?]
Drake's voice, as cheerful and energetic as ever, carried a hearty laugh. Lionel replied: [Not yet, she said about two weeks.]
Drake replied almost instantly: [Hahaha, looks like your Deino will have to wait a while longer. But it's okay, I've got my hands on some Pokémon guaranteed to suit your taste. I think I'll be back by the time Cynthia arrives in Unova, and I'll bring the little guys over with me then.]