This platinum-shining, shiny Metagross… After several days of close research, Ash had finally come to a conclusion: this Metagross was vastly more powerful than its regular counterparts!
No wonder it had been so uncontrollably aggressive when they first met—it harbored power nearly twice that of a typical Metagross!
That kind of power left it constantly seeking battles, challenging every Pokémon it came across!
It had practically fought every wild Pokémon on that mountain, leaving them terrified and hiding from it.
It wasn't until Ash captured it—and it got "put in its place" by Tyranitar and the others—that it finally calmed down.
"The Medicham is unable to battle—Metagross wins!"
As the referee's voice rang out, Ash mentally shouted the command to activate a tenfold experience multiplier card!
Ding! [Congratulations, Host. Metagross has defeated Medicham. Tenfold Experience Multiplier activated. Metagross gains 865,900 battle experience points!]
Level 49…
Level 50!
Metagross hit level 50!
Only now did Metagross start to understand why Ash had told it that by staying with him, it could quickly become as strong as Floatzel or Monferno.
This method of gaining experience through battle was just too exhilarating!
But at the same time, Metagross felt its internal energy surging stronger than ever!
"Meta…GROSS!"
Its deep, dark-golden eyes locked onto Candice's side of the field, already urging her to hurry up and release her fourth and final Pokémon.
"What a powerful Metagross… But I've still got my strongest Pokémon. Go—Abomasnow!"
"ROOOAR!"
Abomasnow!
The evolved form of Snover.
With its hulking body and immense power, it was a force to be reckoned with, even among fully evolved Pokémon.
"Ash! Defeat my Abomasnow, and the Glacier Badge from the Snowpoint Gym is yours. Bring it on!"
Candice hadn't felt this fired up in a long time.
Abomasnow was her strongest Pokémon.
Due to Snowpoint City's frigid conditions, not many Trainers even bothered challenging her Gym.
Most challengers got their badges easily, with Candice holding back.
But today? With Ash? She was going all out—and still got pushed to her fourth Pokémon by just one Metagross!
"Alright, I'm ready. Metagross—use Meteor Mash!"
"Meta!!"
Ash swung his arm with resolve. With Candice's team down to one Pokémon, and Metagross still brimming with untapped strength, this was the perfect opportunity for some intense close combat!
"Abomasnow, start with Ingrain!"
"ROAAR!"
Abomasnow pounded both fists into the icy battlefield!
Countless thin energy roots dug deep into the ground beneath it.
Ingrain—an ongoing recovery move.
Once used, the Pokémon can't be swapped out.
But Candice wasn't planning to switch anyway—Abomasnow was her final shot.
"Now use Wood Hammer!"
Abomasnow and Metagross clashed fiercely, exchanging devastating blows!
"Use Hammer Arm!"
"Again—Wood Hammer!"
Wood Hammer, a Grass-type move with recoil damage.
But thanks to Ingrain, that recoil was steadily offset by the healing effect.
Metagross's Hammer Arm slammed into Abomasnow with terrifying force.
Abomasnow's Wood Hammer connected too—but!
Metagross had earlier used Iron Defense to boost its defenses significantly.
Plus, it resisted Grass-type moves, meaning Wood Hammer only did half the usual damage.
"What… what a fierce battle…"
Zoey had never seen her senior, Candice, go all-out like this in a Gym match before. Watching from the sidelines, even she felt her heart racing with excitement.
"Ash is seriously amazing… No wonder he's the kind of guy who can wear a T-shirt in Snowpoint City!"
Zoey suddenly blurted out.
Dawn: "???"
Anabel: "???"
What does wearing a T-shirt in Snowpoint City have to do with this battle?!
In the end, Abomasnow couldn't hold on and finally collapsed.
Metagross had unleashed nearly all its power in that exchange.
"Abomasnow is unable to battle! Metagross wins! The victor is Challenger Ash!"
Ding! [Congratulations, Host. Metagross defeated Abomasnow and gained 11,650 battle experience points!]
Victory—secured.
Metagross had gone 1v4!
Candice recalled her Abomasnow and let out a deep breath…
"Abomasnow… good work. That was an intense close-range fight, even though we lost… you fought with your whole heart, didn't you?"
She looked at Abomasnow's Poké Ball. It shook lightly in her hand, as if nodding in agreement.
Then Candice turned toward Ash.
"Metagross, you were absolutely incredible today. That was intense. This may be our first Gym battle together, but I hope we keep growing stronger!"
"MetaGROSS!"
Metagross was so excited it immediately wrapped its massive steel arms around Ash in a tight embrace.
"Pika!"
Pikachu leapt away in panic.
Only Ash could survive a hug like that. Anyone else would've been crushed by those metallic limbs…
Candice walked up to him.
"Ash, you're the first challenger who's made me feel utterly outmatched. Honestly, my dream is to become the Champion of the Sinnoh region. Being a Gym Leader is part of my journey toward that goal. Our battle just now really got my blood pumping. This is the Glacier Badge, the proof of your victory at the Snowpoint Gym—take it!"
She handed a badge to Ash.
"Perfect! The Glacier Badge is mine!"
"Meta!"
"Pika!"
After that, Candice gave the group a tour around the Gym.
She showed them the unique features of Snowpoint Gym compared to other facilities.
Eventually, they all stepped outside together—off to enjoy a well-deserved lunch.
"Pika?"
Pikachu, perched on Ash's shoulder, suddenly let out a curious sound, looking off into the distance.
A figure approached from the same direction.
A purple-haired young man.
Paul. He'd come to challenge the Snowpoint Gym as well.
Ash and the others hadn't yet left when Paul arrived. He looked first at Ash, then turned to Candice.
"You must be the Snowpoint Gym Leader—Miss Candice, right? I'm Paul, from Veilstone City. I challenge you to a Gym battle!"
BOOOOM!
The moment Paul finished speaking, an enormous, shadowy figure passed overhead!
Everyone looked up.
From the sky descended a titanic, pyramid-shaped aircraft!
It hovered slowly, landing on a nearby open field.
Paul's gaze immediately snapped toward it—unblinking.
The Battle Pyramid!
Brandon… had arrived.
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T/N:
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