"Hatcha—"
Feeling Riku's determination, Metagross also gave a firm response.
"A bit troublesome," Cynthia's brow furrowed slightly.
Even without Mega Evolution, her Garchomp would make ordinary Elite Four-level Pokémon feel apprehensive. Even among pseudo-legendaries, there were differences in strength. Coupled with the rare Mega Evolution, Metagross should logically show some shock—or at least a serious expression.
But at this moment, the Shiny Metagross in Mega Garchomp's eyes was not only unflustered but calm and composed, as if it wasn't facing a remarkable Pokémon at all.
Mega Garchomp hadn't misunderstood. In Metagross's eyes, it really wasn't much.
Any Pokémon that spent every day with two first-tier legendary Pokémon and three second-tier legendaries wouldn't take Mega Garchomp seriously.
What's more, Metagross itself was a pseudo-legendary. Even if Garchomp Mega Evolved, having consumed a Psychic Z-Crystal, it was confident it could defeat Mega Garchomp!
"Roar!!"
Unwilling to be underestimated, Mega Garchomp let out a roar.
Cynthia was taken aback. Having raised Garchomp for so many years, this was the first time she had felt her Pokémon so excited—and so restless.
"Not bad, a worthy opponent."
Infected by Mega Garchomp's energy, Cynthia grinned—beautiful and confident.
"No wonder you could defeat the veteran Elite Four of the Indigo League. This trip of mine was not in vain!"
"What do you mean?" Riku frowned slightly.
"Can you explain it to me clearly? I don't want to be cluelessly—"
"Once your Metagross defeats my Mega Garchomp, we'll talk!" Cynthia interrupted, then extended her hand and issued a command.
"Mega Garchomp, Sand Attack!"
What the heck?
Riku was stunned, then speechless when he saw Mega Garchomp actually scoop up a pile of sand from the ground and throw it at Metagross.
"Miss Cynthia, for a Champion, you're actually using such underhanded tactics?"
"I—what's wrong with me?! Are you some kind of Pokémon newbie?" Cynthia looked astonished.
"Sand Attack is a Pokémon move! Not only Mega Garchomp, but many Ground-types know it... never mind!"
"I'm too lazy to explain so much to you. Winning is the only truth!"
Was that really the case?
Riku was also taken aback by Cynthia's words, while Metagross, its eyes covered in sand, looked a bit uncomfortable.
"Metagross, Mega Garchomp used Sand Attack, so use Miracle Eye."
"I can see it now. Mega Garchomp used Sand Attack to lower your attack accuracy!"
"Master!"
Metagross was quite speechless.
What time is it? You're only realizing it now? Isn't it a bit too late?
Fortunately, Metagross's high defense made Mega Garchomp wary. If it were any other Pokémon, Mega Garchomp would have attacked immediately after using Sand Attack.
Seeing Riku use Miracle Eye in time, Cynthia smiled.
"I see your Metagross's defense is so high. It must be an invincible close-combat type Pokémon."
"Coincidentally, so is my Mega Garchomp."
"But going head-to-head with a Steel-type Pokémon, even with a type advantage, I wouldn't do such a foolish thing."
"And..."
"You have no long-range attacks, but I do!"
"Mega Garchomp, let's slowly wear down Metagross!"
"Dragon Rage!!"
What the heck?!
Dragon Rage sounded pretty awesome!
Riku's heart tightened. He had always held Dragon-types in awe. Any move with the word "Dragon" in it must be a powerful move—and this one was even called Dragon Rage. Just thinking about it made Riku feel scared.
"Defense!"
"Metagross, we absolutely cannot take this move head-on. We must defend. Otherwise, you won't be able to withstand it!"
Metagross was taken aback.
Dragon Rage, of all things, and it needed to defend?
If it were any other pseudo-legendary Pokémon, it would definitely have its own judgment and autonomy.
A
But even the god of land, Groudon, and the god of the sea, Kyogre, had to listen to Riku and didn't dare disobey. A mere pseudo-legendary like Metagross, even if it was puzzled, wouldn't dare question Riku's command.
"Huh?"
Cynthia had originally thought Riku would rely on Metagross's defense to gradually approach Mega Garchomp. She had already prepared her next tactic. Who would have thought that Riku would issue such a strange command?
It was just Dragon Rage, wasn't it?
Did he need to be so wary—acting as if it were Outrage, the powerful Dragon-type move?
However, seeing Metagross slowly shrinking into a ball, adopting a defensive posture, Cynthia knew this was a good opportunity.
"Bang—"
Dragon Rage steadily hit Metagross.
Such a shiny piece of metal—if Mega Garchomp hadn't been able to hit it, it really would need glasses. After all, Metagross was the one hit by Sand Attack.
"What's going on..."
At this moment, Riku—who couldn't bear to watch Metagross's miserable state—was completely dumbfounded.
Where was the Dragon Rage, the powerful Dragon-type move he was expecting? Why did it only produce a small spark?
Riku quickly realized something. He felt like he had been deceived.
Cynthia must have used the name of a powerful Dragon-type move to scare him, making him have Metagross defend with all its might.
This... this was simply a veteran playing a newbie—bullying him, Riku, the clueless trainer.
"Although you're mysterious, although you're beautiful and have a great figure..."
"You still can't trick me like this!"
"Metagross, disengage defense—charge!"
Cynthia was taken aback.
Was this guy crazy?
Why was he acting like she had stepped on his tail? This was clearly just a normal battle. He looked young, but his temper was so fiery...
Cynthia complained in her heart, but her mouth didn't stop for a moment.
"Mega Garchomp, be careful."
"Just in case, let's use Dig!"
"Roar!"
Mega Garchomp seemed a bit dissatisfied with Cynthia's evasive tactics. But at this moment, Metagross was already rapidly approaching like a spider, using its four alloy steel legs.
Without giving Mega Garchomp time to think, it quickly followed Cynthia's command and began to use the move.
Riku was no stranger to Dig. During Shiba's battle with Gengar, his Steelix had used Dig to try and instantly defeat Gengar.
The first time he saw it, Riku had been slightly distracted. But this time, seeing Mega Garchomp use Dig, he was annoyed.
"Metagross, absolutely don't let Mega Garchomp dig into the ground!"
"Ram it! Use Take Down!"
"Hatcha—!"
Metagross roared and instantly charged forward.
??! (Crap!)
"Bang—"
A solid Take Down directly hit Mega Garchomp.
Mega Garchomp's physical defense wasn't outstanding among Dragon-types. This single Take Down made it retreat rapidly—almost unable to catch its breath.
"Not good!"
Cynthia didn't expect Riku—who had just told Metagross to defend—to switch fighting styles so quickly.
Seeing that Mega Garchomp wouldn't withstand another strong attack, and that Crunch and Ground-type attacks wouldn't work,
Cynthia gritted her teeth and made a risky decision.
"Let's go all out!"
"Garchomp, Outrage!"
"We absolutely have to let them taste the super move of a Dragon-type pseudo-legendary!"
Trying to trick me again?
A sneer appeared on Riku's face.
He had been tricked once before—what kind of Dragon Rage was that? It only produced a few sparks when it hit Metagross.
Riku had never even heard of this so-called Outrage. Drake of the Orange League had an Elite Four-level Dragonite, but Riku had never seen that move.
So clearly, Cynthia was bluffing again.
"Metagross, give it another Take Down!"
"Outrage? Still trying to trick me? Give me some backbone!"
Metagross was taken aback.
It was actually quite an intelligent Pokémon. After all, its evolution required four Beldum—giving it four brains. With processing power exceeding that of a supercomputer, it could actually fight pseudo-legendaries without orders.
Unfortunately.
It was now Riku's Pokémon, and the boss of the god of land was watching. Even if it knew Riku had misunderstood Cynthia—even if it knew Outrage was a very powerful move—Metagross could only grit its teeth and charge forward.
"Hatcha—!"
A roar rang out, and Metagross used Take Down.
"Crazy!"
Cynthia muttered to herself, her eyes wide with disbelief.
At this point, the command had been given. It was too late to stop Mega Garchomp!
"Boom—"
Needle to the eye of a wheat grain!
(A figurative expression for a perfect head-on collision.)
A piercing thud echoed, and dust shot into the sky.
Riku and Cynthia were both nervous, unable to see what was happening.
"Riku, you're even crazier than Shiba!"
Cynthia stared at Riku, a bit angry.
"Me? Crazy? You forced my hand!" Riku retorted.
"If you hadn't talked about Dragon Rage to trick me, would I have fought you to the death?"
"What are you talking about?" Cynthia looked bewildered.
"When did I trick you? Mega Garchomp really did use Dragon Rage just now..."
"I'm fainting."
"I didn't expect what Grandma said earlier to be true. You have such powerful Pokémon—how can you be a newbie?"
Just as Riku was stunned by her words, the dust finally cleared.
The silhouettes of the two pseudo-legendaries appeared in their eyes.
"Metagross (Mega Garchomp), are you alright?"
They exclaimed simultaneously, rushing over to their respective Pokémon.
Two deep claw marks were on Metagross's face—visibly terrifying.
Mega Garchomp, though not seriously injured on the surface, had trembling legs and dimmed eyes. If not for its pride, it would have collapsed.
Cynthia took a deep breath and took out a Poké Ball.
"Mega Garchomp, you've worked hard. Return."
Normally, undoing Mega Evolution first was ideal—but Cynthia feared collapse and recalled it directly.
Similarly, Riku also recalled Metagross.
The outcome of the battle satisfied neither of them. Grandma came over to smooth things over.
Perhaps something important was happening, because Cynthia spoke first.
"Riku, I've seen your strength. Indeed not bad. Only a powerful trainer like you is qualified to go on a mission with me."
"Don't!" Riku refused directly.
"I'm just a newbie. I wouldn't dare join a Champion like you on a mission. Honestly..."
-----------More Bonus Chapters!!!!
Every 300 power stones = 1 Bonus Chapter