"Klang!"
As Metagross swung a heavy punch, dazzling lightning split the towering Surf into two on the spot.
The instant the curtain of water tore apart, Metagross's massive body burst forward at an unbelievable speed.
Several silver afterimages streaked through the air as all four mechanical arms locked onto Starmie at once!
"Bang!"
The pressure from the electrically charged punch formed a shockwave, blasting every droplet along the path into a fine mist.
No fancy technique.
Just absolute domination—power and speed, crushing everything!
"Starmie, use Hydro Pump, now!"
Misty knew she couldn't block it head-on. If she could at least use a move to offset Metagross's momentum, that would already be good.
"Cha!"
Starmie's core gem flared with blinding brilliance. In the instant steam filled the air, the split waves seemed tugged by some invisible force and rushed back together in midair!
Countless droplets gathered in front of it, forming a gigantic spiraling water pillar nearly three meters wide!
Boom!
The high-pressure pillar collided head-on with Metagross's heavy punch, the impact thundering through the air.
Electric arcs went wild inside the water flow.
Metagross's mechanical joints gave a strained hum, and the golden glow of Thunder Punch visibly dimmed under the pounding water.
Spraying mist shrouded the battlefield, sunlight refracting into a rainbow sheen.
And through that haze, you could faintly see Metagross being pushed back for the first time—half a step—its arm scraping across the metal floor with an ear-splitting squeal.
But—
Just when Misty and Starmie thought it was over…
Boom—bang!
Metagross suddenly shot forward again. Lightning wrapped its arms, and it moved so fast that the crowd could only register that Metagross was "in motion."
Starmie tried to gather energy again, but Metagross was simply too fast this time. Before the energy could fully form, Starmie was smashed back several meters with a single punch!
Misty's eyes widened as she watched Starmie forced backward. "That was… falling back to surge forward?!"
The moment she said it, the Gym Leaders and onlookers who hadn't been assigned opponents yet immediately understood why Metagross had taken that half-step back.
So it had used the impact to retreat, then convert that recoil into a better burst of power!
That realization made everyone inhale sharply.
That was a Hydro Pump it had taken head-on. Even with Thunder Punch reducing the damage, it still ate that move straight.
"Gym Leader Grey is terrifying. I didn't expect him to have the guts to even use a 'retreat to advance' tactic."
"Cerulean Gym's youngest is impressive too—so young, yet staying calm under pressure like this. A true heroine."
Compared to Misty's three sisters, Misty's battling had improved by leaps and bounds.
Calling it night-and-day wouldn't be an exaggeration.
All three together probably still couldn't match Misty alone.
In a situation like this, Misty's skill didn't need more explanation—it had earned a lot of people's recognition.
"Misty, you've got this! Hold on for a few more moves!"
"?"
Hearing Ash's thoughtless comment from the stands, Misty really wanted to punch him.
Couldn't he say she'd win?
Why did it have to be "hold on for a few more moves"?!
Ash, are you trying to say I'm old and can't swing a blade anymore?
Misty complained silently.
Then she focused on Metagross again.
This Metagross had insanely rich battle experience. That Thunder Punch earlier had erased most of Hydro Pump's damage.
On the surface, it looked like both sides had taken a hit.
But Misty knew—her Hydro Pump hadn't actually done much to Metagross at all.
"Gym Leader Misty—actually, when Starmie used Surf just now, you could've had it 'ride the wave' with a step-like motion. That would've helped you create distance effectively."
Grey offered a quick reminder.
Water-type Pokémon weren't agile on land. A move like Surf, which created a wide water field, was one of the few "terrain" options Water-types could manufacture for themselves.
If Starmie had leaned into that advantage, it really would've been difficult for Metagross to land hits.
"Huh? Oh!"
Misty snapped back to herself.
Grey was completely right.
If Starmie had used Surf to move fluidly, things might not have turned this one-sided so quickly.
Sure enough—
It was easy to see clearly from the outside, hard to see clearly from within.
Grey's guidance was like opening a door labeled "new world" for Misty.
"Thank you for the advice, Gym Leader Grey. But the battle's only just begun!"
Misty took a breath and shouted, "Starmie, use Water Pulse!"
"Cha!"
Starmie spun like a thrown blade. A spiraling stream of water formed in front of it, compressing into a rotating water sphere before firing out!
Water Pulse rippled the air, splashing droplets across the ground.
"Bullet Punch."
Grey used his "signature move" again. The moment the command came out, Misty and the other Trainers all wore expressions that said, "Of course."
It was just too recognizable.
Any Trainer who'd watched Grey's battles knew exactly what this meant without even thinking.
Close the distance!
Metagross's already-silver body became coated in a thin metallic energy film.
In the next instant, it turned into a streak of silver light and surged forward.
Water Pulse grazed past, missing its mark.
Just as Metagross was about to connect head-on, the spinning Starmie barely slipped past its shoulder.
"Nice one, Starmie—now use Hydro Pump again!"
At this close range, Misty felt Hydro Pump was absolutely the right call.
"Cha!"
Starmie had already reached directly above Metagross. Its red core gem flashed with deep blue radiance again.
In an instant—
A massive pillar of water blasted straight down!
Just when everyone thought Misty's "plan" was about to succeed—
The Hydro Pump stopped midway.
Then it curved.
Psychic!
Realizing what had happened, Misty whipped her head around.
And there it was—Metagross's eyes glowing with psychic power.
So it really was Psychic…
Psychic-type moves were practically bug-level at low to mid tiers of battle.
Once you got entangled with that kind of Pokémon, the outcome usually wasn't good.
Metagross's secondary type was Psychic—just like her Starmie.
But Misty hadn't expected Metagross's psychic skill to be this strong.
It could even bend the path of Hydro Pump…
"Let's end this battle, Metagross—Thunder Punch!"
The guidance for Starmie had already been delivered.
Receiving the command, Metagross's fist flared with lightning.
Then it aimed upward and sprang like a compressed spring!
Bang!!!
On contact, Starmie was smashed and sent flying.
When it hit the ground, it was no longer able to continue.
"Starmie is unable to battle. Gym Leader Misty, please send out your second Pokémon."
// I hope you enjoyed this massive release. Again, thanks for the Power Stones, comments, reviews, etc. Also, thanks to the supporters on Ptrn for voting in the poll.
//Check out my P@tre0n for 30 extra chapters on all my fanfics //[email protected]/Razeil0810