"Meta!!"
Seeing a large number of Gallade rushing in, even Metagross felt a sense of unease! It let out a low warning growl, while its four legs instinctively began to step backward!
The moment Steven saw this, his brows furrowed sharply, and he shouted:
"Metagross! Don't retreat! Only one of them is real! Charge in—use Gyro Ball!"
"Meta!"
Metagross, which had just taken two steps back, immediately stopped upon hearing the command. Instead of retreating, it surged forward toward the swarm of Gallade! Its four thick alloy arms extended outward, and then—using its body as the center—it began spinning at high speed!
Its rotating steel body whipped up turbulent currents as it slammed straight into the incoming Gallade!
Bang~ bang bang~ bang~
As Metagross charged in, the first Gallade it struck were instantly shattered—but they were merely shadow clones. Upon impact, they dispersed into nothingness.
"Gallade! Now's the time!"
Right as Metagross hovered midair, spinning rapidly and destroying clone after clone, Liam suddenly gave his command!
Then—
"Gallade!!"
From among the many shadow clones, one figure burst out at incredible speed! Skimming along the ground, it shot forward—and in the next instant, it slipped directly beneath Metagross!
"Gallade!!"
Gallade, now directly under Metagross, wrapped its right arm in dark purple energy….
A Dark-type move!
From below, it delivered a powerful upward punch straight into the center of Metagross's rotating underside!
CLANG!!
With a loud metallic impact, Metagross—already spinning—was blasted away by the blow! It spun wildly through the air like a flying disc!
"Metagross! Hold on! Use Hyper Beam!"
"Grr—Meta!"
Metagross shut its eyes tightly, its expression strained with pain—but the moment it heard Steven's voice, it roared loudly! Forcing its body to stabilize midair, its four arms lowered rapidly—and between them, a golden Hyper Beam began to condense!
"Too slow!! Gallade! Use Teleport onto Metagross!"
Before Metagross could fully charge its attack, Liam shouted again!
"Gallade!"
Gallade paused briefly—then its body flashed with light! In the next instant, it vanished from the ground and appeared directly on Metagross's back!
"Not good! Metagross, shake it off! Then fire Hyper Beam!"
The moment Gallade appeared on its back, Steven's expression changed. Having suffered this tactic before, he immediately shouted orders!
"Meta!"
Metagross began shaking violently midair! Even as it continued charging Hyper Beam, it tried desperately to throw Gallade off!
"Gallade!"
But Gallade wasn't budging! Its blade-like arms extended and locked into the joints of Metagross's body! With both arms exerting force, it clung like a rock—no matter how Metagross shook, it refused to move!
"Meta!"
After several failed attempts, Metagross's stamina was draining rapidly—and the Hyper Beam it had been charging began to destabilize!
"Damn it! Is there no way…? Wait!! I've got it! Metagross!!"
Sweat formed on Steven's forehead as he watched the struggle midair. Then suddenly—an idea struck!
"Metagross! Fire Hyper Beam into the air!!"
"Meta!!"
Following the command, Metagross suddenly raised its head and unleashed a massive Hyper Beam straight upward!
But before the beam could travel far—
"Metagross! Now! Use Psychic! Bend it back!!"
"Meta!!"
With Steven's near-roaring command, Metagross unleashed a surge of powerful blue psychic energy!
The Hyper Beam it had just fired was instantly enveloped… And then, forcibly redirected!
The beam, originally shooting straight ahead, made a full 180-degree turn under the influence of Psychic—
With a thunderous roar, it came crashing back down.. engulfing both Metagross and Gallade in its blast!!
BOOOOM!!!
A massive explosion erupted in the sky, forming a huge cloud of black smoke!
"Meta…"
"Gallade…"
As the smoke spread, both Pokémon—having taken the full force of the attack—fell from the sky headfirst, their bodies trailing black smoke.
"Come back, Gallade!"
"Come back, Metagross!"
Seeing them about to hit the ground, Liam and Steven acted instantly, recalling their Pokémon with their PokeBalls.
"Good work, Gallade. You did great. Keep it up."
Liam smiled softly at Gallade's PokeBall before putting it away.
"Well done, Steven. Your growth is impressive. Both your Sceptile and Metagross are excellently trained. That final Hyper Beam was especially surprising. Even though it ended in a draw, that tactic was still commendable."
Liam looked up at Steven and spoke with a smile.
"…It was just a sudden idea."
Steven shook his head slightly, his expression mixed—part pride, part regret.
"Senior… battling you again has taught me a lot. Thank you for your guidance."
"I'll soon be participating in the Ever Grande Conference. This battle made me realize how much I still lack. But I'll keep improving. I'll grow stronger—keep surpassing myself! I'll win the conference and become Champion!"
"So… Senior! When I become stronger, may I challenge you again? Next time, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed! I'll force you to use your main team—and the final victory will definitely be mine!"
Steven's eyes burned with determination. Every word he spoke came from the heart.
"Heh… well said, Steven. But take it step by step. I'll be waiting ahead—for the day you surpass me. I believe in you. You have both the talent and the perseverance. Keep going—I look forward to that day."
Among all the future Champions, the one Liam admired most was undoubtedly Steven.
Whether in character or strength, Steven was exceptional.
And Liam firmly believed.. given enough time.. Steven would reach the very peak of Pokémon Trainers.