"Steel Wing!"
Skarmory's wings hardened completely as silver-white energy enveloped them, transforming into a pair of massive, gleaming wings.
"Blizzard."
Froslass, concealed within the falling snow, raised her hand gracefully. The snowflakes began surging rapidly, flying toward the charging Skarmory in a violent torrent.
"Spin your body!"
Skarmory rotated violently, incorporating the spinning technique from Drill Peck into her flight pattern.
The enormous energy wings acted like two massive fan blades, rotating clockwise and whipping up a fierce wind.
The powerful gust scattered the falling snow, revealing Froslass's figure hidden within the white veil.
A fierce Blizzard howled around Skarmory's spinning form.
The wind couldn't completely disperse the Blizzard—most of it still battered Skarmory's steel body relentlessly.
Bang!
Skarmory endured the freezing assault and reached Froslass.
The massive Steel Wing struck the Snow Land Pokémon's seemingly delicate body.
Froslass, upon taking the hit, slid rapidly backward across the battlefield.
She barely managed to stop just in front of Phoebe.
After using Curse once, Skarmory's attack power had become truly formidable.
Having lost its "super large fan" effect, the snowflakes began falling once again.
However, it seemed unlikely the snow would continue for much longer.
Phoebe's expression remained calm, a faint smile still gracing her features.
She had maintained her composure from beginning to end.
"Roost!"
Skarmory landed on the field, folding her wings close to her body.
Her physical condition slowly began recovering.
"Shadow Ball."
Froslass rose at that moment, raising both hands as a dark purple energy sphere gathered between them.
She launched it toward Skarmory as the Steel-type performed Roost.
Bang!
The faint black smoke wasn't particularly noticeable against the snowy weather.
"Steel Wing!" Steven said in a firm voice.
Skarmory spread her wings, dispersing the black smoke with a powerful gust.
Taking flight, her wings were instantly coated with metallic energy, expanding several times their normal size.
She dove down toward Froslass.
"Blizzard."
Froslass gently raised her hand, and the snowflakes danced around her ethereal form.
Guided by Froslass's will, the snowflakes surged toward the descending Skarmory.
Just as Skarmory prepared to repeat her previous tactic and spin once more—
Phoebe commanded, "Spin."
Froslass raised both hands high, and the dancing snowflakes began revolving around Skarmory in a vortex.
"Converge."
Froslass drew her hands inward, and countless snowflakes continuously hammered Skarmory's body from all directions.
Skarmory gritted her beak, enduring the Blizzard striking her from every angle.
Boom!
Black smoke filled the air.
Skarmory's figure burst through the dark cloud, crashing violently into Froslass's body.
Bang—
Froslass flew backward, slamming into the wall outside the battlefield.
She collapsed, unconscious.
After successfully landing the hit, Skarmory also fell to the ground.
She struggled valiantly to rise.
Phoebe recalled the unconscious Froslass into her Poké Ball and sent out Beartic once more.
Steven observed the visibly exhausted Skarmory and aimed a Poké Ball toward her.
"You've done exceptionally well. Rest now, Skarmory."
"Skreee..."
Skarmory turned her head and nodded gently.
A red beam struck her body, recalling her into the Poké Ball.
"Metagross, let's go!"
Bang!
"Metagross!"
Metagross emerged from the Poké Ball, its heavy body landing on the battlefield with tremendous force.
The impact kicked up a layer of flying white snow.
As soon as Phoebe's Beartic appeared, she was immediately worn down by Stealth Rock once again.
Even though she possessed the Snow Cloak ability, under Metagross's Psychic sensing, there was no difference between hiding and standing completely exposed before the Steel/Psychic-type.
"Meteor Mash!"
Metagross folded its arms, moving like a metallic disc through the snowy weather.
It continuously closed the distance with Beartic.
"Shadow Claw."
Beartic knew evasion was futile. Her snow-white bear paw became covered in a layer of dark purple ghostly energy, forming a ferocious, oversized claw.
Bang!
Metagross delivered a devastating punch while Beartic swung her Shadow Claw. A muffled impact resonated across the field.
The shockwave from their collision blew away the accumulated snow on the ground.
The snowfall brought by Abomasnow ceased entirely.
Beartic's body stiffened on the battlefield, then with a heavy thud, she collapsed to the ground.
Metagross retracted its metal arms, staring solemnly at Phoebe.
It wasn't surprising—Beartic had taken damage from Stealth Rock plus the damage Skarmory had previously dealt with Body Slam.
Finishing her with Metagross's Meteor Mash was entirely expected.
Phoebe, her expression unchanged, recalled Beartic into her Poké Ball and continued sending out her next Pokémon.
This Pokémon's body was primarily blue, with two white rings encircling its neck and two white stripes on its fan-shaped tail fin.
It possessed two long, prominent tusks, a round nose, and yellow eyes. A large tuft of white fur adorned its face and neck.
Walrein!
As soon as Walrein materialized, like her previous teammates, she lost a significant portion of health to the opportunistic Stealth Rock.
Steven unhurriedly removed the brooch from his left chest, tilted his head slightly, and kissed the sparkling Key Stone embedded in the brooch.
Phoebe smiled faintly.
"Here it comes..."
Steven suddenly opened his eyes and raised the hand holding the brooch.
The Key Stone shone with dazzling light, resonating with the Mega Stone.
"Metagross, Mega Evolve!"
The evolutionary light dissipated, revealing a colorful, gene-chain-like pattern appearing before Metagross—fleeting in an instant.
"Surf."
"Psychic!" Steven commanded sharply.
Walrein roared, expelling a massive stream of water from her mouth.
The turbulent water surged toward Metagross in powerful waves.
Metagross observed the fierce torrent. The "X"-shaped metal cross on its face glowed brilliant blue.
Under the effect of Psychic, Walrein's Surf split apart, parting around Metagross before crashing onto the battlefield behind it.
"Meteor Mash!"
Metagross brought its four arms together, charging directly toward Walrein.
Bang—
A resounding impact echoed as the attack connected with Walrein's body, pushing her back more than ten meters.
Additionally, because Walrein's typing was Ice/Water, she was no longer weak to Steel-type attacks.
"Crunch."
Walrein roared fiercely, her two massive tusks glowing with dark energy.
She lunged toward Metagross with savage intent.
"Hammer Arm!"
Metagross extended its iron claw, gripping one of Walrein's tusks firmly.
Its upper arms slammed down violently onto Walrein's head.
Bang!
Walrein crashed hard into the ground.
"Stone Edge!"
Metagross quickly created distance, and several sharp rocks continuously rose from the battlefield floor.
Walrein let out a pained wail as her body became covered in numerous wounds.
Thud!
Walrein collapsed weakly to the ground, falling unconscious.
Phoebe recalled Walrein into her Poké Ball and sent out her final Pokémon.
A white light flashed, and a spherical Pokémon with a black stone core appeared on the battlefield.
It had two large, black conical horns protruding from either side of its head, and its body was covered in protective ice. This icy armor receded at the edges, revealing the black stone surface beneath.
It possessed ice-blue eyes and large, flat teeth.
Glalie!
"Glalie!"
Upon entering the battlefield, Glalie was struck by Stealth Rock and released a rough cry.
"Snowscape."
Glalie expelled an ice-blue orb of light into the sky, and snowflakes began falling continuously over the battlefield once more.
"Stone Edge!"
The "X"-shaped metal cross on Metagross's face glowed blue once again.
Countless sharp rocks rose menacingly from the ground.
"Blizzard."
Glalie chuckled ominously, controlling the snowflakes to dance around its spherical form.
A fierce Blizzard swirled around Glalie, blocking most of Metagross's Stone Edge assault.
"Crunch."
A set of black, spectral sharp teeth materialized in front of Glalie. With the energy-formed fangs, Glalie charged toward Metagross.
This way, Metagross couldn't block Crunch as it had against Walrein's attack.
"Meteor Mash!"
Metagross's body compacted, launching toward Glalie like a guided missile.
Bang!
Metagross's Meteor Mash shattered the black, glowing spectral teeth before Glalie, then struck the Face Pokémon's surface with tremendous force.
Glalie recoiled a short distance, visibly pained.
"Blizzard."
Glalie immediately stabilized itself and blew a fierce, freezing wind toward Metagross.
The frigid gale, mixed with ice pellets, howled alongside snowflakes—all of it striking Metagross's metallic body.
"Rock Tomb!"
Suddenly, four stone pillars rose before Metagross, encasing it completely.
The barrier isolated Metagross from the Blizzard's relentless assault.
"Sheer Cold."
Glalie quickly ceased the Blizzard and instead expelled an ice-blue beam of absolute-zero energy from its mouth.
"Don't let that move hit you! Use Psychic!" Steven's brow furrowed tightly as he called out the warning.
"Metagross..."
Metagross's gaze remained calm—it had encountered this move in battle records before.
It was an OHKO move—a one-hit knockout technique!
Blue psychic energy covered its entire body, and Metagross suddenly accelerated, beginning to evade the ice-blue beam.
Metagross flew ahead while the beam pursued closely behind.
Wherever the ice-blue beam passed, thick layers of ice instantly formed.
By the time Glalie had to cease using Sheer Cold, most of the battlefield had transformed into a frozen wasteland.
A bone-chilling cold permeated the room, making Steven shiver involuntarily.
"Meteor Mash!"
Metagross changed direction and charged fiercely toward Glalie.
"Crunch."
Bang!
Metagross shattered the dark spectral fangs, striking Glalie's face and forcing it backward.
"Stone Edge!"
"Blizzard."
Countless rising sharp stones were blocked once again by the Blizzard, though a few still managed to strike Glalie's body.
"Glalie..."
Glalie panted heavily, its eyes fixed intently on Metagross.
"Blizzard."
Glalie blew frigid wind toward Metagross, and the Blizzard continuously battered the Iron Leg Pokémon's steel exterior.
"Flash Cannon!"
Dense Steel-type energy gathered continuously before Metagross.
Flash Cannon discharged suddenly, its brilliant silver-white beam breaking through the Blizzard and striking Glalie directly!
Boom!
Black smoke filled the snowy sky as Glalie tumbled to the ground. Thanks to the slight recovery effect of its Ice Body ability, it had not completely lost its ability to battle.
"Sheer Cold," Phoebe said calmly.
This was Glalie's final gambit—if it connected, Metagross definitely wouldn't be able to perform at full strength in the next battle.
"Glalie!"
Glalie expelled an ice-blue beam from its mouth—this was its last, desperate effort!
"Use Rock Tomb to block it!"
Suddenly, four or five tall stone pillars shot up around Metagross.
Crack, crack, crack—
In mere moments, the entire battlefield was completely frozen by Glalie's Sheer Cold.
"Meteor Mash!" Steven extended his hand and commanded.
Snap!
Rocks and ice shattered simultaneously as Metagross used its tremendous strength to break through the frozen stone pillars.
The four smaller arms on its back functioned like rocket thrusters, expelling golden flames.
Missile launch!
Bang—
Metagross's four outstretched arms struck Glalie's body with devastating force, sending it flying into the wall.
Glalie fell to the ground, succumbing to unconsciousness.
Phoebe recalled Glalie into her Poké Ball. A faint smile crossed her face as she walked in her high heels around the frozen battlefield toward Steven.
Steven and Metagross disengaged from their Mega Evolution state, watching as Phoebe approached.
"You and your Pokémon... your spirits burn with remarkable intensity. This fierce passion seems capable of overcoming any obstacle."
Phoebe offered her praise with a gentle smile.
"Thank you for your recognition, Elite Phoebe." Steven nodded graciously in response.
"Continue onward to the next chamber."
Phoebe turned sideways, extending her hand to indicate the door on the opposite side.
"Proceed to the final room. There, you will face the strongest Elite Four member of the Hoenn League."
Phoebe bowed slightly and departed from the chamber.
Steven released his Pokémon and began preparing for the ultimate battle ahead.
However, the battlefield remained covered in ice, and frigid air rushed forth continuously.
This environmental condition affected the quality of their rest somewhat.
But there was no alternative—some rest was better than none at all.
When the time-limit notification sounded, Steven slowly rose from the corner of the room.
"Are you ready, everyone?" Steven's lips curved into a slight smile as he gazed at the door in the distance.
"This is the final battle to claim the Championship."
"Metagross."
Metagross positioned itself behind Steven in agreement.
"Skreee!"
Skarmory followed closely, taking her place beside Metagross.
"Aggron!"
Aggron roared, moving to stand behind Metagross.
"Scizor."
Scizor crossed its pincers, positioning itself at Steven's right side.
"Empoleon!"
Empoleon stood next to Aggron, its left flipper resting on its waist as if a royal blade resided there.
"Lucario."
Lucario stepped forward slowly, taking its place at Steven's left side.
A Poké Ball at his waist swayed gently.
It was Honedge, restless even in slumber.
Steven turned his head, his gaze sweeping across each of his Pokémon partners.
At this moment, they radiated vigor and determination.
Just as he had in his youth.
This was how it should be.
"Then... let's go!"
Steven took a decisive step forward as six beams of red light swirled around him.
His Pokémon returned to their Poké Balls at his waist...