Salamence roared, activating Intimidate.
Scizor's expression turned grave as the intimidating presence affected it.
"Fire Blast!"
Salamence opened its jaws wide and expelled a spinning fireball.
The intensely hot projectile streaked across the sky, blooming into the brilliant shape of the kanji for "great."
"Quick Attack to dodge!"
If Scizor—quadruply weak to Fire-type moves—took such a devastating hit, it would likely be knocked out instantly.
Scizor swiftly evaded the Fire Blast, then closed the distance with Salamence.
"Bullet Punch, then disengage quickly!"
"Fire Fang!"
Scizor slammed a pincer into Salamence's face, but the Dragon Pokémon endured the blow.
The next moment, Salamence's fangs ignited with flames as it lunged to bite Scizor.
Scizor rapidly withdrew, avoiding Salamence's Fire Fang.
"Flamethrower!"
Salamence didn't pause, immediately expelling a pillar of fire directly at Scizor.
Scizor observed the incoming flames with visible surprise.
It missed with Fire Fang, then directly used the flames already coating its teeth, allowing Flamethrower to be unleashed that quickly?
Scizor's gaze sharpened—now its only option was to take a gamble.
The instant Scizor's feet touched the ground, it burst forward with explosive force, attempting to escape Flamethrower's range with a Quick Attack dash.
Boom!
Flamethrower detonated, emitting a crimson glow.
It engulfed Scizor completely.
Steven's expression turned grave—this Salamence was exceptionally difficult to handle.
He raised his hand and recalled Scizor into its Poké Ball.
"Go, Skarmory!"
"Skreee!"
Skarmory soared into the air, its sharp gaze locked on the Salamence below.
The opponent's strength was exceptional, likely on par with Metagross.
However, the opponent's battle experience might even surpass Metagross's.
So...
Its mission was to weaken the opponent's condition!
Skarmory rapidly analyzed its objective.
Otherwise, given the opponent's powerful Fire-type arsenal, its appearance would merely be serving itself up on a platter.
"Rock Tomb!"
Skarmory's eyes narrowed sharply as it suddenly spread its wings.
Stone pillars rose from the ground, attempting to trap Salamence in place.
Bang!
Within moments, Salamence shattered the stone pillars and ascended into the sky.
"Fire Blast!"
Salamence expelled a fireball that bloomed into the shape of the kanji for "great" as it attacked Skarmory.
"Agility!"
Skarmory's movements became incredibly swift, allowing it to dodge the Fire Blast.
"Dragon Dance!"
Salamence performed a graceful dance through the air, its Attack and Speed rising!
"Brave Bird!"
Skarmory's entire body became wreathed in red flames as it charged rapidly toward Salamence.
The red flames gradually transformed into golden aura, materializing into a magnificent golden bird!
Bang!
To complete its Dragon Dance setup, Salamence forcibly endured Skarmory's Brave Bird assault.
"Fire Fang!"
But at such close range, Skarmory couldn't evade like Scizor had.
Crunch!
Salamence pounced forward, clamping its jaws down on Skarmory's wing.
Instantly, Skarmory's body erupted in raging flames.
"Skreee!"
Skarmory shrieked in pain, plummeting toward the ground.
Thud—
Skarmory crashed onto the battlefield, and the flames consuming its body finally extinguished.
The scorched Skarmory gritted its beak and struggled to its feet.
It looked upward to see flames shaped like the kanji for "great" descending toward it.
Skarmory knew it would fall after this attack, but before that, it could still accomplish something for Metagross.
However, dodging this move was no longer within its capability.
"Skreee!"
Skarmory released a defiant cry, spreading its wings wide.
Several round stones detached from the ground and flew toward the airborne Salamence.
Bang... Boom!
Skarmory was engulfed by the flames and collapsed, unconscious.
Meanwhile, Salamence was struck by Rock Tomb, sustaining considerable damage.
Steven quickly recalled Skarmory, without even a moment to acknowledge its efforts.
If he hesitated, giving Salamence time to use Roost would be disastrous.
The Poké Ball in his hand burst open, and Metagross materialized on the battlefield.
"Metagross!"
Salamence also descended to the ground, fixing its gaze on Metagross.
"This is the final battle, Steven." Drake didn't allow Salamence to use Roost. Instead, he addressed Steven directly.
Steven felt puzzled, uncertain how to respond.
"Go all out... attack!"
Drake commanded, extending his hand:
"Dragon Rush!"
"Salamence!"
Salamence roared as its body ignited with blue-violet flames. It charged ferociously toward Metagross.
"Ice Punch!"
Metagross's arms became covered in frost, emanating an eerie chill.
It charged toward Salamence!
The blue-violet energy gradually transformed into a draconic shape. The massive blue-violet dragon opened its gaping maw and collided with Metagross's Ice Punch!
Bang—
As their attacks clashed, Metagross found itself at a disadvantage.
Salamence had executed one Dragon Dance, amplifying its power enough to slightly overpower Metagross.
Metagross's body crashed heavily to the ground, its eyes burning with intensity.
Salamence spread its wings and ascended, looking down at Metagross.
That Ice Punch had definitely connected.
Even a significantly weakened Ice Punch remained somewhat unbearable for the Dragon/Flying-type.
"Stone Edge!"
Metagross slammed its arms into the ground, instantly causing countless sharp stones to rise and surge toward the airborne Salamence.
"Outrage!"
Salamence's eyes turned crimson as its body released blue-violet draconic energy, intercepting all the sharp stones.
"Salamence!"
Salamence roared furiously, its energy radiating outward and deflecting all the sharp projectiles.
Then it charged ferociously toward Metagross.
"Ice Punch!"
Metagross delivered a devastating punch, striking the rampaging Salamence.
The bone-chilling cold permeated Salamence's body, making it even more enraged in its Outrage-fueled state.
Blue-violet energy wildly hammered Metagross's metallic body.
Boom!
Salamence's fangs ignited with flames as it bit savagely into Metagross's arm.
"Metagross!"
Metagross howled in pain but endured, then slammed Salamence into the ground.
Salamence was forced to release its grip due to the impact.
"Salamence!"
Salamence rapidly recovered, slammed its head into the ground, and snapped out of confusion.
Metagross's fists became coated in frost as it brought them down toward Salamence.
Flames spilled from Salamence's maw. The next instant, scorching fire erupted!
The flames engulfed Metagross's fists, melting the frost coating them.
Metagross was forced backward by the flames, half its body severely scorched.
Metagross gritted its mental focus, staring at Salamence.
It had witnessed everything from within its Poké Ball—everyone's efforts couldn't be wasted on it.
Moreover, it could feel Steven's gaze burning intensely upon it.
But the Salamence in the distance suddenly became blurred.
The entire room began slowly dimming.
No...
It couldn't close its eyes yet!
Metagross suddenly opened its eyes, only to find itself in that dark space.
"Metagross?"
Metagross clearly felt that it had opened its eyes.
Suddenly, a crack appeared in the dim void, and a pair of blue eyes filled with immense hope gazed at it.
This was when it had still been a Beldum, when it first met Steven.
"Metagross..."
So...
Was Steven's gaze still filled with that same hope, just like back then?
Drake sighed, observing Metagross with its eyes closed.
"It seems... the victor has been decided."
Salamence panted heavily, a triumphant grin spreading across its face.
This fire-fearing iron crab was much easier to handle than that stubborn water snake from before!
Steven's previously worried expression froze, and a smile touched the corner of his lips.
He felt it.
"Metagross! Meteor Mash!" Steven swept his hand forward, commanding with conviction.
Buzz!!!
Metagross's aura surged explosively, as if solidifying into tangible force.
Drake and Salamence both startled.
They couldn't believe it—Metagross hadn't lost its ability to battle?
Metagross slowly opened its eyes. At this moment, it was as if reborn.
It couldn't lose.
It couldn't allow its companions' efforts to go to waste.
This was the starting point for standing at the pinnacle with Steven.
It couldn't fail to even reach the starting point.
The strongest shield, it believed, was one that could block any assault for Steven!
And the strongest spear was one that could pierce through any defense for Steven!
This was the role Metagross had assigned itself.
So it took that step forward.
It became a true Master-level Pokémon!