"Officer Jenny, shouldn't we go help?"
Listening to the violent sounds of battle in the distance, the prim and proper honor‑student type couldn't help asking the Officer Jenny beside her in concern.
She was Roxanne, Gym Leader of Rustboro Gym in Rustboro City.
When she'd first gotten Officer Jenny's call, Roxanne had been completely confused. Why the sudden evacuation of civilians?
Then she'd learned the reason: Hoenn League versus the evil organization Team Rocket.
In that case, as Rustboro City's Gym Leader, Roxanne had naturally wanted to do her part for Rustboro City.
But—
"We'd only get in Champion Steven's way if we went over. Their opponents are very powerful Team Rocket executives. It's enough for us to make sure no civilians wander into the area."
Officer Jenny's face was drawn tight, her seriousness carrying a hint of helplessness.
She wasn't happy about it either. Of course she wanted to rush in; she was Officer Jenny.
But what could she do? Their opponents were Champion‑tier evil‑organization Admins. If they went in, they'd just slow Champion Steven and the others down.
Even if they couldn't help, it was still better than dragging everyone down—that was Officer Jenny's ideology.
Roxanne pressed her lips together, then decided not to argue.
"Nidoking, Earthquake!"
Giovanni issued the order in a deep voice.
Nidoking let out a savage growl, lifted one foot, and slammed it hard into the ground.
Rumble…!
The earth shook violently as a tangible shockwave tore forward—a Ground‑type Earthquake.
Cynthia and Steven reacted in perfect sync; Garchomp soared high into the air.
"Bullet Punch!"
Steven had Metagross charge straight in.
The Steel‑type priority move—Bullet Punch!
Metagross's twin claws shone with metallic light as it rocketed toward Mega Tyranitar.
"Earthquake."
Damian's lips curled.
Mega Tyranitar roared, slamming a foot down as well. Another powerful shockwave raced forward, meeting Nidoking's Earthquake head‑on.
Boom!
The two Earthquakes crashed together in a furious clash before finally dissipating.
Thanks to Bullet Punch's speed boost, Metagross was already in Mega Tyranitar's face, its Bullet Punch hammering away again and again.
But after Mega Evolution, Mega Tyranitar's Defense was sky‑high. Even a flurry of blows from Bullet Punch barely did any real damage.
At the same time, Suicune and Tapu Fini both opened their mouths. Blue, pure water‑light gathered, and two powerful Hydro Pumps blasted out.
Their target was Metagross.
"Metagross!"
Steven's eyes narrowed sharply.
Metagross tried to pull back at once—but a powerful claw clamped down on it.
Mega Tyranitar.
Boom!
Both Hydro Pumps smashed into Metagross and detonated, dragging a pained cry from it.
"Garchomp～!!"
"Dragon Rush!"
A savage dragon's roar came crashing down from above as Cynthia's Garchomp became a terrifying draconic comet and dove.
The Dragon‑type move—Dragon Rush!
"Stone Edge."
Mega Tyranitar roared. Jagged stones materialized overhead and shot up to meet the incoming Garchomp.
Rock‑type Stone Edge!
Boom, boom, boom!
Stone Edge slammed into Dragon Rush over and over, explosions pounding the sky as shockwaves spread across the field.
The draconic aura around Garchomp grew dimmer and thinner under the bombardment, until the last few Stone Edges finally shattered Dragon Rush outright and blasted Garchomp's body away.
Seeing that, Cynthia's pale, refined face darkened.
"Thunderbolt!"
Right then, Nidoking's golden lightning lanced out, dozens of branching bolts crackling through the air.
Suicune and Tapu Fini retreated at once; Mega Tyranitar was the one who took the Thunderbolt head‑on. Caught off guard—
Metagross seized the opening, wrenching itself free and pulling back, retreating to Steven's side.
"Be careful, both of you. Damian's way too strong right now."
Giovanni warned Steven and Cynthia solemnly.
"Yeah. I overextended."
Steven admitted his mistake.
"That Mega Tyranitar's power is terrifying."
Cynthia spoke in a low voice.
Her Garchomp's STAB Dragon Rush had been broken head‑on by Mega Tyranitar's Stone Edge.
That had never happened before. It was the first time Cynthia had ever seen her Garchomp lose a direct clash like that.
"This Mega Tyranitar's offense and defense are both insane. Avoid taking it head‑on if you can. Its speed's the same as a normal Tyranitar—still not fast."
Giovanni's tone was grave.
"Can't ignore Suicune and Tapu Fini either." Cynthia added.
"I'll have Metagross draw Suicune and Tapu Fini's attention and split the battlefield. You two go in while they're distracted."
Steven's mind shifted gears quickly. This time, they had the overwhelming numbers advantage; they had to use it.
Damian was strong, but he was still just one person. His focus couldn't cover everything.
And if they wanted to coordinate better, they could absolutely send out a second Pokémon each.
"I agree." Giovanni nodded.
"As long as we take down Tyranitar, Damian's combat strength drops a lot."
"Lucario!"
Cynthia decisively sent out her second Pokémon—a Steel/Fighting‑type Lucario.
Tyranitar had a four‑times weakness to Fighting, and Lucario's speed would let it dart in and out of the field looking for openings.
"Surf."
Damian didn't know what Giovanni's side was planning—nor did he care.
"Fini～!"
Blue light shimmered over Tapu Fini and Suicune at the same time.
Whoosh, whoosh～
The roar of surging water drowned the field as a towering wall of sea—twenty or thirty meters high—rose up out of nowhere and crashed toward Giovanni's group.
A Water‑type Surf.
The colossal wave blotted out the sky, filling their entire vision.
What a monster of a Surf.
"Earthquake."
Giovanni and Cynthia both ordered in unison.
Garchomp and Nidoking hammered the ground, sending tangible Earthquake shockwaves racing forward.
The violent tremors hit the base of the huge wave, knocking its balance apart.
The entire wall of water collapsed.
The falling deluge looked like a natural disaster.
"Metagross, Bullet Punch!"
Steven pounced on the opening.
Metagross once again used Bullet Punch to rocket forward, punching straight through the collapsing Surf and shooting up toward Tapu Fini in the sky.
"Extreme Speed."
Damian chuckled softly.
White light flashed behind Suicune; it launched itself like a bolt of living lightning.
The Normal‑type priority move—Extreme Speed!
Bang!
Extreme Speed and Bullet Punch collided in midair. While Extreme Speed hit harder than Bullet Punch, Metagross was clearly tougher—and its physical Attack was higher.
So Suicune was the one sent flying.
But it had still stopped Metagross from getting to Tapu Fini.
"Hydro Pump!"
Tapu Fini unleashed another massive Hydro Pump at Metagross.
Metagross couldn't dodge in time and had to cross its claws in front of itself. Tapu Fini's powerful Hydro Pump slammed into it, driving it back.
Steven's face tightened, but there was nothing else he could do.
Still—they'd successfully pulled Suicune and Tapu Fini's focus away.
"Garchomp! Dragon Claw!"
Garchomp lunged, sprinting straight for Mega Tyranitar.
Garchomp was much faster than both Metagross and Tyranitar.
"Earth Power!"
Giovanni instantly moved to cover.
Nidoking pounded forward over the water‑soaked ground as earthen‑yellow energy erupted beneath Mega Tyranitar.
The Ground‑type Earth Power.
"You three actually coordinate pretty well."
Damian raised a brow.
"But my Tyranitar isn't that easy to deal with."
"Bulldoze!"
Mega Tyranitar stomped down with its full weight.
The Ground‑type Bulldoze.
Boom!
Under Bulldoze's heavy stomp, the ground beneath Mega Tyranitar split apart with spiderweb cracks. Earth Power shattered and dissipated on the spot.
But Garchomp had already reached Mega Tyranitar. Its razor claws flashed with draconic light as it raked for Mega Tyranitar's chest.
Dragon‑type Dragon Claw.
Mega Tyranitar lifted its right arm to block, taking Dragon Claw head‑on.
The tearing pain across its arm only made it more enraged; it roared directly into Garchomp's face.
"Garchomp!!"
Garchomp growled right back, undaunted.
"Brick Break!" Cynthia stayed perfectly calm.
Steven's Metagross was still locked up with Tapu Fini and Suicune; facing both at once made things tough for it.
She and Giovanni had to seize this chance to bring down that brutal Mega Tyranitar.
"Payback!"
Garchomp twisted, claws glowing white with Fighting‑type light as it unleashed Brick Break.
Mega Tyranitar moved just as fast, its left arm wrapped in dark energy as it swung up to meet Brick Break.
Bang!
Payback and Brick Break collided—but only for a moment. To Cynthia's dismay, Mega Tyranitar's Payback overpowered Brick Break and blew it apart.
Post‑Mega Evolution, Mega Tyranitar's raw power had already left Garchomp far behind.
"Tyranitar～!!"
Having shattered Brick Break, Payback crashed into Garchomp's chest. Garchomp snarled in pain—
And Mega Tyranitar didn't stop. Its claw hooked up and clamped around Garchomp's throat, slamming it hard into the ground.
Mega Tyranitar's monstrous face twisted with thick malice.
"Ice Punch!"
Its right fist gleamed with deadly cold as it swung down toward Garchomp.
"Aura Sphere!" Cynthia's pupils shrank.
Lucario pressed its palms together, forming a blue sphere of energy that blasted for Mega Tyranitar.
The Fighting‑type move—Aura Sphere.
"Nidoking, Superpower!"
Giovanni also ordered Nidoking in without hesitation.
Bang!
Mega Tyranitar's Ice Punch smashed into Garchomp's chest. Garchomp's pained howl tore from its throat as a layer of thick frost spread from the point of impact.
The Ice‑type Ice Punch was devastating for Garchomp.
Cynthia's face turned grim. She knew perfectly well that taking an Ice Punch like that, Garchomp might not have fully lost the ability to fight—but it was seriously injured, its combat power sharply reduced.
Still, as long as Lucario's Aura Sphere and Nidoking's Superpower landed, it would be worth the trade.
"Knock Off!"
Mega Tyranitar didn't have time to dodge Aura Sphere—but its massive tail snapped out with a howl of air.
Boom!
Its tail smashed straight into the incoming Aura Sphere. The Sphere exploded—but nothing more.
"What—"
Steven had been watching Mega Tyranitar from the corner of his eye the whole time. His brows drew tight.
That worked too?
By then, Nidoking had already charged in. Its fist glowed white as it hammered into Mega Tyranitar's flank.
The Fighting‑type Superpower.
"Tyranitar!!"
Mega Tyranitar bellowed, its roar thick with barely suppressed rage.
Superpower's heavy impact blasted its massive body backward.
With its four‑times Fighting weakness, Mega Tyranitar took brutal damage.
"Again! Superpower!" Giovanni pressed the attack in a hard voice.
Nidoking didn't hesitate, lunging forward again to try and finish Mega Tyranitar.
"Don't push your luck."
Damian let out a cold laugh.
"Tyranitar, Ice Punch!"
Mega Tyranitar gritted its teeth through the pain in its side. Its right fist shone ice‑blue as it swung to meet Nidoking.
Bang!
Ice Punch and Superpower collided. There was no question who was stronger.
The two moves weren't even in the same league.
On a straight clash, Mega Tyranitar's monstrous might blew through Superpower completely, blasting Nidoking's huge body away and slamming it into the ground.
Ice‑type beat Nidoking; the hit was heavy.
"Aura Sphere!" Cynthia's voice was low and tight.
Lucario darted in, another Aura Sphere forming between its palms and slamming into Mega Tyranitar's back.
The explosion forced another roar of pain from Mega Tyranitar. Its huge frame dropped to one knee, its breathing harsh and ragged.
It still hadn't gone down.
Steven and the others all frowned deeply.
"Hammer Arm!" Steven ordered without hesitation.
Metagross forced its way through another Hydro Pump from Suicune, riding the impact down toward the ground. Its massive arms shone white.
Fighting‑type Hammer Arm.
"Block it. Payback."
Mega Tyranitar's head snapped up, its brutal, bloodshot eyes enough to make skin crawl.
It hauled itself upright and lifted its arm, dark energy flaring.
Bang!
Metagross's Hammer Arm slammed into Mega Tyranitar's arm. Under Metagross's immense strength, Mega Tyranitar's feet sank deep into the ground.
But that was it.
It took Hammer Arm head‑on and held.
"Grab it. Earthquake."
"Tyranitar～!"
Mega Tyranitar snarled, shifting its claw to clamp down hard on one of Metagross's arms.
"Metagross!" Steven's expression changed.
"Nidoking, Ice Beam!" Giovanni called at once.
"Lucario, Aura Sphere!" Cynthia also ordered another attack.
But Tapu Fini and Suicune weren't just watching from the sidelines.
Twin Hydro Pumps blasted out at once. Tapu Fini's nailed Nidoking, cutting its Ice Beam off.
Suicune's Hydro Pump, on the other hand, was cleanly dodged by the agile Lucario.
Mega Tyranitar heaved Metagross up and slammed it into the ground.
Boom!
Metagross hit hard. The next instant, Mega Tyranitar raised its right foot and stomped down.
Earthquake.
Rumble…!
The brutal shockwave tore through Metagross's body, wringing another painful groan from it.
Ground‑type Earthquake was super effective on Metagross.
At the same time, another blue Aura Sphere slammed into Mega Tyranitar's side.
Lucario's Aura Sphere.
Mega Tyranitar snarled in agony. The huge Pokémon finally tipped and crashed down.
Thud～
As it fell, green light flickered; it reverted from its Mega form back to a normal Tyranitar as its eyes spiraled.
They'd done it. They'd finally beaten Tyranitar.
Whew—
Seeing that, Steven and Cynthia both couldn't help letting out long breaths of relief.
That Mega Tyranitar had been way too strong. The price they'd paid to defeat it was steep.
Garchomp was completely shredded, basically out of the fight. Nidoking was also badly injured. Metagross had outright lost the ability to battle.
And that was three‑on‑one.
If Lucario's "ambush" Aura Spheres hadn't landed twice, they might still not have brought Tyranitar down.
But—
There wasn't much joy on Steven's face. Because—
"As expected of you. To actually beat my Mega Tyranitar—I really should praise you for that."
Damian recalled his fallen Tyranitar, then looked up at Steven and the others with a crooked smile.
Suicune and Tapu Fini settled at his sides.
"So tell me—what exactly are you planning to do about this one?"
Tap… tap… tap～
Footsteps sounded behind Damian. Two eerie, deep purple points of light flared to life as the armor‑clad Shadow Mewtwo stepped onto the shattered field.
Steven's face turned utterly grim—no, downright heavy.
He didn't have time to be happy about finally beating Mega Tyranitar.
Because next—
Steven and the others were about to face Armored Mewtwo.
~~~
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