The moment Rayquaza appeared in front of Steven Stone, that overwhelming dragon pressure washed over the entire mountain like a tidal wave.
Even Steven's expression changed sharply.
He truly hadn't expected it.
A "newbie Trainer," barely one month into his journey… casually summoning Hoenn's most famous Legendary like it was a normal partner?
Steven felt like his worldview had been punched in the face.
He—Steven Stone, former Hoenn Champion, once hailed as the strongest Trainer in the region—didn't even have a Legendary Pokémon.
His Shiny Metagross was already rare enough to make people lose their minds.
And this kid just pulled out a Tier-One Legendary and still had the audacity to call himself a beginner?
For a second, Steven genuinely felt cheated.
But then he steadied himself.
This battle was something he asked for. Aiden had faced Metagross head-on without backing down. If Steven panicked the instant Rayquaza showed up, what would that make him?
So now it was Steven's turn to take a deep breath.
He looked at his partner—his first and strongest companion—and his gaze sharpened.
"Metagross," Steven said firmly, "go all out. Psychic!"
Metagross's eyes flashed blue. A violent psychic force surged forward—
And… nothing.
Compared to earlier, when that same psychic power had dominated Aiden's Pokémon like a god, it now looked like a child throwing pebbles at a mountain.
The attack landed on Rayquaza like a gentle tap.
Rayquaza didn't even blink.
Aiden smiled.
"Steven… you're kinda weak." He tilted his head. "Metagross's full power can't even scratch Rayquaza's defenses."
Steven's veins nearly popped.
…Didn't he say something almost exactly like that earlier?
Before Steven could retort, Aiden's voice drifted out again—far too casual.
"Rayquaza, Dragon Breath. Don't use full strength. Wouldn't want to break the former Hoenn Champion's confidence."
He even emphasized former Hoenn Champion.
Steven's teeth ground together so hard it almost hurt.
But at the same time, something fierce ignited in Steven's eyes.
Rayquaza was an enemy he couldn't defeat—true.
Yet for Trainers who had climbed as high as Steven and Metagross, sometimes the greatest blessing was a wall so high it forced you to look up again.
If they could feel that difference—truly taste it—then maybe… just maybe… they could break through the limits that had trapped them for so long.
"Metagross," Steven barked, "Protect!"
A green barrier flared around Metagross, forming a defensive sphere.
Rayquaza's breath—clearly restrained—shot forward.
The barrier held for less than three seconds.
Crack.
Shatter.
Dragon Breath punched straight through and slammed into Metagross's body. Iron Defense had boosted physical durability, but against special attacks it didn't mean much.
Metagross was blasted backward, hit the ground hard, and went still.
Defeated.
"Metagross!" Steven rushed forward, kneeling by his partner and gently pressing a hand against the cold metal shell.
Thankfully, Aiden had ordered Rayquaza to hold back. Metagross wasn't severely injured—just knocked out.
Still… the impact was brutal.
A Tier-One Legendary like Rayquaza—especially one among the strongest even within its class—was simply beyond what normal Pokémon could contend with.
Steven, one of the strongest human Trainers alive… and his Shiny Metagross couldn't take even a restrained hit.
For a brief moment, the gap nearly dragged Steven into despair.
But only for a moment.
It was Rayquaza.
Losing to Rayquaza wasn't shameful—it was reality.
Steven recalled Metagross, took another steady breath, and snapped back into battle mode.
"Alright," he said, eyes narrowed. "Since we're fighting anyway… my other Pokémon should get a chance to feel what a god looks like."
He tossed another Poké Ball.
A massive, heavily armored Aggron slammed onto the rock with a deep, metallic thud—muscles coiled, plates gleaming, eyes fierce.
Pokémon: Aggron
Level: 82
Ability: Rock Head
Type: Steel / Rock
Aptitude: Gold
Bond Evolution: Unlockable
Mega Evolution: Unlockable
Moves: Rock Tomb, Metal Sound, Iron Tail, Iron Defense, Heavy Slam, Metal Burst…
Steven didn't waste time.
"Aggron—Metal Burst!"
Aggron roared and charged, its entire frame vibrating with retaliatory power—ready to reflect damage back with terrifying force.
Aiden's voice remained calm.
"Rayquaza. Dragon Tail."
A surge of dragon-type energy gathered along Rayquaza's tail. The strike came down like a divine hammer.
Metal Burst detonated against Rayquaza's body—
But the recoil, the raw force of Rayquaza's tail, sent Aggron flying anyway.
Aggron crashed, skidded across stone, and collapsed—barely clinging to consciousness.
Steven's expression tightened.
"Return, Aggron!"
He threw his final Poké Ball.
"This is my last one. The rest of my team is only at Champion level. No need to crush them with this kind of pressure." He stared up at Rayquaza. "Go—Armaldo!"
Pokémon: Armaldo
Level: 81
Ability: Swift Swim
Type: Rock / Bug
Aptitude: Gold
Bond Evolution: Unlockable
Mega Evolution: Unlockable
Moves: Ancient Power, Metal Claw, Brine, X-Scissor, Rock Blast, Protect…
Steven was still Steven.
Even now, he didn't flinch.
"Armaldo—Ancient Power!"
Armaldo gathered ancient energy—raw, primal force—
It didn't even finish forming.
Aiden lifted his hand slightly.
"Rayquaza. Dragon Pulse."
A condensed draconic wave fired out and erased the attack mid-formation. Armaldo took the hit dead-on and dropped instantly.
The battle ended with a clean, merciless finality.
The same way Aiden's Grovyle, Milotic, and Pidgeotto had been dismantled earlier—only now, the roles were reversed.
Steven recalled Armaldo and sat down heavily on the rocky ground, staring at nothing for a moment.
"…So this is what 'there's always someone stronger' feels like," he muttered. "A rookie Trainer… beating me until I can't even fight back."
He lifted his gaze to Aiden.
"You win, Aiden Flint."
Steven's tone steadied. Pride was bruised, but not broken.
"I said if you proved yourself, I'd give you a gift. There's a little guy I've been thinking about for a while… and I believe he can be entrusted to you."
He paused, then added with real seriousness:
"Treat him well."
Aiden blinked.
After getting absolutely bullied… Steven still wanted to give him a Pokémon?
Before Aiden could respond, Steven's mouth twitched, and his composure finally cracked just a little.
"…But seriously," he said through clenched teeth, "you using Rayquaza on me…"
He inhaled.
"MMP. You're not human."
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