The battle between Metagross and Sirfetch'd was exceptionally fierce, with every move and strike carrying immense power. The sheer shockwaves alone kept the ripples on the protective barrier from ever calming.
Even though both sides were holding back, any casual blow could still take down an Elite-level Pokémon.
The gap between a Champion and a Pseudo-Champion was like sky and earth, let alone compared to an Elite.
A Champion fighting an Elite was like an adult fighting an infant—there was simply no comparison.
That was why Champions were a nation's nuclear weapons, its foundation, while Elites were the pillars of the country.
The two battled for about half an hour, trading blows back and forth, which thrilled the vast majority of the audience.
Even without showing their true strength, the clash between two Champion-level Pokémon was still highly enlightening for many trainers.
However, quite a few trainers felt that Julian's battling style was something they simply couldn't emulate.
Metagross's defense was just too absurd—it didn't even bother dodging Sirfetch'd's attacks, simply tanking them with its body as if to say, "If you can break through my defense, I'll admit you're amazing."
"That's about enough," Julian muttered, glancing at the clock.
"Sirfetch’d, Meteor Assault!" Duke suddenly called out from the other side.
Meteor Assault was Sirfetch'd's signature move. Having a signature move not only added to its prestige but also made it incredibly powerful.
Sirfetch'd took a powerful step forward with its left foot, its leek lance glowing with a faint white light as its body shifted into a throwing stance.
As it moved, the white light covering the lance grew more intense.
Simultaneously, an incredibly sharp, unstoppable aura condensed at the tip of the lance.
Essence! Energy! Spirit!
All three merged into one.
Sirfetch'd's eyes grew sharper than ever before, its entire body's energy continuously flowing into the lance, its aura becoming downright terrifying.
The ground beneath it began to crack under the pressure, with rubble defying gravity and floating into the air.
Within a hundred meters, the entire battlefield sank slightly, with cracks spreading outward from Sirfetch'd as the center.
Inside the control room, the staff members monitoring the battlefield panicked as they watched the readings spiking wildly.
"What is Champion Duke trying to do? The energy radiating from Sirfetch'd has already exceeded the protective barrier's maximum capacity!"
"Isn’t this supposed to be an exhibition match?!"
The staff members descended into chaos. If this kind of energy were to erupt, the protective barrier would never hold, and the 500,000 spectators present would be torn to shreds.
"Don’t worry. I’m here."
[T/N: All Might?]
A tall, imposing figure strode in, followed by a silver-white Metagross.
"Metagross—Mega Evolve!" John commanded.
The next second, Mega Metagross appeared.
A second layer of protection was silently added on top of the battlefield’s barrier—of course, only a few sharp-eyed people noticed it; the majority of spectators remained unaware.
Audience inside the stadium could clearly tell that Sirfetch’d was about to unleash its ultimate move—the sheer pressure was overwhelming. Excitement filled the air as they cheered for both Sirfetch'd and Metagross.
Inside the VIP box 3, Catherine frowned slightly. "Isn't this too dangerous? What if the barrier doesn't hold?"
Lola covered her mouth and chuckled. "Relax, your Brother Walker is here—it'll be fine. Besides, I want to see if this young man's true power matches what I imagine."
On the battlefield, Julian’s previously relaxed expression had shifted. Sirfetch'd's aura indicated it was going all out—meaning the upcoming Meteor Assault would be its final, full-power strike.
Weren't they supposed to be having an exhibition match? This was turning into a real fight.
Sensing the additional layer over the battlefield's protective barrier and the unmistakable aura emanating from John's Metagross, Julian realized this was no joke.
'So you want a real fight? Fine.'
The exhibition match had been just for show, and Julian hadn't taken it seriously. But now, things were different. Duke clearly wanted to test his limits.
So, Sirfetch'd was no longer holding back.
In the stands, Julian’s classmates from the Special Recruitment Class who could make it were all present, watching the battlefield with tense expressions.
It was obvious to them that this next clash would be the true test of strength.
"Such a terrifying pressure… Just the aura alone is enough to make my Pokémon freeze," Luis murmured, his lips pressed tightly together.
Hugo's pupils had contracted to the size of pinpricks. If he hadn't known this overwhelming sense of danger wasn't directed at him, he would have fled long ago.
"Metagross."
Julian looked toward Metagross.
"Meta!"
Metagross nodded, its gaze locking onto Sirfetch’d below. Its opponent was finally serious!
"Sir!"
Every ounce of energy Sirfetch’d possessed flooded into the leek lance in its grasp.
Meteor Assault!!
The lance transformed into a streak of white light, like a meteor flashing across the night sky. Even in broad daylight, the white radiance shone with unprecedented brilliance.
The streak of light then suddenly vanished mid-air, as if it had been completely erased from existence.
If one looked carefully, they could see a faint black line where the light had passed—a sign that space itself had been torn open.
"Meta!!"
Metagross: "Bring it on!!"
When it came to sheer willpower, Metagross would never lose to any Pokémon.
A familiar, radiant seven-colored light flared around Metagross’s right arm,
and then it swung down in a vertical slash—toward the empty space ahead.
At this moment, an extremely terrifying power erupted as Meteor Mash was unleashed.
The next second, a leek lance enveloped in white light appeared in front of the descending fist.
The fist and the lance collided.
BOOM!!!!
A towering shockwave erupted from the impact, resembling a nuclear explosion, with a massive mushroom cloud soaring into the sky.
The battlefield's protective barrier held for less than three seconds before shattering with a deafening crack.
The spectators were stunned—they had come to watch an exhibition match, not to die!
There wasn’t even time to run. All they could do was watch helplessly and despair as the terrifying shockwave surged toward them.
But then, a transparent protective barrier materialized, blocking the shockwave entirely.
'We’re alive!! Whew…'
That thought barely registered before the next one took over: Quick, look at the battlefield—what was the outcome?
But at this moment, the shockwaves were still raging across the battlefield,
making it impossible to see what was happening.
It wasn’t until five or six minutes later, as the shockwaves gradually subsided, that the scene within the battlefield slowly became visible to everyone.
The battlefield had been completely reduced to ruins—which was hardly surprising.
But what about Metagross and Sirfetch’d? Who won?
"Meta!"
A steady, powerful sound broke the silence.
Everyone saw Metagross hovering slightly above the ground, its silver-white body covered in a thin layer of dust but still gleaming brilliantly under the sunlight.
Sirfetch'd also stood about ten meters away from Metagross, still conscious and not yet defeated.
But after unleashing Meteor Assault, its body was temporarily unable to move, and it likely had little to no strength left.
*****
Upto 30 chapters ahead on patreon :-
/ReduxMagister