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Steven retrieved the unconscious Claydol into its Poké Ball, watching it for a while before looking at Mammon and the Nihilego in front of him.
"Amazing~"
Steven couldn't help but exclaim in genuine admiration.
Honestly, after Light Screen was successfully used, as long as Mammon didn't switch out Nihilego, he had already written down the winning formula.
After all, the situation was too favorable for him.
But Nihilego's Mirror Coat directly shattered all his thoughts and plans. One could only say, as expected of Mammon?
In such a situation, he could still come up with this move to win.
"You're also very good. Many people facing my Slither Wing and Nihilego probably wouldn't be able to achieve what you did."
Mammon replied with a smile.
In terms of frontal combat power, his Slither Wing and Nihilego were both very strong. If it were Wallace instead.
Using Slither Wing and Nihilego to sweep through would definitely be no problem.
But Steven was able to devise various strategies to limit Nihilego's performance, which was actually very impressive.
"I'll take that as a compliment," Steven said with a smile.
"Then, next."
Steven glanced at the heavily injured Nihilego.
Although Nihilego was at full health before being hit by Earth Power and had very high Special Defense.
But it was a four-times super effective attack after all, and Nihilego's injuries were actually very severe.
And Mammon also didn't seem to have any intention of switching out Nihilego.
"Metagross!"
Steven pondered for a moment and decisively threw his third Poké Ball.
The imposing Metagross landed heavily in front of Steven. This was Steven's previous ace Metagross.
However, ever since the Shinny Metagross was fully trained, the Shinny Metagross became Steven's true ace.
But this Metagross was also extremely powerful, definitely a core main force in Steven's team.
"Using Metagross? It seems you're ready to go all out." Mammon wasn't too surprised.
After all, not recalling Nihilego already showed his attitude.
"Then come on, Steven, let me see the power of your Metagross."
Mammon gestured to Steven, indicating that he didn't need to hold back and should go all out.
Steven let out a soft breath, his eyes becoming calm and steady.
"Metagross, Bullet Punch!"
Steven suddenly shouted at Metagross.
"Mita~!"
A deep, metallic growl sounded as Metagross floated up, its giant claws glowing white, and it rushed towards Nihilego at high speed.
The Steel-type priority move, Bullet Punch!
At this moment, the sandstorm had completely ended, and visibility was clear again.
"Thunder!"
Mammon narrowed his eyes, staring intently at Metagross, as lightning crackled around Nihilego.
Thunder was being prepared.
Metagross's speed was not actually fast, at least definitely not as fast as Nihilego, but the speed boost provided by the priority move Bullet Punch compensated for this flaw in Metagross.
That's why many people say that the pseudo-legendary Metagross is almost a flawless Pokémon!
Metagross almost turned into a blue-green shadow, and when it became clear again, it had already dashed in front of Nihilego.
Its two giant claws became afterimages, wildly striking at Nihilego.
But Nihilego, which had been on high alert, instantly unleashed lightning as Metagross appeared.
Boom!
The golden Thunder directly hit Metagross.
The vast lightning crackled wildly. Although it wasn't super effective, Nihilego's Thunder still dealt considerable damage.
Metagross's Bullet Punch instinctively paused for a moment, but in the next instant, enduring the erosion of Thunder.
Metagross's Bullet Punch heavily landed on Nihilego.
Bullet Punch continuously slammed into Nihilego's soft body, causing Nihilego to cry out in pain and be sent flying backward by the Bullet Punch.
Nihilego was weak to Steel-type, and... Nihilego's physical defense was very low.
Even though the priority move Bullet Punch wasn't very powerful, it was still a significant blow to Nihilego.
Moreover, Nihilego's condition was already poor.
What was worse, when Nihilego was sent flying, its back also touched a Stealth Rock.
The Stealth Rock appeared and exploded, dealing additional damage to Nihilego.
Nihilego fell heavily to the ground, grunting in pain again. There were also Spikes laid down by Skarmory on the ground.
And with the final blow from the Spikes, Nihilego finally couldn't hold on.
"Nihilego is unable to battle, Metagross wins."
The referee announced the battle result.
As the referee's words fell, the entire venue immediately erupted in exaggerated cheers and applause.
After all, this was the Sootopolis Gym, the Hoenn region, and Steven's home turf.
The number of Steven's fans present was the largest.
"Phew~ Finally defeated one of Mammon's Pokémon."
"This is the first time Mammon has had a Pokémon defeated since he participated in the World Championship, right? As expected of our Steven!"
"Champion Steven, keep it up! You're the best! You will definitely win!"
"This Nihilego isn't ugly, but it just gives a feeling of physiological discomfort. It's finally incapacitated."
"Great! Winning one is not a loss! Winning two is a huge profit! If you defeat three of Mammon's main Pokémon, I can praise you, Champion Steven, for a year!"
In the live stream, a large number of bullet comments continuously scrolled by. It was clear that many people were very pleasantly surprised that Steven could defeat one of Mammon's main Pokémon.
After all, Mammon's previous record of sweeping Wallace was still very intimidating.
Especially since Mammon had publicly used Kyogre from myths and legends in that battle!
"Mammon is really holding back too much."
In the spectator room, Wallace commented on his close friend defeating one of Mammon's main Pokémon.
He felt that under normal circumstances, Steven shouldn't have the ability to defeat one of Mammon's main Pokémon.
He could only say that Mammon was holding back!
On the field.
"To be able to defeat my Nihilego, that's really good."
Mammon retrieved the unconscious Nihilego, glanced at Metagross, and smiled at Steven.
"Then your next opponent will be it."
Mammon threw his third Poké Ball over his shoulder.
"Iron Valiant, prepare for battle."
A flash of white light, and a cold, humanoid Pokémon landed in front of Mammon.
As soon as it landed, sharp Spikes pricked Iron Valiant, but Iron Valiant seemed oblivious, merely pausing its movement for a moment.
If Steven hadn't noticed this detail, he might have wondered if the Spikes had failed.
"A Paradox Pokémon's future form, Iron Valiant."
Steven slightly narrowed his eyes, examining this Iron Valiant, whose appearance resembled both Gardevoir and Gallade.
Its aura was cold, its left hand held a double-bladed shining sword, and its cruel, indifferent eyes stared blankly at Metagross.
"Steven, be careful. Iron Valiant is different from Slither Wing and Nihilego."
Mammon smiled and reminded Steven, playtime was over.
Steven's eyes narrowed slightly. He understood Mammon's meaning. Clearly, Iron Valiant's strength was much greater than the previous two.
Which meant Mammon was about to get serious.
"Iron Valiant."
Iron Valiant understood Mammon's meaning. It swung the blade in its left hand upwards, then gripped it with both hands. The blade gradually slid down to Iron Valiant's arm position, transforming into two sharp arm blades, very similar to Gallade's arm blades.
However, Gallade's arm blade was on its right arm, while Iron Valiant had them on both arms.
Those gleaming, cold blades certainly didn't look like a joke.
"Metagross! Bullet Punch!"
However, when it came to close combat, Steven was extremely confident in his Metagross.
Metagross let out a low growl and charged towards Iron Valiant at high speed. With the acceleration from the priority move Bullet Punch, its speed was very fast.
Iron Valiant stared at Metagross with cold eyes, gradually taking a stance.
Not long after, Metagross dashed in front of Iron Valiant, raised its two giant claws, and slammed them towards Iron Valiant like bullets at high speed.
"Quick Guard."
Iron Valiant raised its left arm horizontally, using the Fighting-type Quick Guard.
It could defend against the opponent's priority attacks.
Bullet Punch continuously swung down, but all were blocked by Iron Valiant's Quick Guard.
"Sucker Punch!"
The next moment, Iron Valiant's right arm blade glowed with a purplish-black light, slashing fiercely upwards.
The Dark-type Sucker Punch!
"Metagross!"
Metagross whimpered in pain, its body forced back by the slash.
Sucker Punch was super effective against Metagross and dealt considerable damage, but Metagross's physical defense was very high, so it could withstand it.
Looking at the Iron Valiant opposite, whose aura was still cold and robot-like, Steven's brows furrowed slightly.
"Metagross, Meteor Mash!"
Metagross roared, raised its two giant claws, and fiercely launched an attack at Iron Valiant.
The Steel-type Meteor Mash!
"Close Combat!"
Iron Valiant didn't retreat but advanced, wildly swinging its arm blades to slash at Metagross's Meteor Mash.
The Fighting-type Close Combat!
A full-power offense that sacrificed defense. Metagross's Meteor Mash held in front, blocking Iron Valiant's relentless attacks.
However, Iron Valiant's Close Combat attacks grew heavier and heavier, so heavy that Metagross gradually couldn't bear it.
Steven's brows were tightly furrowed. He really didn't expect that in a direct power struggle, Metagross would actually be suppressed by Iron Valiant.
This was his Metagross!
Bang!
With another slash from Iron Valiant, Metagross's Meteor Mash was completely broken. The next moment, Iron Valiant's other arm blade heavily chopped down, directly hitting Metagross's face.
Metagross roared in pain, its entire body sent flying by Iron Valiant's chop.
"Shadow Ball."
Iron Valiant had no intention of letting Metagross go, directly charging towards the flying Metagross.
At the same time, a Shadow Ball condensed and shot out, catching up to Metagross and exploding heavily on its body.
The Ghost-type Shadow Ball dealt high damage to Metagross.
"Sucker Punch."
Mammon's lips curved slightly.
Iron Valiant accelerated again, rapidly approaching Metagross, but suddenly its movement paused as an invisible rock appeared in front of it.
Boom!
The Stealth Rock exploded, stopping Iron Valiant.
Mammon couldn't help but click his tongue, his luck wasn't very good.
Metagross fell heavily to the ground, and Steven finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Otherwise, if Iron Valiant had caught up and continued its attack, Metagross might not have survived the subsequent pursuit.
"What a fierce Iron Valiant."
However, after the recent exchange, Steven's gaze towards this cold future Paradox Pokémon had completely turned solemn.
This Iron Valiant... was surprisingly strong.