A faint white glow flickered across the body of Mega Metagross, and the sheen of its silver metallic form became even more solid, as if it had been covered with an indestructible layer of armor.
The move Iron Defense greatly boosted its physical defense. Its already formidable durability was further enhanced, making it stand like an unbreakable fortress.
"Now is the time! Swampert, use Liquidation repeatedly!"
Juan seized the opportunity and immediately launched an offensive.
Mega Swampert charged forward once again, both fists wrapped in intense surging water energy. Blue currents spiraled rapidly around its fists.
Every punch carried a torrent of water, forming sharp water blades that sliced through the air. This was one of the Water-type's signature powerful moves, Liquidation.
As Mega Swampert rushed in, the blue cross-shaped mark on Mega Metagross's forehead flared intensely. A pale blue barrier unfolded around its body.
This thin blue membrane blocked all of Swampert's fierce attacks. Ripples spread across its surface again and again, yet it never shattered.
This was the Psychic-type move Reflect.
With the combined effects of Iron Defense and Reflect, Mega Metagross faced Mega Swampert's relentless assault with remarkable ease.
It swung its four massive claws, occasionally mixing in heavy strikes of Iron Head. Its sharp claws and crushing blows landed continuously on Mega Swampert's body.
The two massive Mega Evolved Pokémon engaged in a fierce close-range brawl under the pouring rain.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The sound of flesh and metal colliding echoed across the battlefield. Rain mixed with sweat and blood, making the scene even more intense.
Relying on the strength enhanced by Bulk Up and the speed granted by the rain, Mega Swampert delivered heavy, powerful punches. The water blades from Liquidation cut through the air with sharp, piercing sounds.
Yet under the dual reinforcement of Iron Defense and Reflect, Mega Metagross's defense was as solid as a fortress.
Swampert's attacks landed on its body but could only leave faint white marks, unable to cause any real damage.
On the other hand, every strike from Mega Metagross carried unstoppable force.
Its metal claws tore across Swampert's skin, leaving deep wounds that nearly exposed bone. Its Iron Head slammed into Swampert's chest, forcing it to grunt and stumble backward.
Its Meteor Mash strikes were like heavy hammers, each hit causing Swampert's entire body to tremble violently.
In just a few minutes, Mega Swampert was covered in injuries. Its deep blue skin was marked with streaks of blood, and the rain washed over its wounds, making it look increasingly battered.
Meanwhile, Mega Metagross remained almost completely unharmed aside from its slightly wet surface. There was even a glint of excitement in its eyes.
Bang!
The two Pokémon clashed with a final head-on collision, and the immense force sent them both sliding back several meters.
Mega Swampert panted heavily, its muscles trembling slightly, clearly having expended a great deal of stamina.
Mega Metagross, however, only shook its head lightly. It looked slightly fatigued, but its fighting spirit burned even more fiercely.
At the side, Larvesta controlled the livestream. Even the camera shook slightly from the intensity, and the audience in the chat was already fired up with excitement.
"Damn! This is what a real battle looks like!"
"Swampert already used Bulk Up and still cannot break Metagross? That Iron Defense is insane!"
"Mega Metagross is so strong! It can attack and tank, it is basically perfect!"
At this moment, Juan stood at the edge of the field, looking at the heavily breathing Mega Swampert, a trace of emotion appearing on his face.
"Young people these days are truly remarkable… it seems I cannot deny that I am getting old."
He paused briefly, then his tone suddenly turned firm.
"But even so, I cannot let you youngsters look down on us! Swampert, would you not agree?"
"SWAMP!!!"
Mega Swampert nodded forcefully, and the fighting spirit reignited in its eyes. Although its body was exhausted, its will to battle had not diminished in the slightest.
Theo was just about to say something modest when he saw Juan's gaze sharpen as he suddenly shouted:
"Swampert, use Outrage!"
At the instant it heard the command, Mega Swampert's eyes turned a deep crimson. Its aura became violent and chaotic.
It clenched its fists, and its entire body of muscles surged as if countless creatures were writhing beneath its skin, producing a series of cracking sounds.
A wild battle intent erupted from within it, even stirring the surrounding rain into a more violent torrent.
In the next moment, Mega Swampert kicked off the ground with its hind legs. Its body turned into a streak of blue lightning, charging toward Mega Metagross with frenzied speed enhanced by the rain.
Thud thud thud!
Swampert swung its fists wildly, striking like a barrage of machine gun fire. Each blow carried reckless, overwhelming force.
Under the influence of Outrage, it had completely abandoned defense, focusing only on delivering the heaviest possible blows to its opponent.
Bang bang bang!
A dense storm of punches rained down on Mega Metagross's Reflect barrier. The pale blue membrane trembled violently, and under the relentless assault, it finally shattered with a sharp cracking sound.
With the barrier gone, Swampert's fists slammed directly into Mega Metagross's metallic body, producing loud metallic clangs as sparks scattered through the rain.
Yet in the face of such a ferocious assault, an excited expression actually appeared on Mega Metagross's face.
It seemed that Swampert's frenzied battle spirit had completely ignited its own.
The four smaller arms on its back, which were originally used for support and defense, suddenly emitted mechanical clicking sounds.
Like springs, they snapped forward, aligning behind the four main claws. One set for offense, one for defense, all eight metallic limbs shifted into a full combat stance.
"Metagross, counterattack with full force!"
Theo felt the boiling fighting spirit within Metagross and shouted his command.
"Meta!"
Mega Metagross released a thunderous hum as its four massive claws spun rapidly like windmills.
Metal Claw, Meteor Mash, Iron Head, and other techniques were unleashed without reservation, clashing violently against Swampert's fists.
At the same time, its four smaller arms were far from idle.
At times they precisely blocked Swampert's attacks, and at others they seized openings to launch sudden strikes, continuously leaving new wounds across Swampert's body.
For a time, the battlefield was filled with overlapping shadows of fists. The sounds of metal collisions, rushing water, and roaring cries intertwined into a wild symphony of battle.
Relying on the explosive power granted by Outrage, Mega Swampert once managed to suppress Mega Metagross.
However, such a berserk state could not last long.
Gradually, under Metagross's steady and methodical counterattacks, Swampert's offense began to slow, and flaws started to appear in its movements.
Its stamina was draining rapidly, its injuries increasing, and the crimson glow in its eyes gradually faded, replaced by clarity tinged with exhaustion.
"Now is the moment!"
Theo seized the opportunity and decisively gave the command:
"The final blow, Meteor Mash!"
(End of Chapter)