The white glow enveloping Metagross began to fade at a speed barely perceptible to the naked eye.
The defensive boost provided by its Triple Titanium plating showed signs of gradually crumbling under Slaking's immense physical power.
A flicker of pain flashed through its crimson eyes; its four metal legs dug desperately into the ground, yet it was still being forced to slide backward relentlessly.
The metal limbs scraped against the earth, emitting a grating, ear-piercing screech—
leaving four long, deep gouges in the ground.
Lionel's brows furrowed tightly, his heart surging with turbulent shock.
This was a disparity that could not be bridged by mere tactics or technique.
The sheer difference in energy reserves and raw power between Metagross and Slaking was simply too vast.
To put it in layman's terms—or rather, in the context of the video games from his previous life—it was akin to a massive level disparity.
The battle unfolding right now was like a Level 40 Metagross going up against a Level 80 or 90 Slaking.
Even with flawless skill execution and perfect tactical execution, it would be nearly impossible to bridge such a colossal chasm in power.
Witnessing the scene of Metagross and Slaking's battle, the audience in the live stream chat was left utterly dumbfounded:
[Is *this* what they call a "Champion-tier Slaking"? It's absolutely terrifying!]
[Seriously! What the hell is up with this Slaking's defense? It tanked a *Close Combat* attack and came out completely unscathed?]
[Where's the super-effective damage? Isn't the Fighting-type supposed to be highly effective against the Normal-type? Why does it feel like it had absolutely no effect?]
[Is this the true strength of an Elite Four-level Trainer? I've always felt...]
[The streamer's Pokémon was clearly formidable, yet at this moment, Slaking suddenly grinned—the first smile it had shown—revealing a row of stark white teeth. It abruptly reached out a massive hand.]
It seized the Metagross by its metallic back.
"This is bad!"
Lionel's heart tightened. He intended to issue an order for Metagross to break free, but then he saw Slaking suddenly exert its full power.
Metagross's massive body was tossed aside with the same ease one might flick a pebble. It spun helplessly through the air, accompanied by the rushing sound of the wind, before slamming violently into the ground!
The dull thud of the impact resonated like a heavy hammer striking everyone's hearts. The ground of the battle arena was left with a deep crater where it landed.
Metagross lay in the pit, its silvery-white metallic body visibly dimming. Its frame trembled uncontrollably—it was clear that this single blow had subjected it to immense shock.
" Metagross!"
Lionel reached for the Pokémon's Poké Ball, intending to recall it.
But Metagross struggled to lift its head. It turned its gaze toward Lionel; though its crimson eyes remained silent, they burned with an intense, unyielding light.
Before Lionel could say another word, Metagross abruptly forced itself back onto its feet. A blinding red glow suddenly erupted from its entire body.
The silhouette of a massive meteor materialized behind Metagross.
As the radiant red light flared across its form, the full effects of the moves and abilities boosting the Pokémon's Attack stat burst forth from Metagross simultaneously.
Dragging its injured body, and summoning every last ounce of its strength, it charged headlong toward Slaking!
In the stands, some spectators were already frozen in disbelief:
"It's in that state, yet it's still fighting?"
"It refuses to give up."
"Metagross, stop fighting!"
[Way to go, Metagross! That sheer tenacity is incredible!]
[Damn it... I'm tearing up watching this. The disparity in power is so obvious, yet...]
[Slaking, please show some mercy! Stop hitting it!]
Slaking glanced at the Metagross—which, despite knowing it stood no chance, continued to push itself to grow stronger—and a flicker of almost imperceptible admiration flashed in its eyes.
Admiration aside, a battle is a battle. Slaking slowly drew its right arm back, adopting an exaggerated stance as it began to charge its power.
Its right fist began to emit a dazzling white glow; the light intensified rapidly, creating such immense pressure that it seemed to make the very air around it groan in pain.
*—Hyper Beam!*
A brilliant white beam of light—a veritable meteor of pure energy—slammed into the Metagross.
The clashing forces of the two combatants erupted in the center of the arena, generating a visible shockwave of energy that rippled outward in all directions.
The blast of air pressure sent the spectators in the stands reeling backward; many cried out in alarm, instinctively shielding their faces.
Silence...
As the light faded, the scene revealed in the arena once again left everyone stunned.
Slaking remained standing exactly where it had been; its body hadn't shifted an inch—only its right fist...
The white light gradually faded away.
As for Metagross—it looked as if it had been struck by a speeding train—sent flying straight out of the battle arena. It slammed into the steel guardrail situated just in front of the spectator stands.
*CLANG!* The impact was so violent that the guardrail itself was visibly deformed.
Metagross slid down the railing and slumped to the ground. It struggled to heave its massive body back upright, but collapsed helplessly once more; it had barely enough strength left even to stand.
"Metagross!"
Lionel, disregarding all battle regulations, sprinted toward his Pokémon.
Almost simultaneously, Larvesta rushed out from behind him, his short, slender legs pumping furiously as he raced toward the scene.