Team Rocket's Second-in-Command!

"It's your turn, Dragonite!"

A burst of white light revealed the massive form of Dragonite, towering over the battlefield.

With Steven having sent out his ace, Metagross, Luo Yuan responded in kind.

Among the Pokémon Luo Yuan could use as an Elite Four member, Dragonite was not only the strongest but also the best suited to counter Metagross.

This was a clash between Kanto's pseudo-legendary and Hoenn's pseudo-legendary!

As Dragonite emerged, Steven instinctively glanced toward Lance.

What is going on with Johto? he thought. Their Dragon-type Champion's entire team consists of Flying-types, while their Flying-type Elite Four member specializes in Dragons...

Noticing Steven's puzzled look, Lance coughed pointedly.

"Ahem. Please focus on the match, Steven."

"..."

Steven reined in his thoughts and turned his attention back to Luo Yuan and Dragonite.

Metagross's emotionless red eyes locked onto Dragonite, while Dragonite stared back, its two antennae twitching rhythmically.

Then, almost simultaneously, both trainers issued their commands.

"Dragonite/Metagross, Fire Punch/Meteor Mash!"

Skipping the usual probing attacks, Luo Yuan and Steven dove straight into a clash of raw power!

Dragonite's flaming fist collided with Metagross's glowing Meteor Mash.

Boom!

The impact sent shockwaves rippling across the arena, but neither Pokémon backed down.

Metagross's eyes gleamed with a calculating menace as it swung its other arm at Dragonite.

Dragonite responded in kind.

Bam!

Metagross's Bullet Punch struck Dragonite's face just as Dragonite's Fire Punch landed on Metagross's body.

The sheer force sent both Pokémon skidding back.

Dragonite's cheek swelled slightly, while Metagross bore a charred mark on its metallic frame.

Luo Yuan's eyes glowed faintly blue as he maintained a psychic link with Dragonite, feeding it battlefield data and predicting Metagross's movements.

Meanwhile, Metagross relied on its supercomputer-like brain, dodging Dragonite's attacks while seizing every opportunity to counter.

Psychic foresight versus mechanical precision.

The two Pokémon exchanged blow after blow, each exploiting their strengths to deal as much damage as possible.

To the spectators, however, it seemed like Dragonite was on the losing end.

Dragonite's massive size gave it immense strength, but its bulk made it appear slower and less agile.

Attacks that a normal-sized Dragonite could have dodged, the larger Dragonite had to block or endure. Each time Metagross landed a hit, Dragonite's pained expression was evident.

Observers watching the livestream began forming opinions based on appearances, tagging Dragonite as a powerhouse with limited speed and mobility.

Seeing Metagross seemingly gain the upper hand, Joseph Stone and the other Devon Corporation supporters began to relax slightly, their previously tense expressions easing.

Even viewers worldwide started feeling reassured.

"So Steven wasn't struggling for no reason. He was just holding back."

"Of course! A Champion losing to an Elite Four member would be embarrassing."

Even Silph Co.'s president, confident in Luo Yuan's abilities, couldn't help but feel a twinge of concern.

The only person watching without doubt was Lance, who had witnessed Dragonite's capabilities firsthand during the Indigo Plateau Conference.

Something felt off to him.

--- 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

While others were placing their faith in Steven, he himself was growing uneasy.

Despite Metagross landing several solid hits and exploiting Dragonite's size disadvantage, Dragonite didn't show any signs of fatigue.

On the contrary, Metagross had taken noticeable damage from Dragonite's Fire Punches.

Steven frowned.

This feels... wrong.

From the moment Metagross began trading blows with Dragonite, it felt like they'd been drawn into a battle they couldn't win.

Still, the damage Metagross inflicted was real. Steven trusted his Pokémon and its calculations.

So why did something still feel off?

Across the field, Luo Yuan smirked as he noticed Steven's growing unease.

He's starting to catch on.

Indeed, everything so far had been part of Luo Yuan's plan.

Though Dragonite's size gave it incredible strength and durability, it also enhanced its speed proportionately.

Most importantly, Dragonite's resilience was unparalleled.

Having been further trained and conditioned, Dragonite's already robust defenses had reached a nearly absurd level.

The injuries it sustained appeared far more serious than they were, and the damage it dealt to Metagross was actually greater.

With its naturally higher stamina and the advantage of its massive frame, Dragonite could easily outlast Metagross in a war of attrition.

Steven, however, wasn't about to give Luo Yuan the opportunity to drag the battle out.

Realizing something was wrong, he ordered decisively:

"Metagross, create some distance!"

Finally recognizing Dragonite's strategy, Steven shifted tactics, no longer willing to engage in a trade of blows.

As Metagross began pulling back, Dragonite's expression shifted dramatically.

It dropped its feigned exhaustion, replacing it with a look of regret.

Having been exposed, Dragonite no longer pretended to struggle.

With a powerful beat of its wings, it surged forward at a speed completely unlike what it had shown before.

Its massive tail swung with incredible force, slamming into the retreating Metagross.

The impact sent Metagross careening into the ground. Its claws dug into the arena floor, leaving deep gouges as it struggled to stabilize itself.

---

T/N: fuck this 0/10 story

...

"GACHA!!"

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