But the Gyarados, whose level was not weaker than Metagross, had an equally powerful attack.
The immense power transferred from its dragon tail to Metagross, and the floating Metagross in mid-air was completely overwhelmed by that force.
With a thud, Metagross's massive, heavy body crashed to the ground.
"Damn! That's insane. Could it be that Nathan's nine-win streak against national team opponents is going to end today?"
"Nathan, forgive me for mocking you earlier. I didn't expect the Sunderlander contestant to be this cunning."
"Although this Sunderlander player might handle some of Nathan's other Pokémon, once Volcarona comes out, hehe…"
"Looking forward to a Volcarona +1."
…
Nathan had always left the impression of being extremely powerful. So, this opening scene shocked the audience.
But Nathan didn't show even the slightest panic. He quietly observed the situation between Metagross and Gyarados.
Being caught off guard and taking damage from the first strike was completely normal — after all, Nathan's Pokémon weren't invincible.
Even world-class Pokémon can't avoid getting the short end of the stick sometimes in battles.
"Gyarados, use Ice Beam! Keep Metagross restrained!"
The Sunderlander female trainer, seeing that her Pokémon had the upper hand, gave another command.
As long as she could control Metagross again, she was confident she could defeat it completely.
"Metagross, use Iron Defense to block the Ice Beam!"
Nathan quickly ordered.
Metagross clamped its arms together, and a faint metallic glow surrounded its body.
"Then use Light Screen!"
A thin energy barrier appeared in front of Metagross.
Just then, Ice Beam reached Metagross.
The beam struck the Light Screen, which quickly froze over, but Metagross, behind the screen, was completely unaffected.
When the Ice Beam finally dissipated, Nathan let out a cold snort.
"Metagross, use Flash Cannon!"
Since Gyarados had just used an offensive move, it was now fatigued and couldn't perform a strong defense.
"Gyarados, use Protect!"
The Sunderlander trainer clearly knew her Pokémon's condition well.
She issued the Protect command, but it was evident that this move wouldn't be enough to block the incoming Flash Cannon.
A half-meter-thick beam blasted into Gyarados's Protect barrier, quickly breaking through its defenses.
Although the barrier absorbed some damage, by the time the Flash Cannon hit Gyarados directly, the power had greatly diminished.
Still, something happened that Nathan hadn't anticipated.
The Flash Cannon triggered its special effect!
Flash Cannon has a small chance — only 10% — to lower the opponent's Special Defense.
Nathan hadn't expected such bad luck for his opponent: to actually get hit by that 10%.
He chuckled.
Metagross wasn't just a Steel-type Pokémon, after all.
It also had Psychic typing. Now that Gyarados's Special Defense had been lowered, how could it possibly withstand Metagross's attacks?
The Sunderlander trainer clearly wasn't fully aware of all move mechanics.
Although she noticed something odd about Gyarados after being hit, she didn't pay it much attention.
"Metagross, use Confusion!"
With Gyarados's Special Defense lowered, Nathan decisively opted for a Psychic-type move.
The Confusion attack landed, and Gyarados immediately entered a confused state.
The confused Gyarados flailed uncontrollably in the air, completely ignoring its trainer's commands.
"Use Miracle Eye on Gyarados, then Hyper Beam!"
Nathan issued another command.
At this point, Gyarados was doomed to lose.
With lowered Special Defense, confusion, and now under the effects of Miracle Eye, there was no way it could survive a Hyper Beam.
Metagross clasped its arms together, and Hyper Beam fired out.
The Sunderlander trainer's expression turned pale as she watched the devastating beam.
Gyarados was her strongest Pokémon. If it went down, she would have no chance left against Nathan.
But Gyarados, confused and unresponsive, couldn't dodge the attack.
The Hyper Beam struck Gyarados directly, bursting in a dazzling flash of light.
This battle's victor was clearly going to be Nathan.
Once the light faded, everyone looked toward Gyarados.
It now bore a clearly visible wound — one that was still bleeding.
Seeing the wounded Gyarados, countless Celestian spectators cheered for Nathan, celebrating another of his victories.
However, Nathan did not let his guard down — because Gyarados moved again!
Despite being hit by a full-power Hyper Beam, Gyarados had not lost consciousness — it could still fight!
The Sunderlander female trainer was surprised and thrilled.
…
"Gyarados, can you still stand?"
The Sunderlander trainer looked at it with hope.
And somehow, Gyarados responded — staggering, wobbling, but it stood back up.
But in that condition, what could it even do?
Nathan looked at the trainer and her Gyarados with a hint of pity.
They had strong willpower and a great bond, but unfortunately, they were facing him.
Even if this scene was touching, Nathan was never the kind to show mercy to an enemy because of emotion.
"Gyaa~"
Gyarados gave a weak cry in response to its trainer.
"Gyarados…"
The Sunderlander trainer's voice choked with emotion.
"Nathan, I admit, you're strong — but I'm not weak either. Gyarados, let's keep fighting!"
Hearing her words, Nathan was speechless.
Had she even looked at the condition her Pokémon was in?
Even a healthy, full-strength Gyarados couldn't beat his Metagross. Now, in this state? Was she dreaming?
Just as Nathan was about to say something snarky, he suddenly saw her pull out a stone.
The audience noticed too — but no one understood what she intended.
Was she going to throw a rock at Metagross?
They didn't recognize the item — but Nathan did.
It was Gyarados's Mega Evolution Stone!
"Damn it… I shouldn't have held back!"
Nathan realized too late — the trainer had given Gyarados the Mega Stone.
It was already too late to stop her.
Once the stone was equipped, Gyarados would Mega Evolve.
Ordinary Gyarados was only mid-tier among powerful Pokémon.
But Mega Gyarados? It jumped up to top-tier.
Even his Metagross would struggle against one.
A soft white glow surrounded Gyarados's body — not harsh, but gentle, like bright moonlight.
This Sunderlander trainer had known about the Mega Stone for a while.
She had found it in a mystic realm and had waited for the right moment — hoping to surprise her opponents during official matches.
She hadn't expected to need it so soon.
In fact, she had nearly been unable to use it at all.
Mega Evolution requires the Pokémon to be conscious — if Gyarados had fainted from Nathan's earlier attack, it would've been over.
As the light enveloping Gyarados began to shift, Nathan realized:
It would only take a few more seconds before it completed the evolution.
"What a shame," he muttered. "If your opponent weren't me, you might have had a chance."
As he spoke, he raised his wrist, revealing a device that looked like a watch.
Embedded within it — Metagross's Mega Evolution Stone.
Metagross might struggle against Mega Gyarados.
But Mega Metagross? That was another story.
"Few people ever get to see my Metagross Mega Evolve in battle. You're one of the lucky few."
"Metagross, Mega Evolve!"
As Nathan gave the command, his stone and Metagross's resonated.
Just like Gyarados, Metagross was surrounded by a soft white light.
Their Mega Evolutions completed almost simultaneously.
As the light faded, the newly evolved Pokémon reappeared before the stunned audience.
They had changed — subtly, but clearly.
"My god… I can't believe I'm witnessing this. Totally worth the ticket price!"
"Both Pokémon mega evolved at the same time — and under their trainers' commands. Is the world about to change?"
…
Whether online or in the arena, the audience was stunned.
Such a moment — two Pokémon Mega Evolving in sync — was a rare sight, something that might happen only once in several years.
(End of Chapter)