Bewear couldn't avoid it.
Dense steel fists fell on it like raindrops.
But fortunately, Steel-type wasn't super effective against Bewear, and with the effect of its "Fluffy" ability, no matter how fast that Bullet Punch was, it couldn't deal too much damage to Bewear.
Quite the opposite.
Carver found the right timing and commanded in a deep voice: "Brutal Swing!"
A flash of light suddenly appeared in Bewear's eyes. Taking advantage of the gap in Bullet Punch's usage, it suddenly reached out and grabbed Mega Metagross's hard steel arm.
As if it hadn't calculated that this Bewear would make such a move, Mega Metagross was slightly stunned, and its movements also paused for an instant.
This was the moment Carver and Bewear wanted to seize!
The powerful muscles hidden under thick fur suddenly burst out with terrifying power. As malice surged, Bewear gripped Mega Metagross tightly, then began wildly slamming it around like dragging a broken rag doll back and forth on the ground.
Seeing this, even Steven couldn't help but be slightly stunned.
That Pokémon's power was terrifying!
He was about to give a new command, having Metagross distance itself from the opponent and use long-range moves like "Psychic" or "Flash Cannon" from afar.
But the next second, something completely unexpected happened on the field.
Mega Metagross barely controlled its body. Its eyes were cold, and its four powerful metal arms gripped Bewear tightly.
Then an extremely terrifying aura began brewing from its body.
Accompanied by a dazzling white light emanating from Mega Metagross—
BOOM!
That was Explosion!
The massive shockwave immediately sent Carver and Steven, who were closest, flying. For a moment, wild winds danced on the grassland, with grass fragments mixed with dust and dirt flying toward the sky.
After a long time, this commotion finally stopped.
On the field, Bewear was charred all over, panting as it looked ahead.
There, Metagross had already exited its Mega Evolution state, returned to its original appearance, and due to the Explosion, had directly fallen into critical condition and lost consciousness.
...
Complete silence.
No one spoke.
Steven frowned as he looked at Metagross.
Metagross had returned to its original form. Devolution?
No, that change seemed more like a temporary enhancement. When power was exhausted, it would revert to the previous stage.
However, more than that, what concerned Steven was whether Metagross had lost control just now?
As a Pokémon trainer, Steven clearly understood that some Pokémon's temperament and habits would change greatly after evolution.
In severe cases, there would even be situations where they ignored their trainer's commands and fought autonomously.
What was going on?
Steven subconsciously cast a pleading look toward Carver across from him.
Carver was somewhat speechless. He sighed helplessly and said: "Let's treat the Pokémon first!"
The group returned to the breeding house. Carver brought out Max Potions he had made and fed them to both Metagross and Bewear.
Soon, the critically injured Metagross slowly opened its eyes.
Steven observed Metagross's behavior.
Metagross had recovered now. Recalling its earlier behavior of using Explosion without following commands, it felt somewhat ashamed.
It hadn't done it on purpose—it didn't know what had come over it at the time.
"As expected, just as I thought," Carver spoke up at this moment.
Everyone present immediately turned their attention to him.
"Mega Evolution cannot be maintained for long periods. Currently, it seems that after a battle ends, or when stamina is overly depleted, it will return to its original form."
Steven hummed thoughtfully. This point matched his speculation.
Their eyes met, and both understood each other's meaning.
"There's one more thing. Looking at Metagross's condition, after achieving Mega Evolution, its temperament also changed accordingly," Carver pretended to ponder. "Hmm, this shouldn't be something that happens to just one Pokémon."
Steven was slightly stunned. Metagross wasn't a special case?
"The energy in Mega Stones and Key Stones is very powerful. This energy will make Pokémon break through their original species limitations, and even affect their brains, making them cold and violent," Carver explained.
"In that case, Mega Evolution also has negative effects," Steven couldn't help but frown.
"No, I still say the same thing—bonds are the most important existence in Mega Evolution," Carver shook his head. "With sufficient bonds, your Pokémon will overcome all difficulties. Metagross's situation might just be because it's the first time performing Mega Evolution and it's still not quite adapted. This is something you'll need to gradually change together."
"Bonds..." Steven murmured.
Carver nodded. As far as he knew, Ash's Greninja didn't have Mega Stones or Key Stones, but achieved Bond Evolution purely through its bond with Ash.
"I understand," Steven took these words to heart.
Then he looked at Carver before him, his face showing an elegant smile.
"Now that our agreement is complete, it's time to fulfill our original promise," Steven said.
Carver was slightly stunned.
"Those five meteorites," Steven reminded.
Hearing this, Carver immediately remembered.
Originally, he had wanted to use the five meteorites the Clefairy had given him to exchange for some Mega Stones.
However, Steven had left in a hurry and forgot to take the meteorites.
Now all of Steven's Mega Stones were with him, and it was time for him to give those five meteorites to Steven.
"Of course."
Carver immediately went and brought out those five shimmering meteorites, handing them to Steven.
However...
Steven had originally given him over twenty Mega Stones. Using them to exchange for these five meteorites was somewhat overkill.
After all, compared to meteorites that couldn't do anything, Mega Stones that could allow Pokémon to Mega Evolve were more precious.
"Then the exchange is complete," Steven said with a smile as he collected the meteorites.
From his expression, he was obviously willing to use all twenty Mega Stones to exchange with Carver for these five meteorites.
"It's too much," Carver shook his head. "The value of these stones is completely unequal."
However, Steven didn't mind at all. To him, these rare meteorites were more precious. Moreover, it didn't matter if the Mega Stones were gone.
He already knew what Mega Stones looked like—he could search for more later.
Besides, his father Mr. Stone was also a rare stone enthusiast.
His father must have collected more Mega Stones there, Steven thought.
"Consider those stones a thank-you gift for helping Metagross and me complete Mega Evolution," Steven said.
Carver: "..."
So ridiculously wealthy!
Once Mega Evolution was fully exposed, these stones could be sold for astronomical prices!
You had to know that these Mega Stones were limited in quantity—non-renewable resources!
Once they were gone, they were gone.
Looking down at the remaining Mega Stones before him, information about these stones flashed before Carver's eyes one by one.
[Gardevoirite], [Gengarite], [Aggronite], [Mawilite], [Alakazite], [Houndoominite], [Gyaradosite]...