Pokémon are highly intelligent. While they cannot speak, those that have interacted with humans can generally understand human language.
For example, Nozomi's Gastly, having often scared passing humans, could comprehend human speech.
The Onix before him also clearly understood Nozomi's intentions, and immediately let out a roar of anger.
Many trainers had tried to capture it before, but none were a match for its might. And now, someone still dared to make a move against it!
The furious Onix lifted its massive head, its thick body rippling in the open cave.
It twisted its body, swinging its tail with a whistling sound. The metallic sheen of its tail glinted as it smashed toward the Metagross hovering above.
Iron Tail!
This move was already ferocious on its own, but unleashed by Onix's colossal body, its intimidation reached its peak.
An average trainer would have been frozen in terror facing such an attack.
Yet, neither Nozomi nor Metagross flinched.
Strength—that was Nozomi's confidence.
"Metagross, block it!" Nozomi commanded calmly from behind.
Metagross focused on Onix's descending tail. It did not dodge; instead, it moved to meet the attack head-on.
The two front claws crossed in an X-shape in front of its body.
Boom!A deafening crash resounded, metal screeching against metal as Metagross blocked Onix's Iron Tail.
And it didn't move an inch.
Onix froze in surprise.
Though it had battled other trainers before—some strong, some weak—none had ever taken its Iron Tail so easily.
Before it could react further, Nozomi spoke.
"Metagross, grab its tail."
Why had he let Metagross endure the Iron Tail? The answer lay here.
A faint smile curved Nozomi's lips—it was time for his counterattack.
Metagross's crossed front claws, along with its rear claws, clamped down like locks on Onix's body.
The sharp tips of its claws pierced into Onix, cutting like tofu.
Metagross held tight to Onix, refusing to let go.
Roar!Onix twisted and writhed in pain, trying to break free from Metagross's grip.
"No matter how much one studies, it's impossible to fully understand Pokémon," Nozomi murmured, watching Onix writhe.
Though made of rock, Onix clearly experienced pain.
Could stone even have nerves?
Nozomi wasn't a researcher; he didn't dwell on the question. His focus quickly returned to the ongoing struggle between Metagross and Onix.
"Metagross, Psychic!" he commanded.
Psychic-type attacks were most effective in situations like this.
Metagross's crimson eyes under its massive metallic claws turned a deep blue, and an invisible twisting force struck Onix.
Onix stiffened. It felt as though its head was being trampled by a thousand Hitmonlees, pain radiating through its mind.
It slammed its head against the ground in an attempt to relieve the agony.
But it was useless.
Psychic attacks targeted the mind, the brain itself. As long as Onix didn't remove the "culprit"—Metagross—the pain would persist.
After smashing a few large craters into the ground, Onix finally understood.
It swung its tail and slammed it into the ground repeatedly, while rocks rained down toward Metagross.
"Rock Slide and Double-Edge? Onix really has a variety of moves. Wonder what else it can do," Nozomi mused.
Yet he felt no worry for Metagross.
Not only was Metagross higher-leveled than Onix, but being a Steel-type Pokémon, it had a natural advantage over the Rock-type. Onix was no match.
As Onix's energy drained, its struggles weakened. It panted heavily, unable to resist.
Nozomi smiled faintly—it was time.
"Metagross, finish it. Give it the final Meteor Mash!"
Buzz.Metagross released Onix.
Onix felt the claws withdraw and exhaled, relief washing over it.
But before it could relax completely, a lethal threat suddenly descended from above.
Looking up, it saw a fist blazing like a falling comet, smashing down.
Boom!Onix's head was driven into the ground, embedding fully.
Its massive body tensed, shuddered as though reaching its breaking point, and then collapsed helplessly.
Onix was defeated!
Nozomi retrieved a Poké Ball from his pocket and threw it.
Whoosh!Onix turned into a red light and was sucked inside the ball.
Vrrr… vrrr… vrrr…The Poké Ball shook violently, far more than when he had captured Gastly.
Fortunately, Onix could not escape its confines.
Dong!The capture confirmation sound rang.
Nozomi walked over and picked up the Poké Ball containing Onix.
"That was not easy," he murmured.
Looking at the Poké Ball, then at the cave destroyed by the battle, he shook his head.
The clash between Metagross and Onix had been devastating. In a city, it could have leveled several buildings.
"Onix, welcome to the team," Nozomi said, fastening the Poké Ball to his belt.
Just as he and Metagross prepared to leave, a glint of something in the dirt caught his eye.
"What's that…"
Nozomi squinted, suspicion in his gaze. He approached and dug out the partially buried object.