"Metang!"
In Petalburg Woods, located along Route 104, Metang wore a green Macho Brace as it underwent move training.
The Macho Brace hindered a Pokémon's movement speed but significantly enhanced its overall training effectiveness.
It acted as an accelerator for growth.
Beside it, two Beldum were grinding their steel bodies against rocks to build their defenses.
Skarmory's feathers had completely molted, and she rested nearby, waiting for her new plumage to grow in.
Steven was far more relaxed, swimming in the river wearing only his swim trunks.
Bang! Bang!
The sound of shattering rocks echoed continuously. In a short while, nearly all the surrounding boulders had been pulverized by Metang's training.
"Looks like we'll need to find a new training spot again," Steven said, smoothing his wet hair back as he climbed onto the riverbank.
"Meteor Mash's progress is almost complete, and the unstable power from using the Rare Candy has mostly been stabilized. It's time to find that boss-level Pokémon in the forest."
"Are you ready for battle, Metang?"
"Metang!"
Seeing Metang's surging fighting spirit, Steven smiled with satisfaction.
Steven's current assessment of opponent strength was entirely based on Metang's abilities, and he wasn't certain if it could overcome the elite-level threshold.
Once it evolved into Metagross, he would need to visit a Pokémon Appraisal Center to check its specific data and determine its exact power level.
Steven recalled Skarmory and the two Beldum into their Poké Balls and headed toward the heart of the forest with Metang.
The forest had a wide variety of Pokémon species, and Steven found it difficult to predict who the strongest boss in this forest might be.
Regardless, there was a very high probability that the boss resided in the central area.
This was one week after leaving Rustboro City. Throughout the journey, Steven had continuously ventured deeper into Petalburg Woods while consistently training his Pokémon, which made their progress somewhat gradual.
Almost all the Pokémon encountered along the way were common species like Zigzagoon and Wurmple. With good luck, one might spot some Shroomish. It was rumored that Slakoth appeared deep in Petalburg Woods, but so far, Steven hadn't encountered any.
Due to Metang's presence, the surrounding wild Pokémon did not recklessly attack Steven. They merely glanced at him before going about their business.
Whoosh whoosh—
Steven stopped abruptly, hearing movement in the surrounding bushes.
"It's here, Metang." Steven's expression grew serious.
This creature was subtly emanating an aura no less impressive than Metang's.
"Metang."
"Psychic—lock onto it!"
Metang's eyes glowed with blue energy, spreading outward from its center.
In an instant, it locked onto the Agility-using Pokémon, but its speed was too great for Metang to fully control its movements.
"Meteor Mash—at me!" Steven commanded sternly.
Metang didn't hesitate, raising its heavy fist and launching an attack toward Steven.
A green figure swung its scythes at Steven. Its sharp gaze instantly noticed Metang launching an attack and quickly pivoted, crossing both scythes defensively in front of its chest.
Bang!
A collision rang out. This green-bodied Pokémon used the impact's momentum to spin several times in midair, dissipating the force before landing steadily on the ground.
Only then did Steven clearly see the opponent's full appearance.
A green, humanoid mantis! The scythes beneath its arms gleamed with a menacing sharpness, and its murderous gaze clearly belonged to a seasoned combatant with extensive battle experience.
"Scyther? The strongest in Petalburg Woods?" A bead of cold sweat trickled down Steven's forehead.
As for how he could predict Scyther's movements, it wasn't because Steven possessed some sixth sense—it was because he felt himself being locked onto by a chilling, predatory intent.
"It's trying to eliminate the leader directly?" Steven couldn't help but respect this Scyther. Its tactical judgment was incredibly sharp, and its actions were decisive. This was no ordinary Pokémon.
"I'd like to chall—" Steven was about to exchange some words when he noticed Scyther's wings vibrating at high frequency.
"Bullet Punch!"
As expected, the next second Scyther charged forward at blinding speed.
However, this time its target was no longer Steven, but Metang!
Metang heard the command and immediately rushed in front of Steven, unleashing its rapid barrage of punches!
The charging Scyther suddenly extended its front leg forward, dramatically reducing its speed. It quickly lowered its body, easily evading Metang's Bullet Punch!
Immediately, its right scythe flipped upward, delivering a rising slash from below that left a tiny scratch on Metang's tough steel body.
Having been struck, Metang retreated several steps. Even its typically simple mind registered shock.
Incredibly bold tactics, perfect body control, ultimate speed and power combined...
"This creature... is a born warrior..." Steven even suspected that this Scyther's strength already surpassed Metang's!
A yellowish-green glow appeared on Scyther's scythes. Steven sharply commanded, "Iron Defense!"
Metang crossed both arms over its chest, and its entire silvery-white body shifted to a dull metallic gray.
The next moment, Scyther's continuous slashes repeatedly struck Metang's body, producing sharp "clanging" sounds.
Initially, Scyther couldn't leave marks on Metang while it was boosted by Iron Defense. Gradually, however, small, faint scratches began appearing on Metang's metallic surface.
"Doesn't this thing get tired?" Steven wondered in amazement. Continuous high-speed slashing required not only strength but also considerable stamina.
And Scyther's slashing speed was still increasing!
"Magnet Rise!"
Magnet Rise typically granted temporary levitation to Pokémon that couldn't naturally float, but Metang had been accustomed to floating using magnetism since its Beldum days.
This move had a special characteristic—it released electromagnetic energy to achieve its levitation effect.
Steven's goal was the instantaneous burst of electromagnetic energy!
"Metang!"
Metang instantly released electromagnetic energy. The move shifted so quickly that Scyther, still recovering from its slash animation, couldn't dodge in time.
Scyther, which was a fraction too slow in creating distance, found crackling electricity running along its arm scythes.
However, these currents wouldn't cause significant damage to Scyther—at most causing some minor discomfort.
But Scyther's momentary retreat made all the difference, giving Metang a chance to breathe and counterattack!
"Use Psychic to slow its movements!" Steven quickly launched his counteroffensive.
Metang's current Psychic couldn't accurately lock onto and fully control Scyther, but it only needed to impede its speed slightly.
Scyther sensed the invisible force attempting to restrain it and immediately began moving evasively. However, its speed was noticeably slower than before.
It was like being pulled backward while sprinting—the momentary resistance against its body reduced its overall velocity!
"Watch its position carefully and use Bullet Punch!"