"Your turn, Metagross!"
"Metagross!"
Alain's fourth Pokémon appeared—a Metagross, the Pseudo-Legendary Pokémon of Hoenn!
This Metagross had already reached Level 69, standing just a single step away from breaking into Champion Tier.
Alain's two most crucial partners were clear: his Charizard, and this very Metagross.
"In that case… I choose you, Lucario!"
Against a Pokémon renowned as a supercomputer in battle, Ash deliberately sent out his Lucario—equal in level, but with the unique edge of Aura perception. With its ability to read energy flow, resist Steel-type moves, and even wield Ground-type attacks, Lucario was the perfect counter.
"Lucario!"
"Excellent! The second half of the Grand Finals begins now! Both sides have sent out their fourth Pokémon—but unlike Alain, who has already lost three battles, Ash still has all of his Pokémon in fighting condition! Alain's pressure must be immense right now—can he turn the tide, or will Ash keep up his overwhelming momentum?"
The announcer's voice rang out with theatrical tension, his words practically a blade pressing into Alain's nerves.
"Alain won't lose! No way!"
Inside the VIP observation box, Mairin clenched her fists, eyes trembling with worry as she prayed for Alain's victory. He'll win. He has to. With Charizard by his side, Alain can't lose.
Beside her, Lysandre remained calm, his gaze locked on the battlefield.
Ash's strength… it was far beyond the intelligence he had gathered. Sceptile, Charizard, Pikachu—none of them had even taken the stage yet.
"As I suspected, staying in the shadows was the right decision. Once Ash leaves Kalos, Team Flare will make its move," Lysandre muttered under his breath.
"I have seen him single-handedly destroy six Legendaries—Darkrai, Latias, Latios, Articuno, Moltres, and Regigigas—at the Lily of the Valley Conference with just his Charizard, Gardevoir, Sceptile, and Pikachu. And I don't even know if Ash has more ace Pokémon… What if he possesses Legendaries as well? We would be no match."
But what Lysandre didn't know was that at that very moment, ten aircrafts had crossed into Kalos airspace from Kanto.
They moved in perfect formation, the passengers uniformly dressed, each wearing sleek black shades. At the forefront stood two young men.
One of them… if Ash had been present, he would have recognized instantly. It was none other than Tobias.
"Boss, we've successfully arrived in Kalos."
Tobias pressed a finger to his earpiece.
The device was the result of a collaboration between Team Rocket's Professor Namba and former Team Galactic scientist, Charon—an ultra-long-range communicator faster than anything even the Pokémon League possessed.
"Excellent. Locate Team Flare. Absorb them. Take over their entire plan. Once we combine their strength with ours, the reborn Team Rocket will rise as Rainbow Rocket! Hahahaha! Hahahahaha!"
The laugh on the other end was maniacal and triumphant.
Back at Lumiose Conference Stadium, the match had reached its boiling point.
Ash's Lucario clashed head-to-head against Alain's Metagross!
Because of Ash's interference in fate, Alain was far stronger than in the original timeline. He had even managed to find Metagross's Mega Stone on his own.
Which meant… Metagross could Mega Evolve.
Ash's sharp eyes noticed the Mega Stone embedded in Metagross's foreleg armor, and at once he understood.
"So, you have it too, huh? Then let's decide this with Mega Evolution!"
Ash raised his Key Stone.
Lucario's wrist gleamed with its own Mega Stone.
"Yes! Metagross, respond to my heart! Transcend your limits—Mega Evolve!"
Alain roared, triggering the dazzling transformation.
At the same instant, Ash's Key Stone shone brightly.
"Lucario—Mega Evolve!"
The crowd erupted.
"Incredible! Both Trainers have chosen Mega Evolution! It's Mega Lucario versus Mega Metagross—yet another clash of titans!"
The commentator hadn't even finished when the two Pokémon surged forward like comets.
"Zen Headbutt!" Alain commanded.
Mega Metagross's forehead gleamed with psychic energy so dense it seemed to take physical form.
"Mega Lucario—Metal Claw!" Ash countered.
Lucario, already strengthened by Bulk Up earlier, slammed forward, claws glowing like molten steel.
The collision was explosive!
In the split second of struggle, Aura perception granted Lucario an edge—Ash could sense the exact moment Metagross's Zen Headbutt was about to burn out.
"Now—reel it back, then push forward!"
Lucario shifted mid-clash, claws sliding back just enough to sap the force of Metagross's attack. Carried by its own momentum, Mega Metagross stumbled forward—straight into Lucario's grasp!
A single palm pressed flat against its metallic face.
Alain's eyes widened. "No!"
"Force Palm!" Ash commanded.
BOOM!
The explosive Aura burst left Mega Metagross stunned and paralyzed in an instant.
"End this—Bone Rush!"
"Lucario!"
Mega Lucario's palms split apart, summoning an energy staff of glowing bone. With blistering speed, it swung down like a storm, raining blow after blow upon the immobilized Mega Metagross—each strike echoing like thunder across the battlefield.
The crowd was on its feet, breathless, as the clash between Aura and steel raged on…
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T/N:
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