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Tapu Koko's Volt Tackle and the Mega Shiny Metagross collided heavily in mid-air.
A vast, heavy shockwave rippled outwards, and both were heavily repelled.
However, it was visibly clear that the Mega Shiny Metagross was pushed back further.
"Ha~ You've got some skill!"
Selene's excited voice was very loud. The girl was now staring at Steven and May with enthusiasm.
"I thought I could easily take you two down, but I didn't expect you to be so strong."
No, we should be the ones saying that!
Steven looked at the Straw Hat Girl opposite him with a heavy gaze. He had never expected this girl to be so powerful.
His new ace, Mega Shiny Metagross, was actually being suppressed by Tapu Koko.
The same was true for May's side. Although Mega Swampert had a type advantage, that was all it was.
Moreover, Selene hardly directed Incineroar, as most of her energy was focused on Tapu Koko.
Yet, even so, with Incineroar maneuvering, Mega Swampert couldn't gain any advantage and was instead entangled by it.
"As expected of a Team Rockets Top Executive, truly amazing~!"
May couldn't help but exclaim in admiration. Simultaneously battling her and Steven's ace Pokémon, the situation hadn't fallen into a disadvantage.
"No wonder she could become the Alola Champion. She looks about the same age as me, so why is she so strong?"
"No, if it's the Alola Champion, May, you could do it too."
Steven shook his head. The problem was definitely not about the Alola Champion, but about this person named Selene.
Her talent... was probably a notch higher than May's!
Steven carefully observed the Straw Hat Girl opposite him, who was displaying a bright smile.
"May, we can't hold back anymore. We need to defeat her as quickly as possible."
Steven no longer hesitated, taking out another Poké Ball and speaking to May.
"Ah... I understand."
May hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
"Metagross!"
"Latios!"
Steven and May each threw out their second Pokémon.
Steven's former ace, Metagross, and the legendary Infinite Pokémon, Latios.
These were the core mainstays of the two.
"Yo~ Can't hold back anymore, can you?" Selene playfully twirled the Poké Ball in her hand, smiling as she spoke.
"Don't blame us for being underhanded, Selene. You know, this battle was never fair to begin with."
Steven replied in a deep voice. A 2-on-1 situation was inherently unfair.
Because they had two Trainers on their side, while Selene was commanding two Pokémon by herself.
This was completely different.
Not to mention that Steven and his partner had now released their second main Pokémon. Although theoretically, Selene could also release two more main Pokémon.
But for one person to simultaneously command four Pokémon against four opponents, it was not easy.
After all, the battle situation changes in an instant, and with one's mind split four ways, it's difficult to be thorough.
"Ah~ Don't worry, I'm not a child. But I still say, just the two of you won't be able to defeat me!"
Selene grinned, raising the Poké Ball in her hand.
The Dynamax Band on her wrist glowed with an eerie red light, and crimson energy continuously flowed into the Poké Ball.
"This is?!"
Steven was startled.
Once, twice, thrice!
The Poké Ball expanded three times in an instant, finally becoming extremely large.
"This is Gigantamax?" May's eyes widened in shock.
"That's right."
Selene grinned, then heavily threw the Gigantamax Poké Ball behind her.
Melmetal appeared on the ground, but its body rapidly expanded and changed.
Black vortices began to appear in the originally clear sky, and faint, dangerous red light shone down.
The next moment, a colossal, silver one-eyed giant stood beneath the vortex, raising its arm towards Steven and May.
Gigantamax Melmetal!
'It is said that the one-eyed giants described in the myths of distant regions are actually the appearance of Melmetal after Gigantamaxing. (Gigantamax)'
Steven was already stunned!
May looked at the 'giant' that was taller than the surrounding buildings, then looked at her Mega Swampert and Latios.
May: (Embarrassment)
No, the sheer size difference between these two sides isn't on the same level, is it?
"This shouldn't be possible! Gigantamax is a power-up that can only be used in the Galar region."
Steven was still very shocked. How could the Kanto region use Gigantamax?
"Of course, it's because of Mammon." Selene replied with a cheerful, matter-of-fact tone.
"The source of Gigantamax is Eternatus. To make our battles more exciting, he had Eternatus drop a Gigantamax energy point with the Silph Co. building as its center."
"So, Gigantamax can be used anywhere near the Silph Co. building."
Selene smiled beautifully.
"Nana na~ Do you have Dynamax Bands? No, too bad, you can't Gigantamax."
Selene's gloating voice made Steven's eyelids twitch wildly, while May looked utterly innocent.
She had never even been to the Galar region, so where would she get a Dynamax Band? As for Steven, he could actually have one; it would be easy to ask Leon for one.
But it's well known that Gigantamax can't be used outside of Galar, so why would he want one?
"Then... Melmetal, show them what you've got!"
Selene's smile gradually turned sharp.
"Max Quake!"
Gigantamax Melmetal roared upwards, and earthy yellow energy glowed from beneath Mega Metagross and the other Pokémon, as giant stone pillars rose into the air.
The Ground-type Max Quake!
"Protect!"
"Protect!"
Steven and May gave orders almost simultaneously.
Max Quake came too fast, and its range was so exaggerated that they didn't know where to hide.
"Protect cannot fully defend against Max Moves! And besides…"
Selene's smile widened.
Tapu Koko and Incineroar could also 'wait for their prey' at any time!
"This doesn't look good. I hope someone from the League can come to support us."
Steven felt heavy-hearted. Gigantamax Melmetal's massive size should Attract people's attention.
He hoped a League Champion would come to support them.
What he was more worried about now was what had happened to Wallace.
Had Wallace already been captured by Team Rockets?
District 8.
"That is… Gigantamax from Galar?!"
Nemona and Liko heard the commotion and turned their heads. Seeing the incredibly huge Gigantamax Melmetal, both girls' eyes widened.
Nemona immediately recognized why this Pokémon was so big.
"Strange, Gigantamax cannot be used in other regions without an energy point."
Nemona scratched her head, completely puzzled. She was originally from the Galar region, only moving to Paldea later, so she understood Gigantamax quite well.
"That's because Eternatus, the source of Gigantamax, was captured by the boss, which is why it can be used here."
A low voice came, attracting Nemona and Liko's attention.
"The source of Gigantamax? Eh? Chairman Rose? And… Penny, why are you here??"
Nemona was stunned by the words, but after seeing the two people, she was even more shocked.
Liko also widened her eyes.
Because Penny was currently wearing a top emblazoned with the Team Rockets 'R' logo.
Penny was very embarrassed, lowering her head and hiding behind Peony.
"You know my daughter? Are you the two classmates she mentioned?" Peony instantly understood.
He had heard Penny mention that she had made several good friends at school this year.
"Daughter?"
Liko and Nemona exchanged glances, both seeing confusion in each other's eyes.
"Penny, don't you have anything to say?"
Liko bit her lip, looking at Penny and asking.
"Yes, he is my father, and we are both… with Team Rockets now." Penny said in a low voice.
Although she had joined Team Rockets and participated in this battle because of Peony, now that things had come to this, there was nothing she could do.
She couldn't possibly defect now and help Liko and her friends fight her own father, could she?
Upon hearing this, Liko's breathing quickened. She never imagined such an absurd thing could happen.
She entered Orange Academy, met Nemona, and then became friends with Pepper and Penny.
She had always believed that they were the best partners!
"Didn't we promise to be best friends forever?"
Liko unconsciously clenched her fists, but Penny had kept it from them.
No, are girls like this now? Talking about 'forever' at the drop of a hat?
Peony stroked his chin. He found it incomprehensible, but he respected it.
After all, this was his daughter's business.
"Liko, I'm very grateful that you helped me with the Starfall Street incident, but…" Penny was very apologetic.
"Wait, no, no."
Seeing Penny's words, which sounded like a 'breakup,' Nemona quickly interrupted.
"Although our positions are different now, let's just treat it as a game, okay? Ultimately, we just need to defeat them and capture them." Nemona narrowed her eyes.
"Wahahaha~ Little girl, you've got a big mouth. If you've got the guts, then bring it on!" Peony laughed loudly.
"Little Penny, take them both down, and then just have them join Team Rockets too."
Peony ruffled Penny's head, giving her an idea.
Penny's eyes lit up.
"I'm going to rescue you, Penny!"
Liko also understood now. She thought that since Penny joined Team Rockets because of her father, then they just needed to capture both of them and have them leave Team Rockets.
But Penny knew well that with Peony's current attitude towards Team Rockets, he would not leave Team Rockets.
So…
If Liko and Nemona also joined Team Rockets, wouldn't that solve everything perfectly?
District 4.
"It's Top Executive Caitlin and Serena!"
Barry's eyes lit up. He had remembered everything Jenny officer Jenny had introduced at the time.
"But it's said that Caitlin is very strong, and there's also this Kalos Champion."
"Miss Cynthia, how about we call for backup?"
Barry spoke to Cynthia.
"Hmm, alright, Barry, you call for backup, and then you go deal with Serena first."
Cynthia nodded, then spoke to Barry.
"Caitlin and I have some history. Let me talk to her alone."
"Oh, oh, oh."
Barry scratched his head, then moved a distance away.
"It's Sinnoh Champion Cynthia and someone I don't know." Serena whispered to Caitlin.
"Serena, can you let me have Cynthia? I have some past with her."
"Okay, please be careful. If you need any help, Sister Caitlin, contact me."
Serena agreed very thoughtfully. Although she didn't know what was between Caitlin and Cynthia, since Caitlin had spoken up, she naturally cooperated.
Serena looked at the blonde young man. She would take him down first then.
Serena and Barry walked away a bit, leaving only Cynthia and Caitlin facing each other.
"Cynthia, long time no see~"
After a moment of silence, Caitlin curved an elegant smile, slightly lifted her skirt with both hands, and performed a standard lady's bow to Cynthia.
"Long time no see, Caitlin."
Cynthia's gaze was still somewhat complex.
"Ah~ Cynthia, do you know?"
Caitlin placed her hands in front of her lower abdomen, her faint smile elegant and charming, her eyes fixed on Cynthia.
"Actually, this moment was already foretold when I first joined Team Rockets."
"We shouldn't have become like this." Cynthia sighed softly.
"Yes, I still remember when you specifically traveled from Sinnoh to Alola, wanting to bring me back to Sinnoh."
Caitlin fell into a reverie.
Cynthia remained silent.
"I was truly touched, Cynthia."
Caitlin raised her right hand to her chest, feeling the beating of her heart.
"But you didn't come with me, Caitlin." Cynthia's voice was very low: "If you had come back with me then, perhaps many things would be different."
"Perhaps, but that kind of hypothesis cannot exist." Caitlin said calmly.
"Cynthia, you were my only friend in Sinnoh. You were very important to me. How much I envied you back then."
"No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't surpass you, Cynthia, do you know? That feeling of inferiority almost made me give up."
"But, I met my destined him!"
Cynthia pursed her lips, but for a moment, she didn't know what to say.
"Everyone has things they can do, and things they cannot do. Knowing this is very important."
"Then, at this moment, Cynthia, do you think 'defeating you' is among the things I can do?"
Caitlin tilted her head slightly. Her words were a question, yet her expression was not.
Cynthia's eyes narrowed, because she saw it!
"Whoosh~!"
A deep, powerful cry echoed through the sky.
The legendary 'Sea God' of the Kanto region slowly raised its head from behind the blonde Psychic girl, then floated up, flapping its wings.
Beneath its immense size, a vast and heavy sense of pressure made the air itself seem to grow heavy.
Lugia's majestic and indifferent gaze looked down from above.
"Come on, answer me, Cynthia!"
"This time, can you still defeat me?!"