Blaziken and Charizard were considered must-haves for any Fire-type trainer.
They were relatively numerous, had high potential, and both could Mega Evolve.
Charizard even had the added advantage of flight, plus the rare trait of possessing two distinct Mega Evolution forms. So compared to Blaziken, Charizard was absolutely the must-have Pokémon for Fire specialists.
Without hesitation, Julian immediately sent out Metagross.
---
Pokémon: Metagross (Steel/Psychic)
Level: 86
Potential: Purple
Ability: Light Metal
Held Item: Metal Coat
Gender: Genderless
Moves: Tackle, Steel Beam, Confusion, Metal Claw, Bullet Punch, Flash Cannon, Magnet Rise, Psychic, Scary Face, Hammer Arm, Meteor Mash, Take Down, Agility, Hyper Beam
TMs: Iron Head, Zen Headbutt, Iron Defense, Reflect, Protect, Light Screen, Psycho Cut, Shadow Ball, Gyro Ball, Psyshock, Trailblaze, Bulldoze, Mud-Slap, Aerial Ace, Icy Wind, Rock Tomb, Brick Break, Thunder Punch, Rest, Teleport, Psychic Fangs, Hard Press, Giga Impact, Future Sight, Focus Punch, Earthquake, Heavy Slam, Body Slam, Ice Beam Rock Slide, Grass Knot, Ice Punch, Fire Punch, Recover
Egg Moves: None
Note: Enhanced by the Heart of Arceus—all stats boosted, potential increased.
Note: After absorbing the Blacklight Core, the Pokémon continuously absorbs sunlight to restore its stamina (limited to Steel- and Rock-types)
Note: After using the Steel Crystal, Steel-type moves’ power increased by 30%.
Note: Enhanced by the Blood of the Gods—potential transformation.
---
After absorbing the Blood of the Gods, 90% of Metagross's Purple potential had already turned Gold.
The speed of this potential improvement was terrifying—faster than all of its previous upgrades combined.
No wonder the effect of Blood of the Gods was described as a "potential transformation" rather than a "potential improvement" like other treasures.
Transformation and improvement were fundamentally different after all.
"Meta~"
Metagross calmly observed its opponent, its eyes indifferent, not showing the slightest regard for the early-stage Champion Blaziken.
In reality, it certainly took Blaziken very seriously. The opponent was a Champion, after all, so it had no reason to underestimate it.
"Truly an exceptional Pokémon," Omar said sincerely.
As a Champion, his instincts were sharp. Even though Metagross had yet to display its strength—simply floating in mid-air—the invisible sense of oppression it exuded was already flooding the battlefield.
Crack! Crack! Crack!
The Light Screens shattered like glass under Blaziken's kick, dissolving into shards of light.
As the final Light Screen broke, the Blaze Kick landed directly onto Metagross’s forehead with a loud bang.
As a Fighting-type Pokémon, Blaziken's strength was undeniable—a single punch or kick could pulverize a mountain.
Yet, when its kick connected with Metagross, it felt as if it had hit an indestructible iron plate.
A faint pain even shot through its foot.
"Ken?!"
Blaziken stared at Metagross in disbelief.
'Is this level of defense even legal?'
"Meta!"
Metagross responded with a devastating Meteor Mash.
A shimmering, multicolored streak flashed through the air, and the atmosphere seemed to crack.
Danger!!
Blaziken reacted instantly, switching to its right leg in counter.
Double Kick!
BOOM!!
The moves collided once more, but this time, Blaziken was blasted backward.
It spun through the air a full 360-degrees, dispersing the impact force before landing.
"Defense and attack both at the Champion level…"
Omar was shocked to see this. Although he had known that Julian's Metagross possessed Champion-level combat power, but knowing was one thing. Experiencing it firsthand was another.
Blaziken, a Fighting-type, was supposed to excel in raw physical strength—yet here, it had actually been overpowered by Metagross. It was simply unbelievable.
The moment Blaziken touched ground, Metagross vanished from its spot—only to reappear above its head.
Teleport + Meteor Mash!
The metal fist came crashing down.
"Ken!"
Blaziken wasn’t caught entirely off-guard. Its trainer had already warned it that Metagross could use Teleport
.So the instant it saw its opponent disappear, it knew an attack was coming.
But knowing was one thing—its body had only just stabilized from the landing, and Metagross’s Meteor Mash was already upon it.
There was no time to dodge.
Counter!
BOOM!!!
Blaziken took Metagross's Meteor Mash head-on. The force of the punch made it feel as if its internal organs were about to be shattered.
But with Counter, all that force was instantly doubled back.
Metagross was sent flying by twice the power of its own Meteor Mash. Its body slammed into the top of the protective barrier with a thunderous crash.
Ripples spread violently across the barrier as it began to disperse the immense impact.
The high-ranking officials of Pannar watching from the sidelines felt their hearts bleed. That single impact had just cost them at least one billion.
For a country like Pannar, not rich to begin with, keeping a Champion-level protective barrier active wasn’t just burning money—it was draining the nation's resources.
Metagross had always been the one delivering Meteor Mash to its opponents—now, for the first time, it was on the receiving end, and with twice the power.
Even with its incredibly high defense, the Counter left Metagross feeling a sharp, stinging pain.
"Flamethrower!"
Omar suddenly commanded, seizing the perfect opportunity.
After being struck by Counter and slammed against the barrier, Metagross was momentarily dazed.
And his Blaziken had consumed a Blaze Stone—making its Flamethrower twice as powerful as normal.
Fire-type moves dealt double damage to Metagross. If this attack connected, Metagross would be in serious trouble.
Even before the flames arrived, the scorching heat washed across the field.
"Protect!" Julian’s voice rang out.
There was no time for a counterattack—defense was the only choice.
A green barrier shimmered into place around Metagross just as the torrent of flames engulfed it, trapping it inside a vortex of searing flames.
The relentless Flamethrower battered against the protective barrier, trying with all its might to tear it down.
*****
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