Chapter 537: The Winning Trump Card!

The coat flared.

The fully charged Mega Swampert launched another attack.

"Hydro Pump!"

Whoosh……

After a strange sputtering sound.

The fellow vanished on the spot like an illusion.

"Iron Defense!"

All Baimu swiftly issued the command; Mega Blastoise lowered its center of gravity into a crouch, protecting its slightly sunken belly.

Although it was the same move, unfortunately for a Mega Blastoise that was no Saint Seiya, even using it a third time still produced outstanding results.

After all, the opponent's speed was simply too fast!

"Raguh!"

Mega Swampert flashed to Mega Blastoise's flank, its hammer-like left fist wreathed in multiple rings of glowing blue water, its tail jetting raging currents!

This time the spot it attacked was—

The knee joint!

Clang~!

Like a great bell's thunderous toll, dense water mist burst apart like fireworks; through the haze a streak of silver light flowed like a star twinkling in the heavens, dazzlingly brilliant.

Then came a bright, descending blue light.

The moment it struck Mega Swampert, it leapt back, leaving no spare moment for a counter.

"It's gotten harder?"

Mi Ke Li precisely caught that flash of silver; outwardly he kept his smile, but inwardly he couldn't help feeling a touch vexed.

The two Mega-evolved Pokémon had exchanged so many moves back and forth—in normal circumstances the victor would have been decided long ago, yet Mega Swampert had the misfortune to face Mega Blastoise, a Pokémon of extreme defense.

Perhaps it was time to bring things to a close.

His gaze flickered.

On the other side.

As the white mist dispersed, Mega Blastoise stood towering and unmoved, as if it hadn't taken a single bit of damage.

"Guho……"

It exhaled rolling puffs of steam.

"It blocked it!"

He breathed a sigh of relief, but when his gaze fell to its knee he tensed up again inside.

Every Pokémon has a weak point, and Mega Blastoise was no exception.

As a walking fortress, its relatively greatest weakness was probably its knee joints.

As a bipedal heavy Pokémon, the more than six hundred kilograms of its body weight were basically all borne by its thick, short legs, with only its tail sharing part of the load when it touched the ground.

This was also a major reason its sustained movement speed was so slow.

Fortunately, the Steel-type Mega Blastoise was forged of steel and iron throughout, so even postures like jumping and running were doable if it wished.

But what if it "snapped"?

The impact and penetration of Hydro Pump could already be glimpsed from the dent in its belly, and two attacks bringing two Defense drops was enough to make his jaw drop.

All Baimu absolutely did not want one or two more dents to appear on Mega Blastoise's knee joints.

That would turn the weak point into a fixed target!

Because when a critical hit lands, it ignores the boosted Defense from moves—that is, the flowing silver halo over Mega Blastoise's body.

No matter how many more times Iron Defense was used, it would be useless……

However.

What he feared was precisely what the battle-savvy Mi Ke Li had grasped tightly in hand, and used as his final breakthrough point.

"Bulk Up! Hydro Pump!"

"Raguh!"

Mega Swampert let out a muffled roar; red smoke suddenly rose from its body, and its solid muscles swelled and bounced as if pumped full of air.

The next instant.

It lunged forward fiercely!

"So fast!"

All Baimu couldn't help marveling at the opponent's fluid, flowing move-linkage; combined with the attack-speed boost from its Swift Swim ability, calling it a two-in-one move was no exaggeration.

A Champion's strength was often displayed to the fullest in such aspects.

By comparison, Mega Blastoise's move speed was far from that fast; a nimble counter was the only path it could take, and the only road to victory!

"Raguh!"

Mega Swampert abruptly appeared on its left side, a high-speed water-jetting heavy fist swinging toward its left knee, swift as lightning!

But having taken so many punches already, no matter how dull Mega Blastoise might be, it was a Pokémon that had come through even more frantic real combat, and had long since seen through its punching patterns.

Being unable to block was one matter; being unable to dodge was another!

"Guho—"

A muffled roar.

Peng!

Water mist scattered like flowers from heaven!

Mega Swampert recoiled in shock—in that brief instant just now, Mega Blastoise had actually placed its arm over its knee, blocking the punch that should have shattered its kneecap's outer armor!

"Be careful!"

The trainer's voice suddenly reached its ears; the stunned Mega Swampert's eyes widened, and at some unknown moment a thick, massive tail had appeared right before it.

"Submission!"

The tail suddenly swept sideways, and Peng De was struck squarely on its thick arm — the faint white light clinging to it instantly spread back over.

Why did that guy's attacks suddenly become so fast?

That's not right!

Mega Aggron had grown used to its retreat patterns and predicted ahead of time, already positioned itself in advance!

Mega Swampert realized its own retreat method was far too one-dimensional and had been completely seen through by Mega Aggron — just like aiming for the leg but hitting the arm instead.

Shwaaa…

The water jetting from its air sacs sent it flying backward successfully, but a wave of weakness surged into its heart.

"Raaaghh—"

It tumbled uncontrollably into the mud pit formed by the Sand Tomb and Earthquake, feeling a deadly, hollow ache spread through both arms and every muscle.

【Submission】.

Mega Swampert floated on the murky water's surface, looking at the heavily panting Mega Aggron not far away — it hadn't expected every one of its attacks to be reflected back so easily.

However.

From this, it had also learned the remaining stamina condition of Mega Aggron!

At this moment, Mega Swampert and Mi Ke Li's thoughts became perfectly aligned through their psychic link; they stared at Mega Aggron and All Baimu, their gazes growing incomparably sharp.

It was time to put an end to this battle!

No matter how many attack paths and retreat paths had been seen through, as long as speed was raised, as long as the attacks became swifter—

Defeat was impossible!

"Raaaghh!"

Mega Swampert let out a furious roar and lowered its head, completely ignoring how murky the water on the mud pit's surface was, gulping down great mouthfuls and storing them in the air sacs of its cheeks.

This made Miss Liuqi in the spectator seats cry out in alarm, gripping tightly at the railing before her.

For Mi Ke Li, always keeping his Pokémon and water clean was his everyday habit as a Master of Water.

And once he set that habit aside, even temporarily…

It meant he had already made his resolve!

All Baimu's heart clenched; like being struck by electricity, he shouted at the top of his lungs: "Careful! Its final attack is coming!"

The words had barely fallen.

"Hydro Pump — Rapid Spin!"

Mi Ke Li issued the command.

Boom!

Mud and water splashed everywhere!

All Baimu and Mega Aggron only saw a blur before their eyes — Mega Swampert had already arrived right in front of them, swinging its water-spurting heavy fists at a speed the naked eye could barely follow!

Peng peng peng—

Towering sprays of mist rose one after another, and the continuous, heavy, muffled booms echoed back and forth across Mega Aggron's body.

Counterattack?

Counter with what?

The rainstorm-like rapid strikes alone were enough to consume most of its concentration just to defend against — it couldn't make any more moves at all!

Too fast! Too strong!

It was hard to imagine that a Pokémon of such an enormous size could possess such exaggerated agility and mobility. The light cast its glow on the thin white mist, and within it one could faintly see what seemed to be several Mega Swamperts launching attacks together!

Water Shuriken — what a fitting term!

All Baimu's fingernails nearly pierced into his palms, yet he issued no command, only shouting within his heart:

"Hold on! You must hold on!"

But it really was too difficult.

Mega Swampert stored large amounts of muddy water in its cheeks, filtering out the grit through its internal circulation, allowing the air sacs in both fists to spray water for much longer and no longer being limited to a single strike.

And although each individual strike in the rapid combo lacked the power of an all-out blow.

Such a dense barrage of heavy hits also let Mega Aggron taste, from every part of its body, an aching soreness as if trampled by ten thousand horses.

Blue light flickered continuously, proving its physical defense was being rapidly lowered.

"Grrrroooar—"

It growled low, and its massive body suddenly collapsed.

Knee joint fracture!

What All Baimu had feared most had ultimately come to pass after all.

The impact and penetrating force of Hydro Pump had shattered Mega Aggron's steel knees, and its already-low mobility was reduced to nearly zero.

The situation had reached its most critical moment.

But.

It was also the instant they were closest to victory!

In a daze.

Many familiar scenes suddenly flashed through both of their minds at once, one after another like a picture book spinning past.

……A death montage?

No, that's not right.

This is the memory of Mega Bosswell.

Because the perspective could only see the Psychic Claydol and the Jamilson, why would Mega Bosswell suddenly think of—

All Baimu froze.

Why would he think of that.

Didn't he know it better than anyone?

That was the first battle where no matter how hard they struggled, no matter how hard they racked their brains, no matter how hard they fought with everything they had, even after successfully evolving they still couldn't take the win.

Their opponent's strength far exceeded the limits of what their efforts could reach, and regret became the final result.

That scene was deeply etched into Bosswell's mind.

Even now, it still hasn't been forgotten.

How much can a single battle affect a Pokémon?

Enough to be remembered for a lifetime!

This time…

This time, I will bring you the victory!

A voice both familiar and strange echoed beside his ear, so clear, so warm.

All Baimu unconsciously began breathing faster, his eyes trembling as he reached out, as if trying to grasp the Mega Bosswell in front of him that was enduring the heavy punches with all its might.

This was its resolve.

The resolve of never wanting to lose to any Pokémon again, belonging to a Bosswell that only wished to win victory for him!

All Baimu took a deep breath, his right fist clenched tight against his chest, as if he could feel the power of two hearts beating together.

No.

Victory belongs to us! Both to me, and to you!

My ace—

Bosswell!

He didn't make a single sound, but his eyes were like the brightest stars in the sky, so bright that Mi Ke Li opposite him found it hard to meet his gaze.

"This is trouble…"

Mi Ke Li murmured softly, standing rooted to the spot, his heart filled with unease.

At the same time.

His emotions affected the Mega Swampert that was rapidly throwing punches.

The latter looked at the Mega Bosswell forced to crouch on the ground, only able to continuously endure heavy blows, yet felt not the slightest joy of an approaching victory in its heart.

Unease, like a cloud of doubt, shrouded its mind.

Something—something it hadn't realized was happening!

"Swampert! Pull back quickly!

The trainer's voice suddenly rang out, and the Mega Swampert, about to throw its final punch, froze stiff on the spot, because the voice had sounded inside its mind!

At once filled with a panicked tension and urgency.

It instinctively prepared to retreat, but just as the air sac's jet direction adjusted forward, the silver light flowing across Mega Bosswell's body, seemingly used for defense, was as if it had accumulated to its limit, and suddenly froze.

Then.

It completely erupted!

An indescribable, dazzlingly intense light instantly swallowed the Mega Swampert, echoing along with two roars.

"Metal Burst!

"Roar!

Boom—!

The entire stadium shook wildly as if about to collapse!

A thunderous explosion like a thunderbolt reverberated violently!

Miss Liuqi was forced to close her eyes, because the brilliant silver light that had suddenly erupted on the field was too dazzling to look at directly with the naked eye.

A moment later.

The silver light dimmed.

A terrifying cloud of smoke, like a destructive storm, slowly swirled and covered a large portion of the field.

Thick smoke rolled and gathered in the air, mingling with the rain clouds, completely blocking the lights of the dome. The stadium thus became gloomy and dark, making the scene before one's eyes appear all the more shocking and terrifying.

A massive shockwave swept through everything, the ground around the field was a terrible mess, and the revealed field looked as if it had been plowed over once, becoming a scene of utter devastation amidst the continuous tremors!

What a terrifying scene!

Miss Liuqi felt momentarily speechless, her mind and body still immersed in this destructive spectacle created by Pokémon.

But her eyes never left the field, eager to know the situation within.

Is there a result?

This level of attack power was the result of Mega Bosswell completely enduring all the combo damage from Mega Swampert, then further amplifying its power and feeding it back.

Surely Mega Swampert would find it hard to withstand a move of this power, right?

And beside Miss Liuqi, Adam was silent. He had never imagined All Baimu could fight Mi Ke Li to this extent, far exceeding his expectations.

He had clearly overestimated this little guy's strength many times, but who would have thought that in the end, his "overestimation" was actually an underestimate.

Such an exaggerated growth rate.

Regardless of whether the result of this Gym battle is victory or defeat, All Baimu can no longer be evaluated as merely a successor.

He has already surpassed many trainers still hesitating halfway up the mountain!

Not long after.

The thick smoke gradually dispersed.

The pattering rain gradually lessened; it would most likely stop soon.

In the middle of the field.

Mega Bossgodzilla "stood" in place, heavily panting, like an exhausted old ox.

A large portion of its center of gravity had already shifted onto its thick tail at the rear; otherwise, relying solely on its fractured legs, it absolutely could not have remained standing.

A metal explosion of such tremendous power had placed no small burden on it as well.

The numerous scorch marks and pits across its silver-white armor told of just how perilous the situation had been moments ago — saying it was dancing on a tightrope would not be an exaggeration.

But all of it was worth it.

It gazed down from its lofty position at the broken mud pit, where the Swampert — having reverted to its original form at some unknown point — had fainted, and a thick joy enveloped its heart.

"Swampert is unable to battle! Bossgodzilla wins! The Gym Leader has only one Pokémon remaining!"

The old butler, dust on his shoulders left unwiped, simply raised the flag in his hand high.

"Guaaaah—!"

"We won—!"

All Baimu and Mega Bossgodzilla raised their right arms at the exact same moment, their great roar echoing throughout the entire stadium.