The brilliant light of Mega Evolution surged—and soon, it faded into prismatic glimmers.
"Mita~!"
A deep, metallic growl echoed as an even larger, more intimidating Metagross floated before Caitlin. Its four original limbs had fused into powerful arms extended forward, and four smaller limbs protruded from its back. The metallic "X" on its face had turned golden, and a spike jutted from its chin.
Mega Metagross.
Beep~ Metagross (Mega Evolution), Steel/Psychic-type, Iron Leg Pokémon
Ability: Tough Claws
Moves: ...
Info: With Mega Evolution, its brain is overstimulated, giving it a ruthless, win-at-all-costs nature. (Mega Evolution)
Steven's eyes blazed with envy.
As the most famous Metagross trainer in the world, that Pokémon wasn't just Steven's ace—it was his legacy. Just as Garchomp was Cynthia's, Milotic was Wallace's, and Dragonite was Lance's.
And now he was certain—Metagross could Mega Evolve!
"Not bad at all. And it even got Tough Claws," Wallace commented, eyeing the Mega Metagross with interest.
Metagross already had monstrous physical power, and Mega Evolution giving it Tough Claws—an ability that boosts contact moves—meant its melee capabilities would be terrifying.
"I wonder if my Milotic can Mega Evolve," Wallace mused. "If it can, then she can stay my ace forever…"
On the battlefield:
"Mr. Dylan, this is my final ace!" Caitlin called out with poise.
"Impressive. In that case, we'll go all out as well," Dylan replied with a calm smile.
"Greninja!"
Greninja let out a low cry as a spiraling pillar of water erupted around it, forming a towering vortex that cloaked its entire body.
"What is that?" Caitlin blinked, confused.
In the stands, Cynthia and the others were equally surprised.
It didn't look like a Mega Evolution—Dylan hadn't even used a Key Stone.
Boom!
With a loud crash, the vortex exploded in a spray of water.
Emerging from the mist was the cold, imposing form of a transformed Greninja.
Its appearance wasn't drastically different—just more refined. A red mark now adorned its forehead, black hair-like protrusions flared from the sides of its head, and most notably—a massive Water Shuriken was strapped across its back.
Bond Transformation—Ash-Greninja.
"What the heck?!" Wallace's jaw dropped. "It really transformed?!"
"Rotom, identify that form!" he begged.
But Rotom's analysis returned the same data as before.
That was expected—Bond Transformation was functionally like Mega Evolution, except it didn't require a stone and didn't drastically alter the base form.
"This is Bond Transformation," Dylan explained warmly. "It's a special trait found only in certain Greninja. When their bond with their trainer is strong enough, they transform through that connection."
In game terms? Max friendship.
And Dylan and Greninja? Their bond was off the charts.
"Once transformed, Greninja's power increases dramatically. Miss Caitlin, be careful."
Greninja, the Ninja Pokémon, was built for speed and deadly burst damage—and this form turned it into a full-on assassin.
"Yes, I understand." Caitlin grew more serious. With its Dark typing, her Metagross's Psychic moves would be useless—and it would be at a type disadvantage.
But she believed in her ace.
Plus, the rain had stopped, so the Water-type boost was gone.
"Metagross, Bullet Punch!"
Mega Metagross surged forward, its massive body somehow still fast, arms glowing with metallic energy—Steel-type priority move.
It didn't have just two fists—Metagross had four. A flurry of punches rained toward Greninja.
"Water Shuriken!"
Greninja coolly pulled the massive shuriken from its back. Water condensed and spun rapidly, growing larger with every rotation.
With a mighty swing, Greninja launched it at the oncoming Metagross.
BOOM!
Metagross parried the shuriken with a flurry of blows, the water exploding in a massive spray.
But by the time it looked up—Greninja was already there.
Its arm gleamed with a dark-purple edge as it struck—
Night Slash!
"Meteor Mash!" Caitlin called out quickly.
Metagross raised a fist wreathed in silver light—one of the strongest Steel-type contact moves.
"Dodge," Dylan said calmly.
Greninja gracefully sidestepped. The glowing meteor-like fist whooshed past its face, barely disturbing the air.
But Greninja didn't flinch—its gaze stayed locked on its target.
So cool.
"Night Slash!" Dylan followed up.
Greninja slashed upward, landing a solid hit across Metagross's face.
Metagross growled in pain. Even with high defense, Dark moves hit hard—and Greninja's offensive power was no joke in this form.
"Don't let it get away! Metagross!"
Caitlin gritted her teeth as Metagross lunged again.
"Dodge."
Greninja leapt into the air, one leg glowing with dark energy.
Night Slash—again!
BAM!
Another crushing kick to Metagross's head, sending it reeling.
"Metagross!" Caitlin's breath hitched.
Greninja didn't even fly—it just jumped.
Which meant—it was wide open in the air!
Mega Metagross lunged again, but…
Greninja used the rebound to lift itself even higher, avoiding the next blow.
Then—
WHAM!
Another spinning kick from above.
Third Night Slash!
Metagross howled and crashed into the ground.
Three successive strikes—this was heavy even for a Metagross.
"Beautifully done! Elegant and stylish!" Wallace gushed. "Steven! I want a Greninja too!"
"Why are you telling me?!" Steven groaned.
"Compared to this, that Mega Metagross looked like a slowpoke," Geeta said.
"Because its Psychic typing was completely useless," Steven nodded. "Its telekinetic support was the key—but Greninja's Dark typing shuts that down."
Even though Metagross wasn't slow, it simply couldn't keep up with the speed and agility of Bond-Greninja. It looked clumsy by comparison.
On the field:
"Dark Pulse!"
Greninja extended a hand, dark energy rippling and pulsing as it shot toward Metagross.
"Protect!"
A green shield rose just in time as the pulse exploded against it.
BOOM!
Metagross staggered up from the blast, roaring in anger—and then charged through the smoke.
"Water Shuriken!"
This time, Greninja formed two spinning blades but didn't throw them—he held them.
As Metagross closed in with Bullet Punch, Greninja blocked and parried with his dual water blades.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The two clashed in rapid, brutal close quarters.
But one blow slipped through—Metagross landed a hit.
Greninja grunted and leapt back, then hurled both shuriken at once.
BOOM!
They struck Metagross directly, halting its momentum.
"Direct engagement's not gonna work," Dylan muttered. "Time to use mobility."
"Meteor Mash!"
Encouraged by the brief success, Caitlin pushed forward.
Metagross launched itself at Greninja, fists glowing.
Greninja backpedaled rapidly—eyes sharp, expression calm.
"Dodge," Dylan whispered.
Greninja lunged forward instead—slipping past Metagross in a perfect sidestep.
"Metagross!!" Caitlin's heart dropped.
"Night Slash!"
Greninja spun in midair, landing behind Metagross—and kicked hard.
WHAM!
Metagross turned too late.
Another hit.
And another.
FIVE consecutive Night Slashes.
Even a Mega Metagross couldn't handle that.
"Water Shuriken!"
Greninja leapt high, summoning one last massive spinning blade.
Water surged wildly, the shuriken growing bigger—turning gold.
Golden Water Shuriken!
With a fierce throw, the golden blade slammed into the just-rising Metagross.
KRAKOOM!!
It pinned the Steel-type down and spun furiously, water spraying everywhere.
When the mist cleared, Metagross was lying unconscious in a soaked crater, its Mega form dissipated.
Caitlin's lips pressed into a thin line, her expression dim.
"Metagross is unable to battle. Greninja wins!"
"All of Caitlin's Pokémon have fainted. The winner is Gym Leader Dylan. Caitlin's challenge has failed."
Greninja landed silently, arms crossed, expression unreadable—its cold, solitary stance emanating deadly elegance.
Dylan gave a satisfied nod.
Not bad for its debut.