I, Gary, Want to Become a Pokemon Master

"Brick Break!"

With Smart Strike shattered, Scizor rushed at Aggron once again. Having just used Swords Dance, its next attack carried even more destructive power.

"Use Protect to block it," Steven commanded calmly.

Aggron instantly formed a shimmering protective barrier. It successfully shielded itself from the Brick Break, but as soon as the barrier faded, Aggron exhaled a stream of intense flames, engulfing the mantis Pokémon.

"Zaaa!!"

Scizor cried out in alarm. It instinctively recoiled from the flames, quickly retreating to avoid severe damage. Even so, it sustained significant burns.

Luckily, thanks to Mega Evolution, Scizor's Special Defense had improved somewhat. Combined with the fact that Aggron's Special Attack wasn't its strength, the Flamethrower didn't deal as much damage as it could have. It definitely wasn't enough to knock Scizor out.

"It actually withstood it… Seems like teaching Aggron special moves still isn't effective," Steven thought to himself.

"Aggron's Protect has reached its limit. Scizor—use Double Team and follow up with continuous Brick Breaks!" Gary called out.

"Zaa!!"

Scizor moved swiftly, splitting into dozens of illusory clones and surrounding Aggron in a blur of red phantoms.

Steven narrowed his eyes. "Use Iron Defense. Guard yourself completely."

Aggron crouched low to the ground, curling its massive body. It crossed its arms in front of its face and hunkered down, its entire frame coated in a glowing silver sheen. A metallic aura rippled around it.

Clang! Clang! Clang—!

Scizor's repeated Brick Break strikes rained down across Aggron's steel armor. Each hit stirred up puffs of dust and sparks, but Aggron didn't move. It made no attempt to counterattack. It simply endured.

Although Aggron's physical defense was among the highest of any Pokémon, it was still 4x weak to Fighting-type moves. If it kept absorbing attacks like this, even with Iron Defense, it would eventually fall.

Despite Scizor having the upper hand now, Gary didn't feel relaxed. He refused to believe someone like Steven wouldn't have a counterstrategy.

His expression turned serious as he considered every angle. If I were in Steven's shoes right now… what would I do?

But no matter how he played the situation out in his head, it didn't seem like Aggron had a path to victory. Aggron's size was a disadvantage against agile and explosive Pokémon like Scizor. It just couldn't keep up.

Scizor continued its assault, landing hit after hit. No one knew how many blows had connected.

Then, just as Scizor was winding up for another strike—

"Graah!!"

Aggron sprang up, eyes flashing. A silvery glow radiated from its mouth. Suddenly, a sharp, powerful beam burst forward—Metal Burst.

Scizor blinked in shock. That was no clone—Aggron had somehow aimed directly at the real one.

Caught off guard, Scizor had no choice but to raise both pincers in defense.

BOOM!

The Metal Burst hit squarely, blasting Scizor across the field. A cloud of smoke burst up from the impact.

When it cleared, Scizor was still standing—but just barely. Its breathing was heavy, body covered in soot and scorch marks. Aggron, too, was visibly exhausted. Both Pokémon were on their last legs.

"Amazing…" Professor Ward—was wide-eyed with shock. "Gary's actually fought Steven to this extent."

In his past Mega Evolution studies, Birch had often witnessed Steven battling with his Pokémon. Normally, Steven's Mega-Evolved partners crushed their test opponents with overwhelming ease.

But this time, things were different. Aggron, one of Steven's top three Pokémon, hadn't yet won.

"That move was Metal Burst… but how did Aggron aim so precisely at the real Scizor?" Gary muttered to himself.

He knew only Metal Burst could hit with that kind of power, but the mystery remained—how did Aggron pick out the real one from all the clones? It couldn't smell Scizor out, nor did it have keen eyesight. With that many illusions, the odds should've been near zero.

In the end, it didn't matter. Both Pokémon now stood on the edge of collapse. Victory would go to the one whose will outlasted the other.

"What a terrifying young Trainer," Steven murmured.

He glanced at Aggron—its stamina nearly depleted. The next exchange would determine everything.

"Gary, how about a final clash?" Steven offered.

"Alright," Gary nodded.

Neither Pokémon could move like they had earlier. Scizor's burst speed was gone, and Aggron was clearly sluggish.

"Aggron—Heavy Slam!"

"Scizor—Iron Head!"

They gave their final commands at once.

Both Trainers selected Steel-type moves, a fitting finish for a battle between steel titans.

"Graah!!"

"Zaa!!"

Aggron charged with its full weight behind it, the earth quaking beneath its steps. Scizor countered with a sharp Iron Head, silver energy cloaking its streamlined body. The two steel Pokémon collided mid-field.

CLAAAANG!!!

The clash rang out like a bell across the battlefield.

For a moment, nothing moved.

Then—

"Graah…" Aggron gave a final groan, its massive body teetering before collapsing face-first to the ground.

[Ding! Mission complete. Reward has been deposited to your Item Storage.]

"I… I actually won?" Professor Ward blinked in disbelief. Although the battle had been intense, he had always assumed Steven would win in the end.

"Gary did it!" Zinnia cheered, raising her fists in joy. Though she wasn't deeply familiar with Champion-level Trainers, she understood this was a major accomplishment.

"Zaa…" Scizor dropped to one knee, panting. A rainbow glow flashed briefly, and its Mega Evolution state faded.

Although victorious, it was utterly exhausted.

"You did well. Come back and rest," Gary said softly, returning Scizor to its Poké Ball.

Steven approached with a smile. "Gary, I didn't expect your ace Pokémon to be this strong. At this pace, you'll be competing in the World Coronation Series soon."

"The World what?" Zinnia asked, tilting her head.

"The World Coronation Series," Steven explained, "is a global competition that determines the strongest Trainers in the world. The top-ranked Trainer holds the title of Monarch."

"Whoa! Who's the current Strongest?" Zinnia asked excitedly.

"It's Leon. He's won the championship eight times in a row," Steven answered.

"Eight times?! Then… can I join the World Coronation Series too?" Zinnia asked, eyes shining with excitement.

"Of course," Steven replied. "But you'll need to win your regional Pokémon League first to qualify."