"This Explosion didn't seriously injure Zeraora… that was the best chance."
Wallace sighed in regret. He hadn't expected Metagross's Explosion to completely take out Zeraora.
Still, it was an Explosion! And Zeraora was clearly a high-speed, high-offense attacker—its defenses couldn't possibly be that strong.
Even if it was a mythical Pokémon, the fact that Explosion hadn't dealt heavy damage was just too much of a missed opportunity.
"You're right, it really was a great chance. But Zeraora's speed and reflexes are terrifying."
Wallace agreed fully. No one had seen that Explosion coming—because it wasn't Steven's usual battling style at all.
He had never relied on Explosion or mutual-destruction moves before.
"At the very least, he had a chance," Cynthia murmured, watching Zeraora straighten back up.
The scars across its sleek body showed its condition. Even if the blast hadn't landed cleanly, the damage still wasn't light.
Steven might still have a chance to beat Zeraora. But from the Rotom Dex's data, Cynthia and the others knew—
Just like Galarian Zapdos and Galarian Moltres, Zeraora had a way to switch out safely!
Volt Switch—an Electric-type move that allowed retreat. If Dylan wanted to pull Zeraora out, Steven couldn't stop it.
If Dylan wanted to keep Zeraora from fainting, he could just switch it.
But right now, it didn't seem like Dylan had any plans to do that.
On the battlefield—
"Iron Treads!"
Steven's calm face was sharp with focus as he threw out his fifth Poké Ball.
In a flash of white, a Pokémon descended—similar to Donphan in form, but its entire body gleamed with futuristic machinery.
The Paradox Pokémon: Iron Treads!
'Beep~ Iron Treads. Ground/Steel-type. Paradox Pokémon.Ability: Quark Drive.Moves: Heavy Slam, Giga Impact, Megahorn, Wild Charge, Earthquake…
Description: Resembles advanced alien weaponry described in paranormal magazines.'
Rotom Dex rattled off its data. Cynthia and the others nodded—Iron Treads' Ground typing completely nullified Zeraora's Electric attacks.
Using Iron Treads here made perfect sense on paper.
"Looks like you raised it well, Steven," Dylan said with a smile.
After all, Iron Treads had originally come from Dylan. It was obvious Steven had trained it carefully.
"But Steven—Iron Treads still isn't a match for my Zeraora."
The declaration was blunt.
Zeraora wasn't limited to Electric attacks. And while Iron Treads was decently fast, it was nowhere near Zeraora's level.
Not to mention, Iron Treads couldn't fly. On the ground, unless it could keep up with Zeraora's speed, it didn't stand a chance.
"Not necessarily," Steven said evenly.
"Oh?" Dylan arched a brow, then chuckled.
"Show me where that confidence comes from."
"Zeraora, Aura Sphere."
Dylan snapped his fingers. He half-expected Steven to Dynamax Iron Treads—this was a Gym battle, after all, with no restrictions on power-ups.
Zeraora brought its paws together, conjuring a sphere of pure blue energy, and hurled it toward Iron Treads at blazing speed.
"High Horsepower!"
Steven didn't hesitate.
Aura Sphere was hard to dodge—its speed was high, and some said its wave-guiding force let it track its target precisely.
Iron Treads roared, its body glowing with earthen power as it charged to meet the blast head-on.
Boom!
The two moves collided, detonating in a violent shockwave. Iron Treads was pushed back, taking some damage—but not much.
"As I thought… Zeraora's raw power isn't overwhelming."
Steven's eyes narrowed.
Its speed was absurd, yes—but its actual strength was within manageable limits.
"Close in." Dylan gave another command.
Zeraora crouched low, dashing forward like lightning.
Iron Treads locked its gaze on the approaching blur—but even if it could see the movement, reacting in time was another matter entirely.
Steven's chest tightened. Even knowing Zeraora's intent, Iron Treads might not be able to counter or defend in time.
"Stealth Rock!"
If it couldn't dodge or block, then set the field!
Earlier, only part of Stealth Rock had been used. Now Steven filled the field anew.
Iron Treads swung its trunk, scattering jagged stones that shimmered and vanished into place across the battlefield.
"Blaze Kick."
Dylan's eyes narrowed.
In a flash, Zeraora closed in from the side, its leg igniting in crimson flames.
Bang!!
The fiery kick slammed into Iron Treads' flank, sending it skidding back in pain.
Fire was super-effective against Steel—the hit stung.
Iron Treads dug in, claws gouging the ground until it stopped, though Stealth Rocks had already spread.
"Beautiful control. With Stealth Rock in play, Zeraora can't recklessly abuse its speed anymore."
Cynthia nodded approvingly. Hazards like Toxic Spikes, Spikes, or Stealth Rock were perfect counters to fast attackers.
In reality, those moves weren't just "chip damage." The sudden stab of pain on contact could break a Pokémon's rhythm entirely.
"Aura Sphere!" Dylan pressed the assault.
Zeraora hurled another sphere.
Boom!
Iron Treads, still unsteady, couldn't dodge and took the full blast, crying out as the attack exploded across its body.
Special damage cut deeper—Aura Sphere punished Iron Treads' weaker defenses far more than Blaze Kick had.
"Troublesome," Dylan muttered, frowning at the rocks restricting Zeraora.
Still, he wasn't planning to switch out. This was a Gym match—and Steven was his friend. Sometimes, you had to give a little leeway.
"Close in again."
But this time, as Zeraora sprinted forward, a Stealth Rock flared underfoot.
Boom!
The trap detonated, forcing Zeraora to stumble with a cry.
And in that instant—
"Earthquake!" Steven commanded.
Iron Treads stomped hard, the battlefield shaking violently.
"Protect!"
A green barrier snapped up just in time, shielding Zeraora from the tremors.
But Steven's momentum was building.
Steelix followed. Aggron entered. Hazards tightened the noose.
Wallace's eyes lit up. "Steven's turning the battle around!"
Wallace nodded. "It's shifting in his favor now."
But they both knew Aggron carried fatal weaknesses—quadruple to Fighting and Ground. If Zeraora landed the right hit, it could end things instantly.
"It seems Dylan doesn't plan to switch Zeraora out," Wallace observed.
With so many hazards littering the field, the restrictions were indeed heavy.
Yes—Dylan really was going easy on Steven.
Wallace smirked.
I wonder if he'd give me the same mercy if I challenged him…
(End of Chapter)