Chapter 0850: Natsume-sensei VS Steven (Part 2)（Three-in-One）

Boom!!

Aggron landed with a crash, shaking the entire arena to its core.

Its heavy gray armor glinted with steely resolve, the silver crest on its head sharp as a blade, and its massive Iron Tail could shatter mountains.

And under Trick Room, Aggron was Steel-type Champion Steven's most powerful ace!

Aggron stood on the field like a giant beast, roaring furiously and sending chills through the audience. Steven gazed at its silver back, old memories flickering in his eyes.

From a tiny Aron to the mountain-crushing Aggron before him, they’d fought countless battles together.

Little Aron would sniff out ores, sending young Steven running to mine; later, Aggron could smash caves open with a single punch—and then proudly show off for Steven.

Now, on the stage of the World Tournament... Steven’s blue hair rippled, eyes sharp, and he slowly stretched out his arm... “I’ll show the world what the strongest Steel-types can do!”

“Aggron, Heavy Slam!”

“Aggron!!”

Aggron thundered forward like an armored tank, each step splitting the ground beneath him. With the “Heavy Metal” ability powering him up, Aggron’s weight was impossible—he could crush Togepi without effort!

Aggron's “Heavy Slam” was thunderous, closing the distance in a blink. The viewers could feel the roar in their bones—Aggron was almost on top of Togepi!

“Baton Pass!”

Fairy-type Togepi stood no chance against a Steel-type move—especially since Heavy Slam’s power rose the bigger the weight difference.

Aggron barreled forward like an avalanche, but Togepi vanished into a flash of red light and zipped safely back into the Poké Ball. The swapped-in Luxury Ball burst open—Arcanine leaped out, blocking Aggron’s charge.

Natsume’s black-and-gold coat fluttered. He called out, “Hold him back, Arcanine!”

“Arcanine!!”

Arcanine braced, meeting Aggron head-on as the world shook with the impact.

Boom!!

Diancie couldn’t help but squeeze her diamond-bright eyes shut, and the crowd behind her erupted in shock.

“No way, did he really stop it?!”

“Monster Aggron actually got stopped!”

Diancie peeked—a swirl of wind whipped over the arena’s center, and Trick Room faded. Arcanine had his head pressed against Aggron’s armored chest, Aggron’s claws dug deep into Arcanine’s back. They were locked together, muscles straining on both sides!

“Aggron!!”

Aggron's arms trembled, chestplate caving in, blue eyes glaring in fury.

“Arcanine!!”

Arcanine tilted his head just slightly, a line of blood trailing down his mane—then grinned fiercely.

You’re strong, but this victory’s mine!

“Flamethrower!!”

At point-blank range, now with Togepi’s stat assists, Arcanine shoved Aggron back with a roar and unleashed a torrent of flames, engulfing the Steel giant!

Boom!!

The roaring inferno battered Aggron, who hastily crossed his arms, protecting himself with his steel bracers.

The heatwave sent a ripple through the audience, then someone yelled out:

“Wait—!”

“Aggron’s tail is still moving!”

Sweat dotted Steven’s brow, but a smile crept up his lips. It’d been a long time since he’d felt so fired up by a battle, but Natsume-sensei had done it! Steven grinned.

“Aggron—Earthquake!”

“Aggron!!”

Aggron, arms still blocking flames, smashed his Iron Tail down onto the ground. Instantly, cracks raced out; the whole grassland rumbled with the tremors!

Shockwaves rippled outward from Aggron, caving the field and ripping the earth. Arcanine looked down—his paws felt the boiling, surging energy below!

Rumble!!

On the big screen, the sound was deafening—dust billowed over the grassland, burying both Pokémon.

The viewers swallowed hard.

“So this is what a Champion battle is like?”

“Thank Arceus they're changing the field after this!”

In the stands, Lance crossed his arms, brow furrowed.

“Arcanine’s weak to Ground—even with the level gap, this is rough. Steven, that bastard…”

Lance glanced at the blue-haired man in the command seat.

“He’s really in this to win.”

“If you make it to the World Tournament, no one’s giving up easy.”

Cynthia’s tone was calm as she crossed her arms, eyes on the black-haired young man’s back.

“And honestly? You’re underestimating what it means to be a Battle Legend.”

Through the swirling dust, Natsume and Steven locked eyes, both waiting for the referee's call.

When the flag for “battle continues” lifted, both trainers’ gazes turned razor-sharp.

“Arcanine, Morning Sun!” Natsume ordered.

As the dust cleared, deep fissures spidered across the grassland. The two Pokémon, battered and worn, stood among the shattered rocks.

The Rainbow Wing on Arcanine’s neck pulsed with light. Arcanine threw his head back and howled, parting the clouds as sunlight streamed down, healing his wounds.

Unyielding spirit and unbreakable vitality—a fire that rivals the legendary Pokémon who command flames themselves.

Arcanine, nicknamed “Little Entei”!

“Interrupt him—Stone Edge!” Steven snapped.

“Aggron!!”

Aggron hammered the earth, raising a row of jagged stone pillars.

But Arcanine didn’t flinch, racing through and taking hits, surging out of the blast zone wreathed in platinum flames!

Leaning against the rail, Blue Oak’s eyes flashed.

I know that move… That was what woke the four islands against Necrozma! Only Ho-Oh and Entei among legendaries have ever truly mastered that undying fire!

“Arcanine,” Natsume called, “Sacred Fire!!”

“Arcanine!!”

Arcanine blazed with white-hot flame, his mane shining platinum. Each step was a comet, streaking towards Aggron. The Stealth Rock attacks that Aggron launched barely fazed him as the gap between them vanished!

Steven looked up at the charging Arcanine, calling out, “Superpower!”

“Aggron!!”

Aggron’s fists gleamed with crushing strength as he hammered Arcanine’s face. But Arcanine roared back, tackling Aggron to the ground, his burning paws exploding in flame as a white-hot fire burst from his jaws—the blast swallowed them both!

BOOOOM!!!

The crowd trembled at the sight.

Inside that blaze, something majestic and ancient flickered—almost like… the Indigo Plateau’s own Sacred Flame!

Live chat exploded.

“That flame—Natsume-sensei, did you steal the Sacred Flame?!”

“Maybe the Sacred Flame at Indigo—was swiped from Arcanine all along?”

“Arcanine? More like baby Entei!”

As the smoke thinned, Aggron's scorched armor was covered in black streaks. Kneeling and wheezing, he glared up.

Arcanine, standing tall in the sunlight, towered over Aggron—unrivaled, simply radiating dominance.

“Arcanine!” (You did your best.)

Aggron glanced back at Steven, who met his gaze with a smile and a grateful nod.

“Aggron…” With a crash, Aggron collapsed.

The referee raised his flag.

“Aggron has lost the ability to battle!”

An uproar swept through the arena.

Everyone’s eyes darted to the big screen.

Three rounds in, Natsume hadn’t dropped a single point—3:0 in the lead!

“When I’m in an exhibition match, it’s all show—but in the World Tournament, I go full throttle!”

“Steven’s done everything he could—but Natsume-sensei is a beast.”

“There’s still a shot—Steven’s unbeatable Metagross hasn’t even hit the field yet!!”

With three matches down, it was time for a short intermission.

The platforms shifted—the grassland receded, and a new Rock Field rose, filled with pillars and scattered boulders.

In the stands, Ruby said, “With this terrain, Steven’s got the edge in the second half.”

Wallace nodded. “Agreed, and watch the pace—he’ll go full offense this time.”

That was the core of Steven’s double strategy: an Aggron-centric Trick Room defense with spikes, and a mega Metagross-led speed offense.

The next three Pokémon: Metagross, Cradily, Armaldo. Cradily would play utility, while Armaldo had priority moves.

This kind of battle-style switcheroo was one of Steven’s secret weapons on the big stage.

“On Natsume-sensei’s side, Arcanine’s great at holding the field with Intimidate—it’s a real headache.” Wallace observed, “Steven’s only hope is to take down that battered Arcanine when the timing’s right.”

But… Wallace’s eyes glinted. “Morning Sun” could heal Arcanine up in a flash. And never forget—Natsume-sensei had Arcanine holding a legendary item, the “Rainbow Wing”!

After a quick intermission, a breeze stirred through the pillars of the rocky arena.

The referee scanned both contestants, confirmed their readiness, and dropped the flag: “Battle begin!”

Natsume’s Arcanine strode back onto the field. Across from him, Steven sent out his fossil Pokémon.

“I choose you—Armaldo!”

Armaldo, with its blue carapace, looked like a bipedal horseshoe crab with twin scythe arms—a Rock/Bug Pokémon who wasn’t the least bit afraid of water. In fact, he could swim fast, using currents to attack. His claws were sharp enough to cut steel—according to Kurt, anyway.

At the fringes, Brock and Roark were still repairing the earlier Grass Field, but the fresh battle drew their gaze.

“A fossil Pokémon,” Roark said in admiration.

Brock squinted, arms folded. “I’ve always thought fossil Pokémon had a special kind of beauty.”

“Me too!” Roark’s eyes gleamed at a kindred spirit.

“Anyway, we’ve got work to do.” Brock composed himself. “Command your Rampardos to transport materials, and I’ll get Steelix—”

Back in the arena, Natsume was deep in thought.

Arcanine didn’t have Baton Pass or Volt Switch, so switching out would only get him punished—he’d just have to keep him on the field.

The match resumed—both Pokémon about ten meters apart, unleashing status moves simultaneously!

“Arcanine, Morning Sun!”

Watching Arcanine’s HP rapidly recover, Lance in the stands whistled.

Natsume’s Arcanine comes in two flavors: berserker “Speed Demon,” or unkillable “Morning Sun Tank”!

Steven’s gaze remained cool.

“Armaldo, Swords Dance!”

Armaldo looked as focused as a hunter, sharpening his twin claws, massive wings on his back itching to lift him skyward.

Suddenly his arms flicked with a surge of water—Aqua Jet!

He’d changed from a slow, defensive team to an all-out attack so fast even a Champion would be caught off guard.

But with priority move versus priority move, Arcanine could still outpace him!

“I’ve got the real speed team here.”

Natsume’s eyes glinted. “Arcanine, Extreme Speed to dodge!”

Arcanine flexed—boom, gone in a blast of sound, vanishing from Armaldo’s view.

Armaldo’s focus wavered, searching the now-empty field, when he heard Steven’s command in his ear:

“Look up!”

Armaldo glanced skyward—Arcanine’s silhouette blotted out the sun as he dive-bombed—four paws landing with a solid “thud”!

Armaldo staggered, his precious battle armor dented. Up above, Arcanine landed on top of a stone pillar, throwing back his head and howling triumphantly.

The crowd went wild.

“That’s badass!”

“I heard Natsume-sensei explain this once—Extreme Speed has the highest priority in the game!”

“Who does Armaldo think he is, trying to win a speed battle with Arcanine?!”

Steven wasn’t fazed—in fact, getting Arcanine above was just what he wanted.

“Use Knock Off!” Steven swung his arm.

“Armaldo!!”

Armaldo screeched, slashing two blades—one cut the pillar in half with a “CRACK,” the other slashed straight at Arcanine!

Slash!

The string around Arcanine’s neck snapped—Rainbow Wing fluttered to the ground, its legendary effect gone.

And as it hit the earth, a little chubby hand emerged from a black shadow and carefully snatched it away.

“Gengar~” Gengar hid in the darkness, brushing dust off Rainbow Wing.

Can’t let anything happen to this treasure, hehe~

The pillar fell with a thunderous crash!!

Arcanine clambered out from the dust, shook his big head, and stared into the eyes of the rapidly-approaching Armaldo.

Natsume’s gaze sharpened.

Pushing Arcanine to use “Sacred Fire” again and again was tough on the big dog. Plus, with such short range, Extreme Speed couldn’t be used to dodge.

Go for the strike!

“Arcanine!” Natsume shouted. “Flamethrower!”

“Arcanine!!”

Arcanine drew a deep breath, blasting fire straight at Armaldo with fiercely boosted flames—thanks to that earlier Baton Pass, this heatwave bathed the stands.

Armaldo’s blades flashed with swirling water, carving through the fire in a storm of steam. The armor on its chest cracked… but Armaldo’s gaze was fierce as ever.

“Liquidation!” Steven commanded.

Suddenly, Armaldo became a whirlwind of water, charging straight into the fire and collision—steam erupted, and the Rock Field trembled with the force.

Viewers could barely swallow, totally caught up in this intense Champion-level match.

Referee Dempé’s face turned grave as he raised the “one side knocked out” flag!

Ruby and Sapphire’s eyes went wide, exclaiming in unison: “Who was it?!”

Tens of thousands watched Dempé’s lips as he announced:

“Arcanine has lost the ability to battle!”

The smoke cleared. Armaldo stood unsteadily, armor cracked and panting.

Arcanine, after three grueling rounds—battling Skarmory, Aggron, and Armaldo—had taken down two titans and earned a KO.

In this match against Steel-type Champion Steven, Natsume-sensei’s Arcanine had more than earned his legendary status!

The arena erupted with excitement, the crowd exploding in cheers and applause!

Steven stared at the scoreboard, exhaling softly.

At least this way… it won’t be a complete shutout.

Natsume pulled out the Luxury Ball and recalled Arcanine, whispering,

“You did amazing.”

Even before the tournament began, Blastoise had handed out Max Revives to all the teammates to cure fainting status conditions.

Arcanine munched on a Max Revive, grinning goofily:

“Arcanine~(^▽^ )”

The fight rolled on.

The battered Armaldo was quickly dispatched by Sylveon. Sylveon let fly a ribbon-bow of moonlight, soaring in a perfect “Moonblast” that exploded with power, sending Armaldo off the field!

Amid the roaring applause, Sylveon victoriously waved her ribbons. “Sylveon!!”

Chat overflowed.

“Sylveon rules!!”

“It’s all fun and games ‘til Sylveon one-shots everything!”

“Sylveon is on a rampage tonight!”

In the stands, Ruby exclaimed, “Natsume-sensei’s Sylveon is honestly stunning.”

Wallace nodded. “Mmm, that’s the result of lots of top-tier Poffins and Pokéblocks… She could win a Master-level Ribbon in any contest, hands down.”

Sapphire bounced in excitement. “It’s Fairy vs. Steel—does that mean Steven is finally sending out Metagross?!”

Wallace mused, “He could use the special-defense Cradily, or go for Metagross to counter Sylveon—either move could work.”

“Even though it’s hard for Steven to beat all the Pokémon Natsume-sensei has left,” Wallace said with a smile, “it’s a legendary match, and Steven is loving the mind games.”

Steven stood on the field, gazing at his two minimized Poké Balls before gripping them tightly.

His aura shifted. As he closed his eyes in thought, that “winner’s pulse” thundered in his chest.

It was the bond—a true trainer’s spirit between partners.

It’s the same feeling you get with Natsume-sensei and Gengar, Cynthia and Garchomp, Lance and Dragonite...

Or Steven and Metagross, side by side in battle!

Steven opened his eyes, blue hair shining, and raised his arm, tossing out a Poké Ball.

As light burst from it, metal chimed loudly in the air.

Steven’s gaze sharpened, focused on Natsume, a confident smile on his lips:

“Let me show you what real power is!”

“It’s your time—Metagross!!”

“Metagross!!”

Metagross, gleaming white with a golden “X” on its face, crashed its glowing fists together, its aura setting off an electric energy in the air.

Steven’s signature Pokémon—Shiny Metagross—took the field, and the whole stadium lost it.

“Steven!!”

“LEGEND!!”

“Steven’s shiny Metagross—my childhood hero returns!”

Natsume glanced at the imposing white Metagross, then met Steven’s gaze.

The first time they’d fought side by side flashed through his mind.

Natsume grinned, eyes glinting, dark hair flaring. He returned Sylveon to her ball—

And threw a Dive Ball, white light shimmering in the air.

“Blastoise!”

Blastoise glared fiercely, his aura rippling into shockwaves, instantly shifting to battle mode!

Torrent, activate!!

Blastoise vs. Shiny Metagross!

That bond from the Tree of Beginning, now rekindled—familiar yet new, played out on the grandest stage.

Natsume broke into a rare, wild grin:

“Use that unbeatable platinum Metagross of yours—let’s see what you’ve got, Steven!”