Pokémon: I picked up a reborn Eevee at the start of the game

He continued, "Then comes the Mind Hammer!"

Metagross felt that Diancie's reaction was a bit strange compared to its own attack, but it didn't think too much about it and followed Steven's command to continue the attack.

The super-powered energy condensed above its head, and with the energy boost, its disc-shaped head slammed forward.

Xia Chen hurriedly replied, "Tianxi, use the power of the earth!"

As a "wild elf" with no combat experience, Diancie may have the move in her skill pool, but she didn't originally know it.

The fact that it can be used now is entirely due to Zoroark's Technique-Technique Fruit.

A small opening doesn't count as an opening.

…………

Metagross was unaware of this, but whether it knew or not didn't matter; it neither dodged nor avoided, showing no panic whatsoever.

The recent Diamond Storm has made its attack power against Diancie clear; even if this Earth Force is a move that counters its own, it probably won't be much stronger.

With a determined mind, the hammer slammed down.

Bang—

A deep, resonant sound, like the tolling of a bronze bell, echoed across the battlefield, followed by Diancie's cry of pain.

Metagross was used to this contrast and simply attributed it to Diancie's physical characteristics. In any case, as long as it could cause considerable damage, that was good enough.

Diancie staggered backward, her entire body seemingly teetering on the brink of collapse under the impact of that mental hammer.

After swaying for a while, she still didn't fall down. Instead, she condensed the power of the earth and then unleashed it.

The immense ground-based energy struck the X-shaped markings on Metagross's face squarely, but the monster remained unmoved.

Daigo felt much more at ease.

As expected, the damage from Earth Force was slightly stronger than the previous Diamond Storm, but only by a limited margin.

Given Metagross's pseudo-legendary durability, it could easily withstand ten more hits.

Judging from Diancie's reaction, could her small frame really withstand ten freezing punches?

Daigo suddenly felt full of energy.

As far as I can remember, Xia Chen only lost once this year, in a Dynamax exhibition match against Leon.

Although Diancie wasn't Xia Chen's Pokémon, this match wasn't even an exhibition match.

But no matter what, being able to beat Xia Chen is something that makes one feel happy!

"Again, Diamond Storm!"

As Daigo was lost in thought, Xia Chen chose to launch a preemptive attack, using the same Diamond Storm that seemed to be his signature move.

Xia Chen has lost his mind. Instead of using the restrained power of the earth, he's using a move that deals less damage.

Daigo was somewhat puzzled, but assumed that Xia Chen had already panicked.

He commanded, "Dodge, then use Lightning Fist!"

"Get out of the way!" in Daigo's mouth is not a resurrection shout, but a real tactical move.

The rock-polished Metagross was incredibly fast. With a slight push of its superpowers, it braced its four iron arms against the ground, and its massive, heavy body immediately took to the air.

The armored vehicle transformed into an armed helicopter, dodging most of the diamond storm that surged out in front of Diancie, and then moved to the top of Diancie's head.

A violent current instantly coiled around Metagross's fists and arms, adding to the chilling aura of its icy body.

With the engine running, the Metagross suddenly swooped down, its fist intent carrying immense gravity, crashing down like Mount Tai!

Because of the sandstorm, no one noticed that another layer of orange light appeared on Diancie's shiny body!

Chapter 431

Michael, who considered himself an outsider with a clearer perspective, felt that the situation was very favorable for Daigo.

Diancie's performance in battle is far less dazzling than her appearance.

After several exchanges, the sandstorm proved ineffective. Not only did the two Diamond Storms deal negligible damage, but the second one was completely outmaneuvered by Metagross's incredible speed and agility.

Xia Chen also abandoned the Earth Power skill, which could barely deal damage.

With all these factors combined, Mikeley simply couldn't think of any way Metagross could possibly lose this round.

However, Xia Chen on the other side was already barely able to hold back his laughter.

Both times Diamond Storm successfully triggered its additional effect of greatly increasing physical defense.

The probability isn't low, but for Metagross to encounter something like this, it has to be said that Metagross's luck is a bit bad.

However, from another perspective, perhaps Diancie was just lucky because she was in the "newbie protection period".

More importantly, thanks to the sandstorm's cover, Daigo hadn't yet noticed Diancie's physical defense buff.

This is why he didn't use a move like [Iron Wall] to directly enhance his character, but instead gambled on Diamond Storm.

First, they secretly strengthened themselves without anyone noticing; second, they took the opportunity to inflict some damage.

Although the second diamond storm was largely avoided by the Megatron's amazing performance.

But that's not the key point.

Diancie already has high physical defense, and with two more significant buffs, it's no exaggeration to describe her as an impenetrable fortress.

boom--

With a thunderous roar, Metagross plummeted downwards, its lightning punch striking Diancie without a doubt.

Princess's acting skills became more and more refined. Although her physical defense was enhanced again, this lightning fist was almost like a tickle to her. However, she still cooperated very well and was knocked to the ground, just like a weak and helpless young animal.

The Megalodon, unsuspecting, pressed its energy against Diancie and condensed it again, raising its claws to deliver a mental blade.

"Tianci, use Iron Wall!"

Xia Chen issued the instructions in a "panic".

Metagross sneered. Strengthening physical defense at the very beginning of the battle might have been somewhat useful, but now... it's too late!

Mental power burst forth from the cross-shaped pattern on its head, solidifying into a sharp blade brimming with violent supernatural energy, slicing down and striking Diancie, who was standing right in front of it.

The sandstorm concealed the Metagross from noticing that the mental blade hadn't left even the slightest white mark on Diancie's hard, shiny body!

Seeing that the "divine skill" had finally been mastered, Xia Chen smiled slightly and used telepathy to command, "You don't need to pretend to be Diancie anymore. Use Pounce!"

The counterattack begins now!

…………

Pounce, a very special fighting-type physical move.

Its power depends not on the Pokémon's attack ability, but on its physical defense!

This is a move that many Pokémon with extremely high physical defense excel at, such as Steven's Aggron.

But Xia Chen can guarantee that even if his Bosscodora comes on, the damage caused by the tackle will not be more than a third of what Diancie is currently doing.

Three significant physical defense boosts, which translates to +6 physical defense in the game!

What appears to be a simple description actually represents a 400% increase in physical defense!

Rounding up, Diancie's physical defense value reached 13,000 points!

Such high physical defense does not mean that Diancie can only passively take hits. The existence of [Pounce] allows her to turn defense into offense and launch powerful attacks!

"I understand!"

Diancie responded solemnly and began to gather the energy needed for the pouncing move she had just mastered.

Now, she no longer felt the initial tension and worry—

Because the opponent's attack didn't seem to be anything special!

Fear stems from the unknown.

Once it was confirmed that Metagross's damage was negligible, Diancie had no reason to be afraid.

Little did she know that her next move would become Metagross's unforgettable nightmare...

Feeling the surge of energy beneath him, Metagross suddenly felt inexplicably uneasy.

This is an intuition that it develops from years of combat experience, giving it a sense of impending danger.

The damage from the Diamond Storm is still fresh in my mind. Diancie has only strengthened her physical defense. What threat could she pose?

Metagross suppressed its unease and prepared to continue its attack, but the next second, a powerful force suddenly erupted, forcefully lifting it up!

Despite being on guard, the Metagross, which had not taken any defensive measures, was directly knocked to the ground by this massive surge of energy.

It stared in horror as Diancie, radiating dazzling light, took the initiative and pressed down on it.

His seemingly light and lithe body was now as heavy and sluggish as a mountain, with a continuous stream of energy pressing down on it.

Metagross felt like its steel body was about to crack!

However, the one who caused all of this was Diancie, who looked cute and harmless and had been the one being beaten down by him.

This intense sense of incongruity is like a burly man weighing 180 pounds being punched and coughing up blood by a child who only reaches his waist.

…………

Daigo and Michael, standing on the sidelines of the battlefield, were completely stunned.

The two watched as Diancie was beaten to a pulp by Metagross, but how did she suddenly switch sides and become the Xenomorph?

Even if they realized that Diancie was using [Pounce], how could that [Iron Wall] just now unleash such tremendous power?

That's a bit too unrealistic.

Naturally, they all thought of the move that had been overlooked before: Diamond Storm!

The additional effect of this move is to increase physical defense!

The various unusual phenomena that occurred during Xia Chen's previous command seem to have been explained—

Why the obsession with using Diamond Storm, which is resisted by twice the amount of damage, and why the inexplicable Sandstorm that's activated first...?

Xia Chen didn't crash, but his vehicle was a bit too unconventional, fooling both experienced drivers, Mikoli and Daigo!