Pokemon: Reborn Rich Alternate Earth

Pokémon: Melmetal (Steel)

Level: 63

Potential: Purple

Ability: Iron Fist

Held Item: Black Belt

Gender: Genderless

Moves: Harden, Thunder Shock, Headbutt, Charge Beam, Giga Impact, Thunder Punch, Acid Armor, Flash Cannon, Thunder Wave, Dynamic Punch, Protect

TMs: Ice Punch, Hyper Beam, Thunder Punch, Thunderbolt, Brick Break, Electric Terrain, Brutal Swing, Thrash, Body Slam, Ice Beam, Darkest Lariat, Heavy Slam

Genetic Moves: None

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Though Melmetal is a Steel-type Pokémon, its Iron Fist ability increases the power of punching moves by 20%. This is why it holds a Black Belt to further boost Fighting-type moves.

With the Iron Fist ability and the Black Belt combined, its punches hit with incredible power—few Pokémon could withstand a single blow.

Since its level isn't high enough, it hasn't yet learned its signature move, Double Iron Bash.

Carter was dumbfounded. After defeating Max, he had expected to face Julian and his Metagross eventually. He had even devised numerous strategies in preparation for this battle.

As a data-driven trainer, Carter had spent the entire night studying Metagross—its moves, battle style, and habits. He thought he had prepared thoroughly.

But then... Julian didn't even send out Metagross. Instead, he released a completely new Pokémon—a Mythical Pokémon no less!

A new Pokémon meant there was no external data on it at all. Carter didn't know its moves, its ability, or its battle style.

This sense of the unknown was utterly frustrating for Carter, who was used to controlling every variable in a fight. It was like being force-fed something unpleasant.

Sitting on the bench, Max noticed Carter's constipated expression and couldn't help but grin widely.

With the referee's whistle, the match officially began.

The spectators stopped chatting and turned their full attention to Melmetal. A new Mythical Pokémon had appeared, and they were among the first to witness it.

A subtle sense of pride bubbled within them.

"Aerodactyl, Mega Evolve!"

Carter didn't dare to hold back, immediately commanding his Aerodactyl to Mega Evolve.

After his match against Max, Carter had canceled Aerodactyl's Mega Evolution to conserve stamina and focus, saving the second use for his anticipated battle against Julian's Metagross.

Now, instead of Metagross, he faced Melmetal—a Pokémon he found even more troublesome.

Of course, his judgment was slightly off. While Melmetal was no match for Metagross, its strength came second only to it.

Mega Aerodactyl appeared on the field.

"Dynamic Punch," Julian commanded.

At that moment, Melmetal stood about 100 meters from Mega Aerodactyl, who was hovering in the air.

Carter thought Melmetal would close the distance by running and jumping, which would naturally give Mega Aerodactyl opportunities to dodge or counterattack.

But the next second, Carter saw Melmetal rotate its arm in a full circle, and suddenly, as if it were made of rubber, its arm stretched out in an instant.

(T/N: Gomu Gomu No....)

The Dynamic Punch tore through the air, its force so immense that a white shockwave formed around its fist.

Mega Aerodactyl realized it was too late to dodge. It hastily used Protect.

"Bang!!!"

The Dynamic Punch smashed into the protective barrier with such force that the surrounding air seemed to tremble.

Carter had barely breathed a sigh of relief when the Protect shattered into pieces. The Dynamic Punch, carrying incredible momentum, struck Mega Aerodactyl squarely on the face.

The diamond-hard stone on Mega Aerodactyl's face cracked under the impact of the punch.

With Melmetal's Iron Fist ability combined with the Black Belt, the attack's power was nothing short of terrifying.

Had the Protect not absorbed some of the power, that single punch would have left Mega Aerodactyl crying for its mother.

Even so, the punch left Mega Aerodactyl dazed.

Amid the haze, it vaguely heard its trainer shouting frantically.

Melmetal's body, composed of flowing liquid metal, granted it excellent flexibility and extension.

After delivering the Dynamic Punch with its left arm, its right arm followed suit, readying another Dynamic Punch.

While Mega Aerodactyl struggled to shake off its dizziness, the second punch closed in rapidly.

"Use Protect quickly!"

Carter yelled, seeing his Pokémon still shaking its dazed head, oblivious to the incoming attack. His voice was filled with desperation.

Of all the moves, Protect required the least amount of time to activate, though whether Mega Aerodactyl could respond in time was another matter.

'Second Protect, heh'

Julian sneered.

But in the next moment, that smirk froze on his face.

Somehow, despite its dizziness, Mega Aerodactyl seemed to have heard Carter's command and instinctively used Protect. To Julian's disbelief, it successfully executed the move.

Since his debut, Julian's Pokémon had never managed to pull off a second Protect in a row. His infamous reputation for bad luck with this move was well-known.

And now, right before his eyes, someone had pulled it off flawlessly.

This really felt like a slap to his face.

"Crush it for me!" Julian roared, his voice laced with jealousy and frustration.

Melmetal, feeling equally insulted, furiously swung its massive arm.

The second Dynamic Punch hit, shattering the Protect once again. The punch landed on the same spot as before, slamming into Mega Aerodactyl's already damaged cheek.

This time, Mega Aerodactyl couldn't hold on any longer. Its body fell out of the sky, plummeting toward the ground.

"Finish it, Flash Cannon!"

The hexagonal nut on Melmetal's chest glowed intensely before unleashing a brilliant silver-white beam of light. The beam struck the falling Mega Aerodactyl with pinpoint accuracy.

With a thunderous explosion, Mega Aerodactyl was sent flying through the air. As it tumbled away, its Mega Evolution form dissipated.

"Bang!!"

Aerodactyl crashed onto the ground, bouncing several times before coming to a stop.

"Aerodactyl is unable to battle. Melmetal wins!" the referee declared.

An Elite-level Mega Aerodactyl, defeated so decisively by the Mythical Pokémon Melmetal—and Melmetal wasn't even at Elite-level itself.

"Are Mythical Pokémon really this strong? It only took three moves to take down an Elite-level Mega Aerodactyl," Lisa muttered, still in disbelief.

Jose, standing nearby, didn't boast about Imperial University's victory this time. Instead, he wore a serious expression as he explained, "The key to winning was that Carter wasn't familiar with Melmetal. He didn't anticipate its incredible flexibility and range."

"Melmetal's punches are like Hitmonlee's kicks—but in terms of reach and flexibility, Melmetal's arms are even better than Hitmonlee's legs."

"And I suspect Melmetal's legs—or even its entire body—can also stretch just like its arms," Jose added thoughtfully.

He wasn't wrong. Carter had been caught off guard because he lacked knowledge about Melmetal.

If he had known about Melmetal's remarkable malleability and range, his Mega Aerodactyl could have evaded the punches.

Without a direct hit, the entire course of the battle could have changed.

*****

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