When Wade told them they could choose to retreat if the situation became irretrievable, including Julian, everyone wore expressions of relud frustration.

  To them, retreati no different from being a deserter.

  "There's nothing shameful about it," Wade said calmly. "Kyogre isn't something you're capable of handling."

  A first-css Legendary Pokémon was beyond the power of humans to stop, let alone prodigies like Julian and the others, who hadn't yet reached their full potential.

  Perhaps one day they might be able to stand against a first-css Legendary Pokémon, but that was iure—not now.

  "Julian, Max, you—"

  Before Wade could finish, a powerful aura surged from the sea, ohat rivaled the strength of ae peak.

  Moments ter, a Mantine broke through the water's surface, its massive, wing-like fins spreading as it hovered silently in the air.

  Below it floated a Kingdra, and then, joining them, a Sharpedo appeared by Kingdra's side.

  All three Pokémon exuded the presence of peak Elite-level.

  But it wasn't just here. On both the northern and southern fronts, more peak Elite-level Water Pokémon began to appear.

  With these three leading the charge, the previously suppressed Water Pokémon seemed tain their fidence.

  Water-types: 'Try messing with us again. We dare you.'

  Faced with three peak Elite-level Pokémon, Wade's current deployment of two Pokémon was insuffit.

  As he prepared to summon a third Pokémon, Julian spoke up.

  "Teacher Wade, leave that Mao me aagross. You should save your strength—there'll likely be even stronger Pokémon, possibly pseudo-Champions, appearing soon."

  Wade g Julian, then gave a slight nod. Turning to Max and the others, he anded, "Keep fighting!"

  Earlier, when Wade's two peak Elite Pokémon had suppressed the Water Pokémon, Max and the others had quickly given their Pokémon stami potions.

  Now that the potions had taken effect, they still had some fight left in them.

  The Water-types, enced by the three peak Elite leaders, resumed their advaoward Haitian City.

  Water Gun, Bubble Beam, Water Pulse and other water-type attacks rained down on the defensive line.

  In the air, Mantine opes mouth and unleashed a Hydro Pump. A Hydro Pump at peak Elite strength was as destructive as a missile.

  The air visibly distorted uhe pressure of the attack, the sheer force carving a noticeable depression in its path. Its target was clear: Max and his group.

  The peak Elite Mantine demonstrated intelligen par with humans. It immediately identified Max and others position as the defensive line's core. If it broke through there, the entire line would colpse.

  "Metagross, Mega Evolve!"

  Julian's Metagross pleted its Mega Evolution, and used Teleport to intercept the Hydro Pump mid-air. With a gleamial Cw, it struck directly against the surging attack.

  Metagross's Metal bsp;momentarily stalled against the powerful Hydro Pump, the two attacks locked in a fierce csh. However, as the Hydro Pump began to lose momentum, the Metal bsp;finally shattered the ining attack, dispersing it into harmless droplets.

  "Zen Headbutt!"

  Psychiergy enveloped Metagross as it charged forward, the force of its attack surpassing even the previous Hydro pump. A visible white current of energy surged around Mega Metagross, amplifying its momentum.

  The Mantine responded calmly, unleashing a Hyper Beam.

  The power of the Hyper Beam was immense, befitting a peak Elite Pokémon. It collided head-on with the Zen Headbutt, bringiagross's charge to a sudden halt.

  In the instant, Mantine fpped its massive fins, releasing two Air Sshes, each seven to eight meters long. The attacks were nearly invisible against the night sky, making them difficult to spot until it was too te.

  With a sharp crack, the Air Sshes struck Metagross, sending its massive body hurtling into the o below.

  Julian's heart tightened, not out of worry for Metagross's ditiorusted its resilie out of a superstitious fear that his unlucky streak might trigger Air Ssh's flinch effect.

  Thankfully, Metagross rose from the water, h bato the air without signs of any status dition.

  Julia a wave of relief, thinking perhaps his streak of bad luck had momentarily subsided.

  Metagross even turs gaze back toward Julian, as if cheg to make sure its trainer hadn't been repced.

  Julian: Rude.

  Fag a peak Elite oppo was no easy task, even with Metagross's Mega Evolution boosting its level from 70 to 73.

  At this level, each level differeweees could create a signifit disparity in strength.

  "Thunder Punch!"

  Metagross charged forward, its metallic fist crag with electricity.

  Mantine, seemed aware of Metagross's formidable cle capabilities, jured a Hurrie around itself, using the swirling winds as a protective barrier.

  Metagross's Thunder Punbsp;struck the Hurrie but was repelled, uo break through.

  The Hurrie then drew in rge volumes of seawater, transf into a massive Aqua Tornado nearly 300 to 400 meters tall. Mantine trolled the swirling water, sending the attack hurtling toward Metagross.

  "Giga Impact!"

  Dodging was not possible—the attack would devastate the defensive line behiagross if it passed.

  Metagross's body radiated a brilliant white light as it unched forward, shattering the sound barrier. The csh of its Giga Impabsp;against the Tornado created a deafening explosion that echoed across the battlefield.

  "Boom!!!"

  The Tornado started to break apart, scattering its seawater into a torrential downpour.

  The sudden rain uionally boosted the strength of the surrounding Water Pokémon.

  Metagross and the Tornado remained locked in a fierce stalemate. her side could gain the upper hand as their energies celed each other out.

  Wheornado finally dissipated, the energy of Giga Impabsp;faded as well.

  Maarted unleashing another Hydro Pump, with astonishing speed.

  A peak Elite Pokémon that had grown strong in the wild was always a seasoned warrior, its body bearing numerous scars as evidence of tless battles.

  "Teleport!"

  However even before the Hydro Pump was fired, Julian's and reached Mega Metagross's ears.

  He had anticipated Mantine's move, reading the attack before it was unched.

  By the time Hydro Pump was unched, Metagross had vanished from its inal position and reappeared directly above Mantine.

  Wasting no time, Metagross unleashed its signature Meteor Mash, the multiclow of its attack striking down on Mantine's head with devastating force.

  Just as the tter's body was about to pluo the sea, Mega Metagross teleported beh it again.

  This time, it delivered a Thunder Punch.

  The bined force of the fall and the electric attack, was enough to force even a peak Elite Mao emit a pained cry.

  Despite enduring a Meteor Mash and a Thunder Punch, Maill hadn't lost his fighting ability.

  A faint, soundless Supersonibsp;attack began to emanate from Mantine.

  "Metal Sound!"

  Mega Metagross screeched like two pieetal grinding against each other.

  Metal Sound perfectly tered the ining Supersonic.

  "Zen Headbutt!"

  Mantine suddenly felt a sharp pain in its body, and when it looked down, it saw Mega Metagross's psychic-powered head smmed into its abdomen.

  With a thud, Mantine, incapacitated, fell into the sea.