Pokémon: Above the Top-Chapter 257: Counterattack!

Sato stopped his reckless offense. He had to break free from Steven's battle rhythm, or better yet, use it to launch a counterattack.

Sharpedo began moving swiftly as ordered, catching Aggron slightly off guard as it instinctively prepared to launch a Flash Cannon.

"Aggron, full-range Surf!" Steven raised an eyebrow as he gave the command, clearly surprised by Sato's change in pace.

"Sharpedo, Payback!" Sato grinned. Steven had used Thunderbolt, Flamethrower, Stone Edge. All fine. But now Surf?

So he thought just because Sharpedo was airborne, it wasn't the ocean's apex predator anymore?

Dark energy enveloped Sharpedo. For once, it didn't attack immediately. Instead, it waited until the crashing wave of Surf slammed into it.

Then Sharpedo moved.

It dove directly into the current, surged upstream as a black blur, and in a moment appeared beside Aggron, slamming into it with concentrated Dark-type energy.

Payback, charged and timed to strike after the opponent.

Its power doubled!

Sharpedo's attack power was already formidable. The boosted Payback sent Aggron staggering, nearly losing its footing.

"Aggron, Metal Burst!" Steven's voice rang out just then, making Sato's scalp tingle.

Metal Burst reflected the last damage received... at 1.5× power!

That meant Sharpedo's doubled Payback would now be tripled against it. One hit and the glass-cannon Sharpedo would be obliterated.

"Quick, use Substitute!"

With a pop, a deep-blue doll appeared in front of Sharpedo just in time to absorb the Metal Burst.

Losing some stamina in exchange for surviving. Absolutely worth it!

Still, this Aggron's close-quarters combat was brutal. It was the second time Sharpedo had come dangerously close to being knocked out.

And even after tanking so many powerful moves, Aggron still looked fresh, completely unbothered. Sato couldn't help but feel frustrated.

Their level gap was only one level/tier, and many of Sharpedo's attacks even had type advantage... so why couldn't he win?

"Aggron, Heavy Slam!"

"Again? Sharpedo, Hydro Pump!" Sato didn't hesitate.

The opening scene of the battle played out again: Heavy Slam vs Hydro Pump.

"Aggron, Metal Claw!"

A double move!

Metal Claw sliced through Hydro Pump, and Heavy Slam barreled forward, still targeting Sharpedo.

But against such a straightforward assault, Sharpedo didn't even need Sato's command. Seeing Hydro Pump fail, it dodged on its own.

"Sharpedo, Surf!"

Unlike Aggron's earlier Surf, Sharpedo's attack surged into a wave over three meters high. Enough to completely engulf Aggron.

"Aggron, Bulldoze!"

Sato had expected something like Substitute or Protect. But once again, Steven proved why he was a future Champion.

Bulldoze activated, sending shockwaves through the ground that shattered the incoming tidal wave before it could crash down. By the time it reached Aggron's feet, only a shallow ripple remained.

This Aggron had been trained to perfection: excellent durability, overwhelming close combat power, and clever counters to ranged attacks.

He couldn't hit it from afar, and he couldn't beat it up close.

Even though the battle wasn't over yet, Sato could already feel it... this match was reshaping how he would train his Pokémon in the future.

"Again. Sharpedo, Aqua Jet!"

"Aggron, prepare Rock Tomb!"

Although Sharpedo had been using Aqua Jet frequently, when used as an offensive move, it still carried a distinct intent.

Ranged moves weren't landing, so Sato had no choice but to take the risk of close combat. Big wins require big risks.

Wrapped in rushing water, Sharpedo slammed into Aggron once more... just as Aggron sealed itself and Sharpedo inside a rocky barrier again.

"Aggron, Takedown!"

"Maintain Aqua Jet, blast your way out."

In the end, Sharpedo was faster. It shot out of the trap first, making Sato's eyes light up.

He'd been so worried about Aggron's attacks, afraid Sharpedo would get one-shot. But in reality, after one Agility boost, Sharpedo's Aqua Jet made it so fast that Aggron couldn't even touch it.

"Sharpedo, Aqua Jet spam, just don't get caught."

Bang Bang Bang!

Sharpedo began relentlessly harassing Aggron, darting in and out. But Aggron's bulky body just couldn't grab hold of it.

Gradually, Sharpedo picked up on Sato's strategy. It would strike and flee with perfect timing, never hesitating or lingering.

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Aqua Jet didn't hit hard, but quantity added up. Eventually, even Aggron could be worn down.

For the first time, Steven's eyes showed a hint of helplessness. This slightly cheap strategy happened to hit Aggron's greatest weakness.

Still, there was no way he'd admit defeat. Steven stared intently at the field, not missing a single moment.

"Aggron, close your eyes. Prepare Metal Claw!"

As Steven gave the order, Aggron -still taking hits- really did shut its eyes and raised its right arm, readying a Metal Claw.

"Sharpedo, change your attack pattern!" Sato shouted quickly upon seeing this.

Sharpedo's attacks became chaotic again, speeding up. If Aggron weren't so heavy, it would've been knocked over long ago.

But Steven didn't react at all. His calm demeanor only made Sato more uneasy.

Suddenly, Steven's mouth moved, as if he'd spoken two words. Before Sato could process it, Aggron's Metal Claw slashed downward.

"Slice!"

Sato understood, and right there on the battlefield, Metal Claw struck Sharpedo mid-Aqua Jet!

Boom!

A terrifying impact sent Sharpedo tumbling across the ground in a blur, rolling more than ten times. Its Mega Evolution form dissipated instantly.

"Sharpedo is unable to battle. Aggron wins. The victor is Trainer Steven!"

Sato took a deep breath. The loss had come so fast he didn't even have time to react.

He recalled Sharpedo, eyes fixed on Steven. "How did you do it?"

Steven pointed at his head and grinned. "I calculated it."

Unnoticed, the crowd had grown around them. Most of the onlookers had assumed Sharpedo would win. No one expected Aggron to make a comeback in the end.

Many still didn't understand how Aggron pulled it off, but that didn't stop them from applauding the battle.

What a match!

"Nurse Joy, please take care of Sharpedo." Right after the match, Sato immediately turned to her.

"Leave it to me. You're all very strong, with incredible talent. Don't get too hung up on a single win or loss. The road ahead is long," she said gently.

"Thanks. I'm fine."