Chapter 233: Champion: John Walker

At this moment, the towering wave was less than 300 meters away from Haitian City. Reaching hundreds of meters in height, it loomed over the city like the dark clouds in the sky, casting a suffocating shadow.

All those who hadn't managed to evacuate wore expressions of sheer terror. Faced with such a monstrous wave, they didn't even have the courage to run.

The wave came crashing down, destroying the buildings at the city's edges. Seawater flooded Haitian City, toppling countless structures along its path.

Some people perished in the chaos, swept away by the relentless surge.

Fortunately, the initial impact struck the outskirts, where the population was relatively sparse. However, as the wave moved toward the city center, millions of people remained in its path.

Despair and panic engulfed the entire city.

From the sky, Julian looked down at the destruction—the wave demolishing buildings, swallowing lives. Yet, he was powerless to stop it. Despite his Metagross's strength and the help of his system, he could do nothing in the face of such a calamity.

Growth required time; it couldn't be achieved overnight.

Clenching his fists tightly, a wave of helplessness overwhelmed him.

He lacked the ability to save millions, couldn't drive away Kyogre, and hadn't even found Manaphy.

The wave continued its march toward the city center, where countless people had closed their eyes, bracing for the inevitable.

"Metagross, Mega Evolve!"

Just as Julian prepared to save as many people as he could in the face of the oncoming wave, a familiar voice rang out nearby.

Following the sound, he turned to see his grandfather, John Walker, standing on the back of a Skarmory. Beside him floated a silvery Mega Metagross, radiating immense power.

A surge of overwhelming psychic energy erupted from Mega Metagross, and under this force, the relentless wave began to slow and eventually come to a halt.

Though not as dramatic as Duke's Mega Alakazam halting the entire wave earlier, the power displayed by Mega Metagross was nonetheless astonishing.

After all, this wave was the creation of a Legendary Pokémon like Kyogre.

Alakazam could block it because it was Champion-level.

But how was Metagross able to block it? After all, it had only been at the peak of the pseudo-Champion tier.

The answer was simple: this Metagross was no longer a pseudo-Champion. It hadn't just reached Champion-level because of Mega Evolution—it had already attained that rank on its own.

Pokémon: Metagross (Steel/Psychic)

Level: 92 (94*)

Potential: Purple

Ability: Light Metal

Held Item: Metal Coat

Gender: Genderless

Moves: Tackle, Steel Beam, Confusion, Metal Claw, Bullet Punch, Flash Cannon, Magnet Rise, Psychic, Scary Face, Hammer Arm, Meteor Mash, Take Down, Agility, Hyper Beam

TMs: Iron Head, Zen Headbutt, Iron Defense, Reflect, Protect, Light Screen, Psycho Cut, Shadow Ball, Gyro Ball, Psyshock, Trailblaze, Bulldoze, Mud-Slap, Aerial Ace, Icy Wind, Rock Tomb, Brick Break, Thunder Punch, Rest, Giga Impact, Future Sight, Focus Punch, Earthquake, Heavy Slam, Rock Slide, Grass Knot

Genetic Moves: None

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John's Metagross had already reached Champion-tier level 92, and with Mega Evolution, its level surged to 94.

"Metagross, your dad has become a Champion-level Pokémon!"

Julian said in surprise to Metagross at his side.

Since Metagross is genderless and reproduces by division, calling it either "father" or "mother" worked just fine.

Julian's Metagross had evolved from a Beldum that was divided from his grandfather's Metagross.

Metagross: 'Congratulations to you as well. Your grandfather has now become a Champion-level Trainer.'

In Drakoria, there were officially five Champion-level Trainers—at least on record. John had long been recognized as the most likely candidate to become the nation's sixth Champion.

That possibility had now become reality. And he had appeared at the most critical moment.

His very first battle as a Champion was to protect the lives of millions of residents in Haitian City.

Under the Psychic power of Mega Metagross, the gigantic wave was finally stopped. With precise control, it diffused the wave's force, allowing the water to flow gently through the vast network of streets and canals in the city.

Meanwhile, on the western side, Duke stood with his eyes closed, a pained expression on his face. He had already envisioned the devastation the wave would bring to Haitian City. Despite Alakazam halting half the wave, the remaining surge would still have caused immense casualties.

"John the Butcher, you finally made it in time"

Duke muttered with a faint smile, his heart finally finding some relief as he sensed the shift in the city behind him.

However, Kyogre did not make another move. Instead, its gaze shifted skyward.

High above, dozens of fiery missiles streaked through the air, their brilliant tails illuminating the sky.

Though the emergence of Pokémon had shifted global focus toward Trainers, and the strongest Trainers were seen as greater threats than nuclear weapons, nations had not abandoned traditional weapons entirely.

Missiles and nuclear warheads were limited to fixed-point strikes and were susceptible to interception.

In contrast, Elite-level or Champion-level Trainers possessed unparalleled mobility and adaptability.

As a result, the strength of a nation's Trainers had become the primary measure of its military power.

Even so, weapons research had not slowed due to Pokémon's arrival—instead, it had evolved, becoming even more advanced.

The barrage of missiles streaked toward Kyogre. Each one packed the destructive power equivalent to a Champion-level Pokémon's full-strength attack.

However, for a Legendary Pokémon like Kyogre, these missiles posed little threat—assuming they could even hit it. If they missed, not even nuclear bombs would make a difference.

Kyogre didn't need to act. The Water-type Pokémon surrounding it, including Elite and pseudo-Champion levels, unleashed a barrage of Water-type moves.

Before the missiles could reach their target, they were intercepted mid-air and exploded in a series of fiery blasts.

It seemed the threat had been neutralized.

But in the next moment, something unexpected happened. From the detonation sites, small, fist-sized objects began to fall from the sky.

Splash, splash

Countless fist-sized objects fell into the seawater. The Water-type Pokémon in the vicinity barely had time to react.

These objects emitted a powerful surge of electricity.

Each pulse of current was equivalent to a peak Advanced-level Electric-type Pokémon using Thunderbolt.

Though not overwhelming individually, the sheer number of these devices—more than a hundred thousand—changed the entire game.

In an instant, the entire sea became golden. Bolts of electricity danced across the surface, illuminating half the sky in a dazzling yellow light.

The Water-type Pokémon in the sea, whether Elites or pseudo-Champions couldn't withstand the onslaught of electricity. They were paralyzed in seconds.

Within a minute, the sea was eerily still. The only movement came from the floating bodies of Water-type Pokémon. The weaker ones had died outright, sinking to the bottom, while the rest drifted on the surface, unconscious like lifeless fish.

Even Kyogre wasn't unscathed. Sparks of electricity crackled across its massive body, evidence of its paralyzed status condition taking effect.

Though this tactic had managed to hinder Kyogre and incapacitate its minions, it came at a cost—it had also sparked Kyogre's immense fury.

The Legendary Pokémon's rage was palpable. For a being of its stature, a primal force of nature, being injured by humans was a humiliation. The thought of its ancient rival—the one who couldn't even fly—finding out about this moment was unbearable.

"Kyogre, this is Drakoria. Even as a Legendary Pokémon, if you dare to act recklessly here, you will pay a heavy price," Duke said solemnly.

Drakoria was a big country, not some small, inconsequential one. If Kyogre refused to heed the warning, they will fight to death.