Metagross was a was a massive, mighty, intelligent being, and Metagross knew it. In fact, it seemed to consider itself vastly superior to all other life forms, including Lucian. The metal monster didn't say this directly to Lucian: like most Pokemon, it spoke it its own distinct language. However, Lucian could feel its potent psychic power and read its mood and intentions.

They stood on top of the mountain, each waiting for the other to make a move. Facing Metagross with only his own psychic abilities felt like a worse and worse idea by the minute, but Lucian wasn't about to back down now. He knew he couldn't take Metagross head-on, but knockout was only one of two options. If he made it exhaust its psychic power, the only type of attack allowed in this match, that would prove he was the better psychic, and therefore the winner.

Lucian levitated several rocks, sending a swarm of large stones at Metagross. The metal monster easily halted their high-speed flight though, and shot them back at Lucian. He telekinetically raised up a great cloud of dust to obscure himself from view. The rocks whizzed by him, with some of their paths deftly altered by his powers to keep from getting too close.

Lucian manipulated the ground around Metagross's feet, liquefying it and causing it to mold around its spider-like legs. Metagross used its powers and own might to get rid of the mud, but more muck soon bound it in place again.

Lucian smirked.

Before Metagross could react, the endless iron ore in the already-destabilized soil erupted out of the mountain and piled onto Metagross now-magnetic body. It crashed like a meteor onto the ground-

A frantic roar echoed from above, and several vines whipped down and seized Lucian. The thorns in the vines sunk painfully into his skin as it stopped his fall, but it was a lot better than dying.

Lucian felt himself being lifted up, and found himself face-to-face with a cross Cynthia, riding her Garchomp, and her Roserade.