Steven set up a tent and spent the night there.
Scizor stood at the cliff's edge, offering a final farewell to Aran.
After evolving, Scizor needed time to adapt to its new body.
Compared to its previous form, the evolved Scizor's body became heavier, but its height increased from 1.5 meters to 1.8 meters—taller than Steven himself.
Its former high-speed fighting style wasn't impossible to maintain, but it required Scizor to have exceptional stamina.
As long as it continuously used Quick Attack in combination with other moves for high-speed strikes during battle, it would manage just fine.
It was worth noting that the evolved Scizor could now discuss the finer points of using Bullet Punch with Metagross.
The previous "Fury Cutter" now seemed more appropriately called a "Continuous Strike" technique.
Scizor's current strength was quite formidable. With its Technician Ability, moves like Bullet Punch, Fury Cutter, Dual Wingbeat, and Aerial Ace could deal explosive damage.
It also possessed a pivoting move like U-turn, greatly enhancing its hit-and-run capabilities.
Imagine Steven's current team: Metagross, Aggron, Scizor, plus the unofficial Empoleon...
The offensive power was absolutely maximized!
Although they were all Steel-type Pokémon, with proper rotation, they could counter opposing Pokémon with type advantages.
For Fighting-types, send out Metagross; for Fire-types, Empoleon; for Ground-types, Skarmory, and so on—adapting to each situation.
Pokémon rotation and tactical choices were of utmost importance.
Pokémon battles were essentially elaborate games of defensive switching and prediction!
It wasn't just about type matchups.
If facing a team of Fire-types, the opponent had better pray that Empoleon's +6 Hydro Pump missed its target.
The cautious Steven would probably choose to use Surf instead. Chuckles
By now, Steven's objectives in Petalburg City were all accomplished.
After replenishing supplies, Steven's next destination was Fallarbor Town... and the nearby Meteor Falls!
Although Joseph had found Metagross's Mega Stone there, that didn't mean Steven couldn't search again. What if he found something different?
Plan successful—time to set sail!
Meteor Falls was closer to Rustboro City.
Steven chose to take the train from Petalburg City back to Rustboro City first.
Sometimes, reducing unnecessary travel was equally important!
After a brief chat with Joseph—explaining that he could now perform Mega Evolution and catching him up on recent events—Steven set off again!
Just past Route 115 lay Meteor Falls.
Steven chose to train in the mornings, then travel in the afternoons while his Pokémon meditated and rested in their Poké Balls. He would train a bit more in the evenings before sleeping, then continue the routine the next day.
Sometimes he would also play catch with his Pokémon. The last ball made from a tree branch had been too painful to use.
Undoubtedly, Piplup had the worst record.
Even with its Torrent Ability activated, if it couldn't use moves, Piplup was still no match for Steven.
It proudly earned the title of last place in their games!
Looking at the tall mountain in the distance, Steven could see the layers of caves inside that had formed after meteorites fell.
Did that mean the mountain's exterior was actually composed of meteorite material?
After four days, Steven finally arrived at the entrance to Meteor Falls.
The other entrance was near Fallarbor Town.
Steven changed into his mining work clothes, put on a hard hat with a headlamp, and grabbed his pickaxe.
He also brought along his "bodyguard" partner!
"Time to get to work, Metagross!"
"Metagross!"
Steven entered Meteor Falls with Metagross by his side.
Piplup, who had been walking with Steven outside, wasn't released.
Steven worried this one might cause trouble, annoy the wild Pokémon in the cave, and attract unnecessary problems.
If his own Pokémon caused a ruckus, it was fine—at worst, they'd learn a lesson.
But in unfamiliar territory, it was best to keep things as peaceful as possible.
"Metagross, scan the area with Magnet Rise."
Steven went deeper underground and had Metagross use its magnetic abilities to survey the surroundings.
The rocks underground all had different magnetic signatures, and Metagross's magnetism was a natural detector.
"Metagross!"
Sensing a mineral deposit, Metagross led Steven to a pit.
It extended its golden claw and pointed into the opening.
"This is it!"
Steven grabbed his pickaxe and started digging!
Metagross could now also use its golden claws to gently excavate through the soil.
However... Steven watched Metagross's gentle movements and wondered how it was still faster than him!
In no time, it unearthed a Star Piece the size of two fists.
"It's large, but the quality isn't particularly high. It'll make a good snack for Lairon, though."
"Lairon?!"
Lairon was overjoyed!
"Metagross, could you please—"
Rumble—
Steven hadn't even finished speaking when the cave began to shake violently.
"Metagross!" Metagross held Steven steady with one arm, closed its eyes, and used its Psychic abilities to sense what was happening.
Then it opened its eyes and traced two words on the ground with its other claw.
"Battle."
"You're saying someone is battling above us?" Steven asked, puzzled.
"Metagross!" Metagross nodded.
"Then let's go up and see who would battle inside a cave!"
They were severely disrupting his rock excavation!
To move quickly and avoid a partial cave collapse, Steven climbed onto Metagross, letting it carry him upward.
Through several openings, Steven reached the upper section of Meteor Falls.
Looking up, he could see the spectacular waterfall cascading down inside the cavern.
Three people were battling!
A stocky man and a young woman, both wearing fiery red uniforms.
And the third was an "old acquaintance."
That cyan hair and elegant attire...
Wallace!
It seemed Team Magma was clashing with Wallace.
"Why is Wallace here?" Steven, who was familiar with the Hoenn region's events, still remembered some details. Usually, only protagonists encountered situations like this.
Team Magma's goal was to awaken the legendary creator of the land—Groudon!
To expand the landmass, wasn't it?
Steven couldn't quite recall the specifics. He didn't have perfect memory, after all.
Besides the three combatants, there was also an elderly man in a research coat.
The old man was clutching a... meteorite?
"You! I'll hold him off—you go grab the meteorite!" the stocky man shouted hastily.
The sharp-eyed Wallace noticed Steven below and quickly called out:
"Steven! Help me stop them!"
Steven grinned. Since Wallace was asking for help, how could he refuse?
"Metagross, go!"
"Metagross!"
"Mightyena! Use Crunch!" The stocky man quickly threw out a Poké Ball, and a Mightyena blocked Steven's path.
"Meteor Mash! Knock it down!" Steven commanded.
Wallace's calm voice came from behind the stocky man.
"Where are you looking?"
"Milotic! Scald!"
Besieged from both sides, the stocky man could only frantically urge his subordinate to retreat.
No matter how many Pokémon he had, they could only withstand one hit each—let alone facing the combined efforts of Wallace and Steven.
"Hahahaha!"
A hearty, booming laugh echoed from below, drawing everyone's attention.
Steven looked down, feeling puzzled.
How did I not notice anyone when I just came up?
The newcomer was a man dressed in blue, wearing a blue bandana, with a full beard!
He also wore a golden anchor chain around his neck.
The leader of Team Aqua...
Archie!