Chapter 23: A New Rival Appears! The Steel Challenger!
Location: Route 32 – South of Violet City
After earning his Zephyr Badge, Alex, accompanied by Cynthia and Daniel, continued traveling south toward Azalea Town. The road stretched endlessly under the afternoon sun, lined with dense trees and wild Pokémon rustling in the brush.
Alex tossed his Zephyr Badge up and down in his hand, grinning proudly.
"First badge secured. Five more to go for the Johto League."
Daniel smirked. "Don't forget I'm right behind you. Once I get my badge, I'm gonna crush you next time we battle."
Cynthia giggled lightly. "You boys sure love competing... but I wonder—" she paused, sensing something ahead, "—who's that?"
They spotted a figure standing in the middle of the path—a young man, about Alex's age, clad in a silver and navy-blue jacket, with short steel-gray hair and a confident posture. His steel-gray eyes were sharp, observing Alex's approach like a predator watching its prey.
Beside him stood a Magnemite, lazily floating with sparks occasionally crackling around it.
The boy smirked. "So you're Alex Ketchum. About time."
Alex blinked. "And you are?"
The boy tapped his chest. "Name's Ryo. Ryo Steel. Younger brother of Jasmine—the Olivine City Gym Leader."
Daniel's eyebrow rose. "Steel, huh? Related to the Steel-type expert? Figures."
Ryo nodded. "My sister sent me to toughen myself up by fighting strong trainers across Johto... and I heard you were strong." His smirk widened. "I'm not impressed yet."
Alex grinned, feeling the familiar fire of competition igniting inside him.
"If you want a battle, you've got it."
Ryo tossed a Pokéball. "Two-on-two. First to knock out both wins."
Alex cracked his knuckles. "Fine by me."
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Battle Start: Alex vs. Ryo Steel
Ryo: "Magnemite, let's go!"
Alex: "Lucario, front and center!"
Lucario emerged from his Pokéball, flexing as a light blue aura radiated from his body. Magnemite crackled, gears spinning rapidly.
"Magnemite, Thunder Wave!"
"Lucario, dodge and Close Combat!"
Magnemite released a quick burst of electricity, but Lucario sidestepped nimbly and closed the distance instantly. He unleashed a furious barrage of punches and kicks, sending Magnemite crashing into the ground.
"Magnemite, Magnet Bomb!"
Small spheres of magnetic energy flew at Lucario, but Alex grinned.
"Extreme Speed, weave through it!"
Lucario blurred like a lightning strike, dodging each bomb effortlessly before slamming his palm into Magnemite with Bone Rush, knocking the Steel-type out.
"Magnemite is unable to battle!"
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Ryo didn't even flinch. He calmly threw out another Pokéball.
"Let's see you handle this—Scyther!"
A flash of green revealed a sleek, metallic-looking Scyther—its scythes gleamed silver, unlike any Scyther Alex had seen before.
Cynthia gasped. "Wait—that's a Steel-variant Scyther! A rare one!"
Daniel whistled. "Looks like Johto is getting wild."
Ryo's Unique Scyther had steel-infused wings and armor plates along its arms, giving it extra defense and sharper scythes.
Alex's eyes gleamed with excitement. "Let's go all out, Lucario!"
"Scyther, Steel Wing!"
Scyther rocketed forward, its wings glowing silver, aiming for Lucario's chest.
"Counter with Bullet Punch!"
The two Pokémon clashed midair, shockwaves cracking through the forest as metal met metal.
Alex narrowed his eyes. Ryo wasn't just strong—he was strategic, timing his Scyther's attacks to push Lucario into awkward positions.
"Scyther, Double Team!"
Scyther blurred into dozens of images, each circling around Lucario.
"Lucario, Aura Sphere! Aim carefully!"
Lucario charged a glowing ball of energy and threw it with pinpoint precision, nailing the real Scyther hidden among the illusions.
BOOM!
Scyther was blasted back but recovered midair, panting heavily.
Ryo smirked, raising his wrist. A hidden Mega Stone gleamed there.
"You're not the only one with tricks. Scyther—Steel Shard Evolution!"
The Mega Stone pulsed—unleashing a special evolution unique to Ryo's bloodline.
Scyther morphed, plates extending and merging as it became "Steelther," a newly evolved Steel/Bug-type powerhouse!
(Steelther: Special evolution of Steel-Variant Scyther. Gains extreme defense and new attacks like Steel Claw and Hyper Cutter.)
Alex's heart raced.
"Lucario, it's time—we're not backing down!"
The two rivals glared at each other. Sparks flew. The battlefield quaked under the sheer energy they released.
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To Be Continued...
Next Chapter: Lucario vs. Steelther! An Evolution Showdown!
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Would you like me to continue directly with Chapter 24? (It will be a full, high-detail battle between Lucario and Steelther!)