Rock Blast doesn't necessarily require forming new rocks. Previously formed rocks can also be used as ammunition for the move.
However, achieving this requires a Pokémon to have an exceptionally fine control over Rock-type energy.
As a Rock-type legendary Pokémon, Regirock's mastery over Rock energy was unquestionable.
At the same time, Pierce's commanding ability was remarkable. Step by step, he had maneuvered Mega Metagross into the area covered by the rocks from the earlier Rock Throw.
Julian, caught off guard, found his Mega Metagross trapped within the explosion zone created by Rock Blast.
Amidst the endless blaze, Mega Metagross was engulfed, its silver frame hidden in the sea of fire. The flames reflected in Julian's face, his expression growing colder and more resolute.
"Regirock, Rock Tomb," Pierce ordered.
As a military man, Pierce understood better than anyone the importance of not giving an opponent any breathing room. Julian was his current adversary—a formidable one.
The ground heaved as countless rocks rose, aiming to seal off the explosion area completely and trap Mega Metagross within.
But just as the Rock Tomb was about to close, a streak of silver light burst forth from the inferno. The fiery debris was split by the sheer speed of the movement, creating a long, blazing path.
Mega Metagross, with its Zen Headbutt move, crashed directly into Regirock. The latter braced itself, locking its hands against Mega Metagross's onslaught.
Despite its strength, Regirock was forced to retreat under the tremendous force, its legs carving half-meter-deep trenches into the ground as it was pushed back over 100 meters. Only then did the power of Zen Headbutt dissipate.
"Regirock, Thunder Wave!"
"Earthquake!" Julian countered.
Mega Metagross slammed its body down with immense force. The Thunder Wave missed entirely, while the ground beneath them trembled violently. Shockwaves radiated outwards, shaking the entire battlefield, which spanned the size of two soccer fields.
Within moments, the once-pristine arena had turned into a wasteland, riddled with deep cracks and fissures.
Regirock, caught in the tremor, wavered under the unrelenting assault. Its orange-yellow dots flickered as it endured the Earthquake.
For a Pokémon like Regirock, the damage from a Ground-type move was substantial.
"Regirock, Heavy Slam!"
Pierce commanded, his brows furrowed. Mega Metagross's tenacity was far beyond his expectations. It was no wonder that Julian had single-handedly defeated Modu Academy.
Even while enduring the residual effects of the Earthquake, Regirock planted its feet firmly on the ground. Though speed wasn't its forte, the explosive power in its legs allowed Heavy Slam to reach an incredible velocity.
The three Legendary Titans shared a common trait: unparalleled defensive or special defensive capabilities.
Regirock's defense stat reached an astonishing 200, a number that would make most Pokémon despair.
Against weaker opponents, it could likely remain motionless and still emerge unscathed.
Now, with the sheer momentum of Heavy Slam, Regirock descended like a falling mountain, its colossal weight and force compressing the surrounding air until it felt almost solid.
Mega Metagross, still grounded from its Earthquake, had no time to rise before Regirock's devastating Heavy Slam bore down upon it.
"Grass Knot!" Julian suddenly commanded.
A sturdy vine appeared in Regirock's path, forming a loop directly ahead of its charging stride. Without pause, Regirock's foot slipped into the grass loop. To everyone's surprise, the small vine—seemingly fragile—did not snap under the legendary Pokémon's immense strength.
Instead, Regirock's momentum turned against it. Unable to maintain balance, it stumbled forward and crashed to the ground.
What was meant to be a devastating Heavy Slam now turned into a disastrous self-inflicted fall.
The impact was so loud that some in the audience thought Mega Metagross had used Earthquake again.
Jose cheered from the sidelines, his face glowing with admiration.
Moves like Grass Knot were often underestimated, rarely seen as useful in competitive battles. But when timed perfectly, they could create moments of brilliance .
Every move, no matter how small, had its purpose.
Viewers watching the live broadcast flooded the chat with messages like "6666," astonished by Julian's ingenious counter.
Faced with Regirock's Heavy Slam, most trainers would have either dodged or attempted to block it with a powerful move.
Who would have thought to use a simple Grass Knot in such a critical moment?
Most trainers sought moves with the highest power, often overlooking these subtle yet effective techniques.
Regirock lay sprawled on the ground, its impact shaking the battlefield. Pierce closed his eyes briefly, knowing the match was as good as over.
The next moment, Mega Metagross used Teleport to appear right above the downed Regirock. The legendary Pokémon, stunned from its fall, showed no signs of getting back up.
This was its last chance, but it was already too late.
The shimmering energy of Meteor Mash flared around Mega Metagross's claws, forming a dazzling rainbow trail as it brought its full force down on Regirock's head.
The immense force shattered the fractured ground beneath Regirock, pulverizing the earth into fine dust. Tiny shards of rock scattered in every direction from the impact.
"Regirock is unable to battle. Mega Metagross wins!"
The referee confirmed Regirock's condition before raising the flag to announce the result.
With the battle over, Mega Metagross floated back to Julian's side, letting out a low metallic growl.
The crowd erupted in cheers:
"Long live King Julian!"
"First Articuno, now Regirock—King Julian's unstoppable!"
"Mega Metagross: Who's next?"
"If Regirock had a Mega Evolution, this battle might've gone differently."
"If Metagross had been at Elite level, it wouldn't have needed to Mega Evolve—let's stop dreaming about 'what ifs.' A loss is a loss."
Pierce, unfazed by the cheers, silently retrieved Regirock into its Poké Ball before leaving the battlefield. His calm demeanor reflected his acceptance of the defeat.
The arena itself, however, was beyond salvaging. The Earthquake had turned it into a ruin, forcing the officials to arrange a new battlefield for the next match.
The Hundred Schools League used only standardized arenas, which weren't tailored to any specific type advantage. While this system ensured fairness, it was particularly disadvantageous for Water-type trainers and other specialists who relied heavily on terrain.
In battles, having water in the field could significantly enhance Water-type moves. Additionally, certain Water Pokémon, like Seaking, Horsea, and Qwilfish, suffered a noticeable drop in combat effectiveness once removed from their aquatic environment.
That's why Pokémon with such limitations rarely appeared in high-stakes national tournaments one.
After Mega Metagross secured the victory, Julian calmly ordered it to revert to its regular form.
Most Mega Evolutions could only last about three minutes—not due to the Pokémon's limitations, but because the mental and physical strain on the trainer typically capped their endurance at that duration.
However, Julian was able to maintain Mega Evolution for nearly half an hour because of his Mega Pallet Town physique and intermediate-level Psychic abilities.
Even so, revealing this to the nation during a broadcast was unnecessary.
With Melmetal already exposed as one of his hidden trump cards, Julian knew better than to flaunt his extended Mega Evolution capacity. Some cards were best kept close to the chest.
Still, the four minutes he maintained Mega Metagross's form had already surprised many, sparking chatter among spectators.
In online forums and chats, fans debated and speculated about Julian's strength. Meanwhile, some overzealous admirers—particularly the fangirls—marveled at his stamina.
"Julian's endurance is insane! I'd love to put it to the test...," one fan commented, causing an uproar of mixed reactions.