Radiant Stone

Steven!?

Baimu, in the alley, felt a little dizzy. He had never expected the Champion of the Hoenn region to come to Pyrite Town.

Or even help them fight the Shadow Team.

Did this count as divine intervention by machine?

—Whether it did or not, Baimu was thrilled. They had been getting beaten badly enough to retreat, and then a Champion suddenly arrived to help.

Steven's Mega Metagross was a powerful Pokémon capable of going several rounds with Primal Kyogre!

Wouldn't dealing with Shadow Team grunts be effortless?

"Keep retreating! Don't get drawn into a fight! Pull back the injured Pokémon and wounded people! Hurry!"

Baimu had not forgotten what he needed to do. He ran out with Mawile to buy time for his companions' retreat, then turned to Awu. "Go! Bring over the people from the second line of defense! Stop hiding! Launch a full assault! Quickly!"

"Got it!"

Awu had only just snapped out of his shock at Steven's arrival. He hurried off with his two Pokémon.

Baimu followed behind him. Mawile caught sight of a charging Shadow Pokémon from the corner of her eye, violently twisted her head, and sent it flying with her massive jaws like a heavy hammer!

Bang!

"Thanks!"

He gave Mawile a thumbs-up, then shouted at Steelix, who was gradually ceasing its Sandstorm:

"Dig to your heart's content! I permit you to use Dig!"

The shrunken Chansey darted nimbly among the many Pokémon, running beneath the exhausted Steelix and using Heal Pulse to restore its strength.

Steelix happened to hear Baimu's voice. Its eyes lit up, and strength immediately returned to it. Its lower body exerted force as four horizontal steel bones spun, and with a boom, it plunged into the ground like a leaping fish.

Then, with another thunderous boom, it burst