Pokemon: Master of tactics

After the shield was activated, Steven and Alex released their first Pokémon at the same time.

A silver-colored Metagross with golden claws and an "X" mark on its face appeared as Scizor at the same time. ​​

Metagross was more than 2 meters tall and looked somewhat threatening with his freezing cold look.

Alex, who saw the information from Metagross, couldn't help but exclaim in surprise. "Eh, WHAT‽‽"

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Pokémon: Metagross (Shiny)

LV: 47

Type: Psychic/Steel

Ability: Light Metal (Hidden Ability)

Gender: Genderless

Potential: Diamond

Moves:

- Take Down [E], Confusion, Magnet Rise, Metal Claw, Pursuit, Bullet Punch, Miracle Eye, Zen Headbutt, Scary Face, Psychic [E], Agility, Meteor Mash [E], Hammer Arm

- (Perfect Talent) Earthquake [M], (Perfect Talent) Rock Polish [E]

- (TM) Ice Punch, (TM) Thunder Punch, (TM) Light Screen, (TM) Reflect, (TM) Protect, (TM) Sandstorm, (TM) Facade, (TM) Brick Break, (TM) Rock Slide, (TM) Psycho Cut, (TM) Rest

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"Diamond, LV 47, 4 Expert rank moves and 1 Master rank move? What kind of fcking monster is that? I also think that two Expert rank moves weren't there at the first meeting, and the [Earthquake] wasn't on the Master rank yet," thought Alex when he saw this monstrous Pokémon.

When thinking more carefully, he thought about a thing that had bothered him for a long time. "Why does an Innate Talent move disappears when a Pokémon reaches Diamond rank? From 3 to 2. But it wouldn't make sense if the old Innate Talent move suddenly becomes difficult to improve after the potential upgrade. Hmmm, Steven probably knows that, but I have to ask it inconspicuously because I can't really know which moves have improved."

Alex gave a wry smile and said, "Steven, your Pokémon got stronger really quick. I guess even my Elite-rank Pokémon don't get stronger this fast."

Steven saw that Alex had already half guessed what Potential his Metagross has.

"Hehe, as you might have already guessed, my Metagross is an SS-rank Pokémon, so he has not yet stopped leveling very quickly. I did a little research and found out that Metagross should begin to level up slowly only after reaching the Champion ranks."

Alex felt like Steven trusted him for telling him these relatively secret things him and felt that Steven was really a good friend. Although most likely nobody would dare to rob Steven Stone even if he has an SS-rank Pokémon, it is still not beneficial to talk about it everywhere.

"Wow, this is the first time I've seen an SS-rank Pokémon. What's so different about it from an S-rank Pokémon?"

"Huh! You don't know? I always thought that it is general knowledge for high Alliance members. Almost all high Alliance members know about it."

"Really? Nobody told me."

"Most probably because you haven't met and talked to many high Alliance members yet."

Alex nodded in the reply. He is really still a newcomer to the Alliance. He only knows Professor Wählder, whom he has not asked about this topic yet.

"Hmm, I really should talk with Professor Wählder more often and ask if I have any questions." thought Alex.

Steven looked at Alex thoughtfully and started explaining it to Alex while bringing out his inner coach's persona.

"The first thing you need to know is how potential affects leveling up and Move Mastery speed. Do you already know how it affects leveling up?"

"Yes, I noticed that when the Pokémon has reached the lower limit of its potential, it starts to level up more slowly. For example, I have an A-rank (Silver) Pokémon whose leveling up speed has been slower than my other Pokémon after reaching LV 35. Although it can still level up, it is getting slower and slower."

Steven looked surprised when he heard Alex.

"Alex, did you figure that out yourself?"

Alex said in an amused and bit of fake proudful tone, "Of course. With my superior intelligence, I was bound to find it sooner or later."

Steven, who heard this, started laughing.

"Hahaha! Alex, I think you can find out the rest by yourself. You won't need my help."

Alex started smiling and said in an aggrieved tone, "You are really mean to me, your only friend."

Steven just lightly smiled when he said, "Ok, let's move on, my only friend."

Both Metagross and Scizor, who had been listening to the whole conversation, couldn't help but show an annoyed expression.

When they saw the expression of the other Pokémon, they started talking to each other and gossiping about their trainers.

Steven started to speak with a serious expression, "Ok, Alex, since you already know about the level increase, I'll tell you about Move Mastery."

"As you already know, every S-Rank Pokémon has 3 moves which can improve much faster than other moves. It can also improve all other moves faster. For example, an S-Rank Pokémon can improve normal moves faster than an A-rank Pokémon."

"Now then, let's talk about the question you have about rank difference. The disparity between S-rank and SS-rank is large. First of all, every move except two will have the same improvement in speed as the three special moves of the S-rank. In addition, there will be two moves that will be improved particularly quickly."

"And by quick, I mean ridiculously fast. With enough training and equipment, 1 of these moves can be brought from Expert Rank to Master Rank within 1 and a half months."

Alex showed a surprised expression when he heard it. "Wait, does that mean that every move by Metagross is now an Innate Talent move and two moves are even better." thought Alex with a bewildered expression.

"This is completely ridiculous."

Steven, who could understand this emotion, said, "Yes, I can understand that it sounds very unrealistic, but that's the truth. The difference is really immense between S-rank and SS-rank. The difference is similar to B-Rank (Bronze) and an S-rank Pokémon (Gold)."

Alex knew that Steven didn't lie about it and had spoken with honesty.

Now that Alex had heard the benefits of the Diamond Potential, he couldn't do anything but be happy to have such a Pokémon himself.

"Hmm, Combusken shouldn't have a problem with reaching Diamond rank as long as I go according to plan. Bastiodon, Eevee, Gardevoir should be difficult but not that much. Especially Bastiodon and Eevee, who have a good basic potential, should have no problem getting to the Diamond rank. Although it will take a while, these 4 Pokémon should reach this rank after a few years."

"Crobat and Scizor on the Diamond rank shouldn't be impossible but really difficult. It may only be possible with an item from a Full-Blood Legendary Pokémon."

"Ditto should probably only have a chance with Mew genetics. If I find something like that out of the way. I don't know myself where Team Rocket will find it and whether they have already found it."

Alex, the analysts, noticed that the Diamond rank is not ridiculously difficult to reach for most of his Pokémon.

*****

[EN]: Next chapter, Alex v/s Steven. Who do you think will win?? Will it be Steven with superior Pokémon or Alex with the help of his instant tactics? Welp, even if Alex loses, he already has an excuse prepared :p

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