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The battlefield was set on the grassy field of the Star Moon Gym.
As Chris stepped onto the battlefield, the venue, referees, and audience were already in place.
Chris couldn't help but glance at Robert.
The other man returned a smile.
A sly smile—one of an old fox.
Chris was now certain that he had been set up by Robert.
From the very beginning, Robert had planned for him to obtain the Legendary Flower through battle. The goal was likely to convince the public.
Well, well, Robert, this is the path you've chosen. I can only play my best hand.
Both sides stood still.
On the way here, Chris had learned from Trevor that his opponent would be Rudy, the head of the Star Moon Gymnasium and Robert's adopted son.
It made perfect sense—Rudy was the ideal representative of the Gym's disciples.
"The rules for this battle are four-on-six. Each trainer has six Pokémon available, and when four of them are unable to battle, the match ends!" the referee announced.
"Now, both trainers, send out your first Pokémon!"
It all felt quite formal. Chris raised an eyebrow at the four-on-six rule—one typically used in official battles. There was no mention of restrictions on switching Pokémon, meaning, in theory, he had unlimited opportunities to rotate his team.
As Chris reached for a Poké Ball, Rudy had already prepared his.
Both Poké Balls soared into the air at the same time.
Silver light flashed as they opened, revealing two Pokémon standing before their trainers.
Rudy's first Pokémon was Vileplume.
The blue-bodied Pokémon had a large, blooming red flower on its head. The central stamen resembled the muzzle of a cannon, releasing a faint purple mist—like smoke from a volcano's mouth. But this wasn't ordinary smoke; it was Poison Powder!
Chris's first Pokémon was his Hariyama.
Once relegated to kitchen duty as Chris's chef, Hariyama had been given a second chance on the battlefield after Chris witnessed its true strength. After rigorous training—especially alongside another Hariyama—it had reached level 51.
If Robert himself were the opponent, Chris wouldn't have sent Hariyama out. But against Robert's apprentice?
This would do just fine.
"Oh! A Shiny Hariyama!" The Gym disciples watching from the stands gasped in excitement.
Shiny Pokémon were so rare that many had only heard of them, never actually seeing one in person.
The referee, unfazed by the rare sight, raised a hand. Once he confirmed that both Pokémon were in position, he signaled for the battle to begin.
"Battle start!"
"Hariyama, use Earthquake!"
"Vileplume, Sunny Day!" Chris and Rudy commanded simultaneously.
The cannon-like hole on Vileplume's flower fired a bright red orb into the sky. It shot high above the battlefield, bursting into a brilliant sun. The light bathed the arena, intensifying the heat and raising the temperature noticeably.
Hariyama leaned forward and slammed its powerful hands onto the ground. Its four muscular arms pressed down with force, triggering a massive shockwave that rippled through the battlefield, rushing toward Vileplume.
"Petal Blizzard!" Rudy ordered swiftly.
Vileplume's ability, Chlorophyll, doubled its speed in sunlight.
Thanks to Sunny Day, Vileplume launched its next move before Earthquake could reach it.
The same cannon-like hole that had fired the Sunny Day orb now released a dark green Energy Ball. The ball exploded two meters above its head, scattering a storm of leaves, petals, and grass, whipping them into a swirling barrier around Vileplume.
Petal Blizzard—normally an offensive move—was used defensively, shielding Vileplume from Earthquake's shockwaves.
Hariyama's attack power was incredibly high, but since it wasn't a Ground-type Pokémon, the strength of its Earthquake was somewhat limited.
"Aura Sphere!" Chris raised his hand before lowering it slightly.
A pulse of energy gathered in Hariyama's right hand, condensing into a sphere of pure wave-guiding power. With his master's command, all that was left was to release it.
Boom!
Hariyama stomped the ground, sending a tremor through the battlefield, and took a stance like a baseball player preparing to pitch.
The moment the Aura Sphere was launched, it vanished in the blink of an eye.
A flash of blue light streaked across the field, followed by a sudden, resounding roar.
Vileplume's Petal Blizzard was split apart at the center, and the azure Aura Sphere struck its chest with pinpoint accuracy. The force of the impact sent Vileplume hurtling backward, slamming it against the wall behind the battlefield.
Boom!
Another explosion erupted upon impact. A faint, transparent crack appeared on the wall—evidence of the gym's special Energy Barrier, designed to withstand attacks of this magnitude.
Though Hariyama's strike wasn't at an Elite level, it was undeniably close to Gym-level power.
After all, this was its full-force blow.
Unlike other long-range attacks, which required the user to lock onto the target and adjust power and trajectory, Hariyama's Aura Sphere needed no such precision. Its must-hit property was based entirely on the natural Aura lock-on.
Chris smirked. I just supply the strength—the move does the rest!
A heavy thud echoed as Vileplume dropped from the wall. Thanks to its excellent physical defense, it didn't faint immediately, but it was already severely injured.
The audience collectively held their breath. That strike from Hariyama was devastating!
They imagined themselves in Rudy's position. If their own Pokémon had taken that blow, the first round would already be over, and they'd be forced to consider their second Pokémon.
No, their chief brother was already making that decision.
Because Vileplume had fainted.
An inexplicable shockwave sent it crashing into the wall once more, sealing its defeat.
The attack had been so unexpected that even Rudy and the surrounding audience were momentarily stunned.
Where had that shockwave come from?
Had Earthquake continued?
No—Earthquake had ended. That wasn't an aftershock.
It was Bulldoze.
And it had been executed before Aura Sphere.
When Hariyama had stomped the ground during its attack, it wasn't just for show—it was using the Ground-type move Bulldoze!
This was a technique Chris had learned from Senior Roy: "Hidden Move".
When an opponent's focus was entirely drawn to a powerful move, they naturally overlooked smaller movements made in the process.
That was the perfect moment to sneak in a secondary move.
And in this case, Hariyama had skillfully added Bulldoze just as it launched Aura Sphere.
The result?
An impeccable finishing blow.