Chapter 205: The Arrogant Youth
With the conclusion of today's competition, 128 out of 256 participants were eliminated, leaving only 128 to advance to the next round. Back in the players' dormitory, Ryan and Lillie began checking their opponents for tomorrow.
However, when Ryan saw his opponent, he was somewhat surprised and murmured, "It's him."
"Who is he?" Lillie asked. Looking at the boy's image on the computer screen, Lillie recalled her memories and realized she hadn't actually met this person before.
Ryan shook his head and smiled, "You don't know him? He's a boy I met when I got Jirachi. To be honest, seeing him reminds me of when I first started traveling, so young and reckless, fearless—it's quite nostalgic."
"So, Ryan, are you planning to recruit him?" Lillie asked.
"Yes. Let's see how strong he is first. If possible, recruit him and help him develop his skills; maybe he'll become a capable individual in the future," Ryan said.
"Hmm. This boy named Butler seems to use mostly Ground-type Pokémon," Lillie said, glancing at the Pokémon he registered.
"For doubles, he'll definitely be going for a Sandstorm team," Ryan said. "Tyranitar will be the first choice, and for the second Pokémon, Flygon, Aggron, Swampert, or Rhyperior are all possibilities."
The two discussed for a while but couldn't decide on a second Pokémon. Seeing that it was getting late, they went to sleep, deciding to wait until tomorrow.
The next day, Ryan's match was the first in Group C in the morning. Walking into the arena, Ryan saw the boy who had tried to steal Jirachi in Forina. Ryan smiled faintly and said, "We meet again."
"Tch. What's so great about having more people on your side? In this doubles match, I'll definitely beat you one-on-one!" Butler said.
"Uh. Don't you recognize me? I should be quite famous, right?" Ryan asked, puzzled. Those who know his identity wouldn't utter such arrogant words. Only those who don't watch TV would be unaware of who Ryan is. After all, the Mercenary Guild advertises recruitment daily; anyone who watches TV should know some information.
"Who cares who you are? You'd be better off training your Pokémon!" Butler said.
The referee, seeing the two continue their conversation, announced the start of the match. Butler threw out a Poké Ball without a word, and Ryan also sent out his two Pokémon.
A flash of light, and four Pokémon appeared on the field. Ryan sent out Gyarados and Dragonite, while Butler sent out Tyranitar and Flygon. With Tyranitar's appearance, a strong sandstorm erupted on the field.
"Tyranitar, Stone Edge! Flygon, Dragon Rush! Give Dragonite a fatal blow!" Butler shouted.
A fatal blow? Ryan couldn't help but laugh out loud: "Truly, a newborn calf isn't afraid of a tiger! Don't even mention two Pokémon attacking together; even if six Dragon-type Pokémon that haven't mastered their Aura attacked together, Dragonite could easily withstand their attacks."
The reason was simple: Gyarados and Dragonite both possessed defensive Aura abilities, one Dragon Scale and the other Multiscale. Both greatly enhanced their defensive capabilities. These two, along with Aerodactyl and Wobbuffet, formed Ryan's four tanks, all possessing defensive Aura powers.
Stone Edge and Dragon Rush directly hit Dragonite, but they struck Dragonite's two hands. Or rather, Dragonite directly caught the two attacks with its hands. Although Dragonite caught the attacks, it was still knocked back a distance, its feet leaving two deep furrows in the ground.
"Hmm. Attack power is good, but how about defense?" Ryan said. "Dragonite, Gyarados, double Flamethrower!"
Dragonite grabbed Flygon's head and threw it away, then unleashed a Flamethrower that struck Flygon in mid-air. Gyarados also fired a Flamethrower at Tyranitar, but it was blocked by a giant rock that Tyranitar conjured.
Ryan looked at Flygon being sent flying by the Flamethrower and Tyranitar blocking the attack, and laughed, "Defense is good, reaction is also good, not bad. Now get ready for a barrage of attacks. Gyarados, Dragonite, double Hyper Beam, rapid fire!"
Gyarados and Dragonite nodded, both quickly gathering energy in their mouths.
"Don't let them use it! Tyranitar, Stone Edge! Flygon, Dragon Pulse!" Butler shouted loudly.
"Too late!"
Flygon's Dragon Pulse went straight for Dragonite, and Tyranitar stomped heavily on the ground, countless stone spikes piercing toward the Gyarados floating in the air. However, Gyarados and Dragonite also fired Hyper Beams simultaneously. The two collided, creating a violent explosion that obliterated the entire sandstorm, leaving the battlefield covered in ash.
Just as Butler was about to breathe a sigh of relief, two more Hyper Beams struck Flygon and Tyranitar, blasting them both away.
"Tyranitar! Flygon! How is this possible? How can Hyper Beams be fired in succession?!" Butler exclaimed in disbelief.
"That's why I said your strength is still quite good. However, you've only had experience in ordinary roadside battles, and you have no experience fighting against high-level opponents. Being invincible at low levels has gradually fostered arrogance. Let me wake you up and show you what it means to be outmatched!"
The dust gradually settled, revealing Ryan's calm face. As Ryan's voice faded, Gyarados and Dragonite unleashed even greater firepower, unleashing beams of destructive energy that relentlessly pounded Tyranitar and Flygon. Flygon, unable to withstand the barrage, was instantly rendered unable to battle.
Tyranitar, being a Rock-type Pokémon, was slightly more durable, but even it succumbed to the relentless bombardment and fell, unable to battle.
"Tyranitar and Flygon are unable to battle! Gyarados and Dragonite win! Therefore, the winner is Ryan from Pallet Town!" the referee announced immediately.
Ryan recalled his two Pokémon and approached Butler, saying, "You're a promising talent; you shouldn't let this opportunity slip away. Come to my Mercenary Guild; I can take you to a higher level!"
Butler looked directly into Ryan's eyes, and after a long pause, said, "Okay, I'll join your guild! However, I won't treat you as my boss. You're my rival, and one day, I will defeat you!"
Ryan observed the young man before him; the youthful arrogance was slowly changing and weakening. But the confidence emanating from him was something Ryan greatly admired. Confident, but not arrogant. After this defeat, Butler will surely begin to hone himself. Once he has grown stronger, Ryan will not refuse his challenge!
(End of Chapter)
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