After leaving the tower, Ange continued to use Aura to search for Mew. However, before he could walk more than a few steps, a trainer suddenly blocked his path.
"Come on, let's battle," the trainer shouted.
Hearing this, Ange said awkwardly, "I'm sorry, I'm not a trainer. I didn't sign up for today's tournament."
As it turned out, the Pokémon competition held in the Cameron Palace was divided into two stages. The first stage consisted of qualifying matches on the streets. Registered participants could collect ten badges at the registration desk and then head out to find any other trainer who also held badges to battle. For every win, a trainer would receive a badge from their opponent. Once the qualifiers ended, the top 16 trainers based on their badge count would enter the palace arena for the final tournament. At that time, the Queen would attend to watch the matches and bestow the title of "Hero of Aura" upon the ultimate winner.
Of course, such a title now held only symbolic meaning. Unlike long ago, the Hero of Aura was a special individual who could truly use Aura Power, held a very high status in this country, and served as the protector of the Royal Family.
Hearing Ange's words, the stranger scratched his head sheepishly and said, "I'm sorry, I saw you carrying four Pokémon, so I thought you were participating in the competition too."
"It's fine," Ange replied, shaking his head.
After the stranger left, Ange let out a helpless sigh. Before he could travel much further, he was intercepted again, this time by a young girl. She had a Gloom with her and shouted with great momentum:
"Big brother, let's have a battle!"
Ange shook his head once more, "I'm sorry, little sister, big brother isn't a participating trainer."
"Eh?" the girl said, looking disappointed. "I saw big brother carrying four Pokémon, so I thought big brother was very strong!"
With that, the girl walked away dejectedly. Over the following period, Ange was constantly challenged by trainers on the street. He told everyone over and over again that he was not a contestant. After saying it so many times, he could not help but feel mentally exhausted.
"Do I really have the aura of a strong person?" Ange asked Hanzawa in confusion.
"Do you?" Hanzawa replied with a chuckle. "I can't really tell!"
Just then, Ange noticed a bench nearby with a Purrloin lying on it, so he said, "Let's go rest there for a while."
"Sure," Hanzawa replied.
Pawmo and the others nodded one after another. Noticing Ange and the group's arrival, the Purrloin quickly jumped off the bench and scurried underneath it. Ange did not pay much attention and leaned back against the chair to rest. Pawmo followed suit, taking off its armor and setting it aside before lying spread-eagle on the bench. Wearing that armor all the time was actually quite tiring. Hanzawa curled up and lay on the edge of the other side of the bench. Metagross, with Komala on its head, floated silently in mid-air. Since this was a corner, very few people came by, so Ange enjoyed a rare moment of peace.
At that moment, the Purrloin from before quietly crawled out from under the bench. It stood upright, leaning its front paws on the bench. Seeing Ange resting with his eyes closed, it could not help but secretly cover its mouth and giggle. Pawmo opened its eyes then. Seeing the Purrloin, it wiggled its body to stand up and leaned in close to look at the other Pokémon.
Paw paw~ Hello.
Meow meow~ Hello.
With that, the Purrloin patted Pawmo's cheek with its paw.
Paw paw~ Paw paw~
Pawmo happily reached out to grab the Purrloin's small paw and pulled it onto the bench.
Meow meow~ Meow meow~
Paw paw~ Paw paw~
Before long, the two Pokémon were rolling around in a heap on the bench, hugging each other. The joyful laughter of the two Pokémon caused Ange to open his eyes. Keeping Aura active at all times was a very exhausting task, so he had turned it off while resting just now. Seeing the Purrloin playing with Pawmo, he subconsciously turned his Aura back on. He was taken aback and shouted:
"Mew?"
The Aura of this Purrloin was simply too unique. When placed alongside the Aura of everything else around it, it was like the brightest moon in a night sky full of stars; it was impossible to ignore. Except for Mew, he could not think of anyone else it could be.
Hearing Ange's words, the Purrloin hugging Pawmo froze.
Mew~ Oh, I've been found.
It let out a cry that did not belong to a Purrloin, and its body transformed into Mew's form amidst a ripple of distortion.
He he he~
Mew floated into the air, covering its mouth with both hands and letting out a mischievous laugh.
"Mew..."
Ange was about to speak, but Mew's figure flashed again and transformed into a Noctowl, then quickly flew toward the sky.
"Mew, wait a second!" Ange jumped onto Metagross without hesitation and gave chase.
Hanzawa looked up at Ange's disappearing back and then said to Pawmo:
"He left us behind."
Paw paw~ Paw paw~
Only then did Pawmo realize Ange had not taken it along, and it began jumping up and down on the bench in a panic. Hanzawa remained quite calm, continuing to lie lazily on the bench. "What's the rush? He'll definitely come back for us in a bit."
With that, it closed its eyes. Hearing this, Pawmo had no choice but to lie on the bench and wait as well.
On Ange's side, he chased the Noctowl that Mew had turned into all the way until he watched it fly into a castle. Just as Ange was about to enter the castle, two guards riding Pidgeot suddenly appeared and blocked him.
"This is the palace grounds. Unauthorized persons are not allowed to approach."
Only then did Ange realize that he had chased it to the vicinity of the Cameron Palace.
"I'm sorry, I went the wrong way."
Since he could not force his way in, he apologized decisively. He figured that even if he said he wanted to enter the palace to find Mew, they certainly would not let him in. After speaking, Ange left on Metagross. After circling the palace several times and still being unable to think of a way in, Ange had no choice but to return with Metagross and Komala to find Hanzawa and Pawmo.
Seeing Ange return, Hanzawa looked up and said to Pawmo, "See, I told you he'd come back."
As soon as Ange got off Metagross, Pawmo lunged into his arms, burrowing its head into his chest repeatedly.
Paw paw~ Paw paw~
"What's wrong?" Ange asked with a smile.
"It was afraid you didn't want it anymore," Hanzawa explained.
Ange didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He gently stroked Pawmo's back and said, "How could that be? Have a little more faith in me!"
Paw paw~ Paw paw~ Who told you to come back so late.
Pawmo looked aggrieved.
"Alright, alright! My fault," Ange comforted it.
"Did you lose the trail?" Hanzawa asked.
Ange let out a deep sigh, "It flew into the palace. I can't get in there."
With that, he sat on the bench with a troubled expression.
"Actually, there is a way to get into the palace," Hanzawa said.
"What way?" Ange asked.
"It's simple," Hanzawa replied. "Just participate in the competition being held in the city. Can't the top 16 enter the palace arena?"
Ange's eyes lit up, "That's right! Why didn't I think of that?"
He grabbed Pawmo and started running.
"Let's go sign up."
The competition held in the city was primarily for entertainment, so there was no strict registration deadline; as long as it was before the finals, it was fine. Seeing this, Metagross carried Komala and Hanzawa to catch up with Ange.
Ange found the registration location easily by asking a random person. After signing up, he received ten small badges. After putting the badges away, Ange said to Pawmo and Metagross, "The next matches are up to you!"
As for Komala, it did not need to take the field; otherwise, it would be too much of a bully.
Paw paw~ Paw paw~
Pawmo waved its fists with full motivation.
Meta meta~
Metagross also narrowed its eyes in anticipation. It had not fought for a long time, and it was about time to stretch its muscles. Returning to the street, Ange feigned weakness by putting Metagross and Komala back into their Poké Balls, leaving only Pawmo by his side, plus Hanzawa, who did not belong to him.
Soon, Ange met his first challenger, a young boy with a Charmeleon. Naturally, Ange sent out Pawmo. Why use a sledgehammer to crack a nut?
"Big brother, I won't show any mercy!" the boy said cockily. "Your Pokémon looks a bit weak."
Ange: (｀⌒メ) Pawmo: (へ╬)
"Pawmo, show this kid what's what."
Today, he really was going to bully a child.
Paw paw~ Paw paw~
Pawmo nodded without hesitation, electricity flickering on its hands. Immediately afterward, its figure blurred and it vanished from the spot.
The boy said indignantly, "Big brother, don't brag! Charmeleon, use Fire Fang, let big brother see how strong we are."
Roar~
Hearing this, Charmeleon dashed toward Pawmo, flames erupting from its mouth as two fiery red fangs appeared. When the two Pokémon met, Charmeleon opened its mouth to bite Pawmo's head. However, at the moment Charmeleon's mouth drew near, Pawmo gave its head a slight twist, skillfully dodging the attack. It then followed up with Thunder Punch, slamming a fist into Charmeleon's chin.
Ange's Pawmo had awakened its Aura. Although it could not release Aura to listen to all things or fire Aura Spheres like a Lucario, it could use Aura Power to perfectly control its own body, even down to every inch of its muscle. Practicing Aura with Ange every day was not a useless endeavor.
Owuu~
Charmeleon let out a cry of pain and was sent flying backward. Meanwhile, Pawmo had already used Agility, its figure vanishing and reappearing next to Charmeleon in the blink of an eye. Before Charmeleon could even scramble up from the ground, it was struck by another Thunder Punch.
Ange's Pawmo had a perfect Attack individual value, and its Ability was Iron Fist. Its Thunder Punch was not something a little Charmeleon could withstand. Charmeleon collapsed instantly.
Seeing this, Ange looked smug. He beckoned with his finger and said boastfully to the boy, "There, little brother, now you know who's stronger? Hand over the badge."
The boy was stunned. The battle had ended before he could even get started? Coming to his senses, the boy ran to Ange's side, shoved the badge into Ange's hand, then turned around and burst into tears, picking up his injured Charmeleon and running away.
Ange: ...
Seriously? He's crying already?
Hanzawa said speechlessly from the side, "How old are you! Bullying a child like that."
Ange shrugged, "Can you blame me? That kid was so cocky. I'm just teaching him what humility means on behalf of society."
Paw paw~ Paw paw~ Ange is right.
Pawmo echoed Ange with a serious face. That annoying brat actually mocked me for being weak!
"Alright, let's find the next opponent!" Ange said.
Just as Ange was about to leave, the boy from before suddenly ran back with a young girl.
"Sister, it's him! Avenge me!" the boy said, pointing at Ange.
Ange: ()??? Are we really doing this?
The girl said, "So you're the one who defeated my brother? Then, let me also test your strength!"
With that, the girl released an Ivysaur. Grass types indeed had an advantage over Electric types, and the Ivysaur's level was certainly higher than the previous Charmeleon.
"Fine!" Ange agreed. After all, it didn't matter who he fought. "Pawmo, I'm counting on you again."
Paw paw~ Paw paw~
Pawmo dashed across from the Ivysaur.
"Ivysaur, Vine Whip!" The girl took the lead and commanded Ivysaur to attack.
Saur saur~
Ivysaur extended its vines to strike Pawmo. Pawmo did not dodge at all. It reached out both hands and caught the two vines respectively.
The girl said in surprise, "Good, I've caught you!"
Ange laughed, "We're the ones who caught you. Pawmo, try your newly learned move!"
Over the past few days following Ange, Pawmo had fought wild Pokémon many times. Its level had increased unknowingly, and it had also learned a new move—Slam!
Paw paw~
Pawmo responded and then, under the girl's astonished gaze, it used the vines to swing the Ivysaur into the air. After spinning Ivysaur in the air several times, Pawmo slammed it heavily onto the ground.
Saur saur~
Ivysaur let out a cry of pain. It had just endured the intense pain to crawl back up when Pawmo used Dig to appear beneath it, delivering a punch to its abdomen. This time, Ivysaur could not get back up.
"Fine, you've got skill!"
The girl walked quickly to Ange, shoved a badge into his hand, then picked up Ivysaur and pulled her brother away quickly.
"You... you just wait," the girl threw out a not-so-menacing threat.
Ange looked down at Hanzawa and Pawmo, "Should I wait?"
"Might as well," Hanzawa said. "It saves you time looking for other trainers."
"Alright then." Ange accepted Hanzawa's suggestion.
Sure enough, after a short while, the boy and girl returned with a middle-aged couple.
"Mom, Dad, it's him! He's incredibly strong!" the girl said, pointing at Ange.
Ange thought to himself: Please, miss, it's just that you were too weak.
"You're the one who defeated my son and daughter?" the middle-aged man asked, crossing his arms.
"It was me, yes," Ange admitted openly.
"Then let us test your strength!" the middle-aged woman beside him said.
With that, the two of them pulled out a Poké Ball simultaneously.