"I accept your challenge," Ange said.
"Great, you've got guts. I like that!" the middle-aged man said, laughing loudly.
After speaking, he and his wife exchanged a look. They released their Pokémon simultaneously.
The couple used a matching pair of Pokémon.
The one used by the husband was covered in purple armor with a white belly. It had a long, powerful tail, thick, sturdy thighs, very sharp claws, and a sharp horn on its head.
The one used by the wife possessed blue armor. The skin on its jaw, chest, and belly was white. Its tail was also thick and sturdy, and it shared the same powerful thighs and sharp claws, though the horn on its head was not as long as the one on her husband's Pokémon.
These were the Drill Pokémon, Nidoking and Nidoqueen, with the Poison and Ground types.
As soon as the two Pokémon appeared, they let out a coordinated roar, clearly intending to intimidate Ange.
"Kid, how about a Double Battle? If you defeat me and my dear wife, we'll give you two badges at once," the middle-aged man said.
"Fine!" Ange agreed. This would save more time.
Just as Ange was about to reach for a Poké Ball to release Metagross, Hanzawa raised a paw and tapped his leg.
Ange looked down at it in confusion.
Hanzawa pointed a paw at itself.
"You want to go up?" Ange asked, surprised.
Hanzawa nodded.
Ange hesitated for a moment but finally nodded. "Alright then."
A smile appeared on Hanzawa's face upon hearing this. It leaped into the arena and sat down next to Pawmo.
Paw paw~ Paw paw~ Let's do our best together!
Pawmo clenched its fists, full of motivation.
With a hint of a smile in its eyes, Hanzawa nodded toward Pawmo.
"Alright, let the battle begin!" the middle-aged man shouted excitedly. "Nidoking, Stone Edge!"
His wife immediately followed up by commanding Nidoqueen. "Nidoqueen, Sludge Wave!"
Following their commands, Nidoking slammed the ground hard. Sharp, blue stone pillars rose from the earth one after another, rushing toward Pawmo.
Clearly, it wanted to eliminate the weaker Pawmo first.
At the same time, a large amount of purple sludge erupted from Nidoqueen, turning into a wave that crashed toward Hanzawa and Pawmo.
This sludge was toxic; coming into contact with it carried the risk of poisoning.
Seeing the stone pillars attacking it, Pawmo was about to use Thunder Punch to shatter them when a pillar of crimson fire suddenly appeared out of thin air. It instantly blasted the stones into nothingness.
Furthermore, the pillar of fire swept outward, and Nidoqueen's Sludge Wave was cleared away in an instant.
Pawmo: (O_O)
It turned its head to look at Hanzawa. It saw Hanzawa gently blow out a breath, a wisp of black smoke drifting from its mouth.
The couple across from them was equally stunned.
"Im... impossible!"
The two immediately prepared to command Nidoking and Nidoqueen to launch another attack.
"Nidoking..."
"Nidoqueen..."
However, before they could finish their sentences, they saw a purple light flickering in Hanzawa's eyes. In the next second, Nidoking and Nidoqueen flew into the air uncontrollably.
It was the Psychic-type move, Extrasensory!
Boom!
Boom!
After two loud bangs, Nidoking and Nidoqueen slammed into the ground simultaneously, losing their ability to battle instantly.
The couple: ...
Pawmo: ...
The battle on Ange's side quickly drew the attention of those nearby. Hanzawa's performance in one-shotting Nidoking and Nidoqueen caused the crowd to let out cries of surprise.
"Kid, you're good. It's no wonder my daughter and son lost to you!" the middle-aged man said. "I wish you victory in the competition."
With that, the couple recalled Nidoking and Nidoqueen into their Poké Balls and left briskly.
As they walked, they said something to their son and daughter, and the siblings looked completely dejected.
After the couple left, someone from the watching crowd stepped forward and asked Ange, "Um... excuse me, may I challenge you?"
"Me too!"
"Me too, me too!"
...
In an instant, Ange became a hot target for numerous trainers competing for a challenge.
Trainers are such strange creatures; they are passionate about challenging the strong. Even if they know they are no match for their opponent, they will certainly issue a challenge if they meet one.
Failure is also a necessary experience!
Despite the crowd, Ange naturally accepted all challengers.
Just now in the Double Battle, Pawmo had been unable to intervene at all. Consequently, it was very energetic in the subsequent battles, defeating one Pokémon after another.
Of course, when facing Pokémon that appeared very strong, Ange would usually swap Pawmo out for Hanzawa. No, it was more that Hanzawa took the initiative to volunteer.
Ange did not know why it had suddenly become so enthusiastic.
Gradually, as Ange's record was spread by other trainers, a long queue actually formed for people wanting to challenge him. He no longer had to look for challengers himself.
However, as the number of challengers increased, Pawmo's physical strength began to falter, leaving Hanzawa as the only one accepting challenges.
Ange asked Hanzawa several times if it wanted to swap with Metagross, but Hanzawa shook its head to refuse.
It could still handle this small scene.
Nearby, Korrina was searching for challengers. She was also participating in this competition. To be more precise, she had come to Rota specifically to attend the Hero of Aura Festival; she was very interested in the legend of the Hero of Aura.
Suddenly, she heard cries of surprise from not far away and noticed a long queue there.
"Excuse me, what is going on over there?" she asked, grabbing a trainer who was passing by.
"Don't you know? There's a trainer with a Ninetales over there who is incredibly strong. Dozens of people have challenged him in a row, and all of them were one-shot by that Ninetales!"
Korrina's face showed surprise upon hearing this. Was there actually such a powerful trainer at this festival?
Thinking this, she walked quickly toward the queue.
When Korrina arrived, she happened to see a Mismagius fall under Ninetales' Flamethrower. Ninetales had not only sustained zero damage but appeared completely composed.
So strong! Korrina could not help but think.
Furthermore, what surprised Korrina was that the powerful trainer was actually the person she had encountered in the dressing tower.
Because he was somewhat handsome, she had subconsciously remembered him.
Since it was rare to meet such a strong trainer, Korrina naturally wanted to challenge him. Thus, she joined the queue.
The queue moved very quickly. Just as the previous trainer had said, Ninetales finished almost every match in one hit, so it was soon Korrina's turn.
"It's her!"
Seeing Korrina, Ange was equally surprised.
"We meet again," Ange said with a smile.
"Yes, we meet again," Korrina replied.
Although they were surprised to meet again, they were not well-acquainted, so Ange did not waste words and said directly, "Then, let the battle begin."
Korrina nodded and, as expected, released that Absol.
Ange's Eye of Observation could not help but fall upon Absol.
Absol Type: Dark Ability: Justified Gender: Female Level: 61 Moves: Quick Attack, Leer, Double Team, Knock Off, Detect, Taunt, Slash, Night Slash, Focus Energy, Swords Dance, Rock Tomb, Shadow Claw, Psycho Cut, Air Slash, Dark Pulse, Mean Look
After reading, Ange glanced at Korrina in surprise. This Absol was the strongest Pokémon he had encountered all day.
"Your Ninetales is very strong, so I plan to go all out," Korrina said.
"Of course!" Ange nodded. He guessed that she might be referring to using Mega Evolution.
Sure enough, in the next second, Korrina pinched the earring on her ear. A piercing light erupted from the Mega Earring.
At the same time, the Mega Stone hidden in Absol's fur was revealed. It also emitted a dazzling light, resonating with Korrina's Key Stone.
Gradually, the light completely enveloped Absol. When the light dissipated, Absol appeared before Ange in a brand-new form.
What is this? Hanzawa communicated with Ange using psychic power, asking in confusion, How did this Pokémon suddenly evolve?
Hanzawa had been trapped in its master's manor for two hundred years and had only been traveling for two or three years. Therefore, although it had lived a long time, it actually lacked worldliness.
This is Mega Evolution. Mega Evolution is a special phenomenon of temporary evolution during battle. It requires two items: a Key Stone worn by the trainer and a Mega Stone worn by the Pokémon.
After Mega Evolution, the Pokémon's various abilities become stronger. Once the battle ends, they return to their original form.
Additionally, only Pokémon in their final form can undergo Mega Evolution...
Ange shared the knowledge related to Mega Evolution with Ninetales.
How miraculous! Ninetales marveled. It seems I was right to come out and travel!
Opposite them, Korrina asked, "Can the battle begin?"
Ange nodded. "Anytime!"
"Then, Absol, Quick Attack!" Korrina shouted.
Following her command, Absol turned into a streak of light and rushed toward Hanzawa.
At the exact moment Absol was about to collide with Hanzawa, Ninetales' nine tails shimmered with a metallic luster—using Iron Tail—and swept outward simultaneously.
Absol let out a cry of pain as it was swatted away.
Seeing this scene, Korrina's expression became grave.
Clearly, the strength of the opposing Ninetales was even greater than she had imagined.
"Absol, Swords Dance!"
Korrina began to have Absol power up. Swords Dance was a move that could significantly increase Absol's Attack.
Roar~~
Absol let out a roar as sword-shaped currents of air rose around its body. Simultaneously, its presence intensified.
Ninetales simply watched Absol power up silently, making no move to stop it.
Go ahead and power up! Make me take this a bit more seriously.
Once Absol finished its enhancement, Korrina commanded again, "Absol, Night Slash!"
Hearing this, Absol leaped forward, its claws shimmering with a dark light as it lunged at Ninetales.
Seeing this, Ninetales opened its mouth and spat out a Flamethrower.
The incoming pillar of fire emitted terrifying heat. Absol was forced to abandon its attack and dodge to the side.
Absol's speed was very fast and its reactions were sharp, allowing it to narrowly avoid Hanzawa's Flamethrower.
Seeing this, Hanzawa controlled the pillar of fire to sweep outward. Absol continuously jumped and dodged across the field, feeling lingering fear.
Every part of the ground swept by Ninetales' fire turned bright red, and some parts had even turned into lava.
If I get hit once, I'll probably lose the ability to fight immediately, right? Absol thought.
Finally, Ninetales' attack stopped. Absol stood still, panting heavily.
Absol is a Pokémon with strong explosive power but poor endurance; therefore, it is not suited for prolonged battles.
Seeing that Absol could not get close, Korrina said to it, "Absol, use Double Team!"
In the next second, as Absol ran quickly, its body flickered. One Absol after another appeared, surrounding Hanzawa.
"Absol, use Night Slash again."
As Korrina's voice fell, the numerous Absols lunged toward Hanzawa at the same time.
Hanzawa remained as calm as ever. At the moment Absol was about to strike, a circle of fire expanded with Hanzawa as the center—a Fire Spin. The flames grew higher and higher, eventually turning into a wall of fire.
The circle of fire surrounded Hanzawa; consequently, every Absol (the clones) that lunged forward slammed into the wall of fire and vanished one by one.
Without exception, the real Absol also crashed into it.
Absol let out a cry of pain and fell to the ground, simultaneously falling into a burned state.
The burned state brings a Pokémon not only continuous pain and indirect damage but also the fatal effect of halving the damage of physical moves.
Seeing Absol shakily stand up again, Ange showed surprise. This Absol had great willpower!
Absol is not a Pokémon with high Defense or HP. To be able to stand up after a hit from Hanzawa was, it must be said, quite impressive.
Similarly, when the watching crowd saw Absol stand up, they began to cheer and shout for it.
Absol was the only Pokémon among all those who had challenged Hanzawa today that could still fight after taking a hit.
"Absol, Dark Pulse."
Because she was aware of the effects of the burn, Korrina used a special attack this time.
A ring of dark energy was controlled by Absol and launched toward Hanzawa.
Crimson flames surged in Hanzawa's mouth. In the next second, a Flamethrower was spat out, colliding with Absol's Dark Pulse.
Boom!!!
A loud explosion echoed as the pillar of fire and the dark energy wave collided. Billowing air currents surged out, with Dark-type energy from Dark Pulse and Fire-type energy from Flamethrower splattering in all directions.
The onlookers subconsciously covered their eyes with their sleeves to prevent being hit by the splattered energy.
However, in the clash of moves, Absol ultimately could not compete with Hanzawa. After the Dark Pulse and Flamethrower reached a stalemate for a moment, the Dark Pulse was completely crushed by the Flamethrower. Absol was subsequently hit by the flames.
The fire vanished. Absol's body slumped as it fell to the ground, completely losing its ability to fight and reverting from its Mega Evolution state.
"Absol!" Korrina shouted, running to Absol's side, her face full of worry.
Ange reminded her, "Hurry and take Absol to the Pokémon Center."
The damage caused by Ninetales' attack was quite severe, and Absol was still in a burned state.
Korrina nodded. After quickly recalling Absol into its Poké Ball, she tossed a badge to Ange and then turned to run toward the Pokémon Center.