As the Hoenn Pokémon League's Elite Four Challenge was hyped to a fever pitch over the course of an entire month, the long-awaited battle finally arrived, drawing back the curtain on a grand stage that belonged to him alone.
Ash and his companions temporarily concluded their journey through the Kanto Battle Frontier and once again returned to the Hoenn region.
Norman of Petalburg Gym, Winona of Fortree Gym, and many others who had crossed paths with Aiden Flint in the past all gathered in Ever Grande City to witness this grand event that occurred only once every four years.
Even Lance, the Champion of Kanto, and Lorelei of the Elite Four personally arrived in Hoenn.
The Unova Champion, Alder, also made the trip.
Cynthia of Sinnoh had wanted to come as well, but due to major upheavals within the Sinnoh League, no one could spare the time.
However, this time there was a new face.
From Kalos—the birthplace of Mega Evolution—its regional Champion, Diantha, had accepted the Hoenn League's invitation and arrived in person.
An Elite Four and Champion-level battle that gathered Champions from multiple regions was an extremely rare sight in the entire Pokémon world.
Truthfully, in any region, the turnover rate of Elite Four members was remarkably low.
Most Champions and Elite Four members retained their positions for years on end.
Only if a truly powerful Trainer emerged—someone capable of challenging the Elite Four and Champion head-on—would the roster ever change.
Or, if the veterans aged and their strength declined, they might voluntarily step down and pass the mantle to the younger generation.
At present, only Hoenn and Unova had seen Champion replacements.
In Hoenn, the former Champion Steven had been replaced by Wallace.
In Unova, once Alder grew older and his strength waned, he would eventually pass the title to his disciple Iris—but that was the future timeline after Ash became one of the Masters Eight.
For now, Unova's Champion was still Alder.
These were the only two known Champion transitions in the entire Pokémon world.
But Aiden Flint's strength was universally acknowledged.
In past tournaments, every League Conference winner who challenged the Elite Four couldn't even defeat the weakest member.
In the end, it always came down to internal battles among the Elite Four and the Champion themselves.
Under normal circumstances, this Hoenn Elite Four Challenge would never have attracted such unprecedented attention.
But because both Chairman Damaranch and Champion Wallace recognized Aiden's strength—and nearly regarded him as the next Hoenn Champion—they had invited so many regional Champions to attend.
Countless people from every region flocked to Ever Grande City.
Once again, Ever Grande became the very center of the Pokémon world.
Even J, Tabitha, Shelly, James, Jessie, and Meowth watched via satellite broadcast, tuning in to their boss's Elite Four Challenge.
Finally, when the main stadium of Ever Grande opened and the battlefield rose into view, two figures stepping onto the stage—
The cheers from the audience shook the heavens.
…
"It's Aiden! I see Aiden!" Ash shouted excitedly.
Hearing him, May, Brock, Max, Morrison, and the others all looked down at the battlefield.
Sure enough, Aiden Flint's familiar figure stood proudly below.
On the other side, Tyson and Harrison had also come to Ever Grande to witness the progress of someone their age—someone who had risen to the top in the same era as them.
How far had he advanced now?
Even Steven, the former Hoenn Champion, had paused his gemstone excavation and arrived to watch Aiden's battle.
After Chairman Damaranch delivered his speech and Champion Wallace concluded with his summary, the first match of the Elite Four Challenge finally began.
Aiden Flint versus Sidney, the lowest-ranked member of Hoenn's Elite Four.
The referee stepped forward and declared loudly:
"The Hoenn Pokémon League Elite Four Challenge will now commence! League Conference Champion Aiden Flint versus Elite Four Sidney!"
"Each side may use six Pokémon! Elite Four Sidney will move first! Battle—begin!"
At the referee's signal, Sidney tossed his Poké Ball lightly in his palm and grinned at Aiden.
"Aiden, I've been waiting a long time for this battle. Let's see how you handle the little surprise I prepared just for you!"
With that, Sidney threw his Poké Ball.
A flash of red light—
Shiftry appeared on the battlefield.
Gold potential. Chlorophyll ability. Level 69.
A solid opponent.
But not strong enough to warrant Aiden's first-tier core Pokémon.
Those were reserved for greater challengers.
"Salamence, I'm counting on you!"
Aiden threw his Poké Ball, and a massive blue dragon with blood-red wings descended onto the field.
"Ding! Salamence's current attributes are as follows:"
Pokémon: Salamence
Divine Authority: None
Level: 71
Ability: Moxie
Type: Dragon / Flying
Potential: Red
Bond Evolution: Not unlocked
Mega Evolution: Mega Salamence
Moves: Dragon Rush, Double-Edge, Dragon Breath, Dragon Claw, Zen Headbutt, Flamethrower…
Friendship: 255
Background: An outstanding member of the Bagon line. After evolving, it finally gained the ability to soar freely through the skies, its strength undergoing a complete transformation. Now has stepped into the Champion tier.
Preference: Delicious food, free flight
Yes.
Aiden's Salamence had already reached the initial Champion level.
At his current stage, facing Sidney meant holding the absolute advantage.
"Salamence, huh? That little Bagon from half a year ago has grown this much already… what a monster," Wallace murmured.
Chairman Damaranch looked puzzled, and only after Wallace explained did he learn—
That very Salamence, originally a Bagon, had once been gifted to Aiden by Wallace himself.
Not much time had passed.
And yet it had already reached Champion-tier strength.
Terrifying.
"Shiftry, use Quick Attack! Close in and Crunch Salamence!"
At Sidney's command, Shiftry vanished in a flash of speed, rushing straight toward Salamence.
But how could a Dragon-type pseudo-legendary fall so easily?
Just as Shiftry neared, Salamence flapped its wings powerfully, unleashing a terrifying roar and shockwave.
In a single explosive burst—
Salamence soared into the sky, easily evading the attack.
"Damn it! Use Aerial Ace!"
"Show him what you've got, Salamence—Flamethrower!"
…
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