Togekiss looked once more at its trainer, making sure that the promise of two jars of honey was real. After confirming it, it could not be bothered to check its so called injuries anymore.
With a cheerful cry, it willingly returned to its Poké Ball, already waiting for the extra meal after the battle ended.
Both the audience in the viewing area and the viewers in the livestream were left completely stunned.
"Togekiss is seriously injured? Why could I not see that at all?"
"What do you know? If Sister Winona says Togekiss is seriously injured, then it is seriously injured. Can a Gym Leader be wrong?"
"Exactly. If you do not agree, then go become a Gym Leader yourself first."
The livestream chat filled with jokes.
"The Story of How My Trainer Says I Am Seriously Injured Even Though I Can Still Run, Jump, and Fly, written by Togekiss."
"So this is how battles can be fought? I am going to challenge the future Champion of Hoenn, Gym Leader Flannery. Wish me luck everyone."
"I am going to challenge the most beautiful and strongest Rock type trainer, Gym Leader Roxanne."
"I am going to challenge…"
Before Theo could even process what was going on, Winona suddenly seemed to think of something. A sly yet adorable smile appeared on her face.
She reached up and gently pulled open her collar, taking out a Poké Ball that she had been carrying close to her chest. With a flick of her wrist, she tossed it lightly into the air.
A flash of red light burst forth, and a graceful figure slowly appeared, accompanied by soft and melodious cries that drifted gently through the air, clear and ethereal, as if descending from the clouds.
It was a Pokémon with a sky blue body and an elegant form.
Soft, cloud like fluff wrapped around its body, giving it a dreamy, almost ethereal appearance, like a beauty stepping out of a bath draped in a thin veil.
It was none other than Altaria, often jokingly called the "traitor of the dragon race."
Theo's gaze sharpened as he immediately checked its information through the system interface.
At that very moment, Winona raised her wrist, revealing the shining Mega Evolution bracelet. In her other hand, she held the Altarianite hidden within her palm.
She looked up toward the sky, her voice gentle yet firm.
"O vast sky, grant us your wings. Grant us wings that will not lose to any storm.
Guide us through the boundless blue world, and let us spread magnificent wings."
"Altaria, now is the time to soar. Break free from the cradle of clouds and become a dragon that flies across the heavens.
Mega evolve, my Altaria!"
Brilliant blue and pink light instantly enveloped Altaria.
Within that radiance, its body stretched and transformed, becoming more slender and elegant. Its cloud like wings spread open, revealing a fuller and more majestic form. The soft fluff that once covered its belly shifted to its back, blooming outward like a peacock's display.
It was as if a beauty had cast aside her bath towel, revealing her graceful figure.
Mega Altaria had officially appeared.
The system panel in front of Theo updated instantly, displaying the new information.
[Pokémon: Mega Altaria]
Type: Dragon / Fairy
Category: Humming Pokémon
Ability: Pixilate (Covering its body in Fairy energy, turning Normal type moves into Fairy type and increasing their power.)
Moves: Sunny Day, Rain Dance, Snowscape, Substitute, Tailwind, Sing, Safeguard, Cotton Guard, Dragon Dance, Nasty Plot, Dragon Pulse, Dragon Claw, Outrage, Draco Meteor, Disarming Voice, Moonblast, Hyper Voice, Hyper Beam, Giga Impact…
Dragon and Fairy were two completely opposing types.
Yet Mega Altaria was one of the few Pokémon that possessed both at the same time.
Winona's Mega Altaria had been raised exceptionally well. Judging from its move set, it was proficient in support, long range offense, and close combat alike, making it a true all rounder.
After completing its Mega Evolution, Altaria lifted its head and sang joyfully, its clear voice echoing throughout the entire Gym.
Milotic, who also loved to sing, was touched by the melody. It gently closed its eyes, raised its head, and joined in with a soft, harmonious tone.
One voice high and clear, the other soft and gentle. Together they intertwined into a duet that seemed to come from the heavens themselves.
The beautiful sound spread across the battlefield, flowing into the hearts of every spectator, as if purifying their very souls.
The entire audience unconsciously held their breath.
Winona lifted her chin slightly, looking at Theo with a hint of pride.
"My Altaria can Mega Evolve.
Your Milotic cannot do that yet, right? In this round, you are already at a disadvantage."
Seeing this rare, almost girlish expression from her, Theo could not help but smile.
The battle that followed felt less like a Gym match and more like a dazzling performance.
Milotic flicked its golden tail, summoning waves of water that formed elegant streams swirling around its body.
Mega Altaria spread its cotton like feathers, tracing graceful arcs through the air.
Moonblast shimmered with soft light, intertwining with Milotic's Water Pulse to form a rainbow. Draco Meteor fell like scattered stars, colliding with Hydro Pump in bursts of brilliant splashes.
Even when injured, both Pokémon stabilized themselves with recovery moves, turning the entire battle into something as breathtaking as a carefully choreographed stage performance.
If it were a true life or death battle, Milotic would actually be slightly inferior to Mega Altaria in terms of raw energy.
But defeating Milotic was far from easy.
With Aqua Ring providing continuous healing, Recover restoring its condition, Substitute creating illusions, Life Dew gradually replenishing stamina, and the careful enhancement from the system's special attack and vitality boosters, Milotic was incredibly difficult to bring down without overwhelming strength.
While the audience watched in complete fascination, captivated by the display of moves from both Mega Altaria and the shiny Milotic, far away in the sky not far from Fortree City, a Skarmory cut through the clouds at high speed.
On its back sat a handsome young man.
It was Steven, the former Champion of Hoenn, who had not appeared for quite some time.
He casually tossed a Poké Ball in his hand, his gaze fixed on the approaching city, a faint smile on his lips.
"A few days ago, I saw on the livestream that Theo was in Fortree City preparing for a Gym challenge. Hopefully he has not left yet. After spending so long in the desert, at least this trip will not be for nothing."
He looked down at the Poké Ball in his palm, his voice softening.
"Soon, you will meet the trainer I found for you. He has special abilities and can help you grow and evolve quickly.
When the time comes, you will become as strong as your mother."
Thinking about how Theo's team would soon have two Pokémon just like his own after this one evolved, Steven could not help but chuckle.
"Wallace, you lose again. I am still one step ahead of you."
(End of Chapter)