"Zorua, final strike! Use Payback with all your might!"
"Zorua..."
In an instant, almost solidified resentment gathered in the arena, and thick, dark purple flames surged like mercury toward the opponent, with faint wails seemingly emanating from within the flames.
It was clearly an attack like a wave of fire, but not a hint of warmth could be felt from it. Instead, it made the battle arena extremely eerie at that moment.
"Zorua's Payback is getting more and more terrifying!"
Even David, watching from outside the arena, couldn't help but break into a cold sweat and exclaim.
Ever since it started absorbing negative emotional energy from the Light Stone, Zorua's Payback had become increasingly exaggerated in its display.
Fortunately, this was the world of Pokémon. If it were some fantasy cultivation world, those who didn't know would think David and Zorua were some kind of demonic cultivators!
"Aggron! Use Flash Cannon, quickly!"
Given Aggron's body flexibility and speed, there was no point in trying to dodge. The opposing Trainer attempted to counterattack the Zorua with a Special move.
It was too late, however. Before Flash Cannon could even form, Payback had already reached Aggron.
"What?!"
The power drawn from negative emotions not only greatly increased the power of the Zorua's Payback but also made its release speed far exceed what it once was.
Amidst the opposing Gym Trainer's cry of surprise, the wave of resentful flames engulfed Aggron's massive body.
Even Aggron, known as a steel fortress, faced with this scene like a fiery inferno, its steel defense ultimately could not withstand the erosion of the resentful flames.
When the purple flame wave subsided, Aggron's tall body had quietly fallen.
And under the terrifying negative emotional erosion of the resentful flames, even after fainting, Aggron's body was still twitching slightly.
As if in a coma, it was still experiencing some nightmare. Mental damage was something even the strongest body struggled to resist.
"Aggron!"
The Gym Trainer beside him looked at his Pokémon with concern.
"Aggron is unable to battle. The Gym Trainer's side has lost three Pokémon first. The winner of this match is—Challenger David."
At this moment, the Rotom Referee's mechanical voice rang out, announcing the winner of the match!
The spectators on the sidelines also applauded this exciting match, particularly impressed by such a young challenger easily defeating a Gym Trainer.
The moment the match ended, the opposing Gym Trainer quickly went forward to recall Aggron and handed it to a staff member for treatment.
David also uncharacteristically recalled the Zorua. Even with the Zorua's current strength, going three-for-three against higher-level opponents was still somewhat strenuous. Although its injuries were minor, its stamina was exhausted.
If the opposing Gym Trainer hadn't been slightly weaker than Sadie, Zorua wouldn't have succeeded so easily.
"You worked hard, Zorua. Get some good rest!"
David recalled him into his Poké Ball.
Then, the opposing Trainer, just like Sadie of the Blazing Gym back then, also took out a silver badge. However, unlike the flame sun pattern used by the Blazing Gym, the Umbra Gym's badge had an octagonal steel plate design, similar to the Steel Badge from Olivine Gym.
After receiving this badge, which symbolized victory, from the Gym Trainer, David was still quite happy, but he no longer had the excitement he felt when he received his first badge at the Blazing Gym.
Indeed, no matter what, the first experience was always the most thrilling.
Even his own Pokémon were like this. During their first Gym challenge, they all vied to be on stage. Although they were also very active the second time, they didn't have such a strong desire to participate.
Coupled with a phone call David had received before the Gym challenge, he was in a hurry, so he directly used the Zorua to sweep the opponent's Gym Trainer's team.
After receiving the badge, David, as usual, exchanged a few pleasantries with the Gym Trainer, then, under the opponent's complex gaze, David hurried out of the Gym.
As soon as he stepped outside, David boarded the Corviknight taxi that had already been waiting there and quickly headed toward Cloud City's airport.
To save time, he had even paid extra to have the Corviknight wait outside the Gym half an hour in advance, just so he could board the vehicle immediately.
At David's request to speed up, the Corviknight soon arrived outside Cloud City's airport.
David quickly passed through security procedures. After entering the airport, he finally breathed a sigh of relief when he saw a plane with a teal livery, emblazoned with an Ascending Dragon Gym badge.
This was his family's private plane. David hadn't chosen to take it before because he was on vacation.
Just before his Gym challenge, his father had suddenly called him, telling him to go to Cloud City's airport immediately after finishing his challenge. The plane to pick him up was already ready, and he was told to hurry over.
Therefore, David had no choice but to quickly clear the Gym and then immediately head to the airport.
"What a shame..."
David thought about the clue to the Mega Stone he had discovered, but he had to leave before he could even check out the so-called ProfoungMining.
"Why are they in such a hurry to have me go to Shaffer City? Never mind, I'll just have Dad and the others send someone to investigate after I get back! We'll see once there's a result. Anyway, no one else knows the true use of the Mega Stone except me..."
After boarding the plane, David was almost immune to the various luxurious decorations. After half a year, he had fully adapted to his current identity.
But one thing that had to be said was that the Moore family really loved dragons. The plane's decorations, various badges, patterns, and designs were all filled with Dragon-type elements. Even the registered name of this plane was "Sky Dragon."
If it weren't for being in the Pokémon world, it would indeed have a bit of an over-the-top vibe.
"Oh, Uncle Zayn, it's you! It's been a long time—why are you the one picking me up this time!"
While deep in thought, he suddenly saw a familiar figure appear in front of him, and David greeted him happily.
"Indeed! It's been a long time, Young Master. I heard from the Master about your experiences over the past six months. Your performance is much stronger than the Master's back then."
The elder, whom David called Uncle Zayn, said with a smile to David.
"This time, the Old Master wanted to send someone to pick you up, and I just happened to be nearby, so here I am!"
The Old Master and Master in Uncle Zayn's words referred to David's grandfather and father. Uncle Zayn was also one of the few people who still addressed David's father as Master.
Uncle Zayn's family had been followers of the Moore family for hundreds of years. He himself was David's grandfather's head butler back in the day and had been working for the Moore family for forty to fifty years now. It could be said that not only David, but even David's father had been watched over by Uncle Zayn as they grew up.
Since David's father was the Master, then David naturally became the Young Master!
Uncle Zayn's family were retainers who had followed the Moore family since the Eastern Splendor Empire era, and they remained so even now.
David also knew that although Uncle Zayn looked smiling and seemed like just a kind old man, in reality, his Trainer abilities were quite strong.
When David's grandfather was still the Gym Leader of the Ascending Dragon Dojo, most of the time, he wasn't even at the Gym. Uncle Zayn would act as the interim Gym Leader. Without sufficient strength, the Alliance would not have agreed to this.
During their conversation, Uncle Zayn also had the captain start the journey, while he himself told David the reason for his visit.