Even the veteran referee of the Mossdeep Gym had never in his career seen someone bring the Hoenn twin gods into a Gym double battle. Long after the fight ended, he was still staring blankly at the battlefield until Liza finally reminded him to announce the result.
After recalling Groudon and Kyogre back into their Master Balls, Aiden Flint couldn't help curling his lips upward in satisfaction.
Using legendary Pokémon to clear Gym battles really did feel absurdly good.
Ash and the others watching nearby burst into cheers for Aiden's victory.
"Aiden is amazing!" Ash said excitedly. "Pikachu, we can't lose either! We have to win this Gym!"
"Pika!"
May looked at Aiden with a complicated light in her eyes. Compared to traveling alongside Ash, Aiden felt like a distant, unreachable goal—something to admire from afar. And admiration, when it deepened, often quietly became something else.
After the defeat, Liza walked forward holding the Mossdeep Gym's Mind Badge.
"This is proof that you've beaten Mossdeep Gym. Please accept the Mind Badge."
Aiden took it and placed it inside his Badge Case. Only one empty slot remained now.
He felt a surge of excitement. It had been nearly half a year since his journey began, and only one month remained before the Ever Grande Conference.
"Ash, you're up next. Once you get your Mind Badge, meet me at the Pokémon Center."
With that, Aiden turned and left the Gym.
Ash was puzzled that Aiden wouldn't stay to watch, but Aiden's words sounded like he was already confident in Ash's victory. That alone filled him with motivation.
"Pikachu, we can't make Aiden wait! Let's do this!"
While Ash challenged the Gym, Aiden returned to the Pokémon Center and handed his Gardevoir over to Nurse Joy. Since Joy had mentioned Joy Sakura, Aiden even gave her a quick call.
Over an hour later, Ash came rushing back into the Pokémon Center.
"Aiden! I got the Mossdeep Badge! Let's battle!"
Aiden smiled. "Since you're the one challenging me, you choose the format—single battles, three-on-three, or a full six-on-six. You can even change your Pokémon if you want. I know you just finished a Gym battle."
Ash went quiet, thinking.
"Alright. Six-on-six. Full battle. And I'm not changing my team—I'll use only the Pokémon I caught in Hoenn."
Aiden nodded. "Then let's begin."
Word spread quickly through the Pokémon Center, drawing in a crowd of trainers to watch. Brock stepped up as referee. Max rooted for Ash but didn't really think he'd win, while May couldn't decide who she wanted to support.
"This will be a full six-on-six battle between Aiden Flint and Ash. The first trainer to lose three Pokémon will trigger a mid-battle break. Trainers, send out your Pokémon!"
Aiden threw a Luxury Ball forward.
Shelgon appeared in a flash of light.
Ash answered with his Crawdaunt.
Ash had somehow managed to keep Crawdaunt from evolving even at level forty—a feat only Ash could pull off.
"Shelgon, Dragon Breath!"
"Crawdaunt, Crabhammer!"
Crawdaunt's claws glowed as it lunged forward, but a greenish beam blasted straight into its face, sending it flying back. The attack interrupted Crabhammer completely.
"Aiden, again! Dragon Breath!"
The second blast struck Crawdaunt before it could recover, knocking it out cold.
Ash clenched his fists and recalled Crawdaunt.
"Then… go, Torkoal!"
Torkoal came out with a heavy stomp. At level forty-four, it was one of Ash's stronger Hoenn Pokémon.
"Torkoal, Flamethrower!"
"Shelgon, Dragon Pulse!"
Fire and dragon energy collided in midair. At first they were evenly matched, but as Shelgon pushed harder, the Dragon Pulse tore through the flames and smashed straight into Torkoal.
"Torkoal, Withdraw!"
The attack still slammed into its shell, but its defenses barely kept it standing.
"Ash, offense is the best defense. You can't hide forever."
Ash gritted his teeth. "Torkoal, give it everything—Overheat!"
"Shelgon, full-power Dragon Breath!"
A tidal wave of flames engulfed Shelgon, carrying all of Ash's frustration with it. But Shelgon's thick armor kept it from collapsing.
"Headbutt!"
"Torkoal, Overheat again!"
But Overheat was strongest the first time. Each use weakened it. With dragon-type resistance, Shelgon crashed straight into Torkoal and overpowered it.
"Torkoal, Rapid Spin!"
The clash continued as the real battle between Aiden Flint and Ash truly began.
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