"Ding! Blaziken defeated Rhyperior and gained 481 experience points. Level increased. Current level: Lv. 42!"
Pokémon: Blaziken
Level: 42
Ability: Speed Boost
Type: Fire / Fighting
Potential: Gold
Bond Evolution: Locked
Mega Evolution: Locked
Moves: Flamethrower, Fire Punch, Blaze Kick, Fire Blast, Close Combat, Aerial Ace…
Friendship: 200
Experience: Encountered in Scientist Town, an outstanding member of the Blaziken lineage. After reaching its final evolution, its strength grew explosively.
Hobby: Loves spicy food, battles, and becoming stronger.
After Aiden once again obliterated his opponent in a single strike, the last remaining opponent—Joker—felt his expression change drastically.
At first, he had thought that Aiden's Torterra defeating Shaluo's Starmie was simply due to type advantage.
But now?
Rhyperior clearly had the advantage against Blaziken in terms of typing.
Yet it was still defeated in an instant.
Was this guy… ridiculously strong?
Even so, as a Pokémon Trainer, one must have the courage to face battle, no matter how powerful the opponent is.
After Shaluo and Joker finished their match, Joker emerged victorious.
That meant Aiden had already secured two points, while Joker and Xiao Wu each had one win and one loss, sitting at zero points. Shaluo, having lost twice in a row, had essentially lost all hope of advancing.
Soon, the third battle began.
"Next match: Aiden Flint from Littleroot Town versus Joker from Ever Grande City! Each trainer may use one Pokémon. The battle begins!"
As the referee's voice echoed across the arena, Aiden and Joker simultaneously threw their Poké Balls.
"Come out, Walrein!"
Joker sent out Walrein, a Level 40 Ice- and Water-type Pokémon.
Meanwhile, the Pokémon Aiden released was Dragonair.
With a soft, melodic cry, a serpentine Pokémon shimmering like a blue gemstone appeared on the battlefield. A white antenna crowned its head, and delicate wings fluttered behind its body.
If it wasn't the pseudo-legendary Dragonair, then what was?
"A Dragon-type Pokémon, huh? This could work. Walrein, use Ice Beam!"
Dragon-type Pokémon were naturally vulnerable to Ice-type moves.
However, for Aiden, type advantages and disadvantages could always be overturned through strategy.
"Dragonair, Rain Dance!"
Walrein's Thick Fat ability gave it impressive resistance and endurance, and its bulky physique made it difficult to take down in a single blow.
With Dragonair's current level, achieving an instant knockout would not be easy.
As Dragonair let out a clear cry, the blue orb on its neck suddenly shone with dazzling brilliance.
In an instant, the once-clear sky was swallowed by torrential rain.
Seizing the opportunity, Walrein fired Ice Beam straight toward Dragonair.
Dragonair twisted its body gracefully and avoided the attack with ease.
"That's it, Dragonair—Thunder, full power!"
At Aiden's command, Dragonair responded immediately.
Compared to Dragonite, Dragonair possessed an even stronger affinity for weather-based techniques.
As Rain Dance took effect, the white antenna atop Dragonair's head crackled with golden lightning.
Seeing this, Joker panicked.
"Not good! Walrein, use Blizzard to block it!"
At Joker's order, Walrein roared, releasing a wave of freezing air that swept across the battlefield.
The pouring rain began to mix with falling snow.
But it was already too late.
Before the blizzard could fully form, dark thunderclouds had already gathered above the arena.
Boom!
A terrifying bolt of lightning descended from the sky.
Empowered by the rain, Dragonair's Thunder increased in power by more than thirty percent.
As crackling arcs of lightning exploded across the battlefield, Walrein was completely engulfed in the storm.
When the chaos finally settled, the arena had been blasted into a massive crater.
Walrein lay scorched at the bottom of the pit, its body blackened and motionless.
It had completely lost the ability to battle.
"Ding! Dragonair defeated Walrein and gained 526 experience points. Level increased. Current level: Lv. 41!"
The battle was over.
With a perfect record, the remaining matches no longer mattered.
Whether it was Joker, Shaluo, or Xiao Wu, they had all suffered defeats. The final standings were already decided.
Aiden would advance without question.
"Walrein has lost the ability to battle! Dragonair wins! The final victor is Aiden Flint!"
He had advanced.
After the first round ended flawlessly, Aiden gently stroked Dragonair's head.
Feeling its Trainer's warmth, Dragonair let out a soft, contented sound.
With Aiden successfully advancing to the top 128, the rest of the preliminary round would continue for at least another week.
Just as he was wondering how to spend the time, Musashi, James, and Meowth suddenly contacted him.
"Boss, we've found traces of a Legendary Pokémon!"
…
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