The next day, as Ever Grande City became lively once again, the entire stadium erupted with cheers for Aiden Flint!
The two strongest Trainers of the Hoenn League stepped out from their respective battle tunnels.
Red side—Aiden Flint.
Blue side—Steven Stone.
This battle would decide the Champion of the Hoenn League.
It was also the most anticipated match for every citizen of Hoenn.
In the audience, Norman, Winona, Drake, Tyson, Ash, and many others Aiden had met along his journey—all watched the battlefield with burning anticipation.
"Aiden! Aiden! We love you!"
"Steven, don't lose to him!"
"Aiden, you're the rightful Champion of Hoenn—go for it!"
Listening to the cheers, Aiden smiled faintly.
His original goal—becoming the regional Champion—was finally about to be achieved.
And because of that, a new goal had already formed in his heart.
To capture every Legendary Pokémon in the world.
To gather every Pokémon he loved.
And to spend the rest of his life traveling alongside them.
"Steven, I won't hold back today. Let's both go all out!"
Hearing this, Steven immediately took out a Poké Ball and smiled.
"That's exactly what I want!"
With a swift throw, the Poké Ball burst open—
Steelix appeared on the battlefield!
"Steelix, huh… then I'm counting on you—Infernape!"
As Infernape stepped forward, Steven's expression turned serious.
He knew very well about this Infernape—Aiden's Pokémon capable of Bond Evolution.
Was he really going to end up like Wallace, getting swept by a single Pokémon?
That would be way too humiliating.
Fortunately…
He had his own trump card.
"Steelix, use Stealth Rock!"
Pokémon: Steelix
Level: 85
Ability: Sturdy
Type: Steel / Ground
Potential: Gold
Bond Evolution: Not unlocked
Mega Evolution: Not unlocked
Moves: Stealth Rock, Hyper Beam, Dragon Breath, Sandstorm, Dig, Stone Edge, Iron Tail, Thunder Fang…
Right from the start, Steven had Steelix set up Stealth Rock. Countless sharp stones spread across the battlefield—
Then instantly vanished.
Aiden smirked slightly.
Trying to deal with him this way? Too naive.
With his psychic power, those hidden rocks were completely neutralized.
"Infernape—rush in and use Fire Punch!"
Following the command, Infernape moved instantly, flames igniting across its right fist as it charged forward!
"Steelix, Sandstorm!"
The moment Infernape approached, Steelix's massive body began spinning rapidly, kicking up a violent sandstorm that wrapped around it like a defensive barrier.
Infernape's attack was momentarily halted.
"Relying on defense won't save you. Infernape—full power Fire Spin! Keep the pressure on!"
Understanding Aiden's intent—to turn Steelix into a roasted snake—Infernape thumped its chest confidently.
A surge of blazing flames erupted!
Red-hot fire spread across the battlefield, heating the sandstorm into a swirling inferno.
Realizing the danger, Steven immediately reacted.
"Steelix—Dig!"
Before the sandstorm could fully turn into a fire vortex, Steelix burrowed underground, narrowly avoiding becoming roasted.
"Not bad. Fast reaction—but it won't help. Infernape, target the ground—Mach Punch at full force!"
At Aiden's command, Infernape's fists glowed white.
With its immense physical strength and Iron Fist Ability, it slammed both fists into the ground repeatedly—
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The battlefield trembled like a miniature earthquake!
Sensing danger, Steelix was forced to emerge from underground.
And that gave Infernape the opening it needed.
"Now—Fire Punch!"
With blazing flames enveloping its fist, moving at supersonic speed, Infernape struck Steelix directly!
The overwhelming force caused Steelix's massive body to collapse.
Half of its body remained buried underground, while the other half crashed onto the surface.
"Follow up—Blast Burn!"
Another devastating attack landed instantly.
With its enormous size limiting its mobility, Steelix became a perfect target.
"Ding! Infernape has defeated Steelix. Gained 8,735 experience. Level increased. Current level: Lv86!"
"Steelix is unable to battle. Infernape wins!"
The first match ended in Aiden's effortless victory.
Even though Steven had fought cautiously and focused on defense, it still wasn't enough.
Seeing this, Steven recalled Steelix and sighed.
"Aiden… your Pokémon really are strong. But I have my own trump card too."
A different kind of Poké Ball appeared in his hand.
As the red light flashed—
His ace Pokémon stepped onto the field.
A Shiny Metagross.
Looking at the Mega Stone embedded on its body, Aiden smiled.
Of course.
Given Steven's obsession with stones—and his family's immense wealth—it wasn't surprising that he had obtained a Mega Stone.
"I spent quite some time searching, but I finally found Metagross's Mega Stone. This time—you don't have the advantage."
So that's why he was so confident last night.
He thought that without using Legendary Pokémon, he could win.
At the side, Wallace couldn't help but twitch slightly.
This guy really was lucky enough to find a Mega Stone…
No wonder he lost.
"Now—Mega Evolve! Mega Metagross!"
"Good. Then we'll match you—Infernape, Bond Evolution!"
As both Trainers shouted at the same time—
Brilliant multicolored light erupted from both Pokémon!
Mega Evolution.
Bond Evolution.
Both began simultaneously!
The final clash had truly begun.
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