The massive commotion erupting from the valley could even be heard near the Colossal Insight Stone.
Everyone turned to look at the enormous mushroom cloud rising in the distance, shock written across their faces. Unsure of what had happened, they began speculating.
"Holy shit... what's going on over there!? Was that an atomic bomb?"
"I think it's some powerful Pokémon battling."
"Damn... to cause something like that, it's at least Late-stage Gym Leader level, right?"
"There are actually Pokémon this strong in this secret zone?"
"They're not coming this way, are they?"
"We're all Ace Trainers. There's no way we could handle that."
"What are you scared of? The top three of the Hidden Dragon haven't even reacted."
"Well... that's true..."
...
A sense of unease spread among the crowd. If that kind of powerful Pokémon came their way, they weren't confident they could win.
Off to the side, Blaze scanned the area in confusion and asked Braveon beside him,
"Hey... where's Aaron?"
"Wasn't he just here?"
A faint blue light flickered in Braveon's eyes as he stared at the distant mushroom cloud and said slowly,
"He headed over there from the start. With his Greninja."
Blaze's pupils shrank slightly.
"You mean... that was caused by Aaron!?"
Braveon didn't answer. He simply kept his eyes on the horizon.
A strange glint flashed in his gaze as he murmured,
"Aaron... I'm really looking forward to fighting you."
A faint smile curved his lips.
...
Back in the valley, the thick smoke finally began to clear, revealing the scene within.
A tall red figure stood quietly on the ground. Not far from it lay a massive black Pokémon, completely lifeless.
Parts of its body had already been carbonized. A light breeze swept through, and fragments crumbled into ash, scattering into the air.
The red figure was none other than Charizard.
As for Guzzlord, it was completely dead.
The victor of this battle was, without question, Charizard.
"ROOOOAR!"
Charizard threw its head back and let out a thunderous roar, as if proclaiming its victory.
Sparks flared from its nostrils. It then turned to Aaron, a hint of warmth flickering in its eyes, and leaned in to lick his face.
"Hey... why do I keep ending up with dragons that like licking people?"
"Stop, stop... keep that up and my face is done for."
Aaron hurriedly pushed Charizard's head away, looking exasperated.
Gyarados liked licking him, and now Charizard had picked up the same habit.
Seriously, who could deal with this...
"Ding~ Congratulations on completing the mission: Eliminate Guzzlord."
"Ding~ Congratulations on receiving rewards: Super Saiyan Physique (Modified Version) x1, Kaio-ken (Skill Card) x1, Energy Cubes x2..."
The system notification rang in Aaron's ears, drawing a slight smile from him.
Time to collect the rewards.
...
"Chirp, chirp..."
"Lulu..."
...
At that moment, the Pokémon from the cave rushed out and gathered around Charizard, happily celebrating its victory.
"Roar..."
Charizard let out a low rumble toward them, as if speaking.
Then, a Pokémon resembling a herbivorous dinosaur with a pink flower around its neck stepped forward.
It was Meganium.
"Mega..."
Meganium stepped forward, tapping its chest confidently, its expression clearly saying, Leave it to me.
Aaron understood. Charizard had told them it was leaving and entrusted Meganium with protecting everyone.
The other Pokémon held back their tears, smiling as they called out to Charizard.
They had always known Charizard wanted to see the outside world. Now that its wish had come true, even though they felt reluctant to part, they were genuinely happy for it.
"Roar..."
Charizard gave a final low call, then turned away.
Aaron jumped onto its back.
"WHOOSH! WHOOSH!"
Charizard beat its massive wings, lifting into the sky with Aaron on its back, gradually disappearing into the horizon.
...
"System... are you sure the Insight Stone loses its effect if taken out of here?"
Sitting on Charizard's broad back, Aaron asked in his mind.
He had originally planned to take the Insight Stone from the valley, but the System had warned him that once removed from this secret zone, it would turn into an ordinary rock.
That made him give up the idea.
"Yes."
The System's voice echoed calmly in his mind.
Aaron sighed and let it go, continuing to ride Charizard through the secret zone as they explored further.
While in the air, he opened the System inventory to check the rewards he had just obtained.
First was the Super Saiyan Physique.
[Name: Super Saiyan Physique (Modified Version)]
[Type: Special]
[Power: Transformation]
[Attribute: None]
[Description: Usable only by Pokémon. Grants the Super Saiyan Physique, greatly enhancing strength.
Skill 1: Saiyan Physique (Passive): Permanently increases HP and both defenses by 3 levels. Stamina recovery speed increases by 100%. Allows transformation into a Great Ape during a full moon.
Skill 2: Super Saiyan Level 1 (Active): Upon activation, raises both Attack and Special Attack by 3 levels. All skill power increases by 50%.
Skill 3: Super Saiyan Level 2 (Active): Upon activation, raises both Attack and Special Attack by 6 levels. All skill power increases by 75%.
Skill 4: Super Saiyan Level 3 (Active): Upon activation, raises both Attack and Special Attack by 9 levels. All skill power increases by 100%.
Skill 5: Super Saiyan Level 4 (Active): Upon activation, raises both Attack and Special Attack by 12 levels. All skill power increases by 125%.