Deep inside the pit, smoke billowed and black flames surged.
As the haze slowly cleared, Gyarados stood in the crater with all four limbs planted firmly against the ground. Its long body was scorched with heat and rain, but its head was raised high, its jaws wide open.
"RRRROOOAAH!"
A thunderous roar tore into the sky.
It was not just a cry of battle.
It was a declaration of victory.
Beneath Gyarados's claws, Kabutops lay covered in wounds, completely unable to move.
Kabutops was unable to battle.
The fourth round was over.
The faceless man stared into the pit, and for the first time, his eyes trembled slightly.
He had seen countless battles over the long years he had guarded this floor. He had watched prodigies rise, struggle, break through, and fall short.
The faceless man stared into the pit, and for the first time, his eyes trembled slightly.
After a moment, he suppressed the shock in his chest, took out a stone-like Poké Ball, and recalled Kabutops.
Then he looked at Aaron again.
"You've earned the right to be remembered," he said. "What is your name?"
Aaron paused, then he smiled.
It was bright, open, and warm enough to cut through the tension on the battlefield.
"My name is Aaron."
His grin widened a little.
"And my dream is to become the greatest Pokémon Master in the world... preferably without working too hard."
The faceless man froze.
For a second, there was only the sound of rain falling over the ruined battlefield.
Then he burst out laughing.
"Hahahaha!"
"The greatest Pokémon Master in the world, without working too hard?" he said, still smiling. "Now that is a dream."
It had probably been centuries since the faceless man had laughed like that.
When the laughter finally faded, he looked at Aaron again, this time with unmistakable respect.
"Aaron," he said. "I'll remember it."
Then he took out another stone-like Poké Ball.
"Show me what else you can do."
For the first time, his voice carried real excitement.
"Let's see this battle through to the end."
He threw the Poké Ball forward.
"Come out, Aerodactyl!"
Light flashed.
A huge pterosaur-like Pokémon shot into the sky, climbing straight toward the clouds.
"SKRREEE-AH!"
Its sharp cry echoed over the mountain.
Aaron looked up.
The Aerodactyl circling above was enormous. Its body alone was over three meters long, and when it spread its wings, its wingspan reached nearly six meters.
Even for an Aerodactyl, this one looked like a true ruler of the sky.
Aaron's expression sharpened.
The information panel appeared before his eyes.
[Name: Aerodactyl]
[Gender: Male]
[Nature: Quiet]
[Type: Rock/Flying]
[Ability: Rock Head]
[Base Stats Total: 515]
[Level: Gym (Peak Stage)]
[Potential: Champion-level]
[Known Moves: Sky Attack (Apotheosis), Thunder Fang (Perfect), Rock Slide (Perfect), Double Team (Mastery), Stone Edge (Mastery), Rock Polish (Mastery), Roost (Proficient), Tailwind (Mastery), Dragon Claw (Proficient), Aerial Ace (Proficient), Ice Fang (Proficient), Agility (Proficient)...]
[Description: The Sky King from two thousand years ago, possessing extraordinary speed. Once it locks onto a target, escape is nearly impossible.]
Aaron's eyes narrowed slightly.
Sky Attack at Apotheosis-tier.
And that speed...
This one would be dangerous.
"Come, Aaron," the faceless man said, fighting spirit rising in his voice. "Against the Sky King, let us have a battle worthy of this floor."
Then he raised his hand toward the clouds.
"Aerodactyl, Tailwind."
"SKRRAAA!"
The massive Aerodactyl cried out, and deep blue light surged from its body.
WHOOSH!
A fierce wind swept through the sky.
For a limited time, Tailwind doubled the Speed of the user's side.
Aerodactyl was already fast to begin with. Under Tailwind, that speed became terrifying.
The faceless man followed up immediately.
"Aerial Ace."
Blue light flashed around Aerodactyl's body.
In the next instant, it turned into a streak of light and shot toward Gyarados.
"Gyarados, fly up. Dodge!"
Gyarados quickly formed Flame Clouds beneath itself and rose into the air.
But it had underestimated Aerodactyl's speed.
Before Gyarados could fully move out of the way, the blue streak slammed into its body.
BANG!
The impact knocked Gyarados's enormous frame backward.
Aerodactyl had already returned to the sky before the shockwave faded.
The faceless man saw that Gyarados could not keep up and pressed the advantage at once.
"Again. Keep using Aerial Ace."
"RAAAK!"
Aerodactyl dove again.
Aerial Ace was already a high-speed move. With Tailwind behind it, the attack became even harder to track.
BANG!
Gyarados was struck a second time before it could lock onto Aerodactyl's movement.
"GRRRAAAGH!"
It roared in pain.
Blood began to seep between its hard dragon scales.
If not for those tough scales protecting its body, the damage would have been far worse.
Aaron took a slow breath.
The opponent had read the situation correctly. Gyarados had overwhelming power, but against Aerodactyl's speed, raw strength was not enough.
A sharp light flashed in his eyes.
Then a stone appeared in his hand.
"Gyarados!"
His voice cut through the rain.
"Let's go."
High above, Gyarados turned its head toward him.
For a moment, Trainer and Pokémon seemed to understand each other without another word.
"RRRROOOAAH!"
Gyarados stepped onto Flame Clouds and rose higher into the sky, letting out a massive roar that shook the clouds around it.
Aaron raised the Key Stone.
"Mega Evolution!"
The stone in his hand released a dazzling rainbow light.
That light shot into Gyarados's body.
In the next instant, a blinding radiance erupted from Gyarados, scattering the dark clouds overhead.
...