Diantha's studio was located in a high rise building beside Prism Tower, and from the window one could overlook the entirety of Lumiose City.
The whole city was shaped like a vast circular disk, with Prism Tower standing proudly at its center. Directly in front of it stretched Vernal Avenue, and at the very end of that grand boulevard stood the world famous Professor Sycamore's Pokémon Laboratory.
"Coffee or tea?"
Diantha's voice came from behind him as she removed her mask.
"Tea. I am not used to drinking coffee."
He sat down naturally in a lounge chair by the window. On the small table in front of him, Jigglypuff and Minccino each held a slice of cake in their tiny hands.
Taking a sip of tea, Silas gently rested his fingers on Cyclizar's head. "When does Miss Roxie's concert start?"
"In about two hours. Are you sure you do not want to come with us?"
"I will pass." He shook his head. "In a little while, I will have to trouble you to look after the three of them."
He opened another Poké Ball at his waist, and the drowsy Popplio appeared, still rubbing its sleepy eyes.
Diantha cast him a slightly resentful look while absentmindedly flicking the little curl on Jigglypuff's head. "Fine. I will take them to the concert. Do not forget about our meeting later."
"I will not."
Asking Roxie to compose music for Minccino and the others was one of the main purposes of this trip. There was no way he would forget something like that.
Two hours could feel both long and short at the same time. Considering the time it would take to queue for entry, the two of them rested for a while before parting ways. Silas headed straight toward Prism Tower.
The Lumiose Gym was located inside Prism Tower. Because he had made an appointment in advance, Silas soon met the current Gym Leader of Lumiose.
"Roto! Roto! The Pokémon battle is about to begin."
Floating in midair was a drone, serving as the referee for this match.
It was a technological creation invented by the genius inventor Clemont, combining a Drone with a Plasma Pokémon to create a highly advanced device.
Unfortunately, the inventor himself was not present. He had been invited by the League to renovate the Lumiose Power Plant.
"The battle rules are similar to a Gym challenge. This match will be a three versus three battle. Both sides may freely switch Pokémon. When all three Pokémon on one side lose the ability to battle, the match will end."
The Rotom Drone circled the battlefield once more. After receiving confirmation from both trainers, it continued.
"Three, two, one. Battle start. Please send out your first Pokémon."
As soon as the voice fell, Meyer raised his hand and threw out a Poké Ball.
A flash of red light burst forth, and a Pokémon covered in dark orange fur with a lightning shaped tail appeared before them.
It was Raichu, the evolved form of Pikachu.
A pure Electric type Pokémon whose cheek pouches had been further strengthened. Even a Copperajah could be knocked unconscious by a single powerful discharge.
At the same time, due to the excess electricity stored in its body, Raichu tended to have an aggressive temperament. Even its own trainer could be attacked if they were careless.
Most importantly, the Raichu line possessed a signature move.
An exceptionally powerful physical Electric type move with 120 base power and perfect accuracy, Volt Tackle.
It would not be an exaggeration to say that the Raichu family had made themselves the public enemy of all Electric type Pokémon.
Because of this single line, no other Pokémon could learn Volt Tackle. Physical Electric types had been relegated to obscurity, languishing at the bottom of the competitive scene.
Pikachu was simply too much.
On Silas's side, he sent out the ranch general, the eldest Mudsdale. Today, he would stand up for the Electric type Pokémon and give this evolution of the League's favored mascot a proper lesson.
Meyer's eyes flashed with approval when he saw Mudsdale. "A good choice. It seems you came well prepared."
"Dad, you have to win."
A small child peeked out from beyond the battlefield, cheering for Meyer.
Encouraged, he turned back and gave the child a gentle smile. In the next instant, his aura changed sharply. "Raichu, seize the initiative. Surf."
Perhaps because of the existence of Alolan Raichu, the ordinary Raichu had also learned to master Surf.
This move was extremely effective against large, slow Pokémon like Mudsdale, and Mudsdale was weak to Water type attacks.
As a seasoned Gym Leader, Meyer was experienced in fighting against unfavorable type matchups.
Upon receiving the command, Raichu slammed its tail against the ground. In an instant, azure waves surged from the edge of the field, transforming into rolling tides that crashed toward Mudsdale.
The waves struck Mudsdale's body, causing it to frown slightly in discomfort.
"Sandstorm."
Mudsdale responded with a deep neigh, and a raging storm of sand and stone swept across the entire battlefield.
The violent sandstorm not only hindered the advancing waves but also inflicted damage on Raichu, leaving several small cuts across its body from the flying grit.
"Quick Attack to close the distance, then Iron Tail." Meyer frowned. The prolonged sandstorm was disadvantageous for them, so he made a decisive call.
"Rai!"
Raichu shook itself back into focus. Its figure became a streak of white lightning darting through the sandstorm. In the blink of an eye, it approached Mudsdale from a blind spot.
Its lightning shaped tail was coated in gleaming steel energy. With a sharp cry, Raichu swung its tail down heavily against Mudsdale's body.
A heavy impact rang out.
Mudsdale merely let out a low grunt. The blow felt no more than a light scratch.
Instead, Raichu was sent tumbling backward by the recoil, crashing onto the ground with a thud.
Dazed, it shook its head. It felt as if it had just struck a block of solid iron.
The reason Raichu's attack was so ineffective was Mudsdale's Stamina ability.
Mudsdale's already impressive physical defense had increased by one stage after enduring Surf. Raichu failing to deal damage was only natural.
After taking Iron Tail, its defense had risen by another stage. Now at plus two, Raichu held no advantage at all.
Silas's gaze sharpened. His voice was crisp and decisive. "Stealth Rock."
Mudsdale stamped its hooves against the ground. Fine fragments of stone rose up, transforming into invisible rocks that embedded themselves throughout the battlefield. This was a welcome gift prepared for Meyer's next Pokémon.
A sandstorm combined with Stealth Rock.
If Meyer switched, the next Pokémon would take damage upon entering. If he did not switch, Raichu would remain and allow Mudsdale to continue stacking defense boosts.
Sooner or later, Mudsdale would reach maximum defense and unleash a devastating Body Press. Either way, Silas would not lose out.
Even if Raichu stopped attacking, Mudsdale could use Iron Defense to further strengthen itself.
At maximum enhancement, a single charge would turn Mudsdale into an unstoppable freight train.
Clearly, Meyer was not the type to stubbornly endure such a situation. He understood that he could not allow Mudsdale to continue boosting without pressure.
He chose to withdraw Raichu, even knowing that the next Pokémon would be struck by Stealth Rock.
Another Poké Ball was swiftly thrown. At the very moment it opened, the hidden rocks materialized, launching from all directions toward the incoming Pokémon.
Yet the newcomer's reaction was astonishing. As if it had anticipated the attack, it twisted and maneuvered gracefully within the confined space, evading every single Stealth Rock.
Under a plume of lingering smoke, it landed lightly upon the battlefield.
It was a feline Pokémon.
(End of Chapter)