This is bonus chapter for 50 power stones. Next chapter will at 100 power stones and for every 100 power stones 2 bonus chapters will be posted.
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Seeing Steven's serious expression, Wallace nodded with a hint of guilt.
"If that's the case, then I have been offensive."
"Steven, please convey my apologies for me."
--- On the battle stage.
"Golem, use Rock Tomb!" Roxanne was the first to give an order.
Golem slammed its arms onto the ground, causing several massive rocks to rise from the earth, surrounding Malamar from all directions in an attempt to seal off its movement.
"Fly up and use Psybeam." Ariel's voice was calm and steady.
A faint blue glow enveloped Malamar as it floated lightly upward, easily evading the rock enclosure.
Immediately after, its eyes glowed with intense yellow light, and an invisible force transformed into a shockwave, slamming hard into Golem.
Boom!
The Psybeam hit Golem squarely, but the effect was not ideal.
Golem's massive body only swayed slightly; not even a single crack appeared on its rocky skin.
"What a tough defense," Ariel thought to himself.
"Now, Rollout!" Roxanne seized the gap in Malamar's attack.
Golem retracted its limbs into its body, turning into a giant stone ball that began rolling across the field at high speed, getting faster and more imposing by the second!
The move Rollout doubles in power with each successful hit; if it landed consecutive blows, the consequences would be disastrous.
Facing this unstoppable "rock chariot," Ariel actually smiled.
"Malamar, use Wrap."
Malamar's tentacles danced nimbly, its eight limbs flexibly entangling Golem's assault. Then, combined with its Psychic power, it actually lifted Golem right up!
"Well done."
Ariel praised,
"Now, use Dark Pulse!"
A hint of cunning flashed in Malamar's eyes as black energy surged around its body.
The black energy instantly wrapped around the slowing Golem and then exploded violently!
Boom!
Golem let out a pained groan as its rolling state was forcibly interrupted, its massive frame tumbling several times across the ground before coming to a stop.
"Beautiful!"
Wallace couldn't help but exclaim in admiration from the sidelines,
"The coordination between tentacles and Psychic power... this fighting style is full of intellectual beauty!"
Steven also nodded, his gaze becoming increasingly serious.
Roxanne took a deep breath; she knew that conventional tactics were useless against this cunning Malamar.
"Golem, use Rock Blast!"
Rock Blast—firing hard rocks to attack!
Rocks condensed around Golem one after another, launching toward Malamar.
"Malamar, use Psychic to stop them!"
As Malamar unleashed its Psychic power, the rocks fired by Golem were held frozen in place by a peculiar energy!
Then, the direction of the rock attack reversed!
They shot violently back toward Golem's position!
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Just like that, Golem's own attack ended up hitting itself.
The entire venue fell silent.
"I forfeit."
Roxanne silently recalled Golem, walked up to Ariel, and said sincerely:
"I lost, and I'm completely convinced of your victory. Your command and Malamar's fighting style have truly opened my eyes."
In fact, with Roxanne's strength, she wouldn't have lost so thoroughly. Ariel could tell that this Golem wasn't her main Pokémon at all—it wasn't even part of her second team.
Had Roxanne known there would be a battle today, she likely would have brought more powerful Pokémon.
Roxanne didn't have any complaints about this, though.
To her, a loss was a loss; it was no big deal.
Ariel smiled:
"It's because your Golem was raised so well that it put a lot of pressure on me."
As the two walked off the field, Wallace approached while clapping. He looked at Ariel, his deep blue eyes full of appreciation:
"A truly magnificent victory. Using wisdom and skill to neutralize pure power—this is exactly the battle aesthetic I pursue."
Nearby, Steven also came over and patted Ariel on the shoulder, his eyes showing unhidden praise.
Immediately after, he turned to Wallace, an equally fiery fighting spirit igniting in his eyes.
"The battle between Ariel and Roxanne was wonderful."
Steven's voice was steady and powerful as he stepped onto the battle stage, looking directly at Wallace.
"Well then, Wallace, next, it's our turn."
At opposite ends of the field, two figures faced each other from a distance. Their mere presence was enough to make the atmosphere of the entire arena freeze.
Steven wore a well-tailored black suit, his expression as calm as ever, as if what was about to begin wasn't an intense battle, but a rigorous ore appraisal meeting.
On the other end, Wallace was completely different. He wore a magnificent white performance outfit with a faint smile on his lips, every movement filled with the elegance and confidence of an artist.
Steven made no extra movements; with a flick of his wrist, he cleanly threw a Poké Ball.
A red light flashed, and a Pokémon covered in steel armor appeared on the field. It had a stout build but exceptionally sharp eyes.
"Lairon!"
It let out a low roar, its hard claws stepping onto the specially made field with a dull metallic thud.
"So it's a Lairon," Roxanne said softly from the audience seats.
However, Ariel, standing beside her, paused slightly.
His gaze was locked firmly onto that Lairon.
This Lairon was sturdier than usual, and the luster of its armor was deeper, clearly indicating it had been raised extremely well.
But what caught Ariel's attention was a familiar aura.
"What's wrong?"
Roxanne keenly noticed his abnormality and turned her head to ask.
"Nothing."
Ariel withdrew his gaze, his voice very soft,
"Just a little surprised."
He was surprised, of course.
Wasn't this Lairon the same Aron he had seen Steven catch with his own eyes in the Granite Cave a while ago?
Back then, it was just a little fellow. How long had it been?
It had already evolved into a Lairon, and looking at its presence, its strength was definitely not to be underestimated.
The training resources and methods of a great family were indeed incomparable to those of an ordinary Trainer.
Ariel thought to himself, while also gaining a more direct understanding of Steven's strength.
On the field, Wallace looked at Steven's Lairon, the elegant smile on his face widening slightly.
"Oh? A Lairon. Steven, you still love Steel and Rock-type Pokémon as much as ever."
He chuckled, throwing the Poké Ball into the air with a magnificent flourish.
"Then, let my partner perform a Waltz of Water for you! Go, Tentacruel!"
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