At this very moment, the atmosphere on Ariel's side was equally oppressive.
"Ariel..."
"What kind of existences do you think Team Aqua and Team Magma are?"
Juan's question drifted over slowly.
Ariel knew in his heart that this was a test, and even more so, a life-or-death crossroads.
Answer well, and the world would open up to him;
Answer poorly, and the seemingly elegant man before him would tear him apart without hesitation.
The air seemed to freeze, leaving only the monotonous sound of the waves.
Ariel's brain was working at high speed.
Say they are evil organizations?
Too shallow, too common. Any League Trainer would say that; it wouldn't impress someone like Juan.
Say they are powerful and need to be guarded against?
That was the truth, but it would make him look cowardly, inconsistent with his image of having just escaped death.
What to do?
A thought exploded in his mind like a flash of lightning.
If he was going to speak, he had to say something Juan had definitely never heard before. He had to say something that would completely subvert his perception!
Ariel looked up to meet Juan's scrutinizing gaze. There wasn't a hint of nervousness on his face; instead, it held a calm that bordered on arrogance.
He spoke, his voice not loud, yet it clearly cut through the howling sea breeze.
"I think Team Aqua and Team Magma are, in essence, just a bunch of cowards who have been scared out of their wits."
As the words fell, the surrounding air went dead silent for a moment.
The expression on Juan's face froze for a second. He had imagined countless answers—righteous, cowering, or vague.
But he never expected such an evaluation.
Cowards?
This was simply... arrogant beyond measure!
One had to know that those were the two major organizations that had occupied Hoenn for years. Their strength was enough to trouble even the League, making countless Trainers pale at the mention of their names.
Yet this young man, who had just escaped Team Aqua and been hunted by two Executives, actually called them cowards?
Juan's interest was completely piqued.
He leaned forward slightly, a playful light flickering in his bright eyes, as if he had discovered an extremely interesting treasure.
"Oh? Are you not afraid?"
"I'm not."
Ariel's answer was crisp and direct, without the slightest hesitation.
This wasn't a facade; it was the truth.
As a member of Team Rockets, he fought against the entire League and had even infiltrated various regions; his vision and perspective were already on a different level.
Organizations like Team Aqua and Team Magma, which sought to revive Ancient Mythical Pokemon for so-called ideals, seemed small-minded and their methods too crude in his eyes.
Fear? Why would he be afraid?
Juan followed up with great interest:
"Then why do you think Team Aqua and Team Magma are, in essence, a bunch of cowards who have been scared out of their wits?"
Ariel knew the main event had arrived.
He didn't answer immediately but organized his thoughts to make this shocking statement sound more flawless.
"Because their dogmas determine their essence."
Ariel's tone was neither humble nor arrogant, as if he were stating an objective fact.
"Why?"
Juan pressed.
"Because when people face an existence they cannot defeat, they usually have two choices."
Ariel held up one finger.
"The first is resistance. Knowing the hope is slim and it's a near-certain death, they still choose to draw their swords. Such people, even if they end up shattered to pieces, can be called brave."
He held up a second finger.
"The second is submission. Because inner fear has crushed their spine, they dare not resist. They are even scared out of their wits and turn around to worship and offer sacrifices to the existence that terrifies them, becoming the most fanatical believers."
At this point, a very faint, almost negligible curve appeared at the corner of Ariel's mouth, carrying undisguised contempt.
"For that ethereal faith, they can even extend their claws toward their own kin and swing their blades at innocent people. In my view, the root of such behavior is cowardice. And when cowards gather in increasing numbers, they form an organization."
"In my eyes, Team Aqua and Team Magma are the latter!"
Ariel's voice suddenly rose, carrying an ear-splitting power.
"In ancient times, the world-destroying battle between Groudon and Kyogre carved an indelible fear into the hearts of their ancestors. This fear has been passed down through generations like a nightmare, growing deeper until it finally crushed their psychological defenses."
"They were afraid of being wiped out by that power, so to survive, they chose the most pathetic way—worship. They established organizations, prayed for the protection of the Mythical Pokemon, and vainly attempted to control the power that terrified them by reviving them."
"Over time, this faith born of fear became more fanatical and paranoid. Ultimately, they turned into terrorists who would give up everything, even their own lives, for it."
Ariel's speech grew faster and his emotions more impassioned. His words seemed to possess a magic that kept Juan's eyes wide and unblinking.
"But in the final analysis, the core essence of these two organizations is cowardice!"
"Therefore, as a League Trainer with justice as my conviction, I will not feel afraid of them!"
"I will only—"
Ariel paused, each word forceful and resonating,
"Despise them!"
As the words settled, the whole world went quiet.
Even the sea breeze seemed to have stalled.
Juan stared blankly at Ariel. In those bright eyes, there was first shock, then reflection, and finally, it transformed into an inexpressible appreciation.
He slowly stood up.
Clap.
Clap.
Clap.
The crisp sound of applause rang out in the silent night, once, then again, slow and powerful.
"Elegant! Truly elegant!"
Juan's voice was full of admiration. He looked at Ariel as if appreciating a perfect work of art.
"To analyze their essence from the root of fear and define their fanaticism with cowardice... Ariel, your insight is the most profound I have ever encountered in my life!"
He took two steps forward and solemnly bowed slightly to Ariel.
"I didn't expect that you are not only powerful but also a Trainer with such deep insight and a firm sense of justice!"
"Ariel, please accept my apologies for my previous rude testing!"
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