"Stand up! Stand up!"
The shouts from the audience in the arena were like a tidal wave.
Almost everyone was hoping for Lairon to stand up, including the host in the broadcast room who was silently cheering for it.
And when Lairon stood up, the miraculous blue light shone, and everyone widened their eyes.
"It evolved! At the moment of near collapse! Lairon has evolved! Dear audience, we are fortunate to witness a miracle unfolding!"
The host could no longer contain his excitement and shouted hysterically.
Meanwhile, he did not forget to pay attention to Shanren on the other side.
Claydol seemed still somewhat dizzy and confused, while Shanren's face lingered with various complex emotions, his fists clenched as if pondering something.
Returning to the scene.
Countless people were staring intently at the drastically transformed Lairon, holding their breath.
It propped up its upper body, once four-legged now standing on two, its short tail instantly lengthened, two sharp long horns grew from its head, the metal armor on its snout extended out, and the back of its head layered and overlapping, covering its entire head like a helmet.
The most critical aspect was its body.
The originally heavy metal armor became layered and thicker, making its figure resemble a heavy tank.
Having completed all the transformations, the Light of Evolution dimmed, revealing Aggron's tall and terrifying figure, its bright silver armor shimmering in the sunlight, eyes flickered with a disturbing color, and with each breath white smoke puffed out, exerting tremendous pressure with every movement.
"Roar——!!"
Aggron raised its head and roared, the air vibrating incessantly with its roar.
Then.
It slightly turned its head and exchanged a glance with the Trainer, sharing a mutual joy and eyes full of conviction, then stepped towards Claydol.
Each heavy step it took caused the rugged ground to tremble violently, like a drumbeat pounding in the hearts of people.
When it took the third step, the scorching white light from between Aggron's twin horns engulfed its entire body, inexplicably speeding up its charge, making it resemble a speeding white train!
"Sacrifice Impact! Aggron has used Sacrifice Impact!"
The host shouted excitedly, "If this strike hits, it won't be trivial. Can the Claydol using Trick withstand it—Oh oh! Claydol is also launching an attack! It's Power of the Earth!"
On the field.
Claydol snapped back to its senses and, seeing the rapidly charging Aggron, released the Power of the Earth in front of it based on the Trainer's command.
Boom——!!
The Ground Attribute Energy, like a volcanic eruption, instantly covered Aggron's body like a landmine, yet it couldn't fully stop its momentum, as the white-light-blurred Aggron brutally crashed into Claydol.
Boom!
Under the massive force, the latter was immediately sent flying.
But after completing this attack, Aggron also couldn't help but half-kneel on the ground, supporting its heavy upper body with a claw, gasping heavily.
The stamina and Attribute Energy returned by the evolution were limited, not to mention that even after evolution, Aggron was still four times weaker to Ground Type.
No matter how much it can sit up, after a full burst, it inevitably entered a weakened period.
"Roar..."
Aggron tried to stand up but found its limbs completely immobile, waves of paralysis instantly surged in, its entire body expressing its powerlessness.
"The opponent is out of strength, give it the final blow! Power of the Earth!"
Shanren would never let go of such a good opportunity, and Claydol would never allow itself to be defeated by Aggron.
The previous evasion by the opponent had accumulated considerable anger, and being stunned by Brute Force was even a humiliation it had to rectify!
"Buzz——"
Claydol accumulated a large amount of Attribute Energy, channeling it under Aggron, striving to finish the opponent with this strike.
At this moment.
Aggron launched a counterattack.
It opened its terrifying jaw wide enough to chew through steel, and a shimmering silver Energy Ball grew from small to large, eventually turning into a bright and thick silver beam shooting towards Claydol!
Cannon Light Cannon!
With all its attention on Power of the Earth, Claydol had no time to dodge, engulfed along with the immobile Aggron in the firelight.
"Buzz——"
Bang bang!
The thick dust covered the two Pokémon, including Shanren's astonished expression.
"Both sides have been hit by the moves! What the final result will be, let's wait and see!" The host's voice made every spectator watch the scene below with bated breath.
A moment later.
The dust dissipated.
Both Pokémon laid on the ground, situation unclear.
But after a few seconds, Claydol shakily floated up; though it looked like a candle in the wind, about to fall at any moment, it still stood firm compared to the completely unconscious Aggron.
The Trainers on both sides displayed expressions of helplessness or complexity.
Beep——
The alarm for the end of the match sounded.
Baimu staggered over to Aggron's side, stroked its face, and gently said, "Well done, you will always be my pride."
He gave Aggron a strong hug before returning it to the Pokeball.
To be honest.
When Aggron evolved, he really thought he was going to win.
Unfortunately, the gap in hard strength was still a bit too large, resulting in Aggron losing by a small margin, which was unavoidable.
Unable to have Aggron and its companions fight their opponents on equal footing, having to go through great trials and tribulations to fight such uphill battles, was a sign of his immaturity as a Trainer.
Sooner or later, he must break free from this predicament of having to surpass stronger opponents.
What a pity.
The match at Pyrite Arena ended here.
Baimu dusted himself off, catching sight of Shanren from the corner of his eye, the latter not leaving but instead approaching him.
"You are strong. Actually, I lost."
Before he could say anything, Shanren said something surprising and extended his hand.
He hesitated briefly, reaching out to grasp Shanren's hand and was pulled to his feet.
"I'm referring to your level as a Trainer; your strategic planning and Pokémon's execution capabilities left me in awe. Without a deep bond, those things can't be done. You, as a Trainer like this, could be considered exceptionally talented outside."
This person said a lot of praise.
Leaving Baimu feeling quite embarrassed.
"...You're flattering me. Not to mention that the Meowstic wasn't even your main Pokémon, and in the final showdown, Aggron and I truly lost—even if you don't count those.
"When my Aggron evolved, your Claydol was already able to move, right? You gave Aggron and me a chance on purpose, how can that be considered my victory?"
He spoke as politely as possible.
After all, the person in front of him was an honored guest of the town mayor, someone he couldn't afford to offend.
"Remaining silent when the opponent's Pokémon evolves is a courtesy."
Shanren gave him a deep look, "Just call me by my name—Shanren, I don't really like these formal titles. In return, I will also call you by your name, how does that sound?"
"...Alright."
Baimu didn't quite understand why Shanren was being so friendly.
Acquainted?
He searched his memory but couldn't find any familiar face from Cyan Iridium Street.
"See you next time then."
Shanren bid farewell proactively, "You and your Pokémon are just a lot of training away from being strong. You already have the more important qualities of willpower and bonds. I don't need to say more. This defeat won't affect your state. I look forward to our next battle."
"See you next time."
Baimu nodded in acknowledgment.