"So this Gyarados's ability is the extremely rare Moxie. I thought earlier that its Intimidate ability just wasn't developed enough to match Granbull's, which was why it couldn't take effect."
"With Granbull defeated, not only has Trixie lost her main offensive force, but Gyarados's attack power has increased significantly.
Plus, with Pichu's Lightning Rod there, Ampharos is basically useless too. Trixie is definitely going to lose this match."
"That unfamiliar kid is outstanding in both breeding skills and battle command. Trixie's loss isn't unjustified!"
"I wonder if this kid will participate in this year's Silver Conference? If he does, he'll be a formidable opponent."
Many trainers watching in the club had various expressions. Quite a few even showed wariness toward Caster.
Only one thing they were all in agreement on: Trixie's defeat was certain.
However, Trixie herself didn't seem to think so. Though she was a woman, she was as hot-blooded and battle-hungry as any man.
She absolutely wouldn't surrender easily until fighting to the very last moment.
"Ampharos, Flash!"
Taking a deep breath, her face full of determination, Trixie launched another offensive.
Whoosh!
A white light even more blinding than Pichu's earlier one suddenly flared up.
Many people on the scene quickly shut their eyes, but quite a few who were a step too slow cursed aloud.
Caught off guard, Caster also lost his vision.
"Kuru~"
Seeing that Caster, Gyarados, and Pichu all had their eyes tightly shut due to the Flash, Ampharos immediately charged toward Pichu on its legs.
Its tail, crowned with a red orb, began glowing with green light as it lashed out like a whip toward Pichu, the sound of air splitting whistling toward them.
Dragon-type move: Dragon Tail!
Defeat Pichu first, break through Gyarados's quadruple weakness protection, then turn around and one-shot Gyarados with Thunder.
And with Pichu's physical defense practically at zero, one hit would be enough to knock it out.
So there was still a chance to turn defeat into victory!
But Caster wasn't panicked, because he trusted Gyarados could handle it.
Just like how, after using Magnetic Flux, the electromagnetic field covering the entire arena became Ampharos's eyes, for Gyarados under Rain Dance, every raindrop on the field was its second pair of eyes.
Once struck by a raindrop, escape from its perception was impossible.
Ampharos's every move was within Gyarados's awareness.
"ROAAR~"
With a roar, Gyarados's body moved like a serpentine dragon, like a solid fortress directly protecting little Pichu behind it.
Then water surged around its body again as it pounced like a vicious dragon.
CRASH!
Water splashed everywhere. The less agile Ampharos was struck by Gyarados and pushed back dozens of meters along with the waves, plowing a deep furrow in the ground.
"Kuru~"
When the water finally dispersed, Ampharos was left with just a sliver of health, severely injured and unable to rise.
Seeing this, Gyarados sprayed freezing cold breath from its gaping maw.
Before long, Ampharos was covered in ice crystals, its eyes spinning in circles as it lost its ability to battle.
Then Gyarados roared wildly again, its aura climbing steadily.
Clearly, having won again, Gyarados had triggered its Moxie ability once more.
Gyarados's attack power had increased again!
"Ampharos is unable to battle!"
Seeing this, the referee quickly raised the signal flag and announced the match result: "Therefore, the winner is Caster."
Only then did everyone's vision return.
Though they hadn't witnessed the battle with their own eyes, everyone present was an experienced Pokémon trainer with rich combat experience.
Just from the sounds of the battle clash, they could basically piece together the cause and effect.
Clap, clap, clap!
Enthusiastic applause rang out. Everyone clearly felt this Pokémon battle had been spectacular, and it was also a recognition of Caster's strength.
"Well done!"
Wyatt's applause was especially fervent.
Because Caster was someone he'd brought here, now that Caster had performed so brilliantly, his own face also shone.
Quite a few people even gathered around, once again trying to get information about Caster from him.
But Wyatt still maintained that inscrutable appearance, refusing to say anything about Caster.
Because he really didn't know much, and was genuinely afraid of saying too much and making a mistake.
"I lost!"
Only Trixie was somewhat dejected. She'd thought this match was in the bag, never expecting to lose so miserably.
Because Caster's Pokémon had barely been injured, and instead had continuously strengthened their abilities during battle, getting stronger and braver as they fought.
Totally a one-sided beatdown!
"Hello, I'm Jon."
Just then, Jon stepped forward through the crowd to stand before Caster.
Caster's eyes moved, but he quickly greeted him politely: "Hello, I'm Caster from the Kanto region."
"So you're from the Kanto region. No wonder everyone doesn't recognize you and finds you unfamiliar."
Jon looked suddenly enlightened, but then stated his purpose: "Are you interested in having a Pokémon battle with me, too?
Your strength is impressive. Watching that battle just now got my blood pumping."
Caster tactically retreated half a step, crying out in his heart: "What? Me fight the Silver Conference champion?"
Although the current Jon hadn't won the championship yet, and his strength might not have reached Silver Conference champion level yet, he probably wasn't far off!
At the very least, he definitely had the strength of a regional conference top four finalist, far exceeding Trixie, who hadn't even passed the preliminary elimination rounds.
This point could be seen from how even Wyatt felt inferior compared to him.
With Caster's current strength, going up would probably just be feeding him!
It was just that Gyarados and Pichu's coordination earlier had been too excellent, giving Jon the false impression that "Caster is very strong."
Caster quickly waved his hands: "I only have two Pokémon, and they just went through a battle. I'm afraid they can't fight you now."
"Oh? Does that mean this Gyarados is your starter Pokémon?"
Jon raised an eyebrow and asked: "And this Pichu was recently caught by you?"
Caster looked surprised: "Huh? How did you know?"
"Just as I thought!"
Jon nodded, not at all surprised.
When many strong trainers traveled to other regions, they would only bring one starter or main Pokémon, then catch and train new Pokémon in the new region to form a team, while also challenging the regional conference.
This was very common!
And in Jon's view, Caster before him was clearly doing exactly that.
"Then let's battle when there's another opportunity."
Jon waved his hand and left.
He wanted to battle Caster, but he hoped to face Caster's main team, not this kind of half-assembled team.
After Jon left, quite a few other people came up to chat with Caster, and Caster responded politely.
However, considering he had to get up early tomorrow to go to the Whirl Islands, after staying for a short while, Caster excused himself and returned to his room to rest.
...
An uneventful night.
The next morning, after staying overnight at the resort, Caster came to the Cianwood City Pokémon Center and then boarded the flying mount of Kunio, president of the Fishing Association.
It was a massive bird Pokémon with a wingspan of three meters and beautiful plumage.
It was a Normal/Flying dual-type Pokémon: Pidgeot!
Pidgeot's flying speed was extremely fast, truly like lightning.
From Cianwood City to the Whirl Islands would take ordinary people several days or even longer, but Pidgeot arrived in just half a day.
And that was with two people on its back, slowing it down!
"Look, those are the Whirl Islands!"
In the sky, President Kunio pointed to a series of uneven archipelagos on the sea surface and introduced: "The waters around these islands are full of whirlpools. Water-type Pokémon must master Whirlpool to pass through."
Caster craned his neck to look down and indeed saw numerous whirlpools distributed around the islands, clearly visible from the sky.