"Wallace said yesterday that he was heading to Mauville City to meet Aiden Flint… so by now, he must have already run into him, right?"
"Since I got completely destroyed, then as my good brother and best friend, Wallace—you naturally have to experience what it feels like to be utterly crushed by a Legendary Pokémon too!"
Thinking this, Steven couldn't help but grin in satisfaction.
He swung his pickaxe even harder as he mined.
If Steven ever ended up in the hands of a ruthless corporation, he'd definitely be a top-tier miner.
…
Meanwhile, far away, Aiden Flint and Wallace had arrived at a wide open field outside Mauville City, ready to begin their sparring match.
"As the Champion, I think I'm qualified to give you a bit of advice," Wallace said calmly.
"As a Trainer, you must always remain composed in battle."
"Even when facing an opponent you cannot defeat, you must still have the courage to fight."
"Of course, Steven probably already told you all of this, so I won't repeat myself."
Hearing Wallace say that, Aiden's lips twitched slightly as he struggled not to laugh.
Wallace meant well—but once Rayquaza came out, Aiden wondered how calm the Champion would still be.
"Champion Wallace," Aiden said with a faint smile,
"I hope you truly live up to those words—stay calm, and have the courage to fight."
Wallace threw his Poké Ball.
A graceful, snow-white, serpentine Pokémon appeared in a flash of light.
Milotic.
This was clearly Wallace's ace Pokémon.
"Ding! Milotic's current attributes are as follows:"
Pokémon: Milotic
Level: 83
Ability: Cute Charm
Type: Water
Potential: Gold
Bond Evolution: Locked
Mega Evolution: Locked
Moves: Water Pulse, Disarming Voice, Recover, Hydro Pump, Dragon Pulse, Hyper Beam…
Level 83.
That was already Master-tier strength—only two levels lower than Steven's Metagross.
But its potential was only Gold.
Because Milotic's Mega Evolution had not yet been discovered, in a prolonged fight between Wallace and Steven, Steven would definitely have the advantage.
Their potential gap alone was massive.
With that in mind, Aiden calmly took out his own Milotic's Luxury Ball.
Since both sides were using Milotic, then it was only fair to let Milotic see what a truly powerful counterpart looked like.
It would also give his own Milotic a clear goal—a peak to chase.
After all, Cynthia also had a Milotic.
Among top-tier Trainers, Milotic was surprisingly common.
"Oh? You have a Milotic as well?" Wallace said with a pleased smile.
"Excellent taste. On that alone, I acknowledge you, Aiden. You truly have refined taste."
Then he added,
"You go first. Let me see the bond between you and your Milotic."
Since Wallace was offering the initiative, Aiden naturally accepted.
"Milotic, our opponent is very strong—just as strong as Steven. You're only here because it's another Milotic."
"Now—full power Water Pulse!"
At Aiden's command, Milotic felt a brief shock at the strength of the opposing Milotic.
But after spending every day facing Rayquaza's overwhelming dragon pressure inside the System Space, it felt no fear at all.
In the next instant, a powerful column of water shot forward like a high-pressure cannon, surging straight toward Wallace's Milotic.
"Good power," Wallace said calmly.
"And the courage to strike at someone far stronger than yourself—that alone makes you a fine Trainer."
"As expected of someone Steven praised."
Yet Wallace's Milotic didn't even dodge.
It simply took the attack head-on.
"Milotic, my dear—show them our true strength. Use Hydro Pump."
With Wallace's soft command, his Milotic let out a graceful cry.
A terrifying surge of Water-type energy erupted.
The resulting blast completely overwhelmed Aiden's Milotic, knocking it out instantly.
Aiden quietly returned it.
"Good work, Milotic. Rest now."
The reason he had sent Milotic out before Rayquaza appeared was simple—
Aiden understood how the world worked.
Wallace had traveled all this way to deliver League rewards and a pseudo-legendary.
If Aiden immediately sent out Rayquaza and humiliated him, what would happen to Wallace's dignity as Champion?
How would Aiden ever continue operating within the Hoenn League?
It was the same with Steven.
Steven only gave Aiden Beldum because Aiden had let him win three rounds before Rayquaza crushed him in three.
If Aiden had started with Rayquaza from the very beginning, Steven would have left in frustration—and no reward would have been given.
So Wallace deserved the same courtesy.
Let him have his moment.
Then, after that—
Rayquaza would descend.
And Wallace's expression would be priceless.
"Still want to continue?" Wallace asked casually.
"We can stop here if you'd like."
Aiden smiled.
"No problem. This is a rare chance for me to learn from a Champion."
"But for the next Pokémon… I hope you go all out."
As those words left Aiden's mouth, Wallace suddenly felt something was off.
Why did it feel like their positions had quietly reversed?
He was the Champion.
Aiden was a Trainer who had only been active for less than three months.
"There's no way… he's actually on Steven's level, right?"
Shaking away those thoughts, Wallace saw Aiden reach up and remove a Master Ball from around his neck.
Wallace: "???"
"Isn't that… the Master Ball I just gave him?"
Before he could fully process it, Aiden hurled the Master Ball forward.
In the next instant—
A colossal green dragon burst into existence.
When Rayquaza appeared, it let out a thunderous roar that shook the heavens.
Even the citizens of Mauville City heard that deafening dragon cry.
And Wallace's expression instantly collapsed.
Even as the greatest Coordinator in Hoenn, he couldn't stop his face from twitching.
"Are you serious… you call this a rookie Trainer?"
"A newbie who's been active for three months… has Rayquaza?!"
"Damn it, Steven—you bastard never told me this kid had a Legendary like that!"
Wallace stared at the Sky Dragon in front of him.
"…You want me… to fight Rayquaza?"
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