When the blinding light of evolution flared across the battlefield once again, every pair of eyes turned toward Aiden Flint in disbelief.
As a Trainer who had only just begun his journey this year, Aiden wasn't like May, who had a Gym Leader father backing her—and not just any Gym Leader, but one hailed as the strongest under the Elite Four. Yet even that man had been invited here by Professor Birch.
And Aiden, a rookie with no background to speak of, had been invited as well.
That alone proved how extraordinary he truly was.
Looking at the Pokémon he had sent out so far—first Shelgon, now Metagross—this so-called "new Trainer" was terrifyingly strong.
Everyone present, aside from Aiden and May, had been traveling and battling for years.
"So Aiden really is a dangerous rival…"
Professor Birch was grinning from ear to ear.
Aiden was a Trainer he had personally discovered. The stronger Aiden became, the more Birch's own reputation would rise. It was proof of his discerning eye.
Soon, as the evolution light faded, a powerful Metagross stood before everyone.
When Aiden checked its status panel, it did not disappoint him in the slightest.
Back then, he had been incredibly envious of Steven's red-potential shiny Metagross.
But now, after Infernape and shiny Aggron completed their final evolutions, Metagross had also stepped into the red-potential tier.
Steven only had one red-potential Pokémon.
Aiden now had three.
This proved that for high-potential Pokémon, two evolutions plus a Potential Evolution Stone was enough to push them into the red tier.
"Ding! Metagross's current stats:"
Pokémon: Metagross
Level: 47
Ability: Clear Body
Type: Steel / Psychic
Potential: Red
Bond Evolution: Locked
Mega Evolution: Locked
Moves: Zen Headbutt, Confusion, Metal Claw, Flash Cannon, Bullet Punch, Hammer Arm, Explosion…
Friendship: 242
History: Met in Dewford Town; an elite among Metagross, determined to surpass Steven's ace Metagross
Hobby: Fighting, eating minerals
After evolving, Metagross's power surged again, reaching Level 47 and becoming one of Aiden's strongest main forces, second only to Rayquaza among his top Pokémon.
In terms of potential, Metagross was at the very top.
Seeing this, Paul clenched his teeth.
He couldn't understand it.
Aiden Flint… wasn't he just a rookie Trainer who had only just set out?
Had Paul really fallen so far that he couldn't even beat a newcomer anymore?
He recalled his Nidoking and said coldly,
"Useless trash."
The surrounding Trainers all frowned, especially Morrison, whose personality was much like Ash's—he was so angry he nearly rushed forward to punch Paul.
Paul then threw another Poké Ball. In a flash of red light, his true ace and starter Pokémon appeared.
Torterra.
"Ding! Torterra's current stats:"
Pokémon: Torterra
Level: 50
Ability: Overgrow
Type: Grass / Ground
Potential: Gold
Bond Evolution: Locked
Mega Evolution: Locked
Moves: Wood Hammer, Withdraw, Razor Leaf, Giga Drain, Leaf Storm, Earthquake…
Gold potential. Level 50.
Those two alone meant Paul already stood at quasi-Elite level.
Reaching this height at such a young age proved Paul was no joke.
But against Aiden… it still wasn't enough.
"Metagross, keep going—Ice Punch!"
Torterra was Grass- and Ground-type, four-times weak to Ice. The moment Metagross moved, Paul immediately reacted.
"Torterra, Earthquake!"
But Metagross floated above the ground. It wasn't touching the earth at all—using a Ground-type move on it was nothing but wishful thinking.
Dodging the tremor, Metagross's four arms blazed with icy energy.
Four rapid Ice Punches slammed straight into Torterra's head.
The sheer impact smashed Torterra into the ground.
Everyone gasped. Even Professor Oak couldn't help exclaiming,
"A Metagross that can use moves with all four arms at once… that's extremely rare!"
"Ding! Metagross defeated Torterra, gaining 675 EXP. Level increased—current level: Lv48!"
With Paul's ace defeated so easily, the boy who had already been mentally broken by Brandon lost the last of his fighting spirit.
He recalled Torterra without a word and threw out his final Poké Ball.
Hariyama.
Two Psychic attacks from Metagross were all it took.
Just like that, Aiden swept Paul three-to-zero.
Ash watched with excitement burning in his eyes. Seeing Aiden's overwhelming strength only made his own fighting spirit surge even higher.
Most importantly…
Paul had lost.
"Pikachu, Aiden is really amazing! At the Ever Grande Conference, we absolutely—absolutely—absolutely have to beat him!"
"Pika!"
The second match of the second round ended with Aiden's easy victory.
Paul gave Aiden one deep look, then turned away without a word. Whatever this battle had done to his heart, no one could yet say.
The third match soon followed.
With a team almost entirely made of Ground- and Rock-types, Brock was no match for Tyson.
Under Tyson's powerful Sceptile, Brock was completely overwhelmed.
Thus, the final semifinalist was decided—Tyson of Hoenn.
With Gary's bye, Hoenn now held three of the four semifinal spots, all earned through real strength.
Seeing this lineup, the professors smiled.
"It seems Hoenn's strength has truly improved over the years. Among this generation of Trainers, powerful talents are everywhere. These three all have the makings of future Elite Four members."
"Indeed. And Hoenn even has two Champions—Steven and Wallace. Hoenn really is far ahead of the other regions."
Hoenn's people were naturally proud, and Professor Birch's grin never once faded.
After all, every one of these Trainers had received their starter Pokémon from him.
Especially Aiden Flint—in less than half a year, he had already caught up to Trainers who had been traveling for many years.
With the Top Four now determined, the semifinals were about to begin…
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