Drake's Salamence—also known as Salamence—roared as it hovered in the air.
With a level of 73, its power was already at Champion-tier.
This made it obvious that although Drake was "only" one of Hoenn's Elite Four, his true strength was far beyond the title.
Wallace and Steven were Hoenn's Champions, yet their ace Pokémon had already reached Master-tier.
Likewise, although Drake was an Elite Four, his Salamence was also firmly in the Champion-tier.
"Then let's do this—Mega Sceptile!"
Aiden Flint chose to let his Mega Sceptile take the lead.
After having already faced Master-tier Metagross and Milotic, this Salamence did not frighten it in the slightest.
"So this is Mega Sceptile… interesting. No wonder Wallace keeps calling me about you every day," Drake laughed.
As the Dragon Elite had truly come just to challenge Aiden, all the professors and trainers gathered around, their interest fully ignited.
"Aiden is amazing… even an Elite Four member came to challenge him. I really want to fight him at the Ever Grande Conference!" Ash said excitedly.
"No wonder Dad lost to him…" May muttered.
"This kid… what kind of magnetism does he have, that Champions and Elite Four members come looking for him?" Brock whispered.
Brock once again took the role of referee.
"You can use as many Pokémon as you like," Drake said confidently. "I'll only use Salamence."
Aiden smiled.
"Alright. Just don't take it back later."
"Mega Sceptile—Sunny Day, then Dragon Pulse!"
After Mega Evolving, Sceptile gained the Dragon typing and the Lightning Rod ability, giving it even more confidence in a dragon-type clash.
"Good call. But a real man doesn't go back on his words," Drake said with a grin.
"Salamence—Dragon Pulse!"
Two terrifying dragon-type beams collided in midair, grinding against each other in a violent stalemate.
Although Mega Sceptile was weaker than Salamence, it was still Elite Four-tier.
Even with an eleven-level gap, it would not be instantly overwhelmed.
Drake's eyes shone with admiration.
"Not bad at all. To raise a Pokémon this strong in less than half a year… you've trained it well."
"But it's still not enough. Salamence—full power!"
Salamence roared, pushing its Dragon Pulse forward and overwhelming Mega Sceptile's attack.
"Mega Sceptile—Quick Attack, evade!"
Sceptile flashed aside just in time.
"Salamence—Steel Wing!"
"Mega Sceptile—Protect!"
Thanks to Protect, Sceptile barely survived another exchange.
Drake laughed loudly.
"Impressive, kid. Not many young trainers can stand up to my Salamence. No wonder Steven and Wallace praise you so much."
"Aiden Flint, you've earned my respect. Salamence—Dragon Breath!"
"Mega Sceptile—Solar Beam!"
Mega Sceptile's tail glowed with blazing light as it unleashed Solar Beam at full power.
The two attacks clashed.
After several seconds, Salamence's Dragon Breath broke through, striking Mega Sceptile head-on.
Mega Sceptile was pushed to the brink.
Its Overgrow ability activated.
"Overgrow, huh? That just makes you more impressive," Drake said.
"Salamence—Hyper Beam!"
"Mega Sceptile—Solar Beam! Full power!"
Under Sunny Day and Overgrow, Mega Sceptile unleashed everything it had.
The two beams collided in a catastrophic explosion.
When the smoke cleared, Mega Sceptile had reverted to normal and collapsed.
Salamence was heavily injured—but still standing.
Drake let out a sigh.
"Looks like I win. You're still a bit short of the Elite Four."
The professors were about to console Aiden—
But Aiden calmly recalled Sceptile, then reached for a Master Ball.
A red light flashed.
A colossal emerald dragon descended from the sky.
Rayquaza.
"R-Rayquaza?!"
"A Legendary?!"
"The strongest of Hoenn's three titans?!"
Drake's face went dark.
"Damn it, Wallace… you sent me here to fight a Rayquaza?!"
Aiden smiled lightly.
"Elite Drake, it seems your Salamence doesn't want to fight my Rayquaza anymore."
…
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