Under the surprised gazes of the crowd, Angel took out two items. He tossed one to Beedrill—a gemstone etched with black and yellow spiral patterns. The other was a brooch pinned to his chest, inlaid with a stone that radiated a rainbow of light.
Those are a Mega Stone and a Key Stone! Ange recognized the two items at a glance.
"We also have a special phenomenon in our Kalos region," Edward said with a chuckle. "I would like the two professors to witness it today as well."
"Beedrill, let the power of our bond prevail! Mega Evolve!"
As Angel's voice fell, the Key Stone in his hand and the Mega Stone held by Beedrill erupted with an intense light simultaneously.
Enveloped in the glow, Beedrill's form underwent a massive transformation. Its body grew larger, the stingers on its arms and tail became sharper and more elongated, and even its legs transformed into pointed stingers.
Seeing this, not only did the Naranja Academy students cry out in shock, but even the people of Azoth looked on with amazement.
"Bellibolt, use Rain Dance!" Nate shouted.
"Beedrill, use Fury Cutter!" Angel countered.
Now that their trump cards were revealed, both Trainers issued commands to their Pokémon at the same time.
Bellibolt launched a blue orb of light into the sky. Dark clouds instantly gathered overhead, and a steady rain began to fall. Simultaneously, Beedrill blurred and appeared near Bellibolt, swinging its twin needles with even greater speed.
After Mega Evolving, Beedrill's Ability became Adaptability, which doubled the power of its Same Type moves. Coupled with the fact that it had been using Fury Cutter consecutively and hitting every time, the power of this strike was doubled again.
Because of this, Bellibolt absolutely could not withstand such a blow!
Fortunately, Nate was no fool and had prepared in advance. Bellibolt was sent flying, and although it was heavily scarred, it did not lose its ability to battle. It had used Endure at the critical moment.
"Bellibolt, use Thunder!" Nate yelled.
"Beedrill, use Pin Missile!" Angel shouted.
The voices of the two Trainers rang out together.
Rumble!
As the light rain fell upon the field, a golden pillar of lightning descended from the heavens following a roar of thunder, piercing straight through Beedrill. Since Thunder never misses in the rain, Beedrill could not dodge no matter how fast it was.
At the moment Beedrill was hit, a barrage of green needles shot out, submerging Bellibolt.
When the mist cleared, both Beedrill and Bellibolt lay unconscious in the center of the field.
"Beedrill and Bellibolt are both unable to battle," the referee announced. "This match is a draw!"
Nate and Angel both snorted coldly as they recalled their respective Pokémon.
After their match concluded, several more bouts took place between Naranja Academy and Azoth. Ange even saw a familiar face among the participants.
It was a girl. Ange remembered that when he was still running his stall at Eliphas Park, she would come every morning to buy his buns and mantou. After he moved to Munchlax Home, he hadn't seen her again.
It wasn't that she had stopped coming; rather, Ange was always stuck in the kitchen and had no time to see the customers outside, so he hadn't noticed if she still visited.
Through Lila's introduction, Ange learned her name was Fiona. She was the daughter of the Minister of Agriculture and an elite student at the Royal Trainer Academy.
Fiona's strength was indeed impressive. Using a Vaporeon, she defeated her opponent in just a few moves. Her victory was clean and decisive; even though her opponent used Terastal, it couldn't change the outcome.
What Ange didn't know was that because he looked at Fiona a few extra times, he had sparked Angel's dissatisfaction.
While Ange was focused on the matches, a middle-aged bald man walked over with a smile.
"Prince Ange, we meet again."
"You are..." Ange thought for a second. "You're that..." The minister who said he wanted to betroth his daughter to him.
Lila whispered a reminder in Ange's ear. "He is the Minister of Agriculture, Fiona's father."
Ange was slightly stunned. What a coincidence.
"Does Your Highness remember me?" the Minister of Agriculture asked, his smile widening. He looked at Fiona on the field and said, "Your Highness, my daughter is quite strong, isn't she?"
Ange nodded. "She is indeed."
"And is she beautiful?" the Minister asked.
"Very beautiful," Ange answered honestly.
"Then my previous proposal..." The Minister of Agriculture smiled while incessantly rubbing his hands together.
"I refuse," Ange said without hesitation.
"Eh? Why like this?" the Minister said, looking dejected.
Seeing this, Lila covered her mouth and giggled. Professors Sada and Turo, along with Nasir, were confused, so Lila whispered a few words to them. Soon, everyone was trying to stifle their laughter. Ange shot a glare at Lila, which only made her laugh harder.
Not far away, Angel saw Ange and the Minister of Agriculture chatting and laughing, and his expression darkened further. He recalled a rumor his father had told him: the Minister of Agriculture intended to betroth his daughter to Prince Ange!
Soon, the battle performance ended. Edward stepped forward and spoke loudly. "Although the exhibition is over, if any young Trainers wish to continue exchanging experiences and sparring, please feel free."
After saying this, Edward intended to leave with the professors. The professors had also invited Ange and Diancie; they were eager to learn more about Diancie, a Pokémon that existed only in legends.
The young Trainers gathered in small groups, either sharing experiences or continuing to battle. The atmosphere was very lively. However, at that moment, Angel blocked Ange's path.
"Your Highness, may I ask for your guidance?"
At first, Ange didn't understand. Guidance in what? Guidance in how to cook?
Seeing that Ange didn't respond, Angel spoke again. "Your Highness, may I invite you to a battle?"
This time, Ange finally understood.
The Minister of Finance, seeing his son being so rude to the Prince, rushed over to apologize. "Forgive us, Your Highness! Angel is being immature. I apologize on his behalf!"
He reached out to pull his son away, but Angel was stubborn and wouldn't budge.
"Your Highness, are you perhaps afraid?" Angel said, staring intently at Ange.
"But I am not a Trainer!" Ange replied helplessly.
He noticed Angel's gaze frequently darting toward Fiona. He immediately realized this was a case of a young man's crush. Connecting it to the Minister of Agriculture's words, he understood why Angel was acting this way.
It's a misunderstanding!
As an "old antique" who had lived for five hundred years, Ange felt he shouldn't be bothered by a youngster experiencing his first stirrings of love, so he wasn't angry.
"Is Your Highness a coward?" Angel used a provocation. His father's face turned green beside him. With foreign guests present, what nonsense was this boy spouting?!
Munchlax, who was pulling Arven through the crowd, happened to hear Angel's words.
Just as Ange was about to refuse, Diancie suddenly tugged at his sleeve. A pop-up window appeared before Ange.
[Temporary Mission] Munchlax is furious after hearing its master being belittled and has sworn to show the opponent what's what. Please help Munchlax fulfill its wish. Accept mission?
Yes
No
Ange looked around and saw the furious Munchlax not far away, its cheeks puffed out with rage.
This fellow! A smile appeared on Ange's face.
Ange casually accepted the mission and gestured to Munchlax. It immediately ran to his side with small, quick steps, not forgetting to glare at Angel.
"Fine, let's have a match then. However, I have never battled before. If I lose, please don't laugh at me." Ange pinched Munchlax's fleshy ear. "Munchlax, could you please help me out?"
"Munch~"
Full of fighting spirit, Munchlax patted its chest and stared unblinkingly at Angel, its eyes full of defiance.
You're the brat who said my master is a coward? Just wait!
Surrounded by the crowd, Ange and Angel stood at opposite ends of the battlefield, while Munchlax walked into the center, rubbing its paws together.
Angel pulled out a Poké Ball. With a flash of light, a Heracross appeared on the field. Ange was a bit surprised. Is Angel a Trainer who specializes in Bug-type Pokémon?
While thinking, he used his Eye of Observation on the opposing Heracross.
Heracross
Type: Bug, Fighting
Ability: Swarm
Gender: Male
Level: 40
Moves: Tackle, Leer, Arm Thrust, Fury Attack, Endure, Aerial Ace, Brick Break, Night Slash, Iron Defense, Rock Blast, Double-Edge
Individual Values
HP: 20
Attack: 21
Defense: 18
Special Attack: 11
Special Defense: 27
Speed: 13
A fairly strong Heracross.
Then he looked at his own Munchlax. Although its level was slightly lower and it hadn't evolved, its stats were much more luxurious.
Munchlax
Type: Normal
Ability: Thick Fat
Gender: Male
Level: 38
Moves: Tackle, Lick, Curl Up, Recycle, Covet, Bite, Stockpile, Swallow, Body Slam, Fling, Amnesia, Take Down, Baby-Doll Eyes, Seed Bomb, Brick Break, Counter
Individual Values
HP: 29
Attack: 25
Defense: 20
Special Attack: 31
Special Defense: 10
Speed: 31
Although we don't have much battle experience, we shouldn't lose, right? Ange thought silently.
The referee announced, "Begin the match!"
Angel took the lead and commanded Heracross to attack.
"Heracross, Brick Break!"
Heracross spread its wings and lunged at Munchlax, one of its arms glowing with white light.
Ange was naturally not going to be outdone and commanded Munchlax in kind. "Munchlax, Seed Bomb!"
Hearing this command, Angel couldn't help but scoff internally. Attacking a Bug-type with a Grass-type move? This Prince really doesn't know anything. I am definitely superior!
Thinking this, he stole a glance at Fiona.
Munchlax opened its mouth and spat out emerald-green seeds like a machine gun, pelting Heracross. Although the damage was indeed negligible, it successfully interfered with the lunging Heracross.
Heracross covered its face to block the Seed Bomb, wobbling in mid-air. Ange seized the chance and spoke to Munchlax.
"Munchlax, Body Slam!"
Munchlax stomped its feet and its entire body leaped into the air. It spread its arms and legs wide, forming a star shape as it pressed down on Heracross from above.
"Heracross, dodge it!" Angel yelled a warning.
However, it was too late. With a loud thud, Heracross was pinned beneath Munchlax. Its cries of pain were non-stop—truly a tragic sight for anyone watching.
"Munch~"
Munchlax scrambled up nimbly, not forgetting to make a face at the prone Heracross. At that moment, golden sparks of electricity began to flicker on Heracross's body.
Angel's face turned grim. Munchlax's Body Slam had luckily triggered its secondary effect, leaving Heracross paralyzed.
Ange certainly wouldn't let this chance go. He shouted to Munchlax, "Munchlax, Covet!"
Hearing this, Munchlax put on a cute expression and raised its shimmering fists, pounding them into Heracross.
Once, twice, three times.
Heracross was hammered until it was dizzy. When it finally stood back up, it recovered from the paralysis, only to see Munchlax grinning at it. For some reason, Heracross gave a violent shiver.
Just as Angel was about to command a counterattack, Munchlax stuck out its pink little tongue and gave Heracross a vigorous licking. Heracross immediately began to shake from the sensation.
Munchlax was using the Ghost-type move Lick. While it deals damage, it also has a chance to paralyze the target. Unfortunately for Heracross, it was paralyzed again.
While Heracross was unable to move, Munchlax licked it wildly five or six times until Heracross collapsed, twitching, unable to get up.
Angel's face was incredibly unsightly. The battle had ended before he even had a chance to show his true strength.
"Heracross is unable to battle! Munchlax wins, so the victor is Prince Ange!" the referee announced.
The surrounding crowd erupted into cheers. No one expected Prince Ange to be so powerful that he could even defeat Angel!
Angel silently recalled Heracross. He looked at Ange, then at Fiona in the crowd, his face turning bright red from embarrassment and awkwardness. The feeling of making a fool of himself in front of his crush was truly humiliating!
After defeating its opponent, Munchlax ran over to Ange and happily leaped into his arms to act spoiled.
"Munch munch~" Master, I won! I taught that guy a lesson for you.
Munchlax buried its head in Ange's chest, acting cute.
"Munchlax is amazing. To win your first battle... I am proud of you!" Ange praised Munchlax repeatedly.
Munchlax grew shy from the praise, covering its face with its paws and peeking at Ange through its fingers.
Afterward, Ange took Munchlax to the center of the field to shake hands with Angel. When their hands met, Ange whispered to him, "If you like someone, go for it boldly. Secretly crushing on them won't lead anywhere. Also, don't misunderstand—I have no feelings for Fiona in that way."
Having his secret exposed, Angel's face turned deep red like a boiled crawfish. After a long moment, he whispered back, "Thank you... Your Highness."
The two looked at each other and smiled, their enmity forgotten.