When Aiden Flint heard Steven's suggestion, he froze for a moment.
"Wait… you want to battle me?"
Steven Stone was a former Hoenn Champion—one of the strongest Trainers the region had ever produced. Later, he would even stand on the world stage, representing Hoenn among the Masters Eight and ranking near the very top.
And now, this man wanted to spar with a Trainer who had only been on his journey for a month?
Was this some kind of joke?
Aiden wasn't lacking confidence—he had Rayquaza as his ultimate trump card—but using a Legendary Pokémon in a casual spar felt a bit… excessive.
Then again, when he thought back to his battle with Norman, the Petalburg Gym Leader, Aiden couldn't help but smile wryly. Even Norman, a veteran Trainer revered as the strongest Gym Leader below the Elite Four, had nearly had his mentality shattered when Rayquaza appeared.
From another angle, though, a chance to exchange blows with a top-tier Trainer like Steven was incredibly valuable. It would let Aiden personally gauge the gap between himself and the true pinnacle of strength—and ignite an even stronger desire to grow in his Pokémon.
Grovyle possessed a natural hunger for power, a stubborn refusal to bow to mediocrity.
Pidgeotto and Milotic, though not born battle maniacs, were willing to fight with everything they had for Aiden—one because he had protected her flock, the other because he had fulfilled her lifelong dream of evolution.
As for Aron, having only been recently captured, there was no need to throw it into a hopeless battle. Watching from the sidelines would be enough.
Just as Aiden made his decision, the familiar mechanical voice echoed in his mind.
Ding!
Detected: The Host is facing a challenge from Steven Stone.
The Chosen System has issued the following options.
Option One: Accept Steven Stone's challenge.
Do not deploy Rayquaza.
Gain Steven Stone's favorability and receive a Pokémon Egg.
Option Two: Refuse Steven Stone's challenge.
No rewards obtained.
Option Three: Accept Steven Stone's challenge and deploy Rayquaza to defeat him.
Gain Steven Stone's recognition.
Receive a Pokémon Egg.
Aiden didn't hesitate.
Ding!
Option Three selected.
Pokémon Egg obtained.
Item stored in system space.
He didn't bother checking the egg yet. Instead, he looked up at Steven.
"Alright," Aiden said calmly. "Let's battle."
Steven laughed.
"Relax. It's just a spar. I'll send out my Pokémon first. If you can defeat even one of mine, I'll consider you an excellent Trainer—and I'll give you a gift."
A Champion's gift.
That alone was enough to make the fight worth it.
Steven reached into his pocket and tossed out a Luxury Ball. A flash of light erupted—and a silver-white, gleaming Metagross landed heavily on the ground.
Aiden's eyelid twitched.
"So you start with your strongest ace, and you call this a spar?"
Steven Stone truly had a wicked sense of humor.
Very well, then.
Aiden decided he wouldn't hold back either.
Pokémon: Metagross (Shiny)
Level: 85
Ability: Clear Body
Type: Steel / Psychic
Aptitude: Red
Bond Evolution: Unlockable
Mega Evolution: Unlockable
Moves: Hammer Arm, Psychic, Bullet Punch, Explosion, Flash Cannon, Psychic, Meteor Mash
This was, without question, the most terrifying opponent Aiden had faced since beginning his journey.
A red-aptitude shiny pseudo-legendary—strong enough to clash with many lesser Legendary Pokémon.
Grovyle and Aron stiffened beside Aiden, instinctively sensing the overwhelming pressure.
"First round," Aiden said evenly. "Grovyle, go."
Grovyle stepped forward without hesitation.
Having endured Rayquaza's draconic pressure daily inside the system space, Metagross's aura alone wasn't enough to make him flinch.
Steven raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed.
"A beginner Trainer whose Pokémon doesn't fear Metagross… You've trained him well, Aiden."
"Thank you, Steven."
The commands came simultaneously.
"Metagross, Iron Defense!"
"Grovyle—Quick Attack into Leaf Blade! Aim for the head!"
Grovyle became a streak of green light, blades flashing as he struck Metagross squarely.
The attack landed cleanly.
And did absolutely nothing.
Metagross's body gleamed with metallic brilliance, as if mocking the effort.
"Good power," Steven said calmly. "But it won't break my Metagross's defense."
Metagross's eyes glowed blue.
A surge of psychic power froze Grovyle in place. The next instant, his body was hurled away, crashing hard against the rocky mountainside.
One hit.
Grovyle was defeated.
Aiden exhaled slowly and recalled him.
"Next—Milotic."
The Luxury Ball opened, releasing a long, elegant Milotic whose ivory body shimmered softly under the rainclouds gathering above.
Steven smiled faintly.
"Milotic… I didn't expect that. You keep surprising me."
"Milotic," Aiden said calmly, "Rain Dance. Aqua Ring. Then full-power Hydro Pump."
Steven didn't interrupt.
Perhaps out of curiosity.
Perhaps out of respect.
Dark clouds rolled in. Rain began to fall. Aqua Ring formed around Milotic, steadily restoring her stamina.
Then the Hydro Pump fired.
It was effortlessly stopped.
Psychic energy twisted the water column and flung it back—slamming Milotic straight into the ground.
She fell, unable to continue.
Pidgeotto followed.
The result didn't change.
Three consecutive defeats.
Yet Aiden's fighting spirit hadn't wavered in the slightest.
Steven's gaze sharpened.
"This resolve…" he murmured. "That child really might be suitable."
Then he noticed Aiden taking out a Master Ball.
A strange sense of unease crept over him.
The Master Ball flew.
The sky trembled.
A deafening roar echoed across the entire mountain range as emerald scales tore through the air.
Rayquaza descended.
The wind screamed. The earth shook.
Steven Stone froze.
"…You've got to be kidding me."
The Dragon God hovered above them, eyes blazing as it gazed down upon the Champion.
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