From the moment he devised the strategy, he had rehearsed this outcome countless times.
Malamar's "Contrary" ability combined with "Superpower," plus the restraint of "Trick Room," was originally a finishing move prepared for Fighting-type Pokémon.
The real surprise was Gym Leader Brawly's resilience, and... the calmness in his own heart.
He thought he would be very excited and would enjoy the feeling of being in the spotlight.
But when everything settled, what he felt more in his heart was a sense of satisfaction from completing a job.
Perhaps, true powerhouses have long since cast their gaze toward more distant peaks.
In the spectator stands.
The atmosphere was completely different from the fervor below, yet it was also turbulent with undercurrents.
"Hahahaha! Well done! This is my, Drake's, apprentice!"
Old man Drake's resonant laughter almost overturned the sky. He slapped the railing in front of him, shaking the entire spectator stand three times.
His face was beaming, and his pride was overflowing. Those eyes looking at Ariel were filled with the pride of "Look, this is my own kin."
Sidney, sitting next to him, didn't look so good.
As the Dark-type Elite of the Hoenn region, seeing a junior use a Dark-type Pokémon to defeat a Fighting-type Gym Leader—who specializes in countering Dark-types—in a way he found inconceivable, left him with mixed feelings.
That feeling was like having a secret technique he had treasured for years learned by an outsider, who then used it even more masterfully than himself.
Jealousy?
No, it was more of a sense of crisis of being washed away by the next generation.
He glanced at Drake, who was laughing from ear to ear next to him, and felt sour inside.
How did this old dragon get to such a good seedling first?
"Oh my, Sidney, why is your face even darker than your crow?"
Phoebe on the side covered her mouth, her eyes flashing with a mischievous glint.
She exchanged a look with the Ice-type Elite, Glacia, and they both saw the same amusement in each other's eyes.
Sidney snorted coldly and didn't reply, instead casting his gaze back to the young man slowly walking off the stage, his eyes becoming unprecedentedly grave.
This kid might become his strongest opponent.
At the same moment, far away at the Fire-type Gym in Lavaridge Town.
"Damn!"
Mr. Moore slapped his thigh hard, shaking the sofa beneath him.
He stared fixedly at Ariel's calm face on the TV screen, as if he wanted to burn right through him with his gaze.
"Lost the bet!"
"Hehe, old friend, a bet is a bet."
Katsuya, sitting to the side, slowly reached out and picked up the top-quality Fire Stone—glowing deep red as if magma were flowing inside it—from Mr. Moore's almost crushing grip.
He held the Fire Stone up to the light, admiring its pure Fire-type energy, a satisfied smile appearing on his face.
"How were you so sure he would win?"
Mr. Moore was still unconvinced. "That's Gym Leader Brawly! Fighting-type against Dark-type, the advantage is mine, how could I lose?"
Katsuya carefully put the Fire Stone away and curled his lip.
"Who knows?"
He leaned back on the sofa, shifted into a comfortable position, and said slowly: "Just intuition, I guess. I feel like this kid can't be judged by common sense. If you bet using common sense, of course you'll lose."
Mr. Moore opened his mouth, but eventually leaned back dejectedly, muttering words like "monster" and "pervert" under his breath.
...
Inside the contestant tunnel, the bright lights stretched their shadows long.
Ariel and Gym Leader Brawly walked side by side, the clamor outside isolated by the thick walls, leaving only the sound of their steady footsteps.
"Your Weavile and Greninja have speed and physical attack stats that far exceed normal values."
Gym Leader Brawly spoke first, breaking the silence.
He wasn't questioning; he was asking for advice.
Back then, Ariel was still a Newcomer Trainer, and Gym Leader Brawly had the ample ability to teach him, but now, he needed to ask him for advice.
"It's just maximizing the potential of the Pokémon."
Ariel said concisely.
Gym Leader Brawly nodded, lost in thought.
"I didn't lose unjustly."
Gym Leader Brawly exhaled, as if lifting a heavy burden. "Battling you allowed me to see my limits and also see a new direction. Thank you, Ariel."
Ariel turned his head to look at him.
This man, although he lost the match, had earned his respect.
Just then, a flurry of hurried footsteps came from the other end of the tunnel.
"Brother!"
A little girl, like a happy little deer, ran toward them.
It was Shauna.
A smile immediately bloomed on Gym Leader Brawly's face—a heartfelt emotion and pride as an older brother.
He subconsciously opened his arms, preparing to welcome his sister's hug.
"Little sister!"
However, the girl's figure was like a gust of wind, sweeping past his open arms.
The smile on Gym Leader Brawly's face froze.
He watched helplessly as his sister, Shauna, threw herself directly into Ariel's arms like a koala.
"Big Brother Ariel! You're so amazing! I knew you would win!"
Shauna looked up, her big, sparkling eyes full of worshipful little stars, completely unaware of her own brother's heart shattering all over the floor beside her.
Ariel was a bit awkward, standing stiffly while being hugged, and could only look at Gym Leader Brawly for help.
Gym Leader Brawly silently retracted his arms that were suspended in mid-air, the expression on his face shifting from moved to stunned, then to heartbroken, and finally turning into a lifeless gray.
The world seemed to lose its color in that moment.
He stepped forward and stiffly "peeled" Shauna off Ariel.
"Alright, alright, the match is over, we should go back."
"So soon? I still wanted to watch Big Brother Ariel's next match!" Shauna pouted in dissatisfaction.
"No! The Gym still has a lot of things to deal with!"
Gym Leader Brawly's tone was unquestionable. He pulled Shauna's hand and gave Ariel a smile that was uglier than crying. "Ariel, we'll take our leave now. I'll be cheering for you in front of the TV for the upcoming matches."
Ariel watched Shauna, who was being forcibly dragged away, still waving at him incessantly, and couldn't help but laugh or cry.
Just as he was about to turn and leave, another figure walked out of the nearby lounge.
It was the Gym Leader of Dewford Town, Flannery.
"Ariel." Flannery walked up to him, her eyes bright like ignited flames. "I watched your match today."
"Hmm."
"You used a Dark-type to defeat a Fighting-type; this gave me a lot of inspiration." Flannery's tone was very serious, even carrying a hint of excitement. "I think I should be braver too."
Ariel raised an eyebrow, not understanding what she wanted to say.
Flannery took a deep breath and clenched her fists, as if psyching herself up.
"I'm also going to defeat Wallace, just like you defeated Gym Leader Brawly!"
Gym Leader Brawly, who had just walked to the corner of the tunnel and hadn't fully left yet, swayed violently, feeling as if he had taken another arrow to the knee.
He leaned against the wall, his steps staggering, his back view desolate, as if he had aged ten years in an instant.
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