Actually, it was no wonder. During the past few days aboard the ship, Eve had always wanted to see Qiao Ran's "Dianxi," but Qiao Ran had kept refusing her requests. That left her incredibly eager for Dianxi to appear. She even dreamed of seeing Dianxi's gorgeous figure again.
But in truth, it was not that Qiao Ran was unwilling to let Eve see her... Rather, she should have been seeing Dianxi every day—after all, she saw Qiao Anan every day.
Even if she had turned into a little girl, she was still Dianxi.
"It's you, Dianxi!!"
Qiao Ran shouted the name of the Pokémon Eve had been yearning to see. Amid a flash of pink light, Dianxi appeared in the arena.
"Dian—!"
As she gazed at the beautiful Diamond Pokémon, the smile on Eve's lips never faded. Still, she noticed a few subtle details.
"Huh? She looks a little... Didn't she evolve last time?"
Did I remember wrong?
A small doubt arose in Eve's heart. Meanwhile, Iron Maiden stared blankly at the Pokémon floating in midair, whose body was mostly made of rock.
"Another one... I don't recognize..."
Just like Suicune before her, this Pokémon's appearance gave her a strange feeling—one even stronger than before.
"This Pokémon is..."
"I caught her in the grass behind Longjiang City Third Middle School." Qiao Ran immediately answered first and pulled out his Rotom Phone. "If you want to know the details, you can ask a certain student who attends Third Middle School. She seems quite experienced and can definitely tell you more."
"I... I'm only interested in Steel-type Pokémon."
Watching Qiao Ran talk so confidently, Iron Maiden found herself at a loss for words. Did that patch of grass really have everything in it???
Why had she encountered nothing when she first set out on her journey back then?? She had not even found a Shiny Pokémon...
Was this the difference between the unlucky and the lucky???
"Alright, now that both sides have sent out their Pokémon, the match officially begins!!"
Eve interrupted their conversation and announced the start of the match. However, she quietly committed that mysterious address to memory. She would definitely ask in detail about that "student" Qiao Ran mentioned afterward.
She wanted to raise a Dianxi too!
"The battle has begun?"
Iron Maiden gripped the shovel in her hand. Although she did not know anything about her opponent's Pokémon, judging from its appearance, it was likely Rock-type or Fairy-type. In that case, choosing a Steel-type move could not be wrong!
"Same as before, Mawile, start Iron Head Barrage!"
"Guri guri guri guri guri!!!"
A string of strange cries came from Mawile's small mouth, and she immediately began wildly swinging her head.
Seeing the same move again, Qiao Ran could not help growing tense. He remembered the helplessness Vulpix had felt back then, but the one standing on the field now was not Vulpix.
It was Dianxi.
"Dianxi! Don't fear her! We'll use our move too!"
"Diamond Storm!"
"Dian!"
Dianxi brought her hands together. Facing Mawile, who spun like a little top, a whirlwind of pink diamonds formed before her and charged straight toward Mawile's face.
Diamond Storm had an enormous area of effect, making it impossible to dodge. However, because Rock-type attacks dealt half damage to Steel-types, the move's damage to Mawile was still limited.
The flying diamonds struck Mawile's body, producing nothing more than a series of metallic clangs.
"Useless, useless, useless! Still useless!"
A victorious smile had already appeared on Iron Maiden's lips. Mawile was getting closer and closer to her opponent. As long as she got a little closer, Iron Head would definitely hit!
However—Iron Maiden seemed not to have noticed that
Dianxi's appearance was quietly changing at that moment.
A faint glow began radiating from her body...
Mega Dianxi!
"Reveal your brand-new form!"
"Dianxi!"
The light grew brighter and brighter. It came not only from Dianxi's body—even the Key Stone on Qiao Ran's chest burst forth with light.
Although Qiao Ran did not understand why each of his Key Stones corresponded to a different Pokémon, at that moment, he and Dianxi had formed an exceptionally stable connection.
"Dianxi!"
"Dian!!"
Their wills linked together. Dianxi's body began to grow larger, her skirt became even more gorgeous, and two long ribbons appeared behind her head.
"This form is... so beautiful..."
Staring at Dianxi, who had changed into Bride Attire, Eve had completely forgotten her duties as referee. She even quietly took out her phone and began snapping pictures. Even if she did not plan to share them, it would still be wonderful to secretly look at them whenever she had nothing to do.
"Dian dian dian!!!"
New power surged from Dianxi's body. The already spectacular Diamond Storm seemed to have been pumped full of stimulants, its speed more than doubling.
Mega Evolution!
Mega Dianxi!
In this form, not only did her base stats increase by 100 points, but their distribution changed drastically as well. Her former shield-like 150 defenses became a terrifying 160 offenses. If normal Dianxi was a sturdy shield, then she was now the sharpest spear!
Only by giving up defense could she gain the strongest attack!
Furthermore, her Speed rose from 50 to 110, completely shedding her former sluggishness.
"Guri guri guri guri guri!!!"
Swept up in the suddenly far more violent Diamond Storm, Mawile's previously relaxed expression quickly turned painful.
"Hold on, Mawile!"
Iron Maiden could not help calling out. Although she did not understand why her opponent had changed forms, or why her move had become so much more powerful, she did not want Mawile to lose just like that.
"Useless, useless, useless, useless!" This time, it was Qiao Ran who said the phrase Iron Maiden so often used.
—Even with resistance that halved the damage, once a type of attack exceeded the upper limit one could endure, halving it no longer meant much.
Mega Dianxi's 160 offensive stats were outstanding even among Legendary Pokémon, not to mention that she was using her signature move, Diamond Storm. Besides, Mawile had already taken several attacks from Vulpix earlier. In Qiao Ran's eyes, Mawile's defeat was only a matter of time.
Sure enough, Mawile held on in the storm for only around three seconds before collapsing. She did not make it to Dianxi, let alone swing that "steel ponytail" into Dianxi's face.
"Mawile has lost the ability to battle! Therefore, the winner is... Dianxi!!!"
Looking at Mawile lying on the ground with her eyes rolled back, Eve announced the result. As the battle ended, the swirling storm began to subside, and the pink diamonds turned into specks of light that vanished into the air.
The diamonds used by those moves were clearly not so-called Eternal Diamonds. Even Dianxi had to put considerable effort into creating those special stones. Besides, without Qiao Ran's request, she would not use that power.
"What a powerful attack... Well done. Your Pokémon can actually change forms?"
After recalling Mawile into her Poké Ball, Iron Maiden generously praised Qiao Ran. This boy had surprised her once again. What had happened in this battle was more astonishing than everything she had seen in the past few months combined.
"That method of changing forms, exactly what is it..."
"It's the same as how certain Pokémon change forms."
Faced with Iron Maiden's question, Qiao Ran's eyes shifted as he began making things up again. He realized his ability to invent explanations on the spot seemed to be getting better and better.
"Since you're a Steel-type Gym Leader, you must know Aegislash, right? That Pokémon can freely switch between sword and shield forms. My Dianxi works on a similar principle. She's simply changed into an attacking form now."
"This... Mm... Is that so?"
Iron Maiden nodded as she thought it over. Still, Qiao Ran's explanation did sound fairly reasonable.
Among Pokémon, some could indeed change their forms under certain conditions. It was not only Aegislash—Castform, Cherrim, Darmanitan, and many other Pokémon could do the same. Adding Dianxi to that list did not seem like a huge problem.
"Alright, it's about time for the final battle."
Iron Maiden took a deep breath and pulled her last Poké Ball from the pocket of her long coat.
"Is it... Steel Emperor Penguin?" Qiao Ran immediately grew tense. If the Gym Leader intended to use
her strongest Pokémon, he was not sure whether he could fight an opponent of that level.
He had already seen a Champion's Pokémon, and they were all above level 50. As for Gym Leaders in major cities... they were likely at least level 40. The signature Pokémon of some powerful Gym Leaders might even surpass level 40 and reach level 50.
For example, Long Jiangxue's father definitely had strength at that level.
"Steel Emperor Penguin? No. You may be strong now, but you still need a little room to grow."
Compared with her initial disdain, Iron Maiden's attitude toward Qiao Ran had unknowingly improved considerably.
Qiao Ran himself had not noticed, but Eve beside him saw it clearly. At the same time, her heart was full of confusion. What on earth had happened? Hadn't the two of them been at each other's throats just moments ago???
Could fighting actually improve a relationship?
"So, this time, I'm sending out a Pokémon I've been focusing on training recently."
Iron Maiden clenched the Poké Ball in her hand.
"Although it looks completely ordinary, its combat ability is outstanding even among all Pokémon."
Iron Maiden's words revealed her deep trust in this Pokémon. Even if she would not send out her strongest Steel Emperor Penguin, she still would not go easy on Qiao Ran in this final round.
Going easy on him would be disrespectful to her opponent.
"Come out! Excadrill!!!"
Vs. Excadrill
"Excadrill...!"
As Qiao Ran looked at the mole-like Pokémon Iron Maiden released onto the field, its body covered in dark brown hide while its claws and head bore steel protrusions, a bead of cold sweat trickled down his forehead.
Aggron and Mawile had not put this much pressure on Qiao Ran. That was because he knew those Pokémon had obvious weaknesses and could be defeated.
But Drill Mole... No, Excadrill was different. Qiao Ran had witnessed its terrifying reputation more than once in Pokémon games.
—Ever since this thing appeared in the Unova region, it had always been a popular competitive choice and a true beginner killer. Its massive 135 Attack, excellent typing, and absurd Ability made it an outstanding Pokémon capable of adapting to every generation's battle environment. Especially in the isolationist Galar region, it had thrived spectacularly.
"This woman really has no intention of going easy on me."
Qiao Ran took a deep breath. If an Excadrill and a Steel Emperor Penguin of the same level were placed before him, he would definitely choose Steel Emperor Penguin without hesitation. Once Excadrill entered its rhythm, it could completely seize control of the battlefield.
Qiao Ran took out his Rotom Phone and secretly glanced at the opponent's level. The "Level 36" displayed there made him relax slightly. It was still within an acceptable range and had not reached a crazy level of 40 or above.
"Let me see how you deal with it. This Pokémon is very frightening."
"What makes it frightening?"
"Its Attack." Iron Maiden stared at Qiao Ran. "And its Speed!"
"Oh?"
Hearing Iron Maiden's answer, Qiao Ran blinked in pleasant surprise. Perhaps he already knew what kind of build this Excadrill was using.
As long as he took proper precautions, this battle might still be winnable.
That was right—Dianxi could absolutely do it!
"Dian!"
Dianxi nodded at Qiao Ran as well, indicating that he could leave it to her.
"Fourth battle, both sides please get ready! The match begins now!!"
Eve announced the start of the battle, and Qiao Ran and Iron Maiden took their places on opposite sides of the arena.
Both stared at each other. They both understood very clearly that this battle would likely determine what happened next.
"Excadrill, Sandstorm!"
"Dianxi, Earth Power!!"
The moment the battle began, both sides gave their commands at the same time. After issuing his command, Qiao Ran wore an expression that said, Just as I expected, while Iron Maiden's eyes widened in surprise.
"Sandstorm... So it really is Sandstorm."
Just as Qiao Ran had predicted, Iron Maiden's first command to Excadrill was Sandstorm. This move provided enormous benefits to Excadrill with the Sand Rush Ability. In a sandstorm, a Pokémon with Sand Rush had its Speed directly doubled, reaching an extremely terrifying level!
And that was the Speed Excadrill relied on to survive!
As for Qiao Ran, he had unleashed his trump card right from the start—Earth Power, a Ground-type move!
This was also a move Dianxi had always possessed, one specially prepared for her lifelong enemy: Steel-type Pokémon.
Before you continue