Demon Wind Flame Dance

Just as Baimu had suspected, that Nosepass had the rare Sand Force Ability.→

Given the chance, it should have whipped up a Sandstorm to maximize its fighting strength. Unfortunately, Mawile had given Roxanne no such chance.

It had been knocked out the moment they clashed.

"Mawile's explosive power amazed me. Its mastery of Magnet Rise was nothing short of extraordinary."

Roxanne handed Baimu the Stone Badge. "Congratulations! You've earned this badge!"

"Thank you!"

Baimu took it and admired it for a moment.

Unlike the Balance Badge from Petalburg Gym, which resembled a dumbbell and the markings on Rayquaza's body, the Stone Badge looked like two overlapping triangular rocks.

If I remember right, badges boosted one of a Pokémon's stats in the games before Generation Four. I wonder if that works here too...

Probably not.

Beside him, Roxanne was still marveling at Mawile's explosive power. Its almost ghostlike rush had clearly startled her and left a deep impression.

In truth, though, Mawile's "Burst Rebound Strike" demanded a great deal from the terrain. The Rock Field at Rustboro Gym happened to offer footholds it could use to move freely. It would have been a shame not to take advantage of them.

Suddenly,

Roxanne asked, "Are you free tomorrow?"

"Uh, sorry. I need to prepare for the Pokémon Contest tomorrow." Baimu did not know what she had in mind, but he turned her down anyway.

Disappointment crossed her face. "I was hoping to invite you to help teach a class on differences in Pokémon body size. But if you're entering a Pokémon Contest, I understand."

"I'm very sorry."

"Not at all. I'm the one who put you on the spot. I wish you the best of luck in the contest."

Roxanne nodded to him.

Baimu bowed slightly in thanks.

The two then went