This was a standard indoor battlefield, with a huge rocky surface in the center and Trainer positions on either side.
A referee stood at the edge of the field. Directly opposite, a boy with yellow, lightning-shaped hair, a white vest, and yellow trousers had already been waiting. Watching Yong push open the door and enter, he shouted,
"Welcome, rookie! You successfully cleared the Heart-Questioning Maze!"
The Heart-Questioning Maze?
Was that the maze from earlier?
"Hello, I'm Yong!"
"Very good! You were lucky to get through the maze, but now you've met me, Electromagnetic George!"
Raising both arms as though embracing the sun and flashing his white teeth, the boy gave a theatrically smug grin.
"That's where your luck runs out!"
The air froze, as though a black crow had flown over everyone's heads, calling,
"Idiot~! Idiot~! Idiot~!"
Wattson covered his face, unable to bear looking at the boy on the screen.
"My lifetime of hard-earned reputation..."
The others smiled awkwardly, not daring to respond.
On the battlefield, Yong calmly regarded his opponent. This was nothing; he had seen far more ridiculous things!
"Ahem!"
George also noticed the awkward atmosphere and hurriedly coughed twice to cover it up before becoming serious.
"Then let's get straight to it! As long as you beat me, you can proceed to the final battlefield!"
Nodding, Yong took out a Pokémon Ball.
Seeing that both were ready, the referee announced,
"Gym Trainer George versus challenger Yong! Each may use two Pokémon! When all of one side's Pokémon are unable to battle, that side loses and the other wins. During the battle, only the challenger may switch Pokémon!"
"All right! Here I go!"
George shouted and threw his Pokémon Ball. With a flash of white light, a Magnemite appeared in midair!
"Kwee~!"
Pokémon: Magnemite, Lv. 23, Magnet Pokémon. It floats through the air to move. The two magnets on its sides can emit energy such as electromagnetic waves. Gender: Genderless Type: Electric + Steel Nature: Jolly Ability: Sturdy. Unaffected by one-hit knockout moves. Moves: Thunder Shock (proficient), Tackle (proficient), Thunder Wave (proficient), Supersonic (beginner), Electro Ball (proficient), Gyro Ball (proficient), Spark (beginner) Egg Moves: None (PS: No inheritable moves) TMs: Protect (proficient), Iron Defense (proficient)
Magnemite
"Magnemite, huh?"
Looking at the floating Pokémon, Yong thought for a moment, then threw the Pokémon Ball in his hand.
"Go, Aron!"
"Kwo! Kwo!"
After eating so many hard stones, the little fellow needed a good chance to digest them.
Pokémon: Aron, Lv. 21 Gender: Male Type: Steel + Rock Nature: Brave Ability: Rock Head. Takes no recoil damage from his own moves. Affected by Ability suppression. Friendship: 100 Moves: Tackle (proficient), Harden (proficient), Headbutt (proficient), Protect (proficient), Roar (proficient), Rock Tomb (proficient) Metal Claw (proficient), Rock Slide (beginner) Egg Moves: Dragon Rush (beginner), Head Smash (beginner) TMs: None
Rigorous training had rapidly improved Aron's strength and move proficiency. Under Steelix and Marshtomp's guidance, he had also learned Rock Slide.
Today was the time to put that training to the test!
"Hmm, Aron and Magnemite. Looks like neither side has much of a type advantage!"
Watching the two Pokémon, Wattson offered his assessment with a smile.
"Yes, it'll come down to how they perform in battle!"
Harada smiled as well and replied.
Beside him, Chengjie said casually,
"Yong will definitely win!"
"Let's wait and see!"
On the battlefield,
George looked at the opposing Aron and smiled in satisfaction.
"Very good! Strike first, Magnemite! Supersonic!"
An invisible sound wave emanated from Magnemite, sweeping toward Aron.
Yong frowned slightly, remembering how Onix used to battle.
Was I using such underhanded tactics all along?
No other choice!
"Rock Slide!"
"Kwo! Kwo!"
His small body held tremendous power. Enduring the sound waves' interference, Aron stomped hard on the ground! A mass of rocks jolted upward and hurtled toward his opponent!
"No confusion? Lucky you! Use Spark to dodge them! Charge in!"
Unbothered, George issued another command.
Electricity wrapped around Magnemite's entire body, sharply increasing its speed. It weaved left and right through the air, dodging the rocks as it rushed toward Aron!
"Harden! Take the hit! Then use Rock Tomb!"
Aron was clearly no match in speed. With no time to dodge, he would defend and counterattack!
"Kwo! Kwo!"
A metallic sheen flashed across his body, making it sturdier. Aron cried out as countless stones rose from the ground around him and closed around the oncoming Magnemite!
The rocks added to his opponent's weight, slowing it down!
Seeing this, George chuckled.
"Just as I expected! Magnemite, finish him! Gyro Spark!"
"Kwee!"
Burdened by the rocks, Magnemite gradually slowed to a hover, finally stopping right in front of Aron.
Yet upon hearing the command, electricity flashed across Magnemite's body again. Then it began spinning, gathering Steel-type energy. The two energies combined as it slammed down toward Aron's forehead!
"Oh no! At this range!"
Another combination move? Yong was startled. Gyro Ball's power depended on speed: the slower the user, the stronger the move. At such point-blank range, Magnemite could not build up speed, so Gyro Ball would reach its maximum power!
"Aron! Protect!"
Although Aron's proficiency with Protect had improved considerably, the distance was simply too short. Before he could finish activating the move, Magnemite's attack had already arrived.
Bam!
With a crash and a spray of electricity,
Aron slid backward across the ground!
"What incredible defense!"
George was astonished. Clearly, the attack had not achieved the effect he had expected!
Checking the little fellow's condition, Yong felt somewhat reassured and said to George,
"When it comes to defense, we're tough! Aron! Time to fight back! Rock Tomb!"
After withstanding that hit, Aron's confidence soared.
"Kwo! Kwo!"
A mass of stones flew out once more, striking Magnemite and encasing it!
"Show them what you can do! Headbutt!"
George shouted,
"Magnemite, Gyro Ball! Throw off those rocks!"
"Kwee~!"
Magnemite struggled to spin, but too many rocks clung to it, greatly increasing its weight and reducing its speed. Even its hovering height had dropped.
The sudden added burden also affected its reactions, weakening Gyro Ball's rotation.
And at that moment, Aron had already charged right up to it with his head lowered!
With everyone watching, his rounded head, brimming with Normal-type energy, smashed into Magnemite with unstoppable momentum!
Bam!!
In an instant, shattered rocks flew everywhere, and a figure shot backward before crashing heavily into a stone pillar!
Once again!
Boom!
The small white figure stood proudly in the arena, his head held high!