Acting as Dr. Walker for a while, Julian healed all of the Pokémon that had hidden injuries among the group.
The total cost? Twenty thousand system points.
He hadn't gained anything yet but had already lost 20,000 points. If they didn't win the championship for him after this, he would have to skin them alive.
"Champion Walker, what are we going to do next?" Sky asked curiously.
The others all turned to look at him as well. There was still one month left before the World Youth Championship, meaning they would spend this month training under Julian's supervision.
All of them were excited—some even a bit nervous.
After all, Julian had become a Champion at such a young age. Surely he must have some kind of unique, special training method? They didn't expect him to actually teach them that method, but even a few pointers would be enough to benefit greatly.
"Let's start by testing your limits," Julian said after a moment's thought. He knew their trainer ranks, but not their true combat capabilities. Only through battle could he find that out.
With that, Julian tossed out two Poké Balls.
---
Pokémon: Aggron (Steel/Rock)
Level: 87
Potential: Blue
Ability: Heavy Metal
Held Item: Metal Coat
Gender: Male
Moves: Roar, Tackle, Harden, Headbutt, Protect, Iron Head, Metal Burst, Rock Tomb, Metal Claw, Earth Power, Take Down, Iron Defense, Double-Edge, Metal Sound, Autotomize
TMs: Earthquake, Sandstorm, Dig, Shock Wave, Rock Slide, Rock Smash, Water Pulse, Dragon Claw, Focus Punch, Iron Tail, Thunderbolt, Flamethrower, Mega Punch, Mega Kick, Fire Punch, Ice Punch, Thunder Punch, Stone Edge, Wide Guard, Reckless, Hyper Beam, Giga Impact, Sand Tomb, Bulldoze, Hydro Pump, Stomping Tantrum, Body Press, High Horsepower
Egg Moves: Stomp, Heavy Slam, Endeavor, Dragon Rush
Note: Has become a Totem Pokémon after absorbing the Soul of Totem.
Note: After absorbing the Blacklight Core, the Pokémon continuously absorbs sunlight to restore its stamina (limited to Steel- and Rock-types)
Note: Consumed Diamond Core, increasing the power of Rock and Ground-type moves by 20%.
Note: Used the Golden Armor, which boosts Defense by 50% and grants immunity to one lethal attack.
---
Pokémon: Lucario (Fighting/Steel)
Level: 84
Potential: Blue
Ability: Inner Focus
Held Item: Muscle Band
Gender: Male
Moves: Life Dew, Work Up, Copycat, Quick Attack, Calm Mind, Endure, Detect, Feint, Metal Claw, Aura Sphere, Rock Smash, Force Palm, Metal Sound, Bone Rush, Meteor Mash, Heal Pulse, Vacuum Wave, Reversal, Extreme Speed, Helping Hand, Screech, Final Gambit, Counter, Dragon Pulse, Quick Guard
TMs: Low Sweep, Brick Break, Agility, Swords Dance, Dig, Bulk Up, Focus Blast, Dark Pulse, Protect, Drain Punch, Hyper Beam, High Jump Kick, Mega Punch, Ice Punch, Low Kick, Mach Punch, Flash Canon
Egg Moves: Mind Reader, Close Combat, Bullet Punch, Thunder Punch
Note: After absorbing the Ultimate Fighting-type treasure—Spirit of Combat, its physical attributes have been enhanced by 2x to 4x across the board.
Note: Having used the Ultimate Fighting-type treasure, Heart's Tear, the critical hit rate has increased by 30%, and the chance of avoiding critical hits has also increased by 30%. Accuracy of all moves increased by 10%.
---
A Totem-class Aggron and Lucario took the field.
Compared to Lucario, the massive, seven-meter-tall Aggron radiated overwhelming pressure. Even standing still, it made all ten trainers feel as if they were suffocating.
"2 vs. 10!"
Julian pointed at his two Pokémon and then at the group in front of him.
"Each of you will send out one Pokémon. Fight Aggron and Lucario. If you manage to defeat even one of them, the person who contributed the most will receive an Ultimate treasure."
The reward was enormous. An Ultimate treasure was something even great families rarely obtained.
The eyes of several trainers instantly burned with excitement.
Julian was a Champion, yes, but his Aggron and Lucario weren't Champion-level. Even if they were strong, the ten of them had numbers on their side—victory didn't seem impossible.
"But what if we lose?" Evan asked. "Is there some kind of price to pay?"
Julian looked at them with a hint of disdain. "What good things could you possibly have that I'd want? But if you lose, then tonight—you don't get to eat. You'll have to watch me eat instead."
'Damn, so vicious!'
Six of them shuddered on the spot.
Only Pierce and the other three who knew Julian weren't surprised. Julian's personality could indeed be quite nasty at times.
"Come on then—show me what you've got, geniuses."
Julian made a gesture of invitation, the word "geniuses" dripping with sarcasm.
How could they tolerate this? They were all extremely proud individuals. Provoked by Julian like this, they couldn't take it.
They immediately released their ace Pokémon.
Surrounded by ten Pokémon, all with strength at least at the peak Elite-level, Aggron scratched its head with its claw. Yeah, this was quite the lineup.
As for Lucario, it stared intently at the surrounding Pokémon, its temperament always calm and composed.
With the protective barrier activated, the battle officially began.
Although this was the group's first time fighting together and they had zero teamwork, they were still elite trainers. Even without coordination, they at least wouldn't get in each other's way.
Moreover, they all shared the same goal: they all locked their first attack target onto Lucario.
Compared to Aggron's massive body—a walking giant target—Lucario was clearly the primary attacker of the duo.
Defeat Lucario first, and Aggron would be nothing more than a big punching bag.
But in reality, their Pokémon couldn't even touch a corner of Lucario's fur.
After activating Extreme Speed, none of the ten Pokémon could keep up with Lucario in terms of speed.
Four Aura Spheres were all it took to knock out four peak Elite–level Pokémon.
That left only the six Pseudo-Champion Pokémon still standing.
The trainers of the four fallen Pokémon were still dazed, unable to understand why their Pokémon had been knocked out so quickly.
Just one hit… and they were down.
For Lucario, defeating Elite peaks really was effortless. But the six remaining Pokémon were Pseudo-Champions—defeating them all in one blow wasn't realistic.
As the six launched their attacks, Lucario immediately darted behind Aggron. The steel titan blocked the barrage effortlessly—its body like a mountain of metal.
"…So tough!?"
The two who didn't yet know how ridiculous Aggron's defense was—Adrian and Marcus—were completely shaken. Seeing it take the six Pokémon's combined attacks without so much as a scratch made their jaws nearly drop.
"Aggron is trained by my cousin to be his strongest shield. It's only second to his two Champion-level Pokémon in terms of being troublesome," Ember said helplessly.
"Then how are we supposed to fight? If we can't even break its defense, doesn't that mean we're definitely going to lose?" Adrian said in frustration.
Asher looked at him strangely and said in surprise, "You actually thought we could win?"
"Didn't you?" Now it was Adrian's turn to be surprised.
The four immediately shook their heads.
Win? Win what?
Julian, that troll, clearly never planned on letting them win. If he really wanted a fair fight, he wouldn't have sent out two Pseudo-Champion Pokémon—one of which was already a late-stage Pseudo-Champion.
If he had sent two Elite–level ones, then maybe they'd have a chance.
Now, all they could do was try not to lose too badly and prolong the match.
*****
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