"Togetic is unable to battle! The winner is Crystal Onix!"
As the referee announced the result, Falkner's apprentices still hadn't recovered from the defeat. They looked at the unconscious Togetic, unable to accept such an outcome for a moment.
This wasn't some regular gym Pokémon like Hoothoot or Pidgeotto; this was Falkner's ace.
As Falkner's strongest power, both as a trainer and as a Gym Leader, and his final pride, to think it had been defeated just like that.
On the field, Falkner recalled Togetic, sighed, and slowly walked towards Natsui.
When he got closer, he looked up at the Crystal Onix towering over him and shook his head helplessly.
"Sigh, there's nothing to say. My two strongest Pokémon were completely powerless against you. You truly deserve the title of champion. I admit my defeat." With that, Falkner took a badge from his pocket and handed it to Natsui. "Now, this Zephyr Badge is yours."
"Thank you."
Natsui took the badge and examined it carefully.
The design of the Zephyr Badge was simple, looking like a pair of slightly distorted wings. However, its material was like steel, with a metallic texture that gleamed in the sunlight. It felt heavy in his hand, arguably the most substantial badge Natsui had obtained so far.
Placing it in the brand-new badge case that Nurse Joy had given him when he registered for the Silver League, Natsui nodded at Falkner.
"I'm sorry your Pokémon were injured. But I have a question I'd like to ask you."
Falkner looked at him. "A question? No need to be so polite. Just ask whatever you want."
"Why are you so determined to become a bird Pokémon master?"
Hearing this question, Falkner thought for a moment but didn't answer immediately. Instead, he pointed to the blue sky.
Natsui looked up and saw a few white clouds moving slowly, but nothing else.
Falkner smiled. "Actually, ever since I was a child, I've had a longing for the blue sky. Over time, I became fascinated with the bird Pokémon that fly in it."
"I see."
Although he said that, Natsui was quite skeptical.
Isn't it really because of your father's influence? Falkner, Falkner, from your name alone, one can see your father's hopes for you regarding Flying Pokémon.
But since this was just speculation, Natsui didn't say it out loud. Instead, he said, "Since I've achieved my goal, I'll be taking my leave now."
"Take care," Falkner said, shaking his hand. "I wish you the best of luck in the Silver League."
Leaving the Violet Gym with Sabrina, as it was getting late, they didn't look for a hotel but went to the Violet City Pokémon Center.
Although he had been separated from Sabrina for one night and was eager to sleep with her soft body in his arms again, at this moment, there was something more important that needed to be handled in a space that was both open and had some privacy.
And the Pokémon Center was undoubtedly a good choice.
After having dinner there, the two went to the courtyard behind the Pokémon Center.
In fact, after these few battles, Natsui felt that Crystal Onix's strength was still a bit lacking. And having been with him for so long, it was about time for it to evolve.
At that moment, it was close to dusk, and an orange glow enveloped Natsui and Sabrina.
The other trainers staying there had already returned to their rooms to rest. Seeing that no one was around, Natsui released Crystal Onix again.
Rumble…
Crystal Onix's appearance made the ground tremble slightly. But because it was surrounded by walls on three sides and shielded by dense trees, it didn't attract anyone's attention.
Looking at it, Natsui praised, "You performed well just now. But there are tougher battles waiting for us. So I think it's time for you to evolve."
Crystal Onix lowered its head and looked at Natsui. Although it didn't speak, Natsui could already understand its meaning from its eyes.
"I see. You want to become stronger too, don't you?"
Seeing it agree, Natsui no longer hesitated and took out the Metal Coat he had obtained in the Sevii Islands from his backpack.
He had had this item for a long time. Although he had had many opportunities to use it before, due to other considerations, he had delayed it until now.
Now, he and Crystal Onix had a certain bond and affection, and its strength had also grown to a certain extent. It was time to make a choice.
However, holding it in his hand, Natsui didn't know how to use it for a moment.
Fortunately, in the end, it was Crystal Onix itself that took the initiative to come closer and gently touch it with the horn on its forehead.
The next second, the Metal Coat seemed to come alive, quickly covering Crystal Onix's body. Then, a dazzling white light suddenly enveloped it.
Natsui felt a sharp pain in his eyes and subconsciously took a step back.
But having seen it many times before, he recognized it at a glance as the light of evolution.
And when the white light disappeared, a Pokémon with a ferocious appearance, larger, longer, and stronger than Crystal Onix, appeared before Natsui.
Crystal Onix had finally evolved into Crystal Steelix!
The evolved Crystal Steelix, just like before, still had a body made of crystal. Its head had become larger, no longer looking dopey, but ferocious.
Its red eyes made it look very intimidating. Although it had lost the horn on its head, its tail had become extremely sharp, looking even more dangerous and deadly.
Natsui circled it several times with a joyful expression, then finally took out his Pokédex and pointed it at it.
Pokédex: Beep. Unknown Pokémon. Since the trainer has already registered a similar Pokémon, beginning automatic identification… identifying…
After a moment, the Pokédex continued, …Identification successful… Beep. Crystal Steelix, the Iron Snake Pokémon. A Steel/Ground type. Steelix lives even deeper underground than Onix. Its body, tempered by high pressure and heat, is harder than any metal. Its entire body is coated in steel particles, reflecting a shimmering light. Sometimes, it digs towards the center of the Earth, and it has eyes that can see even in the pitch-black underground.
Natsui liked its ferocious appearance more and more.
And just as he was about to put away the Pokédex, he heard it speak again. "Beep. No related data in the database. Upload data?"
The so-called database meant uploading Crystal Steelix's information to the network for others to share.
Natsui didn't hesitate and, just as he had when he had just caught Crystal Onix, chose 'no' again.
Pokédex: Beep. Confirmed cancellation of upload.
On the other side, the evolved Crystal Steelix gently twisted its body, as if getting used to its new form.
Just then, Gengar popped out of a shadow from somewhere. It looked the new form of Crystal Steelix up and down and praised, "Yo, you look pretty good. You look much more imposing than before."
Hearing Gengar's praise, Crystal Steelix's eyes narrowed happily. It then lowered its body and nudged its huge head against Natsui's hand affectionately.
And it was only when observing it up close that Natsui realized just how frighteningly large Crystal Steelix's head was. It was already taller than his own height, and its diameter must be at least two meters.
Although after evolution, Crystal Steelix's typing had changed from Ground/Rock to Ground/Steel, making it more difficult to face Fighting and Fire-type Pokémon, in any case, the increase in its abilities had greatly strengthened Natsui's overall power.
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