Thus, time passed quickly.
Half a month later, Ethan left Solaris City.
The reason for leaving so soon was, naturally, that he still had to continue the gym evaluations.
In addition, he also had to prepare for the upcoming competition for spots in the Pokémon World Championship.
This time, the competition for the World Championship slots would be held under a full 6v6 battle format.
At present, Ethan's main Pokémon that already met the requirements were Sandslash, Cacturne, Slowking, and Meltan, a total of four.
In addition, Charizard, which had already mastered the Sunny Day Dragon technique, was very close to reaching the level of Ethan's main Pokémon.
There was also Vibrava, whose current strength was likewise quite considerable; if it could successfully evolve into Flygon, its power would be by no means inferior.
"Moreover, when Magmortar returns, its strength will surely have increased enormously. If Magmortar can successfully master the Thunderflame Dragon Mode, then it will also have a chance to enter battle."
Ethan smiled faintly. When he left, he had left Magmortar in Solaris City so that, while cooperating with the experiments, it could receive direct guidance from Champion Leo.
Champion Leo's guidance... in fact, Ethan had also wanted to leave Charizard in Solaris City, but thinking that they still needed to develop Mega Evolution together, he had no choice but to give up on that idea.
At that moment, the Mega Stone and Key Stone required for Charizard's Mega Evolution were already in his hands; in theory, Charizard already met all the conditions to mega evolve.
As for why Charizard had not been able to complete Mega Evolution for such a long time, Ethan suspected that it might be because the bond between the two of them was still not strong enough. Precisely for that reason, he had not chosen to leave Charizard in the care of others.
Nonetheless, during that period, Champion Leo had also given him many pointers, and Ethan took the opportunity to refine Charizard's recent training plan, which would certainly be able to sustain its training for quite some time.
"Which gym should we go to now?"
Ethan rode on Charizard, flying high in the sky.
"Charrzz!"
Hearing Ethan's murmur, Charizard immediately responded with a roar.
At the same time, Meltan, who was floating beside him while training, flew over as well, its body emitting electrical sounds.
"Ah, then let's go to Emberfall City first. After so much effort, it's time to check the results of the training."
Ethan smiled slightly and guided Charizard to fly toward Emberfall City.
Because it was July, the hottest time of the year, Emberfall City seemed even more sweltering than the last time.
After arriving at the outskirts of the city, Charizard landed, and Ethan put away all his Pokémon before calmly entering the city.
After entering, Ethan headed straight to the Pokémon Trainers' Guild of Emberfall City and formally registered the gym challenge.
...
Inside the Emberfall City Gym.
"That Ethan has come to challenge again?"
"It seems he wants revenge."
Gym Leader Brandon Jones received the notification from the Pokémon Trainers' Guild and smiled.
"Oh? That guy has already arrived?"
"Right at this moment!"
The man dressed in red frowned slightly and then asked, "So what should we do?"
"Should we directly seize his Charizard?"
Hearing this, Brandon gently shook his head.
"Not yet the time. My current identity as a gym leader is still useful. There will be plenty of opportunities to take that Charizard; now is not the appropriate moment."
The man in red pondered for a moment and nodded. His opportunity in Emberfall City was only one part of the plan to resurrect the demonic beasts; indeed, it was still not the time.
"Then, should we temporarily pause that matter?" the man in red asked with some hesitation.
"Pause? Why would we pause?"
"On the contrary, I feel that Ethan's challenge is an excellent opportunity to act. By then, no one should connect me to this incident, right?"
Brandon let out a strange laugh, stuck out his tongue and licked his dry lips, while a trace of anticipation shone in his eyes.
...
Pokémon Trainers' Guild of Emberfall City.
After receiving the gym's response, the staff led Ethan into the venue.
"Charizard, Meltan. This time it will depend on the two of you."
Ethan took a deep breath and followed the staff into the gym.
At the other end of the battlefield, Leader Brandon was already waiting.
Seeing Ethan enter, he smiled slightly and took out a Poké Ball, holding it between his fingers.
"Greetings, Leader Brandon."
Ethan took a deep breath and stood on the opposite side of the field.
Brandon nodded, glanced at his watch, and smiled.
"Let's begin directly."
As his voice fell, the figure of Camerupt appeared on the field; the volcanic magma on its back bubbled, radiating a terrifying heat.
"As expected, Camerupt again!"
"Then my first Pokémon will be this one!"
Ethan inhaled deeply and threw the Poké Ball. Meltan's figure appeared wrapped in white light.
"Sending out a Steel-type Pokémon right from the start?"
"You're quite confident, daring to use Meltan against me."
Brandon shrugged. His gym evaluation measured a trainer's true strength; he had no intention whatsoever of holding back in battle!
"Meltan, prepare to attack!"
Hearing Ethan, Meltan's body floated into the air, emitting a series of electronic sounds.
One could see its body ripple, and suddenly a silvery liquid mass, similar to mercury, separated from it, transforming into another Meltan that floated in the air.
"This is... the move Substitute?"
Brandon's eyes narrowed slightly. He did not interrupt the action; he wanted to see what Meltan was planning to do.
In the next instant, the mercury-like body of Meltan's substitute began to writhe violently. Accompanied by the execution of the defensive moves Acid Armor, Harden, and Iron Defense, its body rapidly transformed into a long spear suspended in the air.
Zzzzt, zzzzt, zzzzt.
Electrical currents crackled endlessly over the spear formed by Meltan.
Suddenly, the spear wrapped in electricity flashed and instantly disappeared from the air.
"So fast!"
Brandon was slightly startled.
Before he could react, the Electromagnetic Cannon executed by Meltan's substitute had already struck Camerupt head-on.
With a violent collision, the slow-reacting Camerupt was hit squarely and was blasted into the air by the enormous force of the impact.
Immediately afterward, as a result of the intense recoil force generated by the collision, Meltan's substitute exploded instantly, turning into countless bolts of lightning that enveloped the Camerupt still in midair, triggering a violent explosion.
Amid the deafening roar, Camerupt crashed heavily to the ground, its body smoking and slightly charred; for a moment, it was unable even to stand up.
(End of chapter)