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After solving the Shieldon's evolution issue, the previously unwell and silent Shieldon evolved into two Bastiodon who couldn't wait to tear the house down.
"Have you learned how to brew the herbal medicine?"
Gary nodded at Lucas's question.
Gothitelle had spent the last few days teaching Gary step-by-step how to brew the herbal medicine suitable for Bastiodon. This was because, under Lucas's inspection, the batch of Shieldon they had rescued all had some minor physical ailments, and the herbal medicine formulated by Lucas and Gothitelle could heal them well.
Lucas had to return to the Breeding House eventually and couldn't stay long, so he had Gothitelle teach Gary the brewing method. Once Lucas left, Gary could brew it himself.
Now that the Shieldon had safely evolved into Bastiodon, Lucas decided to return to the Breeding House today.
However, there was one more thing Lucas needed to handle before leaving.
Gary watched Gothitelle come downstairs after packing her luggage. Seeing her hand the bags to Gengar to store away, he said to Lucas, "I've already spoken with Gym Leader Byron. He's waiting for you at the Gym right now."
Lucas twisted the bracelet on his wrist and nodded. "Then I'll leave it to you.
" He then followed Gary to the Canalave Gym.
Entering the Gym, Lucas looked around. The style of the Canalave Gym was completely different from the Eterna Gym; this place was filled with rocks, while Eterna City's was full of flowers and plants.
Byron saw Gary and Lucas walking onto the battlefield and came over.
"Lucas."
Lucas greeted him with a smile. "Gym Leader Byron, I'll be troubling you for your guidance today."
Byron thought back to the battle between Lucas and Gary yesterday, where Gary had no room to fight back. His nose twitched, and a smile appeared on his face. "As a Gym Leader, I will certainly use my full strength against any Trainer who comes to challenge."
Lucas nodded at Byron's words.
Full strength?
Lucas looked at the Gengar beside him and let out a breath.
Then I'll give it my all as well.
"Lucas doesn't mind having an audience, does he?"
Lucas turned to look and noticed quite a few people sitting in the spectator stands by the battlefield.
"Most of these are Trainers who came to challenge the Gym today. Gary said you're leaving today, so I moved your battle to the first slot."
Hearing Gym Leader Byron's words, Lucas shook his head. He didn't mind; it was just an audience, and his Breeding House had far more spectators than this.
"In that case, Lucas, please get ready. We'll start the Gym challenge once you're prepared."
With that, Byron left.
Byron went to his assistant and told him he would be using his full strength today.
The assistant was shocked; what kind of challenger required the Gym Leader to use his full strength?
Byron shook his head without explaining.
On Lucas's side, he habitually stretched. Looking at Gary in the stands, he suddenly felt a surge of excitement and said something extremely chuunibyou.
"Gary, let me show you what a real battle looks like."
After saying it, Lucas's face flushed with embarrassment.
Stupid mouth, too fast again.
Gary had far more battle experience than he did.
To his surprise, Gary nodded solemnly.
"I will study carefully."
Lucas's face grew even hotter.
Stepping onto the battlefield, Byron was already waiting.
Seeing Lucas take the field, Byron suddenly clenched his fist.
"Lucas (Byron), let's battle!"
Both shouted simultaneously.
As the referee's voice fell, two Poké Balls were thrown onto the field at the same time.
A massive Steelix appeared on the field, facing a Machamp that was bumping its four fists together.
"What a huge Machamp—"
A Trainer in the stands couldn't help but shout upon seeing Dash's massive frame.
Hearing this, Gary thought to himself that Lucas really did prefer large ones.
Seeing the Steelix on the field, Lucas couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
As expected, Steelix was the model worker for Rock or Steel-type Gyms in every region.
"Steelix, Rock Slide."
Byron took the initiative.
Seeing this, Lucas simply clenched his fists and then slammed them together.
"Dash, vent to your heart's content!"
"Crush them all!"
Hearing Lucas's words, Dash grinned and slammed his fists together again. Looking at the falling rocks above, he let out a Roar and swung his four fists directly at them.
During its time at the Breeding House, it hadn't just grown in size; its strength had increased as well. However, at the Breeding House, it had to constantly suppress its power, or it would cause massive destruction.
Just like during that festival.
But today, it heard Lucas say it could vent to its heart's content.
Then, let's go all out!
"Ni-ke!!!"
Dash's fists continuously struck the falling rocks, shattering them all.
Seeing this, Steelix looked back at Byron.
I'm fighting THAT?!
Byron was also shocked that the Machamp could block Rock Slide in such a way, but being a Gym Leader, he continued to issue commands.
"Iron Tail!"
Steelix raised its massive tail and slammed it down toward Dash.
"Dynamic Punch!"
With the No Guard ability, Dash swung his fist and collided with Steelix's Iron Tail. After separating, Dash retreated a short distance.
Meanwhile, Steelix began to stagger, falling into confusion.
"Is it confused?"
Byron said softly, "Steelix, Gyro Ball!"
In its daze, Steelix coiled its body and spun at high speed toward Dash.
Dash looked back at Lucas. Seeing the fire in its eyes, Lucas laughed and shouted, "Dash, catch it, then use Seismic Toss!"
Byron's pupils constricted when he heard Lucas's command.
Catch it?!
Then he saw a terrifying sight: the Machamp took a firm stance, and as the Gyro Ball reached it, it thrust its four arms forward and caught the Steelix by force.
Under the force of Steelix's Gyro Ball, Dash was pushed back, and the injuries on its body increased.
But Dash was incredibly excited.
Suppressed for so long, watch me flip you over!
Sensing the excitement coming from Dash, Lucas pointed his finger. "Flip it over!"
Dash let out a Roar.
"Ni-ke!!!"
The Gyro Ball was forced to a stop, and Steelix's eyes were full of bewilderment.
Then, Dash grabbed its tail, and then.
Bam bam bam!
Lucas suddenly regretted his decision.
Gary watched as Dash grabbed Steelix's tail and repeatedly slammed it onto the ground.
This—this is Seismic Toss?
Nidoking, watching from the side, couldn't help but take a sharp breath.
Good thing I went down with one punch yesterday.
Steelix felt the world spinning as it was slammed heavily onto the ground, dragged up, and slammed again.
Until it lost consciousness.
Seismic Toss—Slam Style...
Seeing Steelix unable to battle, Dash finally let go of its tail and turned back to give Lucas a thumbs up.
Lucas didn't know whether to laugh or cry and gave a thumbs up back.
As expected of Sora-Dash-Me!
Scars are the mark of the strong.
Byron recalled Steelix into its Poké Ball and waved a shovel he had picked up at some point toward Lucas.
"Lucas, I'm starting to get fired up too!"
Byron laughed twice. "Then how about this Pokémon!"
Byron threw a Poké Ball, and a Pokémon with a noble type combination appeared on the field.
Empoleon, the noble Water/Steel type.
Seeing this, Lucas let Dash step down to rest and looked at the elegant Lilligant.
Lilligant trotted from the bench to the center of the field, lifting her skirt to curtsy to the opposing Empoleon and Byron.
Lucas really hadn't expected this thick-browed, big-eyed Byron to actually return the gesture with elegant etiquette.
Performing aristocratic etiquette while holding a shovel?
Is it for the convenience of burying people?
Just as the second battle began, Gengar, sitting in the audience, seemed to sense something and suddenly looked back.
Since the Gym challenge was a 3v3, Gengar was placed in the stands to cheer for Lucas and the others, along with Gothitelle and Lapras.
Gengar, having seen something, showed a surprised smile, and its body floated directly into the air, drifting toward a certain spot.
Gary looked back and noticed a figure standing in a hidden spot, with a Garchomp standing beside her.
Gary stood up and quietly walked over.
"Geng-gar—"
Why are you here?
Cynthia, who was seriously watching the battle, heard Gengar's voice. Turning her head and seeing it was indeed Gengar, she reached out and pinched its mouth, peeking her face out from the scarf Lucas had given her.
"I happened to be passing by and heard he had a battle, so I came to take a look."
Cynthia's voice was very soft.
Gengar nodded, pulled out a candy, and handed it to Cynthia. She took it and put it in her mouth.
"Champion Cynthia."
Gary arrived at Cynthia's side and greeted her.
Cynthia greeted him with a smile and then continued watching Lucas's battle.
Seeing this, Gary simply stood beside her and watched the battle together.
Meanwhile, Gengar shared a jar of snacks with Garchomp, and they ate while watching.
After using Protect to block Empoleon's Ice Beam, Lucas seized an opening to have Lilligant use Sunny Day.
Lilligant's speed increased rapidly in the bright sunlight.
"Solar Beam!"
A massive beam of light erupted from the flower atop Lilligant's head.
"Flash Cannon!"
The two beams collided, creating a thick cloud of smoke. When the smoke cleared, Lilligant had a few injuries, while Empoleon was unable to battle.
"He has raised his Pokémon very well."
Gary heard the person beside him speak and looked at Cynthia in surprise. "Manager's Pokémon-raising skills... among the people I know, it seems only my grandfather might be a bit better."
"Professor Oak? Professor Oak is indeed a very respectable scholar."
Cynthia seemed to think of something and looked at Gary. "Manager? Isn't he your teacher?"
Gary scratched his spiky hair. "That's true, but I've gotten used to calling him Manager."
Cynthia nodded thoughtfully and then returned her attention to the battlefield.
The third match was Ninetales versus Bastiodon.
"His fighting style—"
Cynthia recalled when she first met Lucas; back then, his battle style was always focused on attrition and defense. Now, it had become unstoppable—simply put, it was 'Battle, yeah!'
"It really does have his style."
[part:gemini-3.1-flash-lite]
Cynthia suddenly laughed.
What Cynthia didn't know was that it was that battle between her and Lance, the fist-to-fist battle between Dragonite and Garchomp, that made Lucas fall in love with this style of battling.
Coupled with the strong physiques of Dash and the others, and the sound of Lucas shouting loudly on the field, it was filled with a pure beauty of power.
"Lucas, what do you think of Bastiodon?"
Hearing Byron's question, Lucas was stunned for a moment, then replied with his impression of Bastiodon.
"It gives an exceptional sense of security!"
Byron seemed very satisfied with Lucas's answer; with a flick of his wrist, a Bastiodon appeared on the field.
"Then, Lucas, why not have a spar with Bastiodon yourself?"
Is that really necessary?
Lucas thought to himself.
Me fighting a Bastiodon? Isn't that a three-seven split? Dying seven times in three minutes.
Not everyone is Ash.
Lucas let Lilligant rest first, then looked at Ninetales.
Ninetales lazily entered the field, looking at the Bastiodon opposite, its eyes narrowing slightly.
So you're the one called Bastiodon, huh?
The Bastiodon opposite felt the killing intent from Ninetales and was bewildered.
This is our first time meeting, right? Why do I feel like I've provoked the Ninetales opposite?
Bastiodon looked confused.
As for Ninetales, recalling how those two Bastiodon were making noise everywhere while it was sleeping last night, the fire in its heart grew even larger.
Lucas looked at Ninetales' well-proportioned body and was extremely satisfied.
Worthy of being his Ninetales baby, it really is full of security.
"Iron Defense!"
"Flamethrower!"
Just as Bastiodon set up Iron Defense, it was engulfed by the incoming Flamethrower.
The scorching flames made it feel waves of pain.
The flames dissipated, and Lucas looked at the Bastiodon, which didn't seem to have taken much damage.
Although the fire-type super-effective effect was gone, Ninetales' flames had been enhanced by the moltres feather; one had to admit, this Bastiodon was indeed terrifyingly tanky.
"Do it again, Iron Defense."
Seeing Iron Defense appear again, Lucas had Ninetales use Nasty Plot.
Ninetales tilted its head, raising its Special Attack.
"Earthquake!"
"Scorching Sands!"
Ninetales jumped away from the center of the Earthquake, then splashed scorching sand onto Bastiodon.
Watching Ninetales shake its head after taking the Earthquake and continuing to stand firm, Byron couldn't help but think to himself that this Ninetales was really tanky.
And Bastiodon clearly didn't have a good time taking the four-times super-effective Scorching Sands. Seeing this, Byron immediately commanded Bastiodon.
"Giga Impact!"
Bastiodon gathered all its strength and charged towards Ninetales.
Cynthia frowned, suddenly noticing that Ninetales had started to bounce lightly.
Byron noticed it too. Lucas twisted the bracelet on his wrist, then lifted his left and right feet off the ground, bouncing on the spot.
This movement was modified by Lucas based on the side-to-side bouncing movement Goku used when preparing for battle in Dragon Ball, and it was full of power.
The movements of Lucas, doing the Goku step, began to sync perfectly with Ninetales' rhythm.
"Ninetales, help me incinerate all the obstacles in front of us!"
Lucas's voice was calm, then he stopped his steps and crossed his arms.
"All-Out——"
"Inferno Overdrive!!!"
The Fire Z-Crystal symbol flashed in front of Ninetales, followed by the appearance of a huge fireball.
Ninetales rushed into the fireball, transforming into a giant fireball, and charged straight into Bastiodon's Giga Impact.
Gary looked at the Z-Ring on Lucas's hand, still a bit surprised.
Mastered it in one day?
Then he seemed to think of something and looked at Gothitelle.
"Gothitelle, don't you need to go control that?"
Gothitelle shook its head.
"Goth."
This is a Gym field, not like being outside or at the Breeding House where you have to pay for damages; you don't have to pay for damages here.
If Gary could understand what Gothitelle was saying, he would probably feel sorry for Byron.
Ninetales shook its head.
Charged a bit too hard, felt a bit dizzy.
As for Bastiodon, it flew backward, landed behind Byron, and lost consciousness.
Byron returned Bastiodon to its Poké Ball and looked at Lucas. "Congratulations, Lucas."
Then he came to Lucas and handed him a badge.
"Although you may not necessarily need it, this is the symbol of defeating me, the Canalave City Gym badge."
Lucas took it. "Much appreciated."
Then he looked at Byron and extended his hand. "Thanks for the guidance."
Byron was stunned for a moment, then shook Lucas's hand. "I should be the one thanking you, Lucas, for helping me rediscover the passion for battling."
As the two shook hands, cheers finally erupted.
"What a passionate battle!"
"I've decided, I'm going to catch a Machamp, then come back and swing Gym Leader Byron's Steelix around like a spicy stick."
Lucas glanced at the audience seats and found only an invisible Latias there.
Lucas curiously looked around and found a pleasing figure in one spot.
A smile appeared on Lucas's face, and after bidding farewell to Byron, he walked straight towards that spot.
Looking at Cynthia, who had her face buried in her scarf, he asked with a smile, "When did you arrive?"
Cynthia blinked. "Flip it over!"
At the same time, she pointed a finger.
Lucas blushed and hurriedly pressed Cynthia's hand down.
"No work today?"
Hearing Lucas's question, Cynthia shook her head. "Just passing by. I heard you say yesterday that you would challenge the Gym, so I came to take a look. I just got in when I heard you shout 'Flip it over'."
Hearing Cynthia teasing him, Lucas rolled his eyes.
"Wasn't it cool?"
Lucas asked narcissistically.
Cynthia nodded, and Lucas's vanity exploded.
"Dash is indeed quite cool, and so are Lilligant and Ninetales."
Lucas's expression instantly deflated.
The mouth hidden under Cynthia's scarf curled up slightly.
"But your moves are quite unique."
Hearing Cynthia's words, Lucas couldn't help but sigh.
Seismic Toss became Seismic Slam, Solar Beam was bigger than a Flash Cannon, and Inferno Overdrive was supposed to be a fireball launched out, but Ninetales jumped into it and turned into a fireball.
My commands were all normal, though——
"Shall we go?"
Lucas looked at Cynthia, and Cynthia nodded.
Then Lucas looked at Gary. "Then Cynthia and I will head out first. Let me know if you need anything."
Gary gave a grunt. "Safe travels."
Lucas took Cynthia out of the Gym and passed by a place selling ice cream. Lucas turned to look at Cynthia. "Do you want some?"
Cynthia didn't speak, signaling Lucas to lower his head.
Lucas followed her gaze and discovered he was still holding Cynthia's hand.
His face flushed, and he hurriedly let go, coughing twice.
"Ahem——"
"How did it feel?"
Hearing Cynthia's question, Lucas looked at Garchomp, who was wiping its scythes nearby, and swallowed his saliva. "Top-notch!"
Garchomp was full of killing intent. The next second, a large purple face appeared in front of it, holding a pile of snacks in its arms.
"Gengar——"
These are snacks I secretly hid, do you want some?
Garchomp glanced at Gengar, then at Lucas, narrowed its eyes, and gave a disdainful cry.
It reached out and took the snacks from Gengar's arms.
Then it secretly swallowed its saliva.
Cynthia took the ice cream from Lucas's hand, took her face out of the scarf, took a bite, and then narrowed her eyes comfortably.
Just as Garchomp finished putting away the snacks and carried them on its back, it discovered an ice cream in front of it.
Lucas was chuckling.
"You have a share too, Garchomp."
Garchomp nodded with satisfaction, then took the ice cream and started eating.
Then Lucas took a bag from Gengar and handed it to Garchomp. "Inside are scarves I prepared for you. The pattern is the photo of Cynthia when she was little that you secretly sent me, plus a Q-version avatar."
Lucas whispered in Garchomp's ear.
Garchomp glanced at Cynthia, saw that Cynthia didn't seem to notice, hurriedly tossed the ice cream into its mouth, then took the bag and hid it.
After finishing the ice cream, Cynthia looked at Lucas.
"Very cool battle, uncle."
After saying that, regardless of Lucas's reaction, she jumped onto Garchomp's back and shot straight into the sky.
Lucas watched her and Garchomp's retreating figures, smiled, and then stretched.
"Well everyone, let's go home too."
"Lucas, who is she?"
The invisible Latias asked from the side.
"Cynthia, she's also the Champion of the Sinnoh region."
Lucas said, seemingly recalling something, and added: "Maybe your brother will get a good beating by then."
"Hmph! That hateful brother of mine, it's best to beat it to death."
Latias said angrily.
Hearing Latias's sulky words, Lucas couldn't help but laugh.
He took out his rotom phone and called Lucian. After hearing that everything was fine at the Breeding House, Lucas decided not to rush home so quickly.
"Latias, can I trouble you to take me to the other side?"
Latias looked at the land across the sea and asked in confusion: "Are we not going back to the Breeding House?"
Lucas sighed and said: "I've been in the Sinnoh region for so long and haven't really explored it properly. This time, let's not be in such a rush to go back. Let's go back slowly; maybe we'll pass by a few cities and challenge some Gyms."
"Anyway, Lucian and Shauna are at the Breeding House, so let's just treat this as a nice vacation for ourselves."
"No problem."
Lucas sat on Latias's back and flew towards the opposite shore.
"By the way, Lucas, you aren't scared, are you? That's why you don't dare to go straight back to the Breeding House."
"Nonsense, why would I be scared?"
"I knew it. Lucas is so amazing, how could he be scared? Then I'm accelerating."
"Wait—— Ah——"
"Garchomp, what gift did he give you?"
"Garch?"
What gift?
"It's a scarf, right?"
"Garch."
Not a scarf.
"So there is a gift?"
"Garch——"
"A scarf with my photo?"
"Garch——"
"No—— not——"
"Garchomp, your head wobbles from side to side when you lie."
"Garch."
——Yeah.
"Then you have to wear it and show me when we get back."
"Garch."
Okay.
Cynthia looked down at her right hand and smiled knowingly.
"Accelerate."
"Garch!"
Roger!