Before Aiden's own match arrived, the next few days saw familiar friends and rivals continuing their battles.
Ash easily defeated a famous Hoenn Trainer who had once been considered a troublesome opponent—a popular Charizard user—and advanced smoothly into the Top 32.
Masamune also dominated his opponent with Metang and Swampert, securing his place in the Top 32 with overwhelming strength.
Yuki and Tetsuya displayed impressive power as well, defeating their opponents without much difficulty and advancing successfully.
Even Paul, compared to his earlier self in the scientist town, had grown noticeably stronger—his opponent couldn't last long against him.
It seemed everyone was pushing themselves to become stronger.
…
When it was finally Aiden's turn to step onto the battlefield, he came face to face with his opponent, Ao.
This girl, like Ash, came from the Kanto region, and she possessed faint psychic abilities. Goldenrod City really did seem to be a gathering place for Psychics.
"Now beginning the seventeenth match of the second round of the Hoenn Pokémon League Ever Grande Conference—Top 64 advancing to Top 32!"
"The battle is between Aiden Flint from Littleroot Town and Ao from Goldenrod City! Each Trainer may use three Pokémon. The battlefield is the Grass Field. Aiden Flint will move first!"
As the referee introduced the contestants, the spectators in the stands erupted into cheers for Aiden.
Ash, Yuki, Tetsuya, Masamune, Paul, Brock, May, and the others, who had come to watch Aiden's match, couldn't help but marvel at his overwhelming popularity.
It was only natural.
After all, his identity as the hero who saved Hoenn had been completely exposed.
Moreover, Aiden's strength was undeniable—from the very beginning of the tournament until now, he had almost always crushed his opponents with overwhelming victories.
With performances like that, it was impossible for the audience not to place their hopes in him and become his fans.
"Looks like you're pretty popular. I just hope your strength matches the number of your fans."
Hearing Ao's slightly defiant tone, Aiden chuckled softly, took out a Poké Ball, and threw it forward.
"Come out, Charizard!"
The moment Charizard appeared, a thunderous roar echoed across the battlefield.
Facing Charizard's overwhelming presence, Ao calmly took out her own Poké Ball. As red light flashed, Alakazam appeared on the field.
"Ding! Detected Alakazam. Current data as follows:"
Pokémon: Alakazam
Level: 47
Ability: Synchronize
Type: Psychic
Potential: Purple
Mega Evolution: Locked
Moves: Kinesis, Psyshock, Future Sight, Psybeam, Reflect, Psychic…
Looking at Ao's Alakazam, Aiden couldn't help but admire it slightly. This Alakazam had clearly been trained extremely well—its psychic power was far beyond that of ordinary Psychic-type Pokémon.
As expected of a Psychic Trainer.
"Battle start!"
The moment the referee announced the start, both Trainers issued commands simultaneously.
"Charizard, Flamethrower!"
"Alakazam, set up Reflect, then Teleport and dodge!"
As Charizard unleashed a blazing Flamethrower that rushed toward Alakazam, Alakazam quickly raised its spoons, using psychic power to form a thin protective barrier in front of itself.
Then, Ao's eyes flashed blue.
In the next instant, Alakazam's speed surged as it used Teleport, dodging Charizard's attack with ease.
Seeing this, Aiden let out a faint scoff.
Using psychic power in front of him to enhance a Pokémon?
Interesting.
"Alakazam, now! Use Psyshock!"
"Charizard, Dragon Claw!"
In the next moment, Charizard roared, its claws enveloped in dense blue energy, forming a massive phantom dragon claw as it lunged toward Alakazam.
However, Reflect activated first, blocking Charizard's attack.
Then Alakazam's eyes glowed blue again, combining its psychic power with Ao's own ability, and struck Charizard directly.
The overwhelming psychic force actually stopped Charizard in its tracks, preventing it from advancing any further.
Seeing this, Ao smiled faintly.
"That's it! Alakazam, throw Charizard away!"
At her command, Alakazam let out a shout, and a violent psychic force flung Charizard backward.
After two consecutive failed attacks, the cheers of the audience abruptly fell silent.
No one had expected that Aiden, who had dominated every match so far, would fall into such a disadvantage against Alakazam.
Even Ash and the others watching from the stands couldn't help but worry.
"There's no way Aiden's strength is only this much! What are you doing?!" Ash shouted anxiously.
Masamune echoed him immediately.
"Yeah! Show some backbone! Backbone!"
Seeing the two of them shouting, Brock finally spoke calmly.
"Ash, Masamune, don't panic. Knowing Aiden's personality, there's no way he's only showing this level of strength."
Hearing Brock's words, Ash and Masamune finally snapped back to their senses.
That's right—what were they even worried about?
Aiden was the Trainer who commanded Rayquaza.
Meanwhile, Tetsuya and Yuki watched Aiden with puzzled expressions.
Was this guy deliberately playing with his opponent?
Only Paul remained cold and silent, his gaze locked firmly on Aiden without wavering for even a moment.
"A shocking turn of events! From the preliminary rounds until now, Aiden Flint has always dominated his matches with overwhelming strength, but today he seems to have encountered a formidable opponent and fallen into a disadvantage!"
Hearing the commentator's words, the audience grew even more anxious.
At this moment, Aiden finally raised his hand slightly.
If he kept playing around, things might really get troublesome.
Since his opponent was using psychic power to enhance her Pokémon, then as a Trainer, he could do the same.
"Charizard, once again—Fire Blast!"
"Alakazam, Teleport and dodge!"
The moment Charizard unleashed Fire Blast, Alakazam used Teleport again.
But this time, Aiden had already predicted where Alakazam would appear.
"Seven o'clock direction. Detonate."
As Charizard opened its jaws and released a blazing inferno toward the seven o'clock direction, Alakazam appeared right in the path of the attack, as if it had stepped straight into it.
Boom!
Fire Blast exploded violently on Alakazam's body.
In an instant, Alakazam was engulfed in scorching flames, letting out a painful cry.
"Dragon Claw! Finish it!"
As Charizard launched its follow-up attack, a terrifying Dragon Claw slammed directly into Alakazam's body.
The Alakazam that had just toyed with Charizard moments ago immediately lost its ability to battle.
The sudden reversal left everyone watching in shock.
What… just happened?
…
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