Steelix still had some stamina left, but not much.
The Sturdy ability had only granted him enough strength for one final strike.
Things were pretty much over. Given his current move pool, he didn't have a single technique that could turn the tide, nor any ability to rapidly recover his near-depleted health.
However, Kashiwagi didn't declare the end.
He knew Steelix didn't want it to end either.
"Roar..."
His massive body emitted a series of creaks and groans, sounding like metal fatigue. Steelix laboriously turned his mountain-like head, opening his abyss-like maw toward Mega Gallade and Wally, who were watching from not far away.
"Dragon Breath."
Kashiwagi gave the final command.
Steelix, no longer able to move his body, took a deep breath. Using every last ounce of strength, he unleashed a surging torrent of indigo-blue flames!
WHOOSH!
The roaring flames almost took the form of a fire dragon.
But in the next instant, a deep purple blade of light came flying through the air, slicing the dragon clean down the middle!
BOOM!
The blue flames shattered.
Mega Gallade stood tall, arm-blades extended. The blood-red edges gleamed brilliantly under the light of the elemental energy.
As the rising moon illuminated the field, his wind-swaying cape made this pure white knight look incredibly holy.
"Again..."
Wally started to speak but swallowed his words halfway through.
He had already seen the dizzy swirls in Steelix's eyes.
To be honest, after the Close Combat hit, he suspected Steelix was already finished. Who would have thought the giant could still move, let alone fire off a Dragon Breath?
Sturdy ability? That must be it.
But finally, he had won...
He won!
Wally suddenly clenched his fist, his brows brimming with excitement and agitation. A long-lost surge of exhilaration filled his lungs, making his entire being seem much more vibrant.
Gallade, reverting to his original form, was infected by his Trainer's mood and shared the enthusiasm.
They looked at each other, both wearing exceptionally bright radiant smiles.
Even though it was just an ordinary battle—and the opponent's strength was nowhere near some of the powerhouses in the League, yet the emotions surging in their hearts weren't much different from when they broke into the semi-finals.
Was it because they hadn't battled in so long?
Wally didn't know, but at this moment, he only wanted to enjoy this rare sense of joy.
Just as he was about to go over and say something to Kashiwagi, his cousin, Wanda, suddenly ran up and hugged him excitedly.
"Wally! That was so amazing! Wally!"
Wanda chirped. After letting go, she couldn't help but clap for him again, her hands turning red, yet she didn't stop.
Seeing a child who once loved Pokémon battles so much suddenly say he didn't want to be a Trainer anymore—and then go so long without battling—how could she be at peace?
Now that she saw that familiar expression on his face, she couldn't be happier.
"You're being too loud, you'll disturb the guests."
Wally pleaded shyly, begging his cousin to stop clapping as she pulled him toward the inn's corridor.
The surrounding guests, seeing him approach, curiously crowded around, firing off questions.
"Was that Mega Evolution you just used? So cool!"
"I think I recognize you. Did you compete in the Ever Grande Conference?"
"At your age, I was always out traveling! Did you just finish your journey? Why are you working as a waiter?"
The machine-gun like barrage of questions left Wally unsure how to respond. He waved his hands with a strained smile. "Um, well, I..."
"So sorry, everyone! He's just very tired from the battle and needs to rest. Excuse us..."
Wanda stepped in timely, pushing Wally away from the crowd.
The tenants looked at each other, then at Kashiwagi still on the field, and headed back to their rooms, their interest waning.
...
On the field, Kashiwagi gently comforted Steelix.
The big guy had been called here from afar hoping to show off his skills. Who would have thought that right after finishing off a teammate's leftover opponent, he'd be taken down in one hit by some mysterious Pokémon?
Well.
Even though he managed one counterattack, the result was basically the same.
"Don't worry about it. This is just a small setback. What matters is that you fought until the very end."
Kashiwagi lightly patted his forehead, making rhythmic thud-thud sounds.
This level of force was right in Steelix's "comfort zone." In fact, you could probably hit him with a wooden mallet and he wouldn't mind.
"Roar..."
Steelix rested his chin on the ground, letting out a low, rumbling response.
Real combat was different from "just-for-show" practice matches where it's just a friendly exchange. You have to fight until the last second, until the very last drop of stamina was gone.
To win, you have to give it your all, never giving up until the very end.
This was the result of the ace, Aggron (Boss), leading by example. His will had influenced Kashiwagi and the entire team. Even the usual slaker Galarian Corsola would fight to her absolute limit.
"Get some rest."
Kashiwagi recalled him into his Poké Ball and opened his Pokédex.
While he didn't know Wally's exact power level, the average level of his Pokémon was definitely not lower than 65. His ace, Gallade, might even be over Level 70.
Of course, this was just a guess for now.
"Ooh~ She's growing up, she's growing up!" Seeing that Galarian Corsola had leveled up, he was overjoyed.
Why battle Wally? It was precisely so the Pokémon could grow.
If he truly only cared about winning, he could have sent out Aggron and the others to clash with Wally until the end, rather than using "newbies."
Letting these guys get more polish was how they truly grew.
Kashiwagi glanced at the bright crescent moon in the sky, wondering if Wally would agree to a battle next time, as he headed to the Pokémon Center with his three exhausted Pokémon.
Just as he stepped out of the guesthouse gate, he bumped into Wally, who was coming around from the back door.
His Roserade was suffering from both a Curse and a Burn, so he also had to make a trip to the Pokémon Center.
The two made eye contact.
"Yo!" Kashiwagi raised a hand in greeting.
Seeing that Kashiwagi looked calm and showed no sign of resentment—even greeting him first—Wally breathed a sigh of relief.
While most Trainers are graceful in victory or defeat, there are always those who fly into a rage after losing. The gentle-natured Wally had encountered quite a few people like that.
Thankfully, this guy wasn't one of them.
"Um, could I ask you some questions?" Wally quickly caught up, asking in a low, slightly nervous voice.
"Ask questions? If it's something I know, I don't mind."
Kashiwagi walked slowly. "And I have some things I want to ask you, too."
"Ha!"
Hearing this, Wally looked like he'd been illuminated by light. A brilliant, bright, surprised smile broke across his face as he nodded happily. "I'll tell you everything I know!"
"...It doesn't have to be that dramatic."
Kashiwagi twitched the corner of his mouth.
What the kid wanted to ask about was undoubtedly Porygon and the other "exotic" Pokémon. According to Wally, he became a Trainer to overcome his frail health and set out on a journey with Ralts.
Unfortunately, he had only visited two regions so far. As a result, the Pokémon Kashiwagi sent out were almost entirely unknown to him, making them feel very novel.
Though he could learn about them via the Pokédex, the descriptions were often too brief or prone to exaggeration. Wally preferred to hear about their characteristics from a Trainer who actually raised them.
"Please teach me!"
Wally clenched his fists excitedly, his eyes shining with a thirst for knowledge.
Unlike Courtney, whose curiosity was limited to specific people, Wally's curiosity was directed at unknown Pokémon. He might be curious about people too, but with his personality, he was likely too shy to ask personal questions.
So, what kind of predicament had he run into?
To the point where even this fanatical thirst for knowledge couldn't serve as a breakthrough.
The two handed their Poké Balls to Nurse Joy and sat by the window to wait.
After answering Wally's questions, Kashiwagi asked: "So, why aren't you continuing your journey? Do you just want to help your cousin run the guesthouse?"
"..."
Wally's expression stiffened. His head, which had been perked up, quickly lowered. "That's part of it... but mostly, I just don't know how to keep going."
"Don't know how to keep going?"
"Yeah... I feel like I've lost the meaning of being a Trainer..."
"I see."
Kashiwagi nodded. He understood that Wally had fulfilled his initial wish—improving his health—but had failed to find a follow-up goal. He had no responsibilities to shoulder, and coupled with a loss at the League, he was lost in the fog of the uncertainity.
"How did you do in the Indigo Plateau?"
"...Runner-up."
Wally gripped the edges of his chair, his shoulders hunching as his gaze fell to the table.
This posture made his already thin frame look especially frail.
Two consecutive runner-ups.
Kashiwagi nodded, thinking "of course". He said, "Then why don't you set a new goal for yourself? With a goal, meaning naturally follows."
"A goal brings meaning?"
Wally looked up, his eyes full of confusion.
"Of course. Think about why you became a Trainer in the first place, and just extend it from that initial point," Kashiwagi said calmly. "Any goal is fine, as long as it's something you desire."
"Something I desire..."
He murmured to himself, clearly still stuck.
Well there was no helping it; , Kashiwagi wasn't exactly a silver-tongued life coach.
Wally thought for a while, then looked over cautiously. "Then... what is your goal, Kashiwagi-san?"
"Just Kashiwagi is fine."
Kashiwagi replied, "My goal is to get stronger. Strong enough so that when I return to my hometown one day, I can defeat everyone and become the strongest Champion—then move toward being the strongest in the world, until I stand at the pinnacle of Trainers."
Aside from that, minor goals included winning the Ever Grande Conference, finding the missing Lugia, and making the Orre region rich and prosperous.
Of course, there was no need to mention those.
Hearing this, a flash of envy crossed Mǎnchōng's face. After thinking for a bit, he asked, "But is standing at the peak of Trainers considered 'meaningful'?"
"No, of course not."
Kashiwagi shook his head decisively. "The goal of being the top Trainer itself has not meaning. The real meaning lies in the fact that I feel happy while moving toward it or when I reach that peak. That happiness is the meaning and the motivation that drives me. People live to make themselves happy.
"Besides, aren't you the same? You were so happy when you won, and so joyful when you were learning about Pokémon. Finding a simple goal should be easy for you."
"Um..."
Wally blushed slightly at Kashiwagi's assessment, but when a "simple goal" was mentioned, he became lost again.
He truly didn't know what he should do, or what he could do.
"Think about it slowly. You're still young. It's fine even if you spend a couple of years thinking."
Kashiwagi patted his shoulder and took his Pokémon back from the Chansey nurse.
...
...
That night, Wally suffered from insomnia.
He spent the whole night trying to find a goal for himself, but no matter what he came up with, he couldn't get excited. That old sense of anticipation was gone.
When Kashiwagi got up and went downstairs, he saw Wally sitting at the front desk with dark circles under his eyes, dozing off. He shook his head.
This kid is a lost cause.
Does not having a rival affect him this much?
Speaking of which, in the late game of the ORAS remakes, Wally became a bit "obsessed" in order to defeat the player and become a powerhouse. He would often run around the Battle Resort in the middle of the night mumbling about IVs, earning him the nickname:
"The Green-Haired Running Prince Clutching an Egg."
His personality really was easily swayed.
Knock, knock.
"Wake up." He tapped the counter.
The dozing Wally jumped in surprise. Seeing Kashiwagi, he bowed so hard his head smacked the countertop. "Good morning—OW!"
"In that state, you probably won't get anything done. I suggest you don't force it. Get some rest before you try again," Kashiwagi said, looking at Wally clutching his forehead.
"I-I'll consider it."
Wally replied with teary eyes; that hit must have been pretty hard.
He's like a different person compared to when he's battling. Can Pokémon battles really flip a switch in someone like that?
Kashiwagi retracted his gaze and walked outside.
The Battle Tent's qualifiers started today. He wondered how many people would participate and how fierce the competition would be.
He really hoped to take the final victory.
...
...
Outside the Battle Tent
Kashiwagi looked at the surging crowd in front of him, feeling quite surprised.
In the nearly full day he'd spent in Verdanturf Town, this was the first time he'd seen so many people gathered. Was this thing more popular than expected? Were all these people contestants?
Fortunately, after asking a passerby, he learned most were just spectators.
Affected by the environment, life in Verdanturf was very slow paced. Everyone usually had plenty of free time, so when something rare like a Battle Tent event happened, they all liked to come and watch the fun.
But that was the extent of it.
"Most participants are outside Trainers like you. We locals or long-term residents rarely take part," a friendly-looking middle-aged man said with a chuckle.
"I see..."
Kashiwagi nodded, thinking it was a bit different from what he'd read online.
He entered the tent.
After showing his registration to the staff, he was led to a room.
The room was fully equipped with a sofa, a large LCD screen, a control console, , and other basic facilities. There were even free drinks and fruit, along with a private bathroom.
"When the prompt indicates the match is about to begin, place your selected Poké Balls inside to complete the preparation. You can then choose your lead Pokémon and perform switches via the console."
The staff member gave a brief introduction to a machine integrated into the table.
Kashiwagi scanned it, memorizing the process.
"Please wait a moment. The qualifiers will begin in ten minutes. Your Pokémon only need to defeat three rounds of opponents to earn the right to advance. You will need to wait after each win. You may move around freely during the wait, but please ensure you return before the next match starts."
The staff member bowed and left.
Three rounds... so that's nine Pokémon in total?
Looks like there are still plenty of contestants. Hopefully, he wouldn't run into anyone too ridiculous.
Kashiwagi knew Verdanturf was a place of "hidden dragons and crouching tigers." If he underestimated it, he'd get a slap to the face.
Before long.
The screen directly in front of him lit up with text: MATCH STARTING.
He sat on the sofa, placed the three Poké Balls into the transport device, and said to them: "I'm counting on you today. Good luck, everyone."
The three Poké Balls shook slightly.
Beep!
The indicator light turned on.
The three Poké Balls disappeared from Kashiwagi's sight, and three icons appeared in the bottom right corner of the screen.
Then.
A massive rectangular battlefield surrounded by water appeared on the screen—it was a standard Pokémon arena. The cool part was that the camera could be moved; he wasn't stuck with just a rear view.
Side views, top-down—everything was available.
Kashiwagi considered for a moment, set Mawile as the lead, and hit confirm.
After a short wait, there was a thump as a Poké Ball was launched by some machine, opening in mid-air to release Mawile onto the field.
On the opposite side.
A Machop appeared.
The match started without ceremony.
The two Pokémon looked at each other, then began observing their surroundings. Only after confirming their situation did they focus back on their opponent, hostility rising in their eyes.
"Mach!"
That Machop looked quite fierce, charging toward Mawile with a yell. As it raised its hand, its arm glowed with a brilliant white light, forming a hand-chop aimed at Mawile's head.
Mawile stood her ground. Just as the hand-chop swung down, she suddenly stepped aside and delivered a powerful Power-Up Punch to its chest!
Thump!
A muffled impact rang through the speakers.
Machop flew through the air in a high arc, crashing heavily into the surrounding water.
By the time a Dewgong lifeguard hauled it up, the poor guy already had swirls in its eyes.
"Looks like this one wasn't very strong."
Watching the screen, Kashiwagi leaned back on the sofa, his tense expression relaxing instantly.
In the arena, Mawile, having finished her first opponent, welcomed her second—
A silver, shining Aron.
"Maw-ile?"
She raised an eyebrow. She didn't expect to see one of Aggron's kin here. In that case... should she go easy?
Nah.
Sparks of electricity danced around Mawile's feet. As she stomped down, she streaked forward like a meteor!
"Gu!"
The Aron, having just finished scanning the field, was startled by the intruder. It tried to counter, but Mawile was already in front of it, a fist slamming into its jaw.
BOOM!
A puff of smoke exploded.
Aron tumbled backward like a rolling gourd, eventually falling into the water with its teammate to be rescued by the Dewgong.
"Maw-ile~"
Number two.
Mawile blew on her fist, looking bored.
Such opponents offered no challenge. The third would likely be the same—
Sure enough.
The third Pokémon to appear was a Makuhita.
This guy actually tried to trade punches with Mawile, relying on its thick fat to soften the blow. Who would have thought Mawile would pull a 180 during the trade?
She let her massive jaw bite down on the fellow, combined it with an Ice Fang, and hurled him out of the arena!
The chubby guy went whoosh into the air and splash into the water.
Loser number three.
Bweeeep—
A horn sounded.
Mawile looked up and saw a strange drone with fer Trainer's avatar flying toward her. "Maw-ile?"
"It's the retrieval machine, don't panic. Good work, Mawile."
Kashiwagi's voice came through the machine, followed by a red retrieval beam.
"Maw-ile."
Mawile pouted slightly, letting herself be recalled into the Poké Ball.
This wasn't even a warm-up. No "hard work" involved at all.
Back in the room.
Kashiwagi got his three Poké Balls back. The screen showed a countdown of thirty minutes until the next match.
"If the difficulty stays like that, maybe this will be a smooth win?"
He thought to himself and pulled out his phone.
Since he hadn't let the Pokémon train much last night, he had spent the time discussing Porygon with Dr. Akihabara's assistant, gaining some interesting intel.
...
『Dr. Akihabara doesn't want you to evolve Porygon into Porygon2 casually. For one, Porygon2 has a very unpredictable personality that's hard for normal Trainers to handle. Secondly, there's a risk of receiving an email that can affect Porygon2.』
『The sender is unknown, but everyone knows it's sent by the missing 'Unit Zero' Porygon-Z. it wants to add new companions to its ranks, but it looks down on regular Porygon, so it targets Porygon2.』
『If you use an Upgrade to evolve Porygon, watch out for that guy!』
...
A Porygon-Z name Unit Zero that wants to find new companions...
Though he'd never heard of such a thing in the anime, Kashiwagi instinctively felt that this thing was trouble. Maybe he could use Hoopa to fish it out?
Can Hoopa reach into cyberspace?
Maybe it was worth a try.
Kashiwagi nodded to himself when a beep suddenly came from the speakers.
Round two was here.
The battlefield on the screen changed, shifting from a water-surrounded flatland to a sandy arena ringed by sharp rocks.
Hoh!
Isn't this basically a home turf for Aggron?
Without much hesitation, he set Aggron as the lead and launched him into the match.
In the arena.
With two flashes of white light.
Aggron landed in the sand, his heavyweight frame sinking his feet deep into the ground upon impact.
He first did a quick sweep of the surroundings, then looked at the enemy not far away—
Eh?
A purple-skinned, green winged flying insect?
The "illiterate" Aggron didn't know the opponent was called Dustox. He just felt quite lucky to be fighting on such a favorable terrain.
"ROAR!"
He slammed a fist into the ground. Sand billowed up, forming a vertical sandstorm tornado that roared toward Dustox!
The latter flinched. Its antennae and compound eyes glowed with blue light, projecting invisible mental energy forward in an attempt to block the Sand Tomb.
Unfortunately, its Psychic was shattered instantly by the rushing sand. It was sucked into the vortex and slammed hard against a rock!
Bang!
"Dus-tox!" It let out a pained cry, wings flapping frantically to escape the sand's pull. But then, several jagged rocks shot through the air, hitting it one after another.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
After a series of explosions and smoke, Dustox could no longer hold on and tumbled to the ground.
"Roar..."
Aggron approached Dustox, looking at it with curiosity.
To his surprise, before he could get too close, a red beam sucked Dustox back in. In its place, a golden insect appeared further away. Its wings vibrated at such a high frequency it emitted a low hum, making it move incredibly fast.
A high-speed opponent...
Hopefully, this one would be fun.
A faint grin appeared on Aggron's fierce face.