Blastoise VS Ceruledge.
No matter how high Ceruledge's fighting spirit was, the type advantage belonged to Siebold, who naturally wouldn't be intimidated by Ceruledge.
"Blastoise, Water Spout!"
Water Spout was similar to Fire-type moves like Eruption - the better the condition and more HP, the stronger the power. Using Water Spout right after entering the field had a terrifying power of 150!
Combined with an Elite Four's ace Pokémon using it, that momentum and power...
Rumble—
The vast battle field seemed to raise waves, like surging tides, overwhelming as they crashed toward Ceruledge. Unless it could fly, there was absolutely no room for maneuvering.
But Ceruledge wasn't just Fire - it was also Ghost!
"Shadow Sneak!"
Whoosh—
A blade burning with ghostly blue flames slashed through the air, immediately opening a rift. As Ceruledge flashed through, it instantly disappeared from the field.
The surging water flow immediately missed its target.
"Behind!" Siebold didn't panic, immediately spotting where Ceruledge's Shadow Sneak would emerge - right behind Blastoise.
"Blastoise!"
Blastoise grinned, gripping both arms tight, its body tensing as it presented its shell directly to Ceruledge.
Clang!!
The blade collided with Blastoise's shell, actually producing the sound of metal striking metal, accompanied by scattered sparks as a shallow scratch was left on Blastoise's shell.
So hard!
Ceruledge felt like it had struck a thick piece of metal.
Meanwhile, Blastoise, which had been quite confident earlier, couldn't help but grit its teeth.
Don't look at it as just a small shallow scratch - this was a Ghost-type move, which it had no resistance to. The eerie chill constantly transmitted through the blade was what truly made it uncomfortable.
"Right now, Blastoise, Whirlpool! Bind it!"
"Blastoise!"
Swirling water rose from beneath Blastoise's feet. The water rapidly expanded, enveloping both it and Ceruledge right behind it.
Hiss—
Splashing water droplets fell on Ceruledge's blade and armor, instantly turning to steam.
A single drop of water naturally wouldn't greatly affect Ceruledge, but that constantly contracting whirlpool wasn't just one drop.
If Ceruledge got trapped and bound by the whirlpool, it would truly have no chance to fight.
"Break out!" Johan called out in a low voice.
Buzz—
Psychic power emanated from Ceruledge's eyes, and the ghostly blue flames on its twin swords seemed to gain an additional layer of psychic energy.
Psycho Cut!
Whoosh!!
Cross-shaped sword marks appeared on the constantly contracting surging whirlpool. The originally continuous water flow seemed instantly severed, creating a gap in the vortex as Ceruledge flashed out.
The whirlpool failed to "catch" Ceruledge. Siebold thought it was a pity, but as an Elite Four member, his adaptability was naturally strong.
"Blastoise, gather the water flow, Hydro Cannon!"
Splash splash—
The water raised by the whirlpool flowed into Blastoise's body like swallows returning to their nest, with the water flow finally appearing faintly in the two large cannons on Blastoise's back.
"Goka!"
Ceruledge crossed its twin swords in front of its chest, its expression serious.
Boom!!
Two water columns shot from Blastoise's cannon barrels, the rapid water flow condensed without any dispersion.
Other Pokémon's Hydro Cannon was one water column - Blastoise's was basically cheating with two.
"Why isn't Ceruledge dodging?"
"It's not planning to take Hydro Cannon head-on, is it?"
"Or is Teacher Johan gambling on accuracy?"
Gambling on accuracy? That rare phrase could apply to Teacher Johan?
In Pokémon battles, if it was tactical battling, then the trainer's intent was naturally the Pokémon's intent - trainers made tactics and strategies, Pokémon executed them.
But if it reached the type of battle relying on passion and power-ups, then trainer and Pokémon wills became one.
Not dodging was naturally because...
No need to dodge!
Clang!!
The twin blades crossed in front of its chest gleamed with brilliant golden luster, vibrant life force leaping on the sword edges.
Suddenly.
Everyone looked up at the blazing sun hanging high in the July noon sky, understanding dawning in their hearts.
The sunlight was intense.
Facing the incoming water columns, Ceruledge fiercely slashed with its crossed twin blades. Condensed golden sunlight formed two crossing slashes that collided head-on with the Hydro Cannon.
Solar Blade!
Bang!!
In an instant, water droplets scattered, water mist roiled, brilliant golden light and rushing water flow produced the most intense collision at this moment.
The unity of trainer and Pokémon will was displayed to the fullest at this moment!
"Good!" Lance shouted, his face full of excitement.
He loved this kind of honorable head-to-head confrontation, direct collision between opposing forces. Who cared about type advantages - just fight!
When trainer and Pokémon hearts were completely united, there was nothing they couldn't face.
"Truly... admirable knightly spirit!"
Wikstrom also gave extremely high praise. Knights should be unafraid of difficulties, advancing against adversity and fighting to the death.
The more he watched, the more he felt Ceruledge embodied the "knightly spirit" he followed.
Even their reactions were like this, let alone Siebold who was currently battling Johan. His heart's passion seemed driven by that previous scene, his blood seemingly boiling - this was a feeling he'd missed for so long!
Siebold broke into a wide smile, fire lighting in his eyes.
"To actually cleave through Blastoise's Hydro Cannon - such a collision is like the dance between hot oil and water droplets!"
"Blastoise and I will definitely present our most skilled 'secret recipe'!"
As he spoke, Siebold took out the Key Stone pendant hanging around his neck. Brilliant rainbow light rose in the battle field, making everyone feel their blood pumping.
He shouted loudly:
"Blastoise, Mega Evolve!!"
"Blastoise!!"
Blastoise responded to Siebold's call.
Water flowed, a fierce aura swept up all the accumulated water on the field. Under the rainbow light's embrace, purifying light was born, making hearts tremble involuntarily.
Here it comes!
"Elite Four Siebold's Mega Blastoise!"
"Ohhhhh—I don't know why, but I'm getting fired up!"
"This is what battling should be!"
If Cynthia were here, she would definitely sense the similarity between Lance and Flint.
Both passionate, both charging forward without hesitation, using passion to drive themselves, their Pokémon, and even their opponents, then...
Using rich experience to crush their opponents.
This was what passionate battle-type Pokémon trainers were "best at." Because in battle, when opponents got completely fired up, it was really hard for the other party to remain calm and composed.
When emotions got involved, things like battle rhythm and initiative became difficult to control.
This wasn't just Flint's "experience" - Lance was the same.
So at this moment, Lance wished he was the one battling Johan.
"Blast—oise—!!!"
Brilliant light scattered like stardust, the Mega Evolution symbol flashed briefly, and what appeared before everyone's eyes was - Mega Blastoise!
Its originally solid shell was now like a fortress stronghold. The previous two cannon barrels had become one, but much thicker and sturdier, with the dark cannon mouth seemingly containing endless power.
Additionally, shell-like armor appeared on Mega Blastoise's arms, each equipped with smaller cannon barrels that could move with the arms' rotation, much more flexible.
At first glance, Blastoise seemed to have one less cannon barrel after Mega Evolution, but counting the ones on its arms, it actually had one more.
The original "Parent and Child Love" cannons were already abnormal enough - now going from two to three made it even more intimidating.
Mega Blastoise!
Seeing Mega Blastoise in this form, Ceruledge's eyes blazed with fire. Without hesitation, it turned the dial on its armor. Orange flames shot skyward, and when the flames settled, what appeared was Armarouge!
"Goka!"
Armarouge's eyes burned intensely - this was what it had been waiting for, Mega Blastoise. Now it finally got its chance!
"I see? You want to battle Mega Blastoise?" Siebold seemed to understand Armarouge's eyes and shouted with a smile: "Then as you wish! Mega Blastoise, Water Pulse!"
Click! Click click—
The three cannon barrels adjusted direction, dark cannon mouths showing water flow condensing into pulses, faintly accompanied by pulse-like sounds.
While Water Pulse had less power than Hydro Cannon, enhanced by Mega Blastoise's "Mega Launcher," the power was considerable. The key point was... it was more accurate than Hydro Cannon.
Simultaneously.
Bang!
Armarouge clasped its hands together, a bright golden cannon appearing with firelight flickering within, seemingly determined to have a fire versus water clash with Mega Blastoise.
As a Fire-type Pokémon, Armarouge wasn't afraid, so as the advantaged Water-type Pokémon, Mega Blastoise naturally feared nothing.
Water flow instantly shot from the three cannon barrels.
"Flamethrower!"
Whoosh!!
Meeting the water flow, crimson flames erupted, forming a massive fire column.
Hiss—
The moment water flow and flames collided, intense "hissing" sounds erupted, as if large amounts of water were instantly boiled by flames, raising massive clouds of scalding steam.
But simultaneously, more flames were directly extinguished by water flow. If not for Armarouge continuously spouting flames, it would have been doused long ago.
Even so, using flames against water flow was still unwise. In just one breath, Armarouge fell into disadvantage.
"Vii! Vii!"
Victini, invisible on Johan's shoulder, kept cheering for Armarouge.
If this wasn't a one-on-one battle where Victini couldn't interfere, it would directly inject Armarouge with "V-create" energy, and Armarouge might not lose to Mega Blastoise in direct confrontation.
"Goka!"
Armarouge's psychic power and aura completely spread, sensing the immense pressure from Mega Blastoise.
It had to admit that in pure strength, Mega Blastoise was superior, plus the type advantage made it currently at absolute disadvantage.
But...
Battles weren't decided by these things alone!
"Armor Cannon!" Johan's brow furrowed as he spoke grimly.
The flames spouting from the golden cannon barrel suddenly surged, crimson firelight gradually showing traces of golden flame.
Boom!!!
The sudden flame surge surprised both Siebold and Mega Blastoise, especially Mega Blastoise.
Not only was its water flow pushed back, but it somehow felt the flames from that cannon barrel were somewhat similar to its own "Mega Launcher"!
Although only superficially similar, it really did make the flames more powerful!
What was going on?
Could abilities be imitated?
Ridiculous - then after Mega Evolution, couldn't it also gain its original form's "Torrent" ability, or even freely activate and deactivate "Torrent"?
Whoosh!!
The suddenly surging flames completely overwhelmed Mega Blastoise's Water Pulse, covering most of the field with flames that engulfed Mega Blastoise.
However, after the previous exchange, the flames' power had been reduced by more than half, so they didn't cause massive damage to Mega Blastoise.
"Mega Blastoise, Hydro Cannon!"
"Armarouge, Fire Blast!"
Water and fire once again collided intensely in the field center.
But this time, Armarouge fell into disadvantage, covered by water flow with most of its flames extinguished.
Unlike flames barely damaging Mega Blastoise, Mega Blastoise caused significant damage to Armarouge.
Anyone could see that in direct confrontation, Mega Blastoise's advantage was too great.
This raised more questions.
"Can't understand why Teacher Johan is fighting like this. Is there some tactic?"
"Tactic? Right now Teacher Johan seems like a 'brute.'"
"Don't tell me 'brute force' counts as tactics?"
Siebold kept a straight face - his perception differed from the audience.
Johan and Armarouge across from him, while clearly disadvantaged, gave him a feeling... like opponents who could explode at any moment, extremely dangerous.
As if they were the passive party.
To be safe, Siebold called out:
"Mega Blastoise, Aqua Ring!"
Water on the field gathered toward Blastoise, forming rings of water flow around it, slowly replenishing its stamina.
"Even in attrition battles, Blastoise has more advantage."
"What exactly is Teacher Johan trying to do?"
Johan stood motionless at the field edge, eyes focused on Armarouge.
How is it?
"Goka!"
Armarouge called out grimly and shook its head firmly. Large amounts of steam rose from its body as white mist ascended, then flames erupted again, directly evaporating the absorbed water.
Johan lowered his eyes.
Then let's continue!
Whoosh!!
Armarouge's flames surged again, even more dramatically than before, with more and more golden flames gradually appearing in the blazing fire.
Correspondingly, Armarouge's condition was slowly recovering.
Armarouge wasn't lacking in recovery ability!
"Ar-Armarouge is also recovering stamina? How?"
"Golden flames - what are those?"
"Fire, fire, fire..."
Someone pointed at Armarouge and suddenly exclaimed.
Those flames... were getting a bit exaggerated!
"What's happening? Is this 'Blaze' ability?"
"What Blaze? Armarouge's ability is Weak Armor!"
"Holy crap, hand-rubbing Blaze - Teacher Johan, your Pokémon isn't reasonable!"
Amid the exclamations, Armarouge clasped its arms together again.
The flames around its body frantically gathered toward the cannon barrel.
It had been passively counterattacking before - this time, it would take the initiative!
Direct combat with Mega Blastoise made it understand that the "Mega Launcher" ability really wasn't easy to imitate.
But that was fine!
It had its own fighting style!
Johan and Armarouge were now perfectly in sync.
Although lacking a Mega Stone and Mega Evolution, through aura and the bond between him and Armarouge, their figures seemed to overlap at this moment.
At this moment, Johan vaguely felt like Ash's bond evolution with Greninja, his palms also growing hot.
Armarouge's appearance hadn't changed, but... the aura was real.
Aura, flow into me!
Buzz buzz buzz—
"Buzzing" sounds emerged from Armarouge's golden cannon barrel, as if some terrifying power was constantly being injected, compressed, condensed...
At this moment, both Siebold and Mega Blastoise's expressions changed.
They sensed tremendous threat.
"Mega Blastoise, maximum power Hydro Cannon!"
"Blastoise!"
Hearing this, Mega Blastoise naturally didn't dare slack off. All three cannon barrels turned in the same direction.
Previously, Hydro Cannon was split into three streams for wider coverage and better accuracy, but this time the three barrels' water columns merged into one, greatly increasing power.
Boom!!!
Brilliant light erupted from the cannon mouth. Armarouge's dimmed body was like a cannon mounted on the ground, with terrifying recoil force sliding it backward, leaving two extremely scorched furrows.
If the recoil was this dramatic, then the Armor Cannon fusing flames, life force, and aura was naturally terrifyingly powerful.
Plants in the castle outside the battle field, despite the distance, instantly changed from fresh green to scorched yellow with signs of burning.
Trainers on the second floor retreated one after another, summoning their respective Pokémon to resist the overflowing flame aftermath.
This was Johan's first time injecting his own aura into Armarouge after receiving Arceus's blessing and his aura power greatly increasing.
Although Johan couldn't hand-rub Aura Spheres, this didn't mean his aura wasn't strong. In fact, regarding pure aura, Armarouge and Urshifu combined might not match him - he just wasn't a Pokémon, so his usage differed from Pokémon.
But injecting it into Armarouge, it knew how to use it.
The firelight illuminated faces orange-red. Siebold and Mega Blastoise, in their Mega Evolution state, shared the same heart and both sensed the flames' terror.
What to do?
Only resist with full force!
Boom!!
Water flow and flames collided once more in the battle field, but the commotion far exceeded the previous exchanges.
Rumble rumble!!
Watching spectators looked horrified, swallowing nervously.
This, this power was truly terrifying.
Probably even legendary Pokémon weren't more impressive?
"While the Mega Launcher simulation failed, it did teach Armarouge how to compress and increase power, plus with aura... won't this develop into a planet-destroyer cannon?"
Johan's eye twitched.
Boom!!
After another violent explosion, thick white mist rose as the devastated battle field first appeared in everyone's sight.
Butler Hennessy's mouth twitched.
This was a field specially reinforced for Duke and Marquis battles, and one battle completely destroyed it...
The white mist gradually cleared.
Dark flames rose again within Armarouge's dimmed body, though obviously much fainter than before. It supported itself on its knees, breathing heavily.
Across the field.
Blastoise sat on the ground, with no obvious wounds visible, but its originally azure body showed patches of scorching red spots scattered around.
The Aqua Ring around it had long since disappeared, and water droplets touching those red spots immediately turned to steam.
"Blastoise..."
Blastoise's Mega Evolution energy had already faded. It looked uninjured but was actually wounded all over, similarly breathing heavily without its previous momentum.
Both sides were clearly exhausted.
Seeing this, Siebold sighed softly.
It seemed evenly matched, but actually...
"This match, we lose." Siebold sighed again, but his face showed a smile, displaying his easy-going nature.
Hearing this, Johan was stunned.
Both sides were still capable of fighting.
Seeming to understand his confusion, Siebold said wistfully:
"Teacher Johan used more 'ordinary ingredients' yet created such amazing 'cuisine.' This match, we indeed lost."
He and Blastoise not only had type advantage but also used Mega Evolution, yet they only achieved a draw after fighting this long - no, not even a draw, but clear disadvantage.
And Johan and Armarouge?
Type disadvantage, couldn't Mega Evolve, didn't use other enhancement methods either.
This was what Siebold called more "ordinary ingredients."
Moreover, whether in momentum, attitude, or final impact, they had lost.
So Siebold conceded quite readily.
Losing meant losing - no point in being stubborn.
Johan was first confused, then understanding, nodding slightly.
This might not work in other regions, but in Kalos... it was quite reasonable.
Indeed, continuing the fight might not determine who would win between Armarouge and Blastoise, but Johan still had a Rotom with little stamina remaining.
After confirming Siebold's forfeit, butler Hennessy quickly announced the result.
Moreover, he directly declared with a wave... Johan's rank would advance from Marquis to Duke!
Please stop showing off - our field can't take much more!
In just a few days, Johan's rank jumped directly from Count to Duke. This dramatic promotion speed should have caused dissatisfaction, but no one present questioned it.
After all, Teacher Johan's strength was clear to see. Staying at Marquis rank any longer... there would be no opponents.
Even some trainers with Marquis rank applauded and celebrated - hurry up and promote him! Once promoted, they wouldn't get matched against him!
You had to know this was just Teacher Johan's Armarouge. They knew Teacher Johan's ace was a Gengar.
If even his main force was this dramatic, how terrifying would his ace be?
Quickly promote him to fight those Elite Four and Champions - they couldn't handle it.
Originally, many people came to watch Siebold's promotion to Duke, but unexpectedly Teacher Johan overtook him, promoting to Duke at faster speed.
However, this battle was truly exciting to watch.
Battles, after all.
Tactics were nice to watch, but not everyone could understand them.
But direct confrontation was better - simple, easy to understand, and could drive everyone's emotions.
Clap clap clap—
Everyone applauded together, including Lance and Wikstrom.
Finally Duke rank!
The two looked at each other, sensing competition.
Once butler Hennessy finished Johan's rank promotion ceremony, they'd quickly apply for matches, let Johan rest half a day, then apply for "designated challenges."
First come, first served!
Wearing the red cape and receiving his "Duke" certificate, Johan immediately felt red capes looked much better than green and yellow ones.
"Congratulations, Duke Johan." Hennessy bowed congratulations.
Secretly relieved - Duke rank... should be about right? Peace at last...
"Butler Hennessy." Johan quickly called him back.
"How may I serve Duke Johan?" Hennessy's heart jumped as he asked tentatively.
Surely he wouldn't want to continue matching?
At least let the field get repaired first.
But when Johan asked his question, he relaxed.
"Mega Stones?"
Previously, before Mega Evolution became widespread, the Battle Chateau's exchange list didn't include Mega Stones.
But as Mega Evolution gained popularity and many trainers pursued it enthusiastically, the Battle Chateau also used its influence to collect some Mega Stones.
However, Mega Stones were extremely rare. The Battle Chateau set rules that only trainers with Duke rank or above could exchange them. Johan was the first person at the Battle Chateau to want to exchange for Mega Stones.
"I wonder what Mega Stones the Battle Chateau has?" Johan asked.
"Please wait a moment."
Hennessy took out his phone, adjusted his monocle, and scanned the Battle Chateau's exchange list.
"Manectric Mega Stone, Abomasnow Mega Stone, Sceptile Mega Stone..."
Sceptile Mega Stone?
Hearing this Mega Stone, Johan's thoughts stirred.
He was just considering getting a Grass-type Pokémon. If there was a Sceptile Mega Stone, he could consider Hoenn's Grass starter Sceptile.
Speaking of which, as a Hoenn native, he didn't have a single signature Hoenn Pokémon, which was somewhat embarrassing.
"...Pidgeot Mega Stone and Tyranitar Mega Stone."
There it was!
Tyranitar Mega Stone!
It seemed Professor Sycamore's information was correct.
Hennessy added somewhat apologetically: "The Battle Chateau hasn't been collecting Mega Stones for long. I wonder if any meet Duke Johan's needs..."
Being able to collect five Mega Stones already showed the Battle Chateau's capabilities.
Moreover, one was the pseudo-legendary Pokémon Tyranitar's Mega Stone.
"I want to exchange for Tyranitar's Mega Stone," Johan said directly.
While Sceptile's Mega Stone was nice, catching a Grass-type Pokémon was still theoretical.
More importantly, if Larvitar learned there was a Tyranitar Mega Stone right in front of them but they didn't exchange for it, it might throw a tantrum and literally turn the house to powder.
If he really caught a Treecko in the future, he could consider Sceptile's Mega Stone then.
"Alright." Hennessy nodded, adjusting his glasses. "Let me check if Duke Johan has enough points..."
The Battle Chateau operated on a point system. Each battle earned points, with more wins than losses allowing point accumulation for desired exchanges.
"Points?" Johan rubbed his chin. "No problem. If I don't have enough, I'll just fight two more battles."
Hennessy's finger froze mid-scroll, a cold sweat dropping from his forehead.
Fight two more battles?
Click—
Hennessy decisively turned off his phone screen and quickly said: "Enough, more than enough! I'll fetch it for you right away."
"Hm? Already enough?" Johan was somewhat surprised.
He'd only fought three battles and already had enough points?
It seemed earning money at the Battle Chateau really was an option.
Three battles could exchange for one Mega Stone worth eight figures!
The only downside was that after reaching Duke rank, battle opponents were all Elite Four level, making fights exhausting.
Plus they were hard to match with.
However, Johan learned the Battle Chateau held periods each year where they invited various Counts, Marquises, and Dukes to gather for five days of intensive battles, with considerable live streaming and broadcasting, generating heat comparable to regional conferences.
"We'll see then..."
Soon.
Hennessy returned carrying a box containing the Mega Stone.
Opening the box to look.
"Yoji!"
Larvitar immediately ran out from Johan's waist, standing on tiptoes and stretching its little neck to peek, tears of joy flowing from its mouth.
"It's definitely Tyranitar's Mega Stone."
Never mind anything else - just looking at Larvitar's reaction confirmed this was undoubtedly Tyranitar's Mega Stone.
"You can't eat this!"
Johan closed the box and told the eagerly watching little one.
"Yo-Yoji!" Larvitar rubbed its hands with a serious expression.
I-I won't eat it! I'm just looking, at most I'll taste it!
Taste it?
Johan's mouth twitched.
I'll believe that when pigs fly.
"When you evolve someday, I'll give this to you. Don't you still have Earth Plate fragments? Chew on those first."
"Yoji..."
Larvitar drooped its head pitifully.
Didn't big brother Gengar keep the Mega Stone in its mouth? Taking it out only when needed...
I see, so that's why Larvitar wanted to taste it.
Johan decided to ignore it.
The little one had been playing with Gengar and really learned the acting skills.
Besides.
Earth Plate fragments were one thing, but what if Larvitar could actually digest the Mega Stone?
Strictly speaking, Plates were much more valuable than Mega Stones.
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Powerstones?
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